Looking at option to use new Zeiss 15mm ZF mount (Nikkor F) on a Canon Body. It was suggested in the video blog from Stefan Czech.

Apparently the ZF version has an aperture ring that is ideal for video. And considering a $3K investment for a lens, having dual use on Nikon and Canon bodies (with adaptor) sounds like a deal maker.

I absolutely know this is Manual Focus - the lens is. No issue. I am almost always Manual, especially for a wide on landscapes. The sensor lightup on the Canon side sounds helpful nevertheless.

But what grief will I have for exposure even with an manual aperture ring available?

Not sold on the concept yet.

And this question likely applies to other Nikkor lenses. I know the 14-24 has no aperture ring so its what - guess?

Hi all,
Am about to take the plunge into the dslr arena and need advice re equipment. I will be mainly doing wildlife, landscape and macro photography (plus taking shots of the family!). I also want to shoot video.

Considering either 60d or 600d (ruling out 7d because of price).
In terms of video is worth going with the 600d because of its zoom capabilities? If not I will probably go with 60d for obvious reasons - better body, AF, FPS, battery life, FPS, viewfinder. But just wondering for videoing wildlife would the 600d zoom be a biggie?

Lenses:

For wildlife - Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 L IS USM Lens
Will a 1.4 teleconverter work with this (will AF still function?)

For macro - Canon EF 100mm f2.8L Macro IS USM Lens
Probably can't go wrong with this.

Now - i wish to get a third lens for landscape/general usage and am considering the following:
Canon EF 17-40mm f4 L USM Lens
Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens

Any advice on these two lenses? Given the APS-C sensor at their widest the lenses are 27mm/24mm respectively.

Considering the following tripod and head:
Manfrotto 055CXPRO4 Carbon Fibre Tripod
Manfrotto 324RC2 Joystick Head

Any feedback on these?

Also does everybody put a UV or polarizer filter on the lenses for protection? Which one do you recommend and which brand?

I'm on a budget so cannot afford more than3 lenses or faster lenses than the ones above.

Any help will be much appreciated.
Cheers,
JCI

Drove from SF to pick this up today in San Jose (they are now sold out) thanks to a fellow member on here! Battery is charging but just from my initial few minutes with it, the camera is amazing, maybe not $3500 just for the body amazing, but a great upgrade.

I just received a call from the camera shop telling me My Canon 5D Mark lll has arrived and I can pick it up today.....Yeah!!!!!

Check this out on Amazon. Used Mark III ?????????????


http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Frame-Full-HD-Digital-Camera/dp/B007FGYZFI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332284250&sr=8-1

http://www.eoshd.com/content/7528/spring-revolution-my-shoot-with-the-canon-5d-mark-iii-first-impressions

Wow, a bit hard to believe after the big deal about 22MP for ideal video and image quality that the old GH2 apparently kills it for resolution and it still has some of that non-filmlike very digital-like compression. If the cheap GH2 can use a better compression chip, the 5D3, 3.5 years later still can't?? More internal protectionism? Protect the C300? Not that the Nikon D800 is supposed to be any better, even a bit worse. But many Panny and Sony just make take them both to school for video. I was hoping that the video on the 5D3 would at least totally knock it out of the park. Sounds kinda weak for 3.5 years of development. darrrrrrn.

I had a bad feeling when I heard they decided to use a very old canon video cam image processing chip in the C300 and not a digic 5+.

Hopefully, he had NR on standard or something and with it off the res will come back and this will be another report proven false in the end.

EDIT: I did just find one video that does some hint as possible solid sharpness, a bit hard to tell though.

Ive had my email that my 5DmkIII has been despatched and will be with me tomorrow....I Can't wait.

Finally I'm going to experience full frame goodness!!!!!!!!!

How is everyone who has one finding theirs so far?

Did anyone else know Newegg was taking pre orders as well?

I didn't and threw one in for the hell of it to see if I might get one faster from them instead of B&H. (I ordered on the 6th from B&H so I know I am not in the first shipment).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16830120615

Does anyone have any updates on the Canadian availability of the 5D MIII? I emailed Vistek but no response.

Thanks

Hello all,

Just saw D4 sensor scores are available on DxO mark

Thanks!

I pre-order one from a local store and one from B&H. The local store called me today and they have mine ready to pick up. I did not pay anything nor gave the CC number, just my name. I am going to wait for B&H, do not really want to pay taxes.

If someone wants to pick up one in the local store send me a message and I will call the store with your name. I not asking for anything in return, just feel bad pre-ordering things and not picking them up. :-\

I just got my from Crutchfield no sale tax of course- they will ship out tomorrow & will arrive home this friday. Will cancel from BH....hurry guys

http://www.crutchfield.com/shopsearch/canon_5d_III.html

Sorry of you have seen many of these... I can add more on request, but these are the first test shots of the 5d3 I got today.

ISO test from 800 all the way to 25,600. In Cam NR = Standard.

No NR applied in PP.

100% crops

Last shot, Used LR4 to apply NR on 25,600 shot only. Hope you guys get yours soon.

Who do you guys use/recommend for full coverage (at and away from home) for your gear?
Edited to add: For professional business use.


Thanks.

I heard today from people with close contact to Canon that a new version of DPP will be published with the final sales release of the 5D Mark III: DPP version 3.11.20.
Shall include HDR functionality for the first time.

By end of 2012 DPP version 3.4 will appear on the market, trying to deliver the same functionality as capture one software.

Like many others, I too have been waiting for quite a while for Canon to release its mirrorless system. There are speculations and indications that they may very well do so this year, but I personally grew a bit restless. Because of this, I decided to put to paper, or rather to CAD and rendering software, my vision of such camera. After about a month of learning, debating, modeling and rendering, the Canon AE-D came to life.







Actually, this camera represents more of a fantasy rather than vision. Personally, I don't actually see Canon going this route since it will probably be quite expensive. While pros and enthusiasts may welcome it, the bulk of the profit is in the sub 1K vicinity. Nonetheless, there is a market for such a system and that is something that I constantly kept in mind while working on the project. I wanted to conceive and design a product that could find its roots in reality. Both product/marketing wise and technical wise.
The design is inspired by the classic AE and AE-P which are two of my favorite Canon cameras ever. Simple, iconic, timeless. I couldn't think of a better basis for a modern mirrorless system.
Some of the main features and the reasoning behind them are:

Full Frame - Might as well be the pinnacle of 35mm. Especially if a new lens mount is required. Future proof.

18.1MP sensor from the 1DX - This camera will not rob sales from the 1DX on form factor alone so it makes sense to use an existing sensor instead of a new one. Plus, it will make an excellent pair to someone with an 1DX.

CM-D Lens mount - That was the source of most headaches for me. Naturally, I wanted to design it around the EF mount for reasons that I don't need to state but it proved to be very problematic. Both the flange depth and actual mount diameter meant that the camera needed to be much thicker and possibly taller to accommodate EF lenses. So this "CM-D" lens mount is roughly FD sized which keeps the dimensions close to the original and enables lenses that are not too huge. EF lens use should be possible with an adapter but please correct me if I made some wrong assumptions about the dimensions here.

50mm f/1.0L "Kit Lens" - Fast primes. What can I say? I love them and they probably the best match to a system as I outlined above. So their existence is no less realistic that all the other items here. While I am far from being an optics expert, I designed this 50mm lens based on a combination of schematics of the Canon 50mm f/1L. FD f/1.2L and Leica f/0.95 so it should be a realistic representation of the dimensions of such a lens. It also features an aperture ring for direct control as well as an Auto mode for shutter priority or auto mode.





Viewfinder - Design wise, I knew from the start that I wanted to incorporate the prism hump of the AE cameras. It is a prominent feature that without it, the context of the design gets somewhat lost. At the same time, it is obviously not a technical requirement in mirrorless cameras so making it detachable while housing the EVF felt like the the optimal combination of form and function. After all, if this is a camera for photographers, a viewfinder, even if electronic, is a must.





Flash + Flash + Flash - I regard flashes as an integral, must have feature of any system and I didn't want to handicap its use in any form. Not when taking snapshots with the built-in one and not when the viewfinder is either attched or not.





As for the future, I see myself designing a second camera in the line. Something more pocketable with more pancakey lens. Something that will also possibly more in line with what Canon will offer us themselves in the future.

Higher resolution images and a few more at: http://davidriesenberg.com/archives/262

Comments, reservations and suggestions are welcome.

from nikonrumors:
Here it is again - the price of the Nikon D800 dropped £300 (around $480) on Amazon UK. Not sure if this is a mistake or a special offer, but the same price drop happened also few days ago and then it went back to £2,399.99.
Update: the Nikon D800 price on Amazon Italy also dropped with EUR 400 to EUR 2.525,16.
(vat included)

...and 5dmk3 ?...canon no drop?

So...I'm actually seriously investigating upgrading from my Rebel XSi to a 5D3.

But one of the things holding me back right now is that I am totally inexperienced when it comes to owning high end gear.

Basically, if someone were to steal my XSi / I drop it / or it ends up with some spots in the eyepiece after a month or so of not using it -- I would cry. :'( Then I'd get over it, as I long ago paid off the camera in realistic terms; and the camera is somewhat easily replaceable.

...this is not the case with a 5D3, or a good quality L series lens, as it's cost approaches a decent used car in pricing; and it's a very high value, compact item.

So how would you all suggest I go about 'setting things up' so that I have peace of mind?

My local camera shop is Penn Camera (now Penn Camera Calumet); and they offer:

Calumet Two-Year Complete Protection Plan for Cameras, Video, & Lenses Under $4500
Regular Price: $454.99

Is this worth getting, or should I stick to the stock Canon warranty?

Additionally, how do you all store your high end gear when it's not being used? I see people placing their stuff in good quality hardwalled cases with dessicant bags inside -- but where can you actually get said dessicant bags, and how often do you need to replace them?

It's going to be my 35L first !!!

Hi CRers,

I'm suspecting those irregular elements are fungus. Can you guys help to clarify it? I do not see it in any of my other lenses

Link Removed

Also noticed an ad for B&H on Google that stated "The Kits Start Shipping Today 3/20!" (after searching "5d mark iii")

Looks like they're (the kits, at least) making their way to the East Coast. Hopefully Amazon starts shipping soon.

When Canon instills the MSRP on the 5D Mark III, will the price increase since the demand for the camera is so high or will it stay the same at about $3,500?

Since I plan on upgrading my Canon Rebel to the 5d Mark III, the only lens I have with an EF mount is my 70-200mm f/2.8 IS II, and I am looking at another lens or two to fill in the wider end.
I am interested in the 24-70mm f2.8 and even the mark II version, but the lack of IS scares me for video.
I mostly take photos of sports and evening events but I have been taking more video recently.

Any suggestions between the canon 50mm f1.2 L, 24-70mm f2.8 L original or mk II , or the 24-105 f4 L for video?

"Preorder from Adorama
Adorama has created a 5D Mark III w/24-105 f/4L IS kit bundle.

Free Bundle Items

SanDisk 32GB ExtremePRO SDHC Memory Card
Canon Deluxe Photo Backpack 200EG
Red Giant Adorama Production Bundle for PC/Mac a $599.00 Retail Value
5D Mark III w/24-105 f/4L IS Kit for $4299 at Adorama

Stock is expected to arrive this week."

At current exchange rates, that's approximately £2710 for not only the 5DMkIII but also a 24-105 f/4L IS lens and all the rest of that list thrown in for good measure. Even adding 20% for VAT that would only come to £3252.

In the UK, I've just paid £3689 ($5852 equivalent) just for the 24-105 kit ... and it's cost me another £79 ($125) on top for the identical 32Gb SDHC card that's included in the Adorama bundle ... and no backpack and no Red Giant software bundle.

Why am I feeling ripped off i.e. ripped off once by Canon and ripped off on top of that by the Chancellor of the Exchequer with his ridiculously high 20% sales tax (VAT)?

Well at least I got my hands on the 5DmkIII in time for my Far East trip on 12th April, but it aint 'arf cost me an arm and a leg!

Rant over!

I have a theoretical question for any of you with a working knowledge of lenses/optics.

If an extender works by taking the central part of a lens's image circle and enlarges it to cover the whole sensor(thus magnifying and reducing brightness), shouldn't it be possible to create an adapter for crop sensor cameras that uses the entire image circle of a full-frame lens and reduces it to the size of the cropped sensor to gain the full angle of view? Would the resulting smaller light circle also be brighter since it's focused onto a smaller area?