Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

Opinion: I wish I had a different category for "value for money" because out of 5 this is a 6!!!. I purchased this camera for under 900 bucks. It has been used but with build and 65 some odd thousand clicks on it... it still will outlast the brand new 5d mark II cameras and any 40d 50d or 60d.
It is built like a tank!!!
While the ISO only goes to 3200, with the money I saved I have 70-200mm F2.8 IS, which means I can go two stops slower than a non IS 2.8 or waaaay better than some stock lens offerings. My lens won't devalue and my camera still at a measly 8mp has tonnes of resolution to make a poster out of.
I wonder why more people don't go with better glass and a slightly less iso proficient camers than the cheaper models.
The AF on this has to be experienced when compared to prosumer models. I guess you can say I am satisfied.

Opinion: Traded my 1DmkIII for this body. So it's used but in mint condition with 11K clicks. It's not quite as versitile as the mkIII but IMHO gives better Image quality...and really, that's why I buy a Pro DSLR. High ISO noise control is better than I thought, about the same as the 5D with better detail...So, better:)
4 FPS is enough for me, I'm very happy and don't miss the mkIII. Best IQ I've seen so far..

Opinion: I upgraded from the 1Ds to the 1Ds2 and am amazed at the refinements. I purchased a
used body and that saved me a lot of money. The newer firewire connection and
battery consumption are more reliable than the original 1Ds. The sensor is difficult to
get clean but once it's done I shouldn't have to mess with it again unless I shoot in
poor conditions. I am amazed at the performance even at one second exposures. I
expected high noise and hot pixels and I only got two or three hot pixels. The files are
beautiful and the buffer clears much faster than the previous version.

Opinion: I must admit, this camera has fullfilled all of my needs. It is a great step up from the 1Ds and it's processing much better. I must say it does a really great job.

Opinion: Got one secondhand (hence 4 for value), having had a 1ds (also secondhand) for
about 2 years. Very similar. Super image quality, but not a lot better than 1ds, except
from noise point of view. Too heavy. Superb autofocus and metering, not great AWB.
Better on batteries. I wish they made the exact same camera from plastic, half the
weight. (this next bit is a year later).
One benefit of this resolution is that a wedding group photo with somone ruining it
can be cropped to produce good pictures of some of the others. VERY useful.

Opinion: I just got this baby spanking new for two weeks now, and am continue to be amazed by the quality of this camera. Absolutely first rate in all aspects.

Thought of getting the 1D3 but I need the extra resolution and true ultra wide angle capabilities of the 1Ds2. Together with the 16-35L II, its my dream come true.

Opinion: What can be said about this camera that hasn't already been said?

3 years after it was introduced to the market, no other manufacturer has produced a
better digital SLR. It still reigns as the king of digital and for the working
professional there is nothing better to carry. The price has come down about 1000
or so bucks in the past couple of years and it is starting to show a little age with the
features as compared to the newer prosumer Digital SLR's hitting the market. Even
the new IDMKIII is still only running 10 mpix and despite the superior functionality
of the new body, the IDsMKII will produce the finest image available. I look
forward to the update to this camera. In the meantime, nothing else comes close,
not even the Nikon D2Xs, which despite the opinion of Phil, is not as good a
camera for doing high resolution landscape work for large prints nor is the D2Xs as
good in low light conditions. The 1DsMKII is worth every penny, don't doubt it for
a moment.

Opinion: Simply the best reflex on the market actually. I used to photograph on 6x7 Mamiyas, and comparing the quality of the pictures, I find that the EOS-1DsMarkII has exceeded the format in quality.

The only thing I miss is a GPS connection, as I do lots of aerial photography. A 3rd SD Card slot would be helpfull also, as changing cards in helicopters with open doors is a real challange...
Even 1 or 2 spare slots for SD-card storage would be nice.

Opinion: The most versatile single camera on the market.

I bought this camera over a year ago for a job that involved a lot of fast moving and
difficult location work for a Dutch client I have. I planned on using it as a back up to
my H1/Imacon 22mp back. It worked perfect. I've since shot the same job a year later
without touching the H1 - it's too cumbersome. In the studio I've used it every day
with Capture Shop and the tilt-shift lenses. It's done dozens of double page spreads
and the H1 continues to live in the safe. It fell off a motorcycle at 50mph and hit so
hard (in a case) it ripped the 24-70 off it's mount - the camera was fine. If it weren't
for the poor color fringing that ruins extremely fine detail in high contrast situations I
would use it for ad jobs but it's just not up for it. It's 90% the camera that the H1/
Imacon is but it's a fraction the cost.