Which second hand Canon camera would you choose out of 1). 1Ds Mk III or 2). a 5D Mk II and why?

[John Gaffen 83]

If you were considering buying a second hand Canon camera, which would you choose out of 1). 1Ds Mk III or 2). a 5D Mk II and why?

[David Kilpatrick 301]

If the price was similar, the 1Ds MkIII has a very much more durable shutter/mirror mechanism and a far better engineered body, but you might not want the weight. However, far too many 1Ds MkIII bodies have done their several hundred thousand shutter actuations and may even have been through two or more shutter changes, because they sell to heavy users and they are the staple of hire counters and camera pools. The main reason you'll ever get a low cost 1Ds MkIII is that it's been hammered.

 

In contrast, there are plenty of 5D MkIIs which have barely been used. You can find used ones 'as new in box' with just a thousand or two actuations. You can even find 'new old stock' remaindered examples and the price of these seems to have dropped to half because of the 6D coming in so cheaply.

 

Although the 1Ds MkIII sensor is comparable to the 5D MkII, it's a hand-picked 'extra flat' example. Canon sensor wafers are not the world's flattest, they tend to be a bit less than perfectly plane (a point which Sony attempted to exploit in publicity for their 24-megapixel full frame sensors when these first appeared in 2008, claiming that they had created the most accurately flat full frame sensor yet). In the accuracy of mounting and collimation (focus, screen and sensor) the 1Ds MkIII is a superior instrument; it's the Lexus not the Corolla. So overall it is a complex choice. Ask the guys at Fixation, the specialist repair company, whether they reckon the 1Ds MkIII is a better long-term bet. They might say the 5D MkII is fine really but I'll bet they would go for the 1Ds. I do believe they occasionally sell used ones too.

 

Your win-win would be to find a mint 1Ds MkIII with a low shutter actuation count selling for a fair s/h price, never rented, never hit by an egg aimed at Nigel Farage, etc.

[Guest Azure-images]

...

Edited June 19, 2013 by Azure-images

[Kebabselector 10]

Have you considered a 6D?  I went from a 5D MkII to one, sadly no experience of the 1Ds Mk III to compare.   The 5dMkii is a great camera, but let down a bit with slower focusing.

[John Gaffen 83]

Thanks for your responses; it was initially, difficult choice for me as Fixation was selling both models second-hand. Unfortunately, the 1Ds Mk III, was gone, by the time I got there! So I ended up with the 5D, which my back will thank me for! ( I have been using a 1DS Mk 1), So I now have the capacity to shoot HD video too! But if a good second hand 1Ds Mk III came up, I would still consider it!

Edited May 22, 2013 by John Gaffen

[Martin P Wilson 1,130]

John, for the right offer I could be tempted to put my1Ds3 (+extensive outfit) up for sale; my back has had enough and it is probably more camera than I need. It probably has less than 10K actuations. I am actrively thinking about what I really need, see the thread on the M43 as a replacement system.

 

The IDs series are fabulous cameras (I wrote perhaps the first user impression pieces on the original 1Ds for David K back in 2003) but boy are they heavy. Especially with fast or L lenses! What I really want is full-frame the size and weight of the Canon T90 and FD lenses; but then in the real world ...

[John Gaffen 83]

Today I went to Fixation for two reasons, firstly, to get a sensor clear on my trusty 1Ds Mk 1, and secondly, to consider buying a second hand camera back. (5D/1Ds MkIII). I did end up coming away with a 5D, but, when I got it home and after giving it a road test. I decided that there was just too much ware and tare for the money, especially as little or none of the original accessories were included with it! I am sure I  could do better for the money!

[John Gaffen 83]

Hi Martin,  I am still in the market for a second hand 1Ds Mk III, but I do not need lenses/kit  etc!

[David Kilpatrick 301]

Ffordes have a decent 5D MkII (I trust their ratings) at £1049 - http://www.ffordes.co.uk/product/13051710021981

[John Gaffen 83]

Thanks David I will take a look

[York Photographer 6,530]

I'd be very wary off any second hand camera, unless you know who's had it before. Could have been dropped and repaired, or just plain shagged out.

 

When ever I upgrade, I migrate the "Old" body down to my back up, and the old back up, to the pile of worthless old junk in the corner.

Edited May 22, 2013 by York Photographer

[Phil Crean 348]

I'd be very wary off any second hand camera, unless you know who's had it before. Could have been dropped and repaired, or just plain shagged out.

 

When ever I upgrade, I migrate the "Old" body down to my back up, and the old back up, to the pile of worthless old junk in the corner.

My last piece of "worthless old junk", a 6 year old Canon 30D, got me 200 quid as a trade in against my Fuji X100  

[Kebabselector 10]

I'd be very wary off any second hand camera, unless you know who's had it before. Could have been dropped and repaired, or just plain shagged out.

 

When ever I upgrade, I migrate the "Old" body down to my back up, and the old back up, to the pile of worthless old junk in the corner.

 

Best to use a dealer whose ratings you trust.  I've been happy with 2nd hand stuff from MBP and Ffordes.   My 1D MkII from MBP despite being 8 years old was in very good condition.   I'd be more cautious over ebay purchases rather than a retail store.

Edited May 24, 2013 by Kebabselector

[John Gaffen 83]

Ffordes have a decent 5D MkII (I trust their ratings) at £1049 - http://www.ffordes.co.uk/product/13051710021981

Thanks David, I'm now the proud owner of a very new and pristine looking 5D Mk II!

Edited May 29, 2013 by John Gaffen

[Semmick Photo 53]

Honestly, add a few bucks to the second hand 5DII and get a 6D, its a much better camera. I was fixated on getting a 5D but after careful thought, reading and people sharing experiences, 6D is the way forward. 

[njene 147]

the 5d m2 is in some respects better quality materials than a 6d - more metal, less plastic, and the screen is glass, the dials even feels different from the 6d - a little more solid movement if you will.

 

not knocking the 6d, it has its own advantages with the better processor, etc 

 

i thought that by now, the 5d m2 would be retired - but there is still a solid demand for that camera - and for good reason

[John Gaffen 83]

Well,  I should not really be answering my own question, but I would like to report a small update. I've just  purchased a secondhand Canon 1Ds MkIII,  from eBAY.  I will let you know how this turns out! But it was reported as being in good nick!   I got it for a good price . So now I only need a Sony RX100 and Lightroom 5!     

 

So, if everything turns out OK, I will be selling my 1Ds Mk1, maybe I can fund a Sony RX100, with the proceeds, then I will have all the possible angles covered! 

[John Gaffen 83]

A very clean  and new looking Canon 1Ds Mk III  arrived  early yesterday morning, Everything seems to be working fine,  it seems a very large step up from my old Mk 1!  Steep learning curve before I am in full control of this camera!