Canon EOS 1D Mark III 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
by Canon
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Canon EOS 1D Mark III 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
Customer 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.
Customer Review: Best Camera I've Ever Owned
Summary: 5 Stars
I've shot with Canon cameras for twenty years. Every time I'm in the mood to do a major upgrade I always go to a camera dealer and take a look at the competition and each time I've done this I've always stayed with Canon.
This camera is built like a brick. Canon tells us they dropped some weight from the previous model, but it is still quite hefty. Yet, it fells balanced and solid in your hands. They've also simplified the controls and menu system and compared to the Nikon system I tested the Mark III is much easier to use. Since I am a landscape photographer and often out before the sun is up I appreciate how easy it is to make a change on the Canon in poor lighting. With all the knobs and dials the Nikon is a nightmare to use.
The meter is excellent as is the image quality. The camera only has 10 megapixels, but the mp's are large and pick up great image quality while holding down the noise. Autofocus is also excellent. They had problems with the first cameras, but later models (mine is a blue dot) don't have the problem. The autofocus locks on moving objects quickly and maintains as the object changes course while you are firing off 10 frames per second. Any time I've had an out of focused shot it's been due to my error. This camera is a pro body and autofocus must be fine tuned - in other words it doesn't give you one size fits all focusing. Take time to read the manual and some of the papers Canon publishes on their website and learn how to set up the autofocusing for different situations and you won't have any problems.
The Mark IV is out now with more megapixels and a totally new autofocusing system, but according to some of the reviews, such as Pop Photo, its autofocus is not as fast as the Mark III's. With the new model out the Mark III is now a bargain.
Go to pbase dot com and in the gallery section select cameras and then Mark III and take a look at the quality of the photos this camera produces. I think you'll be impressed.
Customer Review: Quality Product
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm a sports photographer. I've been using this camera for a while now. I decided to give it a good testing before even writing any remarks.
There seems to be a lot of hype about the focus issue. Personally, I've never experienced the problem, and I bet the majority of photographers haven't either. Some people need to do research before blaming the camera. There are many user faults, causing the camera to seem as if it is not focusing. They also need to check their lenses.
I shoot different sports, from rugby to show jumping, polo and horse racing. So, tracking a fast moving object (person or horse) is very important. Out of about 100 images, maybe 2 would be out of focus. Those I would more blame on myself than the camera. People really need to RTFM. There are so many custom settings, especially for focus, to enable you to use the camera to it's full potential, for whatever you use it for.
The camera is pure quality. I don't deny that there are some focus issues, but again, these are under specific circumstances. The body is solid and sturdy. It is good to hold and not too heavy. The battery life is brilliant (nearly 3,000 shots per charge). The fps is stunning. I've had to limit my burst rate to 25 frames, just so I don't fill my memory cards too quickly. :-) I did give it a good workout, using the full fps and burst rate at an event, and I was stunned.
There are just so many custom functions, that allow you to setup the camera depending on what you are doing. That is brilliant for me, since some events are at night under lights, while others are during the day, either cloudy or bright. Different saved setting sets allow me to quickly change to suit my circumstances.
For those who need a fast, reliable pro camera, this would very much be my camera of choice.
Customer Review: OK, there may be focus issues, but this camera is still awesome
Summary: 5 Stars
Not to contradict R. Herbert who did the first review of this camera, there do appear to be some issues on the SERVO focusing on Some Lenses and Some focusing conditions.
However there are several photographers out there that have not run into any focusing issues (I'm one) and we are all sure that Canon will look into the issue and come out with a fix.
Meanwhile if you are considering this camera I would suggest that you don't let this issues turn you away from in unless you plan to shoot track and field events in the next couple of months.
The advantages of this camera over almost any other cameras in the market is amazing.
Clean ISO 3200 and a very useable ISO 6400, 10 frames per second shooting, Live view (it works!), new light battery that seems to last forever, real wheather sealed body, more customizeable options that you can think of...
What else? 14-Bit images, highlight priority mode, fine tuning of all your lenses' focusing, dual card shooting...
I had been thinking about a 5D, however when this camera came out I was amazed at all the available functions and decided to forego the full frame (Sensor size is 28.1 x 18.7 mm, a 1.28 crop factor) and go for this beauty.
If you can afford it and are considering it (and you can find one) by all means go for it, you won't be dissapointed.
Customer Review: Quality and Reliability
Summary: 5 Stars
I had this camera for about 5 weeks and so far no problems. I shot 3 weddings and 1 engagement in India plus numerous other events, family portraits, etc etc with this camera. One of the complaints (by other reviewer's) was that the AL Servo do not function in hot weather. I can assure you that it is hot and humid in India and the camera works just fine. I was the official track photographer for a local school district athletic meet last week and I had the opportunity to test the AL Servo function. Wow, pictures were amazing.
I can only tell you how satisfied I am with this camera based on my experiences with it. So far (thousands of pictures to credit) the camera is working flawlessly under some extreme (hot and dusty so far)conditions. I am a event photographer and I travel throughout the world. I started my photgraphy career with a Minolta Film 35 mm (manual) camera at age 10. I had many cameras after that (including D200 and EOS 30D) I've been photgraphing pictures for over 23 years and still trying to get that dream shot :) But for now I have a great camera to work with to get that shot.
My advice is to go to a camera shop and test this camera and see for yourself. If you are some what an experienced photographer, you won't be dissappointed.