Im also thinking about whether buying a 1ds or a 5d.The 1ds has a better focus and might have better mechanical parts and is quite slow while the 5d has newer electronics but the parts used in the 1ds arent they better? Will you notice the difference between 11.1 and 13.3 mpx?Which one will win in the end?Quality for me is more important than speed. Which one to choose?Cheers

Get yourself a 1ds, cut your teeth on it for a year or so and marvel at the IQ. They are slow to write, poor lcd but the AF system is superb.The 5Dmk1 can produce decent images if you don't mind the terrible lcd , clonky mirror return and toy town feel.After a year or more of using the 1dsmk1 and seeing the IQ that can be obtained then you'll be ready to move up to 21 million pixels and will know how to get the best from the files.If you just can't live without the 1 series body type then the 1dsmk3 will be the one for you but make sure you try out the 5D2 (which will be a good bargain by then) because the IQ is identical to the 1dsmk3 in a lighter body that is much better ergonomically than the original 5D.1DS is my advice -- I feel so much better now that I've given up Hopehttp://www.pbase.com/davechilvers

Hey Robert,the older 5D is still a much newer design than the 1Ds its 3yrs v 6yrs a lot changes in that time in dslr's.the 5D is a re worked 40D body in essence more AF points (4 or 6 i think invisible but there) and reworked electronics for the 12.7mp FF faster data output etc.it writes fast to the CF card, instant power up and ready to go and very reliable i found.the AF on the 5D has always worked fine for me iv never cursed it ever, BUT its 'not' like a more expensive 1D series AF system.D Chilvers (above thread) is quite correct - it is a much lighter advanced amateur type body v the pro built like a tank 1D series weatherproof bodies - the weight difference is very noticeable, so light portable camera vs. a twice as heavy 1Ds is up to you5D mirror is clunky but i got used to it, body is a beefier 40D but still cheap in comparison i got used to it again, the LCD is small and dim yes again you get used to it (but better than a 1Ds though.the 5D image quality is extremely good i would say its still the equal of most even today, i still use my 5D weekly for studio model shoots.if 12.7mp FF is enough for you and you don't mind a re-worked 40D type body it gotta be a bargain imo,11mp v 12.7mp not a lot of difference in output for prints etc, my 5D rezes up well to 48mp or A3 i bet the 1DS does just as well.of course i could mention the superb 16mp 1Dsmk2 its quite low 2nd hand prices means its a real bargain at the moment the AF is great IQ is stunning! i sold mine and kinda miss it now,a 5D or a 1Ds? i dont think you can go wrong with either really? one is light weight other is quite heavy?you go choose what you want and need i guess, both have very high IQ - is all up to you what you need and want.Michael.Robert2905wrote:Im also thinking about whether buying a 1ds or a 5d.The 1ds has a better focus and might have better mechanical parts and is quite slow while the 5d has newer electronics but the parts used in the 1ds arent they better? Will you notice the difference between 11.1 and 13.3 mpx?Which one will win in the end?Quality for me is more important than speed. Which one to choose?Cheers

Thank you very much for your answer!I think i might go for the 1ds but im not sure yet since i have found another alternative. How about a 1ds MK II? Is is adequate to the IQ of the 5D and the 1ds?SinceleryRobert

1DsII or 5D is a no brainer ! I wouldn't trade my 1DsII even for a 5DII ...But be carefull, once you go on the 1series road, everything else will look like a toy in your hand :/ -- http://www.nicolasgenette.com

sorry i thought about a 1d mk II not a ds...

Hi Robert,I had a 1Dmk2 as well, its 8mp and 1.3fov look quite dated now in 2009 and my 5D is way way better in IQ in just about every way its 1Dmk2 8mp v 5D 12.7mp FF is a big big difference in my experience.i had a great deal of difficulty in up rezing a 8MP 1Dmk2 image for my image library initially it rejected all images i sent them even after some mild raw pre shaping it looked poor IQ at 48mp A3 size, sorry!the new 1Dmk3 at 10mp i would think is a far better choice - but for that kind of cash you can buy a new 5Dmk2 at 20mp or even better a mint 16mp1DSmk2 ,is all up to you and your budget and needs, only you know what's best for your photography,MichaselRobert2905wrote:sorry i thought about a 1d mk II not a ds...

Certainly a better choice than a 5D and a jump up on the 1ds. I still have my 1dsmk1/2 and 3. Now that I have a 5D2 the mk1 and mk3 could actually go because I have everything covered.One thing for sure with the 1dsmk2 is a truly tried and tested camera that will not let you down, has enough res for anything you want to do. 1dsmk2 is about the finest compromise for money around at present IMHO. They will become more of a classic and become hard to find in good condition soon, grab one now if you fancy one, prices have started to increase agin.Don't bother with the 1dmk2, it always was an in between camera maybe only really good for fast sport shooters. -- I feel so much better now that I've given up Hopehttp://www.pbase.com/davechilvers

The 5d has better image quality than the 1ds. I owned both cameras for several years. I replaced my 1ds with a 5d. I only shoot 100 iso, and make very large prints. Good luck Rob