Hello!

I photograph mainly landscapes, macros and other non-moving stuff. Majority of the photos I take by using tripod and manual focusing, mainly because I'm using alternative lenses from Leica, Contax and Nikon with adapters. I have 5D, but last time I visited USA I could not resist buying 40D in order to experience the Live View functionality, being extremely disappointed to that Canon didn't release 5Dmk2 (or 7D or whatever they will call it) = "cheap" fullframe with 14bit/Live View/sensor cleaning.

Now after using 40D I find the Live View extreme useful for me. Also 5D has been more or less dust succer and sensor cleaning functionality would be definetly welcome. But getting back to 1.6x cropping factor doesn't sound nice at all. After moving from 20D to 5D the set of lenses I'm using (28mm, 50mm, 85/90mm, 135mm and 200mm) really started to work.

The long lens would be quite easily to replace by using EF 135/2.0 USM instead of EF 200/2.8 USM. But I can't replace EF 85/1.2 USM mk2 with any 50mm I have. When going to shorter focal lengths the problem just get's worse, e.g. moving from Nikon PC-Nikkor 28mm f/3.5 to 45mm equivalent cropped view. And again using blurry Canon zoom without any microcontrast instead of Contax Distagon T* 28mm f/2.8 for wide angle landscapes does sound horrible.

1Ds mk3 would be obvious choice for me, however price is enormous and availability is non-existent (at least in Finland). 1D mk3 would have 1.3x crop factor, which I think I would be able to tolerate, that would convert the field of view of 28mm lens to equivalent of 36mm in FF. The megapixels have been enough me after 20D so going from 5D's 12.8 to 1D mk3's 10 would not be any problem. On 1D series the robustness would be added benefit, however I don't need the extra weight neither vertical grip.

Is it completly stupid idea to get 1D mk3, "the sports/bird camera", for usage I have described above? Also any experiences/comments from people using 1Ds mk3 for landscapes/macros/etc. are welcome.

I would be using my 40D/5D until a new 5D arrives. Both are perfectly capable of doing landscapes/macros/etc... Unless of course you want to spent some money

Of course not.

The fact that it was designed with one purpose in mind does not say that will not perform excellently in other areas. You have analyzed your situation well and if you can't wait for the 5D Mk II then the 1D Mk III is the next best thing for you.

Happy shooting,
Yakim.

Samuli,

You stated the differences between the 5D and 1DIII perfectly.

When it comes to scenics/travel/portraits...I take the 5D.

Sports and action...the 1DIII. But I'm still trying to see if the 16~35/L (I) will do the job on the 1DIII. The smaller sensor should eliminate some of the issues I see with the old one on FF. I wouldn't mind using the 1DIII on local shoots for scenic, but would not take it overseas...it's just too big...and tempting. The 5D is the perfect travel/scenic size.

I was hoping for a new 24/L at PMA as Canon has already released a number of Mk II L-series lenses optimized for digital (14 - 50 - 85 - 16~35 - 24~105 - 70~200/4 IS). Not to mention the 200 and 600 soon to be available. There are not a lot of holes left to be updated in in the L lineup.

The 1DIII like the 5D really lives in low light shooting and the fast 35L is almost a normal on the 1DIII. That's why am hoping for a new 24/L...as the 31 mm equiv. will be just fine slotted between 28 & 35 mm equivs. IMO.

I really haven't answered your question as I have the choice of using each for what I feel is their best use. I also travel with a light CF tripod that is fine for the 5D, but not quite as sturdy with the 1DIII.

If you aren't doing any huge enlargements...I doubt you will see much difference in the images from the 2 bodies. The 1DIII images have an edge in some respects because of the DiG!C III processor, 14 bit converter, the highlight tone mode and the Live View allows more utility. I don't see a huge advantage in the 1DIII's 45 AF sensors for scenic shooting. The menu arrangement, choices and MLU on the 1DIII is well beyond the level of the 5D.

However, the weight of the 1DIII is only about 2 ounces more than a 5D with a grip and 2 - 511 batteries. And the 1DIII batteries last a lot longer than a number of 511s...given the same shooting practices, LCD use, constant AF checking, etc. A single 1DIII weighs about the same as 2.5 - 511As. The 1DIII charger is much bulkier...but not very heavy.

There is a big difference in the metering options, too...favoring the 1DIII.

!DIIIs have sold in the US for as little as $3400 (US) recently...thru Dell by combining (stacking) various coupons. That's only $100 above the original 5D price...though it may not be seen again soon.

Not sure this helps...good luck.

Thanks for replies Daan, Yakim and Joe.

I just realized when reading http://www.juzaphoto.com review of 1D(s) cameras that the live view is much clumsier than it's on 40D - you have to fool around with custom functions to select MLU, while it's automatic on 40D when using live view. It took long to get this fixed, dpreview and other sites has been complaining about having MLU hidden in the menu for over many many years, and now ONE consumer grade DSLR has this functionality...how difficult it can be...

Live view/MLU and non-needed weight/vertical grip (I travel over 100000 miles / over 150 days every year) kind of makes decision of this very difficult. Naturally money is also issue, but the cost of purchasing 1Dmk3 after selling 5D and 40D would not have been that big, specially considering that I can utilize the USD/EUR exchange rate situation optimally (buy new stuff from USA and selling old stuff in Finland).

40D:
+ live view with auto MLU
- 1.6 crop

5D:
+ full frame
- dust issues
- no live view
- no DigicIII (14bit & highligh tone mode)

1D mk3 (and 1Ds mk3):
+ 1.3x crop (no crop)
+ live view...
- ...but MLU still needs user to go to Custom Functions
- extra bulk and weight
- expensive (very expensive)

Based on pros&cons analysis above I think I concentrate to macros and other non-wide angle until Canon can provide us full frame camera at competitive price with live view, sensor cleaning and all other important stuff. The usage of 40D feels so damn good, specially framing is so much nicer to do than with 5D. My small experiment with 40D got me very frustrated to 5D, that wasn't my intention when I wanted to see how much live view changes photography. Well lesson learned, don't go to Best Buy before really considering all the consequences...

I plan to use both the 5D and the 1D3 for my landscape photos this year. I never use the 5D with a grip, and enjoy the size and weight of it in that configuration for some landscape situations. But for where a 1.3 crop will do, and especially for low light or live view situations, I will use the 1D3. I have not yet had a chance to explore the live view much with my Tilt Shift lenses, but it should really allow getting a scene exactly the way you want it, and properly evaluate focus even while stopped down to shooting aperture.

I chose the 1D3 for the action photography I do, but I really like all the other things it brings to general and landscape photography. An improved 5D would likely be a better choice for you if it were available, but the 1D3 is a very nice camera.

Samuli Vahonen wrote:
I just realized when reading http://www.juzaphoto.com review of 1D(s) cameras that the live view is much clumsier than it's on 40D - you have to fool around with custom functions to select MLU, while it's automatic on 40D when using live view.

I saw the following quote on that site, but I'm not really sure what it means:

"The 1Ds3 live view is not as advanced the the Live View of the 40D - it lacks of silent shooting, so you still have to use mirror lock up for macro work."

On the 1D Mark III, the mirror is locked up when in Live View, and it only takes one button push to start Live View.

Samuli Vahonen wrote:

1D mk3 (and 1Ds mk3):
- ...but MLU still needs user to go to Custom Functions



I haven't purchased a MKIII yet, and now I'll wait to see how this "New" fix pans out, but I've done a lot of research so far, read the user's manual a few times, etc.
Just wanted to remind you that any of the custom functions can be quickly accessed by putting them on your personal menu.
Good Luck with your choices,
Tim

Tim & Curator, I did ask this from Juzaphoto author in his forum. Will report here when he answers.

I got explanation from Juza:
He was referring to ability of 40D to electronically reset the sensor where as 1Dmk3 and 1Dsmk3 have to do it by physically closing the shutter and according to Juza the shutter closing is not very well dambened (why it would be if thinking about traditional SLR, the picture has been already taken at that time).

This sounds reasonable explanation, if you need more detailed explanation visit Juza's forum: http://www.juzaforum.com/forum-en/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=719

Landscape photography is my passion, but I also photograph golf courses commercially and the 1DMk3 is awesome for both. Highlight Tone Priority, Live View, and weather sealing are the features that make this an ideal tool for such work. Also, with mirror lock-up available as a programmable "My Menu" item, it is much more convenient than having to go into custom functions.

Here's one of my recent work with the 3...

I ended up purchasing 1D Mark III and not waiting for the "5D MarkII". This far the new camera has been more than I expected in every area. Only negative things this far I have found are:
1. weight, specially combined with 85/1.2L or 180/3.5L
2. generic L-bracket didn't fit (or it would but you would have to take it off for every battery change)

Thanks everyone for comments in this thread!