Sorry I must missunderstand... are you saying there is a problem with the 1DS MK3 focus?
Because I beg to differ - I shoot with a 1DSMK3 daily and I am hear to tell you its focus is spot on the money.
Be that as it may [and it IS].. I like the Nikon and Canon cameras - each has their pros and cons - and each pro will tell you why they like and dislike both.
As for brand 'S' playing to a different audience - complete BS. Every pro I know is constantly evaluating the market to ensure they are staying ahead of the bell curve. Sony is in the game - investment in lens be dammed. MR is the perfect example.
Its only the fan boyz that feel the inferiority complex and the need to brand bash. And I thought you were better than that.
Regarding brand "S", I don't think they're the competing for the fast-focus low-light market with their present flagship. Before I got the N I tried an S with the Zeiss 85; I didn't feel this is what I wanted to use to snap quick shots with in low light. Personal opinion, not test results.
Now, regarding the 1Ds3, I am happy you have one that works. I did some tests, one of a model with studio flash and focus with modeling lights, one of a static subject, with different cameras supplied by C. In both cases the single-shot focus was less accurate than my Mamiya. Chalk it up to operator incompetence if you will, but as I'm the operator I don't care about other people's results. My 1Ds never had focus issues, the Mamiya is on-focus and the N is equally. I had an unusable 1DII, an initially bad 1Ds2 that was eventually fixed, and simply didn't want an other camera that performs like the 1Ds3s that *I* tested. In the future, I am not purchasing any new C without testing the actual body serial I will purchase.
As regards brand "N", it would seem that the D3 was well received, and (luckily) it seems the focus action of the body design transfers to the necessary accuracy at the tolerances needed for the D3x. I find it encouraging that people are screaming only about pricing issues.
By the way, I purchased my N at a pro shop which allowed me to test it before buying. I also purchased an 85/1.4, and here the first sample offered by the shop was tested soft, in the shop, the second was sharp. The design variation between lens samples was known to the shop, they indicated other customers had similar experiences. However they also said that they had no adjustment returns on the N D-series bodies, and considerable after-sales issues on the C brand. This is pure hearsay, however I would think that this means that Nikon adjustment and QC are doing a careful job on the D3x in the factory, and buyers are being billed for it.
And yes, I will say something more - I'm actually a brand C fanboy, I still prefer both their lenses and camera ergonomics. Thanks for giving me another pretext for stating my personal preferences.
Let's both keep our opinions on the equipment we've seen and tried. It's quite allowable to have differing findings and opinions, and I don't think the worse of anyone who disagrees with me (because I know I'm always right)
Edmund