Help! D700 / 7D / 1D Mk III

xmatt

xmatt

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Matt
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I need help.

I'm a newish member but long time lurker!

I've done a ton of research into my next camera purchase and I thought I'd throw it out to you guys for some advice.

My main interests are motorsports (including F1) and aircraft, mainly military.
Obviously I need something with lightning quick AF, and a decent FPS shooting rate.

I currently have a Canon 20D but I'm not a 'fanboy' and will happily consider Canon or Nikon as I have no big investment in Canon glass.

I've narrowed it down to three cameras:

CANON EOS 7D
CANON EOS 1D MKIII
NIKON D700

The only thing putting me off the D700 and the 1D MKIII are the fact they are getting a little old with the 1D MKIII already replaced and a ton of rumours on the D700 replacement being imminent. But saying that they are both superb cameras.
Fastest AF is obviously the 1D MKIII, the D700 is also quick, but quick enough for my needs?

Now the 7D! This seemed the obvious choice being the best value and having decent AF and FPS and will be a world apart from my 20D. But is it the best? More megapixels but poorer high ISO performance. (especially compared to the D700). This is a big issue - fast glass is expensive, I'm most likely looking at f/4 lenses at best (in conjunction with Teleconverters)

Is it in the same league as the 1D MKIII and D700?

Will the extra cash I'd be paying for the 1D MKIII & D700 be really worth it?

Any advice or experience would be gratefully received. :thumbs:

Thanks.
 
Joe T said:
Dont forget the D300 :p
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Yeah thanks - make my choice even more difficult!! :bonk:

Seriuosly, did think about that one too (well, the D300s). Great camera too but as my budget stretches to the D700 I ruled it out.

:)
 
daugirdas said:
What are the cameras for? That might help a little to decide. D700 is probably the best all-rounder with a lovely full frame sensor :love:
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Yeah, D700 has the SLIGHT edge with me right now.

As I said, camera is mainly for fast moving stuff, motorsport, airshows etc - nothing stationary! That's why I began to think of the 1D Mk III as it's damn quick and I've seen it for a fair price.

But damn I just can't decide! :help:
 
The photography you mention screams REACH to me. For that, crop cameras are the right approach, and to my knowledge, the 7D is the best option at the moment, with the D300 next up. That's what I'd be looking at.
 
Mr_Sukebe said:
The photography you mention screams REACH to me. For that, crop cameras are the right approach, and to my knowledge, the 7D is the best option at the moment, with the D300 next up. That's what I'd be looking at.
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why is the 7d the best option at the moment if you dont mind me asking..
 
xmatt said:
Yeah, D700 has the SLIGHT edge with me right now.

As I said, camera is mainly for fast moving stuff, motorsport, airshows etc - nothing stationary! That's why I began to think of the 1D Mk III as it's damn quick and I've seen it for a fair price.

But damn I just can't decide! :help:
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The 1D3 is a long lens lean mean high FPS grilling machine. i.e., perfectly suitable for what you need it for. You get the 1.3x crop sensor inside a body made of battleship material which includes the build in grip.
 
The 7D would probably be my choice, in good light the af speed and tracking is very, very impressive, it's better than my 1Ds MKIII, better than my old 1D MKII.

Where it lags is in conditions where light is less good, or trying to pick out a moving subject in low contrast conditions, it can't compete with the 45 focus points of a canon pro body.

I did a review of the 7D here:

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=213135
 
scottthehat said:
why is the 7d the best option at the moment if you dont mind me asking..
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I'll re-iterate my point about REACH. Taking shots of military aircraft and motorsports (assuming they're moving) is usually best achieved with big long lenses. As such, gaining a 50-60% increase in the focal length of a lens when compared to using a FF format camera makes a lot of sense because of the cost savings.
 
I wouldn't go full frame for your chosen subjects. I've recently got a 1DMKiii and I'm totally smitten by it - I love the performance and feel of the pro body. The sensor is sensational with pin-sharp pictures & stunning colours.

Phil
 
Many sports pro's are still using 1D MKIIs so don't even begin to think that the 1DIII is getting old ;) They're fantastic cameras that work still for professionals.. so for hobby use they'll still be more than adequate!

However, if budget isn't much of an issue, then you won't be disappointed by the 1DIII and it would probably outlast both the other options should you get a decent one :) I've a 1DII that's still working perfectly and that's how old now? Whereas I know people who have been through numerous pro-sumer models :)
 
xmatt said:
I need help.

I'm a newish member but long time lurker!

I've done a ton of research into my next camera purchase and I thought I'd throw it out to you guys for some advice.

My main interests are motorsports (including F1) and aircraft, mainly military.
Obviously I need something with lightning quick AF, and a decent FPS shooting rate.

I currently have a Canon 20D but I'm not a 'fanboy' and will happily consider Canon or Nikon as I have no big investment in Canon glass.

I've narrowed it down to three cameras:

CANON EOS 7D
CANON EOS 1D MKIII
NIKON D700

The only thing putting me off the D700 and the 1D MKIII are the fact they are getting a little old with the 1D MKIII already replaced and a ton of rumours on the D700 replacement being imminent. But saying that they are both superb cameras.
Fastest AF is obviously the 1D MKIII, the D700 is also quick, but quick enough for my needs?

Now the 7D! This seemed the obvious choice being the best value and having decent AF and FPS and will be a world apart from my 20D. But is it the best? More megapixels but poorer high ISO performance. (especially compared to the D700). This is a big issue - fast glass is expensive, I'm most likely looking at f/4 lenses at best (in conjunction with Teleconverters)

Is it in the same league as the 1D MKIII and D700?

Will the extra cash I'd be paying for the 1D MKIII & D700 be really worth it?

Any advice or experience would be gratefully received. :thumbs:

Thanks.
Click to expand...

You say you have done your research but the 1D and 7d are both crop sensors (1ds is full frame) and the D700 is full frame, ie completely different formats.

The 5dmk2 is closer to the D700 and the 1ds is equivalent to a D3(*).

I personally prefer Nikon and the D700 is definetly on my list of wants further down the road.
 
I have the D300 and D3s. I shoot similar things to you. I always use the D3s. You don't say how much of a budget you have.
I've built up my ideal collection of lenses over the last two years, so its eay for me to rave about full frame.
Without a hesitation though, I would say choose the D700 if you can afford to build up the glass over a period of time. Actually, no, I would say get a nice used D3 for not much more. But thats another discussion thats had on here regularly.
I don't know your location, but if its near enough to me, you can try both the D300 and full frame out with some of my lenses to give you a comparison.

Kev.
 
"More megapixels but poorer high ISO performance"

I would hope if most of your shots are Aircraft and Motorsport you wont need anything more than F4 and the ISO wont be an issue as im sure you wont be cranking it up more than 800 ISO at the very most, however i could be wrong....but hey theres always NR Software
 
I would probably go for the 7D

1.6 sensor so you get that extra reach

ISO should be fine for what your shooting, even if you bump it all the way up a good noise reduction program should take care of it.

8fps

the new AF features it has should be spot on for what you have in mind.

good price if you can spot a second hand one too.
 
Thanks everbody for your replies (and especially to Kev for the offer - I'm in Brum so a bit far away but really appreciate your kind offer).

A new D3 would be cool, there's a few brand new still available on fleabay but out of my £2K budget. Then again a D700 is almost as good for half the price. But as pointed out I'm going to lose reach with anything full frame.

As you can see, I'm still nowhere nearer deciding!

I'm off to the F1 in Valencia at the end of June and I really want to be up & running with my new kit by then. I wonder if the new Nikons will be announced by then, A D400 could be just the thing............ :bonk:
 
I would definately go crop and even though the 1d mkIII might be the af system of choice I think the 7d would be more than capable and give you extra reach for free. After all a 200mm would equate to 260mm on the 1d and 320mm on the 7d as an instance.
 
If you've got a £2k budget, I would say get the D3 now. I bought the D3 after owning my D300 for quite a while. What you lose in reach you gain in being able to crop better. The detail retained by the D3 is just outstanding.
It is simply an outsanding camera. Only bettered by the D3s. IMO of course.


kev.
 
xmatt said:
Is 7D in the same league as the 1D MKIII?
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No. The 1DMkIII is Canon's top end professional camera and is streets ahead of everything below it. It's built like an absolute brick and the focussing is lightening fast.
It has been replaced by the MkIV but you will still see professional sports photographers using MkII's so there is a long life left in the MkIII yet.

xmatt said:
Will the extra cash I'd be paying for the 1D MKIII be really worth it?
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100% yes. I've used canon cameras from the 350D up to the 1D and it's in a different universe compared to the rest.

Obviously it will depend what lenses you have attached as well. The best camera in the world isn't much use if you have junk stuck onto the front of it.

I can't help you in the Nikon comparison as I have never used one but from talking to people that have used both the D3s is a better all rounder than the 1DMkIV.
 
dont you ever say D700 or 1dsmark2 too old... they are just "classic" and still the top machines in the dslr world..

i would suggest nikon, either D700 or D3s, depends on your budget...
on my experience, nikon is always faster then canon, i mean the same equivalent compare.
and i also prefer nikkor lenses than canon ones
 
Another vote here for the D700. I got rid of my 7D for one. Primarily because of low light stuff it's fair to point out. However the cropping ability is massive. I had to swallow hard at lens prices but couldn't be happier. Outstanding piece of equipment, I have no doubt that it'll do all you ask of it. Have a look at Kevs lens line up, should give some clues as to reach !
 
trencheel303 said:
The 1D3 is a long lens lean mean high FPS grilling machine. i.e., perfectly suitable for what you need it for. You get the 1.3x crop sensor inside a body made of battleship material which includes the build in grip.
Click to expand...

I swapped my 7D for a 1D MKIII, best decision ever. Far better camera in all regards, except video obviously :D Don't get me wrong I liked my 7D but the AF, speed and handling of the 1D suits me far better. The 1D is a bigger heavier camera so don't forget that if it could be an issue. I used the 7D gripped anyway so didn't make any difference to me, I do miss the extra reach but that's about it, I couldn't swap back at all :)
 
Of the cameras you mentioned, I would choose the 7D for what you wish to take pictures of. Has has been said for the reach, but I'd also consider the D300s as well for the same reason. As with any choice between two cameras which are close in specifications (they never match up exactly) then go to a shop and feel them and look at the user interface, as this may make up your mind. No good having an uncomfortable camera. :nono:

I think Nikon has one of the best auto focus systems at the moment, and may be a thing to try out if you get the chance when comparing cameras for the subjects you mentioned.
 
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