Thoughts from members that own the R3 but bought the R5 MkII

The r1 was releases on the regular 1 series schedule. I'm not sure its clear that they 'struggled' putting it together. Perhaps the r3 was a stopgap in the way that they produced a pro level body so that they didn't seem like they were being left behind by the competition. The way I see it is we have a 'special' mid generation 1 series level camera, still relevant tech wise, available for nearly half the price of its as yet unavailable replacement/peer. I dont see the r5ii making it redundant any more than any 5 series would ever make a still available 1 series (at least an equivalent) redundant. I dont see them as in competition with one another.

It looked like a struggle to me. The gap between R3/R5 and the rivals' A1/A9iii & Z9/Z8 is significant, in my honest opinion after spending a long time with all bodies. I'd say, apart from ergonomics that Canon was winning high ISO and nothing else. Every other technical aspect of the Sony and Nikon releases were ahead, miles ahead in some ways. Until you spend time with the Sony and Nikon you may not realise how far behind Canon have been until these 2 new releases.

4 years to catch up, they have finally presented some worthy competition.
 
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It looked like a struggle to me. The gap between R3/R5 and the rivals' A1/A9iii & Z9/Z8 is significant, in my honest opinion after spending a long time with all bodies. I'd say, apart from ergonomics that Canon was winning high ISO and nothing else. Every other technical aspect of the Sony and Nikon releases were ahead, miles ahead in some ways. Until you spend time with the Sony and Nikon you may not realise how far behind Canon have been until these 2 new releases.

4 years to catch up, they have finally presented some worthy competition.
These threads are full of opinions. But, I have no idea on the relevance of opinions from those who don’t post images. For the area in which I am interested most, birds, perched and in flight, the opinion of those whose work I know is contrary to yours. The R5 is superior in every way (except rolling shutter) to the Z8/9 especially in AF, and the only reason for choosing them is if you want the Nikon lenses.
 
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It looked like a struggle to me. The gap between R3/R5 and the rivals' A1/A9iii & Z9/Z8 is significant, in my honest opinion after spending a long time with all bodies. I'd say, apart from ergonomics that Canon was winning high ISO and nothing else. Every other technical aspect of the Sony and Nikon releases were ahead, miles ahead in some ways. Until you spend time with the Sony and Nikon you may not realise how far behind Canon have been until these 2 new releases.

4 years to catch up, they have finally presented some worthy competition.
My photos win awards, get printed in publications and please my clients the world over, and thats using 5div's. So forgive me for thinking your opinion on 'who's the best' is somewhat irrelevant.
 
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Funny, I thought I was asked for my opinion comparing the new cameras to the previous mirrorless models, wasn't aware people would take my opinions as personal attacks (on bird photographers and on the 5Div which I have never used)!

I'm sure a bird in flight would be captured well with all/most mirrorless cameras, it is when things get complex such as a sport with 36 athletes on the field trying to chase the same ball. The 2 new cameras improve things in complex focus situations. And people have been winning awards, selling images and pleasing clients for decades with all cameras ever made, but congratulations and keep it up with the 5Div - still trying to gauge the relevance to that camera in this post!

The 2 new cameras are great...... let's just leave it at that, you will have to wait and see for yourselves I guess.
 
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Have you tried to capture a raptor in flight across a noisy background with any mirrorless camera?
I can imagine that would be a lot more difficult with an R5 than it would an R5II. Can't imagine it on a 5DIV. Would probably be near impossible to nail with consistency.

Still don't get the point you are trying to make. I was asked to compare the new R5II to the R3 from my experience.

In my experience the R5 AF is miles behind R3 and even further behind Z9, A1, A93. And I'd put R52 and R1 on par with the Sony and Nikon. Why does this offend people??
 
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You are the one that wanted me to expand on my thoughts of R5ii and R3.

Is this a bird photog forum or a cuckoo's nest?

I'm done in here, thanks for a fun conversation!
I'm not a bird photographer, I have no idea. I'm a portrait photographer, mainly on location.

I'm still interested in your experiences between the differences between the r5ii and the r3. I'm looking for speed, AF accuracy and low light performance.

I just dont care for spec wars, opinions verses other brands or any random guesses or presumptions.

Sorry for the lighthearted teasing.
 
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You are saying things that contradict the experence of others in the areas they are familiar with.

Which makes them doubt any other stuff you are sharing.

I was asked to expand on my eperience between R5ii and R5.

I replied with this:

"It looked like a struggle to me. The gap between R3/R5 and the rivals' A1/A9iii & Z9/Z8 is significant, in my honest opinion after spending a long time with all bodies. I'd say, apart from ergonomics that Canon was winning high ISO and nothing else. Every other technical aspect of the Sony and Nikon releases were ahead, miles ahead in some ways. Until you spend time with the Sony and Nikon you may not realise how far behind Canon have been until these 2 new releases.

4 years to catch up, they have finally presented some worthy competition."



To which, somebody called Alan replied with this:

"These threads are full of opinions. But, I have no idea on the relevance of opinions from those who don’t post images. For the area in which I am interested most, birds, perched and in flight, the opinion of those whose work I know is contrary to yours. The R5 is superior in every way (except rolling shutter) to the Z8/9 especially in AF, and the only reason for choosing them is if you want the Nikon lenses."


Please point out how my comparison contradicted the experience of Alan and his bird photography? Seriously, I have no idea what this is all about.

I came in here to give some opinions on the R5ii and R1 as I was lucky enough to be one that was able to spend a week with each of them. Now I wish I had never bothered, and won't again.
 
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Yes, you are referring to my reply to Alan who suggested the R5 is superior to Z8/Z9 for bird photography.

My line was in reference to that where I said "I'm sure a bird in flight would be captured well with all/most mirrorless cameras, it is when things get complex such as a sport with 36 athletes on the field trying to chase the same ball. "

This all came way after people were doubting anything I said.

I'm out of here, reply all you like and enjoy your day.
 
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I'm out of here, reply all you like and enjoy your day.
Thank you.

So, from the first principles, I would expect one to assume that cameras' AF struggles more with birds than with competitive sports (unless one has experience in both areas), as competitive sports are designed to be viewed, while birds are generally "designed" to be unrecognizable.

In fact, the R5 autofocus struggles to focus even on a yellowhammer sitting still on plowed ground.
 
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For me the R5 Mk2 is basically a R3 with more resolution and about the same amount of rolling shutter in ES mode. R3 still has better weather sealing and less noise at native resolution due to its lower MP. The R3 probably also has a deeper buffer than the R5. I strongly believe that the R3 will be discontinued once the R1 is shipped in late Q4 2024.

I also have a R1 on order and for me the R5 Mk2 is a smaller version of the R1 with higher resolution. For me I am perfectly happy with 24 MP since I don't crop much in my workflows and my prints are rarely larger than 16x20. For me it comes down to what is my application and personal preferences.
 
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Certainly I have run into situations where my R3 cannot lock focus and I know my 1D X would have had no problem doing so (they're not frequent, but they happen). I'm hoping the R1 solves those issues.
I have made the same observation and also hope that the cross-type AF in the R1 makes the R1 AF as reliable as the 1Dx series.
 
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Is it possible for the R3 to receive a firmware to more closely match the R5 II AF capabilities? Is the R3 faster because of the bigger battery like the 1-series was?

I’m on the fence about maybe getting a used or new R3 instead of the R5 II, but AF is the biggest priority in a camera for me.
 
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I have made the same observation and also hope that the cross-type AF in the R1 makes the R1 AF as reliable as the 1Dx series.
I rely mainly on detecting eye AF. I wonder how that scales with pixel size? I would guess guess in reasonable light the higher resolution would have the usual advantage but direct comparison by those who have the R5ii and R3 would be informative.
 
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Is it possible for the R3 to receive a firmware to more closely match the R5 II AF capabilities? Is the R3 faster because of the bigger battery like the 1-series was?

I’m on the fence about maybe getting a used or new R3 instead of the R5 II, but AF is the biggest priority in a camera for me.
I would not expect any major AF improvements with any firmware updates.
 
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I would not expect any major AF improvements with any firmware updates.
There are plenty of precedents for significant AF improvements delivered with firmware updates. For example, the 1D X was given focusing at f/8 via firmware, the 7-series had some significant upgrades to AF performance via firmware as well. The R3 has person registration for AF added with firmware.

Having said that, since the R1 is imminent, I suspect you are correct in this case, and I doubt there will be any additional significant AF improvements provided to the R3. Canon wants you to buy the R1 instead.
 
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