Canon EOS 5d V Canon EOS 1d N

[M5MAN]

I posted a thread re my next camera being a New Canon EOS 5d and it I was advised to get a Used Canon EOS 1d Mk11 N. as I do a lot of wildlife photography on safari.

Advice please which should I go for... :confused:

[Turn]

someone's going high end...

you forgot to use this questionaire in your post to make it easier for us to help you...

oh and I'd say the 5D would be MORE than enough for anyone but the professionals which even then..




Budget

* What budget have you allocated for buying this camera? Please be as specific as possible.

Size

* What size camera are you looking for? Or does size not matter at all to you?

Features

How many megapixels will suffice for you?

* What optical zoom will you need? (None, Standard = 3x-4x, Ultrazoom = 10x-12x, Other - Specify)

* How important is “image quality” to you? (Rate using a scale of 1-10)

Do you care for manual controls?

General Usage

* What will you generally use the camera for?

* Will you be making big prints of your photos or not?

Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos?

Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos?

Miscellaneous

Are there particular brands you like or hate?

Are there particular models you already have in mind?

(If applicable) Do you need any of the following special features? (Wide Angle, Image Stabilization, Weatherproof, Hotshoe, Rotating LCD)

[M5MAN]

Sorry, here goes with the template :)

Budget

* What budget have you allocated for buying this camera? Please be as specific as possible.

Not to bothered about the budget as treating myself with a dividend out my company up to about £2K though initially and will add as going along like everyone else.

Size

* What size camera are you looking for? Or does size not matter at all to you?

Size nothing to big that my wife cant use it as well also dont want it to heavy as go out on safari all day and dont want to be lugging a rock a round.
Features

How many megapixels will suffice for you?

Enough for good picture quality...

* What optical zoom will you need? (None, Standard = 3x-4x, Ultrazoom = 10x-12x, Other - Specify)

Will get a general purpose lens first of all then add when going on different holidays, of which safari is my favourite.

* How important is “image quality” to you? (Rate using a scale of 1-10)

Image quality very important 10

Do you care for manual controls?

Yes as this is a big step up from my everyday Fuji Finepix S5000 and F10 which I use for underwater photography. I want to get something really good and perhaps go on a course to learn how to master it properly.

General Usage

* What will you generally use the camera for?

Mainly holidays,car shows,flowers, pictures of my lovely wife and special, wkds away etc

* Will you be making big prints of your photos or not?

Yes I do now but I think the quality will be a lot sharper with the cameras Im after.

Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos?

No not a lot

Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos?

Action photos on safari etc, also track days

Miscellaneous

Are there particular brands you like or hate?

Like Canon

Are there particular models you already have in mind?

New Canon EOS 5d Used Canon EOS 1d Mk2 N ( dont know what the N stands for though?)

(If applicable) Do you need any of the following special features? (Wide Angle, Image Stabilization, Weatherproof, Hotshoe, Rotating LCD)

Want to sort the camera first really will then address the extras
__________________

Thanks for any feedback all you gurus :D

[coldrain]

You don't have to fill out that list at all, and it is specified more for compact digital cameras, not for DSLRs.

You want the camera for safari.

That means, tele reach is wanted/needed.

The EOS 5D is a full frame camera.
The 1D Mk II N is an 1.3x crop camera.
The EOS 30D is an 1.6x crop camera.

The 1D Mk II N is mainly a professional sports/reporter camera, built for speed and durability. The N is just an updated version of the 1D Mk II.

If you get a 400mm lens, it will give a 400mm tele focal reach on the 5D.
It will give a 400 x 1.3 = 520mm tele focal reach on the 1D.
It will give a 400 x 1.6 = 640mm reach on the 30D.

So, if you can need all the tele power you can get, a 30D is a nicer tool on safari than a 5D. The 1D sits inbetween. It is a very heavy camera, do take that into account in your decision.
To me, a 30D with good lenses seems to be the best way to go for your purpose.

[downtrodden]

I agree with Cold on the 30D the crop factor means your lenses will have a further reach than what the lens is advertised- the downside is that on the wide angle, the lens won't be as wide.. but you can get wide lenses to counter this if this is a problem to you.

Also, you mentioned that the wife would need to be able to carry the camera- the 30D is a lighter and much cheaper option than the 5D and Mk cameras, so the 30D while heavy will be much more wife friendly than the other cameras. If you're near a Best Buy, stop in and hold the 30D just to see how it feels in your hands.. you'll see it may be quite hefty- the other two cameras will be heavier. Also, the 30D will leave you more money left over for nicer lenses, like that 400mm lens Cold was mentioning.

If you're absolutely adiment about your wife being comfy with the camera, let her hold the 30D, and see if she can handle it. me thinks she'll do just fine with it though.

Goodluck with your camera shopping. I've picked the body i want, now i've got a mountain list of lenses i have to narrow down!! That's the *FUN* part :X

~Cory

[M5MAN]

Thanks for that coldrain\downtroden

Just did a search on full frame cameras and Google threw this up

Full frame good \Full frame bad

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/5d-announce.shtml

not disagreeing with what you say as you both have more knowledge than me but need swaying from the 5d as that is at the top of my list at the moment but will go and see the other camera....

Any more feedback gratefully received b4 I write the cheque :D