I am looking to purchase another camera as a main or a backup to my 50D. I am totally nature/ wildlife/ scenic, no sports or fashion. Right now this is still a hobby, I like my 50D but for BIF the focusing leaves something to be desired to many OOF shots. Living in Alaska gives me a diverse subjects to photograph from ducks and swans to moose, dall sheep and bears and then there is the scenics and northern lights. Wanted to stay around 2K so all of these are possibilities, my lenses are a Sigma 300mm 2.8, Canon 400mm f2.8 II, and the 70-200 f4L non IS and wanting to purchase a wide angle once I know which camera I would be buying. I might be able to get a 5D Mk I for under $1200, or a 1D Mk III for around 2K once the MkIV is released. Full frame would be nice in some situations, but the build and weather sealing of the 1D MK III would be nice as long as the focusing issues were taken care of. Open to any and all suggestions.
Sell the 50D and get a 7D and 5D for not much more than a 1D III. Then add a 17-40L for the UWA landscape work. I haven't had my 7D long enough to verify the AF peformance, but most report it's a big improvement over the 50D. It's a really nice camera in the hand and I like the improved interface. It has a ton of AF customization like a 1 series and if it performs like I hope, I'll be doing the once unthinkable and selling my 1D II and waiting 6 or so months for a 1D IV.
I am so envious of you living in Alaska, it's easily the best place I've visited and I hope to go back next year.
Thanks for the reply, never thought about getting both the 5D and 7D but it makes a lot of sense to me. Have been seeing good reviews on the original 5D and I really at this time don't need video I think I will start looking for a good used 5D. Always wanted to see how the full frame camera would preform and which one I might like better. After that I will take a look at it again and look for either a 7D, see how the reviews are for that camera after its been out for awhile, or just maybe I might find a good deal on a used 1D Mklll once the new 1D MklV comes out.
I doubt you'll find a 1DmkIII for under 2k, even once the IV comes out... the III is still a fantastic camera. For you want to use it for... it beats the other two hands down in all areas... the onl downside you'll experience is the heft. it is a big boy to lug around, especially if you are doing landscape/trail/nature work.
I hate to change you up, but if AF is a key consideration, go with the 7D. I had a 30D and lusted after the full frame experience. Added a 5D II and liked it. My main frustration was action and low light autofocus with the 30 and 5. Enter the 7. When my friend changed his mind and wanted to buy my 5 month old 5 instead of my 3.5 year old 30, I hesitated for a day, then sold it to him. Mind you, I can borrow the 5 when I need it.
My two key tests for autofocus are kids soccer and low light (Monterey Bay Aquarium) shots. Keeper rates on the 7 in those two difficult situations are 7D all the way. I will get back into FF, but it will have to be with a 7D like FF or better sub 1 Series camera 3D or what ever. Good luck on what you choose. The good news is that these cameras are getting so good, it's hard to say that any decision is bad. I thank Canon for the big R&D budgets and Nikon for forcing them into delivering to us what they are capable of.
