2nd-Hand 1d mk II n or 50d?

[BillyPilgrim]

I want a new body but can't decide which to go for. You can pick up a 2nd-hand 1d mk II n for about the same price as a new 50d.

My main question is, will the picture quality be better with the pro-model?

Some of the pictures I've seen on the net from the 1d (taken with the same lens - EF 500mm L) are far superior to my results with the 30d. I get the sharpness but there still seems to be something missing - (could be the ability to take good pics )

Is this down to more expensive/sophisticated photo processing software or will you always get a better image with a pro-body? Or maybe poor photoshop technique? I use Adobe Elements 4.

[matt_xyz]

the larger sensor of the 1d mkiiN should provide slightly superior image quality, but I'd be surprised if that were evident in low res web images. It may be down to other factors There's no reason why the 30D and 500 f4 can't produce stunning images.

As to which to go for, that's a tricky one and may depend on the subject matter you intend to photograph. For small birds the 50D may have the edge due to the 1.6 crop factor and the extra 'croppability' of its 15mp.

Matt

[DaiTheDragon]

Ok, as I own both I suppose I should be able to answer your question, but I can't. If I had to choose one camera then it would be the 1D MarkllN. The reason is because i just love this camera.
The focusing is fast and accurate.
The body is built like a brick outhouse.
45 AF points (50D 9)
It was originally built for the pro's so it had to be good.
If you use a 1.4 Extender you can still Auto focus with most of the quality lenses.
It might sound daft but it gives me confidence when out in the field.

When I had the 30D I used it almost exclusivly for Macro and it will be the same with the 50D where I think it will excel.

As for image quality I can't really say. To me (an amateur) I can,t tell the difference. So it will be 50D Macro, 1DMarkllN Birds.
One thing I should warn you about. Since the launch of the 50D there have been quite a few people having problems with err99 with the camera. Most of the time removing and replaceing the battery cures the problem but not for all. I knew about this before I bought the 50D but took a chance as it's only a small chance that you will get one of the bad ones. True to form for me it happened today but replaceing the battery cured it for now. I think there is a firnware update out so I will be checking later. The shop has already said if the problem happens again that they will replace the camera. I might add that I had to have the 1D MarkllN replaced after a few weeks for the same problem.

Only you can decide. Shiny new state of the art untested camera or a second hand tried and tested camera.

Hope this helps in some way.

Dai

[PMG]

Depends what the subject is: if its birds then the 1.6 compression turns the 500 into? 700 and something? (I'm no good at math!!) which can be useful if you cant get as near to a bird as you would like.

I'd be interested to know which focussed the fastest on a bird in flight?

And I've seen live view in action on the 40D and its impressive - its beaten my 20D in the few rough tests (photographing a china patterned mug one rainy afternoon in the caravan!) and no matter how I focused it outperformed my eyesight and the 20D's autococus.............

Yer pays yer money and takes yer choice as they say - or save up for both one day!!!

Pauline

[dunlin]

I know your not supposed to advertise on here but if your not bothered about buying second hand try out mpbphotographic. Ive found them to be pretty reasonable they specialize in canon / nikon gear

regards mark

[Jon]

I very nearly bought the Eos 1D Mk3 but in view of the focusing issues I didn't, having said that they are now resolved and the image quality is excellent. I did actually use one for a week. I came to the conclusion it was absolutely superb, it did everything I wanted and more. Therein lay an issue - why pay for more than I would ever need? I have also used the 40D which I thought was excellent, and I have equally used the 1D Mk2, which again was also excellent. They feel similar in the hand but I have to confess i think the Series 1 feels a little better - but it is heavier. Having used both series I personally prefer the reaching power that the 1.6 crop provides.

I probably will get the 50D but I have yet to read a full test report, I have seen a couple of reviews but nothing extensive. I get the impression it is very good and the noise is supposed to be well suppressed, having said that I have also read that it is about the same as the 40D which is not so good as the 20D. This I find a little puzzling!
Never the less it has the 1.6 crop factor, the 1 series has a 1.3 so if you have a 300mm lens and x1.4 and x2 converters the Mk1 series would provide the equivalent focal length of 546mm and 780mm whereas the 50D would give 672mm and 960mm. The 50D would also provide the opportunity for greater cropping. In a nutshell the 50D looks like the more flexible option. If you had a full frame image and both were at the same focal length equivalent then I suspect the series 1 would be better, .... but the 50D offers that opportunity of more distant shots.
I have read that the 50D AF is close to the series 1 and equally I have read that it is similar to the 40D. I have read the 40D is much better than the 20D and also that it is only a bit better, howeverI think it is in fact quite a bit better - and so do 40D owners.

I hope I haven't confused you but if it helps I am going to wait another few weeks and let the 50D price fall a little more and then I will probably get one. Over a 20D or 30D it should offer improved AF, noise suppression and additional cropping capability. Did you know the batteries on the --D series are all compatible and so is the battery pack? If you wanted a spare battery for the 1 series I think it is well over £120 and of course will only fit that camera type.

Jon

[eeyore]

another thing to bear in mind is the condition of the 1dmk2 and the length of warranty (if any) - these are mainly owned by pros and if it has been a press camera then it may have had a very hard life.

earlier in the year i bought a s/h 1dsmk1 which was advertised (by a well known second hand dealer) as being in "mint condition" - sadly on arival it turner out that this was only true if the mints in question were the bashed about crumbly polo mints you get at the bottom of the tube.

It had clearly seen a lot of action and was scuffed, scratched etc , the lens mount was slack, the sensor wasnt clean, and the shutter jammed 4 times in 25 test shots. I sent it back with a tersely worded note and demanded a refund (which to be fair they gave me without question)

[Hobjob]

The 1D is rain / waterproof too I think, which might be important to some.

If birds are your thing, then the crop factor should favour the 50D, I'd have thought.

[BillyPilgrim]

Thanks for all the replies folks. Very informative and much appreciated. I'm still not sure which body to get though

I haven't saved up the dosh yet either so I'll keep an eye on the prices until I have.

If I had the money today I reckon it would be the 2nd-hand 1d mk II n though. Then I could keep the 30d and have both crop factors and stick a smaller lens on the 30d. Another factor being that the hide I spend most of my time in is only about 6 feet from the water's edge so 1.3 crop factor wouldn't be much of a dissadvantage.

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by BillyPilgrim

If I had the money today I reckon it would be the 2nd-hand 1d mk II n though. Then I could keep the 30d and have both crop factors and stick a smaller lens on the 30d. Another factor being that the hide I spend most of my time in is only about 6 feet from the water's edge so 1.3 crop factor wouldn't be much of a dissadvantage.

sound plan - but i'd be inclined to put the long glass on the camera with the larger crop factor to give you the most reach , and the wider glass on the bigger sensor where it will have most effect