The 5D MKII is more pleasing for flesh tones (IMO) but the 1D MKIII has a better AF section, faster flash sync (especially important for non-dedicated external flash, like with studio flash) and is just much more responsive in general.
There is a considerable weight difference, so for long wedding coverage I prefer a lighter body for the candids/reception. The 5D MKII is the lighter of these 2 bodies, if that matters to you.
Matthew SavilleRegistered Users, Retired ModPosts: 3,352Major grins
edited August 11, 2011
My policy is this: Anyone who shoots weddings ought to have at least two fully professional cameras. So, quite honestly, get both! I know that sounds like a tall order without any appreciation for how much things actually cost. But, it's just part of wedding photography in my opinion. You need at least one camera that can do speed and accuracy, and again to be honest, while the 5-series bodies are "good enough" for weddings, I'd still prefer to have a little more performance. (I'm a Nikon shooter so I run with a D700, but I've shot plenty of weddings on 5D's, 5D mk2's and 7D's.)
Of course, if you already have a 7D for example, get the 5D mk2 and let the 7D substitute the 1D mk3. Or, if you already have a 5D classic, get the 1D mk3 and use it for wedding photojournalism and the 5D classic for portraiture or wherever focal length is critical... :-)
Since you can buy refurbished 5d IIs direct from Canon's online refurbished section for $1999 or so, seems like a good option...the problem is of course the AF system lacking reliable outer points. 1d III is probably a good camera in its own right but I would not own one instead of a 5D II (or a 7D) because the value is not as good. If I were exclusively a sports/wildlife shooter, I might consider the 1D series. Otherwise, 5D and 1Ds are my preferred designs.
Since you can buy refurbished 5d IIs direct from Canon's online refurbished section for $1999 or so, seems like a good option...the problem is of course the AF system lacking reliable outer points. 1d III is probably a good camera in its own right but I would not own one instead of a 5D II (or a 7D) because the value is not as good. If I were exclusively a sports/wildlife shooter, I might consider the 1D series. Otherwise, 5D and 1Ds are my preferred designs.
Considering that the 5D mk2 originally sold for $2700 and the 1D mk3 originally sold for something like $4500, the fact that they can BOTH be found used for about $2000 would directly imply that the 1D mk3 were a far greater value. The only reason that photojournalists and portrait photographers hesitate to buy a 1D mk3 or mk4 is because the 1.3x crop throws them off. When in fact the 1.3x crop does just fine in low light and at shallow depth, which are really the only two reasons to buy a full-frame body instead.
Again like I said though, it just depends on what the photographer already has. As someone who shoots weddings, at least two professional camera bodies are a good idea. I wouldn't go so far as to say that two 1D mk3's are a better choice than two 5D mk2's, HOWEVER I would certainly prefer to have one of each, over any other option.
Wouldn't a fairer comparison between these 2 cams - from a weight / cost pov be the case if the 5Dm2 included a grip - since I suspect portrait orientation is used a fair bit in the mentioned genres?
From my experience (w 1Dm3) the weather sealing compared with that afforded by a 'bolt on afterthought' with the 5D should also be a factor (altho maybe not as much as with wildlife).
One of each sounds a good mix to (and for) me, btw.
The 1DmkIII is fast, heavy, sturdy, versatile. The 5DII is not as fast, heavy, sturdy, or versatile as the 1DIII, but it does provide better image quality (IQ). I agree with the others, get whichever you don't have. If you already have a 1-Series, get the 5DII. If you already have a 5-Series, get the 1DIII.
If you don't have either, an option would be to get older bodies, but stay in both lines. Like 1DII + 5DII, etc.
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There is a considerable weight difference, so for long wedding coverage I prefer a lighter body for the candids/reception. The 5D MKII is the lighter of these 2 bodies, if that matters to you.
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
Of course, if you already have a 7D for example, get the 5D mk2 and let the 7D substitute the 1D mk3. Or, if you already have a 5D classic, get the 1D mk3 and use it for wedding photojournalism and the 5D classic for portraiture or wherever focal length is critical... :-)
=Matt=
My SmugMug Portfolio • My Astro-Landscape Photo Blog • Dgrin Weddings Forum
Again like I said though, it just depends on what the photographer already has. As someone who shoots weddings, at least two professional camera bodies are a good idea. I wouldn't go so far as to say that two 1D mk3's are a better choice than two 5D mk2's, HOWEVER I would certainly prefer to have one of each, over any other option.
=Matt=
My SmugMug Portfolio • My Astro-Landscape Photo Blog • Dgrin Weddings Forum
From my experience (w 1Dm3) the weather sealing compared with that afforded by a 'bolt on afterthought' with the 5D should also be a factor (altho maybe not as much as with wildlife).
One of each sounds a good mix to (and for) me, btw.
pp
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Having said that, I've never had a card go bad on me and statistically the odds are low.
If you don't have either, an option would be to get older bodies, but stay in both lines. Like 1DII + 5DII, etc.
for weddings, studio and newborn the 5DmkII looks like a good choice