Home > Consumer Reviews > Canon EOS-1Ds 11.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)

After years of being a very faithful Sony user (I still like Sony and their products) I finally did the big leap, as in my mind the technology is finally there ... I bought a Canon EOS-1Ds 11.1 Megapixel camera body. Out of necessity I had to buy a set of EF lenses as well. I spent this years toy budget on just one purchase, but then THIS IS NOT TOY!

My last Sony was a F828 and before that a P10. The F828 is a great consumer product for the price, but it actually made me do the leap as good as it is, as it brought back my spirit for creating a REALLY good picture. I started to spend so much time to get to the right photo spot at the right time, that I did not want to have a lack of functionality then. I used to do a lot of photography 20 years ago on film, but returned as a point and shoot fotographer when digital came about. To say it with fellow countryman 'Arnie' - "I'm back."

First I need to say that all Amazon partnershops performed and delivered flawlessly, my special mention goes to Adorama Camera. I would usually be worried to spend so much money on the web, but Amazon takes that away.

Now to the 'beast' itself the EOS-1Ds body. I will not go into all the functional details, as to my mind they are all correct as stated. The camera is great to hold and work with total confidence. But at first - big disappointment. I was unable to concentrate on working with a professional camera. I was too used to point and shoot and expected the camera to do it all for me. Well, it does not. You need to know or learn photography for this one. It is now four weeks and 2500 pictures later and finally there is only one reason for a photo not to be perfect - ME!

Biggest difference to other products is the film-size 24x36 CCD and the ability to set the ASA film sensitivity up to 1250 on the fly rather than having to change film. Not always is a tripod at hand or the photo subject would wait until you set it up and then hold still for a 2 second exposure. I could not ask the helicopter pilot to stop the vibration during a dawn flight over the Las Vegas Strip. Setting to ASA1250 shortened exposure time to s/50. The picture noise that you get as a consequence is dramatically reduced by the noise reduction feature and much less than the grain of a high-sensitivity film.

Cautions and recommendations: Learning how to clean the sensor from dust and dirt without damaging it is essential. This camera is VERY heavy you will need a strong tripod to hold it. Buy a second battery, even so the charging is quick and it usually lasts for two normal days of use. Using a CF card reader is easier than buying a Firwire attachment for your PC. Use 2GB high-speed Compactflash for convenience, it will give you 400 pictures in JPG. Feel free to send me questions, which I will answer as much as I can.

I have shot 35mm for 30 years and paid for the best prints from the best labs and they just can't compare with high end digital prints. The detail goes way beyond 35mm and easily challenges medium format. I am still learning color manipulation on the computer and occasionally I get better color from a Velvia slide - which I am now shooting with the same Canon lenses and a 1v body - but overall it is becoming increasingly clear that film is as dead as video tape and vinyl records. I traded up to the 1Ds from a D60, which also produced prints much better than 35mm. The drawback to the D60 was a poor autofocus and a less than full frame sensor, which limits the use of wide angle lenses for landscape photos. The 1Ds solves those problems and potentially makes larger format cameras obsolete at the same time.

The only problem I have found is that the 45 sensor autofocus setting does not work with a very wide angle (16mm or 15mm fisheye) lens. For some reason, it won't focus at infinity. Switching to the center only focus sensor solves the problem. The 1v and Elan 7 do the same thing.

Our rep brought an EOS-1Ds into the lab for us to look at last week. I'm still pouring over the test bench and outdoor images with my jaw on the floor. I'll never be able to afford this beauty, but if we see the technology of the 1Ds make it into the prosumer market, I'll make the jump. Many of the so-called limitations of digital photography have been directly addressed in the design of the 1Ds.

For example, the small physical dimensions of consumer camera CCDs have limited the performance of many cameras. It's nearly impossible to collect and focus light onto a small CCD with inexpensive optics. Canon uses a larger size CCD in the 1Ds. That upgrade, plus having the CCD house 11 megapixels makes this camera instantly competitive with 35 mm film. Note, I'm not yet ready to say it's the equivalent, but it's so close now that the few advantages of film have much less leverage now. The future is here and it is now. If only I had 8 grand in my pocket...

I didn't have enough time with the 1Ds to get to know all of the bells and whistles, but did find it easy enough to use by just trusting my intuition. I'm looking at the nice collection of Canon 35 mm lenses I already own (which will fit the 1Ds) and my palms are sweating. Maybe I could sell a few of the toys I don't use much and eat macaroni and cheese for a few years?

This is an incredible peice of digital equipment and has more features than the space shuttle. It is most definitely a camera for a younger man however because it's HEAVY, especially with the 70-200 f/28 mounted. I can't imagine lugging around the really LONG lenses. I wore it around my neck for an entire day during a recent shoot and conlcuded that it would be best used in a studio environment on a tripod, or at least a monopod. I have owned several 35mm film cameras and at least seven different digital cameras including Kyocera, Epson, Olympus (2 different models, C2500L & E-10) and finally three Canons: the EOS 1Ds 11.1mp, the Powershot G7 10.1mp, and now the 5D 12.1mp. So far the last two have been the best for my purposes. The quality of course is in the glass, but the artistry is up to the photographer and so far Canon has delivered the very best I could hope for. EOS is an awesome system and the 1DS, aside from the weight is one of the very best.

I was looking for a 2nd affordable full-frame body as a backup for my 5D (original) and I have to say the IQ with the 1Ds is as good as, if not a little bit better than the 5D. Astounding focus, great color, and fantastic white balance control. White balance is something I have to keep a close eye on on the 5D, but the 1Ds nails it every time. Could be due to the external white balance sensor on the front of the camera paired with standard internal WB sensor. Whatever it is, it works great!

It seems odd to be reviewing a camera that's 6 years old (a lifetime in the digital world) but as an affordable 2nd or backup body, you can't go wrong. I got is used as a reputable dealer at 1/8th its original price. The only thing I'll say is if you buy one used, make sure it comes with its charger. To buy the charger separately is expensive. I also had to replace the backup battery, but it was like $1.50 and I did get a 2nd main battery at $125. Knock-offs are available for considerably less, but I wanted the weather-sealing of the Canon.

Lastly, the controls are a little bit more cumbersome than the 5D, but I just noticed the 1D Mark IV, that is just coming out as of this writing, has the same top controls. I had to call Canon to ask about a question about the camera, and they lovingly refer to it as "The Vulcan Grip" camera. I will say it keeps me from changing settings accidentally.

If you can find one of these in great shape at a good price, I'd say go for it!