Canon EOS-1D Mark II

A very, very good camera. Needs to be used by an experienced user to get the best out of it.

I first saw this camera at Focus on Imaging in Feb 2004. I had been toying with going digital and had thought about an EOS 10d. That all changed when I saw the EOS 1d mk2, even though it was approx 3 times the price. I had to wait a further 6 months for the camera. They were in very short supply as 2004 saw the European Football Championships and the Olympics and Canon's professional customers got the first cameras. Eventually, my camera became available. As it was my first digital camera I had a lot to learn, particularly about photoshop and especially sharpening.

Having taken a little while to get used to the camera, the subsequent results have been spectacular. People are suprised that the printed images are from a digital camera.

To get the best out of it, I shoot raw files and then convert in Canon's EOS utility viewer. Any further processing is done in Adobe Photoshop Elements.

Even though this was an expensive camera, it was worth every penny I paid.

Superb image quality,

Fast autofocus, good metering

Amazingly customisable

Feels very solidly built.

No ECF (eye controlled focus) having previously owned the EOS 5 and EOS 3 which both had this feature, I really miss it.

It's a big heavy camera.

Once it overheated and the main dial ceased to work. When it had cooled down, everything worked again and the problem has never reoccurred.

A mode dial like the EOS5d might be better than the current arrangement.

Canon T90,
Canon EOS 5
Canon EOS 3
Canon EOS 20d

It's a Canon; like a Honda it never breaks down, so I've never needed customer service

My wife and I own our own business photographing weddings. This was our first digital camera coming from an Eos 3. We bought it to use for all candid/available light/fast action work and still use film for most of our portrait work. This is an amazing camera it has far surpassed our expectations. The only shots I have to clean up in PP are from low light conditions where I could not use a flash and even then I do not find the noise to bad at all. This camera has converted my wife to the "evil" world of digital. She was a hard core film fan but now she uses this camera as much as I do and I am having to use the film more now. So we are planning on buying another Mark II or possible a Mark II N this year for back up/second camera. Right now we still have to pack enough film for the portraits and back-up in case the MK II dies at an event. I have also used it to photography some theater events and shows where I had to push it to 1600 and 3200 ISO and as long as I watch the expose I have not had to clean them up at all. Very impressive results for my style of shooting. I find the menus and controls very easy to use after just a little bit of a learning curve, of course I was lucky to come from the EOS 3 which has similar controls. I bought this at a great price form Adorama because it was refurbed. I have not found any problems or issues with it and I have shot about 8-10,000 exposures since I got it. If I can get another refurbed unit for our second I would not hesitate. This is of course just my experience and others may differ. I highly recommend using L glass. That way you really get the most of the fast and accurate auto focus and if you use it outdoors you keep the weather sealing. I think this camera is great for weddings for candid, PJ work and receptions. It has really made me a better photographer because of the instant feed back and I can experiment more on the spot.

The speed is amazing. I never use the high speed at weddings but during some theater performances it has helped me get some amazing shots. The build quality is great and if you are ever chased by a bear in the woods you can swing this beast of a camera at them and knock them cold. Controls are very well laid out for me. My wife uses it quite and bit and so far finds it very comfortable for her as well. Image quality is wonderful. I bought this camera thinking I would just use it for candids and while it has surpassed my expectations for this it has also really impressed me for portraits and some light studio work. The back-up feature is a must have for me now. I really like the fact that all my images are going to 2 cards instead of one. I know nothing is ever completely safe but the chances of both cards crapping out is very low.

PRICE$$$ even the refurbed is not cheap. It is heave to carry around for a long event but what do you expect from a camera with its quality, features, and durability. As big as it is when you put some L glass on it and walk around you really draw attention to yourself. Some people may like this but I like to blend in at weddings and events as much as possible and not make equipment a target. I am more careful where I put my gear now that it seems to be getting more attention.

EOS 3

Never used it

An outstanding tool for the photographer in the field. Not the best for studio work... get the 1Ds for that. If you shoot nature, animals, landscape, people, sports or anything that requires a fast response, this camera is an excellent choice. Not a good choice for occasional hobbyists nor for those who worry about the weight of professional build quality. There is a necessity to use the best lenses to enjoy all of the advantages that this capable camera can deliver. High ISO performance is stunning. I shot a recent concert gig with almost no light and shot at ISO 800. The shoot has produced almost noiseless images. Fast in use and well thought out ergonomically. Manageable FOV crop factor and reasonablly good for wide angle performance. If you are serious about your image creation aand photography, this is the one. It will be a quite a while before you can stretch this camera to its limits. The 8Mpx file size yeilds and uncropped 10x8 easily. Interpolated files that span 30x40 inches are easy to produce.

Build quality, environmental sealing, lens quality, speed, cmos image quality at high ISO, system integrity, depth of system. Handling... especially two finger settings so settings not altered accidentally. Portability, short learning curve if other EOS products used.

None evident in more than 5000 exposures

Canon 10D, Canon EOS 5, Canon EOS 3, Canon EOS 1v, Nikon D100, Fuji S1, Fuji S2, Nikon F2AS, Bronica ETRSi, Bronica GS1, Plaubel Makina 6x7, Mamiya RZ, Sinar Norma 4x5

Not required for 1D2. Have used for other Caanon products and found it to be always excellent.

Not bad for a mid-range dig slr. Keeps speed, syncs well.

High megapixel for low, compared to something more professional such as hasselblad h1 or digital back.

None. But definately use L series lenses on this camera (well, all mid range slr dig's), for better control of focus, speed and gaining optim. results.

Bought to replace a 10D for my wife who is a freelance photographer I have been amazed at just how good this camera is. It is a significant step up in everything when compared to a 10D or even 20D. The cost is also unsurprisingly alot more. The build is good and solid. It has been used alot in the 9 months we've had it and has worked without any problems. I have compared the image quality to both 10d and 20d and it surpasses their abilities in the real world. The focus accuracy of the 1D seems to be what makes it beat the 10/20d.

Focus accuracy and speed, Image quality, low noise levels - great at iso800. Metering

Cost, Heavy. Slightly cumbersome menu use with 1 series cameras - until you get used to it.

Eos 10D, 3, 5

Not used