Pulled plug on 1D3; Ordered 5D2

[Jay Gould]

First, thanks to all of you that wallowed through all of my 1D3 posts. I am a sucker for rumors, still concerned about the 1D3 AF issues, and for the moment willing to wait to see if the 1D4 is released in August-September, or not. If not, I will then get the 1D3 in time for my workshops with Jim and James, and to take to Antarctica.

My long-term plans always included the 5D2 so I am getting it now to learn and play with it and my new glass.

Those of you that have the 5D2, do most also have the battery grip?

Those of you that have the battery grip, did you buy 3 additional batteries so that you had two in the grip and two spares? Are 4 5D2 batteries overkill?

I have read all about the problems with the 5D2 (CF door, dust on the FF sensor, slow AF, slow burst speed for fast moving critters, pattern noise, and banding) and I am not asking in this thread to hear about more problems. The camera is ordered and time to move forward and create images.

Those of you shooting with the 5D2 what can you tell me to speed the learning use curve: helpful hints, settings, et cetera.

A hearty thank you to everyone; your advice has probably saved me a lots of bucks in not buying stuff that I thought I needed and did not need.

My gear for now: 5D Mk II; 40D; EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM; EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM; EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM; 16-35 2.8L II; 2.0/1.4 tcs; 2 x 25x tube; 500D diopter; 220 & 580 EX II; Manfrotto 055CXPRO3 + Markins M-20; Wimberley Sidekick; ThinkTank Airport Acceleration V 2.0

Cheers, Jay

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Jay

The batteries in that camera will not last all that long, would suggest having more than the two spares particularly for cold wether operation.... batteries are cheap. Btw there is a neat charger that charges two at a time, prefer over the stock charger !!

Don't hold your breath for the Mk3 replacement for Aug-Sept :) The current model Mk3 is doing just fine.

The 5DMk2 will be a good addition to your gear and I'm sure will get lots of good use !!

[Paul Marcellini]

Well I never got a second battery in time for Africa for my 5d2 but had no worries. It easily did over 1000 shots a charge. If I didn't need the length and had the time to get in position, I switched to it over the 50d everytime out there. It focuses as accurately and the image quality smokes anything I've seen. And if you time it right, you don't need 6 fps. I will probably sell my 50d, the 5d2 does everything so well.

[Jay Gould]

Hi Jay

The batteries in that camera will not last all that long, would suggest having more than the two spares particularly for cold wether operation.... batteries are cheap. Btw there is a neat charger that charges two at a time, prefer over the stock charger !! Don't hold your breath for the Mk3 replacement for Aug-Sept :) The current model Mk3 is doing just fine. The 5DMk2 will be a good addition to your gear and I'm sure will get lots of good use !!

Hi Al, interestingly I received the following from Roger Clark which mirrors what Paul said:

I am amazed how long the little 1D2 batteries last.I shot 4 days in Canyonlands on one battery, and it still registers mostly full. I must get on the order of 1000 images per battery. Of course in colder climates it will be less. I have 4 batteries. The reason for the grip is not so much batteries, but the additional shutter button for vertical shooting.

Please tell me about the dual battery charger.

Regarding the 1D4, I am just playing the rumor mill - http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/c...n_1D_MkIV.html

[Christopher C.M. Cooke]

I have yet to take my 5D MKII out of its box as my original 5D is still doing the job and I have ordered a 1Ds MKIII which I will have by July and may sell my 5D2 still unused as my neighbour got a good deal for me ($2,250) USD in LA.

(of course I declared it to C&E):)

Once you get to use pro bodies it is very difficult to go back to Prosumer cameras.

I have only heard good things about the 5D MKII from friends who own and use them but battery life won't be as good as the MKIII (nothing is)

[Phil Colla]

Battery life on the 1DsIII is unbelievable. I shot in 10 degree weather all day, filling several 16gb cards, on a single battery, recharged it once each night and that was it. I swear I never needed my spares, I was amazed how long the darn battery lasted. And lightweight too. Makes the 1DsII batteries feel like bricks.

[Roger Clark]

Please tell me about the dual battery charger.

How about two single chargers? Then you have a spare if one dies. They are so small and lite, you can carry one and put one in checked luggage. I have never needed to charge two batteries, even on safari in Tanzania where I was imaging a lot each day.

But the files are so large, you'll need lots of compact flash memory! (I currently carry about 120 GBytes of CF.)

Roger

[Alfred Forns]

Jay I don't get as much life out of those batteries as Roger and Paul are getting. Strongly suggest the two extra batteries ... just my opinion.

[Michael Pancier]

I didn't buy the grip on mine as weight is more important. I bought 2 spare batteries. I shot with it at Arches in 19 degree weather and had no issues. one battery was enough to last all day shooting multiple image HDR and using live view. If you shoot movies, that's a different story.