Canon 5D Mk III vs Canon 1Ds Mk III (Used)

<p>If the 1Ds is the Ultmate Canon camera or at least it was a couple of years ago why not skip the 5D Mk III and go straight for a refurbished or used 1Ds Mark III. They are selling for a measly $500 more than a 5D Mrk III which is selling for $3500 body only.<br>

<br />I figure, If I get the 5D I will probably want to get a grip for it which will make it just as big and heavy as the 1Ds. The 1Ds come with better weather sealing has enough pixels to make Bill Gates happy and has a better AF system as far as I know. Plus there are the little extra Pro features they don't tell you about that makes this camera really "Professional".<br>

<br />I don' t have the money for either, but if I did I think I would go straight for the 1Ds instead of the 5D. What are your thoughts on this ?</p>

<p>The older camera doesn't do video(*), has worse performance in low light (though still pretty good compared to film or most smaller-sensor bodies), and I would expect that the newer autofocus module in the 5D3 is superior to the older one in the 1Ds3, though both were considered the best available when released. The 1Ds3 will autofocus at f/8 if you care about that.</p>

<p>(*) http://eos-movrec.sourceforge.net/ is a program to capture video from some Canon cameras that support Live View but do not ordinarily have video recording. Has anyone tried it with the 1Ds3?</p>

<p>If you are a photographer, rather than a videographer, the 1Ds MkIII offers remarkable value, as do most second hand 1 series cameras. But your prices are off, used 1Ds MkIII's are selling on eBay for well under $3,000 now. With the grip the 5D MkIII is over $4,000.</p>

<p>I have owned a 1Ds MkIII for a few years and apart from the frame rate I have nothing but praise for it, but I don't do video. I understand the jpeg output of the 5D MkIII is "better" than the 1Ds MkIII, but there is virtually no difference in RAW files and I am a RAW shooter. So comparable stills performance with built in grip and better build quality for $1,000 less, the used 1 series makes sense to me.</p>

<p>If I was faced with your choice - not knowing what type of photography you are interested in - I would go for the 5D. As Ed has already said the low light performance is better. I have a 1Ds Mk III and don't really like going above 800 ISO (although I have some good shots taken at 1600 ISO). I was fortunate enough to be invited along to a Canon Pro event and was able to try out the 5D Mk III. I was impressed with it's low-light high-ISO performance, both in terms of focus speed and image quality.<br>

You say "I will probably want to get a grip for it", but the point is you have a choice, with the 1Ds Mk III it is always there - and the camera is heavy! Don't get me wrong, I really like my 1Ds, but there are times when I wished I had a 5D Mk III.<br>

Another feature of the 5D Mk III is it's "Silent" Mode - I would use this setting a lot - and it works in a drive mode at roughly 3 frames per second; with the 1Ds you have a silent setting but you can only shoot single frames.<br>

I think the 5D Mk III now has better weather sealing.<br>

I've just got a 7D to supplement my 1Ds and 1D, particularly where I want greater depth of field for a given image. If you want to get a camera with 100 per cent viewfinder, high frame rate, quick focussing, etc then maybe you should consider a 7D - especially if you don't have the money for either a new 5D or used 1Ds.<br>

Ian</p>

<p>I have the 1DS3 and it's very versatile and durable. I like the feature that allows spot metering to track along with the spot AF point selected. The multiple spot metering feature that will let you take several spot readings and then average them for proper exposure comes in handy too. I don't believe these are available on the lesser bodies. Combine that with numerous custom features that are convenient for real-world shooting conditions and you have a great tool at your disposal.</p>

<p>I know the 1dsIII is an "old" camera with "old" technology ( no video OMG ). Personally I couldn't care less about video, I've always wanted a 1 series body but could never afford it. If I had the resources though, minute differences between a used 1dsIII and a 5dIII, real or perceived, wouldn't keep me from getting one. The 1DS is the real deal and feels like it in one's hands. As good as the 5 series has been, I've had a couple 5d's and currently a 5dII, I'd take the 1ds every time.<br>

Good luck</p>

<p> </p>

<p>No, 5D3 doesn't have a better weather sealing than the 1Ds3 and lacks many a 1Ds3 feature (say, spot metering averaging) but these are minor things. <br>

See if ALL color channels perform equally well on 5D3 as they do on 1Ds3: the 5D series has always had an issue with the red channel.</p>

<p>If you shoot in controlled conditions and don't need video or ISO above 1600, the 1Ds3 is non plus ultra except for one or two Nikons and the Canon's own 1Dx.</p>

<p>I'd go for the 1DsIII too, for all the good reasons above. I sold a 1Ds to get the 5D II.</p>

<p>1Ds3 will always have better resale value, especially when initially bought used.</p>

<p>So, does the debate continue? <br>

I shoot weddings, portraits and events. Currently I have a 5D Mark II and a 5D as backup.<br>

I feel that the I would upgrade and keep the 5DMII as my video camera since you really need to set for video. <br>

I would like opinions from those of you who are using the 1Ds Mark III and hearing if you are upgrading ... or keeping the 1DsMII or going to the 5D Mark III ?<br>

And also hear from those who have/had the 5DMII and what did you upgrade to?</p>

<p>Dan,</p>

<p>I have no intention of "upgrading" from my 1Ds MkIII's to the 5D MkIII, even though I am now heavily into the 600-EX-RT and there are real improvements in the 2012 cameras for radio flash users. The true real photographic benefit of the newer cameras is high iso performance, at base iso IQ is so similar there is no real differentiation, but above 800 the newer cameras pull away substantially.</p>

<p>I suspect, for my uses, the 1Dx MkII will be the "ultimate" camera for me, it will give me the mp I want for good sized prints without going to numbers I deem unnecessary for my uses, and give me the framerate to cover the things I struggle with a little with the 1Ds MkIII, currently surfing and dog trials.<br>

I am content to use my current cameras, they are plenty capable, until a truly better alternative for my uses comes along. Besides, used 1Ds MkIII's now go for a touch over $2,000 on eBay, now that is a bargain!</p>

<p>Double post!</p>