Canon 5D Mk1 OR Canon EOS 1D MkIII

combat squirrel

combat squirrel

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As title, yes this is an odd thing to ask! Whats going to be the 'better camera' for my needs?

Now there 2 different beasts, ones semi pro, ones pro, ones full frame ones APS-H.

My usual photography:

Earning money wise, I do gig and band photography and weddings, I have found the 5D struggling to focus at gigs a number of times, weddings its spot on.

Other than that I do ALOT of general photography of the following:

Portrait & People, Wedding, Music, Events, Landscape, Nature, Scene & Street Photography, Travel Photography, Wild Life (birds/nature/animals)


So as you can see its abit of a mixed bag........... Id like to keep the 5D because its full frame& amazing image quality, but its focus and metering sucks abit compared to more modern stuff, the 1D attracts me due to there prices now, its autofocusing ability, more robust for travel photography, newer tech, however its smaller frame and 10MP could be an issue, (although 10 is plenty for what I usually want)

Im also aware the 1D is built for sports/when you must get that shot kind of thing, which would also be useful for me at gigs for example, however how would it perform as a wedding photography camera ? Of course im sure it would get great images but as good as the 5D? whats its dynamic range like ? does the smaller sensor really effect things badly ?

Of course there are other cameras, 5D Mk2 for example, its 'better ISO' performance is good, but the lack of improved auto focus bothers me, plus for same money a 1dMk3 can be had with the above things,

Of course a 1DSmk3 would be the answer to all my issues but its far to out of my price range, plus it only goes to ISO 3200 where as the 5dmk2 goes 25,000, my price range is upto £1400 or so (thats with selling my 5D if i did, so really 700 + sale of 5d)


HELP :bonk:
 
Sounds like the 5D mk2 would be ideal for the majority of your shooting, with the added advantage of video at gigs?
 
Byker28i said:
Sounds like the 5D mk2 would be ideal for the majority of your shooting, with the added advantage of video at gigs?
Click to expand...

This is a good point, however im not sure if the autofocus is any different ? this is abit of an annoying gripe for me, I so wish they would put the 7D autofocus on the 5dmk2, im essentially stuck deciding between the full frame OR all the other much superior features of a 1D, i just read a review of its low noise performance and apparently its fantastic so I guess thought would hardly be any different from a 5D ?, but then the 1.3x is so annoying, my lens setup is:

15-30 sigma
24-70L
70-300IS
50mm prime f1.8
 
I actually like the 1.3 crop of the mkIII for shooting weddings. I use a 24-105 and find that I can get away with swapping to the 70-200 a lot less than using my 5D
 
The MkIII is not in a different planet, it's in a different solar system compared to the 5D.

It's low light shooting is excellent and it will focus on almost anything, at incredible speed, in bad light.

I, like you do a wide range of photography and it covers every single option I have come across so far.

Buy it :)

Trust me. Once you buy a 1D camera you will never again want anything else.
 
The image quality from the 1D Mark III is nice, but I much prefer the files from the 5D.
If you want a professional body and if you need a very fast AF system, then the 1D Mark III is a better option.
 
jimlizard said:
The image quality from the 1D Mark III is nice, but I much prefer the files from the 5D.
If you want a professional body and if you need a very fast AF system, then the 1D Mark III is a better option.
Click to expand...

Interesting points above on a camera that does it all, however im curious here as to why you prefer the 5D's files?
 
I'm in a similar boat as you squirrel. I've heard nothing but amazing reviews from the mk2, but also loads of great stuff for the mk1.

Good luck on making your decision! :)
 
Ballyman said:
Trust me. Once you buy a 1D camera you will never again want anything else.
Click to expand...

He's 99% right. I upgraded from 400D, through 40D to 5D MkI and found the meaning of life. Suddenly FF was all I could think about. I loved that camera from the start, partly because of the amazing VFM bu mostly for the FF results which it gave (and continues to give) me.

Then I added a 1D MkII to my kit. Bit old, controls a bit fiddly, a bit more patina than some would like, and 1.3 crop.

My 5D is now sidelined. The 1DII gets most use with a variety of lenses. Its the one I reach for unless I have landscape photography in mind which is when I grab the 5D and 16-35.

That said, some people may find the bulk of a 1D body too much - though not far from a standard body and grip in terms of size or weight, or the controls just a little too retro. Try one and see.
 
Bit of a thread revival, im still sitting on the fence with this one, and im still unable to find anyone with a MK3 that I could try out, does anyone live in the Bangor/Llaududno area that perhaps wouldnt mind taking 5-10 mins out for me to have a looksey at a mk3 ? lol

Iv tried all the local camera shops, they dont have them in stock :(
 
The only reason I can possibly think of to chose the 5D would be the weight difference. if you don't care about that, 1Dmk3 all the way.
 
I've used a 1DIII for weddings and portraits and it's absolutely fine, and very capable in a dimly lit church at high ISO. And it's also excellent at everything else as well.

It doesn't have that certain "thing" about its pictures that a 5D has, but will pretty much always get you the shot in whatever circumstances you throw at it.
 
1Ds mk2? I am sure it tops 5D mk1 in every sense, including weight :lol:. AF is fantastic and it is 16 mp. Otherwise 5d mk2 would get my vote. Some say AF does perform slightly better due to more powerful digic4. With AF microadjustment it can't be that bad. Of course 1d3 would do a great job, but 1Ds and 5d sensors are better optimised for optimal IQ rather than sheer speed.
 
I still much prefer my 1DS MkII to the 5D MkII, although if I had the money now I would go for the 1D MkIV it is the best out of the lot incl the 1Ds MkIII
 
I had a 5D and recently bought a 1DMkiii. Within about 2 weeks I'd sold my 5D and bought a 1DSMKii.

I absolutely love 1-series cameras now. You will not go wrong with the 1DMkiii or the 1DsMkii. The 1DMkiii is stunning all round - fabulously sharp vibrant sensor, wonderful handling and AF. The 1DsMkii is also a lovely camera but takes a little more getting used to than the 1Dmkiii due to the older layout of controls.

Phil
 
My first impression after thoroughly reading your post is the 1D mark III and I doubt whether I'd change that..
 
I've read through the thread without my glasses on and can't seem to find whether you have more than one camera already. If not, then my choice in your situation would be the 1D to go alongside the 5D and give you backup/wider options when wedding shooting.
 
I nearly bought a 5D mk2 (they didnt have any in stock when it came to purchasing) at Parks, hands on it was brilliant. In the end I bought a 50D next day. Mistake. Then I accidentally bid on a 1D mk2 on fleabay, I won it, a beat up old thing, not sure how many shutter actions, seller said 90K but the camera said 142K but he reckoned it was card swapping that confused things. Anyway, waffle over, I love mk 1D, fiddly buttons and all.
yes its bulky, but the battery lasts forever because its so damn big, yes its 1.3 and the viewfinder isnt quite as bright as I'd hoped. But oh my the image quality is just something else compared to a crop. The AF just works, no fuss no problems all the time. Its my forever camera. I love its size, its build quality, its feel, so much better balanced than a crop body size 'toy' (no offence intended), a big lens sits nicely on the body, a big flashgun compliments it too. Its a professional tool designed for pros and as such it just feels right as far as I am concerned.

If I had the money and the choice you have, the 1D mk 3would win every time, I dont think the 5D AF is good enough for general stuff, fine for landscapes etc and stuff that doesnt move much, I dont want video. The 1D will just do "everything" you want it to do and I'm pretty sure the IQ wont dissapoint when comparing to a 5D.

Matt
 
I shoot in dark venues, and have just moved from a mkiin to a mkiii, as of last night I want another mkiii.

Lovely, I did consider the 5dmkii aswell but the lack of AF points, for me 9 isnt enough and as its meant to focus like the mki, when ive used that ive found it very limiting and the outer points not much use.
 
combat squirrel said:
As title, yes this is an odd thing to ask! Whats going to be the 'better camera' for my needs?

Now there 2 different beasts, ones semi pro, ones pro, ones full frame ones APS-H.

My usual photography:

Earning money wise, I do gig and band photography and weddings, I have found the 5D struggling to focus at gigs a number of times, weddings its spot on.

Other than that I do ALOT of general photography of the following:

Portrait & People, Wedding, Music, Events, Landscape, Nature, Scene & Street Photography, Travel Photography, Wild Life (birds/nature/animals)


So as you can see its abit of a mixed bag........... Id like to keep the 5D because its full frame& amazing image quality, but its focus and metering sucks abit compared to more modern stuff, the 1D attracts me due to there prices now, its autofocusing ability, more robust for travel photography, newer tech, however its smaller frame and 10MP could be an issue, (although 10 is plenty for what I usually want)

Im also aware the 1D is built for sports/when you must get that shot kind of thing, which would also be useful for me at gigs for example, however how would it perform as a wedding photography camera ? Of course im sure it would get great images but as good as the 5D? whats its dynamic range like ? does the smaller sensor really effect things badly ?

Of course there are other cameras, 5D Mk2 for example, its 'better ISO' performance is good, but the lack of improved auto focus bothers me, plus for same money a 1dMk3 can be had with the above things,

Of course a 1DSmk3 would be the answer to all my issues but its far to out of my price range, plus it only goes to ISO 3200 where as the 5dmk2 goes 25,000, my price range is upto £1400 or so (thats with selling my 5D if i did, so really 700 + sale of 5d)


HELP :bonk:
Click to expand...


i guess the only thing to say is that the 1dmkIII isn't a jack of all trades sort of camera..it's a master of all...once you use a pro body, you will be hooked.
 
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