Amazing image quality. Rugged, versatile, great lens selection, files are about as much as the average computer can handle.

Cost for most. And weight. I wouldn't carry this around a city on a trip. But I wouldn't take a medium format system either. A small 5 to 8 megapixel camera will do fine for that purpose and the shots can be processed the same way.

I inadvertently rated the preceding review a 5 when I intended to rate it a 1. It is silly to say it wouldn't be worth repairing an $8,000 camera unless it is only a minor problem because it weighs so much. The 1Ds is heavy, especially with a L quality zoom lens, but it is also very rugged and the images are worth it. I considered investing in medium format gear instead but digital is the future and that has to be a factor when investing this much in a system. I also have a Canon EOS 1v 35mm film body and often duplicate shots but rarely scan the slides any more because they just can't deliver the quality of the digital images. This is a very versatile camera and no other manufacturer has a better range of lenses. I began with a 60D but missed the very wide angle shots of a full frame 35mm camera. The 1Ds solved that problem. Color balance can be tricky but not hard to correct and the photos are simply stunning. I have printed 20x24 prints on a Epson 2200 with excellent results. I also feel that I have only begun to discover what can be accomplished with this camera, especially after gaining more experience with software and computer imaging. Medium format systems are coming out with digital backs and maybe even digital dedicated bodies. Those might surpass the 1Ds but a 12 megapixel image already challenges most consumer level computers. I don't know what additional investment would be needed to handle bigger files and I would question if it is justified unless you were creating building size images. The 1Ds is pricey but it is in a medium format league so the relative cost is reasonable. Unlike the prior reviewer, I would get it repaired unless the cost approached a new body.

Customer Service

Not needed for 1Ds. Service for Proshot 1 was a little slow (three weeks?).

Similar Products Used:

Canon G1, G2, 60D and Proshot 1 plus EOS 1v film body.

GREAT IMAGES SHOOTING ON "AUTO" MODE. STRONG CAMERA BODY. BATTERY LIFE IS GOOD FOR 400-500 SHOTS. AS MUCH FLEXIBILITY IN PROGRAMING AS YOU CAN THINK OF AND SOME YOU WOULDENT THINK OF.

WEIGHT...WEIGHT...WEIGHT...THIS IS A HEAVY CAMERA...ESPECIALLY IF YOU CHOOSE A 35-350MM "L" LENS.

I PURCHASED THE CANON EOS-1DS AFTER BEING ASSURED THAT IT WOULD NOT BE OBSOLETE NEXT YEAR. I WANTED A STATE OF THE ART CAMERA WITH LASTING HIGH TECH CAPABILITY. MY PRIOR CAMERA WAS THE OLYMPUS E-10. ALTHOUGH THE RESOLUTION WAS AMAZINGLY GOOD IT REQUIRED ADEQUATE LIGHTING TO OBTAIN GREAT PICTURES.....ESPECIALLY IF YOU USED THE CAMERA ON "AUTO." THE BIGGEST PLUS FOR THE 1DS IS IT'S ABILITY TO PROVIDE FANTASTIC SHOTS IN IT'S "AUTO" MODE. ACTUALLY I TRIED TO OUT-PROGRAM THE CAMERA ATTEMPTING TO CUSTOM PROGRAM MYSELF (AND THIS CAMERA HAS AN UNBELIEVEABLE AMOUNT OF CUSTOM PROGRAMING AND FLEXIBLITY AT YOUR FINGERTIPS)AND IN EACH AND EVERY CASE THE "AUTO" MODE PROVIDED ME WITH SUPERIOR SHOTS. WHAT MORE COULD A CAMERA ENTHUSIAST ASK FOR??? JUST POINT AND SHOOT. BE PREPARED TO WORK WITH RAW IMAGES. I FIND MYSELF SHOOTING AND SAVING BOTH HIGH RESOLUTION AND RAW IMAGES GIVING ME THE OPTION OF INTERPRETING THE IMAGES THE WAY I WANT TO. IF YOU HAVE THE BUDGET TO ACQUIRE THIS CAMERA....STOP LOOKING !!!! THIS IS THE CAMERA TO BUY...

Similar Products Used:

OLYMPUS C-2500 OLYMPUS E-10