Tough Call - Which One Would You Pick? - 1DX

[chogan]

I don't shoot very often, but I consider myself a hobbyist. I'm upgrading from a 7D. The goal is the next body I purchase lasts for a LOOOOOOOOOOOONG time.

I've found the following on MPB:
- 1DX MK I - $790 - SC: 38,000 - Excellent Condition
- 1DX MKII - $880 - SC: 144,000 - Well Used Condition

 

[cgw115 140]

Low mileage wins. In car terms, "Church on Sunday-vs-Uber."

 

[chogan]

Low mileage wins. In car terms, "Church on Sunday-vs-Uber."

Even though the Mark II has arguably better speed and image quality? (allegedly, according to Google)

 

[cgw115 140]

Even though the Mark II has arguably better speed and image quality? (allegedly, according to Google)

Shot/worked to death tends to cancel that out. Is the IQ difference really THAT improved? Since you admit to being a sometime shooter and concerned about value and durability the choice seems obvious. The MkII sounds like a beater to me and best avoided.

 

[JoeW26]

I am not a Canon user nor do I play one on TV. But shutter replacement on higher-end Canons is going to run you a couple of hundred dollars (if this isn't a grey-market body--if it is then "good luck" finding a repair shop to do the work). When would the shutter go out on a body like this? Assuming it's not a lemon (and it probably isn't), somewhere between 200,000-500,000 activations. Additionally, with 140,000 activations, you have to assume there is some other wear and tear--maybe something that doesn't function quite right or will need repair--like scratches on the screen (to give one possible example).

Now, the 1DX Mark II is a fine camera. It's an upgrade over the Mark I. But you should look at what those upgrades are and ask if they're that important to you. Do you really want a touch screen? A CF card slot for faster write times (important for shooting sports or some birds)? The Mark II should be better at low light (less grain). If those circumstances don't matter a lot given what you shoot, then effectively there is little difference (for your needs).

Personally, I think (since you're buying used), go with the lower shutter count (the Mark I).

 

[DanOstergren25]

I would go with the 1DX MKI with the low shutter count. It's in excellent condition, so I would assume it hasn't been "abused", and should last you a long time.
Otherwise, if you really want a MKII, maybe consider the possibility of spending around $1k for a body with a lower shutter count than 144k.

Either way, it's going to be a significant upgrade from your 7D no matter which of the two you get.