Any thoughts on the 1DX for us bird types?

[Diamond Lil]

What are your thoughts? Do you think it would be a good choice for those of us who like to make bird photos?

[sandpiper]

Yeah, it would certainly get the job done. The 1D series has always been a great birding camera. The 5D mkIII might have a little more reach, but has significantly less fps, which could make a difference in catching the wings of a bird in flight at just the right position, or it just about to touch down at it's nest.

The 7D also has more reach than either, but maybe not as good an AF system (good though it is, it isn't the latest and greatest anymore).

Personally, I think any of those three cameras will make a good bird camera. I think my personal choice would be the 5D mkIII, the AF is great, good reach and I can live with a slower frame rate as the extra couple of grand saved will buy some nice glass.

But, yeah, the 1DX will do a great job if money isn't an issue.

[Diamond Lil]

Thank you for your thoughtful response. I've decided against the 7D and am looking at the 1D series, but really only the 1DX right now, based upon image quality.
Money is always an issue, but that doesn't stop a girl from window shopping.

[umphotography]

For birding. I would get a 1DMKIV and not think twice about it. Its an excellent camera and the 1.3 format and the extra reach is a bonus over a 1Dx when it comes to birding. you can find clean low count 1DMKIv's for 3400.00 or less........Take the extra 3500.00 and find a clean 500F/4 and your set.

[jhayesvw]

i completely agree.
for about $3500 you cant find a better birding camera than a 1d4.
the 1dx isnt significantly better for this use.

[chubri777]

1DX and 5DIII will make your lenses shorter. So will the 1DIV, just not as short. If your longest lens is 400mm, go with the 1DIV. What is wrong with a 7D?

[hollis_f]

Originally Posted by umphotography

For birding. I would get a 1DMKIV and not think twice about it. Its an excellent camera and the 1.3 format and the extra reach is a bonus over a 1Dx when it comes to birding.

Plus, you get AF at f8.

[Diamond Lil]

Originally Posted by umphotography

For birding. I would get a 1DMKIV and not think twice about it. Its an excellent camera and the 1.3 format and the extra reach is a bonus over a 1Dx when it comes to birding. you can find clean low count 1DMKIv's for 3400.00 or less........Take the extra 3500.00 and find a clean 500F/4 and your set.

Mike, thank you for your considered advice. Not being in a rush, because this is a want and not a need, I'm giving serious consideration to waiting longer to find that clean 1DMKIV. Not being able to find one that looked clean around here I've been giving consideration to new, hence the 1DX question.

Originally Posted by jhayesvw

i completely agree.
for about $3500 you cant find a better birding camera than a 1d4.
the 1dx isnt significantly better for this use.

Thanks so very much Jeremy.

Originally Posted by chubri777

1DX and 5DIII will make your lenses shorter. So will the 1DIV, just not as short. If your longest lens is 400mm, go with the 1DIV. What is wrong with a 7D?

Thank you Chuck. I've been convinced after looking and learning since it came out that the 7D would not be a significant enough upgrade to justify the expense.

Originally Posted by hollis_f

Plus, you get AF at f8.

Good point. Thank you Frank.

[huntersdad]

Originally Posted by Diamond Lil

Thank you Chuck. I've been convinced after looking and learning since it came out that the 7D would not be a significant enough upgrade to justify the expense.

Far be it from me to tell you what is and isn't a significant upgrade.

However, if you are comparing the 7d to your 50d, "significant upgrade" would be putting it mildly. Higher useable ISO, better AF system with numerous choices in AF mode, higher FPS, better construction, better resolution, better LCDs, better handling. There is little on the 7d that isn't better than the 50d. So, IMHO, it would be a tremendously significant upgrade.

Additionally, selling your 50d (approx. $500) and buying a used 7d on here (approx. $1000), would put the cost at roughly $5-600 - much more bang for the buck than you'll get shelling out $3500 for a used Mk IV.

[Diamond Lil]

Originally Posted by huntersdad

Far be it from me to tell you what is and isn't a significant upgrade.

However, if you are comparing the 7d to your 50d, "significant upgrade" would be putting it mildly. Higher useable ISO, better AF system with numerous choices in AF mode, higher FPS, better construction, better resolution, better LCDs, better handling. There is little on the 7d that isn't better than the 50d. So, IMHO, it would be a tremendously significant upgrade.

Additionally, selling your 50d (approx. $500) and buying a used 7d on here (approx. $1000), would put the cost at roughly $5-600 - much more bang for the buck than you'll get shelling out $3500 for a used Mk IV.

Brad, thank you so much for your considered reply. I completely understand the technical feature are significant, but after a great deal of time discussing my needs with people here, the pros at my camera shop and other places who know my work and desires we have come to the conclusion that the IQ differences are not that significant.

[sandpiper]

Originally Posted by Diamond Lil

Brad, thank you so much for your considered reply. I completely understand the technical feature are significant, but after a great deal of time discussing my needs with people here, the pros at my camera shop and other places who know my work and desires we have come to the conclusion that the IQ differences are not that significant.

What are you using to compare the IQ? If you are looking at general scenic images, taken in good conditions, then you are right that there will be little IQ difference between them. However for birding, often in poor light and with critters a bit further away than you would like, there is more to IQ than simply comparing two similar scenes. Firstly, the 7D has more reach so, when you can't get close enough to fill your frame with feathers, you have to crop less and have more pixels on target which improves IQ. The improved AF system means better focus acquisition and tracking, meaning sharper shots and less shots where focus is missed altogether. Similarly, higher ISO capability allows faster shutter speeds in low light, for a given amount of noise, decreasing motion blur and so again increasing IQ with better sharpness. Faster FPS means that you are more likely to catch the perfect moment as a bird lands or takes off, with it's wings at the best angle - better composition leading to better images.

Yes, photographing a static sunny scene, filling the frame, at f/8, 1/500th, ISO 100 etc., you will be hard pressed to see any IQ difference and both cameras will get the shot.

But in the frequently less than ideal conditions often encountered when birding, when less cropping, more accurate AF, faster FPS, faster shutter speed etc., come into play it is a different matter. The 7D will deliver sharp shots where the 50D is delivering blurry ones. To me, that makes a significant difference in IQ.

Now, I'm not saying that the 5D III, 1Dx, 1DIV etc. don't also offer these advantages because they do. Just don't discount the 7D as not delivering better IQ just because the shots would be similar, testing in good conditions. Birding is a whole different ballgame.

[huntersdad]

Was gonna go there sandpiper, but decided to stop at good enough.

[Diamond Lil]

Originally Posted by sandpiper

What are you using to compare the IQ? If you are looking at general scenic images, taken in good conditions, then you are right that there will be little IQ difference between them. However for birding, often in poor light and with critters a bit further away than you would like, there is more to IQ than simply comparing two similar scenes. Firstly, the 7D has more reach so, when you can't get close enough to fill your frame with feathers, you have to crop less and have more pixels on target which improves IQ. The improved AF system means better focus acquisition and tracking, meaning sharper shots and less shots where focus is missed altogether. Similarly, higher ISO capability allows faster shutter speeds in low light, for a given amount of noise, decreasing motion blur and so again increasing IQ with better sharpness. Faster FPS means that you are more likely to catch the perfect moment as a bird lands or takes off, with it's wings at the best angle - better composition leading to better images.

Yes, photographing a static sunny scene, filling the frame, at f/8, 1/500th, ISO 100 etc., you will be hard pressed to see any IQ difference and both cameras will get the shot.

But in the frequently less than ideal conditions often encountered when birding, when less cropping, more accurate AF, faster FPS, faster shutter speed etc., come into play it is a different matter. The 7D will deliver sharp shots where the 50D is delivering blurry ones. To me, that makes a significant difference in IQ.

Now, I'm not saying that the 5D III, 1Dx, 1DIV etc. don't also offer these advantages because they do. Just don't discount the 7D as not delivering better IQ just because the shots would be similar, testing in good conditions. Birding is a whole different ballgame.

Not being new to birding I understand your points completely.
I truly appreciate the thought and consideration you have given to your input. All too often comments are a mere word or two and do not provide good insight.

Originally Posted by huntersdad

Was gonna go there sandpiper, but decided to stop at good enough.

Thanks

[Diamond Lil]

If anyone else has ideas on the 1DX I would greatly appreciate your input. Thanks!

[Cassiedup]

Not just my 2c's worth but from my own experience having owned both the 50D and 7D, I practically gave my 7D away without any regret (reach or no reach) after getting a 1D Mk IV which opened up a whole new world for me in BIF.
In practice wether it's just my technique or not, the more pixels on target theory offered so often, just doesn't hold any water be it in birding or my other interest macro when comparing the 7D to the MK IV.
So to the OP my personal advice is, dont waste time and money on the 7D, wait for right MK IV to come along and if you really want the best of both worlds pair it up with a 5D MK iii for the same price as a 1DX.