From what your describing, it sounds like what my 50mm f/1.4 does when it can't find something with enough contrast to autofocus. Is the autofocus going back and forth hunting for something to lock in on?

I believe that Canon has said they will consider high MP bodies if the market wants them. They decided a couple of years ago to concentrate more on quality, and less on quantity. However, many merely look at the MP count and assume thats better.

I think that putting aside the high mp count, the D800 has some very attractive features which many photographers value. If it had better high ISO performance, I'd be tempted. however, my 5D MK III is on order because, for me, its the best compromise of all the factors.

Mt Spokane Photography said:

Chuck Westfall has already stated that the high ISO improvements are two stops in the sensor and not in the firmware NR. In the 1D MK IV, for example, he gave credit to about 1/2 stop over the 1D MK III for beinng sensor improvements. And, the 1Dx is supposed to be even better!

I downloaded all the full resolution test images from DPR, and was simply amazed. When I pulled up the blacks as far as LR4 would go, there was no banding. Then, I printed them at 8.5 X 11, and was even more amazed, all the prints were clean and sharp with noise seen only when looking very closely.

Now, I'd like to see RAW images.

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Sounds good that the sometimes mentioned banding in the shadows the 5D MkII isn't hopefully there for the MkIII.
Probably makes 1DX preorder folk even happier - as they haven't seen full high ISO pics yet afaik - so they can in a sense just judge the 5D MkIII and expect a bit more than that!

I'm not making any judgements about the video until I see not-further-compressed samples (That I can download and drop into DaVinci Ressolve lite to see how it grades).

But

It could just be my next camera, upgrading from a 5D original and a 550D.

Although no uncompressed HDMI is a bit of a downer losing the ghastly moire and aliasing that bedevils a lot of my shots, which I've even seen on the weave of a solid-colour blouse that one of my actresses was wearing.

I think the C-DSLR will be way north of the 1Dx and hence too far out of my budget to be considered, even with 4K cine.

So yes, on balance I'm happy

We have been using Canon to shoot our videos for 2 years now. Mostly the 5DMKII along with some T3i and 7D. We've been very pleased with the results.

I have to say I'm very excited to have 60fps in a full frame body, along with better performance in low light.

Love the addition of audio monitoring and a headphone jack.

Can't wait for the MKIII to arrive in the next few weeks! I do feel the sweet spot for pricing would have been $3000, but I'm willing to pay the $500 early adoption fee

If you want to check out the stuff we shoot with these cameras, you can go here. Thanks!
http://www.youtube.com/user/devinsupertramp

HDDSLR's have video, but None of the Canon models have continuous AF during video, and are pretty useless for taking videos of the kids running around, or soccer games, etc.

You are better off with a point and shoot that does video, the G1 X, or a Sony or Nikon V1, J1 for example. There are more very good ones, I just can't name them all off the top of my head.

FyreStorm said:

I just pre-ordered my 5D4 from B&H. ;D

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HEHHE!!.. really funny

Boy! The DOF in that portrait shot is razor thin! The leading eye is pretty sharp, but the trailing eye is really soft! I guess that's what you get with a 300mm shot at f/3.5!

animearth said:

It's amazing how Nikon seems to put so little effort into promoting their product. Canon, on the other hand, seems to have this whole promo thing down pretty pat with excellent shorts (both story and cinematic) and breakdowns of their videos.

What's up with that Nikon?? Take a page from the Canon playbook and show us what the D800 can do! I'm a Canon shooter and even I'm worrying for you!

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But the videos of Canon are not FullHD, not even 720p...so they cannot be videos to compare or to see real noise and other things of video. If Canon gives FullHD videos then it will make a better promotion.
In this youtube channel you will find some really good videos for low light high ISO situations (3200, 6400) comparing D800, D4, 1DX and they are all real videos not fake.
http://www.youtube.com/user/FenchelJanisch2/videos

If it were *only* for video then 2(1930x1080) would be more sensible, but the resolution would have *all* the photographers (Rightly) up in arms in protest, so the fact that the resolution is where it is, shows that Canon have tried to find the best balance of resolution for both camps.

Thank you so much for your replies.
I will not sell my 7D.

get the other stuff first. please keep in mind that your upcoming lenses need to be FF.

I've seen great footage coming from the 500/550's. (rebel-series) it's not the tool, it's what you do with it.

Mt Spokane Photography said:

When you consider the risk and overall cost over a 4 or 5 year period, the Canon batteries will cost less than 6 or 8 sets of junk ones.

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Yes, I guess the problem is to figure out which are the junk ones. I have used third-party batteries for years without problems, and the ones I have even hold charge better than the Canon originals. But, I cannot recommend them because I don't know what brand they are :-\ Unfortunately there are no reputable off-brand battery brands (that I know of).

Harry Muff said:

Jessops in the U.K. are saying 22nd March.

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1st Cameras are saying around 22nd March, Jacobs are saying end of March.

Will try an get an idea of how many have now preorder when I go to Focus On Sunday and what number each seller is thinking of getting as a first wave in March.

As a question to those who ordered 5DMkII when it went on sale - how limited was stock?

Even if I could afford the 5diii now I wouldn't buy one yet.

In what, 6-8 months it will be rebated down to $3k.... No? I'm just guessing but, isn't that a reasonable expectation?

We just got a 5dii in Nov so I can "put up" with it for at least a year! :-*

tntwit said:

Panasonic makes a 7-14mm which translates to a 14-28mm equivalent. I believe the widest for and APS-C Canon is 10mm which translates to 16mm. I'm not sure on the full frame bodies. The lens is not cheap (although that's relative), running around $900, but it's certainly competitive in terms of how wide it is.

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Sigma makes an 8-16mm lens for APS-C, and a 12-24mm lens for FF. Both lenses are available for Canon cameras.

The D3100 is Nikon's entry level camera - it's probably equivalent to the 1100D on Canon's side; and since you're using the kit lens 18-55 f/3.5-5.6 VR, you have a disadvantage in terms of lighting compared to those using brighter lenses (my guess is that ur probably shooting at the 55mm end, which restricts light even further).

If you want sharper pictures or to achieve the bokeh (blurring out everything except the main subject), you'd need better lenses. Like what other suggests, 50 f/1.8 or 1.4 is always a good place to start given the cost-performance - though it's going to be less convenient than zooms. Of course, if you got cash to spend, you can go all the way to the 70-200 f/2.8 VRII or other recommended portrait primes.

As for the question of whether it's the right camera... well, the D3100 can do the job, but if you have the cash, you can always find better options.

If you really want to find gears to add w/o spending too much, go with the 50 f/1.8 and a powerful flash like a used-SB900 (if you have more cash, feel free to go for better gears).

edy4eva said:

Just noticed this in the 5DIII's promo video!
EF 24-70mm F2.8 IS II USM, could it be a typo?

There's also an IS on the 16-35mm!

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It is most definitely a typo as there is no 24 - 70 f2.8 IS version 1. Not to mention 16 - 35 IS version 1. You need a version 1 before you can have a version 2.

If canon did in fact experiemnt with making a prototype 24 - 70 f2.8 IS as is suspected, and chose not to release it because of image quality compromizes, size and weight, I wonder if they ever will release such a lens for those who would gladly take slightly reduced IQ and greater weight for the IS. I suppose with the ISO capability of the 5D3, Canon figures you'll never need IS (for stills at least) because you can practically shoot in the dark with ISO 51200.

Tuggem said:

sawsedge said:

Tuggem said:

Since we are only talking about image level the photon noise has nothing to do with pixel size. This is also why sonys 16MP and 24MP sensors have the same performance.
I think one possibillity to actually crank some more noise improvement of the Bayer sensor is to significantly increase the number of pixels. I expect that a 200MP, if it was possible to manucature, would outperform 1DX in low noise at high ISO in final image. This is because NR algorithms are more efficient than pure averaging. The same sensor noise but a huge improvement in the possibility to perform NR.

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Using my own eyes and looking at NEX-7 RAW files, the Sony 24 mpix sensor looks noisier than my 50D at 1600. I haven't a clue how DXO measures anything, but I seem to disagree with their measurements. At 100, that sensor is beautiful, but it gets too noisy rather quickly IMHO.

So I hope Canon sticks with 18 mpix, and improves DR and noise as they have done with the 1D X and 5D3.

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Noone else that has made serious test on NEX-7 seems to have disagreed with DXOMARK. Therefor its obvious you are doing something wrong. I would guess you are comparing them at different sizes making it a pointless comparison.

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You would be guessing wrong then.

About three years ago, when I was looking at the 50D, I did a lot of research on it. Lots of reputable sites and reviewers gave it poor/mediocre marks. I thought, I trust Canon more than these reviews. And I looked closely at the reviews. And I found lots of flaws in these tests. Misplaced focus, sub-optimal processing, using beta software, etc.

And aside from the surprise of the 7D coming out less than a year later, it was a good choice. I only say that because the 7D is better, but oh well, I pulled the trigger, thinking Canon would only ever do incremental upgrades. Now I'm waiting to see what the 7D2 brings before I upgrade. I should note that IQ isn't the reason I'll upgrade. I have beautiful large prints on the wall. I just want better AF at this point. More DR and better ISO is always welcome. I don't believe the camera matters anywhere near as much as the light and composition and vision of the person controlling it.

And, I trust my eyes more than some algorithm. Anyone is free to disagree. When I see the NR applied by Sony on the NEX-7 images, I see a tremendous loss of detail. When I see RAW NEX-7 images with no NR, I see more noise than my 50D.

Canon has been showing the prototype at all the major events, since development was announced on november 3. Another official announcement will happen, but no one knows when. Likely later this spring, or this fall. There is little doubt that it is coming this year.

I have the 7D and use it for weddings. It's awful. Period. The noise at anything over 250 is unacceptable. I should've returned it. Hoping the 5d Mark II is an improvement.

I've been watching the 1Div prices because been considering upgrading my 50D. A brand new 1Div currently Au$4,999.00, compare that too the 5Diii Au$4,399.00.
I think it's difficult to compare these 2 cameras feature-wise, which is "better" anyone willing to offer an opinion?

Even though the manufacturers typically quote the maximum flash distance fully zoomed, the standard comparative test is to measure all flashguns at 35mm angle @ ISO = 100 and the old 580EX2 is rated at GN 36 at 35mm, but test results have shown it higher (see link below)

http://speedlights.net/2011/04/18/canon-speedlite-580ex-ii-flash-review/

What we really need to see from the new 600EX and 600EX-RT is the GN @ 35mm

Yea. I bought a 5DII 4 months ago and don't regret it. If the last few releases are anything to go by the 7DII will retail at the $2500 mark and not even directly compete with the current 7D anyway.

In fact having seen the 5DIII specs I am also now seriously contemplating a 7D for action/wildlife/reach. need to do some more research though since I was hoping to get something like the 7D AF (or even a bit less) in the 5DIII for ~$2700.

It also microadjusts different samples of the same lens, as it detects the serial number. This article has quite a bit of more detailed information on various aspects.

http://cpn.canon-europe.com/content/education/technical/inside_canon_eos_5d_mark_iii.do