Mine is working fine.(it is one of the "new" generation...
Frederic
Posted by Andy Shepherd on March 19, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Hi Simon,
No problems so far with mine , very impressed with the camera to say the least , iso performance is very good and AF tracking has been faultless up to press , although I haven't shot in bright light yet , that might be the acid test.
It works incredibly well for most things but birding, wildlife, outdoor sports might be problematic. I had the mirror fix done on mine as well as the firmware upgrade. It was is still a little bit quirky when tracking moving objects when the background scenery changes quickly. Plenty usable but not up to par with the Mk IIn in those limited circumstances.
For everything else such as image quality, ISO performance and overall user experience it is much, much better than the mk IIn. So much in fact that even with the auto-focus quirks I never shot with my mk II after using the mk III.
I don't know if it is the 14bit images but even the look of images is much better with the mkIII.
Posted by Paul Ashton on March 19, 2008 at 2:52 PM
Make no mistake there is a serious problem with this camera tracking birds in flight when there is a confusing background. It is capable of producing absolutely stunning tonality and definition on static subjects as well as moving subjects against a plain background. It's a whole load of money. I like mine very much but will be getting rid of it as soon as they bring out an update.
Canon a receiving a lot of flack about this camera and justifiably so. They must bring out an update this year if they are to retain any credibility.
My advice. Hang on.
Posted by Paul Inglis on March 19, 2008 at 3:03 PM
Hi Simon,
I don't know this body nor Canon to be honest! All I can say is; a lot, and I mean a lot of Pro Canon shooters and the like, I know have jumped ship!
Personally if it was me I'd ride it out just like I've done with Nikon over the years!
Maybe Paul's right - wait until the new upgrade later this year, as I'm sure there will be one!
All I can say is; a lot, and I mean a lot of Pro Canon shooters and the like, I know have jumped ship!
Come off the drugs Paul .
I work every day with pro togs (it's what I do!) and I don't know of ONE who has done this. As an example, on Monday I was covering the UEFA Cup handover in Manchester and there were about 12 other photographers there from various papers and agencies including AFP/AP/Getty and PA. Everyone was using Canon 1D Mark 3's except for a tog from the local paper.
A couple had tried the Nikon D3 (Nikon will loan pros kit for a few weeks trial) and whilst liking the high iso low noise capability, they reckoned there was not much else about it that was that special. One guy had used it for 3 weeks and reckoned the AF was pretty poor.
There was much talk about the AF on the Mark 3 and also much talk about 'changing sides' but everyone to a man was adamant that they would not change marques. This talk about pro's jumping ship is, on the whole, just that.. talk.
Nikon has taken 12 years to produce a camera that can match (not better) those on offer from Canon and we suddenly expect pros to suddenly start ditching a brand they are familiar with (even with it's faults) for the sake of a new and largely 'untested' model.
No doubt one or two will for their own reasons but only a fool will risk their livelihood by investing in a new system the flagship of which, has NOT been proven to be any better than what they use already. Nikon is so desperate to make up for lost time that it is offering to swop Canon lenses for Nikon lenses on a like for like basis as long as you buy a D3 body and once the camera has been proven, this may tempt SOME people to change brands but as I say, it would not be sensible to make the change at such an early stage in a new model's life.
What is interesting, is the specification for the replacement of the 5D. I know 'officially' Canon deny this exists but I am given to understand we are talking 6fps and 17 megapixels or thereabouts and a change in build from plastic to metal alloy like the 1D series. One of the guys on Monday (and he is a touchline action shooter) reckons he may well use one alongside his 1D's so Simon, it might be worth hanging on until the summer (if you can wait that long)
I'm no pro but I would hang on and see what the summer brings. I seriously thought about the 1d3, but instead at the moment have my grubby mits on a 1ds2, to have a play with over the weekend, it's more than likely come next week my two bodies will be a 1dsm2 and a 1dm2. Shall probably hold onto this combo until the autumn and see what the situation is.
Regards
Rob
PS My other 1d2 is still for sale
Posted by Paul Inglis on March 19, 2008 at 4:07 PM
All I can say is; a lot, and I mean a lot of Pro Canon shooters and the like, I know have jumped ship!
I think Andy Rouse has moved across to Canon but don't know if that was because of MkIII issues. I was thinking of shelling out in a MkIII but think I'm going to wait a few months and see what Canon's next move is.
Oops - thought I'd accidentally gone to DPReview for a moment there
Posted by Simon Litten on March 19, 2008 at 6:41 PM
Thanks for all the info guys - looks like it's best to hold fire for a few more months (only hope I can keep the money in my account long enough!) I know rumours abound of a further firmware fix so I'll see what that brings.
And thankyou Eric for your interjection - really made me and the missus laugh!
I think there is finally a digital equivalent of the superb Canon EOS 3 film body. Apparently it is called the Nikon D300 !!!
Having used Canon for more years than I care to think about I have to say that if I could afford to change all my lenses, flashes, extenders, extension tubes, remote releases etc etc, I would now seriously consider changing to Nikon.
Discussion
16 repliesSimon
Frederic
No problems so far with mine , very impressed with the camera to say the least , iso performance is very good and AF tracking has been faultless up to press , although I haven't shot in bright light yet , that might be the acid test.
Regards
Andy...
For everything else such as image quality, ISO performance and overall user experience it is much, much better than the mk IIn. So much in fact that even with the auto-focus quirks I never shot with my mk II after using the mk III.
I don't know if it is the 14bit images but even the look of images is much better with the mkIII.
Canon a receiving a lot of flack about this camera and justifiably so. They must bring out an update this year if they are to retain any credibility.
My advice. Hang on.
I don't know this body nor Canon to be honest! All I can say is; a lot, and I mean a lot of Pro Canon shooters and the like, I know have jumped ship!
Personally if it was me I'd ride it out just like I've done with Nikon over the years!
Maybe Paul's right - wait until the new upgrade later this year, as I'm sure there will be one!
Come off the drugs Paul
I work every day with pro togs (it's what I do!) and I don't know of ONE who has done this. As an example, on Monday I was covering the UEFA Cup handover in Manchester and there were about 12 other photographers there from various papers and agencies including AFP/AP/Getty and PA. Everyone was using Canon 1D Mark 3's except for a tog from the local paper.
A couple had tried the Nikon D3 (Nikon will loan pros kit for a few weeks trial) and whilst liking the high iso low noise capability, they reckoned there was not much else about it that was that special. One guy had used it for 3 weeks and reckoned the AF was pretty poor.
There was much talk about the AF on the Mark 3 and also much talk about 'changing sides' but everyone to a man was adamant that they would not change marques. This talk about pro's jumping ship is, on the whole, just that.. talk.
Nikon has taken 12 years to produce a camera that can match (not better) those on offer from Canon and we suddenly expect pros to suddenly start ditching a brand they are familiar with (even with it's faults) for the sake of a new and largely 'untested' model.
No doubt one or two will for their own reasons but only a fool will risk their livelihood by investing in a new system the flagship of which, has NOT been proven to be any better than what they use already. Nikon is so desperate to make up for lost time that it is offering to swop Canon lenses for Nikon lenses on a like for like basis as long as you buy a D3 body and once the camera has been proven, this may tempt SOME people to change brands but as I say, it would not be sensible to make the change at such an early stage in a new model's life.
What is interesting, is the specification for the replacement of the 5D. I know 'officially' Canon deny this exists but I am given to understand we are talking 6fps and 17 megapixels or thereabouts and a change in build from plastic to metal alloy like the 1D series. One of the guys on Monday (and he is a touchline action shooter) reckons he may well use one alongside his 1D's so Simon, it might be worth hanging on until the summer (if you can wait that long)
Barrie
I'm no pro but I would hang on and see what the summer brings. I seriously thought about the 1d3, but instead at the moment have my grubby mits on a 1ds2, to have a play with over the weekend, it's more than likely come next week my two bodies will be a 1dsm2 and a 1dm2. Shall probably hold onto this combo until the autumn and see what the situation is.
Regards
Rob
PS My other 1d2 is still for sale
I think Andy Rouse has moved across to Canon but don't know if that was because of MkIII issues. I was thinking of shelling out in a MkIII but think I'm going to wait a few months and see what Canon's next move is.
Gavin
And thankyou Eric for your interjection - really made me and the missus laugh!
Simon
Quite an achievement. I am given to understand women do not usually appreciate a premature interjection
Having used Canon for more years than I care to think about I have to say that if I could afford to change all my lenses, flashes, extenders, extension tubes, remote releases etc etc, I would now seriously consider changing to Nikon.