Dilemma, which do I keep 7D or 1Ds2... (or sell all for D700!)

jj_glos

jj_glos

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A few months ago I picked up a 1Ds2 for a decent price. I thought I would give it a try and see if I liked it better than my 7D. Originally I set myself a month to decide, this was about 4 months ago now!

Ideally I'd love to keep both as they compliment each other nicely, but we're wanting to move house and I can't justify having two bodies just for a hobby.

The problem is I just can't make my mind up on which to keep! If I reason it out I should keep the 7D as it's the better all round camera, but using the 1Ds2 is a joy and I love the pictures it produces. I shoot a bit of everything, from macro to birds and also sports. AF is important to me and I use the outer points a lot.

AF - Not much in this, but the 7D does have extra modes and spot AF.
ISO - The 1Ds2 cleans up nicely in LR3 at 3200, the 7D does go higher.
FPS - 7D obviously wins here, I only use this for rugby in small bursts though...
IQ - The 1Ds2 wins here.
Size - I love the handling of the 1D body, weight isn't really a problem.
Controls - I've actually got used to the 1Ds2 two button method, but the 7D is better in this regard.
Features - Well the 1Ds2 is FF... The 7D does video, live view, level etc.

Being a crop the 7D is better for my use in wildlife and airshows etc. as I cannot afford long glass (currently have a 150-500). Obviously the 1Ds2 being full frame brings all those benefits (I love the 85mm f1.8 on it).

I honestly don't know I will be able to make a rational decision, even if I tossed a coin I'd just say "best of 3", "best of 5" etc etc :D
 
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I've a 5D, 50D and a 1Dmk2, I cant decide which if any of those to get rid of, I feel your pain :)

Keep both!

Matt
 
You need to make a decision based on your lenses.

I wouldn't get rid of 1DsII if I were you. It would be the last thing I'd let go - and it does have a phenomenal IQ. I doubt 7D gets close, particularly around ISO400-800 region.

I have little experience of xxx-500 zooms, but I know how they all get soft towards the end of the range. I doubt 7D would be resolving more extra details at 500mm unless you use a prime.
On the downside FF does show all imperfections of glass, that you could otherwise get away with. Canon wideangles are real trouble.

Don't forget you can always get another little used 7D quite easily, no so with Ds.
 
Chris Primadona said:
I guess you might get more for the 7D in the second hand market? Its a tough call indeed. Why not sell both and get the 1ds mkIII :lol:

*Forgot the 1ds mkIII costs so much, maybe a used one :P
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I'd be lying if this hadn't crossed my mind before! It would probably be at least another £600 on top of selling both bodies so not really an option at the moment. I have thought about selling everything and going Nikon with the D700, but that seems like a lot of hassle.

daugirdas said:
You need to make a decision based on your lenses.

I wouldn't get rid of 1DsII if I were you. It would be the last thing I'd let go - and it does have a phenomenal IQ. I doubt 7D gets close, particularly around ISO400-800 region.

I have little experience of xxx-500 zooms, but I know how they all get soft towards the end of the range. I doubt 7D would be resolving more extra details at 500mm unless you use a prime.
On the downside FF does show all imperfections of glass, that you could otherwise get away with. Canon wideangles are real trouble.

Don't forget you can always get another little used 7D quite easily, no so with Ds.
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I don't have expensive glass and I do have some crop only glass. AF performance has driven me to the two bodies I have. Lenses:

Sigma 30mm f1.4 (I'd sell this (reluctantly) if I keep both or just the 1Ds2)
Sigma 50mm f1.4
Canon 85mm f1.8
Canon 100mm f2.8 macro
Tamron 17-35 f2.8-4 (full frame)
Tamron 17-50 f2.8 (I'd sell or replace this with the 28-75mm)
Sigma 70-200 f2.8
Sigma 150-500 OS
Samsung 8mm fisheye (crop only, although I could shave it to get a FF circular)
Tamron 135mm f2.8 M42 manual lens (a bit of fun)

Me lens selection is pretty much based on price\performance, to make any significant improvements I would need to spend cash I don't have at the moment. I tend to use the 50mm and 85mm primes a lot at the moment on the 1Ds2, I've been thinking about trying the 35mm f2 as well. I can use the Sigma 30mm on the 1Ds2 with the resultant crop giving me a rough 1.3x (APS-H) size image. A bit like the 1D3 I sold to some bloke... ;)

srichards said:
Keep them both. Negotiate hard on the house purchase :)
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Yeah, this is really for getting money together for fees etc. I need to have another chat with the IFA.
 
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You have too many lenses. I'll have one if you are moving house! Free! lol
 
You can often get the mortgage fees rolled up into the loan itself rather than having to pay them in a chunk. Or hunt around for one without massive fees (more tricky these days). If you're moving sometimes lenders offer to pay exit fees on old mortgage too (if there are any)

Also have a look at the oneaccount. It is a current account mortgage so you can pay it off as fast or as slowly as you like.

You might want to consider selling the odd lens though :)
 
srichards said:
You can often get the mortgage fees rolled up into the loan itself rather than having to pay them in a chunk. Or hunt around for one without massive fees (more tricky these days). If you're moving sometimes lenders offer to pay exit fees on old mortgage too (if there are any)

Also have a look at the oneaccount. It is a current account mortgage so you can pay it off as fast or as slowly as you like.

You might want to consider selling the odd lens though :)
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Yes that is what I was going to have a chat with the IFA about, cheers :)

I don't really think I have too many lenses? They all get used :)
 
I've been thinking more of the extreme option of selling everything and picking up a D700...

This body would seem to offer great AF and FF, but my knowledge of Nikon glass is very limited, time to read up!
 
jj_glos said:
I've been thinking more of the extreme option of selling everything and picking up a D700...

This body would seem to offer great AF and FF, but my knowledge of Nikon glass is very limited, time to read up!
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I did this first to move to the D7K, yes it was a hassle, but for me it was worth it, now looking forward to picking up my D700.

One thing I will say is, it looks like you have allot of glass, but how much of it do you actually use, or more importantly, how much do you still use?
 
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I use all of it, the fish eye is the least used. Apart from that all the other lenses are used weekly :) The 30mm and 17-50 are going to be sold (unless Idecide to keep the 7D!), I may or may not replace them with a FF standard zoom. I think I might sell the 7D and crop lenses and see how I get on with just the 1Ds2, but I'll probably change my mind again in half an hour!
 
You need to find someone nearby and try the D700. You may not feel comfortable with it.
 
jonneymendoza said:
keep both bodies.why u selling it? strap for cash?
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I'm just a hobbyist and I struggle with the concept of having two bodies, it just seems a waste at times. The money would be handy at the moment as well, but not essential.

postcardcv said:
both if the cameras you currently own have better AF systems than the 5D2 - if it was me I'd keep the 1DsmkII
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True, and AF is important to me. I don't shoot a lot of football or rugby anymore so the 7D reach isn't essential. I like shooting wildlife but it's not my main concern... I guess I could always sell the 7D and pick up a 40D later if needed for motorsports...
 
PsiFox said:
You need to find someone nearby and try the D700. You may not feel comfortable with it.
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Exactly. Never, ever buy a camera on the strength of what someone else recommends or what you've read on the internet without trying one first.
 
Having 2 bodies is really useful. Saves on lens switching as you have one lens you use a lot on one body and have another you use a lot on the other. I generally have a zoom on one and a prime on the other. And it means if one goes on the fritz you always have a camera...
 
I have handled a D700, although not shot with one. I think it may be a step too far changing everything... The allure of getting something new is always strong though, must resist!

At events I have gone to with 2 cameras it has been great, it's just that they are few and far between. The 1Ds2 gets used the most whilst the 7D just sits in the bag, and that grates with me! It's too good a camera to have sat there doing nothing, and I find it hard to justify. I guess I could also consider going back to a 1D3 but I'm kinda liking FF at the moment.

Pfft I dunno, it's my brothers wedding at the weekend so I'll take both cameras and see how I get on.
 
jj_glos said:
I have handled a D700, although not shot with one. I think it may be a step too far changing everything... The allure of getting something new is always strong though, must resist!

At events I have gone to with 2 cameras it has been great, it's just that they are few and far between. The 1Ds2 gets used the most whilst the 7D just sits in the bag, and that grates with me! It's too good a camera to have sat there doing nothing, and I find it hard to justify. I guess I could also consider going back to a 1D3 but I'm kinda liking FF at the moment.

Pfft I dunno, it's my brothers wedding at the weekend so I'll take both cameras and see how I get on.
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Are you a guest or the main tog?
If your a guest surely it would be better to just take one camera instead of taking two, with one just taking up room where another lens could be?

And lbh, weddings are probably where you want an FF camera I would think, so if the 7D isn't getting a look in at other times, I doubt it will get any use during a wedding?
 
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I'm just a guest/usher. They did originally want me to do the photos but I said no. I agree on the FF being ideal for a wedding but my brother keeps dropping hints about having some video shot on the day, conveniently ignoring that is something I don't really use the 7D for that much! The 7D does have higher ISO if needed as well...
 
jj_glos said:
The allure of getting something new is always strong though, must resist!
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Way of pulling you toward it, the Dark Side has, young padawan.

At your peril resist it, but your bank balance will thank you if you stick with Canon.

:)
 
^^^
I'm picking up a D700 Saturday, the only thing that worries me is the AF points are the same as in the D300, do you have any issues composing your shot's with an outside focus point that is roughly within the rule of thirds on any given subject?
 
MomentCapture said:
^^^
I'm picking up a D700 Saturday, the only thing that worries me is the AF points are the same as in the D300, do you have any issues composing your shot's with an outside focus point that is roughly within the rule of thirds on any given subject?
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I can't say I have noticed a problem.
 
MomentCapture said:
What was that Guinness slogan again? :p
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"Guiness is good for you"? ;) :p

Ultimately I have to remind myself that I am just a happy snapper who likes taking pictures of his family and the places we go. Whilst the 1Ds2 is lovely is it wasted with me, the 7D may be good enough all told? I think about things too much!
 
jj_glos said:
Ultimately I have to remind myself that I am just a happy snapper who likes taking pictures of his family and the places we go. Whilst the 1Ds2 is lovely is it wasted with me, the 7D may be good enough all told? I think about things too much!
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When it comes to deciding between these two camera's I would look at it like this...

Imagine when your an old man, looking through your old photo album of your daughter with your Grandchildren, looking back on all the fun you used to have taking pictures of what your daughter used to get up to.
Maybe even showing your grandchildren your old camera, that now looks like a relic from a better time when life was much simpler.

Now, by this time, these photo's will likely be priceless to you, and worth more to you than even your dusty vintage DB9 that's sitting idle in the garage.

Now ask yourself this, would you have wished you used that 1Ds you used to have, Or will you be glad you used that 1Ds?
 
Get the Nikon. At least they have had a consistent lens mount for the last 56 years. How many times have Canon made their Pros buy new lenses? That has always griped with me. I remember when EOS first came out and the very first AF lenses. So many of my colleagues jumped to Canon...and then jumped back again a few years later. It cost them a packet. I can still use lenses that I bought when I first staretd.

To your predicament. It sounds like you have an itch, and you just want to scratch it. So, go ahead and get the back scratcher out.:thumbs: The low light performance of the D700 will blow you away, as will the Nikon glass when you start using it.
 
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