Got a pro camera so I MUST be a pro now!

Bilsen

Of course I'm joking with that headline. I remain the rankest of amateur hobbyists and I'm actually trying to wrap my head around using my new (old) 1D Mk 2. Also wrapping my back around having this 3 lb brick (and 70-200 f4 IS) around my neck all day. LOL

In reality, after 6 years of being very happy with my succession of Rebels (my T3i being my current one) there are things I'm not crazy about with the "pro" model. Perhaps it's just a learning curve but changing virtually any setting other than aperture seems easier and quicker with the 600D. I haven't quite gotten used to the "push two buttons and turn two wheels" thing on the 1D. I also miss the "favorites" menu because I use custom WB in almost all shoots and it's a comparative pain to dig through the menus for it on the 1D.

Base image quality seems very close although the APS-H sensor is surely better at higher ISOs. I can shoot the 1D at ISOs I wouldn't dare with the Rebel. Also, when I shoot baseball, the burst of machine gun fire from the 1D is absolutely amazing. I also think the 1D requires the "L" lenses to optimize its advantages. Fortunately, I have two of those.

For the moment, my 600D remains my main camera as I slowly work the 1D into my shoots. I'm very happy with having bought the 1D but at my level, for what I do, it hasn't kicked my little Rebel out of the bag just yet. Perhaps this winter in the studio will prove different.

Any other thoughts on all this rambling??

Bilsen

Here's an example of an image I could not get with the 600D. From a baseball standpoint, the timing between her foot, the ball and Anylza's arm is just too perfect to get without that machine gun burst:

jmphotocraft

I had a 1D2N, got some great images with it. ISO 1600 doesn't suck, but that's about the limit. The AF and FPS are great. Any reason you didn't go for a 7D?

divamum

jmphotocraft wrote: »

I had a 1D2N, got some great images with it. ISO 1600 doesn't suck, but that's about the limit. The AF and FPS are great. Any reason you didn't go for a 7D?

What he said.

Bilsen

jmp, really simple math. 3 yr old 7D = approx. $1,100 used. 9 year old 1D Mk 2 was $380.00 with 3 batteries. It also uses SD cards of which I have many.

I don't shoot enough baseball to justify the 7D or new CF cards, and I don't need the speed for most model shoots. Honestly, I bought the 1D Mk2 just to play with. I didn't "need" it as such but it does do things my 600D main camera simply cannot do.

Diva, that's how come for why.

jmphotocraft

Fair enough!

ziggy53

The Canon 1D Mark II is still relevant for outdoor-daytime sports and events which allow the use of flash. In good light, or at events and using a flash with an AF Assist light, the autofocus section is still amazingly good.

I do greatly prefer Capture One software for processing 1D MKII RAW files as it yields reduced pattern noise and less chrominance noise (after appropriate noise reduction), versus Adobe Camera Raw (ACR). I also like the reds and skin tones better at defaults settings.

Also try a current version of Canon DPP with the 1D MKII RAW files.

I agree with Jack's comment that ISO 3200 is reserved for emergencies. Remember that on the 1D MKII ISO 3200 is not a "calibrated" ISO, but an "extended" ISO. Likewise ISO 50. Both are reduced dynamic range, compared to the calibrated ISOs of 100-1600, and ISO 3200 noise is difficult to reduce effectively.

Sam

Bilsen,

Don't ever rent a 5D III.....NEVER....EVER.

Comparing the Rebel files against the 5D II files can make a grown man cry.

After viewing your work I believe you would see the difference immediately.

Sam

Bilsen

Ziggy, I was referring to varied ISOs up to about 1,000. My Rebel tops out for me at 400 unless a dire emergency. As for Canon DPP I don't use it much and I know the newer utilities cannot support tbe 1D. I tried to use it to set preferences and no go.

Sam, I only rent pre-purchase or for special needs. No way would I ever play with any 5D cause I cannot afford the camera or the Rolaids for not being able to. Thanks also for the comment on what I do.

jmphotocraft

PS, I am going to try to forget I ever saw that preposterous baseball/model snapshot. :puke

:smooch

Bilsen

Thank you sooooooo much Jack. And I'll try my hardest to forget you using the S word anywhere in regard to me.:D

jmphotocraft

Hehe. The bare feet sent it over the edge. I am a sports shooter first and foremost!

Bilsen

Ahhh but the bare feet are intentional to tie in the WBC championship with the million poor kids playing baseball on the Island. All other equipment is flat pro gear and we wanted to stay connected to the poor country even while celebrating the championship.

Sam

I find it a little sad that with your skill, experience, and enthusiasm you can't somehow get your hands on a full frame camera.

Your joy meter would go bonkers.

Sam

Bilsen

Sam, I have no reason to doubt you but can you tell me what full frame will do that I can't with APS-C or APS-H for what I do. I understand landscapes and even sports but posed models??

This is not argument, It's a request for information.

Sam

Bilsen wrote: »

Sam, I have no reason to doubt you but can you tell me what full frame will do that I can't with APS-C or APS-H for what I do. I understand landscapes and even sports but posed models??

This is not argument, It's a request for information.

I don't take as an argument at all.

I would say (my opinion) looking through the view finder on a full frame camera versus a cropped one is like looking at the world through a cardboard tube as opposed to large bright wide true to life view.

More control and creativity using DOF.

Better low light performance.

Cameras with full frame sensors normally have a better feature set than cropped cameras.

Key reason for me:
The files are very different with the full frame producing a cleaner file holding greater detail.

It's hard for me to articulate but the files can be pushed, pulled, prodded, and processed more than crop cameras with smaller photo sites.

I have a 7D and a 5D II and can absolutely tell you the files from the much older 5D II are the better files. This is not to say there is anything wrong or unacceptable with the 7D, just that the images and files are better from the full frame sensors.

As far as portraiture or model photography is concerned I do want to capture as much detail as I can. I can always smooth the skin or use DOF for creativity but I can't magically create sharp eyes, hair, eyebrows, clothing, accessories, etc.

These are the things that jump out at me. Maybe Ziggy can come through with a more technical explanation.

Sam

Bilsen

Thanks Sam. I may go looking for an old 5D bargain next. I'd love a 5D3 but cannot afford the divorce.

My wife is very cool on the subject of 20 something models but $2,500 cameras for a non-revenue hobby? Not so much.

Sam

Bilsen wrote: »

Thanks Sam. I may go looking for an old 5D bargain next. I'd love a 5D3 but cannot afford the divorce.

My wife is very cool on the subject of 20 something models but $2,500 cameras for a non-revenue hobby? Not so much.

Start charging...................:D

Sam

rexbobcat

The 1D Mark II was actually my first camera, and I bought it specifically to shoot sports for my high school yearbook.

I still have it and I can't make myself part with it. Even as an (almost) ten year old camera, the files from it have a wonderful tone and latitude. I actually prefer them to the files from the much newer Canon 60D.

The 1DII images seem to be more filmic, similar to those from the 1D Classic, even though the 1D Classic used a CCD instead of a CMOS.

I can't put my finger on why the images from it look so much more pleasing than the ones from the 60D/7D beyond the filmic look that the 1D images have. The tones are just...so much nicer to me for whatever reason.

Bilsen

Rex,

Right now I'm still getting used to the "push two and turn the wheel" controls but I can definitely see where the 1D will be useful.

Sam wrote: »

Start charging...................:D

Sam

Every time I think I'm good enough to do that, I post here for a reality check.

Right Diva????