Canon 1DS mark2 vs Canon 5D

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John
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Ive been looking to pick up a full frame camera and the 5D and the 1DS mark 2 Ive seen are very close in price. So my question is which would be the better camera to go with? I mainly shoot people but it would get used for pretty much everything really. Which would produce the best looking images? Thanks
 
The 1Ds2 is a more advanced camera than the 5D1, I have one as a backup and it is a great camera (it was my main for a while till I got a 5D3). The build quality is second to none, as is the AF. IQ is superb, high ISO is good for the age of camera, 1600 is very usable, 3200 less so but there if necessary.

The downside is the LCD screen is poor in comparison with modern stuff and it is a weighty old beast, but that said it has a built in grip and takes massive batteries which last for over 1000 shots a piece. Make sure you get a battery charger (as obvious as it sounds) as a new one is £100+. I use compatible batteries, which I used to get from 7DayShop but I understand are now only selling them through Amazon.
 
The 1Ds2 is a more advanced camera than the 5D1, I have one as a backup and it is a great camera (it was my main for a while till I got a 5D3). The build quality is second to none, as is the AF. IQ is superb, high ISO is good for the age of camera, 1600 is very usable, 3200 less so but there if necessary.

The downside is the LCD screen is poor in comparison with modern stuff and it is a weighty old beast, but that said it has a built in grip and takes massive batteries which last for over 1000 shots a piece. Make sure you get a battery charger (as obvious as it sounds) as a new one is £100+. I use compatible batteries, which I used to get from 7DayShop but I understand are now only selling them through Amazon.

+1

The good news is that you only need LCD to check composition and histogram, focus is almost always spot on

I agree 5DIII is nicer to use due all the little toys like Liveview and virtual horizon for landscapes but then 5D mk1 wouldn't have any of those either...
 
mainly shoot people but it would get used for pretty much everything really.

For pretty much everything I'd go for the most compact option but even so the 5D+lens borders on being too bulky and too heavy for me.
 
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For pretty much everything I'd go for the most compact option but even so the 5D+lens borders on being too bulky and too heavy for me.

Well, ungripped 5D is unsuitable for people in portrait orientation due to being too small and light. :rules:
 
News to me. I must be the only person who's taken many many of poirtrait shots without dropping my 5D or it being blown away by a slight breeze.
 
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