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Archive 2010 · 1D3, 1D4 or 5D2????

Jo Dilbeck
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p.1 #1 · 1D3, 1D4 or 5D2????

OK, I've read more threads and comparisons than I can count and I've reached a crossroads. I currently have a 5D and 50D. I've very happy with the 5D, except the almost invisible LCD, not so much the 50. I got to use a 1DIII this week-end and just love the AF, tracking, options, etc. but particularly the lower noise levels as compared to the 50D.

So, my dilemma is this, I want to upgrade the 50D, but can't decide between the 1d3 and 1d4. The idea of getting a 1d3 for around $2K vs $5K for the 1D4 is very appealing as I could then also upgrade my 5D to the 5DII. But I'm concerned about two things, 3 year old technology and 10mp in the 1D3. I am focal length challenged in that my longest lens is my 100-400 zoom, so having the ability to crop would be very helpful by having the 1d4.

Of course, my husbands solution is to get the 1d4 AND 5D2, and be out of pocket over $7500. Now, while that's not impossible to do financially, I just wonder if it makes much sense. Of course, he has an ulterior motive for this suggestion, as he knows I will feel so guilty that I will need to get him a toy as well. I shoot "mostly" landscapes, but I'm really enjoying shooting birds now as well. I'm not a pro, or full-time (I have another FT job), but I do sell my work at art shows and craft fairs, so the pictures will be printed, and large, and not just viewed on a screen.

Now, if anyone has any pearls of wisdom, I would greatly appreciate it. And, before you suggest it, I've already considered the 7D, but I guess the only thing that worries me there is, will there be any real improvement in the noise levels from the 50D? I've seen reviews say yes, significant, others say only minimal. The 1D3 I shot with this week-end at 3200 ISO made the 50D 800 ISO look SO bad.

Thanks for any additional comments which have not already been posted in the hundreds of threads on similar subjects (yes, I really did search and read many of them).

Jo

Feb 07, 2010 at 10:26 PM

big country
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p.1 #2 · 1D3, 1D4 or 5D2????

sounds like the 5d ii may be your camera. if you think you'll ever shoot weddings i would go w/ a 1d series.

Feb 07, 2010 at 10:29 PM

Russ Isabella
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p.1 #3 · 1D3, 1D4 or 5D2????

Jo: Have you given any thought to a 1DsIII? Same age as the 1DIII but lots more mp's. Noise levels are great, AF, tracking, options are the same. And pricewise, it's in between your other two choices. If you're set on having a body that can shoot action and shoot it often, this might not be your best bet, but for everything else you've mentioned, it seems a very viable solution.

Feb 07, 2010 at 10:41 PM

Tim Combs
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p.1 #4 · 1D3, 1D4 or 5D2????

I went thru this same decision process over the past 60 days. I went from a 1D MKII to a MKIII and from 5D to a 5D II. I couldn't be happier with the results. My longest lens is the same as yours. I don't do this as a profession; it's more like an addiction I'm afraid. I never had a 50D though I did have the 40D prior to the 5D.

I don't see the value in investing the additonal $3K for the MKIV since I'm not a pro and depreciating equipment along wth selling sports or wildlife photos. While it may be three year old technology, the MKIII produces some outstanding images.

The 5D II excells in all the areas you've expressed as concerns when compared to the original. I would have been happy with the 5D but the upgrade was worth it for the LCD, menu format, self-cleaning sensor and expanded ISO. I didn't consider the 7D for long as I sold my crop lenses when the 40D left. I would miss FF if I didn't have it.

Just my comments. Good luck on the decision!

Feb 07, 2010 at 10:46 PM

mikethevilla
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p.1 #5 · 1D3, 1D4 or 5D2????

Now, if anyone has any pearls of wisdom, I would greatly appreciate it. And, before you suggest it, I've already considered the 7D, but I guess the only thing that worries me there is, will there be any real improvement in the noise levels from the 50D? I've seen reviews say yes, significant, others say only minimal. The 1D3 I shot with this week-end at 3200 ISO made the 50D 800 ISO look SO bad.

If you really need more reach than a 1D3 (arguably the best camera for your situation, besides the reach issue), I would encourage you to give the 7D another look. Having owned and shot/processed thousands and tens of thousands of shots from 5Ds, 1DmkIIs, 1DsmkIIIs, and 5DmkIIs, I've been thoroughly impressed with the 7D in all aspects. I would put its autofocus head to head with my old 1D mkII any day, and it's high ISO isn't so bad either. I would say it compares very favorably to the original 5D (maybe 1/3-1/2 a stop worse).

Just my thoughts...

Feb 07, 2010 at 10:49 PM

rdcny
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p.1 #6 · 1D3, 1D4 or 5D2????

The 5D II can shoot large birds in flight with no problem - I doubt you will be trying to shoot moving warblers with any camera you choose. Here are some birds in flight (2009) and landscapes (2009) from Thailand with the 5D II:

http://photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=714849

I'd take this one step at a time if I were you - sell what you have and get the 5D II; try using that camera exclusively for landscapes (wonderful) and birds in flight/small perched birds (very good - center x sensor is very accurate)...if it does not meet your expectations on the latter (birds), add the 1D IV in about 6-8 months when the price has come down to $4k.

I have shot with (owned) the 5D II, the 1ds Mark III and the Mark III. I thought the Mark III was overrated (bought that one new), and always wished for more megapixels. I was much happier with the 5D II (traded the Mark III for a mint copy) - the camera is wonderful and very good value compared to the rest of the ID line - AF is fine (except in low light conditions) for birds in flight. I sold that 5D II to my significant other (fits her hands great with the L-plate), and acquired a near mint 1Ds III because I need clean files to 1600 asa and fast AF and 5fps for a new birds in flight project. You might consider the 1Ds III - if it is not too big/heavy - a mint (less than 10K actuations) body is about $3750.oo USD right now - and dropping. Anyway, my recommendations in descending order: 5D II then 1ds III (almost a toss-up depending upon your needs and how the ergonomics work for you) and then a distant third, the 1d III - i have no experience with the 1D Mark IV - just going by what I am reading...

Good Luck whatever you decide - bodies decline in value rapidly but lenses might be the better investment - I always buy used these days,

rdc/nyc

Feb 07, 2010 at 10:54 PM

Jo Dilbeck
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p.1 #7 · 1D3, 1D4 or 5D2????

Very good information, thanks all.

Russ: Yes, I have also considered the 1DsIII in the equation, no I don't shoot sports exclusively, or much at all for that matter. Biggest sport I shoot is rodeos and horse shows.

Tim: I'm sort of leaning in this direction since my "primary" shooting is landscapes. Birds are fun, mostly snow geese in winter, but in summer I don't seem to have any "passion" about birding, just fun if it happens.

Robert: I like your approach, but luckily I don't have to buy a 5D2. The friend I borrowed the 1DIII from has one and it's on my loaner list for next week-end.

I really like many of the options that a 1-series has to offer, better AF/AF points, AF at F8 (100-400 w1.4 TC), portrait shooting (yes, I can get this with a grip on the 5D2), low noise at high ISO.

I'll need to make a list of pros and cons of all options. Obviously the biggest con of the IV is the price, just can't seem to justify that since I'm not a pro but an "addict"

and weddings will NEVER be top on my list of things to do! I did two of them, my nieces, and hated every minute of it.

Jo

Feb 08, 2010 at 10:26 AM

VernH
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p.1 #8 · 1D3, 1D4 or 5D2????

Having had a 50D, 7D, 5D, 5DII, 1DIII and 1DIV, and now a 5DII and 1DIV.
I think the image quality of the 1DIII is just outstanding, images are so smooth and creamy and the ISO preformance is very good. If I had a do over I would have keep my 1DIII along with my 5dII, for my bird and landscape photography they make a perfect combo.

I thought the 50D and the 7D were to noisy for me, anything above 400 iso was , for me, unasuable, I am sure other people would disagree. I guess I have given up on Canon xxD camera's. The 5DII upgade from the 5D was almost worth the price for the LCD alone.

If I were to purchase a used 1DIII I would make sure it is in the 55xxxx s/n's,
I had an early 1DIII and it was a disaster, the later one that I recently sold was outstanding.
Vern

Feb 08, 2010 at 12:18 PM

Jo Dilbeck
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p.1 #9 · 1D3, 1D4 or 5D2????

Thanks Vern, that's really the way I seem to be leaning. I, too, find the 50D noise objectionable at 800, and can't seem to find a way around it. The 1DIII at 3200 beat the pants off of the 50D. Even though there was slight noise, it seemed to be much more acceptable.

Thanks for the tip on the serial #'s, I'll keep my eyes open for one that range or higher.

Feb 08, 2010 at 12:57 PM

Mike Mahoney
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p.1 #10 · 1D3, 1D4 or 5D2????

Jo Dilbeck wrote:
I've reached a crossroads.

Just do a Robert Johnson.
I've heard it works for photographers as well

Feb 08, 2010 at 01:19 PM

leewoolery
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p.1 #11 · 1D3, 1D4 or 5D2????

Jo:

I'd recommend renting a Mark IV for a weekend to see what you think vs the Mark III. You need to see somethings for yourself.

I was not impressed with the Mark IV during my week long test drive and wasn't sad...at all...to send it back .I also shoot with Nikon and the D3s is the king as far sports cameras go with incredible AF and high ISO noise performance so I was expecting the Mark IV to be as good or better than the Nikon.

I found the AF to be slightly better than the Mark III but noise was the same when shooting available light high school basketball, wrestling and hockey.

I also photograph horse shows and youth rodeos and have used Mark II's and III's, D3's and D700's and you need ISO 12,800 for some indoor arenas where flash is not allowed or outdoor, night events where setting up strobes would be impossible.

The best combo I found for outdoor rodeo, speed shows and horse shows is the D3 and 200-400VR.

Much success,

Lee Woolery
Speedshot Photo

Feb 08, 2010 at 01:20 PM

Bmeister
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p.1 #12 · 1D3, 1D4 or 5D2????

If you don't do sports, don't waste your money on a 1DmkIV. The 7D is a definite improvement over the 50D in noise, but not in the sense that "wow that is so amazingly better...". The 1DmkIV, beyond the hype, strikes me the same way (noise-wise) over the 1DmkIII; yes it's better but not "wow" better, IMHO. Where the 7D and 1DmkIV kick the previous bodies in the nuggets is in the AF department, resolution, and the great 1080 HD movie mode. I felt the movie modes were a gimmick but now use them quite a bit.

As for the 5DmkII, it is here that you WILL find that "wow, the noise improvement is amazingly better..." at the loss in reach you get from the 50D/7D or 1DmkIV. Given that art images printed very large are what the camera will be used for, I suggest a 5DmkII unless the subjects you shoot are of a high-speed-action type. It sounds like you'd like better noise performance, and the 5DmkII delivers...and the HD video is there for you to work with as a bonus. The only nitpick I have with the 5DmkII is the limited AF for high-speed-subjects like sports; it is most aggravating in that realm in my experience. Good luck on your decision!

Feb 08, 2010 at 05:31 PM

Jo Dilbeck
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p.1 #13 · 1D3, 1D4 or 5D2????

I have found a 1D3 for purchase so I'm going to go that way for the "action" shots. As soon as the pocket book recovers, the 5D2 will be next. This should cover me for just about anything I should conceivably need in the near future.

Now just have to decide whether to keep the old 5D for hubby, and convert his 30D to IR, now wouldn't THAT be fun!

Jo

Feb 08, 2010 at 07:57 PM

Mike Mohrmann
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p.1 #14 · 1D3, 1D4 or 5D2????

Dear Canon: 3D please!

Signed, a former Canon SLR owner of 13 years.

Feb 08, 2010 at 08:01 PM


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