Canon 1D Mark II: Digital Photography’s Coming of Age

The Canon 1D Mark II, for me, from the perspective of a working professional who lived through the transition from film to digital, represents digital photography’s coming of age. It was an amazing camera, it remains an amazing camera, and now, decades later, it's also inexpensive.

This classic DSLR, with its rugged build, iconic design, and surprising versatility, is a photographer's time machine.

CHAPTERS:
0:00 Jpeg Straight out of Camera
0:43 My 1D Mark II History
2:02 MPB & KEH Issues
3:33 1D Mark II vs 5D Mark II
5:40 1D2 Time Traveling
6:15 The Look of the Images
7:08 Digital Filmstocks
7:41 The Switch: Film to Digital
9:56 Camera Options Today
10:37 The Original 4.1MP 1D
12:19 APS-H Sensor Demo
13:05 1D2 Signature Look
13:54 Why The 1D Mark II?
15:14 A Masterpiece Camera
16:17 Image Characteristics
17:32 Highlight Rolloff
18:53 The Perfect Tool for You

Video: DJI Pocket 3, iPhone, Canon R5
Stills: Canon 1D Mark II

Music by Me

[jurvinx]

What a gem this channel is. You never fail to amaze me with just how captivating your videos are. Something about your smooth voice, laid back editing style and unique images.

[TheNathanMChannel]

Finally YouTube recommends me something relevant to my interests: a guy laid up in bed from an injury buying an old pro Canon body. Not even kidding. I picked up a 1Ds Mk III from MPB. Eight grand worth of spine injections later I can finally go out and use it. I enjoy the big, hand-friendly grips. The shutter fails occasionally on strobe shots, but works most of the time. I enjoy telling myself I bought one of those 6000 bodies the guys with the wiffle-bat-sized white telephotos at the sports games use...I just had to wait for 17 years of depreciation!

[christophermorris]

Having been a professional photographer for the past 40 years with 30 of those under contract with TIME Magazine gave me the opportunity to utilize all the iterations of digital cameras in the professional marketplace. Not until 2003 was that confident enough to make the hundred percent switch to digital. The camera you were reviewing here is phenomenal. The files it produces when you shoot raw on neutral gives you these unbelievable buttery Files. There’s something beautiful about them that my Fuji 100 DS or any of my modern digital cameras do not replicate. The only limitation is I would never go above 640 ISO I produced my first book with Steidl titled “My America”, which is with the camera you’re reviewing here with one lens 24 to 70 anyone wanting to start photography this is an amazing camera that will not disappoint except in low light, but coming from film that was not an issue because film is also horrible in low light. The Canon 1ds Mark II is the model I’m describing. Gorgeous files.

[philou]

I was searching for a old dslr and decided I wanted a pro dslr. after seeing your videos on the 1d2 and seeing someone selling a like new condition 1d2n, I went ahead and bought it. I am just so happy now, thank you for your videos!

[briantracy]

I am very glad you finally acquired a 1D ll that works I was getting ready to send you one of mine. I too love the 1D bodies I own every model from the 1D classic to the 1Dx including the 1Ds l, ll, lll. While the new mirrorless systems do have incredible image quality I just feel the older dslr images have something they don't have, soul.

[CEEPMDEE]

I have an old Canon EOS 1D classic in mint condition. I purchased it off of Ebay with the nifty 50mm mkII and a bunch of paperwork, accessories and cleaning stuff that came in the camera bag for the the low price of $150.00. I guess no one was paying any attention to the auction at the time. I don't even use it much. But when I did, I was surprised how good the images came out. I loved it so much, I immediately purchased a EOS 1Dc. Both were purchased after I purchased my A7RIV and saw how boring mirrorless cameras can be.

[nikonmark]

Amazing video, as a 1D mkII and 1D mkIII owner your video sums up my feelings about the 1D/1Ds series of professional Canon digital slr's. If I were buying a 1D series camera body today I'd pick up the 1D mkIII over the 1D mkII based on the fact the batteries are better and you have features like a cleaning mode and a larger lcd screen making chimping easier!

[PadPoet]

Started my old camera collecting journey during the pandemic. I’m mainly a Sony shooter. I got three Canon 5D MK I cameras, one kinda battered but fully working, the other two are like new. Then got a 1D IV, then a 5D Mark II. They are all great in their own respect, but I just love the images of the 1D IV, they feel so organic. The autofocus is better compared to all above mentioned cameras and it only had 17K actuations, it was a private sell on eBay. That APS-H sensor also gets rid of any lens soft corners so it’s a nice workaround.

Love your narration and voice, I could hear you for hours talking about anything. Waiting for that Canon 1Ds video. I watched this having just woken up and having coffee on a cold winter morning in Greece. Lovely start of the day. Thanks YT notifications, sometimes you recommend something good indeed!

[DearHalo_lover]

So, I recently grabbed a 1D MkII, and watching this, I plan to have it mixed with my 90D at convention pics, this video really spoke to me, genuinely. Subbed!

[basedhalcyon]

I'm a Nikon guy but you're about to win me over

[sebsrandombeamclips]

Got a 1D MkIIN in very beat up (but entirely functional) condition a couple of years ago for $150 and have loved every minute with it ever since.

[gohumberto]

I recently owned a 1d mk2 N. A great $250 buy and immaculate condition but I sold it after 6 months and bought an immaculate 5D mk1. It's better in every way.
(1) It's full frame, not some weird crop
(2) It's got 50% more pixels
(3) it's comparatively light and manageable.
(4) The colours are better
(5) It's a better camera for the same price.

[paulsebring]

Hell yeah I'm glad you finally got some good copies of those cameras. I'm sorry to hear you got injured though.

[dimitrijvolcov]

Suprised to see that the EOS-1D Mark II seems to incorporate the same 45-point autofocus module my trusty film EOS 3 uses. This technology was 6 years old by then, proves again what a groundbreaking camera the EOS 3 was at the time.

[PPL]

I recently picked up a 5d mk2 as a first camera for myself. Ive been using my schools eos rebel t6i's & t7's for 3.5 years (kinda flat colors imo even with raw editing), but the 5d mk2, i love it. The pictures from the raw and jpeg are so vibrant, the contrast is decent. And since i mostly use manual focus the downside of only 9 af points hasnt bothered me.

[OUohtl]

Loved the menu and viewfinder footage!
How did you film the viewfinder?

[matuszewskistudio]

Damn, i love the vibe of this video! 1D IIn was my first proper camera, loved this thing to death.

[SteveDiogo]

Loving your videos, and your photos. Just got my 1d ii based on your inspiration. ❤❤❤ (but not like you do 😊)

[chrislewis]

Very happy to see you got a good 1D Mk2 Nicholas! "It offers an incredible shooting experience" 10:57 :) Happy shooting!

[JustinCase]

No idea how I got here but this is a great video...I now have a used 1D Mark 2 in my cart. I think im gonna pull the trigger