So I'm in the mental market for a new camera. That means that I don't have my credit card out, but I'm doing pros and cons in my head. My scrappy 5D which has been my faithful companion for over two years is getting a bit long in the tooth. I love that camera, it's like a good friend. Just think about all the photos I've shot with it, including at least 330 of the 365 Portraits last year. All the places it's been in Europe and across America and the people I've met with it, like my hero James Burke. <sigh>I added it up and estimated that I shot about 100,000 frames last year, plus what I shot before 365 and after, and that's on a camera who's shutter is rated for 100,000 cycles. So I'm working on borrowed time here and I can't afford to have it break down on my on the job.
So, basically it comes down to 3.5 options. Buy a 1Ds Mark III ($8K), switch to a Nikon D3 ($5k) to get the supposedly great high iso performance, or wait for Canon to release their new 5D ($3-4k).
First the Canon/Nikon question. I've used Canon since my first SLR, in fact it was an Elan7 film body. And I've got a half dozen Canon lenses in my kit, so I lean towards sticking with Canon. But that's not my only problem with switching to the D3.
First off it's 12MP so, I'd pay $5k to get no upgrade in resolution, which seems a bit silly. I never shoot continuous so more frames per second are of no use. I'd like the high iso capability but I'm not sure it's worth switching just for that. Plus there is the lenses.
I've found myself using 2 primes lenses for a lot of my work. A 50mm and a 28mm. And the 28mm is the problem. Nikon doesn't sell a good one anymore. They did, about 5 years ago, but for some reason they took it off the market. It was fast too f/1.4, and from all accounts had exceptional image quality. It's so good in fact that used ones on Ebay go for $4000. I wonder why they stopped selling it, but that's another question for another day. Anyway, I'm not going to spend four grand on a used prime lens on top of the five grand for the camera. And then still be at 12MP, that's just silly. If I was a Nikon user, it's a no brainer, the D3 is the first camera they've put out that really competes. It's a winner.
Ok, so that leaves us back in the Canon court. And I've been waiting for the new 5D successor (probably called the 5D Mark II) for a long time now. Rumors say it'll be 16MP, better high iso performance (which is already pretty good on the 5D), 14bit Raw files, and maybe even weather sealed. Nearly perfect for my needs. But how long can I wait? I need a backup body and my current 5D would be great for that role.
Plus there are a few things that I'd love to have the 1Ds for. First off it's 21 megapixels, which is just crazy stupid. Enough to crop half the image away and still have a 10MP photo. It's also, however enough pixels that focus and lens quality become CRITICAL to getting high quality photographs. Not to mention the fact that it's built like a brick; as one review said 'if you need a camera that you can drive nails with, this is it'. However, the big thing that draws me even more than the resolution is the viewfinder. It's huge and bright and it shows 100% of the image you're going to take. Something I've gotten addicted to on my Leica (even seeing beyond the framelines on the rangefinder).
The other half option is to just buy a cheap or even used Rebel XTi for $400 or so and use that as a backup on the off chance my 5D fails. And then just wait and see how good the new 5D Mark II body is.
So many choices, so little time. It may sound like I've just got a camera fetish and that I'm a gear whore. But I don't think anybody can claim that I don't use my cameras. I really am looking for the tool that'll be in my hands for the next couple years of my life. It's a big decision and a lot of money, and I thought that putting it on paper might help clear away the cobwebs in my head. If anyone's got anything to add to the conversation, comment away.
Okay, Bill. Not quite on topic, but I gotta ask. Why do you "black out" the brand and model number on your camera? I've noticed a few other photographers doing the same, and I've always been curious as to the motive.
On topic. The D3 does have a shutter rating of 300,000 cycles, so it'll take you 3 times as long to wear out that camera. :-) Oh, speaking of driving nails, check out this D3/D2X video...
http://youtube.com/watch?v=mNA53jvAod0
There are rumors of new Nikkor lenses being released in the June timeframe. Maybe there'll be a fast wide angle prime thrown in. There are also rumors of an up and coming 24 megapixel D3X. Apparently, someone found a 24 MP D3X string in a D3 firmware update that has since been withdrawn. Oops!
To be honest, given your existing Canon equipment, the most economical route would probably be to wait for the 5D upgrade. Of course, you could just get the Rebel (wow, I just realized that you never had a backup during your 365 Portrait days?!?) and then send in your 5D to Canon and have them overhaul the shutter mechanism. Then you won't have to get a new high end DSLR, and you'll save a bunch of money. But then, what's the fun in doing that? :-)
In any case, regardless of camera or brand, you're still going to make pictures that rock!!
Stick to Cannon! :) the idea with buying something cheap now for use in case your lovely 5D strikes seems best to me. I don't see a reason for switching to Nikon when none of your lenses will match. Be patient, get some cheaper emergency body and have more faith in your 5D.
on the side note... how to I clean my mirror in the camera? I was changing the lens the other day and I saw a tiny lil piece of hair on it that has been showing on my pictures... I blew it off delicately, but there is more dust on my mirror and I want to get rid of it... how do I do that?
Richard-
Thanks for your thoughts.. ya, the shutter rating on the high-end canon's is 300k too. and I've heard of this 24MP Sony sensor, but I've also heard that it's only capable of 12bit output. Which is fine of course, but I tend to push my RAW files to the limits and pulling more gradations out of a 14bit file was one of the new things I was looking forward to.
And yes, the new 5D is the smartest thing to do, but that could be another 5-6 months. We'll see.
As for the tape. It serves a few purposes. First off, I'm not into labels, and I paid thousands of dollars for that thing, I don't think I need to be free advertising on top of it. And the 5D looks a lot like the 20D/30D (of the time it was released) which cost a third as much.. so maybe it made it a little less interesting to someone thinking of grabbing it. Finally it's one less thing for the subject to be distracted by.
Oh, and I didn't have a DSLR backup, but I usually had another camera with me, even if it was a little digicam just in case. But then again, when I traveled, I wasn't about to carry two bodies anyway. I'm crazy, but not that crazy.
I also forgot to mention that I love having a full frame sensor in a small body. I'm not one of those guys who tries to impress by putting a battery grip on their little camera (You know who you are). So any of the big cameras have a negative right there. But then again, I've never owned one, so maybe I'd like it.
Ela-
I'd get myself one of those bulb blower thingies. I've got a fake rocket blower one, and use that to try to blow the hair/dirt off. Be fairly careful because the mirror is more sensitive than people think. Wouldn't want to damage it.
I'm sure those brushes they sell to clean sensors would work too.
Yeah, my thought would be the cheap rebel body backup (actually, you could get an even better body, like a 20-40d for a backup), and then wait out the 5d replacement. As nice as those huge 1-series bodies are, I hate holding them. I hate carrying them. I don't even really like looking at them. Back in the film days as you remember, Canon made pro bodies about the size of the 5D, and those things feel perfect today, so I think that size bracket is just about perfect for price/performance/feel.
Just me though. I've been trying to get a replacement for my 20d for what feels like ages, but I keep getting broke for reasons beyond my control. Pretty frustrating.
I currently own a 1Ds mk III (and a D3) having come from a 5D.
The 5D was an awesome camera, and to see what price they currently sell for, they represent a real bargain. The 5D mk II is sure to be an excellent camera, but WHEN it arrives (how long have we all been saying this?), Canon will want top dollar for it. Their prices are hugely inflated for a few months after release, and then come down to their real value. So, you have the wait until the camera arrives, and then a possible wait of a few months until the camera comes down to its 'true' price.
What would I do if I were in your shoes?
I'd go for the 1Ds 3. It's already gone through the above and so now represents quite good value. 14 bit is excellent, and 20mp+ is a real winner for cropping.
My only gripe is the viewfinder alignment issue. See: http://www.bjp-online.com/public/showPage.html?page=701396/ So if you do buy, make sure you check the camera thoroughly once you receive it.
Stick with Canon.
If you want a backup, I recommend the 40D. It is reasonably priced with excellent reviews for quality approaching the 5D. It will be an excellent backup for your new camera also.
Wait on the 5D upgrade. Nikon has recently taken the lead with the D3 and the D300. Canon will have to match it. Canon comes out with new cameras much faster than Nikon so I think they will eventually have the best on the market. But that isn't real important. What is important is the kind of photography you shoot, portraits. You need a high quality camera. 20+mps is tempting but unless your business requires very large prints, it is unnecessary. If you only get three jobs a year for really large stuff, rent a 1Ds. If your wallet has extra cash go for it. Otherwise the 5D series, as you already know, will fill the bill easily. Let us know what you decide.
I have the same dilemma.
AF on my 20D failed last week. Canon wants $300 to fix. I estimate that I have over 300,000 cycles on the shutter in 2.5 years. So not worth fixing (though using it in manual focus only would be a good lesson!)
I'm leaning towards a 40D (with slight consideration of the XSi), here's why.
I really want a 5D, but Canon will update it soon. I want the new one, not the old one. Most recent analysis says announce in fall. Probably ship 1 or 2 months after that. I don't want first production run. So it would likely be early next year before I'd buy one.
With that reasoning, I could buy a 5D now. But I want both a full-frame and APS-C (great for telephoto). So 50D now, 5D mk II in a year. sigh
Nikon discontinued the 28mm f1.4D for a couple of reasons. First off it used lead glass and could no longer be sold in the EU, solving that would have required a complete redesign. Secondly it used a hand-ground front element and could not be made economically in large quantities and it had become increasingly popular due to the DX crop making it a fast true normal.
That does leave a couple of superb 28mm lenses available for Nikon users. But neither are autofocus (Nikon's 28mm f2.8 AF-D is good at best). The first truly good 28 is the 28mm f2.8 AI-S from Nikon and then there's the stellar Zeiss ZF 28mm f2.
Rumour does have it that Nikon will be releasing 1-2 new fast/wide AF primes, but nobody's sure how accurate that is.
I have to agree with Peter, go with an inexpensive backup right now. Something from the 20D/40D range. I picked up the 20D factory refurb last year as my first camera for around $600 so you should be able to get a deal even better than that. It was between that and the XTi and it wasn't even close. I'm not a big guy but the Rebels just felt tiny in my hands. I like a little bit of weight and and solid construction.
Ela, I'd recommend Sensor Swabs. They work beautifully and do no harm to your camera. Just make sure to get the correct size swab and correct solution. I've taken to cleaning my sensor once a month or so because I tend to be in really dirty and dusty places.
http://www.hahnphotographic.com/customer/home.php?cat=422