What do you want from the 5D mk III

[gene_can_sing]

With Apple, you pretty much know that their products get a pretty good upgrade almost every year. With Apple, generally speaking, their releases are very regular and you've come to expect it, and they usually deliver something really good.

That's true, now. For their computers, at least, it's true because they are using Intel chips, and Intel has a regular schedule and a defined roadmap. But back when Apple designed/used their own chips (made for them by Motorola), it was a different and far less predictable story.

That's an interesting point you bring up. Isn't Sony becoming a major chip maker for cameras? I know they make most if not all, of the chips that goes into Nikon. If Sony becomes an Intel like chips maker for camera manufacturers, who has to make regular schedules and breakthroughs and be held to a higher standard. Wouldn't that squeeze Canon, much in the same way that Apple used to be squeezed when they had Motorola make their chips and had to compete against Intel?

Maybe that would be good for Canon to have some real competition.

 

[sb]

Here is what I'd love to see in 5DMK3:

1. Built-in radio slave trigger with ETTL support, compatible with next gen Canon radio flashes so that I dont require any third party triggers once and for all (yes I'm looking at you PocketWizard)
2. Built-in ND (and graduated ND??) filters so I can shoot video outside at f/1.4 and not have to use filters. I'm sure they could do this via reduced sensor sensitivity.
3. Faster AF system - PLEASE!!!!! And don't release a 7DMk2 6 months later with an even better AF to make me regret my purchase.
4. No more megapixels. I dont need 30MP, stop the nonsense please
5. Double memory card slot with redundancy mode
6. at least 60fps video if not 120fps. I like smooth slow motion
7. Fix the aliasing issue with the video if you can, I hate seeing those straight lines all jagged-y
8. 6fps fire rate would be nice
9. higher dynamic range would be nice
10. if you can improve signal to noise ratio even more, I'll love you even more

 

[Admin US West]

[That's true, now. For their computers, at least, it's true because they are using Intel chips, and Intel has a regular schedule and a defined roadmap. But back when Apple designed/used their own chips (made for them by Motorola), it was a different and far less predictable story.

That's an interesting point you bring up. Isn't Sony becoming a major chip maker for cameras? I know they make most if not all, of the chips that goes into Nikon. If Sony becomes an Intel like chips maker for camera manufacturers, who has to make regular schedules and breakthroughs and be held to a higher standard. Wouldn't that squeeze Canon, much in the same way that Apple used to be squeezed when they had Motorola make their chips and had to compete against Intel?

Maybe that would be good for Canon to have some real competition.
[/quote]

I think you are thinking of the camera sensor, Sony can't make them fast enough, so they farm out production.

Canon uses a ARM946E-S Core in the 5D MK II processor, The firmware is done by Canon, and perhaps the overall manufacturing, but they do not design the processor. Sony, Apple, ...a huge number of companies use the various versions.

Read up on them here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARM_architecture

 

[ReyMorlu]

I have been working all my "pro-life" in technical & editorial photography and the first digital camera I consider good enough to be bought in orther to repace my elder equipement based in Hassel, Linhoff and 35mm Canon film cameras was the 5D-2 even not covering all my needs! ...but clients have the last word and labs broke-down in my country and everybody wants digital pics even being a damn rabish!

Pro-photo is gonna be dissapear!!!, and expensive cameras are the new way to spend money for nothing in adult toys... almost for younger photographers with less than 40 years old. (in my personal opinion)
50% of photostudios are closed now and 80% of labs too, -almost in my country-

What my needs are then...?

1º No less than 40 MPx, to use it like a medium format camera, BUT improved with versatillity of 35mm lenses
2º Same accessories (compatible!) whith 5D-2: bp-e6, bateries, CFlash cards (double slot), Speedlites....
3º MULTIEXPOSURE!!! like old film cameras and Nikon, Pentax, etc. I don't understand why canon does'nt
4º HDR multiexposure (like pentax K5D) -at least- and panoramic-auto-mode if possible.
5º Video avi Format also, not only MOV (personally video is not a must for a camera... but!)
6º 7D autofocus sistem
7º 100% coverage viewfinder and more confortable eyepiece 1D series like
8º 4fps at RAW-S1 and 6/8 fps at RAW-S2 or less
9º Slow motion video 60fps... or more
10º AFORDABLE like it's predecesors: 5D, 5D-II

I'm not gonna pay a buck for a camera whith less than that, the fact of making something different is not enought to make people buying it... whith eyes wide shut!

Take your time guys! im very patient.

 

[cedrics]

My list:
-Main feature for me would be to keep all buttons in the same spot as mk II. I use the present one underwater and housings don't come cheap... Almost glad mine lasted for two years with the latest full frame!
-Second curtain flash with any strobe brand. Right now you can only do this with Canon's strobes and I can't use these underwater. I understand they want to sell their own brand but in my case this doesnt apply as Canon has no underwater strobe. I used to be able to do this with my 300D and every other brand let's you do this...
-MORE SHARPNESS, tired of having to spend so much time sharpening my shots
-Higher dynamic range
-Better autofocus including proper autofocus in video
-Slow motion
-Ability to choose which area of the sensor to use in video mode. Center Crop would be so nice for macro shooters...
-No more pixels, at least no more than 24MP. Don't want to feel that even my L lenses are not good enough!
-Wireless Strobe, and why not built-in wireless file transfer
-Recharging battery via induction/powermat. With this and the last point I'd never take my cam out of its housing
-SAME PRICE TAG
-announced lenses becoming available... Fisheye zoom should have come out months ago

 

[cedrics]

-ND Filters in camera
-IS in camera. This IS on lenses business has to be the biggest rip-off ever!

 

[Loswr]

-ND Filters in camera

Where? The mirror box is already tight enough, flange to sensor distance can't increase.

-IS in camera. This IS on lenses business has to be the biggest rip-off ever!

Not really. The IS system optimal for reducing the effect of shake is different for a standard zoom vs. a supertelephoto. Put another way, it's doubtful that an in-camera system could effectively stabilize a supertele lens.

 

[sb]

I'd like to believe that they can create in-camera ND filters via some kind of reduced sensitivity mode instead of an actual physical filter. It might be realm of science fiction, but could they create a software override where they simply discard X percentage of photons which reach sensor nodes? That way, they reduce exposure, thus simulating an ND filter? I'm just thinking out loud...

About IS:

Again, may sound like science fiction (or plain stupidity ), but how about a secondary in-body IS system which can work in CONJUNCTION with the lens IS (if available) to even further enhance "hand holdability"?

 

[Loswr]

I'd like to believe that they can create in-camera ND filters via some kind of reduced sensitivity mode instead of an actual physical filter. It might be realm of science fiction, but could they create a software override where they simply discard X percentage of photons which reach sensor nodes? That way, they reduce exposure, thus simulating an ND filter? I'm just thinking out loud...

This is sort of available already, at least as a '1-stop in-camera ND filter' - some cameras, e.g. the 5DII, offer an ISO 50 setting via a C.Fn, which is really just a processing trick. While this is a possibility, I think it's tied to Canon increasing the overall dynamic range of their sensors (something I'd really like to see!)

Again, may sound like science fiction (or plain stupidity ), but how about a secondary in-body IS system which can work in CONJUNCTION with the lens IS (if available) to even further enhance "hand holdability"?

That would be quite a nice feature!

 

[sb]

Yeah I hear you about the ISO 50, I just wish they took that to the next level. For any kind of long-ish exposure in daylight, you're still stuck with stacking filters. So I'm waiting for that ISO -800 LOL

 

[Admin US West]

I believe that ISO Range and Dynamic Range are linked. You could design a camera with a low ISO of -800, but then the high ISO might be 100. DSLR sensors do lack dynamic range, and many photographers are willing to accept higher and higher ISO at the expense of low ISO settings.

In a way, it makes some sense, you can add ND filters to be able to use long exposures, but you can't easily deal with low light without using additional lighting, which often totally spoils the effect you are seeking.

The obvious answer is to increase dynamic range of the sensor, but even if there is a big jump in DR, I'll bet it all goes toward giving higher ISO ratings.

 

[Loswr]

For any kind of long-ish exposure in daylight, you're still stuck with stacking filters.

Stacking? Why? My B+W ND #110 (3.0, 10-stop) allows very long daytime exposures with just one filter.

 

[bvukich]

My B+W ND #110 (3.0, 10-stop)

AKA, welding goggles.

 

[sb]

LOL welding goggles...That B+W looks like a nice filter. I initially cheaped out on my filter purchases, so I ended up with a few crappy cokins which gave me so much red tint, the pictures made me nauseous.

Anyway I was looking at Lee's "Big Stopper" which is also 10 stops and about the same price, but I'm starting to question resin altogether - I wouldn't want to end up with a more expensive Cokin, if you know what I mean.

This B+W looks good though, gonna check it out. Thanks

 

[NotABunny]

I'd like to believe that they can create in-camera ND filters via some kind of reduced sensitivity mode instead of an actual physical filter. It might be realm of science fiction, but could they create a software override where they simply discard X percentage of photons which reach sensor nodes? That way, they reduce exposure, thus simulating an ND filter?

It's (theoretically) possible to expose, for example, every second pixel (RGGB set) with a different ISO in order to get 4 simultaneous exposures, so it's possible to have hand-held HDR (with no motion blur or ghosting, though at 1/4 the resolution).


Here is another approach (used in the Mysterium-x sensor in RED cameras):

http://www.scribd.com/doc/53692312/9/MYSTERIUM-X%C2%AE-SENSOR

HDRx is an option for extending dynamic range from +1 to +6 stops over the baseline Dynamic Rangeoffered by the camera. HDRx mode simultaneously shoots two images of identical resolution and framerate - a primary track (A-track) that is normally exposed, and a the secondary track (X-track) that has anexposure value that reflects the additional stops of highlight protection desired.
EXAMPLE: If you select an HDR value of +2 and your primary exposure is 1/48th sec, the X-trackexposure will be 2 stops faster, 1/192 sec.
The ISO and Aperture remain the same for both exposures.

Also see http://reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?49668-EPIC-HDR

 

[ReyMorlu]

LET ME INSIST...

H.D.R. multiexposure is a must nowadays (even some snapshot cameras do it) & REFLEX too. K-5D ie.

More resolution, no less than 36mpx.

100% viewfinder! with an eyepiece shutter like elder film cameras A-1, F-1, eos1... IS IT SO DIFFICULT, again!??

Improved autofocus (all CT) even being only 15... and faster! and placed other way in example: 4 of them in Rule of Thirds strongest points.

Don't put a movil, rotating, variangle, etc. screen like newer models (most of us Hate it)

CF card cover, lock device please (it opens on and on accidentally in 5Ds)

Pro-photographers are waiting for a tull not for a toy (prosumer market) think about it...

 

[autochrome]

LET ME INSIST...

H.D.R. multiexposure is a must nowadays (even some snapshot cameras do it) & REFLEX too. K-5D ie.

More resolution, no less than 36mpx.

100% viewfinder! with an eyepiece shutter like elder film cameras A-1, F-1, eos1... IS IT SO DIFFICULT, again!??

Improved autofocus (all CT) even being only 15... and faster! and placed other way in example: 4 of them in Rule of Thirds strongest points.

Don't put a movil, rotating, variangle, etc. screen like newer models (most of us Hate it)

CF card cover, lock device please (it opens on and on accidentally in 5Ds)

Pro-photographers are waiting for a tull not for a toy (prosumer market) think about it...

I'm just voicing my support for an eyepiece shutter as well, for the price Canon will charge the 5D Mk.III they might as well do it, and even on lower end cameras.

 

[richy]

AFAIK the 5d2 comes with an eye piece cover on the strap?

Re the 5d2 what I would love as someone who feeds their kids with their photography is

- more dynamic range even at the expense of higher iso's and resolution
- 16 bit
- same resolution
- wider af 'area'. Why bother having 'outer points' when they are so close to the center?
- less dusty - ff = dust magnet so any way it gets less dust is good.
- more Custom memories.
- less buttons on the back and a bigger, higher res touch screen in their place
- the DP button switchable to a MLU button, who the hell uses DP???
- in body IS, whilst it will be of limited help in many situations there are some primes it would help by a stop or two.
-more 'natural' noise like the 7d, the 5d2 has nasty blocky noise.

what I dont care about
-video. its good enough for home video, don't want it for any more than that. better codecs etc are fine, but dont compromise the stills ability.
- number of af points. 3-9 is enough as long as they work well like the centerpoint on the 5d2.

what I really dont want to see
- frickin novelty junk for the noobs like movable screens, lie down or stand on a chair or shoot blind, those screens are camera killers if you have to use your camera in any kind of weather.
- HDR pano sweep junk functions.
- a high speed fps. nikon make a general use camera, the d700, its pretty fast and has a decent resolution, canon make two specialized cameras, the 5d is a way better landscape cam and the 7d a better (but not by far) action cam. Lets keep it that way and not turn a 5d3 into a generalized camera.

 

[leGreve]

Out of curiousity... why do people want more AF points? I probably ask because I haven't been in a situation yet where I needed more. I usually stick to the top most or right most point when held horizontally.

 

[Radiating]

I joined this forum just to reply to this thread. I'm a huge fan of the 5D Mark II and I really think it's an amazing camera for what I do. I'm a I've tried so many other bodies and this one just has the best combination of it all to offer.

Out of a 5DIII I want the following:

- 24MP+ to beat out Nikon and add even more cropping power, which is very important and one of the main reasons I love the 5DII
- Longer battery life, again I love this about the 5DII and I want more
- Low iso noise fix, at least performance equal to Nikon, that's all.
- 7D Autofocus
- Remove the 1/30th limit on live view, this drives me nuts, when shooting on a tripod
- Faster processor, maye even dual CF cards?
- A larger viewfinder (not that critical)
- Less weight (not that critical, but at least not much more weight)
- Better weather sealing (not that critical)
- RAW video
- Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity, espetially with the abbility to download images to a remote server