Canon 1D MK III or the EOS 1Ds MK III

Hi all,

Just been looking at an upgrade from my trusted 50D, could you recommend which one is better for mostly wildlife photography - the Canon 1D MK III or the EOS 1Ds MK III?

1D MK III - 10.1 Megapixels with APS-H 1.3x 45 Autofocus points - 10 fps

1Ds MK III - 21.1 Megapixels with Full Frame 1.0x 45 Autofocus points - 5 fps

Both have 2 x DIGIC III processors and ISO same for both 100-1600.

I have recently bought a second-hand Tamron 150-600mm A011 f/5-6.3 Di VC USD and intend to use it with one of the above.

I also have a 50mm f/1.8 and a 70-200 f/4 L non IS.

Any recommendation would he highly appreciated.

Many thanks in advance.

First of all, keep the 50D. It has a respectable number of pixels and works well for long lenses where you get the extra 1.6X APS-C boost. It will be a nice backup, anyhow.

I always end up cropping wildlife shots a lot, so although the 1D models are fine cameras, I'd keep the pixel count high regardless of 'full-frame' or 'smaller' format.

If you're doing video why not go for one of the latest in the full-frame models. There is a patch that lets you do video on a 50D, but you'd be better off -I think-- to get a later camera where Canon has activated the video.

look at DxO They measure 9PMP for the III and 15 PMP for the IIIs behind some Tamron 150-600. To me a primary "unspectacular" super-tele shouts for a FF sensor behind it. I wouldn't bother to get any "APS for reach"-body to go with it. Going Canon 100-400 or Nikon 200-500 + APS would be maybe more portable and promising. I pondered getting the Tamron lens for my 5D IV; I am not really into sports wildlife & Nikon.

As much as I like 50mm on APS H (M8 in my case) I think the EF lenses you have and a EOS 1 IIIs should be nice for studio portraits with flash. The EOS 1 models are great for shooting tethered, right?

Clarifying: My unspectacular super tele experience is limted to test shooting cheap manual focus stuff like a 400/6.3 or Soviet 1000mm Cassegrain + Sigma 70-300s and 300mm Tair on APS from my balcony. I didn't like the results, compared to Pentax 100/2.8 macro or 135/2.8 on pixel level so I believe the box camera approach (big sensor or negative behind bad lens) is the way to go there.

I have no clue how the 1D IIIs competes against maybe more recent 5D models. ISO 1600 doesn't read like "much".