Canon 7D or 1D Mark III for action/sport photography

I am going to retire my 50D(trade in), and I am going to purchase a 1D Mark III next week.
I plan to use this camera body for surfing photography.
I am going to use my 300mm f/4 + 1.4x with this camera body.

I know about the AF focusing issue of 1D Mark III's. The serial number of the body which I am going to purchase is outside (newer) the serial series of the problematic 1D Mark III's.

With my budget for a camera body (used) now, I can afford either an used 1DM3 or 7D.

Are there reasons that I should choose 7D over 1DM3?
Here are the three things that I would like to have in the next action camera body:
1) High fps
2) Relative noise resolution
3) Good AF servo system with many AF crossover sensors

For starters before answering your question I've owned the 1D MII, 7D and now the 1DS MIII but not a 1DMIII. In most instances I personally think the 7D would be a better choice due to AF, 8fps and the 18mp croppibility factor.

The only downside is where you will be doing most of your shooting. Fine sand and water just would make me more at ease using a weather sealed body. Other than that the 7D would be my choice for action body.

I faced this same decision but ended up with a 50D AND a 1D Mk III instead of 7D and 1D Mk III (coming from a 30D and a 1D Mk II). I figured the 7D and 1D Mk III are too similar I would always regret buying one of them because it would be so redundant and cost quite a bit more than a 50D. Anyway, back to the question, since you own a 5D II, a 7D is probably your best bet. I say this because the 1D Mk III is great as a main camera as it does everything well (burst rate, iso performance, IQ etc), however the 7D would be a much better pairing due to it being so different (thus making the decision a lot easier on what camera to take to specific events etc). It has the advantage of a 1.6x crop (reach wise) plus more megapixels and has a much better LCD than the 1D III. It is also considerably cheaper (I have seen 7D's go for $650-$750 lately in very good condition, whereas 1D III is still around the $1000 mark). Also, once you own a 1D body, I don't think you will feel comfortable using the standard bodies (this is from my experience, although I have not held a 5D body before). This would definitely limit your choices in the future.

1DIII every time, unless you really need those extra pixels on target. The 1DIII will snap into focus faster, and you will get a higher keeper rate. Yes, the LCD isn't the best, but the 1DIII is FAST, has a battery that will last an entire day of shooting, and great weather resistance (mandatory if you're always shooting near sand and/or salt water spray).

If you have the proper glass for the job, and aren't going to be cropping heavily, you will love the 1DIII.

adamo99 wrote in post #16418057
1DIII every time, unless you really need those extra pixels on target. The 1DIII will snap into focus faster, and you will get a higher keeper rate. Yes, the LCD isn't the best, but the 1DIII is FAST, has a battery that will last an entire day of shooting, and great weather resistance (mandatory if you're always shooting near sand and/or salt water spray).

If you have the proper glass for the job, and aren't going to be cropping heavily, you will love the 1DIII.

Plus 1 ...

I had a 7D and 5D2 ... when I bought my 1D3, I sold the 7D (I later sold my 5D2 and picked up a 5D3). As long as you don't need to crop much, I much prefer the 1D3 over the 7D. Series 1 bodies are extraordinary.

Stang 67 said,

Is it possible the fact that the older 1D3 is holding it's value at least as well, if not better, than the newer 7D, is an indication of it's value and capability?

I think my 1D3/5D3 combo handle most anything i get asked to shoot (or want to shoot).

Maxdave

I didn't own a 1D Mark III, but had one on loan from CPS for a week and here are my thoughts:
- Camera Body Balance is better than with 7D+BG-E7;
- Screen is better on the 7D;
- Video Features on the 7D are a plus if you use them regularly;
- AF center point was more realiable on the 1D MK III than on the 7D, altought didn't like the position of the 19 points of the 1D;
- 10fps was amazing and very handy if you need them, on the 7D you notice a slow down on dark environments even with high fps selected it drops to 4fps automatically, no problem on the 1D;
- Liveview was great on both, better on the 7D because you have AF and the screen is better;
- Menu of the 1D is more complete, you have more costumizations that on the 7D;
- on the 7D I don't like the higher ISO, to me is only usable up to 1250 ish iso maybe 1600 iso, on the 1D 3200iso was even pretty good;
- Depends on what you shoot 1D 1.3x crop, 7D 1.6x crop;

It always depends on what you shoot, but why not consider a 70D, is a nice "7D" with great video features and a newer sensor technology.

Love my 1 D markIII, went back and forth between 7d and 1d markIII talked to some pros and researched
Forever. As said above once you hold and shoot a 1D you will know. Also I rarely go to 10'frames a sec, just have not been in that many situations.

I tried a 7D for awhile. Nice camera. But I found the files it produced not to my liking. Too much processing required compared to the files from any 1D that I have used.

As mentioned, unless you need the extra pixels on target, I would recommend the 1D III.

rdalrt wrote in post #16418179
I tried a 7D for awhile. Nice camera. But I found the files it produced not to my liking. Too much processing required compared to the files from any 1D that I have used.

As mentioned, unless you need the extra pixels on target, I would recommend the 1D III.

^^+1

Maxdave wrote in post #16418075
Is it possible the fact that the older 1D3 is holding it's value at least as well, if not better, than the newer 7D, is an indication of it's value and capability?

Quite possibly, however I would still personally get the 7D if I were in OP's position. The 1D Mk III is better, definitely, but imo the 7D and the 5D would be a better pairing as they both have distinguished pros and cons for each, whereas the 1D is sort of half way in between and I personally would not want that. I suppose I like variety I am not the OP, however, so I just want to supply them with my viewpoint to assist them in their final decision

stang67 wrote in post #16418222
imo the 7D and the 5D would be a better pairing as they both have distinguished pros and cons for each, whereas the 1D is sort of half way in between and I personally would not want that.

Actually, for the conditions that the OP is shooting in, the 1DIII is the perfect camera for his needs. Better AF, higher frame rate, better weather sealing against sand and salt water spray, virtually unlimited battery (so you're not opening up the body to swap partway through the day).

The ONLY drawback is the smaller file size, which is not an issue if he's bringing enough glass.

adamo99 wrote in post #16418802
Actually, for the conditions that the OP is shooting in, the 1DIII is the perfect camera for his needs. Better AF, higher frame rate, better weather sealing against sand and salt water spray, virtually unlimited battery (so you're not opening up the body to swap partway through the day).

Well that's true. I just don't know if OP will like the 1D body. If they do, then they may not want to use the 5D II any more Also, my 1D Mk II battery life was better for some reason. I got about 2200-2400 shots out of it and my 1D Mk III only goes for about 1800. It even says the life of it is still great somewhere in the menu.

I own the 1DMkIII and have used the 7D for sports and was always afraid that I was going to break the 7D body. I know that it IS tough, but I was afraid that I might. No thoughts with the 1DMkIII ... it's built like a TANK and have no reservations taking it out in bad weather. (goes true with the 1DMkIIn as well, which I also own)

I had a 7D. Used it for sports. Bought a 1D III and end up selling the 7D. The AF on the 1D was at least as good, if not better (indoors). The 1D built-in grip beat the bolt-on grip hands down. Also, the images from the 1D were richer than those from the 7D. Let me elaborate.

I shot the same scene with the same zoom lens on both bodies. Zoomed to compensate for the crop factor. The 1D image had less DoF which I expected but it also had more snap to it. Maybe it was more contrast, or better color or who knows, but the 7D images looked just a bit flat in comparison.

7D went bye-bye. 1D III has ruled the roost since then.

Conclusion: OP, buy the 1D Mk III