Posted by Philip Kirkham on December 29, 2007 at 1:22 PM
I'm contemplating buying the 1DS3 & 40D, and selling my 1D2, 1DS2, 10D, and 20D.
Most of my work these days seems to be landscapes (cos that's what the customers want!!), but I still try for some wildlife when time permits.
Any suggestions about my choices? Anyone using the 1D3 much?
Comments, as always, greatly appreciated.
Best wishes
Phil
Posted by John MacTavish on December 29, 2007 at 1:56 PM
Hi Phil,
I had nothing but bad experiences with the 1D3's I bought earlier this year and I have refused to "upgrade" from my trusty mk2s. I have however taken a mad step and ordered a 1DS3 as a 2nd body. Both my mk2s would do me well for another year or so, but the older of the two has now got over 180,000 clicks on the counter and I'm not so sure it might not start to give problems.
The 1DS3 is purely an indulgence, as it would take around 5 or six years of hard selling to make it worthwhile over a 1D3, or indeed just against getting both my mk2s serviced (or repaired).
I can justify this indulgence, but I'd be kidding myself if I said it made financial sense.
If I were to take a gamble, I'd sell my mk2s, my lenses and go buy a Nikon D3 with the same lenses I use on my canon set up and be a few quid better off. The noise (or lack off) levels on the D3 are stunning at the high ISOs I tend to shoot at these days, and the files generated by it are useful enough for printing large.
I hate this digital age, when cameras are so bloody dear and don't last more than the time it takes to get full tax relief on them.
John
Posted by Alan Bryant on December 29, 2007 at 2:20 PM
How about the 5D ?.
Mostly all the ESS guys use it for they're landscape shots.
Posted by Sean Bolton on December 29, 2007 at 3:21 PM
Hi Philip
I would also suggest the 5D for your landscape work. And I would wait until the end of January to see what Canon announce in the new year, a 5D upgrade is a possibility.
Personally I think the 1Ds mk3 is way over priced and the difference between 12, 16 and 21 megapixels is not that great in the real world of printed images, even landscapes.
I recently had some 5D images printed at 36" wide for a client and they looked fantastic even with nose pressed against the print. A 5D file enlarges very well indeed providing the original capture is sharp and well exposed.
Yes I would like to have a 21 MegaPixel sensor but I ain't spending nearly £6K for it.
As you already own the 1DsMk2 you won't see much difference in image quality for landscape work (ISO100 stuff) so why pay approx £3K for minor improvements.
The 40D is also a fine option for wildlife work so long as you accept the AF is not quite 1 series performance, although still very respectable.
If most of your work is landscapes, and as you already own a 1DsMk2, I would sell your 1Dmk2, 10D, and 20D and use the 1DsMk2 as your main camera. Maybe pick up a 40D as a spare/backup body.
I would go for the 1Ds MK2. Having had my 1D MKIII repaired, (with no difference, in fact worse). Hoping the 1Ds III is better I would still run with the MKII. IMHO
Less noise - yes, more pixels - yes, but it would depend upon what size you want the final image printed. You won't use the higher ISO's if it's just landscape and you don't need the higher pixels if you don't need big prints.
As for the wildlife stuff I have to admit that I still hanker after 7fps but 5fps is close(ish). I would have happy stayed at 16M but the lower Noise and greater detail (or crop) factor and an offer I couldn't refuse swung the decision. I have currently not had any bad experiences with the Servo AF.
If it is just landscape and you don't need the pro AF functions, as Sean suggests, I would await to see what the 5D's replacement is.
The only other thing to consider is what your clients want. As it happens I was able to finally get rid of all the LF equipment because my main client will now accept the higher resolution digital 35mm system that the new Canon delivers; before they would only accept digital files from medium format backs (leaf, phase, mamiya) - their requirement not mine and I have been questioning it for over 2 years. That said it is their decision and If you don't have what they want then ....
...
Posted by Paul Ashton on December 30, 2007 at 4:42 AM
I have both the 5D and the 1D3. I could not as yet recommend the 1D3 (away for repair) for action photography until I'm sure the focussing issue has been resolved. For static subjects it's brilliant. The quality of the images both in detail and tonality are superior to the current 5D and were it not so bulky it would be my only camera.
I am looking forward to the next generation of 5D which I will almost certainly be unable to resist.
Posted by Elliott Neep on December 31, 2007 at 6:16 AM
Hi Phillip. I guess it all depends on what you want out of the kit and your justification for the big spend. I have considered the 1Ds3, but its just too much money for now. I know it is the natural upgrade, but I can't see how it is £2000 better than the mk2. I know the noise is better and the picture quality is better, but £2000 better? Could you not wait a while and watch the price of the 1Ds3 fall?
The 40D as an option seems a little strange to me. If you want a second body then go for a 5D. I have. It has been a GREAT 2nd body for me. I always keep a wide angle or macro on it. Sure the quality of the internals of a 40D are as good, but the exterior build is not designed for pro use. The 5D is simply bigger and tougher. If you are shooting landscapes then go for the 5D as it will give you the true wide angle. The 1Ds3 is there for your wildlife with a good frame rate and plenty of room for when it comes to cropping in.
My thoughts would be to keep the 1DSII and sell the rest to buy a 5D and grip - you won't be disappointed. Look at the 1Ds3 in a years time and review the situation then.
Discussion
7 repliesMost of my work these days seems to be landscapes (cos that's what the customers want!!), but I still try for some wildlife when time permits.
Any suggestions about my choices? Anyone using the 1D3 much?
Comments, as always, greatly appreciated.
Best wishes
Phil
I had nothing but bad experiences with the 1D3's I bought earlier this year and I have refused to "upgrade" from my trusty mk2s. I have however taken a mad step and ordered a 1DS3 as a 2nd body. Both my mk2s would do me well for another year or so, but the older of the two has now got over 180,000 clicks on the counter and I'm not so sure it might not start to give problems.
The 1DS3 is purely an indulgence, as it would take around 5 or six years of hard selling to make it worthwhile over a 1D3, or indeed just against getting both my mk2s serviced (or repaired).
I can justify this indulgence, but I'd be kidding myself if I said it made financial sense.
If I were to take a gamble, I'd sell my mk2s, my lenses and go buy a Nikon D3 with the same lenses I use on my canon set up and be a few quid better off. The noise (or lack off) levels on the D3 are stunning at the high ISOs I tend to shoot at these days, and the files generated by it are useful enough for printing large.
I hate this digital age, when cameras are so bloody dear and don't last more than the time it takes to get full tax relief on them.
John
Mostly all the ESS guys use it for they're landscape shots.
I would also suggest the 5D for your landscape work. And I would wait until the end of January to see what Canon announce in the new year, a 5D upgrade is a possibility.
Personally I think the 1Ds mk3 is way over priced and the difference between 12, 16 and 21 megapixels is not that great in the real world of printed images, even landscapes.
I recently had some 5D images printed at 36" wide for a client and they looked fantastic even with nose pressed against the print. A 5D file enlarges very well indeed providing the original capture is sharp and well exposed.
Yes I would like to have a 21 MegaPixel sensor but I ain't spending nearly £6K for it.
As you already own the 1DsMk2 you won't see much difference in image quality for landscape work (ISO100 stuff) so why pay approx £3K for minor improvements.
The 40D is also a fine option for wildlife work so long as you accept the AF is not quite 1 series performance, although still very respectable.
If most of your work is landscapes, and as you already own a 1DsMk2, I would sell your 1Dmk2, 10D, and 20D and use the 1DsMk2 as your main camera. Maybe pick up a 40D as a spare/backup body.
cheers
Sean
Steve
Less noise - yes, more pixels - yes, but it would depend upon what size you want the final image printed. You won't use the higher ISO's if it's just landscape and you don't need the higher pixels if you don't need big prints.
As for the wildlife stuff I have to admit that I still hanker after 7fps but 5fps is close(ish). I would have happy stayed at 16M but the lower Noise and greater detail (or crop) factor and an offer I couldn't refuse
If it is just landscape and you don't need the pro AF functions, as Sean suggests, I would await to see what the 5D's replacement is.
The only other thing to consider is what your clients want. As it happens I was able to finally get rid of all the LF equipment because my main client will now accept the higher resolution digital 35mm system that the new Canon delivers; before they would only accept digital files from medium format backs (leaf, phase, mamiya) - their requirement not mine and I have been questioning it for over 2 years. That said it is their decision and If you don't have what they want then ....
...
I am looking forward to the next generation of 5D which I will almost certainly be unable to resist.
The 40D as an option seems a little strange to me. If you want a second body then go for a 5D. I have. It has been a GREAT 2nd body for me. I always keep a wide angle or macro on it. Sure the quality of the internals of a 40D are as good, but the exterior build is not designed for pro use. The 5D is simply bigger and tougher. If you are shooting landscapes then go for the 5D as it will give you the true wide angle. The 1Ds3 is there for your wildlife with a good frame rate and plenty of room for when it comes to cropping in.
My thoughts would be to keep the 1DSII and sell the rest to buy a 5D and grip - you won't be disappointed. Look at the 1Ds3 in a years time and review the situation then.