October 7, 2013

Mine was bought used from Hunts Camera on Sunday 10-6-2013. (They are in Melrose, Massachusetts). It shipped UPS ground on 10-7-2013.

Here is the description: 

CANON EOS-1DS MARK III EXCELLENT CONDITION..3900 SHUTTER COUNT

VERY NICE CONDITION
VERY LIGHT WEAR
ALL MODES TESTED AND WORKING
INCLUDES 2 BATTERIES, CHARGER, MANUAL, SOFTWARE AND CABLES

Returns are: 30 days money back, buyer pays return shipping

1Z0326670356449908
It arrived with 1.0.6 firmware, which I almost immediately upgraded to the latest (as of 10-2013) 1.2.3 firmware. This is very easy to do. You download and unzip the firmware file (I selected the "for windows" file, but then unzipped it on linux). Inside are PDF instructions and a file with a ".FIR" extension. You format a flash card on the camera, then copy the FIR file onto the card. Then put the card in the camera, select the firmware option on the menu and follow your nose from there. Be sure you have a fully charged battery - it takes about 3 minutes to install the firmware on the camera, and this must not be interrupted.

The 1Ds III versus a 5D body

At the time of the purchase, a new 5D Mark III from B and H was selling for $3400. It has a 61 point autofocus system, and will do video (which I don't care about). So I think the 1Ds Mark III for less money is a far better deal. The claim is that the 5D Mark III sensor is just barely a little better than the sensor in the 5D Mark II (which is supposed to be the same as in the 1Ds Mark III).

This decision is debated back and forth online (the 5D Mark III versus the 1Ds Mark III). The comments made include:

In short, they are both fine cameras and in many ways closely comparable. The 1D has the professional build, the 5D has better high ISO noise. Given that the 1Ds-III has a superb autofocus system, it is hard to believe the 5D-III is better, but apparently it is. Image quality at lower ISO is almost identical.

Some people believe that the 1Ds-III gives better images and better colors at lower ISO. They claim that the CFA (color filter array) and AA (anti-aliasing filter) are superior in the 1D bodies.

Other people find the build and ergonomics of the 1D cameras indispensable. The shutter button on the 1D has a whole different feel for example. Yet other people hate the size and weight of the 1D bodies.

My take on it is that buying a lightly used 1D body is absolutely the right thing for me to do. Getting the heavy duty build for less money than the 5D Mark III is a huge win. My only sacrifice is having a slightly less effective autofocus and poorer high ISO performance. I have my 5D Mark II when I need a lighter and more portable body with essentially identical image quality. Also consider that this was the absolute top camera Canon offered (and selling for $8000 new) up until mid 2012 when the 1Dx was introduced.

I will also note that in February, 2011 I purchased my 5D Mark II for only a few dollars less than I am now buying a used 1Ds Mark III for.

Feedback? Questions? Drop me a line!

Tom's Digital Photography Info / tom@mmto.org