Advice and opinions for stepping into the 1D series

Oh, I'd def sell organs or maybe the kid for that 1DX. hahaha
Sam, the 7D is on the table as well. Another issue is meaty hands, which requires at least a grip on anything non 1D. I just can't stand holding a basic size. Grips are an easy fix.
I've read a lot on the weather sealing on the 7D, and feedback is all over the place. I'm not going scuba diving with whatever I get, I just don't want to have to run and hide in damp/wet weather. Or all the snow we got recently.
Micro lens adjust is on the needs list, as well as a good quick AF. I like the SD card option on the 1D Mk2 and 3, since I have 3-32GB and 3-16GB Scan Disk EXT cards already.
Pretty much bumped the 1Ds very low on the list at this point.

The SD card interfaces seem to be pretty slow. At least the 5D Mark III is reported to be slowed down when you use the SD card slot as well. My only dual card camera is the 1DX, and there it's two CF cards, so no particular issue with that.

The only problem with water I've had with any digital camera was when my 40D partially stopped working after a torrential rain in Lynchburg, TN. The joystick didn't work properly for a couple of hours. Came back to proper working order after drying out, and has worked fine since then. The EF-S 17-55 mm f/2.8 IS USM, which was mounted on the camera, worked without any issues through the rain.

But of course you can get your cameras into more difficult environments than those I've experienced. I usually wipe them off with a cloth as soon as I can, if I get them wet.

When you come over for the glögg, you can compare the 1DX to a 7D as well. I have a couple of them too.

Rain and snow are no problem with the 5DII or 7D.

I had one of each with my at work last weekend so wet in some mixed rain/snow that two people on separate occasions came up to me to ask if they were waterproof, haha.

As far as autofocus goes I'd probably say 7D > 1D3 > 5D2

BlackParrot wrote in post #16592720
Micro lens adjust is on the needs list...

Pretty much bumped the 1Ds very low on the list at this point.

If that's the case, you can remove the 1DsII from your list altogether- that feature is not available.

See if you can rent or borrow a 1DmkIII for a few days. From everything you're describing, it's the perfect body for you- unless you can hold off and stretch your budget to include the 1DIV, 1DsIII, or even 5DIII (it doesn't have the larger 1-series form factor and build, but still sits nicely in my big mitts)- and then only for the larger file size for more cropping flexibility.

If you're not printing larger than 16*20, and you bring the right glass, 10.1MP is more than enough.

A friend of mine shot the Snowbirds for years with a 1DIII, and I've seen his 3' x 4' (yes, foot) prints, and they're absolutely stunning. He only very recently upgraded to a 1DIV because he got a deal he couldn't pass up.