Canon 1D Mark III in hand
My Canon EOS 1D Mark III is now in hand (see initial thoughts from May 2 entry). Impressions to follow. My first and very subjective impression is that my right biceps will get a lot stronger over time. And that colors are greatly improved over the EOS 5D, though I’ve made no direct comparisons as yet, so that is just an educated guess.
Images seem to have a “presence”, a 3-dimensional feel to them. Somewhat like the Leica M8 (which I don’t own), but without the color hassles.
Noise seems outstanding. See actual-pixels crop below, from this frame:
Canon EOS 1D Mark III, 24-70mm f/2.8L, ISO 6400
This is a 2 second exposure at ISO 6400, actual pixels! Whaddya want at ISO 6400? Unprecedented cleanliness? Sure, there is some speckling, but it is ISO 6400, and it ain’t the awful “fairy dust” problem observed with the Canon EOS 5D with ISOs as low as 400.
Canon EOS 1D Mark III, 135mm f/2L, ISO 6400, actual pixels
I’ll figure this camera out as quickly as possible. This guy needs a Q-tip.
Canon EOS 1D Mark III, 135mm f/2L, ISO 100
Dynamic range seems to be...impressive.
Canon EOS 1D Mark III, 135mm f/2L, ISO 100, 3.2 seconds
Still hesitant on the noise front? At ISO 6400, the image is cleaner than just about any Point and Shit digicam:
Canon EOS 1D Mark III, 135mm f/2L, ISO 6400, actual pixels, no noise reduction