5D III - Camera of the year 2012

[Razor2012]

The 5D3 is the camera of the year, but just not for $3500. :

I look at it another way too...is it half the camera the 1DX is? I say yes (and then some).

 

[ChilledXpress]

I'm struggling to justify the value of the 1DX in comparison to the 5D3's.

Don't struggle- the cost of the 1DX is the price of 2 1/2 5d3's but the shutter will last the same length of time as 2 1/2 5D3's too (roughly)- plus it's a much more rugged camera, which means that when hte shutter eventually does die, the camera will still be in good shape and you can have the shutter replaced for about $400 or so (even at $1000 or even more, it woudl astill be worth it). Plus the 1DX is blazing fast, feels great inhand, better weather sealing etc etc etc- YUou're getting a LOT of camera for $7000- and reasonably taken care of, will last a long time with only minimal future investment in new shutter if needed. The 5d3's are not made as ruggedly, and are more prone to break down from rough use- the seals aren't as good, etc- they are still great cameras, but the above reasons are what pursuaded me to purchase the 1DX over the 5D3- and I beleive in thel ogn run it wil lactually be cheaper owning it over the 5D3's

You mistake value for cost...

I shoot in some extreme enviros, I shoot underwater and Tahoe outback snow also (finally some decent snow here in Cali). For my needs, the 5D3 weathers those storms just fine. Granted Hawai'i and Tahoe are not "to the limit extreme" but those situations definetely challenge the "ruggedness" of most camera bodies I use. Accidents happen, dumps while boarding, UW leaks, sand, rain, etc. If I were in the arctic@-80 that might be another story. I switch bodies every few years and have only once burnt up a shutter. Feeling great in the hand isn't a huge selling point and contributes only a minor aspect to the value of any body IMO. I'd suffer third degree burns if I thought the camera I was using was the very best in the world. Besides, as I hold both 5D3 and a 1DX at the same time... they both feel great in hand. I look at camera bodies the same I do cards and batteries, consumables. So I won't defend ANY camera body as the end-all-be-all answer to every question.

I guess if I worked for the NFL or shot BIF then I might feel more inclined to keep the 1DX. Don't get me wrong, love the 1DX but do I think it's better than a 5D3... absolutely not! It’s just another tool for different needs. As it stands now, I'm thinking a 200-400 might be a better fit, if it ever materializes.

 

[thexfile]

"I'll give you my 7D when you pry it from my cold, dead hands" ;D

 

[ChilledXpress]

"I'll give you my 7D when you pry it from my cold, dead hands" ;D

+1000 on that... still love my 7D's but they live in my wifes bag for the most part. I get visitation rights when I feel the need for 8 fps!

 

[dswatson83]

From all the reviews I see comparing it with other cameras, the Canon 5d mark III seems to blow everything else away except in dynamic range and shadow noise. The 5D3 does look fairly bad when the shadows are pushed while the Nikon D600 & D800 are clean. This is a huge asset as being able to boost the shadows would bring back a ton of detail in landscape shots. Check out the comparisons:
http://learningcameras.com/reviews/4-dslrs/79-nikon-d600-vs-canon-5d-mark-iii-

Nikon D600 vs Canon 5D Mark III Fight!

 

[Razor2012]

From all the reviews I see comparing it with other cameras, the Canon 5d mark III seems to blow everything else away except in dynamic range and shadow noise. The 5D3 does look fairly bad when the shadows are pushed while the Nikon D600 & D800 are clean. This is a huge asset as being able to boost the shadows would bring back a ton of detail in landscape shots. Check out the comparisons:
http://learningcameras.com/reviews/4-dslrs/79-nikon-d600-vs-canon-5d-mark-iii-

That's true but depending on what your priorities are, it's also an asset to have great AF and high ISO.

 

[bycostello]

LOL!!!!!
It is only camera of the year if it works for you and YOUR photographic needs.

+1