Canon advice please
Discussion
Ok so I have been a Pentax user for nearly 30 years and don't do too badly with them. Now my boss is offering me his old Canon EOS-1D Mark II. Not sure how much yet but that's not so important. The thing weighs a ton compared to my Pentax and thats without a lens, looks more complex and has a smaller screen. Question - is it worth it, will I get better results other than the fact that the lens are probably better quality the bigger they get. And is it worth my time and effort in learning a new camera/software package. And I guess its going to be a whole lot more expensive. Sorry sounds a simple ask but at my age I'm not sure I need the hassle so I have to know. Cheers
It rather depends on the price and how much you have to invest in lenses.
markmullen should be able to help with 1D2 advice specifically.
I assume you are using the Pentax supplied software at the moment? There is a good chance you can stick with it unless you shoot RAW. If you already use an independent (Photoshop or similar for example) editor then there is probably no need to change.
On the other hand if you are happy with the Pentax kit (and I'm guessing from your comment about screen size that it may be a more recent model than the 1D2) what is your motivation for changing?
I have a 1D3 and I think it's great - but I would wouldn't I?. On the other hand for SLRs I've been a Canon user for 30 odd years ... so it was probably less of a wrench ...
markmullen should be able to help with 1D2 advice specifically.
I assume you are using the Pentax supplied software at the moment? There is a good chance you can stick with it unless you shoot RAW. If you already use an independent (Photoshop or similar for example) editor then there is probably no need to change.
On the other hand if you are happy with the Pentax kit (and I'm guessing from your comment about screen size that it may be a more recent model than the 1D2) what is your motivation for changing?
I have a 1D3 and I think it's great - but I would wouldn't I?. On the other hand for SLRs I've been a Canon user for 30 odd years ... so it was probably less of a wrench ...
1DII (not an n?) is a (what?) 8mp 8 fps aps-H sensored 64 focus point pro beast.
For most things an average shooter will shoot there are better options out there.
If you want to shoot sports for print or want a pro level build and sealing its a good move.
Otherwise I'd be very tempted to pass and pick up something easier to use for a amateur.
For most things an average shooter will shoot there are better options out there.
If you want to shoot sports for print or want a pro level build and sealing its a good move.
Otherwise I'd be very tempted to pass and pick up something easier to use for a amateur.
I had a 1Dmk2 and it is a beast of a camera, I bought it because at the time I was shooting a lot of motorsports, in all weathers. The AF performace is amazing, as is it build quality.
As you mention, the downside is the weight of the thing and ultimately why I didn't keep it now that I don't shoot motorsport any more.
The user interface of the camera takes a bit of getting used to, but once you have it sussed it is simple to use and you can change most of the shooting settings without taking your eye away from the viewfinder.
One thing that you may not be aware of coming from Pentax, is that not all Canon lenses are compatible with the 1D series, as they are a 1.3x crop sensor, as opposed to the 1.6x crop sensors in the lesser cameras, the trade off though is that images from a bigger sensor tend to be of a higher quality.
As you mention, the downside is the weight of the thing and ultimately why I didn't keep it now that I don't shoot motorsport any more.
The user interface of the camera takes a bit of getting used to, but once you have it sussed it is simple to use and you can change most of the shooting settings without taking your eye away from the viewfinder.
One thing that you may not be aware of coming from Pentax, is that not all Canon lenses are compatible with the 1D series, as they are a 1.3x crop sensor, as opposed to the 1.6x crop sensors in the lesser cameras, the trade off though is that images from a bigger sensor tend to be of a higher quality.
craikeybaby said:
One thing that you may not be aware of coming from Pentax, is that not all Canon lenses are compatible with the 1D series, as they are a 1.3x crop sensor, as opposed to the 1.6x crop sensors in the lesser cameras, the trade off though is that images from a bigger sensor tend to be of a higher quality.
This means its hard to find decent wide options. You cant use EF-S lenses (from canon) and 3rd party crop lenses will work but vignette spectacularly badly.A 24-70 will be 31-90mm, not that narrow at the wide end but could be a bit cramped, so something like 14-70L may be worth adding.
Though once your looking at that an 18mp 550d and 10-22 seems a better option anyhow...
I've got a 1D2 (amongst others) and love it. It will take you a while to get used to the controls which at first seem counter intuitive but once you do everything is to hand. In particular having two control wheels, one to change aperture, one to change shutter speed, both of which you can work without dropping the camera from your eye, is superb.
The screen is small compared to modern stuff but to be honest I only use it for a quick look at composition and the histogram, for that it is fine. You can zoom in on an image to check focus.
The AF will be a revelation to you, lightning quick and accurate, using anything else after a 1 series will feel numb and inaccurate. If you're shooting anything with some action to it (birds, planes, motorsport etc) then the 8fps is brilliant. You can turn it down to 4fps or single shot if you want. As the files are 8mp they're not huge, you don't rattle through cards too badly.
Build quality is fantastic, you could hammer nails in with it. With the right lens they are weathersealed which has enabled me to get shots in conditions where other photographers had had to pack up. Also there is a built in portrait grip which makes the job a lot easier than reaching your hand over to press the usual shutter. Initially the weight feels like it will be an issue but in my experience it rarely is, get a good strap (I use Op/Tech pro straps and harnesses, others swear by Black Rapid) and you can use it all day without pain. In terms of life the shutters are rated to 200k clicks so don't worry unduly, I had a shutter replaced by Canon Professional on a 1ds (similar but full frame) and it was around £220 +VAT.
Don't get caught up worrying about megapixels too much, whilst on paper they're lagging behind technology in reality they produce great results.
If you're going for it make sure it comes with the battery charger, a new NC-E2 charger is something ridiculous like £200. Batteries last an age (well over 1000 shots per charge) and 7Dayshop do excellent third party batteries for m£14 or so each.
If there is anything I've missed just shout up. They go for between £400 and £600 now which I reckon is a real bargain for a camera which was several thousand pounds new.
The screen is small compared to modern stuff but to be honest I only use it for a quick look at composition and the histogram, for that it is fine. You can zoom in on an image to check focus.
The AF will be a revelation to you, lightning quick and accurate, using anything else after a 1 series will feel numb and inaccurate. If you're shooting anything with some action to it (birds, planes, motorsport etc) then the 8fps is brilliant. You can turn it down to 4fps or single shot if you want. As the files are 8mp they're not huge, you don't rattle through cards too badly.
Build quality is fantastic, you could hammer nails in with it. With the right lens they are weathersealed which has enabled me to get shots in conditions where other photographers had had to pack up. Also there is a built in portrait grip which makes the job a lot easier than reaching your hand over to press the usual shutter. Initially the weight feels like it will be an issue but in my experience it rarely is, get a good strap (I use Op/Tech pro straps and harnesses, others swear by Black Rapid) and you can use it all day without pain. In terms of life the shutters are rated to 200k clicks so don't worry unduly, I had a shutter replaced by Canon Professional on a 1ds (similar but full frame) and it was around £220 +VAT.
Don't get caught up worrying about megapixels too much, whilst on paper they're lagging behind technology in reality they produce great results.
If you're going for it make sure it comes with the battery charger, a new NC-E2 charger is something ridiculous like £200. Batteries last an age (well over 1000 shots per charge) and 7Dayshop do excellent third party batteries for m£14 or so each.
If there is anything I've missed just shout up. They go for between £400 and £600 now which I reckon is a real bargain for a camera which was several thousand pounds new.
Thank you all for that, very useful as Pistonheads always is. My motivation for looking at this camera is the boss handing it to me on tuesday and saying have a play with it. Cost won't be an issue and I can always borrow a big lens if needed. But my Pentax has two wheels for adjusting aperture and shutter. I hardly ever use auto focus so impressive as it is it may be just another extra and not the main deal. The battery is huge but 1000 shots a day isn't that good compared to its size when I do 500-700 a day with a battery a quarter the size. And using Pentax I have never worried about pixels - my favourite camera is only 6 million which is light years old.
Thanks for the heads up about lens compatability, its starting to look like this may not be for me (I'm not actually looking for new gear but the offer is there). I have a full time job plus a burgeoning lecturing career that come before the photography side of my life. Plus I like the idea of beating the big boys with unfashionable, old fashioned equipment thats light, easy to use and yet gives good results. I guess we are all different and have different needs. Anyway thanks all.
Thanks for the heads up about lens compatability, its starting to look like this may not be for me (I'm not actually looking for new gear but the offer is there). I have a full time job plus a burgeoning lecturing career that come before the photography side of my life. Plus I like the idea of beating the big boys with unfashionable, old fashioned equipment thats light, easy to use and yet gives good results. I guess we are all different and have different needs. Anyway thanks all.
racing green said:
Thank you all for that, very useful as Pistonheads always is. My motivation for looking at this camera is the boss handing it to me on tuesday and saying have a play with it. Cost won't be an issue and I can always borrow a big lens if needed. But my Pentax has two wheels for adjusting aperture and shutter. I hardly ever use auto focus so impressive as it is it may be just another extra and not the main deal. The battery is huge but 1000 shots a day isn't that good compared to its size when I do 500-700 a day with a battery a quarter the size. And using Pentax I have never worried about pixels - my favourite camera is only 6 million which is light years old.
Thanks for the heads up about lens compatability, its starting to look like this may not be for me (I'm not actually looking for new gear but the offer is there). I have a full time job plus a burgeoning lecturing career that come before the photography side of my life. Plus I like the idea of beating the big boys with unfashionable, old fashioned equipment thats light, easy to use and yet gives good results. I guess we are all different and have different needs. Anyway thanks all.
by the sounds of it your looking for a 5D mark I, smallish, full frame sensor, When I had two I got them soaked, they both went on past roughly 200,000 clicks. Good cameras, two problems though are focus speed and frame rates if either of those matter to you?Thanks for the heads up about lens compatability, its starting to look like this may not be for me (I'm not actually looking for new gear but the offer is there). I have a full time job plus a burgeoning lecturing career that come before the photography side of my life. Plus I like the idea of beating the big boys with unfashionable, old fashioned equipment thats light, easy to use and yet gives good results. I guess we are all different and have different needs. Anyway thanks all.
gmilton said:
by the sounds of it your looking for a 5D mark I, smallish, full frame sensor, When I had two I got them soaked, they both went on past roughly 200,000 clicks. Good cameras, two problems though are focus speed and frame rates if either of those matter to you?
That's what I want to go with my 1D2N!nellyleelephant said:
That's what I want to go with my 1D2N!
Having got used to the controls of a 1 series when I wanted a full frame body I went for the 1Ds, that way your batteries, chargers etc all fit both plus the controls are matched between bodies, you can have both set up the same way.nellyleelephant said:
A bit pricier though, I've had a lens blow out over the last couple of months and I'm not sure I could get another 1 series body past the Enforcer.
How does the 1DS (original) stack up....didn't you have one??
Yes, I've had (er, got, oops) both 1Ds and 1Ds mk11.How does the 1DS (original) stack up....didn't you have one??
The original 1Ds is a bit slow to buffer images, and the screen is crap, but the IQ is superb.
The Mk2 is a vast improvement, it is just like the 1D Mk2 to use but with 16.7mp and full frame.
Don't mention it and just make sure you're only ever seen with one body at a time, she'll never know.nellyleelephant said:
I ordered and had delivered an ND8 filter this week, she noticed that.
The only thing on my side is the US West Coast road trip next Easter, I've kind of got her believung that FF is required!
Ah! In that case you are buying 'for the trip' with a view to selling afterwards ....The only thing on my side is the US West Coast road trip next Easter, I've kind of got her believung that FF is required!
Need to buy early to ensure you get 'the right bargain' and, obvioously, have time to become familiar with the camera so as not to screw up any opportunities whilst on the trip.
Oh, and to work out which lenses you need for it .... ah, I see a slight problem developing.
Do you have a reliable alternative delivery address you can use? (Also non-integrated bank and credit card accounts?)
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