Canon 1Ds Mark II: A Retro Masterpiece

[@bucharestbiketraffic]

I did not know that G-man is a big Canon fan. I am impresssed.

[@garthferrante]

Love these videos, love the stream of conscious voiceover

[@NicholasHornbrook]

Thanks @garthferrante!

[@TheNewArtSchool]

I love your video. This is my absolutely favourite camera. I love everything about it save the weight.

[@millenium1971]

I can listen to this guy talk for hours.

[@The_golden_charlie]

My favourite camera of all time for colour rendition. It's outstanding.

[@ste76539]

There are of course many many photography KZbin channels and I've seen many of those. This easily is one of the very best, along with Sean Tucker. No bullsh!t, no trending nonsense about 'unlimited film photo CCD sensors' (they're all currently moving towards 'cinematic camcorders' now for goodness sake) and no obviously biased reviews about the latest iterations of cameras, no pretentiousness, no ridiculous 'spray and pray' 15 shot per second 'POV' street photography. Just good, honest and enjoyable photography content. Photography is many things - not least of which are stories and relatability. You've definitely hit that nail on the head.

[@stevesvids]

I didnt watch any of that....... I just listened..... and loved every word as its exactly how I feel about my 5D classic. Now its time to rewind... and watch. 😎📷👍

[@codyallen3729]

Same here!

[@NicholasHornbrook]

Nice. That is exactly how I "watch" KZbin too @stevesvids.

[@JikoMuskato]

3:22 "How can I say that with such certainty? Well, because I..." - the sentence I expected to follow was "have actually fought dinosaurs with it".

[@jeffkernen1554]

I remember when the 1Ds came out, the original one with 11 megapixels. All the studios were dropping their medium and large format cameras because they felt that that camera was good enough for commercial work. We shot at one of the studios for quite a while on the 1Ds Mark II. It was the go to workhorse. I remember being jealous as a Nikon photographer because Nikon was yet to offer us a full frame camera. They finally did with the D3, but it felt like eternity.

[@NicholasHornbrook]

@jeffkernen1554 That was / must have been such an exciting time to be shooting professionally, seeing this shift take place firsthand. I was maybe a year or two late to the party to really experience the full impact of it. I think late 2002 or early 2003 was when I landed my first real (full-time) photography job. But, it was a weird one, in isolation. My first traditional photography job, at a studio, where camera specs actually mattered, was early 2004. A few years later I found myself in an all-Nikon studio, still rocking the original Canon 1Ds, and I got to use somebody's Nikon D3 a little bit. I was pretty jealous. But I stuck with Canon, moving to the 5D Mark II after that. I hope to try out a lot more of the older Nikon gear I missed, fill in the blanks, because now's the time, with this stuff getting so cheap.

[@jeffkernen1554]

@NicholasHornbrook It was an exciting time. In fact, when I got my first newspaper job, they handed me a Nikon D1. I shot with that camera for almost 7 years.

[@stefan_gribi]

Great video! Thanks for sharing! I own a Canon 1 Ds Mark ll myself. I bought it 2011 second hand (I used a 5D classic before that). I have used other Canon dslr and mirrorless cameras but I always come back to my beloved 1Ds Mark ll. I just love to use it, to hold it, to press the shutter. And also aesthetically I think it is the most beautiful camera Canon ever made. I really love it.

[@NicholasHornbrook]

Awesome @stefan_gribi! Absolutely agree that this body design is the most beautiful that Canon has ever made. And the feeling of holding the camera, also the most perfect refined experience ever. A common complaint is the unusual multi-button way of manipulating settings and going through the menu. I even love that. I get into a rhythm executing multi-button tasks (holding two buttons and turning the wheel to change ISO for example). It feels like playing a musical instrument.

[@stefan_gribi]

@@NicholasHornbrook I like that too! Great analogy with a musical instrument!

[@natt73]

oh man, you making buy the 1DS 2 again....I agree totally with you. I had bunch different cameras but this one brings a special color and contrast it blows my mind till today...

[@mrbob581]

I purchased this 1ds mark I camera as my rehab camera body post stroke for $300 via eBay. Figured I wanted a tank if I dropped it while my hand was weak… I worked with it daily to get my grip and index finger working again. 4 months latter I’m feeling much better and this camera body has a special place in my heart.. ❤️. My r5 is still a great camera and I’ve come back to it now that I can hold it reliably again, but I’ve fell in love with the old pro body cameras. Great video!

[@NicholasHornbrook]

That’s beautiful, @mrbob581! Such an inspiring story, and I’m really glad you’re doing better. My dad and mother-in-law both had strokes a little less than two years ago, so I have some clue of how challenging recovery can be. Of course, I don’t actually know, because I didn’t go through it myself. But I’ve also seen how having a passion (like photography in your case) can really make a big difference, because one of them recovered significantly more than the other. Any temptation to add a battery grip to your R5, after shooting the 1Ds? I’ve been considering it. Used ones are finally coming down in price.

[@mobilography6786]

Excellent video of my favourite 1Ds mk2. I bought it in last summer but after using nikon gear for years. there was a different feeling for the canon pro body. Very rigid, balanced and nicely fit in the grip. The most influenced was the shutter sound. Its an amazing camera body. 5d mk2 is another favourite camera for all type of use. I got 2 of 5d mk2 with low shutter count. Will wait to see your video on 5d mk2 a wonderful canon game changer.

[@milkyISO]

makes me want to get one.... I do shot my 5d classic mostly while owning the r6

[@NicholasHornbrook]

I think you’d love it, @milkyISO, especially if you’re a fan of your 5D. I'm sure it won't replace your 5D, but it would be a nice compliment. I hope to own an original 5D myself someday soon.

[@JordanMarsh0217]

One camera I’ll never get rid of. Don’t use it too much these days but I always enjoy shooting with it when I do. Plus that shutter sound never gets old :)

[@NicholasHornbrook]

Yeah, it's a great shutter sound @JordanMarsh0217! Really rings out. The 1D Mark II has a very different sound, also good, but much more abrupt. As it happens I like all the shutter sounds on all the cameras I own right now. But that wasn't always the case. The EOS R (which I no longer own) was my main camera for years, I adored the camera, but the shutter sound always annoyed me.

[@user-sg6xv2kb8s]

Great storytelling. I own the 1dII. Love the camera. Unique combo with the 17-40.

[@NicholasHornbrook]

I really appreciate that @user-sg6xv2kb8s.

[@digiwizard86]

Thank for making these videos, really like your perspective

[@kathywatson899]

I like the old clunky cameras. I do have a Nikon Z30, but it was a gift and not what I would have chosen for myself; I just play around with it. I like my old cameras (5D M2, 60D, 40D 20D, and even a Nikon 300D). I like the feel of them--the weight. I'm not sure I'll totally embrace mirrorless until my old DSLRs die off.

[@NicholasHornbrook]

Nice, what a great selection of cameras you’ve got there, @kathywatson899. Yeah, agreed. I suppose I've embraced mirrorless, but it’s also led to this kind of dual life for me. I’m clearly not having as much fun with mirrorless. But it's ultimately for the best, all the new stuff driving the prices down on the old stuff. I'm jealous of your 20D. I've been shooting on a 10D on and off since June, debating whether or not to make a video about it. Still undecided, because although I have fond memories of it, it doesn't quite hold up as well as some other early models. The 20D was a big upgrade though, from what I remember.

[@jeffreysmith8633]

The 20D is a real sleeper and surprised me. I hadn’t even set out with any kind of expectations for the camera (I only initially bought it for the lenses and accessories it came with) as I mostly shoot a Nikon D700 and D3 as well as a Canon 5D and 6D as well as film and other digitals but the Canon 20D has its own special signature that immediately resonated with me.

[@samuel_andreyev]

@@jeffreysmith8633I strongly recommend the 30D, which has an identical control layout to the 5D, a better LCD screen than the 20D (but the same beautiful sensor and rendering), and costs about the same as the 20D. Outstanding cameras, even today.

[@paulsebring5326]

I just bought a 6D for nostalgia reasons and now you got me side eyeing this one. Damn damn damn.

[@NicholasHornbrook]

Hah @paulsebring5326, sorry about that! If you used to own a 6D and using it reconnects you to that time, I doubt you’ll top that feeling. But also, if you do decide to give it a try, I can’t imagine you’d regret it. It really is such a great camera. That said, if I didn’t already have that personal connection with it, would it bring me the same joy? Hard to say.

[@codyallen3729]

Another great video; please do follow up with more on the 5D...I haven't heard the mk1 and 2 compared positively colorwise so I'd love to hear more about that.

[@NicholasHornbrook]

I hope to do that video soon, 5D compared to the 5D Mark II, also the 5D compared to the 1DS Mark II, though I don’t own the original 5D, so it might be a little while. Probably not THAT long. I just need to pay some other stuff off first. In the meantime, I wanna spend some time with my 5D Mark II, while all this 1D experience is fresh in my mind, and see how it compares. Figure out which is my favorite of the bodies I currently own.

[@codyallen3729]

@@NicholasHornbrook looking forward to them! fighting the edge not to pick up a 1ds II now...

[@adude394]

Great job, man! Just goes to show, no matter how sexy the new gear is, nothing is obsolete if it does what you need it to do. Though I have moved to mirrorless (selling my 1DX Mk III, which I admit was very difficult, and my 7D Mk II and 20D), I couldn't bring myself to part with my very first DSLR, the 300D. This is partly because it would get me about $5 in a trade-in, but mainly because it's just too much of an old friend to get rid of. I also held on to the 18-55mm kit lens that came with the camera. The 300D of course not in the same area code as the 1Ds Mk II, or today's powerhouse cameras, but that doesn't matter to me at all. I'm nowhere near a pro, just an avid hobbyist, and a 21-year-old camera and lens pairing still gives me good results.

[@NicholasHornbrook]

Thanks @adude394, definitely. Fortunately camera manufacturers don’t do the planned obsolescence thing, and they so easily could. Holding onto your 300D makes perfect sense. Though, yeah, selling your 1DX Mark III, ouch! Granted you probably got pretty good money for it, and that makes it sting a lot less. I wish I had been smart enough to hold on to my original 4 megapixel 1D. Sadly, I wasn’t.

[@dct124]

As long as you're not tryna crank the ISO into oblivion. Every digital interchangeable lens camera, even entry level DSLRs exceed the capabilities of what's needed to create world class stills. "What should it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his soul?" In the context of photography, I don't think we lost anything losing film to digital. I think gaining the ability to enjoy something will always be different for each generation. Especially if it's not trying to give you cancer from enjoying the process. What I mean is, you'll hear I'm shooting film to slow down. Enjoying the process, blah blah blah. I personally think digital cameras, especially ones like this are perfect. They allow you to focus on composition, and the moment without all the minutiae. All that time saved gives you more time to spend with the people in your life. Whether that be your wife, children, dog, friend, whoever. Digital, especially pro level camera bodies give you back your time. Have a Merry Christmas ✌🏿 enjoy the camera with your folks, and print an album.

[@NicholasHornbrook]

Beautiful comment @dct124! Absolutely agree with everything. Thank you. True, good point about ISO. I tried to grab a shot of the moon the other night, without a tripod, it didn't go so well. I had a moment of realization... oh yeah, low light performance really has improved a lot in the last two decades I suppose. But, that just means that I need to break out the tripod next time, do it right. I hope you have a lovely Christmas as well.

[@mvw5721]

I've gone back to Nikon D200 as a daily, for the same reasons. I guess I just love the supposed 'limitations', paridoxically allowing nothing to get in the way :)

[@NicholasHornbrook]

Absolutely @mvw5721. Curious, I don't have very much Nikon experience, but I hope to change that soon. Would the D200 be a good place to start?

[@mvw5721]

@NicholasHornbrook I shot D200, D300, D7000 in the early and later naughties (not counting my many beloved Nikon film cameras:)), and I decided to rebuy the D200 because of the ccd sensor. But I also have and love the Canon 5D classic and my Mark III. I think Nikon has the edge with ergonomics and low light performance. The D200 color rendering is lovely. Way more lenses to choose from, mostly cheaper and not inferior to EF. That's all I can say :)

[@mvw5721]

For reference: the almost 'mint' D200 (2005) with just 18k clicks cost me €65 / $75, and 4 lenses (35(G), 50(G), 18-70(ED) & 55-200(VR)) around $350.

[@mvw5721]

Lastly, I own many Fuji's, love 'm, but the D200 replaced them for my daily street photowalks. Gotta admit, I'm now intrigued by the Canon 1Ds Mark II :)

[@okamikatze863]

Absolutely​@@NicholasHornbrook

[@orion2250]

Just put my 5DmkII to pasture..how many 100s of thousands I shot before it frankly started dying on the job..just worn, no fault of design. Decided to change brands to Nikon, so got a large pro body Its everything I outgrew in the Canon system. That was a good change to happen for growth and capturing vision. I want to see where the Rivers bend is with Nikon and then see what happens from there. I kept my old glass and may take the leap of faith that my small world fears of running multiple systems from different mfg ...that is, will i be brave to admit that the little black boxes are all the same, just different boxes doing the same magical things. Thanks.

[@NicholasHornbrook]

Cool @orion2250, that’s a really thoughtful perspective. Your move to Nikon sounds like it has been rewarding. I hope to explore some of the more historically important models from Nikon and other manufacturers soon. My experience with pro digital gear has been largely limited to Canon so far. But it’s amazing how much life you got out of your 5D Mark II. Same, mine is still going strong after, what, 16 years? Crazy!

[@kiwipics]

I love my EOS SLRs and DSLRs ... The EOS1, 650, RT, 5d mk1, 5d mk2, 50d, 10d are my favourites along with my 200mm f2.8 L, 100-400 L, 35-350 L , 28-105 f4 L.

[@NicholasHornbrook]

Nice, nice @kiwipics. I had a lot of those same camera bodies. The 200mm f2.8 L too, which I deeply regret selling now. How do you like the EOS 1? I had the 1N, which I also sold recently, and I kinda regret that too. I'm considering buying another 1N, but on second thought, maybe it's a good chance to try something different. And the 1V is too expensive.

[@jeffreysmith8633]

The EOS 1 may be my favorite film camera. I absolutely love it. Another great one and under appreciated is the first EOS film camera; the 650. Even in program mode seems like every frame exposes nicely. I like how one photographer affectionately referred to the EOS 650, “It’s so 1980’s that it literally shits Rubik’s Cubes.”

[@mynameisnotcory]

@@NicholasHornbrookplastic fantastic, but try the canon a2e out, it has phenomenal features plus the eye control, feels like a 5dmk2 but shoots film

[@sophustranquillitastv4468]

I used to have 1Ds Mark II and I like its color rendition so much but it's already broken on me (its CMOS sensor died and can't take any picture), I replaced it with 1Ds Mark III. Not exactly the same feeling shooting it but love it nonetheless. Though I sometime want to replace all my old pro bodies with the like of 1DX Mark II but it's cost me too much as these old pro body aren't worth that much in traded in.

[@NicholasHornbrook]

Ouch @sophustranquillitastv4468, yeah, that's tough. The 1DX Mark II is still so expensive. It's none of my business of course, but I feel like $1300 could be better spent. Granted, the $350 I spent for this camera could have been better spent too. It's just personal preference I suppose.

[@RodrigoCabralPhotographer]

I still have my 1DS mark III and that's the best Canon body i have even these days i shoot a 5DS and a Fuji GFX 100s those body don't compare to the 1DS one

[@Imagine-ww6gm]

I actually thought about buying this camera as my second camera, for $350, but I decided getting the 1d mark iv in for $400 because it was much more ‘modern’ compared to today. I wonder if I bought the right camera

[@NicholasHornbrook]

Yeah, tough call. And I don't know anything, I've never used the 1D Mark IV. But just my uninformed take, if you got it for paid shoots, you probably made the right choice, if for your own enjoyment, I would have gone with the 1DS Mark II (well obviously I would have, I did). My opinion probably cannot be trusted though. These early 1D cameras are like family to me. I'm completely biased. The later 1D bodies are fantastic tools, but not so special, to me.

[@deejayiwan7]

I still use D3s, D810 and even D90... Also have Blackmagic 6K and 4K...but DSLRs are better photography experience

[@TheNathanMChannel]

I've got the 1DS Mk III. Generally love it, but I covet the ability of modern sensors that can shoot at eight gazillion ISO without absurd noise. Nice if you're shooting indoors. But I'm not spending 4 grand on a friggin' camera body. I mean, someone spent more than than on my camera, but that was 17 years ago. Actually not someone, I know exactly who it was since his name shows up in the EXIF data everytime I import the shots into Lightroom. 3200 ISO on the Canon is okay, but I wish it went higher. Other than that it's a chunky beast. Not as chunky as an RB67 but I don't need an engine hoist to pick it up either.

[@NicholasHornbrook]

Agreed @TheNathanMChannel. Because I’m mostly out during the day, I sometimes forget. But just a few days back I went to shoot something at night with my 1Ds Mark II, got into position, checked my exposure, and realized, "oh yeah, this would require a tripod, even at max ISO," and I walked back home in disgrace. We’ve definitely come a long way for low-light stuff. But it also doesn't bother me, next time I'll bring a tripod, and that's fine. Everything has its limitations, and I find working around limitations to be kind of rewarding.

[@Stop-All-War]

Heya Nicholas. Add a Sigma Art 40mm / 28mm to the 1DS ii, image quality is outstanding. Thank me later 👌🏼

[@NicholasHornbrook]

Thanks for the recommendation @Stop-All-War. I have been very curious about the Sigma Art line. I know Sigma sells a calibration device, to dial in the focus, and that concerns me, because I'd like to use the same lenses across multiple DSLRs, but if I calibrate it to shoot perfectly on the 1DS Mark II (for example), will it be a little bit off on a different camera body?

[@JB-qr8oj]

fIrSt

[@Sergey_Sergeev]

Those old cameras are only sutible to make a reviews for youtube content. Everyone is reviewing them know. Just boring.

[@NicholasHornbrook]

Well @Sergey_Sergeev, it’s the thing I enjoy most in the world. It’s what helps me get out of bed, deal with the trauma and tragedy in my life, and battle my depression. Thanks for taking the time to stop by and be shitty. What’s tiresome to me: internet assholes. Cowards, all.

[@kms08711]

Not a big fan of jpeg sorry

[@Tactical_Nightwach]

The 1ds shoots in raw too