Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Canon's top of the line D-SLR is still running strong

In today's rapid digital camera market with manufacturers announcing new and improved models at a pace that makes even the critical update team at Microsoft look slow, it is no small wonder that Canon's EOS 1Ds Mark II remains a top-of-the-line flagship D-SLR despite being well over one year old. How did Canon pull off such a feat? To put it in a nutshell, they developed a camera that is robust, easy to use, and provides excellent image quality. In other words, they gave digital photographers the camera we've all been longing for.

Equipped with a 16.7 million mega-pixel sensor, the Mark II is one of the few D-SLR's out on the market with a full size 35mm sensor. This is great news for those of us who use carrying around a large collection of EOS lenses. Unlike D-SLR's with a smaller sensor size there is no field of few crop, so an 18mm lens will provide the exact focal length that it would on a 35mm camera. If you are a photographer that shoots a lot of wide angle images, or if you are a person like me who likes his 50mm prime to really be a 50mm focal length, then this is one camera you should greatly consider.

The Canon EOS system currently holds the candle on three of my favorite lenses and I'm thankful to have a camera body that can do them the proper justice they deserve.

There isn't much point in me writing endless pages on the technical specifications of this camera. There are plenty of sources out there who can do this better than myself, and the majority of the features on this camera are standard from the Canon 1 series line. Let's instead talk about what is really important for serious photographers to know; which is how the EOS IDs Mark II handles in the field.

The EOS 1Ds Mark II is without a doubt one heavy piece of optical machinery. This is exactly what one would expect from a professional grade of SLR and can ultimately be a make it or break it issue as to whether or not the camera is worth your money. A heavy camera is not necessarily a hindrance, and instead can often be advantageous if balanced correctly in your hand. It seems Canon put their design department into overtime with the construction of the Mark II. Though the camera is a lead weight when dangling around your neck, it feels comfortable and sturdy in your hand. My photography often finds me shooting in locations that call for a camera with a solid build quality, and the Mark II more than meets that challenge while still remaining comfortable in my hand for hours on end.

Another common problem with the modern generation of SLR's (both digital and film) is the small viewfinders that suffer in both brightness and full frame visibility. The Mark II is better than most in this respect though still not quite up to par with SLR's made several decades ago due to the lack of a focusing screen. Still, there is little room to complain in this area especially when you consider the fact that the 45 point auto focus system is exceptionally fast and accurate making it quite rare to switch to a manual focus option. Even though there is some room for improvement on an industry wide level I want to give Canon the praise it deserves for still being a step above the rest.

The most important aspect to any camera (especially digital) is of course the output quality. The EOS 1Ds Mark II more than excels here providing images that are by far the top of its class. I am especially appreciative of the fact that Canon provided an ISO range that goes all the way down to 50 and as high as 3200, all of which provide acceptable performance and image quality in real life situations. Digital noise is kept to an absolute minimum all the way through ISO 400 delivering silky smooth results that look exceptional even when making large over-sized prints. Photographers who have heavy experience with the 35mm format will find the output quality of the Mark II to be more than comparable.

Does the EOS 1Ds Mark II have any flaws? From a shooting standpoint, yes it does, and depending on the kind of work you do it could be a major one. A common design problem with many Canon SLR's these days is the difficulty in engaging the mirror lockup feature. Rather than simply flipping a switch on the outside of the camera body, the photographer is forced to active mirror lockup by navigating several menus resulting in a serious headache at best, and missed opportunities at worst. For sports photographers or photojournalists this may not be much of an issue but for anyone doing precision macro work or studio work in low light this can become an issue. Canon should really consider addressing this issue with their next design.

All things considered, however, the EOS 1Ds Mark II leaves very little room for complaint among those who are serious about their craft. In short, this camera is tough, beautifully made, and produces absolutely excellent image quality. If you want a camera that will last you a lifetime without getting overshadowed by the next big thing to come from the fast paced moving digital camera market, then the Mark II is definitely worth the investment.