Should I buy a used 1DX?

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Larsskv

Jun 12, 2015
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#1
Currently, I have the 5Ds and 7DII. After I got the 5Ds, the reason for having an APS-C camera for reach is gone. All the lenses I have are for full frame, and I really do prefer using my lenses at their intended effective focal lenght. Although I am very happy with my 7DII, and I dont have an issue with focusing or sharpness, I am considering changing my 7DII for a second FF body.

I don´t shoot professionally, and I don´t need two bodies, but I often prefer carrying to bodies, rather than changing lenses. I would usually have a wide or standard lens on one body, and a tele lens on the other when hiking, or a 35+85 combo on social events. I dont shoot video.

The 5Ds will probably be my go to camera.

A 5DIII would be an obvious choice as a back up body, and used prices are getting reasonable these days. My biggest issue with the 5DIII, is that it will be too similar to my 5Ds. It wouldn't really have many features I need over the 5Ds, and therefore I don´t think it would make me that excited.

The 1DX has features that I think will supplement the 5Ds very well - speed, low light, weather sealing and responsiveness. One thing I love about my 7DII is it´s responsiveness, and I expect the 1DX to be more responsive. The cons about the 1DX are the size and weight. The 1DX wouldn´t fit very well in my favorite backpack, the Mindshift rotation 180 Panorama.

Waiting for the 5DIV has been my main plan, but seeing the reasonable prices for used 1DX cameras has made me reconsider. I could always buy the 1DX now, and sell it if the 5DIV turns out to be the camera of my dreams.

What would you choose, and why - a used 1DX or a 5DIV? Thank you!
 
#2
The 1DX is a significant upgrade over the 7D2 (I use both) especially in ISO and AF departments. I am not knocking the 7D2 (I love mine) but the 1Dx is just better for wildlife/sports etc.

The 1Dx is quite a lump and much dearer than the 7D2 so I would suggest that you try one first. I think the price difference is worth it but this may not be the case for everyone.
 
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#3
If you plan to use big white lenses 1DX can give a better weight balance.

But honestly 5D Mark iii, the current price would be much more attractive as a second camera.

Do not get me wrong, but it would be a waste to keep two cameras of this size to use 'unprofessional'. When one takes into account the different batteries, charger and accessories, it seems a lot of weight to carry for nothing.
 
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#4
I currently have a 5DsR and 6D as my 2nd body. I agree with your assessment that a 5D3 as a 2nd body doesn't do much to complement the 5DsR.

I bought the 5DsR in September and had 3 bodies for a couple of months (5DsR, 5D3 and 6D). At the time of the purchase, I planned to sell one of the older bodies to fund the new one and since I didn't need 3 cameras. I ended up selling the 5D3 and keeping the 6D as a second body. Partially because the 5D3 used prices were/are significantly higher and partially since I felt the 6D was a better (but certainly not ideal) complementary camera.

I don't use my 6D much these days, but it is a nice option when I want to go with a light kit, normally with just the 35/2 IS or 24-70/4 IS mounted. The 6D is also better than either of the 5D's in low light/high ISO situations. I do wish for a camera with a faster frame rate when shooting birds, but the IQ can ability to crop I can get with the 5DsR is outstanding for wildlife.

I'm also thinking that I will eventually pick-up a used 1Dx and sell the 6D if I continue to do more and more wildlife photography.

Good luck with your decision!
 
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#5
I would definitely go with the 1DX.

Once you have used a 1-series body you will see why they are so highly respected and Canon's flagship DSLR.

The 1DX and 5DSR is a perfect marriage in my opinion, plus as the 1DX Mark II has just come out at there are plenty of good deals on the 1DX (Mark I) around.

Happy shooting!
 
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#6
expatinasia said:
I would definitely go with the 1DX.

Once you have used a 1-series body you will see why they are so highly respected and Canon's flagship DSLR.

The 1DX and 5DSR is a perfect marriage in my opinion, plus as the 1DX Mark II has just come out at there are plenty of good deals on the 1DX (Mark I) around.

Happy shooting!
Click to expand...
+1, if you can find a used 1dx on ebay with low mileage, US model.
 
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#7
After the 1DXII was released, the prices on used 1DX has dropped a lot. Here in Norway, mint condition cameras go for as low as 26kNOK (http://m.finn.no/bap/forsale/ad.html?finnkode=77604245), which is below 50% of its new price. A mint condition 5DIII is not that much cheaper and a 5DIV will be more expensive.

Prior to getting the 1DXII, I had a 1DX/5DSR combo. Match made in photography heaven. If it wasn't for the 1DXII, I would have lived happily with that combo for a long time.

We don't know what the 5DIV will be. In my world, it is better to buy what is out there now, than to use a dream of imageware to postpone a good decision. And considering what you can do with a 5DS/DSR, I wonder what a 5DIV would have to include to be tempting.
 
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#8
Thank you for your kind replies.

I have previously owned the 6D, and it is a good suggestion. However, I really do want the joystick and wider spread of selectable cross type focus points.

For those claiming it to be overkill as an amateur, to have both the 1DX and the 5Ds, you are somehow right. However, I shoot because I like it, and I like shooting with the 7DII, because it is so responsive. That is why I'm tempted by the 1DX. I don't need it, but I want it. (Actually, for me, the main selling point for a 5DIV would be it to be as responsive as the 7DII.)

It seems like I can make an upgrade from the 7DII to the 1DX for less than 2000USD, so I'm really tempted. I'm quite sure that I could sell it in a year or two with only a small loss.

One thing though, I read that Bryan Carnathan over at TDP had issues with sensor dust on his 1DX. Is that something I must expect, or does it only affect certain bodies?
 
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#9
I'm a total amateur who is hooked on wildlife photography. It's my passion.
I have loads of gear and why not. I recently bought the 1DX2 and I have a 1DX to sell for about 50% of the price of the 1DX2 and at a considerable loss versus the price I paid for it. But hey, life is about the pleasures it gives you not the cost so if you can afford it , go for it.
Pro togs probably take a different view and have to make economic decisions about the purchase of equipment.

As for the question should I buy a used 1DX, well once I had a 1D model I was hooked. I bought a 5D3 to go with my 1D4 purely for the ISO performance so when the 1D4 was traded for a 1DX it became almost obsolete but not quite. It has two advantages for me. One is the silent shutter, the 1DX is noisy and there are occasions it will spook your subject. Two is the ability to use SD cards of which I have many. The 1DX is dual CF card only.
The 5D3 thus works as a back up body and an image transfer device to back up my files on SD cards without having to carry a laptop , external hard drives etc when away on holidays. SD card are also a lot cheaper.

The advantages that the 1D body gives me besides the most obvious already mentioned are longer battery life, and ease of access to the Custom functions that enable you to switch modes at the press of a button. I personally don't like the top dial on a 5D or 7D.
Good luck in your decision.
cheers Dave

P.S. Why should you only buy a USA model if it's past it's warranty ? They are all made in Japan ! Canon repair will deal with an import just the same as any other body. The only drawback is that you might not be able to trade it in with a Canon dealer and have to re-sell privately which is the best way to go anyway.
I'm not 100% sure but I was told the 1D series have a worldwide warranty too but I have never needed one as the bodies are so well built. Accident repairs wouldn't of course be covered but you can still get them done by Canon.
 
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#10
Larsskv said:
One thing though, I read that Bryan Carnathan over at TDP had issues with sensor dust on his 1DX. Is that something I must expect, or does it only affect certain bodies?
Click to expand...
In 4 years I have had my sensor cleaned twice. Once after 2.5 years and one when I sold it, just to deliver a clean product. Compared to my other bodies, the 1DX has been no worse. I hardly ever use in on Liveview though.
 
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#11
Having a 1DX as a 'backup body' seems a bit overkill, tbh.

But it's one hell of a camera - I just picked one up last week for 20.500 DKK (just over USD3000 - original price was just under 50K DKK) and it's so much better for sports than my 5D3. Pics to land in the 300mm+2xTC, 1Dx, and sports threads RSN.

But after shooting this weekend I realize I need a longer lens (600/4) to get the really close shots :-\

And yes, I'm an amateur too.
 
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#12
Eldar said:
Larsskv said:
One thing though, I read that Bryan Carnathan over at TDP had issues with sensor dust on his 1DX. Is that something I must expect, or does it only affect certain bodies?
Click to expand...
In 4 years I have had my sensor cleaned twice. Once after 2.5 years and one when I sold it, just to deliver a clean product. Compared to my other bodies, the 1DX has been no worse. I hardly ever use in on Liveview though.
Click to expand...

Thank you for clarifying about sensor spots, Eldar. That is reassuring.

It sounds crazy to call the 1DX a back up camera, and it isn't really the correct description I think. I will probably use the 5Ds the most, because it fits my preferred backpacks, and because of the resolution. Because of its features, the 1DX will be more a complimentary camera, than a back up. If I got the 5DIII, I imagine I would only use it when I needed the second camera for another lens.
 
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#15
Eldar said:
Larsskv said:
One thing though, I read that Bryan Carnathan over at TDP had issues with sensor dust on his 1DX. Is that something I must expect, or does it only affect certain bodies?
Click to expand...
In 4 years I have had my sensor cleaned twice. Once after 2.5 years and one when I sold it, just to deliver a clean product. Compared to my other bodies, the 1DX has been no worse. I hardly ever use in on Liveview though.
Click to expand...


How about dirt in your viewfinder? I've got two 1DX camera's and a 5DS and within 6 months they've all gotten dirt or dust inside the viewfinder prism box
 
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#16
Honestly? YES, In October I managed to snag a deal at Scandinavia photo and got a 1DX for 36000 nok with 40k exposures and since then it's been my most used camera, I've brought it to Iceland, two trips to northern norway and so many more places, it is the perfect camera to pair with a 5DS and 5DSR, my gear set up right now is a 5DS and two 1DX camera's and that paring of high MP with incredible high ISO and super fast fps makes it the perfect set up you could have for almost any kind of photography.


The first 1DX I got was 36000 nok so around 3200? pounds while the second one I got was 34000 nok brand new but with the 1dx mark 2 being out for a while now you should be able to get it for even cheaper!
 
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#18
Cheekysascha said:
Larsskv said:
I just purchased the 1DX, and I expect to receive it within a week. I guess I was easy to convince. GAS is what they call it. I'm very excited!
Click to expand...


Congratulations man! you're going to love it! just be careful one switching lenses on it, for me at least my 1DX camera's seem to get dirt in the viewfinder a lot when I switch lenses with it.
Click to expand...

I sure hope and believe I will. I will be careful with dirt, and thank you for the tip. I got mine for 26 000 NOK (3100USD), with a shutter count of 79000.
 
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