Canon's flagship EOS-1D Mark III is the most advanced EOS Digital SLR ever produced. It has a new 10.1 megapixel CMOS sensor (APS-H size) with Canon's EOS Integrated Cleaning System and a 3.0-inch LCD monitor with Canon's Live View technology. The 1D Mark III has a redesigned 100% viewfinder, a new 45-point AF system, and can shoot up to 10 fps continuously with a maximum burst of 110 shots. Dual DIGIC III Image Processors work in tandem to speed up every process while refining image quality; a new, lighter body has improved weather sealing and shutter durability. Every facet of the EOS experience has been enhanced with the 1D Mark III. It's the new standard. *As of February 2007. * Entirely new 10.1 Megapixel Canon CMOS Sensor (APS-H size, 1.3x lens conversion factor), featuring the EOS Integrated Cleaning System Entirely new 10.1 Megapixel Canon CMOS Sensor (APS-H size, 1.3x lens conversion factor), featuring the EOS Integrated Cleaning System * World's fastest digital SLR: shooting up to 10 fps (frames per second), with a burst rate up to 110 full-resolution JPEG images or 30 RAW images World's fastest digital SLR: shooting up to 10 fps (frames per second), with a burst rate up to 110 full-resolution JPEG images or 30 RAW images * All new high-precision AF system with 19 user-selectable AF points and 26 additional All new high-precision AF system with 19 user-selectable AF points and 26 additional "assist points"; superior low-light performance and faster operation * New lighter body with enhanced weather resistance and outstanding reliability: featuring a shutter that's durability-tested to 300,000 exposures New lighter body with enhanced weather resistance and outstanding reliability: featuring a shutter that's durability-tested to 300,000 exposures * Dual DIGIC III Image Processors working in parallel to provide up to 50% less shadow noise and superb image quality; new Highlight Tone Priority option adds control of bright highlights Dual DIGIC III Image Processors working in parallel to provide up to 50% less shadow noise and superb image quality; new Highlight Tone Priority option adds control of bright highlights * Large 3.0-inch LCD monitor, featuring Live View Large 3.0-inch LCD monitor, featuring Live View * Fully compatible with over 50 EF lenses and a wide range of EOS System accessories Fully compatible with over 50 EF lenses and a wide range of EOS System accessories Speedlite 580EX II Flash The popular Speedlite 580EX Flash is being replaced by the new Speedlite 580EX II Flash, which features a host of improvements, including a metal hot shoe with an improved locking mechanism for added durability, an external metering sensor for non-TTL automatic flash exposure control and a PC socket for use with non-dedicated slave triggers. Fully compatible with all EOS SLRs, the new Speedlite 580EX II is gasketed for dust and moisture resistance, making it possible for users of EOS-1 class digital SLRs and many L-series EF lenses to use flash safely when shooting in dusty or wet environments EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Lens A new EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Lens succeeds the versatile EF16-35mm f/2.8L USM Lens as a high-performance L-series wide-angle zoom lens, specifically designed for improved peripheral image quality. Compatible with all EOS SLRs past and present, it uses three high-precision aspherical lens elements and two Ultra Low Dispersion (UD) lens elements to minimize lateral chromatic aberration and to produce superb image quality with excellent resolution and contrast. New coatings minimize ghosting and flare. It is an internal focus design, so the front element does not rotate during focusing and zooming, a convenience for users of circular polarizer filters. The lens is also fully gasketed and sealed for dust and moisture resistance, and it features an electronic diaphragm with circular blades for natural-looking background blur effects.
For badminton photography, the key thing of interest is the better higher ISO performance. 10fps is also nice but not essential.
Hi guys I've just tried (not shooting sport yet) the new Mark III in the Canon launch in Paris, and I can tell you that this new camera will be the dream of photographer, not only for the 10 fps, the better ISO performance (they say there is no grain at 3200 ISO) and the better focus which you can atually work on directly on the body itself. I should try it soon for real and on site, and I'll tell you more about it. Can't wait= ;-) They sell it 4500 euros oly for the body though. Launched in may in France and Europe I suppose.
This camera weighs in a weighty 3.54lbs and the new lens another 1.4lbs. If you add in the camera straps and bag you will be carrying around close to 6 to 7lbs. This sort of heavy gear is not a good friend of decisive moment photo shots. Even the medium format Hassabled with lens doesn't weigh as much. Also the 10fps doesn't tell how fast the camera is. A good slr should have a lag time of no more than 25ms, and if digital shooting on motor drive mode does not have the same mechanical restriction of film, this camera should be able to have a lag time of no more than 25ms, which theoritically will allow up to 40fps on motor drive.
Have you tried to shoot badminton? I am eager to know its' performance compared to MarkIIn. According to an article "A first look at the Canon EOS-1D Mark III" Sunday, April 22, 2007 | by Rob Galbraith http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/multi_page.asp?cid=7-8738-89081DMKIII seems to be better than 1DMkIIn in many aspects, except it is 1.3X conversion and the AF function doesn't work right in the preproduction body. The webpage include downloadable pictures taken at ISO 3200, 6400. Noise reduction performed very well. My friend has reserved one with price HK$30,000. It will be shipped to HK next week. Looking forward to your comments esp. on speed of focusing & badminton photography.
Have you got one then Ants??? Canon seem to have put some thought into this model, even with things like: "Silent is a new mode that is quite effective in reducing shutter noise. It does this by separating the shutter actuation and mirror rise from mirror return and recocking. The mirror will stay up as long as you hold down the shutter release. This means that you can take a shot, turn away, and then let the mirror return when out of earshot." What i want to know is, why does a digital camera need a shutter?
All cameras are light boxes, meaning they need a measured quantity of light to suit different situations. The lens aperture controls the quantity of light through the size of its 'window'; the shutter controls the quantity of light through its duration. A faster shuttle speed means less light than a slower shutter speed, and at the same time helps any tendency to camera shake. Without a shuttle you will have endless light, and absolutely no photo!