I currently own the 1DS 2. I love this camera after upgrading from the 5D. I switched primarily because of birding and locking in on target. My personal use is general in nature though. Birding getting the most use once again. I find it covers just about everything reasonably well. My question is for those that have moved up to the 1DS 3. Any regrets about upgrading disregarding price of camera first of all. Is the focusing in AI servo a little better than DS2? How do you like the LCD display for checking sharpness? Focusing adjustment for lenses-good or bad? What would you say would be the comparable ISO difference in the cameras? Are files softer than DS2 but will they sharpen as good after processing? Please add as much info as you can, I'm very curious about those that have moved up. Would really like to hear from those that use this camera alot on birding. Reviews on fred's still puts the 1DSII at the top of the list BTW. Thanx and looking forward to users opinions.
John
If price is not an issue, as you say, then by all means, the 1Ds3 is the better camera in every aspect (well, maybe not all - there are some CFn and PFn that I miss but that's a small thing). I have had more luck with BIF with the 1Ds2 than the 1Ds3, but that may be just me.
Other than the 1Ds3 being clearly the better camera than the 1Ds2, I think that this has been the worst per dollar upgrade that I've ever made. No I don't have any regrets, and as a hobbyist fortunate enough to write a $8k check I can't say that I mind the upgrade, but I also try to be realistic and not try to justify something to myself just to make myself feel better. Per dollar spent, the 1Ds3 has allowed me the smallest increase in photography ever. In other words, with other upgrades (T90-1N-D30-D60-1Ds-1Ds2-1Ds3) there was always something where I could say that clearly this is something I couldn't do before, or now I can do it a lot easier. With the 1Ds3, there is no such element. Yes, AF is better in low light. Yes, noise is a bit less. Yes, resolution is a bit more. Yes, display is a bit better. And so on. A good dozen of such improvements come to mind. But it's not the same hammer as say the D60-1Ds-1Ds2 steps each were.
As for reviewing image sharpness on the LCD - it's the same rez. It's the same pixelation and blotchiness, the blotches just got bigger.
In my opinion, the 1Ds2 was the best camera ever made, for its time. It was simply towering over the rest of the world. The 1Ds3, not so much dominance. YMMV.
thank u very much stanj. Very enlightening. I'm still curious about the focusing regarding BIF though and can't understand why you have this problem. From what you now know, if you could do it all over again, would you have traded up for what you photograph?
John
jjoejr wrote:
thank u very much stanj. Very enlightening. I'm still curious about the focusing regarding BIF though and can't understand why you have this problem. From what you now know, if you could do it all over again, would you have traded up for what you photograph?
John
Sure thing I would do it again - I have the money, and it's a better camera. But most people can't just throw $4k for an upgrade on their hobby.
As for BIF, I am no expert so I can't say that my experience is representative. But the 1D3 had documented AF problems, and the opinions whether the 1Ds3 shares the same problems are very inconsistent. Fact is, few people use the 1Ds3 for BIF, most use it either in the studio or for landscapes, so it's not surprising that there's not enough data. I had better luck locking on, and holding lock on a flying bird with the 1Ds2 than with the 1Ds3 - YMMV.
I shoot mainly people indoors under bad light, so the improvement in AF and one stop noise is definitely a good thing - so yes, I benefited. Not sure I benefited $4k worth, though - the amount that the trade up cost me.
Stanj, photography is a longtime hobby to me also. As for the money being spent, I see guys buying boats, motors, antique cars, 4 wheelers, hunting gear and trips and such and if you think about it, you and I may spend less than those hobbyist I just mentioned. It's our money. We both work for it. And I intend to enjoy it. My wife supports my camera purchases also. She knows how much I enjoy it. Better to hang out with nature than the guys in the bar eh? Thanx again for the info.
John
I would echo a lot of what Stan says. My luck with birds in flight was better and more consistent with the DS2 - that may be a learning curve issue, though. For everything else the DS3 is a bit better. I certainly enjoy using it more - while no single thing (with one exception) was a huge step forward, the combination of lots of little things add up to a better camera. That one exception is Live View. It isn't perfect, but when you need it, it really shines. I also like the ability to control flash settings from the menu. It was just too awkward to do it from the flashes. For real estate photography, you use LOTS of flashes (often 6-10 at a time) and being able to control them from the camera back just makes things so much better (you need at least one of the 580 EX II series flashes).
Chill, the BIF issue may be enough for me to back out at this time. I really enjoy what the DS2 has given me so far with in flight pics. Perhaps I may wait until the 1DMK III successor moves up to the resolution of the DS2 and the focus issue is more stable. It would be nice for a bump up in iso with less noise, but the DS2 I have now just about seems to do everything I want. You never know what you've got until you lose it as they say.
John
jjoejr wrote:
Stanj, photography is a longtime hobby to me also. As for the money being spent, I see guys buying boats, motors, antique cars, 4 wheelers, hunting gear and trips and such and if you think about it, you and I may spend less than those hobbyist I just mentioned. It's our money. We both work for it. And I intend to enjoy it. My wife supports my camera purchases also. She knows how much I enjoy it. Better to hang out with nature than the guys in the bar eh? Thanx again for the info.
John
Photo is much cheaper than many hobbies. And at the end of the day you have some nice picture to show for the effort.
Curious to hear the folks getting better BIF results with the 1Ds2 over the 1Ds3. I haven't tried BIF with a 1Ds3, but my keeper rate with the 1D3 for BIFs is better than it was with the 1Ds2. I figured it would be the same with the 1Ds3. Or maybe I just sucked at BIFs even more when I had the 1Ds2
As I said, it may just be a learning curve issue. There is a significant difference in settings and AF behavior between the two. I had a long time to get used to the Ds2 and have only used the Ds3 for BIF a few times. The comfort and knowledge I have of the older system is lost with the new system. It may be that I'll figure it all out and get better results with the Ds3 some day - but in the mean time, I'm more comfortable shooting BIF (and only BIF) with the Ds2. For everything else, the Ds3 is my favorite.
I've never really done any BIF, but concerning the upgrade from 1Ds2 -> 1Ds3, Stan nailed it on the head: per dollar, the increase really isn't worth the upgrade . . . BUT, the 1Ds3 is a much better camera all around.
So, if cost isn't a huge issue and you prepare yourself for a nice upgrade, just not a $4k upgrade, then you will be pleased. I found the focusing on the 1D3 and 1Ds3 to be a little snappier, but still didn't trust it as well as the 1Ds2.
All the incremental small upgrades make the 1Ds3 a sound all-aroudn camera, but I think it should have started at $6k. $5k right now in the used market is a good buy.
In the end I actually went back to the 5D. I shoot mainly portraits/weddings, and it was hard to justify a $6k premium on the 1Ds3 when the 5D worked perfectly fine for me. But, I'm terribly excited to get my 5D2 this week since I absolutely LOVED the IQ and resolution of the 1Ds3. Now I can get for a reasonable price too
stanj wrote:
If price is not an issue, as you say, then by all means, the 1Ds3 is the better camera
Other than the 1Ds3 being clearly the better camera than the 1Ds2, I think that this has been the worst per dollar upgrade that I've ever made.
This has probably been the most accurate short statement description of the 1Ds Mark III that I've ever seen.
I think for Canon shooters, the 5D series (and the II) will remain the most bang-for-the-buck camera bodies. The price jump to the 1Ds Mark III is rather steep. But I also frequently shoot at dark venues, where I know I would have missed shots with my slow-focusing 5D. For pros that need to get the shot consistently in difficult venues, the upgrade is justified for the focusing and other goodies....but the price is still *ouch*
