5D MKIII or 5DMKII+7D

The 5d3 certainly doesn't produce noise free images right out of the camera, you still have to do the same kind of work on the files, you just start with almost 2 stops better out of the gate. The 7d iso 2000 shots look like iso 6400 on the 5d3.

TeamSpeed wrote in post #17124155
The 5d3 certainly doesn't produce noise free images right out of the camera, you still have to do the same kind of work on the files, you just start with almost 2 stops better out of the gate. The 7d iso 2000 shots look like iso 6400 on the 5d3.

My point exactly. 2 stops is usually enough to satisfy me. I'm not a pro, so I don't need perfection. I also don't like spending much time post processing. The most frustrating part about the 7d noise was that it could happen in good light at low ISO, particularly with blue skies. I never see that issue with the 5DIII ( or the 5DII)

How would you feel about swapping a 5D3 for a 1D IV? much difference in IQ?

Kmccarthy wrote in post #17124163
My point exactly. 2 stops is usually enough to satisfy me. I'm not a pro, so I don't need perfection. I also don't like spending much time post processing. The most frustrating part about the 7d noise was that it could happen in good light at low ISO, particularly with blue skies. I never see that issue with the 5DIII ( or the 5DII)

Those type of 7d shots in good lighting take no real time at all to fix, it requires no special processing skills. My actions as you call out are only for 6400 or 12800. And you can indeed get that on the 5d bodies if you are not careful with exposure, but is more rare.

TeamSpeed wrote in post #17124178
Those type of 7d shots in good lighting take no real time at all to fix, it requires no special processing skills. My actions as you call out are only for 6400 or 12800. And you can indeed get that on the 5d bodies if you are not careful with exposure, but is more rare.

I guess it's just a mater of preference and budget. Personally, I prefer the 5DIII because it does everything well and produces fantastic images right out of the camera. I really wanted to love the 7D. It had great handling and features. Unfortunately the AF was not very accurate and noise was unacceptable to me. I spent months trying to tweak settings , microfocus and technique, because I really thought it was my fault. I eventually gave up and got a 5D3. All my problems went away. Maybe I just had a bad copy of the 7d, but there are plenty of similar reports on the forums. I never see AF or noise complaints about the 5D3.

Paulstw wrote in post #17122316
I got rid of a 1D mark three because I felt it was too geared up for sports and wildlife. I got the 5D3 cause I was told it was a good all rounder and with the same AF system as a 1Dx you can't go wrong. Errmm no.

Get shot of your current gear and get a 1D mark IV. Same price as a 5D3 and quicker off the mark. It'll laugh in the face of rainy days and take a few knocks too. Look at the amount of posts from 5D3 owners who say the camera isn't weather proof and also that the AF system might be from the 1Dx but it's certainly not a quick camera. Outdone in response times with at least the 1D markII

OK I am not a massive sports shooter, but for dressage, with the 70-200 L Mk II IS USM F2.8 I find its plenty fast enough! Selecting the Focus distance selector, to the right option, eg all shots over min. Distance of 2.5 meters speeds it up even more.

I don't have - nor have even held a 1D4. So can't comment.
But I have tried my friend's 1DX , and not a massive AF locking difference ( obviously the frame rate is massively faster on the 1DX - but so is the cost).

The only limitation I hit was reach! ( previously had a 7D ) but when caught out ( some rings you can't get too close.

So I use the 70-300L IS USM - and that too is fine and pretty good in Locking on in low light.

So I really don't know how you classify the 5D3 as slow.! I never tried your lens - maybe that makes a huge difference?? Is the 24-105 a slow lens?

I personally would classify the 5D3 in the "Quick" camp.

My experience with the lovely 85mm L F1.2 was mixed, fabulous build, fabulous isolation and bokeh, no IS in light of its cost) and IMO it was sluggish on Focus Locking.
I loved its results , but felt it should have IS and be quick to AF for that amount of money!
I'll wait till they add those attributes in the Mk III. I mention it , as its the only time that I felt that 5D3 did not seem fast.

Submariner wrote in post #17124930
So I really don't know how you classify the 5D3 as slow.!

Compared to the 1D3, it does 'feel' slow (I have both).

If I know I'm going to be shooting action, the 1D3 is preferable. It obviously has higher fps, but it also feels more snappy with my 500. That could be the extra battery voltage, people seem to think that helps, don't know if that's true or not.

Don't know about shutter lag or viewfinder blackout, but the 1 seems better.

Aye on paper all the one series cameras beat the 5D3 on response times, shutter lag, viewfinder black out etc. All adds up when your charging through the shots trying to get an off shot of a politician for the papers.

I went through exactly what you are thinking. I went with 5D3 and never looked back.

I'm shooting with the 5DM3 and the 7D now ... nearly everything with the 5DM3, except longer range wildlife and some sports with 7D and the 100/400. Sometimes support the 5DM3 with 1.4x ...

I'm waiting for the 7D2 (or whatever its name) to see if it does what everyone hopes it will and with less PP. But still believe the 100/400 will sit on the 7D2 and the 5DM3 still shoot everything else w/ 20/35, 28/105, 70/200 IS f4. The 5DM3 is a very nice camera ... does everything I ask it to do, pretty much.

I'm expecting the 7D2 will create much cleaner distance images with the 100/400 than the 7D ... the 5DM3 shoots great with the 100/400 too, it just loses the crop factor, but makes up for it simply cropping the shots. 7D is a great backup and support for the 5DM3 ... and I expect it will be the same use with the 7D2 (if it's improved enough to buy it, that is - and w/less noise)

It's been a long time coming, and we all hope it's worth the wait (and the rumors ) we'll know in a week ... maybe?

nellyle wrote in post #17124959
Don't know about shutter lag or viewfinder blackout, but the 1 seems better.

It's probably the difference in shutter lag and blackout. When it comes to the 5D3's AF, though, I think it's plenty fast. I have a high keeper rate of in focus images. As has been mentioned, lenses make a difference too. The 70-200mm Canon is fairly fast, but I've noticed my 135mm 2.0L is noticeably my fastest lens at AF. This review has a chart between different Canon models:

http://www.the-digital-picture.com …al-SLR-Camera-Review.aspx

TeamSpeed wrote in post #17122633
I only shoot with the 70-200 f2.8L on the 5D3 during this games. Doesn't miss a beat now. It did in the first 2 games, I was very disappointed with some of the results, but worked through what each setting did under the 2-3 AF menus, and created my own custom setting from one of the canned ones out of the camera. This made a huge difference IMO, coupled with proper lenses.

TeamSpeed, would you mind sharing your 5D3 settings/tweaking for indoors sports? I am about to pick one up as I shoot my daughter's high school volleyball with a 7D and am just not as happy with the keeper ratio due to AF and noise. The 7D is flawless outdoors, but indoors under gym lighting it has shown it's weaknesses.

I also shoot with a 70-200mm 2.8 L so it would be great if you can share your settings for the 5D3 as it will save me time!

TeamSpeed wrote in post #17122612
Certainly not my experience. I spent 2 games tweaking the AF settings, but once I had the right combination, the AF was lightning fast. I could just be sitting there, and as a player sprints and makes his jump for a dunk, I can pick up the camera, focus and shoot him doing the dunk in 1 sec (that includes my moving the camera into position, then hitting the AF ON). No tracking, etc. Now there might be faster paced randomized action sports beyond NBA players out there that the 5D3 may not be quite up to task, but I don't know what they are. The 5D3 is certainly more than enough for children athletic events, which is what this situation is. The 7D is more than sufficient for that too, so either direction is fine, as called out in the OP, but the 5D3 low light ISO will be much better and out of camera JPGs are better due to the new JPG engine over the 5D2 and 7D.

My history is with 2 1D3s, 1 1D4, a few 7Ds, and now the 5D3. They are all quite close, the 7D at the end of the line though, but the 5D3 is very close to the 1D3/1D4, almost no difference that I can see.

The final championship game of this last season, all with the 5D3. Then again, this is just my opinion on the matter, what do I know beyond what I shoot?
NBA D-League Final Championship

One of my favorite shots due to his expression. He was fun to shoot. This was ISO 20000, which comes in handy in night high school football for example.

I agree with this. I have used a 5dIII for hockey, soccer, basketball and drag racing. Not once did I feel the camera wasn't fast enough. Any issues I had were with the operator, not the equipment.

I have taken to using the 1dIII for these uses too and while the 1d is faster, its not that noticeable and certainly not enough to make me keep the 5d in the bag.

Edle wrote in post #17130077
TeamSpeed, would you mind sharing your 5D3 settings/tweaking for indoors sports? I am about to pick one up as I shoot my daughter's high school volleyball with a 7D and am just not as happy with the keeper ratio due to AF and noise. The 7D is flawless outdoors, but indoors under gym lighting it has shown it's weaknesses.

I also shoot with a 70-200mm 2.8 L so it would be great if you can share your settings for the 5D3 as it will save me time!

I won't be back with my equipment for several days, but when I get back, I will check it out and report back.

Paulstw wrote in post #17124167
How would you feel about swapping a 5D3 for a 1D IV? much difference in IQ?

I don't know if this will help - I am VERY far from an expert on the 5D3 but I used to have a 1D4 and when I tried a friend's 5D3 I much preferred the 1 Series camera. Just to muddy the waters, my friends "other" camera was a 1D4 and he used the 5D3 in preference most of the time! I really can't help you with that decision other than to say get hold of (beg, borrow etc) a 1D4 and give it a try! Note we are both wildlife photographers.
As a footnote we both ended up taking the nuclear option and getting 1DX cameras! Whilst they may not be quite the ultimate landscape/portrait cameras - they are extremely good and for Sport/Wildlife they are simply the best. They may not be as expensive as you might think.