Canon EOS-1D Mark III Image Quality

[Photo-John]

I just spent three days shooting with the Canon EOS-1D Mark III in Yellowstone National Park. I am officially impressed. I rate the image quality supercala-awesome. I made a special effort to test it at the max sensitivity of ISO 6400 and I pronounce it good. Of course, you've got a huge range in between ISO 50 and 6400, so there's not really much need to use ISO 6400. But if you did need it, I think you could use it without fear. And ISO 800, which is the upward limit with most cameras, is great. I mostly shot at ISO 200. Anyway, here are some samples for you, click on them for the high-res.

Later this week I will do some serious action photo testing.

Canon EOS-1D Mark III ISO 6400 Sample (full size - big!):


Canon EOS-1D Mark III ISO 800 Sample:


Canon EOS-1D Mark III ISO 800 Sample:

[KenB]

I should never have opened this thread.

[Photo-John]

I should never have opened this thread.

No kidding. I assume you're saynig that because now you're going to think you need a new camera. I understand. A big part of me doesn't want to like it because I am afraid I'll think I need one. However, I don't think I will be buying one because my XTi does 98% of the work I need done. I'd love to own the Mark III and I know it would help me with some of my work. But that doesn't mean I can justify the expense. Just because it's better than what I have doesn't mean I have to have it or I can't do what it's doing by using better technique. We'll see when I do some sports testing later this week.

[Alison]

:cryin:
I'm wishing I hadn't opened this thread either!!! I am moments, and I mean moments, away from owning a 5D and then you show me this?! ( :cryin: again!)
That ISO 800?! WOW!!!

Do you have any full res ISO 800 shots taken with a 5D do you PJ?

[starriderrick]

Nice John,
I just finished reading an article in PCPhoto on this camera.Drool... sigh...Impressive. I'm in that -> I want one-I don't need one boat. Any more shots(nature/ outdoors) How is the WB, AF performance?

[KenB]

No kidding. I assume you're saynig that because now you're going to think you need a new camera. I understand. A big part of me doesn't want to like it because I am afraid I'll think I need one. However, I don't think I will be buying one because my XTi does 98% of the work I need done. I'd love to own the Mark III and I know it would help me with some of my work. But that doesn't mean I can justify the expense. Just because it's better than what I have doesn't mean I have to have it or I can't do what it's doing by using better technique. We'll see when I do some sports testing later this week.

Need, no. Want.... OMG yes!

I've still got a long way to go before I can justify any body upgrade.

[readingr]

:cryin:
I'm wishing I hadn't opened this thread either!!! I am moments, and I mean moments, away from owning a 5D and then you show me this?! ( :cryin: again!)
That ISO 800?! WOW!!!

Do you have any full res ISO 800 shots taken with a 5D do you PJ?

Alison,
You command and we obey

I do but can't find the 800 ISO ones at the moment - how about 1600 ISO on the 5D

http://gallery.photographyreview.com...&ppuser=239765

This was taken under terrible lighting conditions


Any ideas on how I can justfy another 3K's worth of camera to the boss?


Roger

[readingr]

Just found a couple when I first had the camera taken at ISO 800 - still experimenting so ignore the photography please.


Roger

[Alison]

Thanks Roger

[Photo-John]

Do you have any full res ISO 800 shots taken with a 5D do you PJ?

Alison, we have a whole gallery of full-res studio sample photos for digital cameras. We don't have every camera. But we have a lot, including the 5D. I shot the same studio setup at every ISO with the 5D. You can view them full size, download them and print them - whatever you want. I print them at 8.5x11 for what I consider to be the best real-world image quality test.

Digital Camera Studio Sample Photos >>

[DEvianT]

Use the 5D at ISO 600-800 at weddings with no problems at all. If I go higher I use Imagenomic;s software Noiseware Pro to clean the image while keeping detail. One of the best plug-ins ever ever ever.

[Alison]

Alison, we have a whole gallery of full-res studio sample photos for digital cameras. We don't have every camera. But we have a lot, including the 5D. I shot the same studio setup at every ISO with the 5D. You can view them full size, download them and print them - whatever you want. I print them at 8.5x11 for what I consider to be the best real-world image quality test.

Digital Camera Studio Sample Photos >>

Thank you so much John! :thumbsup:

[digitalfrog]

The Mark III rocks indeed.... here is one at 3200 ISO's !!

[Photo-John]

Welcome to the site! I see this is your first post. That is a really cool photo! What is it of? Looks like a huge rave or concert.

Please post a review for your Mark III. We only have a couple of reviews for it so far and could really use more. Here's a link to the user review page:

Read and write Canon EOS-1D Mark III Reviews >>

[JETA]

Thanks PJ. I keep testing out the ISO and find it quite amazing.

Yesterday I had it in a lowly lit gym. The Mark III more then handled the job.

[flowremix]

... A big part of me doesn't want to like it because I am afraid I'll think I need one. However, I don't think I will be buying one because my XTi does 98% of the work I need done. I'd love to own the Mark III and I know it would help me with some of my work. But that doesn't mean I can justify the expense. Just because it's better than what I have doesn't mean I have to have it or I can't do what it's doing by using better technique. ...

Thanks for the review...after reading this just made me realize that my 20D is still an awesome camera. I certainly don't need a high-end camera like that. It would be nice, but not if you just shot for fun like myself. Thanks for the reminder on making me more humble.

[susaan]

....... my XTi does 98% of the work I need done. .

Very happy to hear you say that,the XTi is what I'm shooting for,as a first DSLR.
(Gonna keep the DSC H-9,its just too useful for places my eye can't get to,like 2 feet above my head....love the articulated screen.)
-See you started this site,thanks,its the best.

[Photo-John]

Very happy to hear you say that,the XTi is what I'm shooting for,as a first DSLR.
(Gonna keep the DSC H-9,its just too useful for places my eye can't get to,like 2 feet above my head....love the articulated screen.)
-See you started this site,thanks,its the best.

I have an XSi now. And I bought a 40D because I need the fast frame rate for some sports shooting. But for the most part, the XSi or XTi is much, much more than adequate. And I love the small size and light weight. No doubt, the Mark III kicks ass. I guess I just don't need to kick quite that much ass