Well I ordered an L plate for my 5d-mkIII today. This means I decided to keep it and probably sell the 1DS3.
It was a really tough decision. The 5D-mkIII is just barely better than the 1DS3, and in many ways not as good. The things I noticed right away.
1ds3 pluses
1. Battery life, the 1DS3 walks all over the EP-6.
2. Keeping track of memory cards. So long as I turn off power to the 1DS3, it always stays on the same card. I always end up removing the wrong card for downloading with the 5D3, it switches cards no matter if power is off. That usually means a trip upstairs to get the other card.
3. Shutter for the viewfinder. I had to build one for the 5D3 to run FoCal micro adjust. The 1DS3 is built in.
4. Buttons for focus bracketing. The 5D3 is a menu option. The 1DS3 has two external buttons you can press for this.
5. Build quality. No two ways about it, the 1DS3 is better and doors have locks.
6. Af at f8. I once had a 400 f5.6 and the 1DS3 nailed BIF with a 1.4X attached. I hope the firmware update to the 5d3 works as well. I want to get another 400f5.6.
5D3 pluses.
1. The major one is the live view/LCD implementation. This is major and probably the deciding factor.
2. ISO performance is slightly better at ISO3200 but hard to see any at 1600 but the amp glow at 30 seconds is much reduced on the 5D3.
3. Lighter weight.
4. I think over time I will like the menu system and especially the ability to see and make major setting on the LCD. This is a big plus when shooting from an eye level tripod at night with gloves. Still need to remove a glove for some stuff, but I can usually work it with my lightweight inner glove.
5. AF seems to be better and more consistent, but not by much and I did some Focal Consistency tests to confirm. The 1DS-mk3 has been silently improved over the years by firmware changes and comes back from yearly service at Canon with better AF.
6. Dedicated C1,C2,C3 for camera settings. My 5D had this and I always missed it on the 1DS3.
7. Video. I doubt I ever use this but it is a difference.
8. Bulit-in level, but it does not agree with my spirit levels, all three of which agree with each other.
Too soon to tell. I have a hard time telling a 1DS3 from a 5D3 file, even at long shutter ISO1600 moonlit shots. The corners might be a bit cleaner on the 5D3, less amp glow there.
I doubt I miss the grip on the 1DS3, I use an L plate for verticals and mostly shot with a cable release. I will not use a plug in grip on the 5D3. But I will have more than one spare battery.
I have small hands, and am getting too old to haul a monster around. I sold most of my primes and have a smaller lightweight system now. Just need to replace my heavy aluminum tripod with a carbon model.
Ben, looks like you've got a new very capable image maker in your hands, hope it works well for you, thank you for your write-up/thoughts on the two bodies.
Really look forward to any additional 5D3 findings/thoughts you may discover with it's usage, and certainly am awaiting some of your future imagery...
I think you are barely scratching the surface with the 5d3's capabilities based on your listing of the pluses.
HDSLR is epic on with this camera. Some may not use it but still shouldn't discount it.
Silent mode. It's incredible how quiet the 5d3 is.
Superb and full 3:2 ration with the LCD
The 5d3's high ISO is incredible. It really differentiates itself at high ISOs.
I really enjoy the spot AF on all AF points.
Then there's the 63-zone iFCL vs the old 35 zone. I believe iFCL takes a few other factors into account so you ought to get more accurate metering.
One thing you miss with the 1ds3 is the AF linked spot metering. A great and useful feature.
This is not to say the 1ds3 is a slouch. It is an incredible camera. It just goes to show how good the 5d3 is as a complete package.
M Lucca wrote:
I think you are barely scratching the surface with the 5d3's capabilities based on your listing of the pluses.
HDSLR is epic on with this camera. Some may not use it but still shouldn't discount it.
Silent mode. It's incredible how quiet the 5d3 is.
Superb and full 3:2 ration with the LCD
The 5d3's high ISO is incredible. It really differentiates itself at high ISOs.
I really enjoy the spot AF on all AF points.
Then there's the 63-zone iFCL vs the old 35 zone. I believe iFCL takes a few other factors into account so you ought to get more accurate metering.
One thing you miss with the 1ds3 is the AF linked spot metering. A great and useful feature.
This is not to say the 1ds3 is a slouch. It is an incredible camera. It just goes to show how good the 5d3 is as a complete package. ...Show more →
I am still reading the manual. But correct me if wrong, the HDR is jpg? I never use jpg.
I tested the ISO, 1600 is usable with NR, my tolerance for noise is zero. I seldom have problems with metering, I am a very deliberate tripod landscape guy. I bracket anyway and sometimes blend but almost never need to as I usually get at least one image good enough to work alone.
I would have loved spot AF when I was doing birds, but not now. I either use center af or manual focus.
StillFingerz wrote:
Ben, looks like you've got a new very capable image maker in your hands, hope it works well for you, thank you for your write-up/thoughts on the two bodies.
Really look forward to any additional 5D3 findings/thoughts you may discover with it's usage, and certainly am awaiting some of your future imagery...
Jerry
Thanks. I shot for prints and my workflow and calibrations are all geared to that end. I no longer make stuff for web. I find the two work flows incompatible.
I went out yesterday for some real landscapes but he weather was horrible, and has been that way for a month or more. My next photo trip is end of March.
Ben, your website is bookmarked and I read it often; look over your images, there is a ton of stellar info to digest, I've recently discovered gDan's site as well as others. All your images are truly inspiring, you shoot in places I'll never visit and I am grateful for you putting your private art online for all to enjoy.
I've just begun printing, there's so much to learn, it's another journey to enjoy and your insights are greatly valued...
Jerry
Feb 12, 2013 at 10:42 PM
Lars Johnsson Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
5D3 has instant jump to 100% view (so convenient and saves a lot of time)
5D3 has much nicer UI (IMO anyway)
5D3 isn't a damn brick , 1Ds3 is
1Ds3 has replacement viewfinder screens, 5D3 doesn't
1Ds3 has less banding junk and a bit less read noise at ISO100-200 (but the DR is already worse by ISO800 and probably even ISO400 on the 1Ds3, noticeably so by ISO1600-3200)
1Ds3 is less color-blind under natural lighting (hard to say how much and in what ways and when this matters)
I believe the 5D3 has a larger buffer
5D3 has spot AF (I think the 1Ds3 either doesn't or doesn't always with some lenses, I forget)
Hope you enjoy your new camera. I'm truly enjoying mine, however, no plans on selling my 1ds3. I'm very used to switching between 1 series and 5 series and enjoy the attributes of both.
Happy shooting and looking forward to seeing images with your 5d3.
, 1Ds3 is