New Canon FF body

[amtaylor]

I'm contemplating getting a new full frame body as I have the 35 1.4 and the 85 1.2 as a wedding combo but I have a 5d and a 50d which makes the combo not as ideal as it could be so I want a second ff to make the most if it. But I'm struggling to decide between a 1ds mk ii and a 5d2 which are similar prices second hand. I'm a just trying to decide which will be better. The af is about the same on the 5d2 as the classic from what I've heard and its not that amazing but neither is it awful. The bigger resolution and better noise handling from what I see if the 5d2 is in its favour plus video could be fun now and then but the af and the build quality of the 1 is tempting too.

Suggestions?

 

[odd jim]

Well any FF body is ideally suited to weddings!

You don't need superfast AF for weddings, so high ISO handling has to be the priority - therefore I'd go with a 5D mkII, no question about it.

 

[Xenon54]

Centre point AF on the 5Dii is very good, so it depends on how much you use the outer points in low light? Also the large files are great for cropping, so this might be a consideration if you're only using primes.

 

[The23rdman]

I've owned the 1dsll and used the 5dii and would take the 5 on IQ alone... unless you rarely go above 400 or so ISO in which case the 1 is a truly awesome beast with some of the finest low ISO files of any camera ever.

 

[amtaylor]

Seems a general consensus then. I better start saving.

 

[Xenon54]

I've owned the 1dsll and used the 5dii and would take the 5 on IQ alone... unless you rarely go above 400 or so ISO in which case the 1 is a truly awesome beast with some of the finest low ISO files of any camera ever.

I would hazard a guess (although maybe a 5dii wedding tog could confirm) that you'd get usable images at ISO 3200. Most brides aren't too critical of absolute photographic quality, and more interested whether Grandma is enjoying herself. Plus noise reduction software is good these days and a lot of output is typically smaller prints, all of which helps. You could probably even get away with the black and white grainy look at ISO 6400 in emergencies as well. With your low light primes, it would have to be VERY dark in a church to stop you capturing the critical moments.

On the flip side I often use the ISO capabilities to increase shutter speed. I regularly shoot at ISO 800, which might not be ideal for studio or product shoots, but for my work (and I suspect wedding work as well) produces acceptably clean images. The faster shutter helps me get that extra crisp sharpness that my L glass is capable of in moderate lighting conditions

 

[lushuk]

Most brides aren't too critical of absolute photographic quality, and more interested whether Grandma is enjoying herself

You must have different sort of brides down south Xenon! ................
I find church shots at 3200 usable from the mk2 ive only done 2 weddings with it so far but very pleased with the results!

 

[amtaylor]

Well I've had plenty of acceptable images at 3200 on my 5d1 and that's only an expanded and the 5d2 looks about 1 stop better noise handling.

 

[Xenon54]

Well I've had plenty of acceptable images at 3200 on my 5d1 and that's only an expanded and the 5d2 looks about 1 stop better noise handling.

I find church shots at 3200 usable from the mk2 ive only done 2 weddings with it so far but very pleased with the results!

5d2 is clearly a winner then from this point of view.

The only other comment I have on this is that there's a reasonable chance Canon will announce a new high end dslr by end of September. This might influence your thinking and might move prices in the second hand market etc etc. But if you need the camera now don't worry about it. Just a thought.

 

[amtaylor]

Can't afford one yet anyway. My idea would be to have the 85 on the 5d2 and the 35 on the 5d1 that way the 85 could almost double up as a 135 when cropped to the 8mp apsc size. I think it would be the best way round.

 

[Xenon54]

My idea would be to have the 85 on the 5d2 and the 35 on the 5d1

Having two 5d's would definitely give some consistency when swapping between the two.

the 85 could almost double up as a 135 when cropped to the 8mp apsc size.

I'd be slightly hesitant on AF accuracy for shallow DoF work if the subject was fairly small in the frame because you intend to crop it down later. Obviously not an issue at more normal DoFs.