Canon EOS 1D Mark III 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) by Canon
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Digital camera reviews of Canon EOS 1D Mark III 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
Digital camera Review: EOS 1D - Great camera with exception of AI Servo
Summary: 4 Stars
SYNOPSIS
I have had this camera for two months and LOVE it! The build quality, colour "truth", speed between frames, and ability to set custom features is remarkable. I am disappointed with the AI Servo reliability but relieved to see that there is a hardware fix.
WHAT I HAD
Previously I had a Digital Rebel (300D - I know, I know, it's an older camera fraught with slowness and poor colour reliability but I had great lenses and the Rebel served me well) and had used a variety of other digital SLR's. The Rebel served me well for 3 years, but it was time to move on. I shoot 30,000 pictures per year and new that I was going to get a lot of use of the next camera... Along with the Rebel, I had the 18-55mm f3.5/5.6 (awful - never sharp), the 70-300mm f3.5/5.6 (works okay at f8), the 70-200mm f2.8 IS (unbelievable), the 2x converter (good but too little light for the Rebel), the 24-70mm f2.8 (unbelievable), the 50mm 1.8 (I know it's controversial, but I love this lens - I have tried the f1.4 but I am happy enough with the f1.8), the 17-40mm f4 (lost with 1.6 ratio of the Rebel but decent with the 1.3 of the EOS 1D), the 580EXII Speddlight flash, an E1 handstrap (must with the EOS 1D), and Canon 200 Knapsack.
HOW I SHOOT
I pretty much only use manual, and sometimes default to Av. I am a control freak in this way and don't like relinquishing this control. Focus is always centre-point.
WHY THE EOS 1D MKIII
I migrated to the EOS1D because most of my pictures were waterskiing and wakeboarding and wanted an ultra-fast, weather-proofed camera that could perform well in low light conditions. The best conditions for wakeboarding are typically at dawn or dusk, and the best pictures are usually when the subject is doing manoeuvres upside down over the water. The ability to have 10 fps, useable ISO 3200 shots, and not have to worry about water splashes was pretty attractive. Of course, this was only one set of reasons for this purchase. I also have a five year old who refuses to sit still for pictures and smiles are only fleeting! Even the 10 fps can sometimes not be fast enough for my little one! My wife's fleeting smiles are another matter!
WHAT I LOVE
1. SPEED
The speed (both in terms of frame rate and ISO) is phenomenal. I am now able to capture pictures that simply would have been missed with other cameras. Whether it be someone hanging upside down over the wake in the middle of an invert, or a three month old smiling, I have the ability to quickly capture a series of photos and choose the best of the best. Additionally, I have found that as the sun sets and I set the ISO to 1600 and 3200 I have some useful (and semi-useful, respectively) pictures with good colour saturation and minimal noise. The 1600 is similar to the noise level that I had as 400 with the Rebel. I am a small f freak, but the ISO capability is enough to have me think that I could live with some higher f lenses!
2. COLOURS
I have been shooting with friends with other cameras, XTi, XT, E-volt 500, D70 and the colour retention is unbelievable with the EOS 1D. Simple pictures are made to be spectacular without any editing.
3. BUILD QUALITY
This camera has presence both in terms of weight and size, but everything feels and sounds of quality. It gives me a heightened sense that every picture is important. Of course this has the negative, especially when attached to a larger lens, of making yourself conspicuous, and I often hear people making comments like "Check out that camera"/"You give me camera envy"/"Do you work for National Geographic?". Not the best comments when you are seeking natural pictures. The camera balances well with the larger L lenses, but looks crazy next to the smaller cheaper lenses (eg. 50mm 1.8).
4. CONTROLS
The EOS 1D, like many professional camera allows a lot (as in a LOT) of flexibility regarding dial controls, settings, etc.. This is an individual thing, but I like the overrides on when to focus/shoot, and setting the dial settings so they are intuitive to me. The heads-up display in the camera together with the accessibility of knobs and triggers are such that I am able to do FAST on-the-fly adjustments.
WHAT COULD BE BETTER
1. FOCUS
I have had no issues with the standard focus (other than with dark-coloured objects in VERY low light), but the AI servo is awful. Be it photos of oncoming roller-coasters on a sunny hot day, or a child on a swing in sunny and cool weather, the servo almost seems to be worse that standard focus. This issue with the EOS 1D is well documented on many websites (see Rob Galbraith) and, as of October 17, 2007, help is one the way. There is a hardware fix.
2. JPEG CONVERSION
The ability of this camera (and most other cameras) to reliably downsize from RAW to JPEG is questionable. I was hoping that this camera would create decent JPEG's where relevant (kid's birthday parties, etc.), but the colour loss and sharpness loss are too much for me. The RAW is spectacular and you are better to do your conversions with Picasa or Lightroom.
AUXILIARY FACTORS
Another reason that I purchased the camera was for the WiFi accessory. I haven't yet purchased the accessory but I made use of it at a tradeshow. It was amazing to take pictures and have them so quickly pop up on the laptop in a wireless fashion. This may actually be relevant for people seeking a way to monetize their investment (portraits at a ski hill or mountain top with the ability to immediately adjust and print pictures).
CONCLUSION
I feel that this camera has great value (purchased from J&R through Amazon) for my needs. If you are looking for a fast camera with fast ISO and rugged design this is for you.
Digital camera Review: Essential tool for a professional photographer.
Summary: 5 Stars
Purchased the Mark III in September 2007. Over one year later this camera still continues to amaze me! The controls are laid out perfectly and the camera feels like it's just the right size in my hands.
Others have complained about the price, but believe me, you get what you pay for!! I purchased this camera to take professional portraits, weddings special events. This camera was an upgrade from the Canon 20d and 30d cameras I previously owned.
Some of my favorite features are the auto - ISO feature. This mode allows you to set the camera in shutter or aperture priority, and if the camera cannot compensate for the exposure, it automatically increases the ISO. Great feature that allows the photographer more creative control of the picture while getting that perfect shot every time.
Another nice feature is the live view shooting. This mode allows you to take long pictures, or pictures in awkward angles without requirig you to look into the viewfinder. You still have to manually focus.
Another feature I like is the ability for the camera to record on multiple media targets. You can set the camera up to record raw on one card and jpeg on another. Or, you can set the camera up to jump to the other card when one is full. This is very convenient for me since I shoot in RAW.
Another feature is the limits, configuration, and file handling settings. You can set the minimum and maximum ISO, shutter, aperture settings, fast shutter speed, slow shutter speed, and the camera will compensate within your set parameters and deliver results.
One last feature worth noting is the microadjustment. This camera allows you to micro adjust for each of your lenses. This is especially useful if you have a front focusing lens that appears to be just a little off. You can adjust the camera so when you attach that lens, the camera automatically adjusts for that particular lens.
Sure, this camera costs a few dollars more, but the payback in the pictures is nothing short of amazing.. This is a TRUE professional camera and as such requires the photographer to have a significant knowledge of photography.
The battery life is phenomenal! Not only does the camera provide you with a battery meter, it has a menu setting that actually tells you what percentage of battery life you have left and the number of shutter actuations since the last charge. I routinely manage over 2000 (and once over 3000) actuations on a single charge. This is something that NO other digital camera can do! Significant upgrade over the 1dMarkII series cameras where the battery was larger, heavier, and lasted for at most 700 actuations. I thought of purchasing a backup battery, but haven't brought myself to do so because of the longevity of this battery.
This camera has been a very important compliment to my existing L series lenses.
Overall, I would recommend this camera for the professional photographer that is SERIOUS about the business of photography and needs proven professional equipment to deliver results to the customer. I have been considering purchasing a second Mark III as a backup to the one I own. My 5d is currently my backup camera (great, but not at the same level as the EOS-1 series).
You can check out some of my pictures at www.eubankphoto.com
Digital camera Review: Fast, accurate, reliable
Summary: 5 Stars
I have this camera for 3 weeks now. About 600 pictures have been taken at this time. Without any reservation, I can highly recommend this camera on the following reasons:
1) Auto focus - I tried all modes, one-shot or al-servo. I used a combination of lens - 180 mm micro, 28-300mm telezoom, 24-70mm and never experienced the problems mentioned on the web as claimed so by some experts. It was as hot as 85 degrees in a very dry heat area. The camera performed flawlesslty.
2) Color - comparing the color of the shots taken from 1d mark iii and 1d mark ii n, I have found that the color is more natural and rich. There is no distortion to my eyes. I shot using 100 - 1600 ISO and saw the consistent color quality in netural mode.
3) Sensor cleaning - it works very effectively. I had to clean up the sensor on my 1d mark ii n almost every 50-100 shots. Now, the automatic cleaning starts whenever I power off of change lens. Sometimes I have to do it twice. Overall, it works very well.
4) View finder - not only the 3 inch LCD is larger but it is also more clear and real to see the pictures. I am really satisified with the display.
5) Control - the new layout is much better than 1d mark iin. I use 20d type of control with one finger, I can change and navigate quickly. 1d mark iin is less intuitive.
6) Battery power - I used a varierty of zoom lens and played back a lot using the LCD. After 500 shots, the battery showed that I still have 50% or so jucie to go. I think that achieving 1000 shots on a full charged battery is quite good. My previous 1d mark ii n can only go for half or 1/3 of it.
Overall, I am very satified with the performance. However, the software provided to clean up the dust is not that great. The dust data somehow is not recognized by the software. I have to use other software to clean up the dust. Out of 500 pictures, I got 5 pictures showing dust and I removed them in two sensor cleaning cycles. It is an expensive toy but well worth the money if you can afford it.
Digital camera Review: Finally Perfect
Summary: 5 Stars
When one reads the early reviews of this camera, they will be surprised to see the focusing problems experienced by a seeminly large number of photographers. Canon has come out with both hardware and firmware fixes to this body. I purchased a model with a serial number indicating manufacture after these fixes have been effected. I am having absolutely no issues with this camera's focusing in both focusing modes. I love this camera. It is truely a magnificient camera. For those of you who are serious about your photography, you won't be disappointed (except for the cost). Enjoy if its in your budget.Digital camera Review: Focus Poblems Need Fixed by Canon
Summary: 2 Stars
This new model is so good in many ways, yet is unaccepteble in its current form. It has become well known for its terrible focus issues that Canon has yet to be able to fix. Two firmware updates have been issued as a bandaid, but these have not yet fixed the problem.
I recommend you hold-off and wait for Canon to officially admit to the problem and name a fix. Yes, this focus problem is that bad. Expect to have 30-50% of your shots out of focus. Canon is investigating this and issuing firmware updates, but have yet to officially comment on it. "Let's get with it, Canon!!" Take it from me, you don't want a $5,000 camera that can't focus on STATIONARY objects, let alone, moving ones! Very frustrating!