Questions for 1Ds MkIII owners

I am looking for a body that can give me the resolution to produce large prints, and with the 5D-MkII failing to materialize, I've become very interested in the DsMKIII.

I've put it in my budget, but I'm not in a big hurry and am particularly interested in the negatives that can perhaps dissuade me from spending this much money, although I'll admit that I'd love to own a Series 1 body.

So far I see from current owners comments that the LCD is very poor and the original battery life isn't what it should be. Can you give me some more negatives on this beast.

I would think that the file size may be a initial shock as it sucks up storage space and slows your processing. Lots of layer work on an initial 60 meg file could be challenging. Did the file size force you to rethink your work flow?

I've seen several POTN members who have only briefly owned this body, opting to downsize after only a short affair. Any reasons you would not go with this choice again? Any comments that may help my decision would be appreciated. Thanks.

Pinto wrote in post #5459000
I am looking for a body that can give me the resolution to produce large prints, and with the 5D-MkII failing to materialize, I've become very interested in the DsMKIII.

I've put it in my budget, but I'm not in a big hurry and am particularly interested in the negatives that can perhaps dissuade me from spending this much money, although I'll admit that I'd love to own a Series 1 body.

So far I see from current owners comments that the LCD is very poor and the original battery life isn't what it should be. Can you give me some more negatives on this beast.

I would think that the file size may be a initial shock as it sucks up storage space and slows your processing. Lots of layer work on an initial 60 meg file could be challenging. Did the file size force you to rethink your work flow?

I've seen several POTN members who have only briefly owned this body, opting to downsize after only a short affair. Any reasons you would not go with this choice again? Any comments that may help my decision would be appreciated. Thanks.

you can get a 1dsmkii for much cheaper, and 16MP is more than enough. as for battery, it should use the same one as 1dmkiii, and that thing lasts several thousand shots (as opposed to several hundred of the 5d/X0D) on the 1dmkiii, there's no reason for the battery life to be shorter. that's about all i can say without owning one, though knowing how much space the 1dmkiii sucks up (both output about 120mb/s), you better get a few extra 500GB drives (currently around $130).

Battery life is great, you should anyway always bring an extra one when leaving the house. The screen has never been great on Canon, no matter what camera - here I have to sat the Nikon D3 is SUPERIOR, however, the camera a part from that is amazing. The colors are vivid and clean, lots of MP etc.
There hasn't been any change in post processing in this situation (I am talking about my dad, who is a prof. photography and had the 1Ds, 1DsMKII, 1DsMKIII).
He needs the MP and the colors as I mentioned are indeed AMAZING IMO.

basroil wrote in post #5459057
as for battery, it should use the same one as 1dmkiii,

I don't think that is true. I believe that it is the old battery. The 1DsMKIII and 1DMKIII are using new smaller batteries with more capacity.

basroil wrote in post #5459057
you can get a 1dsmkii for much cheaper, and 16MP is more than enough. as for battery, it should use the same one as 1dmkiii, and that thing lasts several thousand shots (as opposed to several hundred of the 5d/X0D) on the 1dmkiii, there's no reason for the battery life to be shorter. that's about all i can say without owning one, though knowing how much space the 1dmkiii sucks up (both output about 120mb/s), you better get a few extra 500GB drives (currently around $130).

Thank you for your response. I referenced the battery life from several comments from the current thread "1DS owners unite!" I understand about externals. I'm using seven drives now as well as DVD backup.

From Canon's site
At 73°F/23°C: Approx. 2200
At 32°F/0°C: Approx. 1700
The above figures apply when a fully-charged Battery Pack LP-E4 is used

And the battery is the same in 1DsMKIII and 1DMKIII, but not in the 1DsMKII.

I'm glad you disagree on the battery life. This is where I got it the comments.

Rankinia wrote in post #5456782
I am a fairly new 1ds user. Its amazing how much better all the lense angles of view look on full frame too. You wouldnt believe it til youve used it. My only prob with mine at the moment is my battery life, but Im saving.

Adam

Mediation wrote in post #5456865
My battery life is really bad on my original battery. I recently brought a 3rd party battery and it works fine.

I think I may buy another one as they only have 4 left in stock.

I have no problem with the battery either, I have two but have yet to change in anger, it has about the same life as my 1D Mk II.

I am actually not 100% sure on the battery life on Canon original vs. 3rd party ones. He has one of each, but they seem to be working perfectly both of them.

Any help on the rest of my question? Any reason you wouldn't make the choice again?

krusnof wrote in post #5459072
I don't think that is true. I believe that it is the old battery. The 1DsMKIII and 1DMKIII are using new smaller batteries with more capacity.

you mistook two separate ideas for one there... i first suggested he also look at 1dsmkii, then i answered his question on the battery. both of us are right, 1dsmkiii and 1dmkiii have the same battery (in fact, the only thing that's different is the viewfinder, sensor, and firmware. everything else is more or less the same

I went from a 5D to a Ds Mk III as the 5D reminded me of the value of FF and I have used 1D series for some time now and am comfortable with the controls and ergonomics of the camera.

The LCD is not great but it is a lot better than previous 1 series releases, anyway how good does it need to be to check the histogram and set the menus

I post process using CS3 on a mac pro or a lap book pro and I have no problem with my workflow being slow, i have to sharpen and adjust saturation far less with the MkIII than i did/do with the Mk II or 5D

neil_r wrote in post #5459187
I went from a 5D to a Ds Mk III as the 5D reminded me of the value of FF and I have used 1D series for some time now and am comfortable with the controls and ergonomics of the camera.

The LCD is not great but it is a lot better than previous 1 series releases, anyway how good does it need to be to check the histogram and set the menus

I post process using CS3 on a mac pro or a lap book pro and I have no problem with my workflow being slow, i have to sharpen and adjust saturation far less with the MkIII than i did/do with the Mk II or 5D

Thanks Neil!

basroil wrote in post #5459172
both of us are right,

Great that I can live with
Sorry for misunderstanding your answer!

Well, not many responses, but no real negatives. So either all the owners are very happy, or too embarrassed after spending that much money to criticize it. (Just kidding!)