EOS 5D Mk ii vs EOS 1D Mk iii

[zafra52]

How does the new EOS 5D Mk ii compare against EOS 1D Mk iii n terms od image quality?
Am I comparing apples with bananas?
I've seen some pics of wildlife made with the EOS 1D Mk iii and they are superb.
I guess what I am asking is which one would you buy if money was not a concern.

[Grev]

More like comparing berries with water melons.

Depending on what you do, do action then get the 1d3, if you NEED (most people don't) the resolution and want to do some video then get the 5d2.

[zafra52]

Thank you Grev. I was thinking in terms of resolution becuse I've seen very sharp photos practically without flash made with a d1 Mkiii, but nothing like with a D5 Mkii. As far as I am concern, if I want video then I use the video camera for it is more for the purpose and viceversa.

[gstark]

if I want video then I use the video camera for it is more for the purpose and viceversa.

Does your video camera have a large sensor, allowing you to bring the nice soft bokeh (such as on the 5DII) into your work?

Does your video camera let you change the glass on the front? Does it let you use fast glass, like a 50mm f/1.2?

When I first heard about video being introduced into DSLRs, my first reaction was what you said. Then I thought about the possibilities, and then I saw what was possible.

[sirhc55]

if I want video then I use the video camera for it is more for the purpose and viceversa.

Does your video camera have a large sensor, allowing you to bring the nice soft bokeh (such as on the 5DII) into your work?

Does your video camera let you change the glass on the front? Does it let you use fast glass, like a 50mm f/1.2?

When I first heard about video being introduced into DSLRs, my first reaction was what you said. Then I thought about the possibilities, and then I saw what was possible.

Lets sort the apples out from the pears. 99.9% of people would not give a toss whether their vidcam has soft bokeh or whether it can swop its lens out for a 50mm f/1.2. let alone know what these things mean!

The Canon is about $5,000 and the JVC GY-HD100 (interchangeable lenses) can be had for about the same price. One is a pro DSLR and the other a pro vidcam. Does the Canon do time base? Does the Canon do 16:9? A dslr is built to produce photographs and a vidcam is built to do video.

There is only one camera, that I know of, that can do both photographs and video of a quality to be admired and that product is called RED.

[chrisk]

ive never used a mkIII but i can say from lengthy experience with the 5dMkII that its AF and just outright responsiveness for moving items is pedestrian to say the least; very underwhelming. for still life though i think its basically without peer this side of $10k.

[Grev]

There is only one camera, that I know of, that can do both photographs and video of a quality to be admired and that product is called RED.

You mean the SCARLET and the EPIC. Nah, the RED is OK, hard to edit though.

/offtopic

[Potoroo]

The Canon is about $5,000 and the JVC GY-HD100 (interchangeable lenses) can be had for about the same price. One is a pro DSLR and the other a pro vidcam. Does the Canon do time base? Does the Canon do 16:9? A dslr is built to produce photographs and a vidcam is built to do video.

There is an interesting overview of the pros and cons of camcorders and video DSLRs over at Luminous Landscape. It includes a link to some third-party firmware for the 5D2 that lets it do the sorts of things you mention.

[dviv]

The Canon is about $5,000

FYI got an email today from D-D that the 5DII body only is now well under $4K

[ozimax]

I would prefer the MkIII only for the machine gun burst rate, but as I have no money for either, I will let this one pass. I was tempted to buy a 5D MkI last year cheaply, but I opted for a (cheaper still) 40D at 6.5 fps and could not be happier.

Ozi.

[zafra52]

I asked this questions because a friend from Sydney sends me his photographs with the exif intact. Each and every photo is a masterpiece. I never imagined that you could take such a sharp pictures without a tripod or flash of wildlife and human portraits. His equipment as far as I can make out is the 1D MII and a 400 mm lens. Unfortunately, they are not my photos and although I have invited him to join us he hasn't don so yet so I am not able to share them with you.

[chrisk]

I asked this questions because a friend from Sydney sends me his photographs with the exif intact. Each and every photo is a masterpiece. I never imagined that you could take such a sharp pictures without a tripod or flash of wildlife and human portraits. His equipment as far as I can make out is the 1D MII and a 400 mm lens. Unfortunately, they are not my photos and although I have invited him to join us he hasn't don so yet so I am not able to share them with you.

maybe its the photgrapher....or is that too outrageous to suggest ?

[zafra52]

maybe its the photgrapher....or is that too outrageous to suggest ?

Indeed! The photographer would a play a part... I think! But surely not even the best of photographers would be able to overcome the limitations of his/her equipment?

[jdear]

I shoot exclusively with the 5D MK II and the only thing that interests me about the 1D MK III is the dual card slots, and the higher rated shutter accuations. (I go through a camera body at about 1/yr) Everything else doesnt interest me. Seriously, get some decent glass, and expend the body every year or 2.

[aim54x]

I shoot exclusively with the 5D MK II and the only thing that interests me about the 1D MK III is the dual card slots, and the higher rated shutter accuations. (I go through a camera body at about 1/yr) Everything else doesnt interest me. Seriously, get some decent glass, and expend the body every year or 2.

Those are great points, put the money into the glass! I am amazed that you go through a camera in about a year, does this mean the camera literally dies or do you just hit the shutter rating?

[jdear]

My 5D Mk I recently died and the repair bill was $850 - subsequently it remains unfixed
shooting 40-50 weddings / year and bringing home 2000+ photos each time, + other shoots (last year was roughly 100 shoots) and you ramp up the actuations very quickly. I think Ill be getting extended warranty next time I buy a body

A personal pref but I love what the 5D's do with skin tones, and I dont need the additional focus points - Ive only ever known the 9 odd (30d - 5D - 5DMk II) and shooting with faster glass saves most AF problems. Having the extra MP is lovely. Zooming in on a wide / group shot and seeing lots of additional information is amazing. Heck Id shoot Medium Format Digital if I could justify the cost.

[aim54x]

My 5D Mk I recently died and the repair bill was $850 - subsequently it remains unfixed
shooting 40-50 weddings / year and bringing home 2000+ photos each time, + other shoots (last year was roughly 100 shoots) and you ramp up the actuations very quickly. I think Ill be getting extended warranty next time I buy a body

WOW...if I was doing that much work I wouldnt mind ripping through a body in a year...need an assistant?