5D MKIII vs 1Ds MKIII

[Tcapp]

tom, I think you should get the 5D3. The other camera you mention was good for its time period. But it's like a Pentium 4 computer vs. a Sandy Bridge computer. I don't know if this analogy rings any bells, but I'm trying to say that the 5D3 is a revolutionary improvement compared to the  1Ds MKIII.

If you were comparing the EOS-1D Mark IV vs. the 5D3, then I would say it is more of a wash, although the 5D3 sensor is twice as good even compared to the EOS-1D Mark IV.

All these people talking about "barely a few stops better" need to realize that even one stop is twice as good, i.e., 100% better. After a week with the 5D3, I would rather have it than any three camera bodies prior to the EOS-1D Mark IV, and it is also easily worth more than the $5,000 EOS-1D Mark IV.

So even for $3,500 (or whatever the price is in your country), the 5D3 is the only choice that I would consider if I were in your situation.

+1

[smithy]

I think one of the facts that I can't ignore is that a used 1DS3 is cheaper than a new 5D3 (by about $500).  How does that factor into the equation?  For me personally, I'm still likely to purchase the 5D3 just to get the warranty.  I just hope I don't kill it when shooting in the rain.   

It's interesting to see that there are a few of us in the identical situation - the 40D has obviously lasted well.

[keithinmelbourne]

I upgraded my 1D3 to 1Ds3 in December because they were going at half price (new). I may upgrade my 5D2 to a 5D3 next year, but I really have no compelling reason to upgrade at all. The IQ and focus of the 1Ds3 is still very good, and unless the IQ of the 1DX is a startling improvement I may skip that as an upgrade. I should say that having got the 1Ds3 my 5d2 is now gathering dust. Here are some recent festival shots with the 1Ds3

 

[briansquibb]

I upgraded my 1D3 to 1Ds3 in December because they were going at half price (new). I may upgrade my 5D2 to a 5D3 next year, but I really have no compelling reason to upgrade at all. The IQ and focus of the 1Ds3 is still very good, and unless the IQ of the 1DX is a startling improvement I may skip that as an upgrade. I should say that having got the 1Ds3 my 5d2 is now gathering dust. Here are some recent festival shots with the 1Ds3

+1 My feelings too - look at the problems the 5DIII is having at the moment and we are taking top pictures on our old faithfulls

[Alker]

look at the problems the 5DIII is having at the moment and we are taking top pictures on our old faithfulls

There are problems but Come on....
5D Mark III owners are also taking top pictures.

I can still remember the oil spots on my sensor of the 1Ds mark III....do you ?

http://cpn.canon-europe.com/content/news/EOS_oil_spots.do

In other words stay calm

[briansquibb]

look at the problems the 5DIII is having at the moment and we are taking top pictures on our old faithfulls

There are problems but Come on....
5D Mark III owners are also taking top pictures.

I can still remember the oil spots on my sensor of the 1Ds mark III....do you ?

http://cpn.canon-europe.com/content/news/EOS_oil_spots.do

In other words stay calm

No oil spots for me - because I didn't buy an early model. Nor did I get the 5DII banding problem because I waited .....

I am calm, very calm, with a big smile on my face because I made the right purchasing choices in 2011

Now instead of running out for a 5DIII I am going to get some good glass instead, roll on Tuesday when the 200 f/2 arrives 

[keithinmelbourne]

Now instead of running out for a 5DIII I am going to get some good glass instead, roll on Tuesday when the 200 f/2 arrives 
[/quote]

Way cool Brian!! I would love that lens

[Aglet]

Sekonic 558 and 758(?)
rarely use them as much since digital and built-in metering is quite good now, especially with the color-based EV sensors.
They were invaluable when using mixed ambient and flash fill, especially if you were shooting film.
Occasionally still use one when shooting a difficult scene with tough lighting but camera's color histogram provides me with enough feedback from a shot that the light meter's really only useful now (for me) for checking how even lighting is across a scene.

[smithy]

Okay, I can't let this topic rest just yet...

Now that I'm seeing excellent condition used 1DS Mark IIIs for $1000 less than a 5D Mark III, I'm thinking that I'll forgo the two things I thought I might someday want from the 5D (high ISO capability and video), and plunge for the 1DS's features (weather proofing, built-in grip, faster AF drive).

Is there any compelling reason why I should still consider the 5D?

[briansquibb]

Okay, I can't let this topic rest just yet...

Now that I'm seeing excellent condition used 1DS Mark IIIs for $1000 less than a 5D Mark III, I'm thinking that I'll forgo the two things I thought I might someday want from the 5D (high ISO capability and video), and plunge for the 1DS's features (weather proofing, built-in grip, faster AF drive).

Is there any compelling reason why I should still consider the 5D?

These are what I think are the major items

Pro 5DIII: - better and higher iso ie > 1600
                - auto iso (not on 1DS3)
                - 6fps instead of 5fp
                - video

Pro 1DS3: - AF point metering (for me that is the dealmaker)
                 - f/8 AF
                 - better weatherproofing
                 - flash sync at 1/300 instead of 1/200
                 - no bugs as all sorted now (like pw hss etc)
                 - series 1 configurability
                 - battery is good for about 2000 shots as opposed to 800()

Personally I find the 1DS3 IQ slightly better than the 5DII so I doubt if there is significant IQ difference between the 1DS3 and the 5DIII

[smithy]

These are what I think are the major items

Pro 5DIII: - better and higher iso ie > 1600
                - auto iso (not on 1DS3)
                - 6fps instead of 5fp
                - video

Pro 1DS3: - AF point metering (for me that is the dealmaker)
                 - f/8 AF
                 - better weatherproofing
                 - flash sync at 1/300 instead of 1/200
                 - no bugs as all sorted now (like pw hss etc)
                 - series 1 configurability
                 - battery is good for about 2000 shots as opposed to 800()

Personally I find the 1DS3 IQ slightly better than the 5DII so I doubt if there is significant IQ difference between the 1DS3 and the 5DIII

It's funny how the 5D has auto ISO.  My consumer-grade Fujifilm X10 has auto ISO (and video, for that matter), which to me makes that feature on the 5D seem very much like the all-auto 'green box' mode.  We're supposed to know what we're doing when it comes to ISOs, right? 

The f/8 focussing of the 1DS is something I had pondered, since my 70-200 lens is the f/4 version and one day I might decide to get a 2x extender.

My knowledge of flash sync is somewhat limited.  Does that mean that the 5D's fastest shutter speed when using a flash is 1/200s?

[altenae]

Okay, I can't let this topic rest just yet...

Now that I'm seeing excellent condition used 1DS Mark IIIs for $1000 less than a 5D Mark III, I'm thinking that I'll forgo the two things I thought I might someday want from the 5D (high ISO capability and video), and plunge for the 1DS's features (weather proofing, built-in grip, faster AF drive).

Is there any compelling reason why I should still consider the 5D?

These are what I think are the major items

Pro 5DIII: - better and higher iso ie > 1600
                - auto iso (not on 1DS3)
                - 6fps instead of 5fp
                - video

Pro 1DS3: - AF point metering (for me that is the dealmaker)
                 - f/8 AF
                 - better weatherproofing
                 - flash sync at 1/300 instead of 1/200
                 - no bugs as all sorted now (like pw hss etc)
                 - series 1 configurability
                 - battery is good for about 2000 shots as opposed to 800()

Personally I find the 1DS3 IQ slightly better than the 5DII so I doubt if there is significant IQ difference between the 1DS3 and the 5DIII

AF AF AF of the 5D mark iii.
Try it yourself.
Yes I know the 1Ds is also good,but please try the AF of the 5D mark III.
For me worth the upgrade !!!!

[smithy]

AF AF AF of the 5D mark iii.
Try it yourself.
Yes I know the 1Ds is also good,but please try the AF of the 5D mark III.
For me worth the upgrade !!!!

Yes the 5D's AF is reported to be good.  But the 1DS drives lenses at a higher voltage (from what I understand), meaning they physically respond more quickly.  Unfortunately you don't gain this capability when adding a battery grip to the 5D either.

I have played with a couple of 5D IIIs in my local camera shop, but I've never handled a 1DS (I don't know anyone with that much money to spend on a camera).  But considering I shoot with a 1V film camera, which is built the same way, I think I'm comfortable with the general feel, and I vastly prefer the push buttons on the top of the camera rather than a dial.

The biggest factor in the 5D's favour is its low ISO capability.  Looking at comparison images of ISO 1600-3200 between the 1DS and the 5D Mark 2, even the Mark 2 outperforms the 1DS in some situations, so I can only imagine what it would look like comparing it with the 5D Mark 3.

[briansquibb]

AF AF AF of the 5D mark iii.
Try it yourself.
Yes I know the 1Ds is also good,but please try the AF of the 5D mark III.
For me worth the upgrade !!!!

Clearly you haven't used a 1DS3 then - you would be hard pushed to tell the difference - 4ms if I remember correctly. Same with the 1D4 as well - the 5DIII AF is not significantly better than the series 1 but the metering in the 5DIII is significantly worse if you are not using the centre AF point

[briansquibb]

It's funny how the 5D has auto ISO.  My consumer-grade Fujifilm X10 has auto ISO (and video, for that matter), which to me makes that feature on the 5D seem very much like the all-auto 'green box' mode.  We're supposed to know what we're doing when it comes to ISOs, right? 

My knowledge of flash sync is somewhat limited.  Does that mean that the 5D's fastest shutter speed when using a flash is 1/200s?

- the 7D and 1D4/1DX (not sure about the 1D3) have 'full' auto iso.
- the 5DIII fastest shutter speed is 1/200, the 1DS3 is 1/300. Of course both support high speed sync if the speedlight does