First ImpressionsNow in its third generation, (fifth if you include the "s" models) Canon's flagship 1 Series cameras need little introduction to professional and advanced amateur photographers. The newCanon 1D MKIIImight easily be seen as a refresh to the model line, but this is not so. Though it looks much like any of the previous models it is in fact an almost complete rethink on the part of Canon of what a pro-level digital camera should be like.

Announced at the PMA show in early March, 2007, the MKIII was to become available in late April or early May. Instead it now looks as if delivery will start in June. In late April I received a MKIII for testing that was described as pre-production, though close to final. It came with a manual and looked "almost there".

So, with the caveats stated that this is neither a formal camera review, not a final production camera, here we go.

________________________________________________________

Note:This is ...