1D2 > 1D3 upgrade: what I like

[Jacques Cornell]

In case anyone's interested, I'll share some impressions from my 1D2 > 1D3 upgrade. The 1D3 is already an ancient beastie, and I didn't find much current info when researching the move. I shoot events, often in low light and have been working with a 1D2 and a 1Ds2. Been liking this combo a lot. My main issue was that, although good at ISO 1600, these cameras are pretty noisy at ISO 3200, especially with underexposure, and opening up shadows only makes things worse. So, I was looking for a clean ISO 3200 I could push, but I didn't have the budget for a pair of 5D3s. Also, my clients only need about 10MP, so 5D3s would be overkill. So, I started with a relatively affordable upgrade from my 1D2 to a used 1D3.

Gotta say, I like this in ways I didn't expect. Yes, ISO 3200 is now usable and not just for emergencies. But what I'm really liking is the handling. First, AF in very low light is quicker and more positive. The 1D3 nails AF in darkness where the 1D2 would just hunt.

Second, the joystick is a much quicker way to select AF points. I find myself selecting off-center AF points much more with the 1D3, whereas I'd be more inclined to do center-focus-recompose-shoot with the 1D2. Also, using servo AF with off-center points, the 1D3 smoothly maintains focus, whereas the 1D2 AF would be a little jumpy.

Third, the 1D3 viewfinder is noticeably brighter, which really helps when working in available darkness.

Fourth, images pop onto the rear LCD quicker, and if I manage to fill the buffer with a machine-gun burst, the 1D3 clears the buffer twice as fast.

So far, I've found only one thing I don't love, and that's the AWB. Tungsten lighting renders much more orange. Doesn't bother me, though, because I always shoot RAW and adjust in post-production.

My problem is that now that the 1D3 has spoiled me with its UI and responsiveness, I'm gonna have to upgrade my 1Ds2 to a 1Ds3 as well. It really is nice to have two cameras that handle exactly the same. Ah well.

--
'No matter where you go, there you are.'

 

[Don Krauss]

Nice to read something that's not 5D3.

I totally agree with you on the 1D3. I bought one new when it was first offered, and its been incredible, no problems, great images.

I recently decided to upgrade my 1Ds2 to a 1Ds3, so I got a used one with low shuttercount. It handles identically as the 1D3, same great feel, basically same menu. The difference is that its buffer is significantly slower. The much larger files is the main reason, but it wasn't designed for sports. I also use the 5D2, and the 1Ds3 images look the same in both cameras, except that the 1Ds focus is super, good enough for sports. The 1D pair is just a perfect combination, I expect to get many years of use out of them.

Enjoy your 1D3
DK

 

[Jaims]

Nice to read something that's not 5D3.

I totally agree with you on the 1D3. I bought one new when it was first offered, and its been incredible, no problems, great images.

I recently decided to upgrade my 1Ds2 to a 1Ds3, so I got a used one with low shuttercount. It handles identically as the 1D3, same great feel, basically same menu. The difference is that its buffer is significantly slower. The much larger files is the main reason, but it wasn't designed for sports. I also use the 5D2, and the 1Ds3 images look the same in both cameras, except that the 1Ds focus is super, good enough for sports. The 1D pair is just a perfect combination, I expect to get many years of use out of them.

I have one 1D3, and I am never going to get rid of it

Still I want a FF than has a great AF system (unlike the 5D I have) and I am not in a hurry, and I'll have to decide if I want a 5D3 or a used 1Ds3.

Enjoy your 1D3

To the OP, yeah, enjoy this beast

--
http://jaimsthesweetspot.wordpress.com/

 

[Don Krauss]

Canon just puts extra value into the 1D bodies.

One example is: the USB port broke on my 5D2. The cable has no support, so its so easy to mechcanically break the USB connector.

On 1D3, 1Ds3, and 1D4. The camera has a provided USB cable clamp which secures the USB cable, If I had something like that to put on the 5D, the connector would have never broken. It just illustrates the extra thought that goes into the Pro 1D body design.

DK

 

[Jacques Cornell]

Thanks, Don. Good to hear from another 1D+1Ds user. Glad to know that the MkIII pair handle the same. That's something I've really enjoyed about my MkII pair, and now that I no longer have a matched pair, I'm eager to get 1Ds3. One thing seems odd, though. The 1Ds3 tops out at ISO 3200, whereas the 1D3 goes to ISO 6400. It's essentially the same sensor as in the 5D2, which goes to ISO 25,600. Has there been a firmware update that raises the 1Ds3's ISO limit? Do you find per-pixel noise from the 1D3 & 1Ds3 to be comparable at ISO 3200?

Nice to read something that's not 5D3.

I totally agree with you on the 1D3. I bought one new when it was first offered, and its been incredible, no problems, great images.

I recently decided to upgrade my 1Ds2 to a 1Ds3, so I got a used one with low shuttercount. It handles identically as the 1D3, same great feel, basically same menu. The difference is that its buffer is significantly slower. The much larger files is the main reason, but it wasn't designed for sports. I also use the 5D2, and the 1Ds3 images look the same in both cameras, except that the 1Ds focus is super, good enough for sports. The 1D pair is just a perfect combination, I expect to get many years of use out of them.

Enjoy your 1D3
DK

--
'No matter where you go, there you are.'

 

[Don Krauss]

The 1Ds3 doesn't have the higher ISO ability. I thinks its an issue of in camera processing which Canon never intended for the 1Ds3.

I find that most HI ISO work goes to my 1D3. Dance competitons, Convention coverage, Night-time sports, and indoor basketball are typical. In these cases, I usually capure JPGs and larger files are not needed. In fact clients prefer medium JPGs of one megabyte size. However,I have printed 24x36 pictures from the 1D3, and they have good detail.

I usually use my 1Ds3 for portraits, Landscapes, and commercial photography where I stay at 200 ISO for clarity and detail. Even if you use a 5D2, at over 800 ISO, the colors and detail starts to fall apart at the higher ISOs. For maximum clarity and image reproduction there is no substitute for good lighting or using a tripod with slower shutter speeds.

That is the wonder of having both bodies. (1d3-1Ds3). Each has its optimized use.
I would love to add a 1D4 to my set, but I can't afford it right now.

DK

 

[Jacques Cornell]

I hear you about the 1Ds3 file size being overkill for event work. Sure wish they had put mRAW on it, as sRAW is too dinky and 10MP is just about perfect. I don't really want to go to ISO 6400, but it would be nice to have the option. What I like about the Mk3 bodies is that, although ISO 1600 is not substantially better, ISO 3200 is. With the 1D2, ISO 1600 was fine, but 3200 was for emergency use only. With the 1D3, this bumps up one stop. Would be nice if that were true on the 1Ds3 as well. In any case, 3200 does the trick for me, so I know I'll be happy with the 1Ds3 if it's comparable to the 1D3 at ISO 3200, f2.8, 1/125.

As you said, it makes sense to go first to the 1D3 for events, but I always shoot them with two bodies and prime lenses, generally 100 f2 on 1D and 35 f2 on 1Ds. I also like the crop factor with my 17-40 f4L for cocktail hour coverage. So, while the 1D is events-only for me, the 1Ds does double-duty on events as well as portraits and landscapes. I haven't found IQ degradation an issue for event work at ISO 1600 on my Mk 2 bodies, so I'm confident the Mk 3s will be fine at ISO 3200.

If I had the money, I'd be tempted to get a pair of 5D3s, but I like the 1-series' vertical grip and build quality, the fact that client's see them as "pro" cameras, and the extra reach and frame rate of the 1D. The 5D3's 6fps is not bad, but 8-10fps is just right for doing 3-frame bursts of speakers and getting one frame with eyes open and mouth closed.

If I win the lottery, I'll get a pair of 1Dxes.

The 1Ds3 doesn't have the higher ISO ability. I thinks its an issue of in camera processing which Canon never intended for the 1Ds3.

I find that most HI ISO work goes to my 1D3. Dance competitons, Convention coverage, Night-time sports, and indoor basketball are typical. In these cases, I usually capure JPGs and larger files are not needed. In fact clients prefer medium JPGs of one megabyte size. However,I have printed 24x36 pictures from the 1D3, and they have good detail.

I usually use my 1Ds3 for portraits, Landscapes, and commercial photography where I stay at 200 ISO for clarity and detail. Even if you use a 5D2, at over 800 ISO, the colors and detail starts to fall apart at the higher ISOs. For maximum clarity and image reproduction there is no substitute for good lighting or using a tripod with slower shutter speeds.

That is the wonder of having both bodies. (1d3-1Ds3). Each has its optimized use.
I would love to add a 1D4 to my set, but I can't afford it right now.

DK

--
'No matter where you go, there you are.'

 

[Jacques Cornell]

Wow! I'm processing my first job shot with the 1D3, and the shadows can withstand MUCH more pushing. Got a RAW ISO 1600 image (onstage speaker against a black backdrop) that's 2 stops underexposed (flash didn't recycle in time), and it's eminently usable. I dial in +2 stops exposure in Aperture, and the deepest shadows are still black. Even if I add +20 shadow recovery, the lighter shadows get noisy, but it's still usable. With the 1D2, the shadows would have been a festival of rainbow sprinkles. Early reviews of the 1D3 said the RAW files had a lot of headroom, and man, they weren't kidding. Lovin' it.

Don, do you see the same thing with the 1Ds3 vs. the 1Ds2?

--
'No matter where you go, there you are.'

 

[Scott Larson]

The only banding I see with mine is occasionally there will be vertical red lines just a dozen of pixels long in some spots. Even with no noise reduction turned on the noise is just a barely noticeable red mist at ISO 1600. That was a huge improvement over the Mark IIn, especially mine which was noisier than average.

 

[anthhope]

Hi,

Thank you very much for this info. I have a 1ds mkii and a 1d mkii and have been thinking of selling both to buy a 1d MKIII for the high iso stuff.

Your impressions was a great read.

Cheers
Anthony

In case anyone's interested, I'll share some impressions from my 1D2 > 1D3 upgrade. The 1D3 is already an ancient beastie, and I didn't find much current info when researching the move. I shoot events, often in low light and have been working with a 1D2 and a 1Ds2. Been liking this combo a lot. My main issue was that, although good at ISO 1600, these cameras are pretty noisy at ISO 3200, especially with underexposure, and opening up shadows only makes things worse. So, I was looking for a clean ISO 3200 I could push, but I didn't have the budget for a pair of 5D3s. Also, my clients only need about 10MP, so 5D3s would be overkill. So, I started with a relatively affordable upgrade from my 1D2 to a used 1D3.

Gotta say, I like this in ways I didn't expect. Yes, ISO 3200 is now usable and not just for emergencies. But what I'm really liking is the handling. First, AF in very low light is quicker and more positive. The 1D3 nails AF in darkness where the 1D2 would just hunt.

Second, the joystick is a much quicker way to select AF points. I find myself selecting off-center AF points much more with the 1D3, whereas I'd be more inclined to do center-focus-recompose-shoot with the 1D2. Also, using servo AF with off-center points, the 1D3 smoothly maintains focus, whereas the 1D2 AF would be a little jumpy.

Third, the 1D3 viewfinder is noticeably brighter, which really helps when working in available darkness.

Fourth, images pop onto the rear LCD quicker, and if I manage to fill the buffer with a machine-gun burst, the 1D3 clears the buffer twice as fast.

So far, I've found only one thing I don't love, and that's the AWB. Tungsten lighting renders much more orange. Doesn't bother me, though, because I always shoot RAW and adjust in post-production.

My problem is that now that the 1D3 has spoiled me with its UI and responsiveness, I'm gonna have to upgrade my 1Ds2 to a 1Ds3 as well. It really is nice to have two cameras that handle exactly the same. Ah well.

--
'No matter where you go, there you are.'

--
Cheers

Anthony

http://www.ahopephotography.co.uk

 

[dalephill]

Indeed the 1D3 is a fine camera, side by side my images from my MKIIN and the 1d3 were a close match except for the extra slight cropping, I for sure liked the liveview, and the higher usable ISO, had I been doing more professional work I would have kept the 1D3, I sold it as my MKIIN suited my needs fine, I will be picking up another next year, for now my 5D and the MKIIN will suffice.
--
Bless Those that smile upon us, and allow us to take their picture.