Canon 1Ds Mark IV?

No, no and no, and neither does anyone else! Some things are likely, such as a higher pixel count and a video mode, but when is anyone's guess. "Way back in August 2007" is only 18 months ago. You must be thinking in digital years (similar to dog years I guess). I wouldn't hold my breath for the Mk IV, though I wouldn't be amazed to see something within a year or so.

Well we could start the thing right now...
Canon used to renew the last 2 versions every 2 years, introduced at the Photokina in Cologne with a delivery at the end of the year.
Kids, it's that season again, new things have happened in the meantime, more Mpix, higher sensitivity, less noise in the shadows, video (ahh, that's about it, right).
So i would like to see finally 16bit capture and a crop-able sensor (like the D3x, to 4x5) and for good messure a couple of extra pixels, like 28 ?
BUT here's the reality, economic times are hard, i'm sure even Canon is selling less, so why sweat it and delay the camera a bit, maybe PMA in spring or even a full year. That saves money in the R&D department and all along the distribution channel. So unless they are loosing out to Nikon in a big way i expect a break of the pattern and a delayed introduction.
But then there's Winter Olympics and that's always a great event to get your newest baby into the hands of the sport guys, so how about a new 1D Mark IV at 16MP+HD video for the Winter collection 09...
Isn't that already on a delayed schedule.

What is your 1Ds Mk II lacking? More megapixel? If that is so, i would seriously encourage you to look into medium format. Even if they bump the resolution to around 30MP. it would not provide for a significant improvement in print size, apart from the fact that you need stupidly good glass and meticulous technique to get the best out of 30 megapixel...
I don't mean to undermine your question, but consider what you are lacking with your current camera. If it's just the need to get something new...

My guess is that they'll use all the experience they build with the 5D Mark II to bring out a fully mature DSLR with video.

That means that they will be tinkering with the AF until it's perfect before coming out with a 1Ds M IV. And that might be hard or simple, I'm not sure.

But that's just my guess.

Maybe they're just busy with ISO 51200 and when they get it they'll rush out the camera...

All speculation.

"Way back in August 2007" is only 18 months ago. You must be thinking in digital years (similar to dog years I guess). I wouldn't hold my breath for the Mk IV, though I wouldn't be amazed to see something within a year or so. --Bob Atkins

You might be right about the digital years, Bob, but consider Nikon's D3-D700-D3X tour de force entry into full-frame digital imaging in a relatively short span, regardless of what kind of years we are using.

Given that kind of challenge, along with Sony's rush to get ahead in the megapixel race with the A900, Canon could be seen by some as running third in the DSLR race, in spite of the successes (and obvious strengths and versatility) of the 5D II.

Canon was so dominant with FF (and low light) DSLRs for so long that I cannot believe that it views these developments with anything like complacency. I confess that I don't see it happening by August of this year, but I would not be totally dumbfounded if it occurred that soon, either.

The more interesting question for me than when the next model might come out is what it might look like: specs. Depending on just how ambitious Canon gets, the timeline could be affected.

I for one do not see a big rush to put video into the "One" series cameras, although it could happen. It would not interest me.

--Lannie

What is your 1Ds Mk II lacking? More megapixels? If that is so, i would seriously encourage you to look into medium format. --Sam Oskner

I have medium format, but scanning is a royal pain, and I do not do wet processing.

--Lannie

In a year.....

Why would you like to have more megapixels when there is no glass available that would resolve high enough?

Anybody who knows what Canon or any other companies plans are works for the company or is under a non disclosure agreement and can't talk. There are entire web sites just about camera rumors. Just type in your brand name then rumors.com after it. Anything you read there and $1 can buy you a pack of gum.