1D mk III / 5D mk II : image quality and sharpness

[Tabazan]

Hello,


On simple question : all differences apart (fps, FF or 1.3x, price, pic area taken and so on), what would you say about image quality only and sharpness (w/ same L lenses, of course) of these two "old" cams ?


I would say a 21.1 FF is a clear winner vs a10.1 MP ... on paper.


What do you think ?

[Daniel Browning]

Yes, the 5D2 is the clear winner on "image quality", but only when everything else is well controlled. No amount of image quality is going to help if you can't get the shot in focus in the first place, and that's where the 1D3 AF comes in. Same thing with other features like FPS, weather sealing, etc.

[Tabazan]

Yes, I've read that fps is not 5d II stongest point and that Af has been a pain in early models


But in fact, as 1D mk II is designated as a "pro" cam, I wondered how the 10.1 mpx could compete against 5D II, if used for landscape, portraits, and studio.


It's a sport cam, but for other use, what is it's equivalent in quality (50D ? 450D ? or lower ... or it's very good overall ?) .


Maybe it's a detail (or it's not the right way to ask) but at this price, I'd better know what the 1D III is worth for other work.

[Daniel Browning]

It's a sport cam, but for other use, what is it's equivalent in quality (50D ? 450D ? or lower ... or it's very good overall ?) .


There is no precise equivalent. The 400D has the same number of megapixels, but it doesn't have as good of MTF due to the smaller image circle.


And now that I think of it, the 1D3 does have one important image quality advantage over the 5D2: pattern noise at low ISO. On the 5D2, you have to stay below 9 (maybe 10) stops of dynamic range, or you will get nasty lines in the shadows. The 1D3 can go at least a full stop further.

[Jon Ruyle]

It's a sport cam, but for other use, what is it's equivalent in quality (50D ? 450D ? or lower ... or it's very good overall ?) .


Personally, I would prefer a 1DIII to any other non-full frame canon camera, and I don't shoot sports. But that's just me. 1DIII does have a disadvantage for wide angle, because you don't have full frame and you can't use EF-s lenses.

[Tabazan]

Mmmh, it becomes very difficult.


Coming from a 50D (nice, fast, but ... even with L lenses I don't find it tack sharp) I'm ready to invest (for my work) in the machine I know can do the best pics overall for a defined budget. It's my challenge to do better picture and master the tech side. But I need to know that the cam can reach a certain quality.


I'll choose between the 5D II and 1d III


1D IIn, 1D II and 1D IV are a bit more expensive ... and I'm not sure the higher price is wort the effort against the previous two. Maybe I'm wrong.

[Julius]

It really depends on what you are shooting. I have both cameras and they perform very well. For moving objects, the 1d MIII is a much better choice. For landscape and portraits, it's the 5d MII hands down. I use the 1d MIII 80% of the time when I walk around on weekends since it just feels so much better from a handling standpoint. Either way, you can't go wrong.

[Tabazan]

Hello Julius,


Happy man. I'd dream to have both ;-)


On the action pic dept, I do mainly greyound and horses races, aeronautical meetings.


On "static" dept., its studio, portraits, corporate pics (boards), some architectural, packshots and products.


And yes, sometimes, they're pics for magazines, so Hi-Res required.


Nature : no wide landscapes (maybe because I have not the right gear) but flowers, trees, bit and pieces.


The 50D speed is fine, but image is not sharp and "plain" enough (even with L lenses).


And I think for studio, a FF would be really better (1.3x too ?)


But for sports 5D II is much too slow.


I've read that sensors with less MPx make better picture quality (1D III) and that FF with 21 Mpx is top for ... better pictures quality too.


I know I'll have to do some sacrifice choosing one of the two cams, and honestly my heart goes for the 1D III. But I'm a bit afraid to have lesser overall quality (than 50D for example) for all studio work than th 5D II.


In fact, the more I read, the less I know what to do :-(


(Or the solution for both world is a 1Ds III or 1D mk IV ?)

[Fast Glass]

If I were youI wouldget a 7D, you get 8 fps and 18 mpx. You have way more resolution than the 1D III and only lose 2 fps.


Here is aRAW picture I found on the web, it was taken with a EF 50mm f/1.8 at f/5.6, ISO 100, sharpening applied.


/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.28.86/canon_2D00_7d_2D00_100iso_2D00_nrdesa_2D00_big-reduced.JPG


/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.28.86/canon_2D00_7d_2D00_100iso_2D00_nrdesa_2D00_big-100_2500_-crop.JPG


Is the image quality good enough for what you want to do? This could be your best compromise without spending a mini-fortune.


John.

[SupraSonic]

Why comparing 1 series and 5 series? for me its a different flatform. Is this a fair trial?


How about you compare 1Ds vs 5D series..?

[Tabazan]

Hello,


What do you mean ?


For me it's a budget range first. And in that range, knowing that I already have a 50D (with some usable specs) , it's finding the best image quality cam for what I do.


1Ds is almost twice the price the 1D III. It sure is great (the best ?) , but I can't afford it at the moment.

[Tabazan]

Hello John,


There are some reviews that confirms that the 7D is less sharp than the 50D (w/ same lenses, same settings). And 7D is not different enough to change (according to my criteria, which is subjective)


And just like owners of the 40D were saying that it makes better pics (talking sharpness) than the 50D, due to less Mpx for the same sensor, I wondered what the 1D III was capable of against 5D II.


Supposing that they both have better quality images than 40 and 50D


Yeah, maybe it's splitting hair, but considering the prices of the 1DIII and 5DII it's worth thinking

[Fast Glass]

Yes it's not quite as sharp as the 50D butthe 7D has more mpx and outweighs the slight softness. Just thought you might considerit as an option.


John.

[SupraSonic]

1Ds is almost twice the price the 1D III. It sure is great (the best ?) , but I can't afford it at the moment. (EXACTLY)

so don't make comparison between 1D series vs 5D series as i sad it is totally different flatform. Youre POST was 1D MKIII vs 5D MKII. They have different $$$ and performance. Here you discuss abt image quality of course Megapixels 1D series pricey because its 1D series eventhough 5D series have more .Consturction and its' "ENGINE" is totally different.

As we said in MOTOR WORLD ther is no REPLACEMENT for DSPLACEMENT.

[Fast Glass]

I wondered what the 1D III was capable of against 5D II.





The short answer is NO. Don't ask for the long answer, Daniel Browning will take care of that.[:)]