Choosing a new body for motorsports – 7D or 1D MKIII?

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bdigital

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Hello,

I would like some help trying to decide on which Canon body to choose for motorsports (mostly superbikes but also touring cars). I will be using this body with a Sigma 120-300 f2.8 OS + TCs when needed.

I was all set on the 7D until I started reading about the 1D III which works out a similar price if i get one 2nd hand.

The main thing making me like the 1D MKIII is the low light/high ISO performance is much better than the 7D. The main thing i don’t like about the 1D MKIII is the lower resolution.

So what i would like to know is:

- Is shooting 10mp for superbikes ok/enough? (i would like to be able to print up to A2)

- Does the fact il be using a 2.8 lens counter the not so good low light performance of the 7D?

- Does the 1D have better overall image quality? Or will it only excel when in low light compared to the 7D?

- Can i rent the 1D mkIII anywhere? Ive had a quick look but couldn’t find one :(

- What would you choose?

Thank you in advance for your opinions. I would love to try the 1D3 before making my mind up so if anyone knows of a good place to rent one please let me know!
 
I shoot sports and have used both and am still using the mk3. While the 7d was ok it did not like wet/ damp conditions.
I have had pics used in magazines up to double page spread from the 1D mk3 with out any problem.
 
You are pitting the 1d3 against the 7D - and specifically focussing on the low light performance a lot. The 1D3 is better, but not much better as you stated.

At 100% the 7D may exhibit more noise than the 1D3.
But if you downsize the 7D filed to 10Mp then the noise is also reduced in the process. In reality there is not very much in it, both cameras are very usable in low light.

I seriously considered chopping my 7D for a 1D3 a few months back so did some extensive research. Everything I found showed the 7D noise was slightly worse at lower ISO but when you start ramping it up the 7D came out equal or better overall. The only thing I did not do was test the cameras side by side.

I currently shoot live music with my 7D regularly using ISO6400. Printed at A4 you cannot see the noise - I know I could go bigger if I wanted.
 
99hjhm said:
I've just upgraded/downgraded to a 1D Mark III from a 7D. Plus and minus points for each.

I like ruggedness of the 1D and also..
Battery performance
Ergonomics
Dual card slots
ISO performance

This thread might help...

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=349672
Click to expand...

Thanks thats very helpful.

How did you find the change in megapixel? And slight focal length difference due to the crop?

General image quality the same/better?
 
Have a read of the reviews.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EOS-1D-Mark-III-Digital-SLR-Camera-Review.aspx

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EOS-7D-Digital-SLR-Camera-Review.aspx

Personally, yes the autofocus system on the 7D is much improved over the XXD range of camera's, but it's still behind the 1D MKIII capabilities for action photography due to the sensitivity of the autofocus system. 45 focus points with 19 high precision manual selectable points v 19 focus points and 1 high precision point (centre) and has twin processors. The 7D is good, but the 1D MKIII has the edge.

I've got the 1D MKIIn would I buy a 7D, nope........:shake: my next purchase if it was a body would be the 1D MKIV slightly ahead of the 5D MKIII because I love the 1.3x crop, best of both worlds. It makes it more of an all round camera in my eyes.

And the other thing would be you would definitely need a grip for the 7D, otherwise handling would feel out of balance with your sigma fitted, so more ££
 
I was in the same boat, I went for the 1D and I don't think I will ever part with it, IMO it is just perfect in every way
 
Shot with the 7D and Sigma 120-300 last year so I would say go for it.

IMG_G8171.jpg


IMG_G8407.jpg
 
Thanks for the replies so far. I think ita fair to say, both bodies have the capabilities for shooting sports well (fast AF, burst shooting etc). Even though the 1D is slightly ahead in the af department they are both decent so that part doesnt worry me.

The part im not decided on is whether or not the 1d mkiii will produce better quality images due to its superior handling of noise. And whether 10mp is enough!!

Im coming from a 550D which uses the same sensor as the 7D and noise from iso 800 and above is very obvious.
 
If you track through my posts you will see I was in the same boat, I had a 550D and was looking at both the7D and 1D, I made the jump to the 1D which was the best thing I ever done, I tried both over a weekend and IMO the 1D wins hands down
 
pete.rush said:
And the other thing would be you would definitely need a grip for the 7D, otherwise handling would feel out of balance with your sigma fitted, so more ££
Click to expand...

And of course the fact that the 7D grip has awful ergonomics compared to the 1D...
 
Ruffy said:
If you track through my posts you will see I was in the same boat, I had a 550D and was looking at both the7D and 1D, I made the jump to the 1D which was the best thing I ever done, I tried both over a weekend and IMO the 1D wins hands down
Click to expand...

What are your main uses? My primary use will br superbikes but also wildlife and some light general photography
 
bdigital said:
Im coming from a 550D which uses the same sensor as the 7D and noise from iso 800 and above is very obvious.
Click to expand...

If you are careful, 1D produces fairly clean files up to 3200. In comparison I found 50D too noisy at ISO400 with smooth dark backgrounds
 
bdigital said:
What are your main uses? My primary use will br superbikes but also wildlife and some light general photography
Click to expand...

Motorsport....supermoto and just family, the 1D even performs well in portrait shots !!!

The one best thing that is so good apart from the AF is the battery, shoot all day long with still life left in it
 
bdigital said:
Thanks thats very helpful.

How did you find the change in megapixel? And slight focal length difference due to the crop?

General image quality the same/better?
Click to expand...

No idea as it only arrived yesterday.

I had a 40D and 10mp is fine, infact the 7D's files are more of a pain because of the size.

Difference in crop maybe the biggest issue, may mean I use the 100-400mm more, rather than the 70-200mm. Another plus point is that you can retain AF with a 1.4X TC upto f/8, useful on the 100-400mm L.

Wish I had missed the 7D all together really.
 
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