Crop of above.

If it is anything at all like the 1D3 then you simply cannot rely on individual good results like mbailey's to indicate a good chance of no problems on your camera. In the absence of reported problems in these early days you can either play it safe or take your chances and hope that you're as lucky as the happy 1Ds3 owners. As for me, my experience with past purchases tells me that I would never be that lucky.

Can you afford the financial loss and the protracted hassles of getting it wholly or partly fixed if your new camera is defective ? If so then go for it. Otherwise be wise and wait longer.

- Alan

Just got the 1Dsm3, and only put about 1500 clicks on it, but so far for BIF, low light and servo AF I am very pleased. One shot is dead on, although I have only tried it on a couple of lenses as I shoot mainly birds. The only downside I can see with this camera for BIF or action is that 5fps is a lot slower than you would think. The buffer also fills up quickly, so you have to time your sequences carefully. At first I was convinced I was neither getting 5fps or a full buffer, but after checking it, it is delivering as advertised(although at higher ISO's it seems I only get 11 in the buffer).
The camera is an absolute pleasure to use, especially after suffering trying to shoot BIF or animals with a 5D and 40D. One thing I have noticed with BIF, is that for larger birds(cormorants, swans, geese) their wing beating frequency often sync's with the 5fps, and I will get 10 frames in a row with the wings in the exact same position. That is a situation where the 1Dm2's and 1dm3 would be definitely superior with the higher frame rate to give you more choices. For smaller birds with a higher frequency like ducks, it doesn't seem to be a problem. Tracking is dead on and easily acquires.

scott f wrote:
The buffer also fills up quickly, so you have to time your sequences carefully. At first I was convinced I was neither getting 5fps or a full buffer, but after checking it, it is delivering as advertised(although at higher ISO's it seems I only get 11 in the buffer).


Are you using a UDMA card? I found with a UDMA Sandisk Ducati card I could get 14 RAWs (iso 100) into the buffer before it filled.

I have tried two cards, a 12gb extreme III and a Delkin 16gb UDMA. I haven't had time yet to actually analyze the buffer fill and empty times, but from field use at ISO400 and above, 11 seems to be the norm.

I am very happy with my 1Ds3.

Lars Johnsson wrote:
Mine has excellent AF. The best that I have used on any camera. I agree with Johnny, it's a fabulous piece of equipment
totally agreee!!!

Yes, totally agree. No issues at all.

I also must add that the 1DsIII demands UDMA cards. Without them, good luck getting more than a handful of RAW shots in the buffer.