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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Tannin" data-source="post: 1315184" data-attributes="member: 2018">I agree completely, Rob. It marks a genuine step-change, for the first time since the 20D replaced the 10D. In terms of pure image quality for birders, it out-performs the 1D III - not by much, but it is nevertheless the clear best choice for long-range detail. Obviously, it doesn't have the awesome speed, top-class build quality, true weather-sealing, superb viewfinder, extended range of useful custom functions, or most of all the very fast and accurate autofocus system of the Mark III, but at less than half the price it is a lot more than half the camera. I am very pleased indeed with mine. Will it become my most-used camera? No, at least I don't think so. I bought it as a replacement second camera, for use with the 100-400 while the Mark III stays on the 500/4, and it certainly knocks the spots of the 40D I was using for that task until now. Mine will - perhaps a little unexpectedly - also get some time with the 500/4, however. When I'm distance-limited, it gives noticable extra reach. The big question, as I see it, is will I find the 50D's inferior autofocus (inferior relative to the 1 Series, I mean - it's by no means "inferior" in the broader sense) too much of a handicap, as compared with the 1D III's inferior resolution? (Again, "inferior" in a narrow sense.) I'm not sure about that just yet. I suspect that I'll use the 50D on the big 500 some of the time, but mostly stay with my current arrangement - Mark III & 500, XXD & 100-400. I am sure that I don't have the spare cash lying around to buy a 1D IV the moment Canon bring one out with the Mark III body and the 50D's sensor technology - as they surely will before too long.sigh</blockquote>

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