These thoughts are based on a comparasion between the 1DS3 and 1DS2.
1) the viewfinder in the 1DS3 is much much better. It is bigger, brighter/clearer and carries better information.
2)The 3" rear LCD is a big bonus - does anybody want to buy a GiGa Vue Pro 40GB?
3)The dynamic range is clearly better in the darks, it captures better detail. The micro contrast is much better.
4)The noise (or lack of it) in the darks at 1000 iso is outstanding. At 3200, after applying Neat, for paper/editorial work it may be useable (I probably won't).
5)The camera feels a lot lighter. It may not be.
6)The difference between 16.7M and 21.1MP is welcomed especially when deliberately stepping back to compose with a view of cropping later - this will always be so for higher pixel count cameras. For most editorial work the difference is irrelevent.
7)The menu structure is better laid out.
8)5ps, whilst a marginal increase from 4fps, makes me feel more comfortable - I still want 7fps
So on the whole is it worth the upgrade, well that will always be a personal decision, but for me for combination of 4 and 3 make the answer a resounding yes. Number 1 will make a difference if you wear glasses, I sometimes do when I forget the contact lenses.
T
Posted by William Lloyd on December 1, 2007 at 12:11 PM
Thanks, those seem to be good real world considerations, distinct from the hype "gotta have the latest, the best" kneejerk applause...
Posted by Ron Niebrugge on December 1, 2007 at 1:09 PM
After the problems with the 1D III, a lot of people are very interested in how the auto-focus is performing - Have you had a chance to really test it?
Scot, are you sure that it was a 1Ds3 and not a 1d3. The 1DS3 was only released to trade last week.
T
Posted by Scott Fricke on December 2, 2007 at 8:46 PM
Yes, I asked the same question to confirm, because I was aware of the focus issue with the 1D III. The rep called me to ask if I would sell my 1DSII because he had a customer needing a 1DS III the next day, and they did not have a new III in stock due to the recall or a new 1DS II in stock, so in desperation were looking for a used 1DS II.
Interesting. Gavin at customer services in CANON UK no nothing of a recall of the 1DS3 at the present (03 Dec 08), only the 1D3. Can I ask you to supply the name, contact details of the person who told you, or to re-confirm it with them?
Discussion
7 replies1) the viewfinder in the 1DS3 is much much better. It is bigger, brighter/clearer and carries better information.
2)The 3" rear LCD is a big bonus - does anybody want to buy a GiGa Vue Pro 40GB?
3)The dynamic range is clearly better in the darks, it captures better detail. The micro contrast is much better.
4)The noise (or lack of it) in the darks at 1000 iso is outstanding. At 3200, after applying Neat, for paper/editorial work it may be useable (I probably won't).
5)The camera feels a lot lighter. It may not be.
6)The difference between 16.7M and 21.1MP is welcomed especially when deliberately stepping back to compose with a view of cropping later - this will always be so for higher pixel count cameras. For most editorial work the difference is irrelevent.
7)The menu structure is better laid out.
8)5ps, whilst a marginal increase from 4fps, makes me feel more comfortable - I still want 7fps
So on the whole is it worth the upgrade, well that will always be a personal decision, but for me for combination of 4 and 3 make the answer a resounding yes. Number 1 will make a difference if you wear glasses, I sometimes do when I forget the contact lenses.
T
Single shot is consistantly accurate.
Servo, Not tested as yet. Its cold and dark in the UK at the mo...
T
T
Interesting. Gavin at customer services in CANON UK no nothing of a recall of the 1DS3 at the present (03 Dec 08), only the 1D3. Can I ask you to supply the name, contact details of the person who told you, or to re-confirm it with them?
T