Saved some $$$ Now What? 1D Mark II N or 400 2.8 is

I am a semi- professional..I pay the bills with my 9-5 "real" job and I pursue my photographic passion on the weekends and some evenings. I do weddings, dance groups, sports team photos, all of the senior and prom photos for a small town high school... I have worked , saved some money back and now I need to decide the best investment direction.

I presently own a Canon 1D and a Canon 20D w/over 12K shutter acts. I also have several good L lens in my bag.

I use my Canon 1D and my Sigma 180-300 2.8 to shoot some sports for a local county wide paper. Sports and wildlife photography is my passion... However, it does not pay very well, at least not for me. I know one day I will own a Canon 400 2.8 is lens, but I am also a realist and I know that I must/should upgrade my camera body within the next 4 to 6 months.

This is the real worry: I spend my hard earned cash on a new great state-of-the-art camera body and it is replaced in a few months by the latest and greatest sports & portrait camera and for the same price that I paid for the Canon 1D Mark II N. I Know, i knoooow, all about chasing technology, it is a never ending race...

I believe that the 400 2.8 is lens will be the top sports and wildlife lens for a long time to come. Therefore, I could not go wrong with the purchase.

SO....Should I trade my cash for a FINE piece of GLASS OR a great camera body which may or may not be about to be replaced by a GREATER camera body within the next 4 to 6 months...???

I ask myself: What would a REAL Professional Photographer DO??

the 400 F2.8 is an awesome lens and will retain it's value for quite a few years... on the other hand is there a shortfall in the camera body side that you need to overcome. I personally don't worry about vapourware products. Yes Canon will replace the 1Dmk2N sometime in the future but it excedes all my needs, I don't need a larger files size and it's plenty fast. If 4mp and the speed of the 1D is not a hinderance get the 400 F2.8...
--
Cal

Put a Canon to your head, You deserve it....

http://funshots.smugmug.com/

Getting the 1DIIN was one of the wisest decisions I made this year. I got mine in January and hovering around 24,000 actuations (I think my 30D has about 20,000). Love it so much I want to keep taking pictures outdoors even with our harsh winter so I bought another NP-E3.

Like yourself I don't need super-duper MP. I printed off an 11 x 14 portrait and it looks excellent.

Cheers,

José

Cal Dawson said:

the 400 F2.8 is an awesome lens and will retain it's value for
quite a few years... on the other hand is there a shortfall in the
camera body side that you need to overcome. I personally don't
worry about vapourware products. Yes Canon will replace the 1Dmk2N
sometime in the future but it excedes all my needs, I don't need a
larger files size and it's plenty fast. If 4mp and the speed of the
1D is not a hinderance get the 400 F2.8...
--
Cal

Put a Canon to your head, You deserve it....

http://funshots.smugmug.com/

Click to expand...

--

Shooting with the All-Courter--------1DIIN and the all-bokeh team of 35/85II/135L
http://www.pbase.com/jmb_56/canon_1dmk2n
http://www.pbase.com/jmb_56/canon_30and20d
http://www.pbase.com/jmb_56/maxxum_7d

Meant to say I got it brand new and now I have those actuations. BTW, I cleaned the sensor for the first time the other night.

Cheers,

José

José B said:

Like yourself I don't need super-duper MP. I printed off an 11 x 14
portrait and it looks excellent.

Cheers,

José

Cal Dawson said:

the 400 F2.8 is an awesome lens and will retain it's value for
quite a few years... on the other hand is there a shortfall in the
camera body side that you need to overcome. I personally don't
worry about vapourware products. Yes Canon will replace the 1Dmk2N
sometime in the future but it excedes all my needs, I don't need a
larger files size and it's plenty fast. If 4mp and the speed of the
1D is not a hinderance get the 400 F2.8...
--
Cal

Put a Canon to your head, You deserve it....

http://funshots.smugmug.com/

Click to expand...

--
Shooting with the All-Courter--------1DIIN and the all-bokeh team
of 35/85II/135L
http://www.pbase.com/jmb_56/canon_1dmk2n
http://www.pbase.com/jmb_56/canon_30and20d
http://www.pbase.com/jmb_56/maxxum_7d

Click to expand...

--

Shooting with the All-Courter--------1DIIN and the all-bokeh team of 35/85II/135L
http://www.pbase.com/jmb_56/canon_1dmk2n
http://www.pbase.com/jmb_56/canon_30and20d
http://www.pbase.com/jmb_56/maxxum_7d

I got mine just shortly after you April. Shot lots and it just gets better as it gets older...mind you I could really use that 400 F2.8....hmmmm
--
Cal

Put a Canon to your head, You deserve it....

http://funshots.smugmug.com/

I have the 1DMKII and 20D - had the 1D.

The 1DMKII or N is not a better image maker than the 20D. In fact, crop factor aside, the 20D is a little cleaner in the high ISOs.

The 1D is a bit noisey - no doubt and that is why I sold mine.

Still for most sports the 1D is just fine unless one is under the lights at night. The 20D can handle it, but is no where near the speed.

You are correct the lens will hold its own and the camera will drop in value - that is why I would go for the lens at this stage in the MKII evolution - its at the end of the line. Why pay top dollar on an end of the line product when your cash flow from it will not be fast enough.

My bottom line - you will not make any more money buying a new body. You will enjoy your passion more (wildlife) with the proposed lens - that is why I would get the lens.

The 400 is simply a bad business purchase. By your own account, though sports is your passion...you'll have to make much more than any newpaper will pay you [part-time] to cost justify a $7000 lens. As far as nature photography...there's probably even less money in it for you. This is a 'dream' not a practical need.

Your cameras really don't have many actuation. They're no doubt not in need of replacement.

Based on the timing and fiscal concerns, I wouldn't do anything just yet. I'd wait until the new camera are introduced...then pick up a 1DIIn at a reduced price. No matter what they come out with, it will not negate the value or quality of the 1DIIn. You'll have made a wise business purchase on a great camera that will serve your needs well for many years.

Yes, I realize it's not the 'fun' advice. But, it's the right business choice.
--
Rick

I've found life just doesn't fit in 1 camera or manufacturer vision.

You never mentioned why you think you need to upgarde your camera, so I'll assume your images are satisfactory for your needs. The 1D is fast and the 20D has great low light performance and upgraded flash consistancy, so between the two of them, I'm not sure what you expect to significantly improve upon with a new camera. In addition, sports and wildlife both utilize long lenses and the new camera will have a slightly lower crop factor meaning you will have less reach with it than you do now.

So if money is burning a hole in your pocket and you are able to afford the new lens, I would say go for it. It will give you a new perspectve and a new look for your work. You will have something very few people have and be able to create images you cannot create now. It will be a tangible upgrade of your capabilities that could lead to increased sales.

Do not buy a new 1dmk2n now its not a smart move.

Your 1d works really well and if i where you id stick with it for a while longer.

Something will pop up real soon im sure.

A

Mig said:

The 1DMKII or N is not a better image maker than the 20D. In fact,
crop factor aside, the 20D is a little cleaner in the high ISOs.

Click to expand...

...Don't want to contradict you here, but... Owning and using (professionally) both 30D and 1D MKIIN (after owning 1DMKII), my results indicate that the 1D MKII-N is clearly superior, right from low ISOs.

Qualitatively speaking, there is some sort of "spectral" purity to the 1D MKII/N images that is not present in the already excellent 30D output. The 1D-files have more micro-contrast, more sharpness, better on-board exposure, etc. In my opinion, the images seem to "stretch" better, both spatially and tonality-wise.

You can certainly make GREAT images with the 30D but, pixel-for-pixel, the 1d MKII/N is simply superior, and it is to be expected, anyway.

Happy shooting!

judge51 said:

I am a semi- professional..I pay the bills with my 9-5 "real" job
and I pursue my photographic passion on the weekends and some
evenings. I do weddings, dance groups, sports team photos, all of
the senior and prom photos for a small town high school... I have
worked , saved some money back and now I need to decide the best
investment direction.

I presently own a Canon 1D and a Canon 20D w/over 12K shutter
acts. I also have several good L lens in my bag.

I use my Canon 1D and my Sigma 180-300 2.8 to shoot some sports
for a local county wide paper. Sports and wildlife photography is
my passion... However, it does not pay very well, at least not for
me. I know one day I will own a Canon 400 2.8 is lens, but I am
also a realist and I know that I must/should upgrade my camera body
within the next 4 to 6 months.

I do appreciate the advice given.

Click to expand...

I think I will wait a while longer to purchase my next camera body. I must not jeopardize my small and growing photo business for a lens that will never come close to paying for itself. The big lens will have to wait another year or so.

You really, really, really like the 1DMKII(N). I like it too but you ...what will you do in March when it's replaced?

Rdefen said:

You really, really, really like the 1DMKII(N).

Click to expand...

...How things are. It is not about "liking" something. It is what it is, regardless who likes it or not (and that includes me, as well).

Rdefen said:

I like it too but
you ...what will you do in March when it's replaced?

Click to expand...

Simple: if the new model has better AF, superior per-pixel quality (not just more pixels), better Dynamic Range, better color management, better control of spatial response on RAW-to-RGB algorithms, I will surely replace our 1D MKII-N.

If not, there will be absolutely NO COMPELLING reason (nothing that I can seel to my customers) for replacin the N.

Happy shooting!

Hi PIX,

You are right on the money as the "N" is a keeper. Have been shooting with a 20D and the "N: arrived this past week and what a difference but then I shoot birds and wildlife. Two days ago was the first time I was able to shoot (image) Tree Swallows in flight and the keeper rate is amazing.

I have been reading your posts and they are correct,thanks for posting and being right to the point.
Ken
--
http://www.pbase.com/sailorboy