Sold my 1D Mark IV.....Couple thoughts.

I've owned a 1D4 for about six years. When I got it, it replaced a 1D3 and was used alongside a 5D (classic) as my go-to sports camera. I shoot a lot of sports of my kids etc.

I replaced the 5D (classic) with a 5D Mark III about four years ago. So I've been running the 1D4 and 5D3 side by side for four years. My initial take four years ago was that the two cameras were close in AF performance, while the 1D has some obvious speed and robustness advantages.

I've also got a few newer lenses....the Sigma 120-300 Sport and the 70-200/2.8 IS II in this recent period. Anyway.....what I've been coming to to understand in the past year is that my 5D3 is just a better camera in regards to AF performance than the 1D4. Given some shifts in what and how I'm shooting I finally decided this year to let the 1D4 go. It's generating more misses in general for me, and the burst/buffer speed, while super nice, are not as much of a need.

So the point of this thread? I guess I'm just checking in to see if anyone else is seeing that the more recent AF systems are better for you. And I guess to some extent I feel a little funny letting the 1D go. I've had a 1D of some kind for the past eight years and there is a lot to like....but fundamentally I can get the shot now with the 5D3 and I just finally realized I just do not need to have two bodies sitting around (not counting my 5D classic which belongs to my daughter now and is the ultimate backup).

I waffled for ages between grabbing a 7D MkII or a 1D MkIV. I ended up with a 7D MkII refurb which I got from the Canon during their last coupon stacking "mistake" for $925. I never could have picked up a good 1D MkIV for that money. I've read reviews claiming the 7D MkII's AF performance is just as good if not better than the 1D MkIV, and the frame rate is the same, so I'm hoping I made the right choice. I just haven't had a chance to put the 7D MkII to the test as far as AF goes.

Sometimes I still lust after a 1D MkIV, though. Just to have one...

I guess I can chime in here. I was shooting a 6D, and wanting better AF and FPS for my kids' athletic stuff. I wrote off upgrading to the 5DIII as too expensive. I got a 70D instead. Add a 10-18, 18-55 STM, and Tokina 11-20 2.8, and I've spent nearly as much re-adding apsc to my closet as if I'd just gotten a refurbed 5DIII when they were $1899 or $1999 recently. The only real benefit of the 70D is video. I really like my 6D. The 70D is for the most part, sufficient for what I do. But I think I'd have been happier with only one body for everything, and no need for apsc-specific lenses. Maybe I'll pick up a used 5DIII when the IV comes out and prices dip a bit.

This is a funny to me thread because I just bought a used 1D IV with a shutter count of 122k. I bought it when I was working through some 7D2 problems with Canon customer service. Long story short, I sold the replacement 7D2 and kept the 1D IV.

I still don't know if I gave up on the 7D2 too soon as I'm still seeing lots of great results from it here on POTN. Circumstances have prevented me from really putting the 1D IV through all its paces but from the couple times I've been out with it, I like it a lot. From what I can tell at this point, it's very reliable, but I wouldn't guess it's more reliable than the 5D III.

M_Six wrote in post #17850515
... I got from the Canon during their last coupon stacking "mistake" for $925..

WHAT! That just hurts me cause I paid full price. Falling in love with it though.
Good for you too.

JeffreyG wrote in post #17850498
but fundamentally I can get the shot now with the 5D3...

Isn't that what all of this is about? How many posts discuss gear and the fact that better gear does not guarantee better photos? If you can get the shots you want or need and the "clients" are happy, then snap away baby. Put all this GAS behind you and enjoy taking pictures.

I went Minolta X700 (LOVED that camera), to Canon EOS Elan II, 20D, 40D, 7D, 1D III, 1DIV. I keep my eyes open and when I see a better 1D IV or one with less clicks I buy it and sell the other. I really like the 1D IV. I get some great pics. I've not shot a 5D III nor a 1DX, so I've nothing to compare with. I'm happy with what I have for bodies (1D IV & 5D II).

Lenses are a different matter...

I went from a 1Ds to the 5D3. It's certainly *easier* to mess up AF settings on the newer cameras. I think that's a HUGE reason for so many 7dii posts.

But, yeah, the new AF systems are better than those old ones. I guess it's amazing the old cameras were as good as they were, given the HUGE advancements in the last 5 or so years.

I shoot a 1Ds Mk III and a 1D Mk IV. I will not be upgrading or changing cameras anytime soon. I will never let my 1D4 go because it is the last 1.3 APS-H made. No more!? I like it for wildlife. I think I get a boost from the 1.3 sensor. Even if I do get a 1Dx to replace the Ds3, the Mk IV will stay.

ebiggs wrote in post #17851260
I shoot a 1Ds Mk III and a 1D Mk IV. I will not be upgrading or changing cameras anytime soon. I will never let my 1D4 go because it is the last 1.3 APS-H made. No more!? I like it for wildlife. I think I get a boost from the 1.3 sensor. Even if I do get a 1Dx to replace the Ds3, the Mk IV will stay.

I did buy a 1DX and the 1Dmkiv 's are staying. It took some time to get to know my 1Dmkivs tho. Hell I even shot couple weddings with a 1Dsmkii instead of the iv's the first two I had within that period.

I will not be "upgrading" my 1DMkiv's I love the body, could I do better with a newer AF system, maybe, but if I do my job and get the spot on the subject the camera does it's job. I shoot a lot of gymnastics, which in my option is on of the hardest sports to follow. When I have a OOF photo it's usually because I'm behind the action.

ebiggs wrote in post #17851260
I shoot a 1Ds Mk III and a 1D Mk IV. I will not be upgrading or changing cameras anytime soon. I will never let my 1D4 go because it is the last 1.3 APS-H made. No more!? I like it for wildlife. I think I get a boost from the 1.3 sensor. Even if I do get a 1Dx to replace the Ds3, the Mk IV will stay.

SNAP..... Totally Agree, the 1ds3 & 1d4 both wonderful bodies and perfect for my needs no plan to change for a few years yet. I much more prefer to invest in great glass.

I did the same thing, went to a 5d3 from a 1d4, and after a couple of seasons in sports, the 5d3 has done everything as well as the 1d4, and better regarding iso. I have now added a 7d2 to the mix.

I find the different paths we all take interesting. We all have the same goals (better photographs in our respective genres) but we can get there through various means. I'm saving up for a lens to complete my landscape/people/walk around lenses, i.e., the 24-70 f/2.8. I won't have enough cash saved for about 9 months so we'll see if things change by then. I might sell a guitar and if I do, I might change my mind and buy a longer birding lens, probably the 500 II.

I'm comfortable with the 1D IV at the moment. Enough so that I sold all my EF-S glass. My wife still uses hers on her SL1... and I still have the 70D that I am trying to get her to use as her every day camera. I will hold off on trying the 7D2 again for quite a while. It really is important to trust one's gear. I trust the 1D IV. It's as simple at that for me.

I am currently looking to replace my 5D II with a 5D III to go with my 1D IV.
After that I expect it will be a long time before adding a new body.

Jeff

agree 100%. Sold my MKIV about 6 months after using them side by side. What I really missed was the reach factor. went to the original 7D for wildlife needs. Was OK with it. Could not use it as a cross over for weddings needs because of ISO performance.

then the 7D2 came out and it had the 1Dx af system and cleaner ISo...so I changed one body to the 7D2......extremely pleased with the results..great cross over for our needs and the AF system is awesome

your basically getting a 1Dx AF system on a really good crop sensor

My suggestion is to go buy a 7D2 and roll that way. You wont be disappointed.