Guys i need some advice....

pragmatist

pragmatist

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2,134
Name
Matty
Edit My Images
Yes
Ok here goes....I am currently using a 1D mk3 but am finding the image quality not outstanding especially with small birds which rely on cropping. I have spoken to a couple of people who are using the 50D and they are really impressed with it. To throw more flour into the cake i am also mulling over the 1Dsmk2 which i used for a week and was very impressed with however i have not used it with the big glass for wildlife and also realise i would lose the crop factor. I cannot afford to wait for the 1D mk4.
Anybody have any thoughts on this :thinking:
 
I'd ask CT for advice.

How do you know that it is the camera that is at fault?
Have you had it calibrated?
What lenses are you using and have you had them checked?

I use a 1Dsmk2 and it's certainly a cracking bit of kit but I would not assume that I could simply attach those big lenses you guys use and get good results straight away.

I'd be checking the focus tripod mounted and making sure all was technically right with what I was using before I even considered spending a bean. And if all is well on the tripod I'd have to look at my own technique.

I'm sure there are plenty of folks here who know a LOT more about me about this genre but as a 1Ds owner that's where I would be.

Hope it helps. :)
 
When you say "small", how small and how far away.

I doubt very much that you need another camera, most likely a technique issue.
 
I have a 1Dmk3 as well and shoot wildlife, including birds regularly. I have never really had any issues with image quality. I do only use L glass though, so can't vouch for the quality of images using this body with any other glass.

What lens are you using? Have you taken the time to set the camera up, as this is not a camera that works straight out of the box? Also what settings are you using and is your camera mounted on a tripod / beanbag?

Personally, before I would consider changing models I would consider my techniques, settings, lens etc.

Perhaps if you post some images with exif details that might help?

Arron
 
Hi Arron, I am using my 600mm F4 and that is mounted on a Gitzo 3531LS and Wimberley mk2 so def no issues with glass or mounting. I know that the big glass takes some getting used to and i'm still practising but when i crop and to be honest most times with small birds you have to then i notice serious issues with image quality. Are there any good websites on setting the 1D mk3 up? I am shooting in RAW and have tried faithful as well as the other modes. It could well be down to technique. I have Elelments 7 as well as Capture 1 but now tend to lean more towards Elements though i think my post processing is ok. I will post some photos tomorrow as i'm back at Lackford :)
 
It will certainly be worth seeing some images, before and after cropping. Do you have any full frame shots,how do they look? It should be easy enough to find a feeding station where the birds are close enough not to need cropping
Have you used the microadjust facility?
The picture styles won't have any effect on a raw file unless you use DPP to convert the file and even then you can alter them at will in the software
 
I can't remember the actual website that has some menu settings detailed on it but I have put a couple of links into this that you might find helpful?

http://http://www.canonusa.com/templatedata/pressrelease/images/whitepaper/EOS-1D_MarkIII_WP_070223.pdf

and

http://http://www.usa.canon.com/uploadedimages/FCK/Image/2007/MARK%20III%20Suggested%20Settings%20121207/EOS1D_1DsMark_IIIoptimizingAFsettings_Final.pdf

Hope you find something useful in them, although I am sure someone will be along shortly with a website with full menu detailing?

Arron
 
First of all have you calibrated the lens to the camera via the micro adjust.
Using a 600mm, I would use it with mirror lock up.
Canon Bob posted a good tip for long lenses, a few days ago. That was to hold the lens with your left had to absorb any vibration that travels down the lens.
These might help, but as I don't own a 600mm I can't speak from experience.
 
Canon published a document "Tailoring the Camera for different situations" about 18 months ago. I've tried looking for it but can't find it easily on the Canon web site. It was published by the US Professional Products Marketing division.

In it it gave recommendations for sharpening values in Photoshop

They recommended The following unsharp mask value in Photoshop

Amount 250%
Radius 0.3
Threshold : between 1 and 4

It's the anti aliasing filter that is fitted to the MKlll cameras that gives the apearence of unsharpness. These values are designed to overcome this problem.

I've used fairly high values in Lightroom with my 1Dslll and had good results.

Try these settings and see if it helps
 
Matty,

Don't be dis-heartened so early on. The 600/4 takes a bit of getting used to and you'd have been very lucky to have mastered it in the two weeks you've had it.

I've got the identical setup to you...big Gitzo, Wimberley II and also have a 50D (two in fact). I pop the 50D on for static stuff and more casual stuff but the 1D3 is certainly better for the moving stuff.

As other's have suggested, perform the micro-adjust, read the links I posted a while back and then practice...right hand on the shutter, left hand exerting a slight pressure along the top of the lens, the Gitzo on firm ground and shutter speed above 1/750th. If you're finding it short then pop a 1.4x on it and you'll barely see the difference in IQ

Another month from now and you'll be wondering what you were worried about.

Bob
 
Two weeks :bang:
It took me longer than that to get used to my 500mm f4, and that was after using a Sigma 500mm f4.5 for a couple of years!
 
I have a 500/4 and 1DsII and love the combination, although I'm sure others don't. IanC_UK is your man though as he has a 1DIII, a 50D and a 600/4 used in anger most weekends.
 
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