Jane Auburn said:
Would I lose much discernable picture quality by selling my 1DS Mark II and buying a 30D for bird photography? I use the camera primarily with 500 and 600mm lenses. I don't use the 1DS Mark II enough to justify keeping it, and I'm thinking I actually gain something by switching to the 1.6x crop factor, and I've heard there's greater "pixel density" with the 30D. True or not?
Hi Jane, I've been pondering your question since this morning. You have not, as of yet, posted a link to your website, so I can't see what kind of work you do. Send me a PM about that so at the very least, I can enjoy your images. That is one of my rewards!
Now given that you have already a 1DsII and two of the most expensive professional lenses on the planet, you have either a trust fund with no supervisor or you know what you are doing and have pretty good judgement yourself.
Still, we can start from the two lenses, which should clearly establish you as demanding for your photography of birds. Given that, I would question whether you would be happy using the focus of the 30D compared to the 1DsII. The new lovely Rebel XTi has a great central focus point when used at or better than f 2.8 aperture. So your fabulous f 4.0 lenses, would not benefit from that little but important feature.
So we are down to this. Rent a 30D and try to shoot with it and lock in a track some birds and see how good it behaves.
The pixels no doubt are fine, but its the focus that worries me.
Furthermore, (and I'm a guy that loves light cameras for light lenses), the 30D and the XTi would, for me at least, have too little weight to get balance with your large lenses.
Now if I was in your position, I'd consider a used 1DII as this is fast as a machine gun and also will give you that little bit extra reach of the x 1.3 factor which might be an advantage to you anyway.
My advice is really simple. Rent each camera for one day, or find someone in your area to let you use theirs.
Where are you located? There's sure to be a 1DII OPF member close by.
Who know, you may live down the street to Nicolas in Bordeaux!
Asher