5D, 1dS, DMR or what?

[fuchs]

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So, I need a dSLR outfit. I tried a Viso2 with the M8, and it's OK for product table sessions, but there are applications when the dSLR is ...needed

 

I already have some adaptors and Leica R glass, mostly 3 cams, nothing of the latest generations, but in decent shape, and no interest in investing in new R lenses for now.

 

A friend of mine is selling his almost unused backup cameras, a 5d and 1Ds (Mark I, the oldest), to raise funds for an upcoming 1DMk3. Price of both cameras is almost the same. Which should I prefer, image-quality-wise?

 

Or should I try to find a secondhand R8/R9+DMR?

 

Any suggestion by real world users is really appreciated

 

TIA

Ed

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[carstenw]

The 5D is a little newer, but the colours are a tad flat. It has better high ISO, and is much more compact. No weather sealing, no beat-your-attacker ruggedness. I think the size and ruggedness of the bodies should decide that one for you. Both great, neither probably gives as satisfying pictures as the DMR though, but at much less money.

[fuchs]

Carsten, I have had tested both at my friend's studio, and I am completely puzzled by the pros/cons of both cameras. Having been some time ago a Nikon D2H user, I can feel the weight and sturdiness of the 1DS as reassuring. But the 5d has better ISO performance, ad at least as good a quality as the 1DS at studio low ISOs.

OTOH, an R8/DMR in the best of cases equals in price BOTH the 5d AND the 1DS, plus a 17-40/4L and even probably a small flash....

 

ed

[markvm]

I think you should buy my 1Ds MarkII.... 7300 actuations.

 

Both Canons you mentioned will do a nice job. High ISO performance goes to the 5D and ruggedness goes to the one series. I think the shutter on the 1Ds is around 200,000 clicks. Probably less on the 5D. Many more features on the 1Ds than on the 5D.

 

Mark Megerle

[hdrmd]

The IDs and the 5D are fine cameras, but if you can get a IIDs, then do so. If the choice is only between the 5D and the IDs, the latter is much more sturdy, and to my eyes has a much quicker responding acutofocus. That is, I think it gets on the subject faster and tracks better. Of course if it is only for studio work, then none of that matters. Dr

[AlanG]

I have the 5D and the 1Ds. Unless you need the weather sealing, buy the 5D. If the 5D had preceded the 1Ds, I would never have bough the 1Ds. The 5D has better picture quality and is much more responsive (images are processed faster) better battery life and of course is much lighter and smaller. The LCD is bigger and better too. The batteries and charger are much much smaller and lighter too. And the 5D has a better interface (joystick control and easier image browsing and zoom.)

 

I don't know what the poster meant by it having flat colors. When you process raw images you can get the colors looking pretty much any way you like.

[eronald]

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I have the 5D and the 1Ds. Unless you need the weather sealing, buy the 5D.

 

I don't know what the poster meant by it having flat colors. When you process raw images you can get the colors looking pretty much any way you like.

 

I shall soon release some profiles for the 5D. Contact me if interested in participating in the test phase.

 

EDMUNDRONALD AT GMAIL DOT COM

 

Edmund

[zlatkob]

I second what AlanG wrote. I would just add that I sold the 1Ds some time ago, but I use the 5D regularly. The original 1Ds was a marvel when it was introduced, but it feels sluggish compared with current cameras, and it doesn't offer the tremendous high iso of the 5D (which may or many not matter to you). The 5D with a good lens is just superb. No experience with the DMR.

[edlaurpic]

Having owned all three, here's my take . . .

 

DMR hands down unless very high ISO is desired or very wide angle lenses, in which case I would go with the 5D. IDS is better made, but it's a brick. What I like most about the DMR is that it is as manual as it can possibly be, which is a big plus for me, as I don't like AF, auto exposure, etc. I do you the AE and manual metering, however, to good advantage.

 

Until there is an R10, which is likely in 08 I hear, my DMR/R9 will get almost as much use as my M8, and it is just as satisfying to use, if not more so and its the only game for me for tele and macro applications.

 

Prices for an R8/DMR combination have dropped to where I think they are a good value, also.

[fuchs]

I think you should buy my 1Ds MarkII.... 7300 actuations.

 

Mark Megerle

Mark, I would if I could... but I am on a budget this time, after the M8 and related lenses buys.

 

ed

[harrisfoto]

In the 70's I switched from 35mm film to medium format.

In about 2001, I started with the first Canon G1, and then the Fuji S2.

I was never very happy with either of those.

In December, of 2006, over a year ago, I got an R8 and a DMR. I bought all of my R lenses on e-bay or second hand.

In part, I want to use as much manual control as possible.

I did not want to spring for a medium format back.

With the DMR I can use Hasselblad lenses and the leica lenses.

 

Attached is a shot taken this week in Buenos Aires, with the DMR and the R60mm macro lens.

I think that I am getting closer to the kind of results that I used to get with medium format film. My impression is that the sensors still do not use the full capability of the lenses, and that as the sensors get better, so will the results.

I have seen great results from the 5d, but since I prefer the Leica lenses, I prefer the Leica DMR choice.

[fuchs]

A big thank you to everyone who took the time to respond and post their opinion.

 

I have been playing with both cameras at my friend's studio for the last 3 hours. Image quality seems to be the same for both cameras, as I cannot see any dfferences in perceived quality (resolution, detail, borders definition, color, etc) playing with raw files from each at least up to ISO 400.

At ISO 800 and 1250, the 1DS noise is actually more visible (but not as much as I have expected after having read some internet reviews that quoted it as terrible), but it also has a different 'taste'. It looks less synthetic than the one from the 5d at comparable noise levels (ie ISO 1600 and 3200). It looks very similar to the noise produced by my M8.

 

Build quality and sturdiness of the 1Ds are remarkable, as its very fast and accurate AF. It really feels as a brick in the hand. A reassuring one.

 

Responsiveness and lack of apparent noise at ISO 1600 and up are the 5d strengths. The raw files look a tad 'cleaner' than those from the 1Ds. And this is decisive for me at this time.

 

The 5d is the interim winner. As a plus (and I hope my friend Sergio will not read this anytime too soon ) I feel it will be easier to sell than the 1DS in the short run. The 5d has had a significantly better press on the internet lately when compared to the 1DS. But... I must admit this latter's handling and feeling have set my standard for the future (that is, as soon as 1DSMk3 hits the market and the used 1DSMk2 prices drop into the US$2.5-3k region).

 

I have tried some financial engineering, but the R9/DMR is not possible right now.

 

OK, let's go back to talk Leica....

 

Thanks again

 

Ed

[fuchs]

(...) In December, of 2006, over a year ago, I got an R8 and a DMR. I bought all of my R lenses on e-bay or second hand. In part, I want to use as much manual control as possible. I did not want to spring for a medium format back. With the DMR I can use Hasselblad lenses and the leica lenses.

Attached is a shot taken this week in Buenos Aires, with the DMR and the R60mm macro lens.I think that I am getting closer to the kind of results that I used to get with medium format film. My impression is that the sensors still do not use the full capability of the lenses, and that as the sensors get better, so will the results.

I have seen great results from the 5d, but since I prefer the Leica lenses, I prefer the Leica DMR choice.

Steve,

if you are still in BA, please give me a call at the cell number I sent you by PM. We are organizing a photo outing around some urban locations not 'average tourist' this weekend and if you want to join, you'll be welcome. 'We' are just some friend photogs with spare time on saturday. Mostly Canons, some Nikon, my M8.

 

Best

ed