1D3 v 7D

I am getting fed up with noise on my 7D. I shoot to the right ALWAYS. never go over ISO 1600. I shoot birds/landscapes. This last week I shot a Blue Tit. Looked superb on the LCD, imported into LR3 and the quality drained away. Not for the first time either. I can't describe it but, the longer I spend with the 7D, the less I like the files.
So, Been thinking about a 1D3, how will the 2 shape up against each other ?? Are the 1D3 files cleaner. Is the swap worth doing ( not financially ) what are the pros/cons of the swap. Who has owned both, what did you find ??
Thanks,
Ian

7D = Too small pixels and format !
1D3 = bigger better !

Before I bought the 7D I had looked into what you're now asking. From most owners of both the answers were that the 1DMIII had about 1 stop better ISO performance than the 7D. I myself have never owned that particular 1D body but I have owned the 1D and 1DMII bodies before the 7D. From what I can tell you is that the noise is much less noticeable and easier to clean up on a 1D images.

The reason I did go with the 7D over the 1DMIII at the time was because of about a $800-$1000 price difference back then. I would likely go with a 1DMIII given how close they are in price at the current time.

Yes the images are cleaner and the af is a bit better on the 1d mark iii. However, if you downsize the 7d to 10 megapixels, the difference may not be as dramatic as you think. I would downsize some of your images and process them and see if you are happy. The 7d does have much going for it better than the 1d mark iii. LCD, Video recording, metering, etc.

Also, you might consider waiting. If a 7D II is released with the rumored specs, the 1d Mark IV might see significant depreciation that would make it an option. It is a fantastic body that is a good bit better than the 1d3 and 7d.

I did the switch 3 times back and forth between the 2. I ultimately kept the 7D cause of video ability. Other then that I will say I think the 1D3 is better at every other features then the 7D other then video and high res screen. Focus was faster, images looked better out of camera and more consistent focus in any light. If I didn't have the 17-55 I would dump my 7D for the 1D again until a replacement for the 7D and hope its images look better and focus is consistent in bright and dim light.

Thanks for the replies, I never use video, never. As for the 1D4, I think it'll be a while (years) before its dropped to 7D prices. I'm not happy with Canon and their pricing at the moment, that's why I'm looking at the 1D3 rather than 5D3.
I'll wait for the 7D2 or maybe the high mpx option to decide if I stay, or go to Nikon/Sony etc but that's another thread. The other major thing for me is the lack of MA on the 1D3 Saying that, I don't have wide aperture lens though..........

the 1D3 has microadjustment..it was the first camera canon released with it

Ian, would you mind posting up an example of the results you're dissatisfied with? I hear this complaint a lot and I'm curious to see if folks are having difficulties with the actual gear or just have a different tolerance for image noise than I do. I've never see any examples when these complaints come up, so I'd love to see some if you would be willing to share.

1D3 has MA. Go for the 1D3 Ian!

sebct wrote in post #15698186
1D3 has MA. Go for the 1D3 Ian!

The 7D also has MA.

butterfly2937 wrote in post #15698196
The 7D also has MA.

Correct.

A year ago I sold my 7D for a 1D3, no regrets.
Last week I sold the 1D3 for a 5D2, I miss the autofocus

1D3 has better noise handling, but, is it so much you should switch?

You mention shooting at ISO 1600. That's pretty high by 1D MkIII standards (and that cameras generation)

If you can get your hands on one, try it out. See if it can live up to your expextations.

IMHO the images are fantastic.

I had and used both, I'm still using the 1d mk3 and sold the 7d. If you don't need video the 1d can do everything else.

Snydremark wrote in post #15698176
Ian, would you mind posting up an example of the results you're dissatisfied with? I hear this complaint a lot and I'm curious to see if folks are having difficulties with the actual gear or just have a different tolerance for image noise than I do. I've never see any examples when these complaints come up, so I'd love to see some if you would be willing to share.

Sure, here's the shot I mentioned above. I have imported it into LR3 to convert to JPEG and resized only.