Ken Rockwell Updated 5D MK3 Review

[BillyBean]

All This talk of features is pointless and redundant.

Cameras have only had 4 important settings. Aperture, Shutter speed, ISO and Focus. Once that wisdom shines through, everything else is just Fluff and you become the highest order of photographer.

Ok, I see your point. So I have a beautiful Agfa Record II dating from 1952, which has manual aperture, shutter speed, ISO from 6 to 6400 (via film selection) and of course, manual focus. It has no meter, no autofocus, no through the lens anything (guess if it's in focus!)

It fits in my pocket (it's a folder) and delivers a 6x9 negative from 120 film, which I reckon works out to around 100MP or higher once scanned.

You can pick one up in mint condition for about £20.

What's not to like?

Does rather beg the question of why you are on this forum though!

 

[markko]

Having used the 5Dmk3 for about a week now I have to agree with KR that the AF system is the area that I have to get used to most.

I've owned the 300D, 20D and the 1Dmk3 (used it for the last 4.5 years). I'm used to toggle between AF 'modes' (spot AF and 'auto-AF' (where the camera will pick the focus points, choosing from all available points)) just by using the little joystick on the back. Press once: go to the center point. Press twice: switch to the 'auto-AF' mode.

With the 5Dmk3 this is not longer possible to do (as far as I could figure out). First you have to press the AF button, then use the M-Fn button to toggle between the AF modes. You can disable modes that you don't want, but you still have to use another button than the joystick to switch between the AF modes. Hopefully they will fix this with a firmware update, because it's just silly to add extra steps in the selection of the AF modes.

Another thing that quite annoys me is that the focus point is black in the viewfinder. If you're shooting in a dark place it's impossible to see what AF-point you're using. Hopefully they can fix this as well with a firmware update, because now at times you're wondering why the damn thing isn't getting focus, finding out that the focus point is at another place as you're thinking. I prefer the red AF-point in the viewfinder of my 1Dmk3.

Other than that: I love the camera And I will even be more in love when the battery grip will finally arrive!

 

[awinphoto]

With the 5Dmk3 this is not longer possible to do (as far as I could figure out). First you have to press the AF button, then use the M-Fn button to toggle between the AF modes. You can disable modes that you don't want, but you still have to use another button than the joystick to switch between the AF modes. Hopefully they will fix this with a firmware update, because it's just silly to add extra steps in the selection of the AF modes.

Another thing that quite annoys me is that the focus point is black in the viewfinder. If you're shooting in a dark place it's impossible to see what AF-point you're using. Hopefully they can fix this as well with a firmware update, because now at times you're wondering why the damn thing isn't getting focus, finding out that the focus point is at another place as you're thinking. I prefer the red AF-point in the viewfinder of my 1Dmk3.

Other than that: I love the camera And I will even be more in love when the battery grip will finally arrive!

If I'm not mistaken, this is the same AF proceedue with the 7D and people got along with it great for 2 going on 3 years so far. Once you get the hang of it, it becomes second nature although quirky at first... also with the VF, it's black points but if i'm not mistaken, doesn't it blink red when it confirms focus? That should help with the AF selection being in the wrong spot or so you thought. I'll give it to you it can be hard to see at times and would be nice if they gave an illumination option like the top LCD so you can at least see your AF configuration. I guess if your in doubt, live view will give you a better idea of your AF system in the dark.

 

[Larry]

I have to set the camera on my lap and use both hands on the right hand side.
Am I missing something?

Thumbs perhaps?

Someday, I'll find a way to get even with you for a near miss on a liquid-damaged MacBook Air. Fortunately, I'd just swallowed my sip of coffee before reading your response and bursting out laughing.

A metaphysical +1 to you, Sir...

Another +1 ... concise and incisive! ;-)

 

[EvilTed]

All humor aside, this was a serious question ;D
How does one use the combination of the buttons next to the LCD display and the control wheel (top or back).
Given that they are all located on the right hand side of the camera?
You must be activating the buttons with your thumb and rotating the wheel with your fingers.

Can you draw a diagram please?

ET

 

[Diego]

Wow, This is comforting, I think it was the only one who thought that Ken Rockwell was an idiot 8)

 

[DavidRiesenberg]

All humor aside, this was a serious question ;D
How does one use the combination of the buttons next to the LCD display and the control wheel (top or back).
Given that they are all located on the right hand side of the camera?
You must be activating the buttons with your thumb and rotating the wheel with your fingers.

Can you draw a diagram please?

ET

The buttons near the LCD are not hold buttons. You don't have to keep pressing them to adjust their settings. So you simply press one of them and then move your finger to the top dial and rotate it. voila !!!

 

[riogrande100]

To be fair to Ken have you seen his latest update? He prefers the 5D Mark iii over the Nikon d800!!!
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/00-new-today.htm

Reviews aside when it comes to day to day use he prefers the 5D Mark III!!!!

Whilst Canon did not deliver an amazing megapixel camera, what they did produce is a photographers camera!By the sounds of it an extension of the eye!

 

[briansquibb]

To be fair to Ken have you seen his latest update? He prefers the 5D Mark iii over the Nikon d800!!!
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/00-new-today.htm

Reviews aside when it comes to day to day use he prefers the 5D Mark III!!!!

Whilst Canon did not deliver an amazing megapixel camera, what they did produce is a photographers camera!By the sounds of it an extension of the eye!

;D ;D ;D You must not praise Canon kit as it attracts the anti Canon trolls ;D ;D ;D

 

[peederj]

Wow he tossed a logic bomb into this forum... ;D

22 June 2012, Friday

Canon beats Nikon - this year

I know most of you are Nikon shooters and the world thinks I'm some sort of Nikon Icon, but like any other good horserace, the two contestants sometimes swap positions.

The 5D Mark III is significantly better than anything Canon's ever done. Its many little advances all add up to a huge improvement over anything ever from Canon, while the D800 takes a few steps backwards with its clumsy ergonomics and sloppy color balances. Therefore, this year, Canon beats Nikon. It's not every year, but this year, it's Canon.
...
This year, the Canon 5D Mark III really is much, much better than the Nikon D800 when you actually own both and shoot them every day and produce results for a living — and no camera company is paying you for endorsements so you can speak freely. The little things that bugged me at first about my D800 and D800E still bug me, while the smooth élan with which my 5D Mark III dispatches its tasks continues to make my 5D Mark III the camera I always grab first.
...
With experience, I now have my 5D Mk III running like a seamless extension of my imagination, while my D800E still gets in my way.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/00-new-today.htm

 

[D_Rochat]

There are a few devout Nikon shooters that I am aware of that are changing their tune because of the 5D Mark III. I'm looking forward to seeing what people think of the 1D X and Canon in general when it becomes available.

I know most of you are Nikon shooters and the world thinks I'm some sort of Nikon Icon, but like any other good horserace, the two contestants sometimes swap positions.

I hate to say it, but I agree with KR. Competition is a great thing and it will keep motivating both companies to produce a better product.

 

[ramon123]

It's true. The whole market is getting very competitive. Canon and Nikon need to watch out from each other (especially Canon) and both of them need to watch out from other brands that are proving themselves as well.

 

[Albi86]

It's true. The whole market is getting very competitive. Canon and Nikon need to watch out from each other (especially Canon) and both of them need to watch out from other brands that are proving themselves as well.

The day Sony will manage to compile a good imaging algorithm will be a very bad day for Canon and Nikon

 

[ramon123]

I still think through all the competition, Canon will remain #1

 

[dshipley]

I still think through all the competition, Canon will remain #1

It depends on how you define being #1. If we're talking about overall sales numbers I think it will be hard for Nikon to rapidly match or surpass Canon unless something seriously drastic happens. If we're talking about leading the industry through innovation while remaining profitable / growing I think Nikon is currently ahead of Canon for the following reasons...

1. Nikon has been announcing products and delivering them on time while Canon hasn't done.
2. Canon's price points have surpassed Nikon's for new releases (1DX vs D4, 5DIII vs D800).
3. Nikon typically doesn't handicap their cameras as badly by limiting their features... for example Nikon provides full color metering for ALL of their SLR camera bodies (and have for a very very long time), Nikon provides uncompressed video output via HDMI, Nikon has provided professional AF in multiple bodies for a long time (Canon didn't until the 5D3), Nikon provides spot metering based on selected AF point for ALL of their SLR camera bodies, etc. The only argument to this that I can think of would be battery grips boosting max continuous shooting FPS (which I agree is lame).

We all know that healthy competition will only benefit us (the users) and hopefully Canon will respond.

 

[briansquibb]

Why do people insist on comparing the D800 to the 5DIII? They fill a totally different market segment

 

[RLPhoto]

Why do people insist on comparing the D800 to the 5DIII? They fill a totally different market segment

BUT... There in the same price segment. ;D

 

[briansquibb]

Why do people insist on comparing the D800 to the 5DIII? They fill a totally different market segment

BUT... There in the same price segment. ;D

1D4 is too - but that is never mentioned

 

[RLPhoto]

Why do people insist on comparing the D800 to the 5DIII? They fill a totally different market segment

BUT... There in the same price segment. ;D

1D4 is too - but that is never mentioned

I know, Even a 1DsMK3 is possible around that price area. 8)