New 5dmiii user - love the camera so far

[Scotty]

So I've skulked around the site for a long time and I own a 7d.  My dream camera was the 1dx, but ain't gonna happen.  So today, after going back and forth, I finally picked up the iii.  I spent a couple hours calibrating my lenses and as soon as I got done I went out back with my 70-200 4.0 and attempted to get a hummingbird in flight.

Didn't really know what to expect since this isn't really an action camera but I think I did pretty well.  I took about 20 shots as he (she?) surveyed the area to make sure it was safe.  This one was the best.  My 7d couldn't nail focus this well.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotofan63/7910386000/#in/photostream/

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Welcome to CR, and thanks for a nice image on your first post.
I'd recommend slowing down the shutter a little, freezing those humming bird wings is pretty difficult.  A slower shutter speed lets them blur a little and gives the viewer a sense of their movement.
Did you use a flash?  Silent shutter?

[degies]

I am new to the 5D club myself but what a camera!
The big thing for me in moving from the 7D to the 5D is the Low noise improvement and the AF.

I got the lens align system and I can recommend it. I use it at least twice a year and have seen my shots improve. With the 5DIII and with it's AF you really need to make sure your lenses are calibrated.

NOV 2011 - Auto Focus Alignment & DOF Basics (The video's owner prevents external embedding)

[Viggo]

Nice shot ! I would have loved to see just the bird against that green background.

I find case 6 with 8 surrounding points with -1 on the sensitivity works well for these very quick subjects.

[Rienzphotoz]

So I've skulked around the site for a long time and I own a 7d.  My dream camera was the 1dx, but ain't gonna happen.  So today, after going back and forth, I finally picked up the iii.  I spent a couple hours calibrating my lenses and as soon as I got done I went out back with my 70-200 4.0 and attempted to get a hummingbird in flight.

Didn't really know what to expect since this isn't really an action camera but I think I did pretty well.  I took about 20 shots as he (she?) surveyed the area to make sure it was safe.  This one was the best.  My 7d couldn't nail focus this well.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotofan63/7910386000/#in/photostream/

Nice ... Yes the 5D MK III is one magnificent beast, especially at high ISOs ... Congratulations on your purchase and may the magnificent beast serve you well.

[Scotty]

Did you use a flash?  Silent shutter?

No flash.  Natural sunlight that was getting low in the sky.  I haven't messed with the silent shutter yet.

Nice shot ! I would have loved to see just the bird against that green background.

Thanks!  Actually I liked a tighter crop also, but my daughter liked the feeder in the shot also.  Meh, crops are free so...here's the version I liked, and that you asked for.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotofan63/7917014836/#in/photostream/

I hadn't messed with any of the AF options prior to the shot, so this was taken with case 1 with 8 points (and servo).  I just tried to track the bugger as best I could.  I got lucky.

He had just finished a hover to check the area, then he dove for the feeder, coming forward as he did.  The AF on this camera to be able to keep up with what settings I had is just phenomenal.

[bdunbar79]

Scotty,

Great job!  You're going to love the 5D Mark III.  Silent shutter is very easy to use too and very quiet.  If you are shooting a humming bird in the future too, the AF point zone selections are very accurate in AI Servo mode.  Then it's just like a shot gun, you only gotta fire and one of those AF points will hit the humming bird! 

[Rienzphotoz]

Scotty,

Great job!  You're going to love the 5D Mark III.  Silent shutter is very easy to use too and very quiet.  If you are shooting a humming bird in the future too, the AF point zone selections are very accurate in AI Servo mode.  Then it's just like a shot gun, you only gotta fire and one of those AF points will hit the humming bird! 

True ... the silent shutter on 5D MK III is so freaking awesome. When I first heard that feature on YouTube, I thought "what's so great about" - that was because the mic was amplifying the sound, but when first held 5D3 and herd the silent shutter, I was totally in awe ... a fantastic feature to have on camera.

[KKCFamilyman]

I love the image compare feature during playback when you are deciding between settings such as exposure focus etc.

[Fleetie]

I agree; the 5D3 is an awesome camera. Everything about it is a pleasure to use.

I had the 7D before (and still have it, in fact), and that felt like a luxury item (and it is).

But the 5D3 feels like a whole step above that, even.

Amazing! And yes, I have it permanently set on "Silent shutter".

And the fact that ISO 12800 is at least as usable as ISO 1600 on the 7D is also very satisfying. There is some loss of resolution at that level, but the noise is very inoffensive, and IMO, the pictures are indeed still very usable.

I am very pleased I splashed out the £££ on it!

[Dylan777]

So I've skulked around the site for a long time and I own a 7d.  My dream camera was the 1dx, but ain't gonna happen.  So today, after going back and forth, I finally picked up the iii.  I spent a couple hours calibrating my lenses and as soon as I got done I went out back with my 70-200 4.0 and attempted to get a hummingbird in flight.

Didn't really know what to expect since this isn't really an action camera but I think I did pretty well.  I took about 20 shots as he (she?) surveyed the area to make sure it was safe.  This one was the best.  My 7d couldn't nail focus this well.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotofan63/7910386000/#in/photostream/

+1...same dream here. At this moment, I do have budget to upgrade from 5D III to 1D X. I did have a chance to shoot with 1D X  from a friend of mine - this thing is FAST. The only reason pull me back from not buying the camera is the size of 1D X. I have smaller hand and this monster is kinda big. I'm not sure this is a great camera to walk around with even with RS-7.

[sach100]

I agree; the 5D3 is an awesome camera. Everything about it is a pleasure to use.

I had the 7D before (and still have it, in fact), and that felt like a luxury item (and it is).

But the 5D3 feels like a whole step above that, even.

Amazing! And yes, I have it permanently set on "Silent shutter".

And the fact that ISO 12800 is at least as usable as ISO 1600 on the 7D is also very satisfying. There is some loss of resolution at that level, but the noise is very inoffensive, and IMO, the pictures are indeed still very usable.

I am very pleased I splashed out the £££ on it!

+1 This has been my impression too coming from 7d.
I would also add that other than IQ and other image related stuff 5d3 feels awesome in my hands. In addition, if you care about video iso 10000 is a walk in the park and iso 12800 is pretty useful - both with some noise reduction if needed ( I would expect 1dx to be better).

[Ew]

Scotty,

Great job!  You're going to love the 5D Mark III.  Silent shutter is very easy to use too and very quiet.  If you are shooting a humming bird in the future too, the AF point zone selections are very accurate in AI Servo mode.  Then it's just like a shot gun, you only gotta fire and one of those AF points will hit the humming bird! 

True ... the silent shutter on 5D MK III is so freaking awesome. When I first heard that feature on YouTube, I thought "what's so great about" - that was because the mic was amplifying the sound, but when first held 5D3 and herd the silent shutter, I was totally in awe ... a fantastic feature to have on camera.

The silent shutter really is amazing.

After a about a month without feeling the need for it, I was at my daughter's first day of school for 1st graders event - and once we got into the classroom I noticed how loud the 5D3 was. Switching to silent mode was like going silent in a submarine. The p&s parents were making more noise with their digital beeps and clicks.

Truly amazing to go through this first hand "in the environment."

[Fleetie]

The silent shutter really is amazing.

"My name is Bond, and Q has fitted a silencer to my camera.

I shall be shooting you: 'Taken, but not disturbed'!

Pass me that new CF card, Moneypenny   x "