Canon FF on a budget, 5D or 1Ds?

[puggie]

Looking to go from my 20D to full frame, I also use a 1v with film so what my lenses to behave the same on both cameras. Budget is limited so I see these as my only options really, 5D seem to be around £5-600 and 1Ds 300-600 depending on condition.

As far as I can tell they have near as damn it the same resolution, the 1Ds is likely to be a bit hardier and would take the same battery setup as my gripped 1v. The smaller screen on the 1Ds doesn't bother me I'm fine with the one on my 20D. The 5D is 3 years newer, but IIRC the same DIGIC II processor so are we talking the same image quality? the 5D can be run without a grip but I usually have a grip on my 1v, I like the portrait grip and extra heft it gives. I reckon most 1Ds will be well (ab)used by now and a good condition 5D will be easier to get hold of.

Thoughts and experience for people who have had/used both.

 

[markmullen]

I had a 1Ds Mk1, loved it, a brute of a thing, really good build quality, great IQ, weathersealed etc. As you say you're used to the heft of a 1V so you won't be bothered by the weight of it. I recently upgraded to a 1DsII to get the better screen and quicker buffering.

 

[MatBin]

I have a 1dmk2 and a 5d if they had the same IQ/AF I'd get rid of the 5d as I love the 1d for its brick outhouse qualities. not knowing if the 1ds/5d compare on IQ/AF I can only advise on build quality/handling. As you say a 1ds may have led a bit of a hard life but probably in a studio and regularly serviced so may not be too knocked about, comes down to what you can get for the money I suppose, 5d still seems to be holding up cost wise.
Matt

 

[BacktotheFuji]

The 5D has far better high ISO capability, bigger LCD and faster operation. The 1DS doesn't have the DIGIC II processor...it's 3 or 4 years older.

 

[cmonkey]

I have both 1Ds MKII and 5D and with both I take out the 5D more often as it's a lot lighter the only positives of the original 1Ds would be weather sealing,
AF zone coverage, Viewfinder slightly better

..and negatives:

-HEAVY!!
-Double press interface and outdated vs. 5D
-High ISO not nearly as good as 5D

5D
+More portable
+Bigger screen
+Better user interface
+Sensor just as good as 1Ds MKII, let alone 1Ds!

The image quality of the 5D will be better so I'd spend your money on that

 

[puggie]

well, I have borrowed a 5d from a friend, so we will see how I get on, so far though I'm finding the AF performance a bit disappointing in lower light.

 

[ianmarsh]

I had a 1ds and 5d together for a while. I like the iq of the 1ds marginally more for the portrait work I was doing but it was just too slow in operation. The af on the 1st was 100% reliable but once I got used to it the af on the 5d centre point was fine too.