Eos 1D MkIII

I've just bought a pristine, though used, 1D3 about two weeks ago, which replaces my 1D2n that I used for over a year prior. What can I say? WOW! The body feels like a 1D and for those of you that never held one and are really into your bird photography, ONLY hold one if you can afford it. Though the second hand market is now flooded with very good quality bodies and they are as good as the day they were released. I love having people around who always have to have the latest and greatest, which means that predecessors of the current 1D line-up are becoming cheaper and cheaper. The fact they are "outdated" because of improved technology does NOT mean they are garbage. If I recall a few years ago everyone had 1D3 bodies and were making great photos with them. Nothing changed today. You can put the best technology in the wrong hands and get zilch. Yes, that is how the cookie crumbles. I will never pay the ridiculous prices to buy a new 1D series body.

Rant aside, it's fantastic. AF works perfect (the serial number is outside the range that had possible sub-mirror problems). It makes clean, contrasty and beautiful images, which need very minimal post processing, which is what I LOVE!

The 10fps is handy for fast action, but it's annoying as the shutter button is quite sensitive so even if I want to take a single shot while in high-speed mode, I can accidentally fire off two or three. I think in a few more sessions that will be sorted out as I develop a better feel for the shutter release.

ISO1600 is excellent and clean if I expose properly (shoot to the right) and even ISO3200 is relatively OK for me, though more experimentation is needed at the high-range ISOs.

You can really grab a bargain of a camera now that there are 1D4 and 1Dx out there that every one seems to be snapping up.

Again, like I said, having the latest of anything does not make for a better photographer.

first body was excellent and AF spot on, but the camera stolen. The two other body I have try, suffer from a bad AF or lack of at the long end and with long telephoto. One of the body was just terrific with smaller lens. Too bad! i step back to the 1D2n/1Ds2.
edit: I have now found a new sample. mitiged feeling about the AF of this one. Great in good light, but when the subject are in the shadow, the AF don't grab like I want, but spot on in low light. nothing to understand!

I own the Mark I, MarkII and Mark III and this by far is canon's best yet!

This is a great Camera (Now). I was an early adopter June 07 and did not get the Camera I paid for until my third copy December 07.
Thanks to my Pro Dealer for exchanging the faulty units rather than having to suffer repairs.

I waited until early Feb '08 to buy this camera, due to the highly-publicized problems with the autofocus system. I've been using my Mark III heavily every weekend since then to photograph small birds in moderate temperatures (60F) and in both sun and shade, and haven't had any autofocus problems whatsoever. The image quality is outstanding -- far better than my old 30D or 40D. There are certainly defective cameras out there -- I've only met two people in the field with Mark III's, and both had problems (one had an autofocus issue and the other had an Err99), though both report that the problems were resolved after sending the body in to Canon for repair. I recommend buying from a reputable dealer with a long return period and then thoroughly testing the camera within the (usually 14-day) return period.

I've posted a lengthy review (with sample photos) of this model on my personal web site: http://tinyurl.com/yupr5f

Alternative URL for the review is here: http://www.billmajoros.com/photoalbum/categories/new/Mark3/gamma.html

I'll be keeping the review up-to-date, in case any problems arise.

Wait for a few weeks before buying this - they're recalling and repairing at present
It'll be great (using AI) when they've finished testing it!

Well i have had my mk3 for 3 weeks, at first using it on genral type shots i was very pleased 1 shot was great and never missed and a few trys with A1Servo gave some stunning shots too .
Then i took it to and airfield to catch some jets landing ,it was a clear blue sky and the sun just right for were i was takeing the shots ( behind me )
Many of the shots using A1 SERVO just were not sharp at all even though the jet was very large in the frame when i first started to aquire focus.
i tried single point and all points but that made little or no diffrence.
my shutter speed was 1/4000 sec lens was a 500f4isL .
I took a cd of the shots to the camera shop and he agreed the camera should have got the shots with ease.
the camera and CD are on there way to canon for them to look at.
as this camera is supose to have the best AF system going and thats the main reson for getting it i rate it as poor .
Rob.