Canon 5Dc or 1DMKIII low light which is best

I have owned a 5Dc for 4 years and recently purchased a 1D MKIII. I have been too busy lately to even try the low light high ISO picture quality performance of the 1D MKIII and am not really that keen on pushing my 5Dc past ISO 1000.

My point is that I have been asked to formally photograph the nativity at my 4 year olds pre school this year, which is performed under extreme low light conditions. I casually used the 5Dc last year as it was the only body that I had, but was not that impressed with the results. I will be using the 70-210 2.8 non IS and would therefore ask which one will give me the best results at high ISO with less noise to deal with in post processing. I will be shooting in RAW.

Thanks

How low are the low light conditions?

If you can persuade them to just increase the lighting of the stage for you, it will help. They don't have to floodlight the whole thing, just a few well-placed sources can be useful, even white card, anything to reflect light. Back in Dec 2010, I took this picture in chapel during choir practice before a carol service at ISO3200. I could have used my 5D2 back then but thought the 1D3 could shoot anything. Have to admit, the strategically-located candles helped. The college has since used the image on their quarterly magazine and on their 2011 Christmas card.

1DIII does really well in low light - focus and IQ. Never owned a 5Dc so cannot comment on it

The 1D3 is much better than the 5D for low light. The 1D3 has one of the best AF systems for low light acquisition that Canon has made.

I was always comfortable with my 5D up to about ISO 1600. Higher than that takes some heavy handed NR to be usable. For the same look, the 1D3 is fine to ISO 3200, so about 1 stop better.

Thanks all for your speedy replies, excellent news, decision made then.... 1D MKIII it is.

If you can stretch your budget try and find a used Canon 5D MK2. I have not used a 1D MkIII so don't have a basis for comparison but 5D MK2 does handle low light pretty darn well.

This was taken in the Daintree Rain Forest in Cairns, Australia a couple of years ago and while ai appreciate it was taken outside the light condition where not the best!

ISO6400 f/4 @ 80th sec handheld for a 70-200 f/4 L series

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OK then I ask the question. If I can borrow a friend's 5D MKII is the low light high ISO capability better than the 1D MKIII for my use in low light nativity play???

Looking at your lens line up i see you have some nice glass, i would suggest using the 85mm the 70-200mm f/2.8 would also do the trick but it is slower. Ask if they can increase the light levels or try and sit in a better lit area, if that fails try and use a monopod.

If you have access to a 5D MK2 i would take it to a museum or similarly light area and have a play. A local Christmas market may also offer similar conditions.

Jasonfire124 wrote in post #15344506
OK then I ask the question. If I can borrow a friend's 5D MKII is the low light high ISO capability better than the 1D MKIII for my use in low light nativity play???

The 1D3 and 5D2 are about equal for high ISO noise. The AF on the 1D3 is much better.

JeffreyG wrote in post #15344616
The 1D3 and 5D2 are about equal for high ISO noise. The AF on the 1D3 is much better.

X2

Any specific settings for me to think about on the 1D MKIII for shooting the nativity i.e. any custom functions re noise reduction etc ...??

I'd had the 5Dc and would recommend using the 1d3 for this shoot.