I've determined the 1DX is the only solution for my needs.

I love the 1DX with the lens canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM
for birds and for sports

MakisM1 wrote in post #16760342
Enjoy it for as long as you have it!... a 1Dx is not far into your future...

From your thread about buying the 5DIII Post No.2!... March 15th.

Two and a half months...

MalVeauX wrote in post #16945000
Have any examples of what you're shooting? It would help put why a 1DX is needed, into perspective.

Shot my kids dance recital yesterday. Turned out pretty good but my boys hip hop portion was badly lit. 1/250-1/320 2.8 and 16000-25600 on the iso.

seriously the 5D is 99.1% the camera for my needs. I need to just shake the wants.... I think it's because my buddy has one.

Here is one of the examples when the lighting was not decent:

Ok I had a 5D II and 1D IV and thought I was all set but then got the 5D III to take advantage of the better AF system and some other upgrades they put into it. Then a "friend" convinced me I should sell both and just get a 1DX. So I sold the 1D IV and got the 1D X and couldn't part with the 5D III. So now I own both and have to admit while I love the 1DX I really only put it through it paces occasionally when I'me doing sports.

My buddy shot with his 400 and his 6D and borrowed my 135 for a little bit.

One thing to note.... on the shot with my boy above he was complaining that the 135/6D was hunting. 5D focus never let me down period.

Heya,

I don't think a 1DX is going to solve your issue. Get it and find out, we all know that's what's going to happen. You want it bad. But it's not going to do much different than your 5D3 will in those situations like you just posted.

If I were shooting what you were shooting there, I'd be manually focusing. Autofocus even on great cameras is just not very good in that kind of light. I'd be using a 6D personally for this. It's not everyone's answer, but it's what would work for me.

I just don't see taking a $6500 camera and $1k to $2.5k lens to a child event and getting images like above. No offense meant by that either, I'm not trying to sound elitist or dismissive. I just honestly think this is such a hard situation to shoot, from that distance, in that kind of light and with no flash, that relying on ultra-expensive equipment's automatic workings and still resulting in those kinds of images just means it's a really super poor environment to shoot. I don't think I've ever really seen great photos, the kind you'd want to print, from lighting setup events like that. I think you would have done better simply by manually focusing on a monopod from your seat (serious). It would have helped to use an F2 lens, and of course, had been closer to the subjects to make lens options open up (lenses with F2 in the telephoto range; like an 85mm, 135mm or 200mm).

Do you happen to have some shots that your buddy took at this same even (I assume he was there too?) to see what a 1DX and 400 F2.8 does here?

Very best,

Talley, I think a 200mm f/2L (and getting slightly closer to the stage) might be a better purchase in the same price range if you want to get better shots.

I have a 1DX and at ISO 25600, while fairly usable when you nail the exposure, is not $4000 better than a 5D3 by itself.

MalVeauX wrote in post #16945181
Heya,

I don't think a 1DX is going to solve your issue. Get it and find out, we all know that's what's going to happen. You want it bad. But it's not going to do much different than your 5D3 will in those situations like you just posted.

If I were shooting what you were shooting there, I'd be manually focusing. Autofocus even on great cameras is just not very good in that kind of light. I'd be using a 6D personally for this. It's not everyone's answer, but it's what would work for me.

I just don't see taking a $6500 camera and $1k to $2.5k lens to a child event and getting images like above. No offense meant by that either, I'm not trying to sound elitist or dismissive. I just honestly think this is such a hard situation to shoot, from that distance, in that kind of light and with no flash, that relying on ultra-expensive equipment's automatic workings and still resulting in those kinds of images just means it's a really super poor environment to shoot. I don't think I've ever really seen great photos, the kind you'd want to print, from lighting setup events like that. I think you would have done better simply by manually focusing on a monopod from your seat (serious). It would have helped to use an F2 lens, and of course, had been closer to the subjects to make lens options open up (lenses with F2 in the telephoto range; like an 85mm, 135mm or 200mm).

Do you happen to have some shots that your buddy took at this same even (I assume he was there too?) to see what a 1DX and 400 F2.8 does here?

Very best,

He brought his 6D and 400. This is our hobby... photos of our kids. He doesn't print but I do. Had this been my career then I probably wouldn't have the gear I do. I'm fortunate to be able to have what I do have and my only desire is to get good quality images of what my kids do in no matter what light. A crappy lighting shot is better then no shot at all.

I would never try to manual focus something like this. His 6D focus hunted a bit but my 5D3 was rock solid and never missed. His 25,600 shots turned out much better than mine and I know this because I had the 6D and it has usable 25,600. the 1Dx handles even better.

Here are a few of his shots and yes, the 6D works just fine for something like this also and more than likely I will pick up a 6D for a backup/lightweight/hig​h iso.

You can see at 2.8 the DOF is still very thin. manual focus would be extremely tough and again... my 5D3 never skipped a beat.

MalVeauX wrote in post #16945181
I think you would have done better simply by manually focusing on a monopod from your seat (serious).

I agree, sitting up close would yield some nice options. Love my 85 and the 135 is flawless had I gotten closer.

Ya here is an example of that:

Since you have a serious GAS problem, I'm wondering if you haven't been wanting to buy the Zeiss Otus 1.4/55.

Heya,

Were those 6D photos processed for noise, or is that SOOC at ISO 25600?

I'm surprised he had such an issue with focus hunting with the 6D. It has -3 EV for autofocus ability. Should have locked fairly easily. Seems like it did, from those photos you showed. And it's ISO clearly did what it's legendary for.

As for manually focusing, it's a skill. People had to do it before autofocus was here. Don't knock it like it's not worthy. Once you get good at it, you can manually focus a 600mm lens on a bird while it's flying or moving; and manually focus a 50mm lens at F1.4 on an active moving infant and toddler.

Very best,

just get a 1Dx. I had all the different models over the last 5 years that canon made. I got a 1dx at the same time as a 5d3, then I got into micro 4/3 and sold the 5d3.

I've had the 1dx for maybe a year. already took 5 spectacular pictures with it. portraits at 12 fps, focused and metered at the same point at the same time. it was great!

who cares if people think you should or should not get something or go somewhere or do something. this is YOUR life. do what you want. just make sure you can afford it.

jocau wrote in post #16945449
Since you have a serious GAS problem, I'm wondering if you haven't been wanting to buy the Zeiss Otus 1.4/55.

No AF = no.

MalVeauX wrote in post #16945470
Heya,

Were those 6D photos processed for noise, or is that SOOC at ISO 25600?

I'm surprised he had such an issue with focus hunting with the 6D. It has -3 EV for autofocus ability. Should have locked fairly easily. Seems like it did, from those photos you showed. And it's ISO clearly did what it's legendary for.

As for manually focusing, it's a skill. People had to do it before autofocus was here. Don't knock it like it's not worthy. Once you get good at it, you can manually focus a 600mm lens on a bird while it's flying or moving; and manually focus a 50mm lens at F1.4 on an active moving infant and toddler.

Very best,

Yes all the 6D photos were not touched as far as noise reduction. all set to 0 on LR, just checked. No sharpening either. I do believe his issue with the AF focus was the fact he was in servo when he could of just been in one shot mode. I know servo takes a big hit on focus accuracy in low light compared to one shot.

Talley wrote in post #16945553
No AF = no.

Yes all the 6D photos were not touched as far as noise reduction. all set to 0 on LR, just checked. No sharpening either. I do believe his issue with the AF focus was the fact he was in servo when he could of just been in one shot mode. I know servo takes a big hit on focus accuracy in low light compared to one shot.

Nice,

The 6D is such a low light titan. Gets me every time.

Very best,

OP you should totally do it!...Just so you can make me feel better about my recent 5D purchase