I am finding only two decent benefits to the 5d3: The shutter has a quiet mode and the autofocus is generally more accurate with outer points as long as the light allows them to actually lock onto something. I suppose it may also lock center point in one-shot mode on slightly darker subjects than the 5d2, but this is debatable...
The focus system is NOT magically a lot better than the 5d2. It's better of course, with outer cross-type points, but it isn't worlds better. I remember reading some people calling it a "mature product" and I guess that could be said for it...mostly because it hasn't improved all that much on the last iteration.
Incidentally, this is coming from a wedding photographer. I've used it for two weddings now and it has been used for fairly high demand situations, e.g. nighttime reception outdoors with very little available light (had to use flash focus assist to lock onto anything), moving subjects, static subjects, daylight tracking and locking...
Well, I'll be following the response to this one with interest. I may even pop popcorn
I currently have all three 5Ds and think their IQ is just great. I just got back from a months trip with the 5D3 and am beginning to work through the results in LR. Initial impressions are that I'll agree the general IQ is similar, excellent. I took a number of shots of dark interiors at ISO 3200 and the results are quite useable. I usually limited myself to ISO 1600 with the 2, but I can't quantify differences. I will say that the AF seemed better in those dark conditions. Too early to tell if the center point AF is more accurate but the outer points are definitely better as is the configurability. From 1 to 2 to 3 I see an incremental progression of excellent photographic tools.
form wrote:
I am finding only two decent benefits to the 5d3: The shutter has a quiet mode and the autofocus is generally more accurate with outer points as long as the light allows them to actually lock onto something. I suppose it may also lock center point in one-shot mode on slightly darker subjects than the 5d2, but this is debatable...
The focus system is NOT magically a lot better than the 5d2. I don't know what kind of stupid drug Canon sent a bunch of reputable photogs along with their 5d3 purchase...it's better of course, with outer cross-type points, but it isn't worlds better. I remember reading some people calling it a "mature product" and I guess that could be said for it...mostly because it hasn't improved all that much on the last iteration.
Incidentally, this is coming from a wedding photographer. I've used it for two weddings now and it has been used for fairly high demand situations, e.g. nighttime reception outdoors with very little available light (had to use flash focus assist to lock onto anything), moving subjects, static subjects, daylight tracking and locking......Show more →
Let's do the stats:
Yays - a few million
Nays - 1
The yays carry the vote - the 5D III is declared goodly.
HUH? WHAT? REALLY? YOU'RE KIDDING RIGHT?
Oh well, just proves some folks are harder to convince than others. Dang, I missed out on the drugs, I loved the 5d3 so much more than the 5d2 as it is, if I had got the drugs, no telling how wild I would have been.
form wrote:
I am finding only two decent benefits to the 5d3: The shutter has a quiet mode and the autofocus is generally more accurate with outer points as long as the light allows them to actually lock onto something. I suppose it may also lock center point in one-shot mode on slightly darker subjects than the 5d2, but this is debatable...
The focus system is NOT magically a lot better than the 5d2. I don't know what kind of stupid drug Canon sent a bunch of reputable photogs along with their 5d3 purchase...it's better of course, with outer cross-type points, but it isn't worlds better. I remember reading some people calling it a "mature product" and I guess that could be said for it...mostly because it hasn't improved all that much on the last iteration.
Incidentally, this is coming from a wedding photographer. I've used it for two weddings now and it has been used for fairly high demand situations, e.g. nighttime reception outdoors with very little available light (had to use flash focus assist to lock onto anything), moving subjects, static subjects, daylight tracking and locking......Show more →
The perceived magnitude of any given improvement in a new product reaches its peak in the week before it is available, sustains for some months or years after that, and then declines as reality sets in and the things is largely just...
... another fine lens, camera, etc. It is probably better than the old thing in virtually all cases, but most often is not quite the life-changing event that we might imagine it will be.
Again, as almost always, gear seduction seems to create some very strange thought patterns. These include over-estimating the magnitude of the improvement, and sometimes disappointment that your unreasonable expectations were not met.
(For those who may reply, please note that I think the 5D3 is a very fine camera and that it is better than the 5D2 that came before. It is the magnitude of the difference and how it is perceived that I'm writing about.)
It must be very difficult to stick your foot in your mouth with every single thing you say. You have never found a camera that was good nor a day where your skills were up to doing an adequate job, your own words. Thousands of reviews by amateur and professionals alike have found the difference between the 5D2 and 5D3 simply a day and night difference and particularly in the autofocus area. Do us all a favor and just go away.
Just because something costs much, much more...doesn't make it much better. I know this, and responses like I get for similar posts remind me of that often-occurring pattern of people thinking things are good just because they cost a lot. It's sticker-pride, something especially common among Mac computer users...
It's been told to me time and time again by capitalist-viewed photographers in my own industry: Charge more because clients perceive greater worth when the price is higher. It's about perception trumping reality and setting a higher price being an approach in itself to profitability. Therefore, I hope that those same photographers - who obviously know a lot about the market - don't say that this can't possibly be the case when it comes to buying cameras.
gdanmitchell wrote:
The perceived magnitude of any given improvement in a new product reaches its peak in the week before it is available, sustains for some months or years after that, and then declines as reality sets in and the things is largely just...
... another fine lens, camera, etc. It is probably better than the old thing in virtually all cases, but most often is not quite the life-changing event that we might imagine it will be.
Again, as almost always, gear seduction seems to create some very strange thought patterns. These include over-estimating the magnitude of the improvement, and sometimes disappointment that your unreasonable expectations were not met.
(For those who may reply, please note that I think the 5D3 is a very fine camera and that it is better than the 5D2 that came before. It is the magnitude of the difference and how it is perceived that I'm writing about.)
form, which lens are you using it with ? I noticed a huge improvement with the following lenses
1) 300 f2.8 IS V1 + 2xIII
2) Sigma 50 1.4
With others, tracking with 85 1.8 & 135 f2 improved substantially with the III vs II in super low light situation (dancers in a nightclub). Also, the AI Servo as you may know is customizable, you may want to look into that as well as perform AF micro adjustments. Good luck, hope your new purchase works out for you.
gdanmitchell wrote:
(For those who may reply, please note that I think the 5D3 is a very fine camera and that it is better than the 5D2 that came before. It is the magnitude of the difference and how it is perceived that I'm writing about.)
Dan
I get your gist Dan but if you haven't used the camera first-hand it's hard to give much credence to such generalizations.
form wrote:
Just because something costs much, much more...doesn't make it much better. I know this, and responses like I get for similar posts remind me of that often-occurring pattern of people thinking things are good just because they cost a lot. It's sticker-pride, something especially common among Mac computer users...
It's been told to me time and time again by capitalist-viewed photographers in my own industry: Charge more because clients perceive greater worth when the price is higher. It's about perception trumping reality and setting a higher price being an approach in itself to profitability. Therefore, I hope that those same photographers - who obviously know a lot about the market - don't say that this can't possibly be the case when it comes to buying cameras....Show more →
Somethings value is what someone is willing to pay... Simple concept...
form wrote:
I am finding only two decent benefits to the 5d3: The shutter has a quiet mode and the autofocus is generally more accurate with outer points as long as the light allows them to actually lock onto something. I suppose it may also lock center point in one-shot mode on slightly darker subjects than the 5d2, but this is debatable...
The focus system is NOT magically a lot better than the 5d2. I don't know what kind of stupid drug Canon sent a bunch of reputable photogs along with their 5d3 purchase...it's better of course, with outer cross-type points, but it isn't worlds better. I remember reading some people calling it a "mature product" and I guess that could be said for it...mostly because it hasn't improved all that much on the last iteration.
Incidentally, this is coming from a wedding photographer. I've used it for two weddings now and it has been used for fairly high demand situations, e.g. nighttime reception outdoors with very little available light (had to use flash focus assist to lock onto anything), moving subjects, static subjects, daylight tracking and locking......Show more →
I could not disagree more. You couldn't pay me three times what I gave for my 5dIII to go back to the II version for even a year and that is after a full year of shooting the 5DIII and having shot with the 5DII for over 3 years. It is like night and day. You must have had the best 5DII ever., or gotten a very defective 5DIII.
5DMK3 is what 5DMK2 was supposed to be. Maybe not worlds difference, but seems pretty usable to me. If you need that AF. Otherwise, nope nothing that important.
Unless you like to shoot video, cause frankly even as Im photographer, ability to shoot RAW video sparkled interest in me.
What I dont like that much is colors. But thats about all, there really isnt anything to not like on that camera. Honestly if I dont mind my colorfreaky me, I dont know what should be improved?
Sure DR could be better, SNR can always be better and yea it could have more mpix. But its Canon so it was pretty obvious it wont happen. Its still solid upgrade, maybe just tad bit overpriced.
Archive 2013 · 5d3...not much better than 5d2.
