Nikon D90 vs EOS-1Ds Mark II

[delray]

Long time lurker ... first registration and post.

This may seem like an odd comparison but heres the deal. I already own a D90 with 18-200 lens and a external nikon speedlite. I mostly shoot products for online sales but I sometimes have the need to do weddings, etc. Yesterday I ran upon a great deal on a EOS 1Ds mark II with a cheap 75-300 lens (and I mean great deal from a legitimate source).

I am giving some thought to selling the nikon package and buying a good lens for the eos 1ds (maybe a 70-200 2.8 or 24-105) and a speedlite. Or maybe selling both packages and buying a 5d mark II package from ebay.

I like the "pro" part of the 1d since I can be a little rough on my equipment sometimes but it is an old guy in terms of technology.

How say you?

 

[MLeeK]

Two totally different birds.
You'd really need to compare what the offer along side what you shoot and NEED.
My instinct is to go to the 1Ds, but I shoot sports, outside in the rain and crap... Weddings-the larger sensor is a big benefit. Though not full frame, it is larger! Same for portraits.
I am not sure I'd sell the nikon until you play enough with the 1Ds to KNOW it's meeting your needs. If it's really a great deal you should be able to turn it over for the investment you have in it if it doesn't fit you.

 

[Derrel]

1Ds Mark II...nice camera...a few years old, but still, wonderful build, good, BIG,CLEAR viewfinder. Price oughtta be around $1500-$1800 for the body. The 1Ds has a good bunch of sub-systems...it was always a "pro" Canon...the 5D-II WAS available affordably from slickdeals.com for like $1500 net this week with a $400 rebate and $150 off with the Pixma 9XXX printer, so....I dunno...

 

[KmH]

There is no vs about it.

The D90 is an entry-level camera, and the 1Ds II is a pro grade camera.

It is my understanding that Canon EF-S lenses will not mount on the 1Ds II. If correct, you will be limited to the generally more expensive EF lenses.

If you shoot products you really should consider using very good lenses, rather than consumer grade lenses.

I would not recommend using a superzoom 18-200 mm lens for product images, weddings, or any other kind of photography except personal use snapshots where image quality is not much of an issue.

 

[delray]

Two totally different birds.

I am not sure I'd sell the nikon until you play enough with the 1Ds to KNOW it's meeting your needs. If it's really a great deal you should be able to turn it over for the investment you have in it if it doesn't fit you.

Thanks to everyone for the replies. I guess I am going to order a nicer lens for the canon and see if it will suit my needs.

 

[Sw1tchFX]

Just start out with a 50mm f/1.4 and you'll be golden.

 

[delray]

Just start out with a 50mm f/1.4 and you'll be golden.

I am looking at that one too. I think I want a 24-105 but the prices on those are pretty high. I thought about a 18-135 but they have somewhat poor reviews.

 

[jaomul]

Just start out with a 50mm f/1.4 and you'll be golden.

I am looking at that one too. I think I want a 24-105 but the prices on those are pretty high. I thought about a 18-135 but they have somewhat poor reviews.

Canon 1ds mark ii is a full frame camera, hence the EF-S 18-135 will not go on it. Google the difference between ff and non-ff compatable lenses before you buy to be sure. Many say the canon 1ds mark II has the best colour rendition of any digital camera canon has made

 

[Village Idiot]

There is no vs about it.

The D90 is an entry-level camera, and the 1Ds II is a pro grade camera.

It is my understanding that Canon EF-S lenses will not mount on the 1Ds II. If correct, you will be limited to the generally more expensive EF lenses.

If you shoot products you really should consider using very good lenses, rather than consumer grade lenses.

I would not recommend using a superzoom 18-200 mm lens for product images, weddings, or any other kind of photography except personal use snapshots where image quality is not much of an issue.

I'm not exactly up on the EF-S offerings from Canon, but as of last count they offer 7 EF-S lenses out of over 60 lenses in the EOS line up, so that shouldn't be a big issue. Plus, I wouldn't exactly want to pair most of the EF-S lenses with, well, anything if I were wanting quality. Granted, there's one or two that are good, but that's not the general consensus.

 

[Village Idiot]

Just start out with a 50mm f/1.4 and you'll be golden.

I am looking at that one too. I think I want a 24-105 but the prices on those are pretty high. I thought about a 18-135 but they have somewhat poor reviews.

The 17-40 f/4L is a good lens at a good price considering what you pay for the other zooms. It's a bit wide at it's widest end if you're just needing a regular lens, but unless you're planning on spending over a grand on a lens you're not going to touch any of the other L zooms except for the 70-200 f/4L.

One day, I'll upgrade to the 16-35 f/2.8, but right now my three zooms are the 14-70, 24-70 I, and 70-200 f/2.8L IS I. They cover pretty much the entire range I need to work in. They were expensive, but I want quality.

 

[delray]

I went ahead an ordered a 24-105 off of ebay and a 430ex II from keh. I put my D90 package up on craigslist. My photos with the 75-300 have been disappointing so far so lets hope things get better with the 24-105.

 

[KmH]

What is the plan if it turns out the change in gear includes no appreciable change in image quality?

 

[delray]

What is the plan if it turns out the change in gear includes no appreciable change in image quality?

Likely buy a 5D MK II and try something else.