Why I Want to Try the 1D Mark III Again?

Going to school -- 1D Mark III & EF 135mm f2 @ f2.2, ISO 400. Click for larger.

My original plan, back in 2009, was to buy a 1D III, which was to be my only Canon body for any serious shooting, and a smaller carry everywhere camera (Panasonic G1), plus an IR camera, and I would be set for the next few years.  The 1.3X crop view of the 1D III is close enough to full frame that I was willing to compromise.  Alas, the AF fiasco of the 1D III threw everything off-course, and consequently I went through so many camera bodies in such a short time.

Looking back at the images taken with the 1D III ignites the love side of it in me.  The clarity and noise free (<= ISO 400) images that the T2i, T3i, 7D, 60D, G1, NEX-5 etc, can not match, and it's lighter than the 1D IIn.  So, I am trying this again: 1D III, NEX-5 (and G1), IR 20D and I think I should be good for a couple of years, barring any really good EVIL camera that comes out with compelling features that I must have.  I hope that the 1D III that I am going to get will not give me any problems.  As for full frame, perhaps a used 5D II or a 1Ds II in a couple of years.

Shooting Gymnastics

Untitled -- Canon 1D IIn & EF 135mm f2 @ f2, ISO 1600. Click for larger size.

Yesterday was the last gymnastic class for Megan and her team at Jimmy Simpson.  The coaches and the team had worked very hard, and the team did great overall in the competition few weeks ago.  The Jimmy Simpson team is relatively small compared to other teams, but the team did amazingly well.

The picture above is Megan's team mate, and is one of my favourites from the competition.  There are few more that I like, but all of them show faces of team mates and I don't want to post them without their permission.  It was my first time shooting gymnastics, but I think it's easier than shooting swimming.  Thankfully the gym was relatively well lit and I was able to get very fast shutter speeds to freeze the actions at ISO 1600. The 1D IIn proved its worth with its great auto focus capabilities, and the only lenses I used were the 200mm f1.8L and the 135mm f2L.  Most of the pictures were shot wide open.  I am especially pleased with 135mm f2L.  It's one of the sharpest lenses I have used.  For the 200mm f1.8L, it's expected that it should perform well at f1.8, due to it's high price, but for the 135L, every Canon prime shooter should own one.  It's relatively cheap, very fast and usable at full aperture, and focuses extremely fast and quiet.  It's perfect for indoor sports like gymnastics.

In the air -- 1D IIn & EF 135mm f2 @ f2, ISO 1600. 

Kew Beach

Kew Beach -- Canon 1D Mark IIn & EF 135mm f2L. Larger.

One of the things that makes owning a flagship Canon camera is that you can trust it to give you what you expect, especially with the autofocus.  Whenever I use my 1-series camera, with the exception of the short lived (to me) 1D Mark III, I have complete trust in its autofocus system, and that's a liberating feeling.  I can concentrate of capturing the moment instead of worrying about if the picture will be in focus or not.  And, you know the image quality is the best that Canon can produce in that generation of sensor design.  I have never been disappointed with image quality, when you remember its limitations.  The original 1D and 1Ds weren't great at high ISO, but they were clean and near perfect at base ISO. With each generation of sensor design, they only get better.  Remember, I am talking about the 1-Series, not the 7D or T2i, which I wasn't impressed with at all.

So, I am quite happy with the Mark IIn.  It's a very balanced camera and the most reliable. I am sure this will be with me for a couple of years at least, until I can afford a 1D mark IV.

Canon Rebel 550D T2i -- Auto Focus Update

Yesterday I took along the Canon EF 135mm f2L lens with me to try it on the T2i. The 135L is one of my favourite lenses. Light, sharp, fast focusing, and has beautiful bokeh. It's a bit long to be used indoors, even with full frame, but outdoors, this lens really is versatile.

I shot mostly f2.2 to f2.8, just to give it a tad more depth of field, but the 135L can be used wide open without any issues. It's one of the sharpest lenses Canon has made. The T2i handled it extremely well. I am very surprised that this camera is far more accurate than previous Rebels, and even the 20D & 30D. It can obtain critical focus most of the time. Of course, this was done in broad day light. Have not tried the 135L in low light conditions.

I am very happy with the performance of the camera so far. In fact, this little camera grows on you after a while. The light weight, instant response, HD Video, beautiful LCD, fast focusing, and great image quality at low ISO, all combined into one nice package at a bargain price, compared to my original 300D back in 2003.


Ryan -- T2i & EF 135mm f2.0 L @ f2.2.


Dillon -- T2i & EF 135mm f2.0L @ f2.2. Larger Picture.


Oh my ear! -- T2i & EF 135mm f2.0L @ f4. Larger Picture.

Smile

This picture was taken with the EF 135mm f2 L lens, arguably one of the best lenses ever made in this focal length, and has auto focus to boot. Have not used it very much (that's the problem when you have so many lenses) but every time I do use it, it always delights and rewards me with exceptional image quality.


Smile -- 5D & EF 135mm f2L @ f2.2. Larger Picture.