Upgrading from 5d... 1ds2 or 5d2

[K-amps]

I have been wondering what to upgrade next from my 5D. I am looking for the following:

1) Better ISO performance Primarily
2) 7 AEB in Burst is a nice to have

I don't care about big jumps in MP or Video. The used prices of the 5d2 and the 1Ds2 are not far off. Which one should I consider and why? Thanks!!

 

[DJL329]

B&H is selling a 5D Mark II bundle for only $1999 -- it's a great choice at a great price (I paid $2700 nearly 3 years ago). With the included SanDisk 16GB Extreme Pro CF and free shipping, it's a no-brainer. Stop waiting and go get it!

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&Ntt=embl1215ca5d&A=endecaSearch&N=0&Q=&InitialSearch=yes

 

[egilh]

I agree with buying a new 5D MkII when its that cheap

 

[JackSw1ss]

Hi mate,

i've been in the same spot some months ago and I've had the privilege to try a 1ds2 used and the 5d2 both from a friend of a friend of mine, so I could test them thoroughly.
As far as IQ I will be honest 5D for me it's winner.
As for ISO it's another go (both this and IQ are same with 1ds3 if not better on the latter...tried that too).
The only awesome point of the 1ds2 is the AF as for me...

I've choosen the 5D because:

- for same price I bought a new one instead of a used 1ds2
- get better IQ and noise (but that's my personal opinion)
- as for AF for sports I have the 7D and I'm very happy with it
- BIG MOTIVATION: the 5D is smaller and lighter...whenever I shoot street and landscape i dont have to hassle with the weight of the 1D. for me this point was essential
- video for me was a big GO eventhough for you it's not important.

Hope this helps...
Best thing would be for you to try it out, makes the change way easier!

PS: finally a thread regarding the 5d2 not related to "5d2 or 5d3?!?" or "should I wait?!?" LOOOOL....if you need FF make the jump now...sorry for the little rant LOL

 

[K-amps]

PS: finally a thread regarding the 5d2 not related to "5d2 or 5d3?!?" or "should I wait?!?" LOOOOL....if you need FF make the jump now...sorry for the little rant LOL

Thanks for all the replies especially yours Jack.

You are right, my next question would have been get 5d2 now or wait... I guess I will go read up the other thread. Another reason for me to get a 5d2 is Magic Lantern (it has controls for AEB) and that it will be another year or so till they get a version for the 5d3... as it is Canon locked the Firmware in the 7d.

 

[wickidwombat]

with the current price of the 5D2 it is great value unfortunately if AEB is important for you then its not so flash it only does 3 at up to +/-2 EV.
Now i tried the magic lantern to get better bracketing but it is hightly unreliable and not very polished so i cleared it and gave up on that, i might have a look when the new version comes out which might polish it up a bit.

Waiting is silly as the 5D3 is going to be ages away and then once it is announced the backorders will drag on for months If you buy the 5D2 now you get to shoot now at a great price and I am fairly confident they will still sell for a reasonable price second hand when the 5D3 comes out at a higher price point.

Personally I much prefer the 5D size to the bulky 1D however the 1D series camera are lovely to use there are so many little things the 1 Series has that gives them that clear distinction of being better than any of the lower models.

Tough choice but I would go for the 5D2 given the same decision

 

[RonQ]

B&H is selling a 5D Mark II bundle for only $1999 -- it's a great choice at a great price (I paid $2700 nearly 3 years ago). With the included SanDisk 16GB Extreme Pro CF and free shipping, it's a no-brainer. Stop waiting and go get it!

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&Ntt=embl1215ca5d&A=endecaSearch&N=0&Q=&InitialSearch=yes

I'm waiting to get on this deal..... I have to wait until 1/3 to order so I get the tax write off, do you think the sale will last that long? I hope so!!

 

[K-amps]

B&H is selling a 5D Mark II bundle for only $1999 -- it's a great choice at a great price (I paid $2700 nearly 3 years ago). With the included SanDisk 16GB Extreme Pro CF and free shipping, it's a no-brainer. Stop waiting and go get it!

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&Ntt=embl1215ca5d&A=endecaSearch&N=0&Q=&InitialSearch=yes

I'm waiting to get on this deal..... I have to wait until 1/3 to order so I get the tax write off, do you think the sale will last that long? I hope so!!

I think you might snag it till then... I read somewhere about one of these Canon sales going on till Jan 7th

 

[coltsfreak18]

B&H is selling a 5D Mark II bundle for only $1999 -- it's a great choice at a great price (I paid $2700 nearly 3 years ago). With the included SanDisk 16GB Extreme Pro CF and free shipping, it's a no-brainer. Stop waiting and go get it!

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&Ntt=embl1215ca5d&A=endecaSearch&N=0&Q=&InitialSearch=yes

I'm waiting to get on this deal..... I have to wait until 1/3 to order so I get the tax write off, do you think the sale will last that long? I hope so!!

I think you might snag it till then... I read somewhere about one of these Canon sales going on till Jan 7th

I'm pretty sure it is the lens rebate program that continues until the seventh.

 

[RonQ]

B&H is selling a 5D Mark II bundle for only $1999 -- it's a great choice at a great price (I paid $2700 nearly 3 years ago). With the included SanDisk 16GB Extreme Pro CF and free shipping, it's a no-brainer. Stop waiting and go get it!

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&Ntt=embl1215ca5d&A=endecaSearch&N=0&Q=&InitialSearch=yes

I'm waiting to get on this deal..... I have to wait until 1/3 to order so I get the tax write off, do you think the sale will last that long? I hope so!!

I think you might snag it till then... I read somewhere about one of these Canon sales going on till Jan 7th

I'm pretty sure it is the lens rebate program that continues until the seventh.

I think so too...... Buy......or..... not to buy. I know the lens rebate is good until the 7th, just not sure if B&H will continue with this deal until January 3rd.

 

[Hillsilly]

For your main selection criteria (High ISOs), the 5D2 is the better choice. The 1Ds2 tops out at 3200. And at 1600 it isn't that great, whereas the 5D2 seems fine at 1600 and you can push it up to 25,600.

I'd consider the 1Ds2 if you are shooting a lot of activity or moving subjects (better and faster autofocus and 5 frames per second) or if you needed a rugged, go anywhere, reliable body. Plus it has a longer lasting battery and faster flash synch. Overall, the 1Ds2 is a better built camera than the 5D2, but then the 5D2 has more features (eg video) and is more versatile, better LCD, is llighter, and goes to higher ISOs. And if you buy a new one, it comes with a warranty. The 5D2 is the logical choice.

But, should your photography be constrained by logical choices? The 1Ds2 is still a great camera to use. It only does one thing - it takes great pictures at lowish ISO's. And it does this extremely well. If that is what you're after, I'd say grab one. Then in three months time, you won't be kicking yourself for not waiting for the 5D3. Instead, you can sit back smugly with the knowledge that your camera is as good as it gets for image taking - at least until the used 1Ds3's become more affordable.

 

[briansquibb]

For your main selection criteria (High ISOs), the 5D2 is the better choice. The 1Ds2 tops out at 3200. And at 1600 it isn't that great, whereas the 5D2 seems fine at 1600 and you can push it up to 25,600

Realistically the 5DII starts to get noisy after iso3200 with 6400 OK in good light and some pp work

 

[JackSw1ss]

For your main selection criteria (High ISOs), the 5D2 is the better choice. The 1Ds2 tops out at 3200. And at 1600 it isn't that great, whereas the 5D2 seems fine at 1600 and you can push it up to 25,600.

actually the 1ds2 stops at 1600
3200 is pushed (expanded ISO)...as of my trials with my friend's camera ISO 800 was the maximum ISO for "still decent result"...for me 1600 (limit) was way too "disturby". Mind you, I don't hate noise, I just don't like that digital look when you go on the extreme of the ISO range and you start to see that tipical digital type of noise...
So beware dear K-amps, 1Ds2 goes up to 1600, Whereas 5d2 goes waaaaay higher and (for me) 3200 is coompletely useful and utilizable!
Mind you, and remember, you can't truly and fully compare the two sensors because they are different...is like comparing the 5d2 with the 5d original...you can but there are 2 different results.

I'd consider the 1Ds2 if you are shooting a lot of activity or moving subjects (better and faster autofocus and 5 frames per second) or if you needed a rugged, go anywhere, reliable body. Plus it has a longer lasting battery and faster flash synch. Overall, the 1Ds2 is a better built camera than the 5D2, but then the 5D2 has more features (eg video) and is more versatile, better LCD, is llighter, and goes to higher ISOs. And if you buy a new one, it comes with a warranty. The 5D2 is the logical choice.

Here Hillsilly is about right...if you're lookin at the 1ds2 is mainly for its build quality and for AF...damn even a 5 year earlier camera than the 5d2 has 45 points...though it's not contrast detect but phase detect. Real world difference, I PERSONALLY DUNNO (meaning I hardly find the difference on the field)....technically speaking contrast detection should be faster, but here I venture in a world where there's plenty of people (also here on CR) which is way more prepared than me.

What I CAN say to you (and which I highly suggest you since the amount of money is the same) is to try for yourself...for me 1ds2 focus was unbeatable (vs the 5d2 off course) but then again, 5d2 for me is totally fine, since I have the 7D too and since, and BELIEVE ME, it's the user that can make the 5d2 AF work, not the camera itself...I've seen action shots made with 5d2 which where incredible, perfect. I too make panning shots with my 5d2 with no problem at all...it's just practice and knowing your tool

Last thing related to what Hillsilly said in the last part...I totally agrree and also consider this.
Will you find it easier to sell a second hand (almost new) 5D2 which has come through your hand as new? or is it easier to sell a third hand 1Ds2?!?
I personally would prefer to buy from you, in that point of time a 5D2 instead of a "beaten" third hand 1Ds2, isn't it?
Well, up to you then but if the 5D3 comes out suddenly in the middle of spring time and you abs want it, in my opinion you'll find a ton easier selling your 5D2 with a good retained value than a tripple used 1Ds2 to get faster money for the 5D3...Just my thoughts

 

[K-amps]

Thanks again!

I think you guys have convinced me 1ds2 vs 5d2 comparison; there seems to be consensus, however on the pricing aspect; I feel; though the 1ds is older; it will depreciate less than the 5d2 when the 5d3 is announced.

What about the IQ compared to the 5d, is the 1ds ISO performance silimar? For me 400is max I go with my 5d, at 800 it needs a loy of PP, beyond that I lose too much detail.

 

[7enderbender]

I have been wondering what to upgrade next from my 5D. I am looking for the following:

1) Better ISO performance Primarily
2) 7 AEB in Burst is a nice to have

I don't care about big jumps in MP or Video. The used prices of the 5d2 and the 1Ds2 are not far off. Which one should I consider and why? Thanks!!

I think you can't go wrong with either (though I've never used a 1DsII). My only concern is alway to buy any used digital SLR. You never know what people did with them and there seems to be a lot of mindless clicking away these days resulting in busted shutters. With the current price of a new 5DII you might as well if it fits the budget.

 

[wickidwombat]

B&H is selling a 5D Mark II bundle for only $1999 -- it's a great choice at a great price (I paid $2700 nearly 3 years ago). With the included SanDisk 16GB Extreme Pro CF and free shipping, it's a no-brainer. Stop waiting and go get it!

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&Ntt=embl1215ca5d&A=endecaSearch&N=0&Q=&InitialSearch=yes

I'm waiting to get on this deal..... I have to wait until 1/3 to order so I get the tax write off, do you think the sale will last that long? I hope so!!

why not ring them and ask them to just put 3rd jan on the invoice and you get it now? i'm sure they will do that

 

[DJL329]

B&H is selling a 5D Mark II bundle for only $1999 -- it's a great choice at a great price (I paid $2700 nearly 3 years ago). With the included SanDisk 16GB Extreme Pro CF and free shipping, it's a no-brainer. Stop waiting and go get it!

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&Ntt=embl1215ca5d&A=endecaSearch&N=0&Q=&InitialSearch=yes

I'm waiting to get on this deal..... I have to wait until 1/3 to order so I get the tax write off, do you think the sale will last that long? I hope so!!

why not ring them and ask them to just put 3rd jan on the invoice and you get it now? i'm sure they will do that

Or perhaps ask them to wait until Jan. 3rd to ship it? (If that satisfies your tax requirements...)

 

[RonQ]

B&H is selling a 5D Mark II bundle for only $1999 -- it's a great choice at a great price (I paid $2700 nearly 3 years ago). With the included SanDisk 16GB Extreme Pro CF and free shipping, it's a no-brainer. Stop waiting and go get it!

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&Ntt=embl1215ca5d&A=endecaSearch&N=0&Q=&InitialSearch=yes

I'm waiting to get on this deal..... I have to wait until 1/3 to order so I get the tax write off, do you think the sale will last that long? I hope so!!

why not ring them and ask them to just put 3rd jan on the invoice and you get it now? i'm sure they will do that

Or perhaps ask them to wait until Jan. 3rd to ship it? (If that satisfies your tax requirements...)

Never thought of that. Gonna call and ask.