5d mkiii v 1d mkiv focus lock on

I have a 1d mkiv and am looking at a 5d mkiii. Can someone who has both or used both tell me how quick the 5d is to lock on focus in comparison with the 1d mkiv.

HI, recently sold my 1D and never did a formal test but the 1D just "felt" a bit faster on lock on (maybe the bigger battery driving the lens faster) but in real world use in nature I'll call it a draw with the edge to the 5D for tracking better, again no real comparison testing done just a gut feeling ...

Thanks Cassiedup, that gives me some food for thought.

The 1Dmkiv is great but I'm looking to lighten my load a bit.

A friend of mine has a mk IV - I guess we should have a focus-off. Um, that sounds inappropriate.

All I can say is that my 5D mk III (5D3) lies between the 7D and 7D mk II in terms of focus speed and lock accuracy. I have shot about 400 frames with my 7D mk II so far, and I've missed two shots because of focus issues; pretty sure both were my fault. The 5D3 has had many thousands of shots under varying conditions and has an entirely satisfactory hit percentage as long as I'm cognizant of what's in the focus point. I do shoot lots of fast-moving objects, which is challenging for me. If I had never shot the 7D mk II I would not even worry about the hit rate on the 5D3.

Under identical conditions I would expect the 1D4 to be pretty close to the 5D3 in performance. The 7D2 has pretty much the same AF system as the 1Dx, so that would also be a fair comparison. I think you'd be fine with the 5D3 in the vast majority of conditions.

I have both, and for fast moving subjects I tend to use the 1D4, although maybe that is because I EXPECT it to be better! I would call them real close, perhaps too close to call ....

Maxdave

Thanks guys. I going to have to have a think about it, I thought about the 7Dmkii but after the iq of the mark4 I don't know if it would be as good.
The 5D mkiii I guess would give a bit better iq than the 1D.

Why is picking a camera so hard.

ICee wrote in post #17474945
Thanks guys. I going to have to have a think about it, I thought about the 7Dmkii but after the iq of the mark4 I don't know if it would be as good.
The 5D mkiii I guess would give a bit better iq than the 1D.

Why is picking a camera so hard.

It is not - it's easy! Simply sell everything + 1 Kidney and get a 1DX!
Back to the real world - both the 5D3 and 1D4 are fine cameras but each have their strengths and weaknesses and neither is a bad choice.
The 5D3 does not respond quite as quickly as the 1D4 camera and doesn't track quite as well. Against this the 5D3 has better IQ and ISO performance so it's swings and roundabouts!
I would go for the 1D4 in preference to the 5D3 for (bird/wildlife) my uses, but I have a friend who went in exactly the opposite direction and got the images to support his decision.

I am not certain from you post whether you are looking to replace your 1D4 or add a 5D3 to your arsenal. If you are looking to replace you 1D4 with a 5D3 than I wouldn't - they are both great but for wildlife/birds the 1D4 is better, for other uses then the 5D3 scores. However if you are looking to add a 5D3 to your existing gear then sell your 1D4, add the money that you have budgeted for the 5D3 and get a 1DX. Why? It does everything that the 1D4 does - only faster and more accurately and gives equal (if not better IQ) than the 5D3 in the process. Additionally it does all of the above at fairly silly ISO and needs little, if any, post processing.

I have a colleague who already had a 5D3 and then added a 1D X.
He raves about it!
It seems to me he uses the 5D3 only when he wants a more compact, easier to carry body.

Maxdave

If I could afford a 1Dx I would be ordering it now.

I am shooting wildlife, I think that I might end up keeping the mkiv and going to the gym.

As you are shooting wildlife and already have the 1D4 then I, personally, don't think the 5D3 is a better option. On the other hand if you were using a 5D3 and considering a 1D4 I would probably suggest that you stay where you are. Basically, although different, they are both very good cameras and it is just down to personal preferences.
I mentioned the 1DX as I thought you may be looking at the 5D3 as an additional camera, I see that is not the case. That said I would stick with what you have - it's a great camera.