( 32 reviews )
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Posted: Aug 8 2009
This is a hand-on impression and not a detailed review. I used the EOS 1D and the EOS 1d Mark IIN before. In addition, I also own a EOS 30D and a EOS 50D. The first good surprise is that this camera is NOT as heavy as you would expect from this bulky size. This is probably, at least in part, due to the fact that the battery is now smaller. Talking of the battery, it's a new generation battery and charger. The battery is smaller than the 1D predecessors, but said to last longer. By the way, if you put two batteries in the charger, it will charge one after the other and not both simultaneously. Just that you know. I did not like that. When I took the first few pictures, it still 'sounds' like a powerful camera that attracts everybody's attention with it's loud clicks. I wish Canon tries harder to make this quieter. However, in addition to the modes One Shot, and Multiple Shots, etc, they provided a mode s (silent, or slow?) that seems to delay a bit the colsure of the shutter in an attempt to reduce this mechanical noise. I tried life view without reading the manual. It's tricky to get to it and to get out of it. Autofocus won't work in life view, at least the usual auto focus by half pressing the shutter button. The buttons and control knobs at the back follow the 50D strategy, which is a good idea. you no longer need to keep pressing on a button and dial to where you want to go. Just press once and dial. Of course, you do not have the mode dial knob at the top left like the 50D. The EOS 1D Mark III is a professional grade camera. Therefore, no automatic modes for portraits, landscape, etc. You have to know what you are doing. But of course, semi automatic if also offered, like AV, where you decide the aperture, or TV where you decide the shutter speed. One interesting feeling is that the litle buttons are now stronger. Previous 1D cameras used to have these buttons softer to press. It is still comfortable to use them but I would expect a longer life, because I feel the buttons more resistant but responsive enough and comfortable to use. What about the ten pictures per second? Yes, indeed, although I did not physically count the number of pcitures per second, but I could easily feel it is higher than the 8,5 rate I had with my old EOS 1D and 1D Mark IIN. ATTENTION!!! The EOS 1D Mark III does not accept the EF-S lenses. It's a shame, because I would have liked to have the EF-S 18-200mm with this camera. Last, but not least, I took a few pictures at ISO 3200 in the room of objects of different colors and shades, with conventional light and was amazed how noiseless they are. As I said, this is not an extensive review but just first impressions. Hope that helps. I'll write a more detailed review some later time.
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Posted: Jun 28 2009
I purchased the Canon 1D Mark III about 1 year ago from Amazon for $4300.00. I liked the feel of the camera and the battery worked great, but the images it took were nowhere near the quality they should have been. The Al Servo focus was absolutely terrible, it couldn't hardly take a clear picture of a flying bird. My 40D worked better for moving objects. Then Canon announced the recall on the Mark III, I sent the camera in, they paid shipping, both ways. WOW!! what a difference!! This camera is now fantastic! The Al Servo works great, the LCD seems to be much better also. Not sure what Canon did to fix the problem, but it works great now. Canon support has been great. Hope this helps.
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( 0 of 1 found this review helpful ) Posted: Jun 3 2009
I waited to purchase this Camera until I thought all of the bugs had been worked out. I was using a 40d to take sports shots of my son - it was awesome. But being an under funded techno-geek, I wanted the latest and the greatest. I struggled to come up with the money and finally bought one. I was very excited to finally put this puppy to the test. I knew of the AI servo focus problem and had done my homework, set up my camera to the specs on Canons new AI servo website. Wow was I disappointed. Out of over 1000 shots I would say over 50 percent were out of focus. My 40d was much better. Then a few days later I saw where Canon was admitting to yet another problem (this was in May of 2009) So I sent it back to them on their nickel. They received it and the same day they received it their website said it was ready and I would have it back in 4 business days. This did not happen and I had to call Canon about my camera, the tech acted confused and kept asking for my name and address - I got the feeling they had lost it or something. After a while he said it would be shipped and I would have it the next day, I got the impression that they had just found out where that camera on the shelf went to. He would not tell me what they did to it. I had already loaded the newest firmware, he just said it was hardware and software related. I did receive the camera the next day. I was very curious as to the repair, so I called again just to ask. This tech said that Canon had overlooked something in the development of the camera and that they now know what the fix is and that Canon did not have to repair this, it was a courtesy - this struck me funny - yes you do have to fix it. At any rate 2 days after I received my camera back the Canon site finally updated and said that it had been shipped, notification was a little late. Boy, I wonder about their organizational skills. Yesterday I took about 100 shots AI Servo on an overcast day (70-200 f2.8L), 1 shot was in focus. The pics were of my Son running towards me and away, unbelievable how it could not track one person running fairly slow. I checked the focus in DPP and all the focus points were dead on. I know the 40d is not supposed to be in the same league as this camera but my results were much better. Also I am having trouble getting one shot / single shot to give me consistent in focus pics. If someone knows a secret to getting the settings right it would help, Canons site is no help and I have yet to see anyone post what they think works. If it is this difficult to figure out something else is wrong I don't think Canon is on the right track with this camera, I am disgusted with it and will probably just get rid of it rather than wait on a fix, that will probably never come. My guess is Canon is working diligently on the MK IV and this camera will pretty much be chalked up as a failure. I know some people have no problem with this camera, but the way I use it, for football and basketball shots - it just doesn't hack it. Canon service has asked me to send my camera in once again, saying that it is unacceptable to have a camera that does not focus right. The thing is I don't think they have a fix for it - they are just going through the motions. Just acting the part is not solving the problem and only frustrates the end user, over and over. Canon will and has lost many loyal customers over this. I love B&H photo, but I must say I wont trust their reviews anymore. I posted an almost identical review there and they would not post it. Stacking the reviews to boost sales I guess or to unload there stock. Honesty is the best policy. I also posted 2 reviews that were similar on Canon's site and neither were posted. Update : It seems Canon is having a rash of problems across the board. Compare Nikon's Ratings to Canons on recent cameras - Nikon has a much higher rating. Canon needs to work on its quality control and not rush products to market. 3rd review attempt was posted on Canons site.
