7d vs 1dm3

Hey guys im in the market for a new (to me) camera, the purpose for this camera would be shooting mostly surf photography and other action only. Right now I'm using a 40d and am mainly looking for better autofocus/tracking ability and faster fps. Also better noise performance would be great but that's not hugely important. I'm both low mileage 1dmk3 for 500-600 dollars and used 7ds for 400-500 dollars. Right now I only have a 55-250 efsii lens for sports but will be upgrading to a 70-200 f4 is at the same time I get the new camera so I'm not concerned about only being able to use ef lenses on the 1d. So what say you?

67cudaking wrote in post #17779249
Hey guys im in the market for a new (to me) camera, the purpose for this camera would be shooting mostly surf photography and other action only. Right now I'm using a 40d and am mainly looking for better autofocus/tracking ability and faster fps. Also better noise performance would be great but that's not hugely important. I'm both low mileage 1dmk3 for 500-600 dollars and used 7ds for 400-500 dollars. Right now I only have a 55-250 efsii lens for sports but will be upgrading to a 70-200 f4 is at the same time I get the new camera so I'm not concerned about only being able to use ef lenses on the 1d. So what say you?

Heya,

The 1DIII would be slightly better at higher ISO and in general have slightly better image quality (slightly bigger sensor helps). Fantastic aggressive AF and great tracking. Great FPS. The compromise is resolution. If you're cropping a lot due to your 200mm~250mm reach, resolution can play a bigger role, where the 7D has more.

If I had to choose 7D + 200mm or 1D3 with 300mm or 400mm, I'd take the longer glass and the 1D3.

Comes down to preference. I shoot a 1D & 1D2. I like the 1D's. I like the way the files look.

The 7D is a great camera too. I could appreciate the resolution compared to my 8MP 1D2 for sure. And I could appreciate the higher ISO ranges. But, just comparing the way the images look, I just like the outputs from these older 1D's than the more modern sensor cameras. Just a preference.

I think from a straight logistic point of view, the 7D is probably the better buy (FPS, resolution, ISO is fine for day light surfing, nearly the same AF, etc, and cheaper). Also the 7D is pretty rugged and has some decent weather sealing. Much better LCD and stuff if that matters.

I wouldn't get a 70-200 though. Your 250mm is fine. Stick with it. You'll want more reach as you go forward.

I would actually start hunting for a 300 F4L or 400 F5.6L (or the 100-400L at that point) before worrying with a 70-200 for surf. Unless you just want to stand in the water and/or do large crops of your photos.

Very best,

I had 7d (great camera for birds) and now I have 1dIII. For sport and action 1dIII all the way. It is a pleasure to use this camera for sport. I have some pictures taken and posted on FB if you want to see differences from few glasses with 1dIII. AF is almost 100% right with lenses 135/2, 200/2.8 (recommended) and 70-200/4. The last gives least subject separation. 1DIII has great WB, colors and what is most important for me in burst mode, the mirror flipping is much quicker than any non 1d camera. This means clear view in viewfinder and easier subject tracking.

All pictures taken with wide opened lenses. Unfortunately FB downgraded quality.
135/2
https://www.facebook.c​om …68.100000543155​841&type=3

200/2.8 II
https://www.facebook.c​om …65.100000543155​841&type=3
https://www.facebook.c​om …64.100000543155​841&type=3

70-200/4 (all hurling pictures) least subject separation.
https://www.facebook.c​om …0543155841&type​=3&theater

They are quite similar in AF capabilities.

The big one is more annoying to carry around and no car charger. It is a bit "shorter" (bigger sensor) but the 7d is noise hell, even in low ISO. The 1d3 doesn't have auto ISO. Nether thought I'd miss it but hey. There is a reason why they are similar priced.

I like the 1d3 better. It sounds better.

/checks post date... no not a thread revival from 5 years ago..

IMHO, 1D3 all the way. You will lose "reach" as the crop shooters like to say, but those 10.5MP from the 1D3 are amazing! I feel image quality is noticeably better in the 1D3.

I also feel that when it works, the AF system is a big step up from the original 7D.

As for my reference to 5 years ago, when the 7D came out it was pretty universally accepted that the then current 1D3 was still on tops in most any regard.

In fact the debate then was 7D vs. a used 1D MkII!

That was a tougher apples to oranges call;
https://photography-on-the.net …showthread.php?​p=11404863

Lol no not a 5 year old thread. But I'm not emarresed to tell you that I can only afford a top of the line sports camera if it's a few generations old lol. I got my 40d 2 years ago and it has served me well for being an almost 10 year old camera. I wish I could afford the latest and greatest bodies and lenses but its just not feasible. And I take a certain amount of pride doing less with more. Have had severel pictures of surf photography (what I shoot) from my 40d and 55-250ii run in magazines over the past 2 years. But the 40d is getting long in the tooth I've taken it apart 2 times to clean the shutter button assembly but its been acting up again recently. 6.3 fps is great but I could only imagine 8-10 with a larger buffer. I also yern for better iso performance. I rarely push my 40d past iso400 and like I said I can get it done and clean it up in PP but a cleaner file to start with would be great. Is the 7d really that horrible with noise? It can't be worse than my 40d. Even if it's only 1-3 stops better I'd be happy. The Xtra MP would be great for cropping also but I try not to crop much so I could get by with the mk3's 10...... once again which ever camera I end up with will purely be used for sports with either a Canon 70-200 f4L is or sig/Tam 70-200 f2.8. Walk around cam is a Olympus omd em5. Thank you all for your advice!

On the 1D3, ISO 800 will look like the 40Ds ISO 200.
ISO 400 was my "starting point", my defacto ISO 100.

For sports I'd really go for the 1D3. 7D noise will not really be mush better than the 40D. Certainly not 3 stops!

I would keep 40d and get 300mm f4 non IS or the 400mm f5.6 over 70-200mm f4 non IS. To me reach is more important than high ISO for surf photography.

I'd agree with most others on this thread;

1dm3 for sports.

7d otherwise.

Nobody has mentioned that your EF-S lens will not even mount on the 1DIII. If you're not planning on getting a 70-200 f/4L right away, that makes the decision for you right there.

I've owned a 7D, and all of the 1-series bodies, including the 1DIII. The 7D is a terrific camera, with an awesome AF system, zone AF, orientation sensitive AF spots, etc, but the 1DIII locks on target faster, and has better weather sealing than the 7D- which is very important when you're shooting near sea water.

My vote would be for the 1DIII. Get the 400L as someone else suggested, if your budget allows.

I did the switch 4 times. back and forth from 7D to 1D3.
Every time I did it was cause I got a video bug and was my only option at the time. Every time I sold the 1D3 and got the 7D I missed the 1D3 the whole time and never really liked the 7D. I didnt feel its ISO was all that great, its AA filter was so strong everything was always a bit soft. I just never liked the images coming out of it. Honestly I think my little SL1 images directly out of the camera look better. They seem to have a little better ISO control and images are a bit sharper guessing not as strong AA filter.
in the end I would choose a 1D3 over a 7D even if I had to pay full used value for the 1D3 vs getting a 7D for like $100

I've used both for sports and the winner is the 1D MK III.

i have a mk3 for sale if you are looking, it's in the for sale section.

Here is my side by side review of said cameras.
https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1286844

My first Canon was a 40D and I moved from that to the 7D.

As said above, noise is still a big issue with the 7D (which is why I'm looking at going to a 5DIII), and I would rarely move mine off of ISO100 (probably never used a higher ISO than 100 for a serious shot) but the 8fps on the other hand is VERY useful for motorsport (and probably for surf photography too). Call me weird, but I only ever use the centre point for focusing...

...and, I'm thinking the 250mm might be a bit limiting, even with a 7D; I use the (much worn and abused now) 100-400, great sport lens...