What do you Love about the 5D3? POLL!

[GDub]

How about adding: "I like everything about the 5D3!"

Having upgraded from a T2i (which I still have, use and like), I can honestly say I LOVE everything about the 5Dm3.

[Fotofanten]

I like that there is nothing in particular that I dislike with the camera. They must have really listened to the feedback from mk II owners. The larger full coverage VF is my one favorite improvement.

[pwp]

1. The New 61-Point AF System: This is my primary reason for picking up a 5D3
2. Dual Card Slots: Nice feature, but prefer dual CF
3. Enhanced Video Features (IE: touch wheel, etc...) These are strong features
4. Ergonomics: Compared to my usual 1-Series bodies, the ergonomics comes a distant second place
5. In-camera RAW Processing: Personally no use for this function, but some seem to value it.
6. I don't like anything about the 5D3: Not True! For a non 1-Series body it's a pleasant surprise.

And I'd add this:

7. Great value for money
8. Switchable viewfinder grid

-PW

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Probably the most useful things are the more consistent autofocus and the reduced noise in the shadows.  It is just a tool, and since my 5D MK II was getting up there in age, I decided that $2750 was ok, particularly since I got a free 2nd battery out of the deal.  That made it the same price as my 5D MK II in 2009.

[V8Beast]

Everything! For my needs, the 5D3 is about as close to perfection as you can get. The world-class AF system, more-than-adequate burst rate, brilliant LCD, idiot-proof menu system, dual card slots, customizable buttons, squeaky clean high ISO performance, ridiculously good battery life, and rock solid build quality make it the best dollar-per-dollar camera on the market, even at $3,500.

The only changes I'd make to it are either dual CF slots, the same CF/SD arrangement with a faster SD slot, or a larger buffer.  With a 90 mb/s CF card, I can fire off 23 RAW images before the buffer fills up, which is more than plenty. However, plugging in the SD card reduces that figure to 10 RAW images before the buffer fills. Recording RAW to the CF and jpeg to the SD slows it down even more. The AF coverage is outstanding, but the greedy photog in me wouldn't mind if the AF points covered an even larger percentage of the frame.

Overall, I'd say that Canon knocked it out of the park with the 5D3, and it's made my shoots much more enjoyable. In contrast, while I loved my 5DC's image quality, I hated using the damn thing.

[sach100]

The damn thing is awesome! I am yet to see/hear a really 'disappointed' 5d3 owner. There are minor quirks (as pointed out by previous posters) but i couldn't ask for a more rounded package within my acceptable price point ; low light, sports, landscape, portraits, etc . Not to mention the added video features - reduced moire, touch wheel and live monitoring of audio are ever so useful.

[RC]

Don't forget about ability to store two AFMA values for zoom lens.  Coming from a 7D, I love the familar ergo and repositioned Q and DOF preview buttons.  Only had mine for a couple of weeks, still explorering. 

[Dylan777]

I'm ready for 5D 4...or 1D X

[ahsanford]

Thanks to the OP -- forums like these so often devolve into competitive fanboy sour grapes on hardware decisions, so it's a pleasure to share what is actually great about our gear.

As an enthusiast (read: not a pro photog!), my experience upgrading from crop to FF with the 5D3 was as good as billed.  So please take my comments with a grain of salt as I am largely in love with my camera.

So, what do I love about my 5D3?  Let me count the ways (in no particular order):

• The AF system is a joy to use.  Having the 1Dx's AF system is, quite simply, a gift.  This single-handedly justifies the price increase of the 5D3 over the 5D2 and 6D.
• The large 100% FF viewfinder is such a treat to use that going back to my crop feels like going back in time, like "So this is how people shot so long ago -- how quaint."  I love all the grid options as well -- very helpful for 'horizon parallelism challenged' shooters like myself.
• The grip is the best I've ever used, hands down.  A big piece of this comes from the thickened hand grip compared to my old crop, but in addition, both the grip shape and materials are spot on.  The thumb rest/grip feature is so thoughtfully designed.
• Low light performance has been as good as billed.  I routinely shoot ISO 6400 with minimal cleanup needed, and I have no hesitation to climb up to 10000 should the situation demand it.
• It often goes overlooked, but moving from crop to a 5D3 is like moving from kit glass to an L series lens.  The build quality is stellar, and so many things we don't think about -- weather-sealing, magnesium body, etc. -- will help this camera survive whatever I put it through.
• The silent shutter mode is fantastic.  I know it was meant for weddings/events, but it's great for shooting  candids, kids, etc.  Also, when I finally grow a pair and commit myself to street shooting, that silent shutter might minimize any ruffled feathers of the subjects in frame.
• I love the SD card option.  Card readers suck, and so many friends and family members have laptops with SD slots built-in.  Sharing JPG shots is a snap.  I don't shoot video, and rarely cover sports, but it's good to know that I can slide to higher speed CF if ever want to.
• The in-viewfinder level is a great feature.  See my grid comments above.

More will hit me later, I'm sure.

In all, it's a stellar camera.  I really cannot find fault with the camera other than some super picky little make-it-perfect-for-me things that are, candidly, too much to expect Canon to give me. 

[cocopop05]

What I love most is not listed in the poll. 

I love how responsive the camera is.  I mean I just think about pressing the shutter release button at the damn thing has taken the photo with good exposure and in focus.

Image quality is simply splendid too.

One thing it does not do well relative to Nikon is obviously DR.  Noise in shadows is poor compared to Nikon.

Overall, great camera.

[Ew]

Low light - high ISO
silent shutter
Programmable DOF button on right as 1shot/servo switch

[V8Beast]

Forgot to mention the C1, C2, and C3 settings. I thought this was a stupid, gimmicky feature, but it really does save a ton of time in the field.

[fotoray]

I love the autofocus system.  I hated the autofocus on my 5D classic and my 7D was only a little better.  Since I was trying to use prime lenses wide open for the shallow DOF it was really frustrating.

+1   Much faster and more decisive autofocus than my 7D.   

Also like the increased dynamic range compared to 7D - results in less contrasty image. 

[Zlatko]

I like that there is nothing in particular that I dislike with the camera. They must have really listened to the feedback from mk II owners. The larger full coverage VF is my one favorite improvement.

I agree, Canon sure did listen.  The numerous refinements in the camera show plenty of evidence of that.  This thread is further evidence.  And it belies the threads on various forums that complain about Canon "not listening" or using "ancient sensors" or building a 5D3 that was only "minor update" over the 5D2.  The 5D3 is clearly designed to be closer to the 1D series in speed and handling, and may be more durable than the 5D2.  The only glitch is the black AF point thing, but it doesn't diminish the overall excellence of the camera.