Canon EOS-1D Mark III announced

[james 0]

I got to try out the 1DmkIII the other day. It's a big improvement in ergonomics over the MkII. When I switched from Nikon this was one of my biggest gripes - why do I have to hold down two buttons and turn a dial to change the ISO? Now there is a single ISO button and you can press and release it, then change the dial. Yeah! Many of the other buttons are press and release now.

 

Also, the MkIII also has a small joystick controller now. You can't use it underwater (and don't need to) but it's probably nice for above water use.

 

The weight is considerably less and the big LCD is a dream.

 

James

[brandoncole 3]

I have a mkIII and am currently in Alaska photographing humpback whales- above water only. This new camera is indeed a great improvement in ergonomics, as James stated. I've owned all 1 series digitals since the beginning and it is the easiest, fastest, to handle. No more "button gymnastics". Thank goodness.

 

Amazingly fast motor drive, of course. Image quality looks pretty good so far. I don't know if I agree with some of the web gurus stating that "on a pixel by pixel basis it's the finest DSLR ever" but time will tell. It's a totally different machine than the 1ds mk2, so IMO impossible to compare. I just wish this thing had more pixels.

 

One gripe- very, very hard to read the histogram (meaning difficult to determine where the boundaries are), because the background color is very dark, just like the background of the LCD... So it's a pain to know how close to the edges your data is...

 

brandon cole

[Ryan 57]

Subal has confirmed they are housing this, and there is something on Nexus' Japanese site about a housing too.

[StephenFrink 9]

Subal has confirmed they are housing this, and there is something on Nexus' Japanese site about a housing too.

 

Seacam too, of course. Hopefully by DEMA, as Harald has already begun work on the housing, but no confirmations on delivery schedule from Austria yet.

[davichin 18]

This 1.3x camera does not have a 180º fisheye, does it?

[giftie 0]

Anyone confirmed the focusing glitches reported on Rob Galbraith ?

[yahsemtough 0]

Still praying and waiting for the 5D replacement. Hoping my wait is rewarded by some of these features making their way into it, like the 14 bit.

 

I like the 5D price tag better unless I can justify to the wife I will sell more images with the new camera.

 

Cheers

 

Todd

[james 0]

The focusing problem affects AI-Servo shooting. Not something I use a lot underwater. I do use it sometimes though.

 

Cheers

James

[dmoss 0]

Appears Canon is addressing the focus issue....at least the AI Servo issue.

Letter that Canon Service Center is apparantly including with returns. Found this on a website:

 

Some Canon 1D Mark III owners are reporting that Canon Service Centers are installing firmware v1.0.9 on their DSLRs. Following is the text of the letter that is suposedly returned with the updated cameras ...

 

_________________________________________________________

 

EOS-1D Mark III Firmware Update, Version 1.0.9

 

Dear Canon Customer;

 

We have updated the firmware in your camera to the latest version (Version 1.0.9). This firmware update incorporates the following improvements and fixes:

 

1. Improves the look of images when enlarged on the LCD monitor. Applies a slightly stronger sharpness setting to the LCD monitor when images are enlarged.

 

2. Counter measures for Main Dial response errors (Main, Quick Control, Vertical-grip Main). Fixes a rare response error in the Main Dials in which they either did not respond when rotated or would change several clicks' worth even if only clicked once.

 

3. Improves the consistency of AI Servo AF under certain conditions. Reduces the tendency of the camera to autofocus on high-contrast backgrounds when shooting in conditions where AF detection is difficult, such as when the main subject is not completely covered by the AF frames or if the main subject's contrast is low.

 

4. Corrects errors in the Italian and Simplified Chinese menu screens.

 

Please note that this Version 1.0.9 firmware will be made available for download from the Web at the end of July. However you will not need to take any action as your camera has already been updated.

 

Thank you for your understanding.

Edited July 24, 2007 by dmoss

[james 0]

Rob Galbraith does not believe that the firmware 1.0.9 fixes the autofocus problem :-(

[Alex_Mustard 0]

I am very skeptical about these problems - as I think that they tend to get over exaggerated by forum banter. I really doubt that the AF issues with the Mk3 are that big. I am sure if you try and uncover them then you can make the camera have issues - but for most users, most of the time taking real photographs there would be no issue.

 

That said. RG is one person whose opinion I do respect. And having never picked up a Mk3 I guess you should listen to him, not me.

 

Alex

[ATJ 1]

Have a look at some comments from some real photographers trying to take real photographs with this camera: http://www.naturescapes.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=103425 and make up your mind whether the problems are real or not.

 

What specific features of the 1D Mark III make it good for underwater use and better than any other (cheaper) cameras?

[giftie 0]

...Thanks for the link, interesting reading in Naturescapes. A $4500 bucks lemon DSLR for the time being I guess [...and I am $4500 bucks healthier]. Guess I will wait till Canon fixes the thing [pitty the specs do look terrific]...

[james 0]

For a dissenting point of view from a PROFESSIONAL nature photographer that loves the camera visit:

 

http://www.andybiggs.com

 

It's just not appropriate to call this camera a lemon at this point. If you're a sports photographer, I might wait, otherwise, this is a software problem that WILL be corrected IMO. Nothing to stop me from buying the camera (If I had $4,500 lol)

 

Cheers

James

[ATJ 1]

James,

 

I'm sure there are a lot of people that are very happy with the camera and have had no problems at all. There is also no question that there are people who are unhappy and are having issues.

 

What advantages would this camera have over your 1DsMkII for underwater use? Note I'm not saying the MkIII isn't an excellent camera (despite the potential teething problems with at least some units), but I'd be interested to know which of its features are of benefit for underwater use, especially compared with other cameras.

 

It is a pretty expensive camera to be putting into a housing.

[herbko 0]

What advantages would this camera have over your 1DsMkII for underwater use? Note I'm not saying the MkIII isn't an excellent camera (despite the potential teething problems with at least some units), but I'd be interested to know which of its features are of benefit for underwater use, especially compared with other cameras.

 

The low noise sensor and 14-bit A/D converter is a combination that's unmatched for the capture of images with large dynamic range, like sunball shots. The 1.3x crop format does not have a lens that's optimal for sunball shots. I'd wait until Canon puts the new sensor and A/D into the 5D and 1Ds2 replacements.

[james 0]

I agree w/ Herb.

 

Although, if I was making a bit more money off of shooting events (have only made enough for a few lenses) I'd buy the 1DMkIII in an instant.

 

Besides what Herb noted, the camera is a lot lighter, can do 2200 shots on one charge and has an ENORMOUS lcd screen. It's got anti-dust sensor cleaning too. It's easy to use, really well sealed, and makes great photos.

 

It would be pretty good w/ the 15mm or Sigma 12-24.

 

Cheers

James

[giftie 0]

For a dissenting point of view from a PROFESSIONAL nature photographer that loves the camera visit:

 

http://www.andybiggs.com

 

It's just not appropriate to call this camera a lemon at this point. If you're a sports photographer, I might wait, otherwise, this is a software problem that WILL be corrected IMO. Nothing to stop me from buying the camera (If I had $4,500 lol)

 

Cheers

James

 

Humm, I see what you mean <_< ...but still it is a $4500 bucks body and one would expect it to be pretty much on the spot. To what extent these issues are actually relevant to UW photography is a good question [probably here too since the body seems to have problems in focusing on static/quasi-static scenes] but for myself I was considering the 1DMKIII for topside action, replacing my D2x. Also true is that it will likely be fixed by a sofware upgrade tweaking parameters in the Autofocusing algorithm [unless the algorithm itself is flawed, which will complicate matters]. Since an upgrade is already out and the core autofocusing issues seem unresolved, is in itself worrying.

Having said this and for what I have read, I have my doubts if the MkIII [at this point in time] would be able to take this shot for e.g.:

The shot was taken with 70-200 + 1.7x, hand-held on a boat with the whale breaching "somewhere around...there!". The camera has to be pretty quick in acquiring focus (1st or 2nd shot in high-speed mode) otherwise the shot is gone forever.

What I do not understand is how Canon can release a new camera without proper, thorough, user testing? If it had been properly tested these Autofocus issues would have come-up immediately in the prototype/pre-production bodies. These are not random glitches, they are rather consistent and reproducible and should have been ironed out at an early stage, long before the pre-production bodies shipped to external, non-Canon affiliated, persons/organisations for testing. The fact that these issues did happen, openly, and in the public domain does not inspire a lot of confidence amongst potential buyers nor does Canon image brand any good .

 

Cheers,

 

Jorge

[brandoncole 3]

Jorge and others.

I just returned from a trip photographing, guess what, breaching humpback whales. If you have doubts that the mk3 can captures breaches, put your doubts to rest. It never failed me once. I have some sequences with 20 frames- one breach. Extremely fast camera. Humpback whales are relatively easy, compared to certain other whales. I know what I'm talking about. This has been my specialty for 15 years. Even old, early generation autofocus does a decent job with humpback whales breaching. Technique and awareness have a lot to do with this. It's not all about technology.

brandon

Brandon Cole

MARINE PHOTOGRAPHY

www.brandoncole.com

[folivier 0]

I just received a Mark III last week. I had a 20D but was waiting for newer technology before I bought a housing for it. I bought it mainly for sports photos, but plan to buy a housing when they are available. Mine has no problems with focus. Yesterday I took about 300 pictures in AI Servo mode 10 fps bursts and the only out of focus shots were my fault. The temperature was over 90 and sunny. There were a very few that were not in perfect focus but again I feel that this was my fault in not keeping the AF point directly on the object.

The colors using the standard setting were much richer than the 20D ever was. I think I'll learn to love this camera! It will take quite a while to learn all of the settings that work best for the different kinds of photography. While there are a few people that are having problems the large majority seem to have no problems.

[Tom_Kline 143]

Seacam too, of course. Hopefully by DEMA, as Harald has already begun work on the housing, but no confirmations on delivery schedule from Austria yet.

 

 

With luck the DM3 and DsM3 are based on the same body and will take the same housing.

[james 0]

Yes, they are Tom. They also have the same 14 bit RAW files which is awesome.

 

Cheers

James

[Tom_Kline 143]

Yes, they are Tom. They also have the same 14 bit RAW files which is awesome.

 

Cheers

James

 

The file size should be different.

[james 0]

14 bits per pixel