From Jeff Ascough
Jeff had a chance to take the new 1D Mark IV on location to a wedding to test the lowlight AF and higher ISO quality. I can't think of too many people more qualified to do so. He doesn't use a flash 99% of the time when shooting a wedding.

Check his thoughts and samples: http://jeffascough.typepad.com/….

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84 Comments

  1. No, pro photographers were NOT happy with 3mp when they first hit the scene. They were an oddity, sometimes a marketing tool the photog used to differentiate himself, but at that point MOST people continued to shoot with film.

  2. Buddy, you’re on so much crack I’m sure you’ve sold all your gear to by the drugs.

    1) High ISO will be way better in the D3s? What are you basing that on? The only images we’ve seen with the 1D Mark IV look pretty frickin good to me when compared to those from the D3s. And I should remind you we’ve only seen a few images from one photog, so it’s a little early to make any definitive statements.
    2) Dude, my 1Ds Mark II can slam out 1500 images per charge (using a lot of IS and autofocus) and the Ds Mark III lasts even longer. Are you shooting 4000 images at a wedding? If so I’d have to guess you’re a lousy photog who relies on burst shooting the day away versus having an ‘eye’. Regardless, the battery life on the canons is fine for most assignments and a dumb thing to switch systems over.
    3) FF would be better. Canon should have gone with dynamic crop.
    4) Ergonomics are a personal thing and the most idiotic critique I tend to hear of one camera over another. Nikon puts its vertical grip shutter button further up the side of the camera than does canon. I have big hands. The palm of my hand lies on the D3 button so I have to disable it. The canon buttons fit my hands perfectly. I have no problems access anything on my canons. I like canon. Some people like Nikon. Personal choice, dumb overall critique.
    5) Why the hell are you closing the viewfinder curtain when shooting a wedding? Too afraid to see your lousy compositions? In the 1Ds bodies we’ve got a simply lever to pull down – no messing around with anything.
    6) Again, we don’t know the AF story.
    7)You already covered this one.
    8) This is not always the case. The 1D Mark II has better image quality than the 1Ds at ISO 100. There is more at stake in image quality than just the pixel size (though it obviously plays a part). So, again, wait and see the real images.
    9) Here’s where you must have taken another drag on the crack pipe. NO ONE thinks the Nikon 70-200 is anywhere near as good as the canon. And the Nikon 24-70 is, what, 8000 lbs heavier and 2 miles longer than the Canon equivalent (which I think it shaper anyway).

  3. well I hate to start arguments, but some people just need to realize the facts

    1) high ISO WILL be better on the D3S. What is that based on? First and foremost the laws of physics, bigger pixels means better performance at high iso, and not only are the pixels bigger the sensor is bigger allowing more color depth and dynamic range. If physics isn’t enough, you can check the many posted photos of the D3S and compare to the 1d mk iv posted photos, also nikon didn’t take down their high iso photos like canon did.
    2) batter life is not something to switch systems over I agree, and no you do not need 4k shots at a wedding. However, when going on trips it’s nice to not have to charge your battery daily. I like the charge it once and forget it for a while approach, as would any other photographer.
    3) Yep, looks like you agreed with me on the FF part.
    4) Ergonomics is a personal preference, which is why i stated in my opinion the nikons are better. Not that they are definitively better.
    5) true the new 1d mk iv does have that curtain on the viewfinder, so good thing canon finally did that…finally.
    6) yep, not sure about AF but not concerned here…i’m sure canon did a find job on the new AF system, they would be screwed over if they didn’t.

    Regarding the f2.8 zooms, sorry to tell you this everyone knows the nikon’s are better. Even canon users are aware of this…that is why they are desperately awaiting their updates. I have extensively tried both the nikon 70-200 and canon 70-200, and the canon’s is much softer at f2.8. I suggest you try doing the tests and real world situation tests as well with those two zooms, and then judge.

  4. *”1) high ISO WILL be better on the D3S. What is that based on? First and foremost the laws of physics, bigger pixels means better performance at high iso, and not only are the pixels bigger the sensor is bigger allowing more color depth and dynamic range.”

    *”bigger pixels means better performance at high iso”

    No it does not, this myth has been “busted” long time ago – http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/eng/Insights/More-pixels-offsets-noise!

    *”the sensor is bigger allowing more color depth and dynamic range.”

    Sensor size, irrespective of the pixel size, has NOTHING to do with color depth or dynamic range.

    *”Regarding the f2.8 zooms, sorry to tell you this everyone knows the nikon’s are better”

    Care to show us some proof of that or do we just take your word for it?

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