Is A 1D Mark III Now A Good Deal?

[Ed Cordes]

I have wanted a new body (camera that is) for a while. The 1DMK3 AF issue has kept me away for 2 years now. My old 1DMK2 is getting long in the tooth. Hope for a new 1 series introduced by this summer is fast fading. I have considered a 50D, but the noise above ISO 400 has worried me and I sure like the fast AF of my Mark 2.

So, with the latest fix from Canon addressing the peripheral AF points is the camera now a good choice? I know that it is Digi 3 - not Digi 4, and that the screen is less desireable than the 50D, but it is the performance/image quality I am looking to improve over my 5 year old Mark 2.

What is the feeling among Cannon shooters?

If I do get a new Mark 3 how do I know if the latest fix is applied?

Thanks

[Judy Becker]

I've had mine for almost a year without any problems.

[Jonathan Michael Ashton]

In view of the past problems and Artie saying the AF is best for BIF on the 50D I bought the 50D. Regarding noise levels, I have learned to turn most in camera enhancements off, I now find noise levels minimal. When I do notice noise I use Neat Image, I have just posted a high ISO image and will be sending another tomorrow.
I have tried the EOS 1D Mk111, I found it very impressive, but for me it had the disadvantage of 1.3 crop vs 1.6; the noise levels were better but I found the camera was unnecessarily sophisticated e.g. lots of Custom Functions and features I would never use in a million years. Put simply, the 50D does everything my 20D did - but better - I am happy with that .......and my wallet is much happier.

Jon

[Greg Schneider]

IMHO the 1D3 beats the 50D in nearly all areas imaginable. I'm not too happy about the noise levels of the 50D in comparison to the Mk3. Unless cost/size were a consideration or there was an overriding need for the 1.6x crop I would definitely go with the 1D3.

[Deborah Harrison]

I love my Mark 3, even my original one which had sporadic focusing problems gave me some great shots. Canon has since replaced that one and I have a second one - they are fantastic for wildlife in action. I also have a 50D and don't feel that it is any real improvement on its predecessors in spite of the specs - it feels slow in my hands after using the Mark 3.

You'd do better getting a Mark 3 now the kinks are sorted out than waiting for a new Canon which might have different problems of its own.

Happy shooting!

[c.w. moynihan]

While I find the 50D better for BIF shots than the 40D, in no way do I find it better than my 1Ds3. I should note that I use the center point for AF and not the ring of fire. Perhaps with the 50D, the ring, since it's much smaller with less sensors works better than the ring on 1D's prior to the latest hardware fix for peripheral AF sensors... I have yet to get that done.... as I am going on a shoot next week.

[Alfred Forns]

Ed I would have one of each .... they complement each other.

The current MK3 Yellow Dot has been working great for me. Would like to give it a few more weeks before I can fully endorse in view of past problems. Image quality is impressive so it high ISO capability. As far as waiting for the next I don't think you will see one in under a year (purely my guess)

The 50D has a great AF and has been consistent but noise is a problem. Even below ISO 400 you will be in trouble if the image is underexposed (and not by much). Over 400 is very noisy.... however there is a solution ... Topaz ... have just started using and results are much better than with any other noise reducing software. Seems to get rid of noise and still leave the image sharp. There is a 30 day free trail so you can judge for yourself.

btw if you evaluate images form the 50D do look at images with deep shadows, very light tone will give you little information as to what is going on.

[Bonnie Block]

I agree with Al about Topaz. Really great noiseware--and can really help with the 50D noise problem.
That said--it does create extra work in the processing.

[Ed Cordes]

Thanks again to all who provided input. More and more I am leaning toward the 1D Mark III. I have loved my Mark II for over 5 years and still lean toward a 1 series. The noise of the 50D does bother me. Yes, you can fix it in PS with various plug ins, but it still means that the pixels on the sensor are too close together. I have also studied and learned that if you do landscape the diffraction limited smallest aperture is around f 11. After this sharpness begins to drop due to diffraction.

I know this is less important for bird and wildlife photography as we use our lenses wide open or almost wide open. However, I still do Landscapes as well.

I wrote to Canon asking-
"I know you have announced a recent fix to address possible focusing issues using the peripheral "ring of fire". How do I know that a new camera I buy now has had this fix done during manufacture? Is there a serial number range I can request when ordering?"

The answer was -
"We don't have a range of serial numbers that are affected, but we could check an individual serial number to see if it may be affected. That's why I would recommend that you buy from a reputable dealer -
These dealers and others like them work with us to ensure that they are only selling corrected cameras.

I think I will ask one of the larger dealers about the latest fix and try to see if I can get one that has been carried out already.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Ed, it might be worth asking Canon or people who sent in their cameras if there is a new color dot in the battery compartment to make sure you get a corrected camera. Early reports about corrected cameras sound good.

[Don Lacy]

Ed, The 50D will still have more resolution then the 1D3 at f/11 even with the effects of diffraction the camera does not become useless at f/11.

[Alfred Forns]

Ed you can tell the model right on the box, latest say yellow dot !!!

I normally order from Hunt's and they would have the latest. I'm sure other mayor places would also !!