Is the 1DX worth selling everything for?

I'm a horse photographer and shoot under a variety of conditions. Last weekend I was at a show that had both covered and uncovered show rings. I've shot there before and though it can be challenging I've always got decent results. This time was different. There was a good storm and all classes got moved to the indoor arenas. Because of the dark skies, there was very little light and I ended up shooting at ISO6400 with my 7D and 70-200 2.8L IS II w/1.4x tc. This got my shutter speed up around 1/500 which is really the absolute minimum for horses in action.

Well...the photos are crap! Realistically, I knew they would be. I ran them through D-fine and they are still crap. There is just not enough detail after noise reduction. Before anyone asks, yes, I shoot in RAW and I'm pretty decent at post processing.

So, I know the 1DX is a great camera but, would it have saved me in this situation? I would need to sell off all my bodies, speedlights, most lenses, and some if not all of my studio lights to buy this camera. I could however make due with a very minimal kit for a while. It would be a little unnerving not having a backup body but I've never actually had to use a backup.

Just to be clear, my must haves in a camera are excellent focus tracking, high FPS, easy focus point selection, >16MP, and excellent high ISO performance.

What do you guys think?

Bob

The 5D3 should fill your needs.

Nathan wrote in post #15893722
The 5D3 should fill your needs.

No, it won't. Frame rate is too slow.

Bob

I'm sure someone will recommend the 5d3, but what do you consider high FPS?? I believe the 5d3 is right at 6fps.

It might be better to look at the 1DMK4, while it's not the newest 1D, it would hit all your criteria and have better fps than your 7d {10fps} and great higher iso ability

Have you considered 5dmk3? 1Dx is a little expensive, if you can afford it and thats no problem then it would be perfect for you. However i also think 5dmk3 would suit you well too. Both have amazing AF system, both have good noise at higher iso's. 5dmk3 is slower fps, almost twice then 1dx, and 5dmk3 is full frame. I think IQ would be roughly the same with these bodys, however there is a huge price difference.

But the biggest advantage is that you wouldnt have to sell all your gear for it.

Hot Bob wrote in post #15893735
No, it won't. Frame rate is too slow.

Bob

Just quoting this for you, but I'm pretty positive that you will still get people telling you 5dmk3

I'll put the over/under at 7 for this thread

Gaarryy wrote in post #15893745
I'm sure someone will recommend the 5d3, but what do you consider high FPS?? I believe the 5d3 is right at 6fps.

It might be better to look at the 1DMK4, while it's not the newest 1D, it would hit all your criteria and have better fps than your 7d

From everything I've seen, the 1DIV has noise about equal to the 7D. 8FPS is my minimum. I have a 1DIII and though the frame rate is really nice the file size is too small. The only camera I'm interested in is the 1DX. I already know nothing else on the market is worth upgrading to at this time.

Bob

Hot Bob wrote in post #15893735
No, it won't. Frame rate is too slow.Bob

I assumed that since you are a horse photographer, that you've been shooting these type of events with similar fps bodies. If 6 fps is indeed too slow, I will agree with the poster above who recommended the 1D4. That is, if you don't quite want to pay for the 1Dx. You could just about get 2 1D4s for the price of a 1Dx. Having two camera bodies is worth every penny at a sporting event and that beats the 1Dx.

Edit - Just read your latest response. Didn't know your noise threshold was so high. If that's the case, then you could consider Nikon.

I've honestly never heard that the 7D and 1dmk4 were the same high iso. I"ve only heard and seen photo's where the 1dMK4 is much better once you get above 3200. But I might not have researched as much as you. I use a 7D a lot so I understand what you are saying once you get to a higher ISO.

It sounds like you really want the 1Dx and I can't blame you it's an incredible camera

Hot Bob wrote in post #15893768
From everything I've seen, the 1DIV has noise about equal to the 7D. 8FPS is my minimum. I have a 1DIII and though the frame rate is really nice the file size is too small. The only camera I'm interested in is the 1DX. I already know nothing else on the market is worth upgrading to at this time.

Bob

I'd say that you answered your own question here...Go for it and don't look back.

Nathan wrote in post #15893788
I assumed that since you are a horse photographer, that you've been shooting these type of events with similar fps bodies. If 6 fps is indeed too slow, I will agree with the poster above who recommended the 1D4. That is, if you don't quite want to pay for the 1Dx. You could just about get 2 1D4s for the price of a 1Dx. Having two camera bodies is worth every penny at a sporting event and that beats the 1Dx.

Edit - Just read your latest response. Didn't know your noise threshold was so high. If that's the case, then you could consider Nikon.

Right now, I carry a 7D with the 70-200/1.4x and a 5DII with a 24-105 and keep my 1DIII in the bag as a backup. It would be tough to have only one body because I would not be able to shoot the up close/personal stuff. I would also miss the crop factor of the 7D. I know the 5DIII is a very nice camera but it just won't work for me in this situation. I was actually thinking tha because of the lower pixel count on the 1DX that the low light performance would be better than the 5DIII.

Bob

rrblint wrote in post #15893794
I'd say that you answered your own question here...Go for it and don't look back.

I am really seriously considering it. I just need some 1DX owners to chime in here and tell me about the magic.

Bob

Looked at some of your pictures and they are nice.
IMHO I'd go with two 1dmk4's, since I think the higher ISO is much better than the 7d.
but since your local this is this ad for a 1dx.
I almost want to believe it's true, since the person will only do paypal but still meet in person

http://dallas.craigsli​st.org/dal/pho/3770055​751.html

Gaarryy wrote in post #15893790
I've honestly never heard that the 7D and 1dmk4 were the same high iso.

Ditto, but I didn't want to argue it since he already seems to have his sights on the 1Dx. It doesn't make sense - a larger sensor, albeit only slightly, should yield better ISO results.

Nathan wrote in post #15893853
Ditto, but I didn't want to argue it since he already seems to have his sights on the 1Dx. It doesn't make sense - a larger sensor, albeit only slightly, should yield better ISO results.

I agree I want a 1dx also.. I saw he was local to me actually so I posted an ad that has one for sale at a good price