ben egbert Offline Upload & Sell: Off
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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.
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