The Perfect Still Camera

• 1Ds Mark III Body (along with included functions like raid, etc...)

• S-IPS LCD

• ? mega pixels. I am not a scientist so I don't know the maximum megapixels needed for a perfect 8x10. Some Internet reading suggested 180mp as the max. I have been happy with 10mp personally. Just make it so I choose raw file sizes of 12, 24, etc.

• Clean ISO 100 as well as ISO 3200.

• Proper automatic ISO.

• I only need 3fps personally, but perfection would be 8fps.

• Selectable and hide able AF points across the entire finder.

• Built in RF receiver/transmitter to control the camera from a USB RF dongle plugged into a computer or an iPad. Get rid of the USB tether is my point. Also RF between flashes. Really... we are in 2010 now.

• Flash Sync of at least 1/2000, 1/4000 would be perfect.

• Electronic level indicator.

A Perfect camera is not a camera with a million features, just a camera that NEVER gets in your way. Because of this many software features, like automatic HDR should be left to a computer. Also video is better left for a properly shaped ergonomic camera. Things like recording audio clips, built-in GPS, FM radio and so on are truly useful for some groups but again, blur the fact that this is a still image recording device. So I don't include them in the perfect camera. Use a real computer for creative choices made after the recording.

Different manufactures could add the odd feature if they want for marketing segmentation, but they are not pertinent and should only be added after the perfect features are tested and working. Things I haven been waiting for years to show up in a single body I should say.

For those of you who feel that a still grabbed out of a video feed is the future you must realize that workflow costs are still a very real concern. I don't have time to analyze 100 images per pose, nor do I have the ability to bring the lighting gear it would take to do video. Continuous lighting is very different from flash in too many ways to list here.

A modern stills camera with the features I have presented is very much desired by those in the know. I implore the manufactures reading to build this camera. Thank you.

I made the point that this perfect camera never gets in my way. How so? There are basic physics that control the earth and therefore limitations on the reality that people find themselves in.

ISO
I don't need clean ISO 25,600 because people don't operate anything interesting at that EV level. That would be for a specialty situation, a special camera, not something you need day to day. ISO 3200 is very much right here and now if you want F4 in most commonly lit homes.

IPS display back
I can check the Kelvin level of the image and shadow placement. I might not need an external monitor if I can zoom into the image.

Flash Sync
Shooting outside in the sun, the Sunny 16 rule is ISO100, f16, 1/125. This is the way it has been for the last 6,000 years. For a camera to NOT get in my way I want f2.8 for creative reasons, thus I need ISO100, f2.8, 1/4000 to obtain the correct exposure.

1Ds Mark III Body
This body is to big for family time, or just out pleasure shooting in my opinion. But for serious all day get down to work situations I find it is perfect. It balances heavy lenses making them easier to hold. The same with heavy flashes or attachments added. Also the larger layout is easy to access buttons quickly instead of being on a small cramped square. Larger batteries are also available in this size device. However, if it is possible to allow for raid, large viewfinders, and extended battery time on a smaller body then I guess that is fine. Vertical portraits would not be as fun to do though. I also use my camera a great deal on a tripod and find this size camera useful in many ways.

I could go on but I think the point is made.