5DIII vs 1DIV

I have a 1DIV sitting next to me right now and I've only had time to squeeze off a few frames today around noon in absolutely horrid light, yet the files appear to be light years ahead of the files from my 7D from an IQ and PP perspective.

Sharpness SOOC has been the biggest eye opener so far. Hopefully I'll get some decent light tomorrow so I can get a better feel for the 1DIV, but right now I'm wondering how much better the 5DIII would be over and above the 1DIV because I'm very impressed with it so far, probably not that hard since most of my experience has been on crop bodies.

I know or I've heard the 5DIII high ISO is roughly 1/2 to 3/4 stop better than the 1DV but I'm more concerned about the advantage in overall IQ. How advantageous has the extra 6MP been? How much better are the raw files?

I can either buy the 1DIV I have here now or go ahead and place my order for a 5DIII. So to those who've shot both, was the 5DIII worth it? I'll be keeping my 7D btw, not that it makes any difference....

I have both now. While the 5DMK III is an amazing tool and shows great end results, with only great possibilities ahead, the MK IV is still one hell of a picture taking machine. It's proven, rigid and reliable.
They are different bodies in terms of user needs. Define what you need and expect, I'm sure you have researched all the specs of both bodies. This discussion could go on for years to come. You won't be disappointed by either. For me and what I need and want, if I had to choose one...it would be the MK IV

I sold my 1Div after getting the 5Diii, but only because I picked up another 7D too (which I have sold in the past).

5Diii is FF, more MP, etc so when you can frame your subject (ie. non telephoto situations), it's better IQ, especially vs 7D (of course).

The 1Div IQ is very close to the 5Diii and is a much better body in general. However, the 1Div has a huge focusing weakness in low light and the 5Diii nails it.

So my logic was, if I can't use the 1Div in low light due to focus, and I can't use a 7D in low light because higher ISOs suck (IMO), what's the difference? None! Dumped the 1Div and picked up the 7D for the reach (crop MPs) and have the 5Diii for low light and basically anything that isn't telephoto lens limited (5Diii AF also is better than the 7D).

I haven't shot my 5d very much, but I can say it is not wow look at the difference. There are things that I love so much with the 1d that makes me not want to use the 5d. (I just have to get use to it, to be honest). I will say I like the view finder, button layout and the old style of the af of the 1d (changeable screens style instead of the newer LCD style of the 5d. Now with that said the 5d low light is just crazy. I was playing with it outside tonight and purposely picking a dark house that I could see any detail. The 1d could not focus where the 5d was almost instant. So there are good and bad about both.

@ Higgs

You know you will just get the 1dx when It comes outs. Hahahaha

I am a bit concerned about the 1DIV low light AI servo performance, i've read every one of those threads tonight. I'm worried because the camera I choose will be primarily used to shoot both my daughter's indoor school sports (volleyball, basketball and gymnastics) also, I've found myself covering more than a few corporate events over the past year. This camera will spend most of it's time indoors where I don't need the extra reach of my 7D, but I'll need to be able to lock focus quickly as there aren't any do-overs in anything I shoot.

The 6fps bothers me a bit as well. I had no idea how noticeable the 1DIV's 10fps would be compared to my 7D, but it's VERY noticeable. I'm worried that moving down to 6fps would be even more noticeable.

The 1DX would obviously solve all of these problems, but I'm just tired of waiting for it....

Stone 13 wrote in post #14386216
I am a bit concerned about the 1DIV low light AI servo performance, i've read every one of those threads tonight. I'm worried because the camera I choose will be primarily used to shoot both my daughter's indoor school sports (volleyball, basketball and gymnastics) also, I've found myself covering more than a few corporate events over the past year. This camera will spend most of it's time indoors where I don't need the extra reach of my 7D, but I'll need to be able to lock focus quickly as there aren't any do-overs in anything I shoot.

The 6fps bothers me a bit as well. I had no idea how noticeable the 1DIV's 10fps would be compared to my 7D, but it's VERY noticeable. I'm worried that moving down to 6fps would be even more noticeable.

The 1DX would obviously solve all of these problems, but I'm just tired of waiting for it....

if you are worried about indoor sports, I think the mkiv would be good. The only time i have noticed the difference is really, really dark. I shot a friends wedding with the 1d mkiv and 24-70 at 6400 no flash (pretty dark) no issues with it locking.

Low light low contrast ai servo on the 5D is much better in my experience. I prefer iq a little better on the 5d, but that comes with trade offs. Namely, if you shoot sports, wildlife or focal length limited then the 1d is the better investment. Shooting indoors at ISO 12800, f2.8,1/640 second didn't present any focus problems in servo. The 5d af is more sure footed all around in fast action in my experience. It just grabs focus and hangs on very well (depending on your af configuration). If you like shooting with a grip then the costs between the 1d and gripped 5d is about the same.

Don't underestimate that "reach" advantage the 1d gives you. There are times a regret moving from a 1d to the 5d, but not many. If you crop a 5d to an equivalent FOV of the 1d then you end up with about a 13mp image. Not much difference. The difference is if you would have needed to crop the 1d then the difference is more apparent.

RAW manipulation between the two are roughly the same with the 5d perhaps being slightly better. Either choice and you can't go wrong.

Also if you shoot wide then the 1d is more limiting.

keep in mind the cost between the gripped 5diii and the 1div being close is comparing a brand new 5diii to a used 1div with probably a significant amount of clicks, probably scuffin, buttons that have been pressed 1000 times, etc.

I'm watching this debate closely -- I can say with a MKIII low light AF depends upon both lens and, of course, AF setup. I have had no session-killing problems even in concert settings + 50L.

Does anyone have a feel for whether or not the AF on the MKIV is a step backwards from the MKIII?

Higgs Boson wrote in post #14387278
keep in mind the cost between the gripped 5diii and the 1div being close is comparing a brand new 5diii to a used 1div with probably a significant amount of clicks, probably scuffin, buttons that have been pressed 1000 times, etc.

I have found some Perfect low clicks 1d bodies at $4k and less. Buying used always requires one to carefully evaluate the condition of the item.

S.Horton wrote in post #14387294
I'm watching this debate closely -- I can say with a MKIII low light AF depends upon both lens and, of course, AF setup. I have had no session-killing problems even in concert settings + 50L.

Does anyone have a feel for whether or not the AF on the MKIV is a step backwards from the MKIII?

In all scenarios I have found the 5D mark iii af better than the 1d mark iv.

jase1125 wrote in post #14387297
I have found some Perfect low clicks 1d bodies at $4k and less. Buying used always requires one to carefully evaluate the condition of the item.

oh I know I sold my iv for 3800 with 10k. that's not to say I couldn't tell a difference between it's condition and the new body. big difference. they just seem to loosen up, lose that tight feeling.

Higgs Boson wrote in post #14387310
oh I know I sold my iv for 3800 with 10k. that's not to say I couldn't tell a difference between it's condition and the new body. big difference. they just seem to loosen up, lose that tight feeling.

I didn't have that experience ( sold mine with 13k clicks). Ymmv

Higgs Boson wrote in post #14387310
they just seem to loosen up, lose that tight feeling.

really. It is hard not saying office jokes about this.