1D2 - 1D3 - 1D4

[Jay Gould]

Hi, there was a comment somewhere in the depths of this Gear Board that there were some features of the 1D3 - I think it might have related to AF - that some BPN experts/users felt the feature(s) were actually better in the 1D2 model than the 1D3.

Having been cajoled into the 400mm DO, and learning that the 2X tele only does AF with the 1DXX bodies, and not the XXD bodies, I guess if you are jumping in you do so with both feet!

Therefore, experts..........., would you purchase the 1D3 or wait for the 1D4?

My window of opportunity closes early September as I would prefer to have all of the gear I am going to use in South America and elsewhere available for my workshops with Jim and James late Sept/early Oct.

The alternative is to use the 40D during the workshops and request that my brother bring the new body (ies) to me in late December. The assumption being that the 1DX and the XXD next generations will be released by mid-December.

As always, all thoughts appreciated.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I don't think there is a way of knowing when Canon will release a new 1D body and those who might know are bound by NDAs. You could just wait and decide shortly before you go on your trip. From what I have read most people think the 1D3 works better after getting the latest AF fix.

Since the 50D has been released just a few months ago I doubt it that there will be a 60D anytime soon. The common product cycle is about 18 months. This obviously does not apply to 1D bodies anymore.

[Jim Neiger]

The 1D3 has much better image quality, better low light capability, faster frame rate, bigger buffer, etc. than the 1D2 or 1D2N. The AF is also better. The 1D3's Af is the best there is for birds and BIF, IMO.

[Joe Milmoe]

I think you are wasting your time and energy on the 'grass is greener' issue! (e.g. 1d4, 60d, whatever)

I don't care what camera it is- you will be far better off getting a camera now, having several months to learn it, and being prepared to really use it on your trip.

You will waste your field experience trying to learn the camera and being inundated with photo opportunities at the same time. Especially making the jump from a D series to 1 series...

[Jay Gould]

Thanks Joe, I think you are right.

[Roger Clark]

I agree with Joe. If cost is an issue, check out used 1D Mark IIs or IIN's. Even if the 1D4's came out in summer, it might be hard to get one for quite a while. On used 1DIII's you need to be certain of the AF fix. But getting experience before a big trip is important I feel, especially the jump to 1D series.

[Jay Gould]

Hi, I have decided to purchase a used/refurbished 1D3 now and I will make sure that the AF Fix has been properly applied before purchase. I will also purchase the 400mm DO and the other bits and pieces. Thanks for everyone's support. Jay

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Sounds like a good choice, I look forward to your images with the new gear.

[Grady Weed]

Sounds like a good decision Jay. I own the MK2N. And if I could afford the MK3, I would snap it up in a heart beat. You will be shooting "Kissimmee" Jimmy and James "Darth Vader". What more could you want for in the field experience before the big trip?! Your several months of experience and camera "get to know it" time, will far out way any super camera you can find. As has been said here before, a camera in the hands of someone who knows what to do with it, is far better than a great camera in the hands of a want to be. Period.

[Joe Milmoe]

Hi Jay,

I think you made the right choice. 1d3 is an incredible camera [folks seem to be especially happy nowadays post-"fix(es)"]. The pinhead commotion has caused the prices to bottom out- $3000 USD for an essentially new body is unbeatable.

Best of luck to you :D

[Jay Gould]

Hi Jay,

I think you made the right choice. 1d3 is an incredible camera [folks seem to be especially happy nowadays post-"fix(es)"]. The pinhead commotion has caused the prices to bottom out- $3000 USD for an essentially new body is unbeatable.

Best of luck to you :D

Thanks. I must admit living in Australia and buy a $3000 used/refurbished camera with effectively no warranty :eek:, or a $3850 camera with the ability to purchase a Mack Extended Warranty is causing me second thoughts :confused: about the used/refurbished bodies that are available. Cheers, Jay

[Jay Gould]

Hi All, decision made: I have ordered a new 1D3 in Australia - same price as USA. I will be ordering the lenses from the USA. Thank you to everyone that participated in this decision.

[Charles Glatzer]

Jay,

While the 300 f/2.8 is a bit heavier than the 400 DO... it is sharper and with greater contrast, lower in cost, and extremely sharp with both 1.4 and 2x converters.

Choose carefully!

Best,

Chas

[Jay Gould]

Jay,

While the 300 f/2.8 is a bit heavier than the 400 DO... it is sharper and with greater contrast, lower in cost, and extremely sharp with both 1.4 and 2x converters.

Choose carefully!

Best,

Chas

Hi Chas, thanks for your thoughts.

I have to laugh. I am a retired atty and one of the usual atty jokes is put "x" number of attys in a room and you will get "X + Y" opinions. :D

I have given up on worrying about weight. What's another pound here or there?! ;)

I am after quality and the best for my photography overall which is not exclusively anything! It is primarily nature from the mountains to the seashore and from wide angle to macro. Prior to finding BPN the last thing I thought I would be doing is buying a new 1D3 and a lens physically longer and heavier than the 100 - 400 which I jokingly called the Canon's canon.

I thought I had resolved the big issues: 1D3, 400 DO, and 70 - 200 f/4.

Now, and don't get me wrong because I absolutely appreciate what you said about the 300 f/2.8.

So now I have to ask everyone to see if there is some BPN expert's consensus: 300 f/2.8 or 400 f/4 DO? I will do it in a new thread as this is supposed to be about camera bodies. :D

Regards, Jay