Ken Rockwell Updated 5D MK3 Review

[VirtualRain]

Most amusing for me in the 5D III review was the comment about how it doesn't have wifi, unlike his iPod Touch which has had it for years. I'm just wondering if he's going to complain that he can't play Angry Birds and listen to his music collection on the 5D as well?

I'm convinced it's all just tongue-in-cheek.

I actually agree with his opinion of the 'rate' button, and thought his comments about the 'zoomed-in histogram' were quite valid.

I'm equally surprised that we can't get some basic tech like wifi, touch screens, full programmable buttons, and a retina display, in a $3500 camera that you can get in a $200 iPod. Why can't I pinch-to-zoom on my $3500 camera, but I can on my $200 iPod? Instead, to zoom an image on my 5DIII I need to do what exactly? Is this 1999? It's just unbelievable to me and it's not wrong to question this kind of thing.

 

[Kane]

I check for Ken rockwell opinions all the time and throw out what is a joke to me but he's mostly legit. His work also for the most part backs that up. The thing is i cant bring myself to read his write up if thats what he is stating because my experience is that for the first time the F1.2 lens i use is dead on accurate at f1.2! What kinda lame crap is a review saying its more complicated but not better BS? This focus in near dark locks on, i cant get my 1dm3 or my 5dm1 to do anything close to that.

I could not agree more, the 1.2 was and is still sharp on my 7d but I feel like its taken to a whole new level on the 5d. I also tried the 24-70 and I'm very pleased with the initial results. I can't wait to try the 70-200 tomorrow!

 

[DJL329]

Most amusing for me in the 5D III review was the comment about how it doesn't have wifi, unlike his iPod Touch which has had it for years. I'm just wondering if he's going to complain that he can't play Angry Birds and listen to his music collection on the 5D as well?

I'm convinced it's all just tongue-in-cheek.

I actually agree with his opinion of the 'rate' button, and thought his comments about the 'zoomed-in histogram' were quite valid.

I'm equally surprised that we can't get some basic tech like wifi, touch screens, full programmable buttons, and a retina display, in a $3500 camera that you can get in a $200 iPod. Why can't I pinch-to-zoom on my $3500 camera, but I can on my $200 iPod? Instead, to zoom an image on my 5DIII I need to do what exactly? Is this 1999? It's just unbelievable to me and it's not wrong to question this kind of thing.

I asked myself a similar question about the original 5D: how can a $2000+ dSLR not have Live View, a feature every P&S camera had? It's omission led me to not buy it and wait for the 5D Mark II. Since then I've learned why Canon leaves some things out: so they can get you to buy the next one! For example, if the 5D II had even 19 AF points, like the 7D, would they be able to get as many people to upgrade to the 5D III?

As for "pinch zoom," why would you want to do it on your dSLR? It would mean taking your hand off the shutter! (Or the lens, if you're left-handed.)

As for Mr. Rockwell, in all seriousness, he may very well be bipolar. It would certainly explain his contradictory opinions and reviews (hate it one day, love it the next). Some of his articles are worthwhile -- you just have to pick through the weeds to find them...

 

[eaglem]

He also complains a lot about seeing all the new 61 AF points and they are in the way of seeing the people in the framing. If he spent a second looking at the setting options (Last AF screen 2nd option (AF Point display during focus) he'd see that you can make it only show the selected point and even have options of showing no points after focus is acquired. This is how people get confused when they take one persons take as gospel.

 

[Positron]

I have yet to hear one world renowned photographer tout one brand over another, BECAUSE THEY GET IT!

Chase Jarvis is a well-known Canon-basher, as was the not-quite world-renowned Jared Polin (FroKnowsPhoto) until he actually started getting his hands on Canon gear. In both cases, though, it was most likely a sensationalist ploy for attention, since just about anyone--pro or amateur--who has used both systems, can easily see that the differences are idiosyncratic and a matter of preference. Can you tell whether that magazine cover, stock photo, newspaper photo, graduation shot, landscape, etc. was taken on Canon or Nikon? Neither can I.

There are two reasons people bash. The immature one is that they've sunk a lot of money into the system of their choosing and are afraid to be "wrong". The unavoidable one is that once they've learned how to use one system, the aforementioned idiosyncrasies of the other are foreign and difficult to adapt to. That doesn't make one or the other system better in general, but it does make your preferred system better for you.

 

[nightbreath]

... Why can't I pinch-to-zoom on my $3500 camera, but I can on my $200 iPod? Instead, to zoom an image on my 5DIII I need to do what exactly? Is this 1999? It's just unbelievable to me and it's not wrong to question this kind of thing.

The reason might be the same as for the unavailability to put articulated screen. Your camera becomes less robust because of this.

 

[D_Rochat]

Chase Jarvis is a well-known Canon-basher, as was the not-quite world-renowned Jared Polin (FroKnowsPhoto) until he actually started getting his hands on Canon gear.

I can't think of an instance where Jared has bashed Canon and meant it. He does the Fro Vader thing every now and then, but purely in fun. The 5D mkIII has actually inspired him to purchase one and possibly the Canon "Hebrew Trinity". I don't know about Chase Jarvis though. I always figured that Nikon pays him some sort of advertising fee to talk about how awesome Nikon is. That being said, I just saw a poster today of Ashton Kutcher (sp?) slinging Nikon rather than Rebels, so maybe he's right : Out with the old, in with the new. Right Ashton?!

 

[Positron]

Chase Jarvis is a well-known Canon-basher, as was the not-quite world-renowned Jared Polin (FroKnowsPhoto) until he actually started getting his hands on Canon gear.

I can't think of an instance where Jared has bashed Canon and meant it. He does the Fro Vader thing every now and then, but purely in fun. The 5D mkIII has actually inspired him to purchase one and possibly the Canon "Hebrew Trinity". I don't know about Chase Jarvis though. I always figured that Nikon pays him some sort of advertising fee to talk about how awesome Nikon is. That being said, I just saw a poster today of Ashton Kutcher (sp?) slinging Nikon rather than Rebels, so maybe he's right : Out with the old, in with the new. Right Ashton?!

It's quite possible that Chase is paid by Nikon to be an evangelist for them, but it doesn't change much. He wouldn't be offered such a job if he weren't in the boat already. It's true that most of Jared's bashing has been in jest, but some of his older videos were fanboyishly harsh and based on "Canon is bad become it's Canon" rather than "Canon is bad because their new camera lacks feature X that Nikon has had since Moses brought down the D1 and 70-200 f/2.8 VR I from Mount Sinai."

 

[ereka]

I have to admit that I found the following statement in KR's review to be very reassuring and in accord with my own sentiments:

"The 5D Mark III is plenty accurate. If you're not getting great results, try a different lens or be more careful. The results can't be any better than your own photographic abilities."

That's probably because I want to believe it though ;D

 

[itsnotmeyouknow]

Most amusing for me in the 5D III review was the comment about how it doesn't have wifi, unlike his iPod Touch which has had it for years. I'm just wondering if he's going to complain that he can't play Angry Birds and listen to his music collection on the 5D as well?

I'm convinced it's all just tongue-in-cheek.

I actually agree with his opinion of the 'rate' button, and thought his comments about the 'zoomed-in histogram' were quite valid.

I'm equally surprised that we can't get some basic tech like wifi, touch screens, full programmable buttons, and a retina display, in a $3500 camera that you can get in a $200 iPod. Why can't I pinch-to-zoom on my $3500 camera, but I can on my $200 iPod? Instead, to zoom an image on my 5DIII I need to do what exactly? Is this 1999? It's just unbelievable to me and it's not wrong to question this kind of thing.

I asked myself a similar question about the original 5D: how can a $2000+ dSLR not have Live View, a feature every P&S camera had? It's omission led me to not buy it and wait for the 5D Mark II. Since then I've learned why Canon leaves some things out: so they can get you to buy the next one! For example, if the 5D II had even 19 AF points, like the 7D, would they be able to get as many people to upgrade to the 5D III?

As for "pinch zoom," why would you want to do it on your dSLR? It would mean taking your hand off the shutter! (Or the lens, if you're left-handed.)

As for Mr. Rockwell, in all seriousness, he may very well be bipolar. It would certainly explain his contradictory opinions and reviews (hate it one day, love it the next). Some of his articles are worthwhile -- you just have to pick through the weeds to find them...

According to this review, he loved the mk II and 7D once the "awesome" free updates came through. Once the updates come through he'll "love" this one too if he can get enough links on it to "support his growing family"

 

[hoghavemercy]

I'd rather read lensrentals and TDP than Ken Rockwell :

 

[D.Sim]

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

Thumbs perhaps?

Oh dear god...
someone remind me never to read CR while at work... bursting out in laughter is never good...

 

[Maui5150]

Chase Jarvis is a well-known Canon-basher, as was the not-quite world-renowned Jared Polin (FroKnowsPhoto) until he actually started getting his hands on Canon gear.

I can't think of an instance where Jared has bashed Canon and meant it. He does the Fro Vader thing every now and then, but purely in fun. The 5D mkIII has actually inspired him to purchase one and possibly the Canon "Hebrew Trinity". I don't know about Chase Jarvis though. I always figured that Nikon pays him some sort of advertising fee to talk about how awesome Nikon is. That being said, I just saw a poster today of Ashton Kutcher (sp?) slinging Nikon rather than Rebels, so maybe he's right : Out with the old, in with the new. Right Ashton?!

Ah Beavis... When did Kutcher EVER sling Canons? Jackie Chan was the celeb for Canon... Kutcher has and is for Nikon.

I like Jared Polin... His FroKnows stuff is pretty good and I think once people become "invested" in one camp or another, their is a natural bias that forms.

 

[EvilTed]

I AM Ken Rockwell and you've all been had!

 

[dadgummit]

WOW... To me the review reads like he has already decided he prefers Nikon and is just looking to point out any feature that any Nikon camera ever had that is better, just to prove his point.

 

[RLPhoto]

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. The one that makes a great photo with a brownie box camera or a uber pro 1DX with a F1.0 1-500MM lens.

Let the Flames Begin. 8)

 

[D_Rochat]

Ah Beavis... When did Kutcher EVER sling Canons? Jackie Chan was the celeb for Canon... Kutcher has and is for Nikon.

Beavis?

I stand corrected. I swear I saw Kutcher in old Rebel ads.... Guess not.

 

[rpt]

Look at the camera and strap in the movie "A lot like love"...

Canon guy.

 

[XanuFoto]

Its Ken being Ken.

 

[D.Sim]

I AM Ken Rockwell and you've all been had!

[sarcasm]

WOW GUIZE, WE'VE GOTS A SELLABREETEE AMONG US

[/sarcasm]

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. The one that makes a great photo with a brownie box camera or a uber pro 1DX with a F1.0 1-500MM lens.

Let the Flames Begin. 8)

Aperture is on the lens, not camera =P and shutter speed..... how? =P