Help! should I buy a used 1Ds MK III?

[Humberto Ramos]

Hi,

Actually I own a 7D, a 600mm f/4 and a sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 that I use always with the 1.4x TC,
But since I bought the 600mm I never used the 120-300mm again.
I have the opportunity to buy a used 1Ds MK III for 3500 USD, the camera have about 50000 shots, but I have to sell my 7D and my sigma 120-300mm.
My objective is in the future to sell the 1Ds III and try to buy a 1D IV (new or used) or even a 1Dx if I can get the money.

Questions:
Should I sell the 7D and the sigma 120-300mm to buy the 1Ds mk III?
Should I keep the 7D and sell the 120-300mm to buy a 5D mk II?
Should I keep the 7D and sigma 120-300mm and wait?

I really need your advice, because my objectives have changed with the announcement of the 1Dx, I wanted in the future to buy the 1D IV, and now and don't knows what to do...

Thanks...

[James Fuller]

Depends on what you want to shoot. In my opinion the 1Ds III is too slow and needs to buffer a lot in between shots. I would rather own the 1D IV, but that's because I like to shoot birds and action.

[Humberto Ramos]

Depends on what you want to shoot. In my opinion the 1Ds III is too slow and needs to buffer a lot in between shots. I would rather own the 1D IV, but that's because I like to shoot birds and action.

I also shoot birds in action and perched, but I want to try some different shots of birds using wide angle lens, shooting with a wireless remote. But my intent is to buy the 1D IV in the future, If I can get the money before it stops selling, or buy a used one if I can't get the money until productions stop.
One way or another I will have to sell my 7D and sigma 120-300 if I want to buy the MK IV, Just want to know if its wise to sell it now to buy the 1Ds III (that I would sell it too to buy mk IV) or just sell it in the moment I have the rest of the money...
I think 3500$ is a good price and In the future I could sell it for the same money, or even more if I buy it now and sell it immediately after...

[Marina Scarr]

Hi Humberto:

If I were you I would sell the Sigma, keep the 7D as a backup and buy a used 1D3. I bougoht my 1D3 used 1-1/2 hrs ago for $1900 and I think you can get them even for less now. They are truly almost as good as the 1D4 and I do not think you would be disappointed with the results.

[Roger Clark]

Humberto,

The 1DsIII and the 5D2 both have the same pixel size and megapixel count. But the 5DII sensor is a newer generation and collects more light per pixel, with lower shadow noise, so overall a better sensor. Resolution with your lenses would be similar in terms of pixels on subject, although the 5DII has a better blur filter in my opinion so in most cases should show slightly better resolution (detail on subject). I see no reason to buy a 1DsIII unless you need the features of a pro body (e.g. f/8 focusing).

But note that with your 600 mm lens and a 2x TC on the 600 with a 1DsIII, it will produce slightly fewer pixels on subject than a 7D with a 1.4x TC on the 600. And in that case, the 7D will have better low light performance, than the 600+2x+1DsIII.

So personally, the sensor performance has improved so much from the1DsIII era to 7D/1DIV/1DX era that I would not look back, except the 5DII is only slightly behind these newer cameras and is still a solid performer given it is the only modern full frame choice in the canon line currently available.

So in your situation, I would keep the 7D, sell the zoom and buy a 5DII and not look at cameras older than the 5DII. Then start saving for a newer (1DIV or later) 1D series camera.

Roger

[Humberto Ramos]

Humberto,

The 1DsIII and the 5D2 both have the same pixel size and megapixel count. But the 5DII sensor is a newer generation and collects more light per pixel, with lower shadow noise, so overall a better sensor. Resolution with your lenses would be similar in terms of pixels on subject, although the 5DII has a better blur filter in my opinion so in most cases should show slightly better resolution (detail on subject). I see no reason to buy a 1DsIII unless you need the features of a pro body (e.g. f/8 focusing).

But note that with your 600 mm lens and a 2x TC on the 600 with a 1DsIII, it will produce slightly fewer pixels on subject than a 7D with a 1.4x TC on the 600. And in that case, the 7D will have better low light performance, than the 600+2x+1DsIII.

So personally, the sensor performance has improved so much from the1DsIII era to 7D/1DIV/1DX era that I would not look back, except the 5DII is only slightly behind these newer cameras and is still a solid performer given it is the only modern full frame choice in the canon line currently available.

So in your situation, I would keep the 7D, sell the zoom and buy a 5DII and not look at cameras older than the 5DII. Then start saving for a newer (1DIV or later) 1D series camera.

Roger

Thanks Roger,

Thats what I had In mind, but then I saw the 1Ds III on sale and I thought that his sensor was the same of 5D II.

will stay with 7D and Buy the 5D II, in the future will try so save some bucks, sell the 7D and Buy the MK IV.

If I can't buy the MK IV, will save more money, keep the 7D and sell the 5D II to buy the 1Dx.

I think this are my better options for now, maybe in the future they release some new 7D II with specks like mK IV. With the end of the APS-H canon will have to invest in a new and better 7D II...

[David Stephens]

Why don't you just stick with crop-sensor? I don't think that anyone said that the MkIV is going out of production, so simply use your 7D until you can afford the MkIV. If you want FF, then the X looks like one **** of a camera, but not superior to the MkIV for birds, in general, unless you like to shoot them at night.

You might want to get a 70-200mm f/4L IS for a second body. When you get your MkIV, you might want a second camera around your neck for mammals, scenics and other stuff you see while out shooting birds. I keep my 70-200mm on my 5D MkII and use my 7D with my 500mm as my main birding lens. The 1.4x TC moves between bodies, depending on subjects and distances.

[Humberto Ramos]

Why don't you just stick with crop-sensor? I don't think that anyone said that the MkIV is going out of production, so simply use your 7D until you can afford the MkIV. If you want FF, then the X looks like one **** of a camera, but not superior to the MkIV for birds, in general, unless you like to shoot them at night.

You might want to get a 70-200mm f/4L IS for a second body. When you get your MkIV, you might want a second camera around your neck for mammals, scenics and other stuff you see while out shooting birds. I keep my 70-200mm on my 5D MkII and use my 7D with my 500mm as my main birding lens. The 1.4x TC moves between bodies, depending on subjects and distances.

Thanks David,

The 1Dx will replace both the 1Ds III and 1D MK IV, they say it on the anouncement of the 1Dx...

[David Stephens]

Thanks David,

The 1Dx will replace both the 1Ds III and 1D MK IV, they say it on the anouncement of the 1Dx...

I missed that, thanks.

So now, the MkIV will be highly prized and you're not likely to find a bargain on one that's not used up. Now I'm wondering about the 7D MkII's position in the line up, as the last remaining "serious" crop sensor. Also, will the 5D MkIII be the alternative for those seeking both good high-ISO performance and high detail levels allowed by tighter pixel-pitches?

IF you plan to switch to FF and you want to use it for birds, then I'd suggest hanging with the 7D until you can afford an X. You've got a 600mm, plus the 1.4x TC, so you've got the reach. Only the MkIV and the Ds MkIII will AF with a 2x TC, right now. Given your budget, I think that you should just stand pat for now. I see no reason to rush to FF, unless you just want to.

I use a 7D/5D2 combo, with 500mm, 70-200mm f/4L IS and 500mm f/4L IS and I'm pretty darn happy. I don't want to give up the 7D's detail and 8-fps, but would better high-ISO performance and the ability to use a 2x TC, but not enough to buy the MkIV. However, it's discontinuance has me thinking harder about getting one.

[Humberto Ramos]

I missed that, thanks.

So now, the MkIV will be highly prized and you're not likely to find a bargain on one that's not used up. Now I'm wondering about the 7D MkII's position in the line up, as the last remaining "serious" crop sensor. Also, will the 5D MkIII be the alternative for those seeking both good high-ISO performance and high detail levels allowed by tighter pixel-pitches?

IF you plan to switch to FF and you want to use it for birds, then I'd suggest hanging with the 7D until you can afford an X. You've got a 600mm, plus the 1.4x TC, so you've got the reach. Only the MkIV and the Ds MkIII will AF with a 2x TC, right now. Given your budget, I think that you should just stand pat for now. I see no reason to rush to FF, unless you just want to.

I use a 7D/5D2 combo, with 500mm, 70-200mm f/4L IS and 500mm f/4L IS and I'm pretty darn happy. I don't want to give up the 7D's detail and 8-fps, but would better high-ISO performance and the ability to use a 2x TC, but not enough to buy the MkIV. However, it's discontinuance has me thinking harder about getting one.

Thats my problem, the 1D IV was in my plans but not for now, but with the release of the 1Dx, I have to buy one...

One thing I do Know, will sell the 120-300mm, if I find a good deal maybe will buy the 5DII, or keep the money for the 1D IV.

My biggest problem is that here in Portugal we are living a big financial crises and I don't know when I will get enough bucks to the 1D IV, here it costs more than 6000$, 23% are taxes...

[David Stephens]

Thats my problem, the 1D IV was in my plans but not for now, but with the release of the 1Dx, I have to buy one...

One thing I do Know, will sell the 120-300mm, if I find a good deal maybe will buy the 5DII, or keep the money for the 1D IV.

My biggest problem is that here in Portugal we are living a big financial crises and I don't know when I will get enough bucks to the 1D IV, here it costs more than 6000$, 23% are taxes...

Ugh, and we've got politicians hear saying that taxes don't stifle business.

If you can get in position to buy a lightly used MkIV, it should last you quite a while. Good luck with that.

[Roger Clark]

I use a 7D/5D2 combo, with 500mm, 70-200mm f/4L IS and 500mm f/4L IS and I'm pretty darn happy. I don't want to give up the 7D's detail and 8-fps, but would better high-ISO performance and the ability to use a 2x TC, but not enough to buy the MkIV. However, it's discontinuance has me thinking harder about getting one.

David,

In my opinion, a reason to move to a 1D series camera is not high ISO or crop/not cropped sensor. I have 2 1D series cameras and have owned/used most others in the 1.6x crop series. The 1D IV in particular has much faster AF speed and accuracy, even over previous 1D cameras (I have not tested the 1DIII relative to the 1DIV AF speed). That, along with the 45 point AF selection adds a tremendous advantage over the nD and nnD series bodies (n= 5, 7, 10, 20, 30, 40, etc)

But canon dropping the 1DIV for the 1DX abandons a serious part of the market and is a serious mistake in my opinion.

I think some of this may be driven by the DXOMark reviews which doesn't rate the 1DIV very highly as a sports/low light camera and favors the Nikon D3 series larger pixels. I've discussed this gaffe by DXOMark in other BPN threads so won't repeat it here. Sad if true (that canon may be influenced by flawed reviews that don't include focal length limited situations).

Canon's price point is a stunner too, The original full frame 1D series were justified in a higher price because full frame sensors cost more to produce. Canon changed manufacturing processes and brought the price down, and came out with the 5DII. The 1D series bodies have mature engineering, so production of a 1DIV when it first came out should be little different than the next generation 1D. So a 40% price hike over other 1Ds in a poor global economy seems outrageous and I bet will impact sales.

Roger

[David Stephens]

I agree Roger, I'm mainly considering the MkIV for it's AF speed and ability to AF at f/8. The X gives us good AF, it seems, but gives up the AF at f/8. I'd like to use my 500mm with a 2x TC occasionally handheld. Having AF help would be very helpful.

I use my 7D up to ISO 6400, but really have to be careful above ISO 800 when compared to my 5D2. The 7D can get a really ugly, mosaic-like texture when pushed. The 5D2 stays much more detailed at high ISO.