p.1 #1 · Canon EOS R5 vs 1DX Mark III for bird and wildlife photography
I'm curious about your opinion on this topic.
Is it worth getting the R5?
If you did get it, did you have any regrets, frustrations vs the 1DX Mark III ?
I'm using my 1DX Mark III with the Canon 600mm f/4 L IS II lens and I really am a happy camper but the 45 MP and the R5's AF are very tempting.
I don't shoot video at all, so that's that.
Thanks,
p.1 #2 · Canon EOS R5 vs 1DX Mark III for bird and wildlife photography
If you find yourself cropping images a lot, the R5 might help save more pixels. The 1 series is about durability and reliability. The 5 series started its life as a wedding camera that was quickly latched to for general use and has developed into a camera that has a wide range of uses. Its not aimed at those needing extreme durability and reliability. That's a choice only you can make, it depends on your needs. I'd wait for a year and see what the R1 brings, it might be the replacement for your camera.
p.1 #3 · Canon EOS R5 vs 1DX Mark III for bird and wildlife photography
I sold my 1DXIII after kind of accidentally receiving two R5s. I shoot almost exclusively birds. I’m in the Midwest so we have lots of songbirds and I shoot shorebirds and waterfowl from a kayak on occasion as well. The R5 seems to best the 1DXIII in nearly every area for birds except for finding focus on a near subject when the camera is wildly defocused.
1DX3 pluses
—Better battery life
—16fps mechanical capacity 12 FPS mechanical on the R5.
—Better build.
I’m not sure there’s much else.
R5 pluses—animal eye AF. This is the most incredible update and is worth its weight in gold.
—Higher resolution. 20fps electronic shutter with animal eye AF.
—Tracking is far better. The 1DX3 was an improvement over the 1DX2, but I felt it would still lose focus on a near wing when a bird was flying across in front of me and it often couldn’t track the head when a bird was flying directly at me. The R5 improves on these, although it’s not perfect.
—Focus acquisition of lower contrast subjects against their backgrounds is worlds better.
—The R5 will actually track birds as the backgrounds change.
—EVF exposure simulation is great
—Flip screen is great for ground level or water level shooting. I wouldn’t go back to a non-articulating screen for birds.
I’d sell your 1DX3 if you can. I paid nearly $7,000 on launch day and netted about $4800 when I sold it in August. I don’t really miss it except in very slight situations when trying to get focus when things are significantly defocused with my 600III. I’m learning to do this better with the R5, though.
p.1 #4 · Canon EOS R5 vs 1DX Mark III for bird and wildlife photography
Thanks for your reply.
I know what you mean about both the 1 series and the 5D series.
I still have the original 1DX and I owned each of the 5D cameras, from the original one to Mark IV.
I'm more curious about the actual feelings the 1DX Mark III owners had after they purchased the R5.
Sure, in bird photography you're never close enough, even with the 600mm lens and teleconverters. Cropping cannot be avoided.
R1 might be an interesting camera but if they still go by the idea that 20 MP is enough, that would not be the camera for me.
Using the EOS-R I ended up liking mirrorless cameras, and I'm aware of their advantages and limitations.
Of course, the EOS-R is a bit slow for BIF but I managed to get some pretty good shots with it and I'm sure the R5 is entirely different league.
p.1 #5 · Canon EOS R5 vs 1DX Mark III for bird and wildlife photography
KINGOFKNGS wrote:
I sold my 1DXIII after kind of accidentally receiving two R5s. I shoot almost exclusively birds. I’m in the Midwest so we have lots of songbirds and I shoot shorebirds and waterfowl from a kayak on occasion as well. The R5 seems to best the 1DXIII in nearly every area for birds except for finding focus on a near subject when the camera is wildly defocused.
1DX3 pluses
—Better battery life
—16fps mechanical capacity 12 FPS mechanical on the R5.
—Better build.
I’m not sure there’s much else.
R5 pluses—animal eye AF. This is the most incredible update and is worth its weight in gold.
—Higher resolution. 20fps electronic shutter with animal eye AF.
—Tracking is far better. The 1DX3 was an improvement over the 1DX2, but I felt it would still lose focus on a near wing when a bird was flying across in front of me and it often couldn’t track the head when a bird was flying directly at me. The R5 improves on these, although it’s not perfect.
—Focus acquisition of lower contrast subjects against their backgrounds is worlds better.
—The R5 will actually track birds as the backgrounds change.
—EVF exposure simulation is great
—Flip screen is great for ground level or water level shooting. I wouldn’t go back to a non-articulating screen for birds.
I’d sell your 1DX3 if you can. I paid nearly $7,000 on launch day and netted about $4800 when I sold it in August. I don’t really miss it except in very slight situations when trying to get focus when things are significantly defocused with my 600III. I’m learning to do this better with the R5, though. ...Show more →
This is exactly what I was looking for!
Luckily I don't have to sell my 1DX Mark III but this really makes me to pull the trigger on the R5.
I have one more question: how can I "accidentally receive" two R5's ?
p.1 #6 · Canon EOS R5 vs 1DX Mark III for bird and wildlife photography
I preordered one from Kenmore Camera in Washington State in maybe April or May and I put in a “just in case” preorder at B&H at 802AM on the 8AM launch day. I received word I’d be getting them both on the first day of availability so I decided to go ahead and receive both and either return one or sell one, unopened, if I didn’t like the other one well enough to keep both. Well I went out and found that it did basically everything my Sony A9 did in AF that I liked better than the 1DX3 (I only had an A9 and 200-600 as an experiment for several months) and it paired phenomenally well with my 600iii. So I sold the A9 and the 1DX3 and kept both R5s. Very glad I did. I usually have the 600III on one and the 100-500 on another.
Nelu wrote:
This is exactly what I was looking for!
Luckily I don't have to sell my 1DX Mark III but this really makes me to pull the trigger on the R5.
I have one more question: how can I "accidentally receive" two R5's ?
p.1 #7 · Canon EOS R5 vs 1DX Mark III for bird and wildlife photography
Nelu wrote:
Thanks for your reply.
I know what you mean about both the 1 series and the 5D series.
I still have the original 1DX and I owned each of the 5D cameras, from the original one to Mark IV.
I'm more curious about the actual feelings the 1DX Mark III owners had after they purchased the R5.
Sure, in bird photography you're never close enough, even with the 600mm lens and teleconverters. Cropping cannot be avoided.
R1 might be an interesting camera but if they still go by the idea that 20 MP is enough, that would not be the camera for me.
Using the EOS-R I ended up liking mirrorless cameras, and I'm aware of their advantages and limitations.
Of course, the EOS-R is a bit slow for BIF but I managed to get some pretty good shots with it and I'm sure the R5 is entirely different league....Show more →
Just to add to the discussion, it really depends on what you shoot. For wildlife, it is fantastic though I’m not convinced that it would be my go to body on the sidelines. Files too big, battery life, build, etc. With most sports canceled, it is difficult to know. I suspect that the Canon R1 or whatever it will be called will be closer to the 1dxiii application wise.
p.1 #8 · Canon EOS R5 vs 1DX Mark III for bird and wildlife photography
armd wrote:
Just to add to the discussion, it really depends on what you shoot. For wildlife, it is fantastic though I’m not convinced that it would be my go to body on the sidelines. Files too big, battery life, build, etc. With most sports canceled, it is difficult to know. I suspect that the Canon R1 or whatever it will be called will be closer to the 1dxiii application wise.
I think the same about the Canon R1 (although it’s way to early to speculate anything at this time ) so I wouldn’t care much about it. The R5 would be a companion to my 1DX III, not a replacement.
p.1 #9 · Canon EOS R5 vs 1DX Mark III for bird and wildlife photography
I sold one of my 1dx Mark III's and kept one. I like the R5 better than the 1dx Mark III in almost every way. I do like the button feel better on the 1dx Mark III. I personally needed the grip on the R5 for a similar feel to the 1dx. I enjoy full silent mode and use it a lot, so looking thru the EVF vs the back screen or a Loupe on the 1dx is a plus to me. The AF is just outstanding. The 45Mp are very nice over the 20Mp of the 1dx. A plus I also like is the mechanical shutter sound is very quiet vs the 1dx also. Both great cameras but for what I shoot I prefer the R5. Amy uses the 1dx Mark III, she has not went the mirrorless way yet. I own 2 R5's and I am very happy with the purchase. Actually it is the first time my main camera is not a 1dx series body.
p.1 #10 · Canon EOS R5 vs 1DX Mark III for bird and wildlife photography
Nelu wrote:
I think the same about the Canon R1 (although it’s way to early to speculate anything at this time ) so I wouldn’t care much about it. The R5 would be a companion to my 1DX III, not a replacement.
"R1" demo versions are out and in the hands of field testers already ;-)
p.1 #11 · Canon EOS R5 vs 1DX Mark III for bird and wildlife photography
I have an R5. While I can't compare it with the 1Dx Mark III, I do also have a 5D mark IV. The R5 has many advantages. The only negative I have found for the R5 in bird photography (as pointed out by kingofkings) is that it does not always focus very well from an extreme defocused situation. This is not a problem with the 5D mark IV. Otherwise the R5 is great!
p.1 #12 · Canon EOS R5 vs 1DX Mark III for bird and wildlife photography
I have an R5. While I can't compare it with the 1Dx Mark III, I do also have a 5D mark IV. The R5 has many advantages. The only negative I have found for the R5 in bird photography (as pointed out by kingofkings) is that it does not always focus very well from an extreme defocused situation. This is not a problem with the 5D mark IV. Otherwise the R5 is great!
p.1 #13 · Canon EOS R5 vs 1DX Mark III for bird and wildlife photography
Simple solution is to shoot CRAW when you don’t need the big files. Battery is relatively inexpensive (even cheaper with generics) or get the grip.
armd wrote:
Just to add to the discussion, it really depends on what you shoot. For wildlife, it is fantastic though I’m not convinced that it would be my go to body on the sidelines. Files too big, battery life, build, etc. With most sports canceled, it is difficult to know. I suspect that the Canon R1 or whatever it will be called will be closer to the 1dxiii application wise.
p.1 #14 · Canon EOS R5 vs 1DX Mark III for bird and wildlife photography
Those I know who have both a 1DXIII and an R5 have either already sold off the 1DXIII or are seriously entertaining the idea very shortly. That tells me all I need to know.
I think the 1DXIII is an amazing camera but there are just too many advantages of MILCs IME to fork out the investment in an 1DXIII these days for bird/wildlife photography.
p.1 #15 · Canon EOS R5 vs 1DX Mark III for bird and wildlife photography
RobAmy wrote:
I sold one of my 1dx Mark III's and kept one. I like the R5 better than the 1dx Mark III in almost every way. I do like the button feel better on the 1dx Mark III. I personally needed the grip on the R5 for a similar feel to the 1dx. I enjoy full silent mode and use it a lot, so looking thru the EVF vs the back screen or a Loupe on the 1dx is a plus to me. The AF is just outstanding. The 45Mp are very nice over the 20Mp of the 1dx. A plus I also like is the mechanical shutter sound is very quiet vs the 1dx also. Both great cameras but for what I shoot I prefer the R5. Amy uses the 1dx Mark III, she has not went the mirrorless way yet. I own 2 R5's and I am very happy with the purchase. Actually it is the first time my main camera is not a 1dx series body. ...Show more →
I see quite a few "heavy-weights" here use/have them both and some even sold the 1DX III without regrets.
I guess I'll keep mine; I want to have the last Canon DSLR
I don't know how to put it but right now, I trust the 1DX III so much that anything that will follow it will have to be truly impressive.
Based on what I'm told, that would be the R5.
Maybe my distrust comes after using the EOS-R, which is not bad, but not in the same league either.
I have one technical question though: on the R5 is the spot AF actually "spot"?
I'm asking because on the EOS-R it's a fairly large blob, even the "Small" setting is way to large to pinpoint a bird through the branches.
I love how the DSLR's work in this regard; spot truly is..."spot".
p.1 #16 · Canon EOS R5 vs 1DX Mark III for bird and wildlife photography
The precision spot (I can’t remember the exact name of it right now; that may be it) is pretty good although I do not have the same confidence in it that I did the 1DX3 precision spot. If I can get it fairly close, though, and I’m photographing a bird in a tree, I can then activate eye AF and it picks up the eye and tracks well.
I have had the R5 completely lock up about three times. The EVF freezes and the camera is 100% unresponsive to even turning it on/off. I have to remove the batteries and reinsert to get it going again. The 1DX3 has an issue at launch where it would stop focusing, or something like that, but it was eventually remedied. There are some threads on it here. It happened to me a few times, but it seems like it was three years ago given this is 2020... my memory is getting foggy from all of the COVID work I’ve had to do this year!
Nelu wrote:
I see quite a few "heavy-weights" here use/have them both and some even sold the 1DX III without regrets.
I guess I'll keep mine; I want to have the last Canon DSLR
I don't know how to put it but right now, I trust the 1DX III so much that anything that will follow it will have to be truly impressive.
Based on what I'm told, that would be the R5.
Maybe my distrust comes after using the EOS-R, which is not bad, but not in the same league either.
I have one technical question though: on the R5 is the spot AF actually "spot"?
I'm asking because on the EOS-R it's a fairly large blob, even the "Small" setting is way to large to pinpoint a bird through the branches.
I love how the DSLR's work in this regard; spot truly is..."spot"....Show more →
p.1 #17 · Canon EOS R5 vs 1DX Mark III for bird and wildlife photography
KINGOFKNGS wrote:
The precision spot (I can’t remember the exact name of it right now; that may be it) is pretty good although I do not have the same confidence in it that I did the 1DX3 precision spot. If I can get it fairly close, though, and I’m photographing a bird in a tree, I can then activate eye AF and it picks up the eye and tracks well.
I have had the R5 completely lock up about three times. The EVF freezes and the camera is 100% unresponsive to even turning it on/off. I have to remove the batteries and reinsert to get it going again. The 1DX3 has an issue at launch where it would stop focusing, or something like that, but it was eventually remedied. There are some threads on it here. It happened to me a few times, but it seems like it was three years ago given this is 2020... my memory is getting foggy from all of the COVID work I’ve had to do this year!
p.1 #18 · Canon EOS R5 vs 1DX Mark III for bird and wildlife photography
bobbytan wrote:
Simple solution is to shoot CRAW when you don’t need the big files. Battery is relatively inexpensive (even cheaper with generics) or get the grip.
p.1 #19 · Canon EOS R5 vs 1DX Mark III for bird and wildlife photography
KINGOFKNGS wrote:
I have had the R5 completely lock up about three times. The EVF freezes and the camera is 100% unresponsive to even turning it on/off. I have to remove the batteries and reinsert to get it going again. The 1DX3 has an issue at launch where it would stop focusing, or something like that, but it was eventually remedied. There are some threads on it here. It happened to me a few times, but it seems like it was three years ago given this is 2020... my memory is getting foggy from all of the COVID work I’ve had to do this year! ...Show more →
I had my R5 locks ups back in August and haven't had one since for some reason. I can only think maybe it was the 1.1.1 firmware update or because I have been using the RF 100-500 a lot lately and the EF lenses haven't been getting any actions.
If you have the grip, it is just a simple matter to grab the latch, twist, pull the battery tray out an inch or so, and then put it all back. Yeah, that is a pain, as it any lockup, but I feel is is tad bit easier than doing it without the grip. To me the r5 is just two small without the grip.
p.1 #20 · Canon EOS R5 vs 1DX Mark III for bird and wildlife photography
Let me ask you a question, I just got my R5 and I have been having a focus lock up issue with it and wondering if you are experiencing it as well. I photograph birds and have been out photoing fast moving Warblers here locally in Ohio and I will be trying to focus on these fast moving creatures, all of a sudden the FOCUC LOCKS UP and it will not focus again until I shut it off and restart again. I have missed a lot of good shots because of that. I thought it might be overheating, so I took off the battery grip and waited and then had a single battery in the body, but it still did it. I tried different lens and it still did it, a friend told me to try and reset the camera back to default and it SEEMED to work better but it was also end of the day so couldn't really tell if it did anything. Have you or anyone ever experience this. Thanks Grampy
