Отзывы о Цифровой Фотоаппарат Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Just to give a little background about myself and uses. I have owned over the years a 20D, 40D, 50D, 7D, 5D, 5dMkII and now the ultimate camera of all time... the 5D Mark III!!!!Holy cow! This is an amazing camera. First off:1.) Build: The 5d Mk II while being an amazing camera never felt like a tank to me. It always felt like it had just a little bit of give. Especially around the CF compartment door. When you picked it up, there was always a little bit of give in it, where you could just feel it move a little. Not anymore. The new door feels solid, and when you hold it in your hands, it feels great. The rubber grip over the door makes a huge difference. The whole camera feels solid. The way the back wheel clicks. The way the on/off clicks. It just feels like a REAL camera. Almost a like a 1D that has just had it's bottom chopped off. You just have to feel it to believe it. Making the dial have to have a button to move is a nice feature. I can't count how many times I would rush from location to location to get a shot and from where it would rub on my side it would change my dial from AV to M or something else. The new M.Fn. button is nice as well to have an extra button near the trigger to change AF modes. I do find that the trigger on this to be more sensitive but not a deal breaker. The 100% view finder makes a bigger difference than you would think. It is bright and expansive. The added SD card slot is nice, but I don't use it, as I don't feel like buying more memory cards so I cannot comment on this extra feature.2.) AF: Sooo.... This is the #1 reason I chose to upgrade, as is the reason for most of you. After having shot 40,000 shots on my Mark II, I know what to expect from it's AF. Well this cameras AF is not even in the same galaxy as the 5d II. I actually turn off the AF points now, as there are a whopping 61 of them!!! Compared to 9 before, it's like being in heaven. It's like a wall of AF points!! ALL of which are actually usable!! I have taken it for a test run on my dogs at the dog park and my 20 month old son. WOW!!!!!! Before I was lucky to have 40% keepers at best. Now I'm up near 80-90%. The AF Servo is phenomenal. I tested it out in my dark bedroom using only some TV lighting focusing on my blinds and corners of desks that were BEHIND the TV so there was no direct light and after a bit of searching would actually get a LOCK!! With my old 5d II the chance of that was a whopping 0. It would hunt for days! I tortured the AF, and it can find a lock nearly everytime, even with the far most AF points most of the times. Worth the money for the AF alone! I was using a 35mm f/1.4 for the record. The dark AF point that has been widely talked about is quite annoying I must say. Not having it light up, esp. in the dark, makes it very difficult to locate at times. If I still did wedding photography this could be an issue. If they have a firmware fix to fix the problem, this will be the perfect camera. Don't let this deter you from buying the camera. It's a nuisance, and I can live with it, and during the day it's not a problem at all.3.) IQ: I would say I'm getting about a 1.5 stop improvement in iso noise. At 1600 I don't even think twice. Might as well be 400 in most cases. At 3200 and 6400 it's a little more of a push, but still tolerable with some NR. Compared to the 5d II I wouldn't even try for 3200 unless I was completely desperate. I didn't really buy it for the IQ improvements, but a nice added bonus. I didn't want a bigger MP camera as I don't want to buy more memory cards so I was happy with the minimal MP improvement. Other's might not be, but 22.3MP is enough for me. The image quality is what you would expect from a full frame camera, so in other words spectacular. Nothing really else to say there. I do not use JPG so I cannot comment on in camera processing, but I hear the NR is a little excessive and there is some detail loss rather than if it was done in post processing. That is not from first hand experience, however.4.) Menus: Menu system is much easier to navigate, and I love the fact that I can get a 1:1 magnification instantly now with the push of one button on review to check for focus, which is almost always spot on. =) Just saves time. The side by side comparison and rating system is nice. Helps me reduce the number of shots for processing later. Just a nice added bonus. The AF options are aplenty. It's a little intimidating coming from the AF menus of the 5d II. After playing around with them, and reading some, it's not too hard to grasp. The AF micro adjustment is back and can be set for tele and wide. In all honesty, the pics I've gotten so far are so spot on, I haven't felt the need to tamper with it, like I did on my 5d II. Maybe it's the AF, so who knows.5.) Video: I don't use video much so I can't really remark on this feature.6.) Overall: Quite possibly the best camera per weight I've ever touched. This is e

Let me first start by saying that I am a former Nikon shooter. I sold all of my gear hoping to purchase a Nikon D4. That didn't happen so I got what I thought was the next best thing. Boy was I wrong! I honestly think that for the way in which I use a camera, I purchased the best camera available. The key here is "the way in which I use the camera". I'm not trying to start any arguments as to what is a better camera between Canon and Nikon. That being said, I shoot sports photography at an amature level, weddings and other events professional and also do professional video work. Like many of you, I hope, I did a ton of research on everything that was coming out in an effort to make an informed decision. Unfortunately, much of what I read seemed to be very biased. Having had the 5D Mark III now for about 2 weeks, I can tell you that I haven't even scratched the surface in terms of its abilities but, I am blown away with every shot that I take and every video that I capture.This is not a camera for someone who doesn't like to read. There are about 450 pages or do in the manual that need to not only be read but understood. Taking a simple picture is easy and doesn't require as much planning but, you do need to know how to use both your camera and your lens. From some, not all, of the images that I have taken with the camera, I can tell you that it is a H U G E, let me spell it again a H U G E improvement over the Nikon D700 that I recently sold which should be the case considering this is using new technology. Anyway, the pictures really are 3D-Like. The colors are phenomena! Different from Nikon but just really good for my purposes. I'll be honest, I haven't yet gotten an understanding of the new auto focusing system yet. I keep telling myself that If I want to be considered a pro, I should probably be using manual anyway. None-the-less, I continue to try to read and re-read the manual to gain a better understanding.One of the surprises that I didn't recall reading about as it relates to the autofocus system is that not al lens are designed to take full advantage of the new system. This is where knowing how to use your lens comes in handy. The manual does provide a detailed breakdown of what lenses can do what as it relates to the focusing system. For me coming from Nikon to this camera as you might imagine was a nightmare in terms of learning how to actually manipulate the camera controls. For current Canon shooters, I don't see this as an issue.For Nikon guys like me, yes, I am still a Nikon guy, I just happen to be a Canon guy too. But as I was saying, for anyone moving from Nikon to Canon, you will have to be patient and allow yourself to become familiar with this camera and its ergonomics. The camera feels good in my hand, the buttons for the most part are within reach. Every now and then, I need to look at the top of the camera as I try to recall where certain features are. The 6 Frames per second are somewhat disappointing but only because I had my heart set on the 11 FPS on the Nikon D4 but this doesn't in anyway change the way I feel about this camera. I new that it was 6FPS when I purchased it. Attaching lenses is simple. Coming from the Nikon world, I actually don't have any issues with selecting a specific focus point as I know other who didn't seems very comfortable with it. The battery doesn't last very long on video mode but then again, neither does a 16GB card. Oh, and let me offer this...the video mode has two different setting that you can shoot in. One is called ALL-I and the other is called IPB.The first thing I wanted to know is what does this mean, ALL-I and IPB. I actually still don't now but what I do know is that the ALL-I mode is supposed to offer easier editing due to it's less compressed nature whereas the IPB mode actually compresses the image and allow that 16GB card that I mentioned earlier to store more footage. I haven't personally seen a difference in footage that matters to any client that I have. These other guys and girls that are making Hollywood movies might disagree but again, for my purposes, I see no difference and if I gave you a DVD, you would love it or hate it without ever knowing which mode I filmed in.As far as the video quality, what more can one guy say. If this camera were, a woman, and were single, I'd propose. I love the image quality of this camera. I actually picked up a 5D Mark II a couple days before getting this camera and wasn't as blown away. I actually like the 7D for video better. That's another discussion for another time. For anyone holding on to a 5D Mark II because of what others are saying, I say go rent one and test it out for yourself. Make your own decision; after all, it's your money. Now to be fair, I am not and was not invested in the 5D Mark II so I may be looking at this at a different perspective than some but, if you have a chance to get this camera, get it and see for yourself. Oh and a couple of other quick points. I had heard that

There's been a plethora of reviews already, addressing specs and then comparing attributes, but I thought I've give a little perspective to those who shoot similar to me.On paper, let's be honest, the 5Dmk3 doesn't seem all that more impressive than the Canon EOS 5D Mark II 21.1MP Full Frame CMOS Digital SLR Camera (Body Only), and then compared to the Nikon D800 36.3 MP CMOS FX-Format Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) - it looks like a perfect storm against the 5Dmk3.I typically used a pair of Canon 7D's (and sometimes a Canon XHA1 as an additional back-up against corrupt files on the 7D bodies before the 1.2.5 firmware update) to shoot video. Fine video, with a crop sensor (helped in recording speeches or wedding nuptials from the back of church, etc), didn't downconvert HDMI out to monitor to 480p like the 5Dmk2 when you pressed record. Of course there were the typical Canon SLR problems, the moire - aliasing, and the approximate 12-minute recording time limit. And of course, a 7D is only decent in low light.I recently needed to purchase some additional bodies, or camcorders, which would have:-longer record time than 12 minutes-be much better about moire - aliasing-be tapeless (I know, shame on me for being so late in making sure that even my backup is tapeless)-be better than decent in lowlight-beneficial if it could use EF lenses-would be nice if they could take good pictures (this last one was strictly because I take business pictures as a filler for cash from time to time and fill in as a second photo shooter in weddings when I'm not taking video)I used a 5Dmk2 on shoots from time to time, but had not owned one. I thought about going the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 16.05 MP Live MOS Interchangeable Lens Camera with 3-inch Free-Angle Touch Screen LCD and 14-42mm Hybrid Lens (Black) along with a 5Dmk2, since it seemed the differences between the mk2 and mk3 were not so great, but there was enough of a price difference to make me wonder what the big deal was.But I was also really impressed with Black Magic Design's Cinema Camera from this year's NAB show, which could be purchased with an EF mount. However, it wouldn't be released until the end of July, and I needed to purchase before June.I settled on the 5Dmk3 over the 5Dmk2+Panasonic GH2 option and the Nikon d800 option.And I'm very glad that I did.Pros:+30 minute record time (well, 29:29 - for tariff purposes, if you don't already know why the strange record limit)+Fixed moire - aliasing issue (Well, made it much better. It can still show up in certain angles with certain patterns, but I see it maybe once a wedding shoot)+clean ISO up to 3200, very usable at 6400, okay at ranges higher than that+Full-frame is just so nice, compared to crop, micro 4/3, or Black Magic Design's almost micro 4/3 chip+Much better pictures than the 7D+Headphone jack for monitoring+CF and SD/SDHC card use+Didn't have to sell my EF glass and re-invest in Nikon glass to go with a d800 or additional issues using EF lenses on the GH2 bodyCons:-Not as sharp as a d800, but usable, clean sharpness can be added in post, and far more superior in lowlight than the d800. (I recommend a d800 if you are always in a studio setting, but if you do more event or run-and-gun style shooting, the ISO range is a must)-Dynamic range doesn't seem to be as good as d800, but once again, shoot with a neutral profile, or Technicolor Cinestyle profile, and fix in post-Initial price-30 minute record time (I put it in the cons as well because some events may need continuous shooting of 30 minutes or more)-On board sound recording (I put this here because it's still not phenomenal. It's decent. And that works fine sometimes. But not all the time. Same with any SLR body, though.)To be honest, the 5Dmk3 fixes so many headaches that I was having using the 7D as my main video choice, headaches that would not have been resolved with just the 5Dmk2. The d800, which takes beautiful pictures, is a fantastic camera except in one very crucial area, lowlight. Even though it starts out with a brighter image at its low ISO levels than the 5Dmk3, the noise is atrocious as you increase ISO, even with noise-reduction software. A beautiful love affair can be had with the d800, I will say definitely say. And to all the GH2 fanboys, there are so many good things about the GH2, but it really felt like a trade-off compared to the 7D. It's like those bodies, the 7D and GH2, complimented each other greatly in that where one was weak, the other fixed, but in turn was weak where the other was strong. (If that makes sense.)I purely wanted to upgrade to fix issues. The 5Dmk3 has proven to not be deficient to where I would need the 7D, or another camera body, to fill some gap.I've had zero buyer's remorse from this purchase. And I can't say that about many purchases.Rating: 4.5 StarsPrice knocks it down to 4 StarsBut because I love using it, 5 Stars - I know, all crushes are 5 stars when they first start out... so it's really a 4 - 4.5 St

I've spent a couple of weeks with the 5D Mark III. Previously, I spent several years with the x0D line of Canons, most recently the 50D, so this new model represents a substantial upgrade in terms of raw capabilities. Other reviewers have extensively discussed the many aspects of the 5DIII's overall handling, so I'll refrain from being repetitive.Upon taking the camera from the box, I excitedly placed a lens on the camera, turned it to my window and looked through the viewfinder. I was utterly dismayed. The view was dim and unfocused. I turned the focus ring of the lens to no avail. Something must be askew within the camera, I thought. I removed the lens, placed it on my 50D to be sure that it wasn't the lens. It wasn't. This wasn't good. To make a long story short, it turns out that the battery is necessary even with the camera turned off just to look through the viewfinder. With a charged battery in place, the image brightens and can easily be brought into focus. I've yet to see any discussion of this online and there is only a brief statement buried within the hundreds of pages of owner's manual; perhaps this is unchanged from the 5DII, but it sure represents a big difference from my old 50D. So - Step 1 - charge your battery and install it, then begin your exploration of the camera.My second issue came with my installation of Canon's software from their DVD onto my Mac Pro, on which I was running OS 10.6.8. I couldn't install the software. The installer would bounce once, then stop running, and that was the end of that. I had no problem installing the software on my laptop running Lion, or on an iMac running Lion, so I figured the software simply wouldn't work under 10.6.8. I bit the bullet and upgraded my Mac Pro to 10.7, only to find that the Canon software still wouldn't install, even after booting in Safe Mode. After several back-and-forth discussions with Canon Support, they suggested that I try logging in to my Mac Pro as a different user. I created a new Administrator that would have access to my applications folder, and behold, the software installed properly. I then needed to download several software upgrades from Canon, move those to the new user account, and install those, as they too would not work with my own account. I've never had a problem with Canon software installers and still have not found an explanation as to what's wrong or how to fix it. Canon stuck with me, though, until I got the workaround working. Some people asked me why I was bothering with Canon's software, given Lightroom, Aperture, Photoshop, and so forth. There are some aspects of Canon's software, however, that make certain activities easier. I like it for quick use of stitching photos together as well as for upgrading firmware in the camera. Your mileage may vary.Now I had camera operational and software installed. I installed two cards: the Lexar Professional 400x 128 GB SDXC UHS-I Card and the Lexar Professional 128 GB 400x UDMA7 CompactFlash Card. Both quickly formatted and have worked flawlessly since. I appear to have a impressive amount of storage room for raw photos and at least a sufficient amount of space for video, which I admit I have yet to explore. I've noticed a few things over the past weeks:1) The lack of a built-in flash is an improvement. I often found that my 50D would suddenly pop up its flash attachment when I least expected it. Yes, of course there are workarounds to that, and I used them at times when I really didn't want the flash to be used. But outside in the middle of the day, I wouldn't expect the flash unit to open up and hadn't bothered with the workaround. In any case, I greatly prefer the 5DIII's approach of simply adjusting the ISO to fit the need if I'm running in automatic mode (and sometimes I do). I'm more than happy to grab my flash unit if I want to take flash pictures. Maybe it's because I trained with a Contax II and was limited to occasional use of a heavy flash attachment and Press 40 flashbulbs that I find myself being perfectly comfortable without a flash, but I truly feel that this leaves the choice of flash/no-flash to me every time without my having to give it a second thought.2) Never once in years of use did my mode dial turn by itself. I see no need for a locking mode dial and find it a very minor annoyance, particularly when my hands are full while trying to take photos in active situations.3) I'm not particularly comfortable with the interface of the enlarge button. With the x0D, you push the button repetitively to get to the level of enlargement desired on the screen. With the 5DIII, you push it once, then use the dial to adjust the level of enlargement. Pushing the button a second time simply returns you to the full image. The number of steps hasn't changed, but the need to move from button to dial has been added. I'm not clear as to why that added step is now necessary.4) This part IS repetitive - low light photos are impressive. With a Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5

I'm coming from 15 years on the Nikon system and I have to say that the meters on the canon's are much easier to fool with mixed brightness compositions than my nikon ever was. The first unit I got was metering 1-2 stops under exposed based on my histogram readings. I've since returned that unit and got another. It still shoots dark but it's a bit better. I've seen lots of people complain about this online with the compromise being a +1/3-2/3 stops over exposure compensation on all the time. There's just no excuse for that in a camera of this caliber.To be fair, Nikon does have a tendency to over-expose but I find it easier to recover some bright areas and keep the detail than I find it to boost the shadows and exaggerate the noise in those shadows. Since I sold all my Nikon gear, that's just the compromise I'm gonna have to live with.The rear LCD scratches easily so I recommend you buy a screen protector made of high quality glass and install it on day 1. That's another thing that just comes free with a Nikon body.The camera shoots like a champ all the way up to ISO 3200. It can do well at ISO 6400 but you better get the exposure spot on or you'll get lot of noisy shadows if you under expose your RAW files and make adjustments in your preferred RAW converter. My old nikon D300s started to scream "uncle!" if I get anywhere near ISO 3200. I know the D800 is a low light champ but 36mp is overkill for my needs. I'd rather save the hard drive space.Another issue I've seen is in the red channel. This is also something I've seen mentioned a lot on forums. Shooting the new red tulips that are popping up all over NYC produces mixed results. The red is way over saturated at the default settings and the details are washed away because of it.Over all this is a great camera but it's not perfect by any means, no camera is. I couldn't give it a full 5 star rating because of some of the issues I laid out here. Don't let that hold you back though. This camera has allowed me to get shots that I never though I could before. The shallow depth of field with the new 24-70 f2.8 is simply breathtaking. It has taking my photography up a couple notches for sure.It's not what I would call an affordable camera, but the combination of image quality, autofocus performance and video quality make this camera well worth the money.This former Nikon guy recommends it highly.

I used a 7D prior to this. I have both bodies now. I'll spare you the technical aspects of the camera, because honestly, I don't think it matters that much. What is important to me is that the camera has the ability to do what you need it to, and it doesn't make it a chore to do so. It needs to remove itself from the process as much as possible so you can make the art not master how to flip switches or earn the high score at The Game of Menus.I'll preface the remainder of the review with some information about my shooting style.1. I'm a RAW only guy; I just don't think about JPG.2. I can sometimes be an IQ geek (I try not to be).3. I only shoot in manual mode... because I don't ever remember that Av and Tv exist (I've long forgotten about P and A).4. I turn off just about every setting that exists. Highlight priority, Noise reduction, long exposure comp, etc... all off.5. I usually only shoot in Expanded AF Area or Spot AF.6. I process everything through LR.Now... here's what I like about the 5D Mark III:- The 5D III has some wonderful ISO response, especially compared to my 7D. I was only marginally content up to ISO 400 on the 7D, but I'm happy with ISO 6400 on the 5D before I feel the need to apply some noise reduction (I shoot with all that off). This lets me shoot in darker places without my own light, which is great.- Handling the camera is a joy, but man does it have menus out the yingyang. Sometimes it is a bit annoying to have to go from one end of the menus to another (e.g., from Mirror Lock up to Format Card). I am glad they took Mirror Lock up out of the Custom functions... of course... there are custom functions. For that mirro lock up bit, just set a "Tripod mode" to one of the C's on the dial and problem solved. Easy. In my hands, I really like the 5D III w/ Grip. It's bulky and heavy. It definitely feels like a tool and not a toy. Then again... I'm one of those people that liked the original O controllers for the Xbox. I held it in a bit of a weird way, though.- The AF system is great (coming from the 7D). Now when I shoot with my 7D, I feel the same as when I used a 5D II from using the 7D's AF system. The viewfinder is oddly... bare on the 7D.- The dial lock is amazing. My 7D is always ending up in Bulb or a Custom mode (it hangs at my hip from a strap). 5D III? Never changes modes, and I surely never want it to... except for tripods, which is so rare anyway.- Images come out great (when I don't suck). This is really more a consequence of the glass on the front (and my own skills holding the camera still), but the 5D III doesn't hinder the process at all.- Very well rounded. Decent FPS (7D is faster, which is why I keep it around), great ISO response, Full Frame, great AF, and wonderful button placement. Naturally, I could go to a 1DX from the 7D, but that's a lot of money, and then I lose the "1.6x crop factor" (which is only a composition/FOV thing; there is no actual magnification... beyond the differences in different size and pixel pitch senors and so forth. That's all really beside the point).All in all, it's a great camera. More MP than you need, well thought out ergonomics, and so many functions. If you are looking for a Full Frame camera that isn't $6,000, this is a wonderful option. There's also the 6D, too, and they're pretty much the same thing minus some choice features. I bought this camera before the 6D came out, and I don't regret it.If you are a professional photographer, I don't really know why you are reading this review. You already know way more than I do.If you are a serious photographer looking for a good FF camera, I give this thing a thumbs up.If you are a serious [money] amateur looking for a great all around camera (or a great FF), sure, I'd wager you won't be disappointed.If you're tight on cash, buy a much cheaper camera and invest the rest in your retirement or in glass. After all, glass matters more than the camera. I've never met anyone who can look at a photo and tell me which camera it was shot with or even which brand. Lens maybe, camera definitely not. Give a photographer a Canon Powershot, and I'm sure he/she can make better stuff than I can with this fancy pants 5D III.

Canon 5D MK IIISorry this is NOT an in-depth review. I spent more time working on it than I planned but I wanted to be sure of my first impressions. So it is what it is. Hopefully some of you will find enough information here to make your own decisions. Also note that all the images you see here are JPEGS with minimal processing, virtually straight out of the camera, through 15 seconds of tweaks in Aperture 3.2 and then converted for use in this post. I had no way to convert the RAW files based on the computer and software I had with me in Alaska so I'll update later on the RAW files.I can't think of many cameras that have been more eagerly awaited than the new full-frame Canon EOS 5D Mark III. The Canon 5D MK II was one of the most popular DSLRs ever sold. But let's face it, it's a little long in the tooth.This may come as a surprise to many of you but I was never a big fan of the 5D MK II. I gave plenty of them away on Twitter because THAT is the camera YOU folks wanted, but as for me, well my best reaction to the 5D MK II was "Meh."I think the 5D MK II was soft, slow and bulky. The AF was slow and in general, I think there are many better cameras. That said, I was in the minority and the MK II became a fan favorite - so who am I to argue with the fans? Now that the 5D MK III has shipped, the game has changed. Today I have in my hand a new, revamped camera - the 5D MK II's successor - the Mk III. All I can say is wow!Here are my initial thoughts - I am going to primarily concentrate on new features here and give a summary of my limited experience with the III. (By the way this review is based on me actually using, shooting and owning a MK III not based on the Canon press release.)Let's start with the new processor. The new, 30% faster DIGIC 5+ offers many improvements to the Canon line including better chromatic aberration correction, a multiple exposure mode and in-camera RAW conversion. There is also now in-camera HDR and 2, 3, 5 and even 7 frame auto exposure bracketing. It also allows for up to six FPS shooting which is a dramatic improvement from the MK II. In my experience all these claims proved to be true. The camera is noticeably faster.The new magnesium alloy body shell is more waterproof than the old version. It feels beefier in the hand and just a tad heavier than the II. I didn't personally test the waterproofness - but I did use the camera from a boat for a week and found no problems.I primarily tested the camera with the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II Lens both with and without a new Canon EF 1.4X III Telephoto Extender. The results were fantastic either way, but the camera was (as expected) slower to focus with the 1.4 mounted. The images are crisp and the color rendition accurate. (Thanks to Borrowlenses.com for shipping me the 1.4 TC. I forgot mine and they overnighted me one to Alaska so I could test it for this post.)The viewfinder now offers 100% coverage and is very bright - I mean REALLY bright. I like this feature because it just makes it easier to find the photograph. There are also electronic levels on display in the viewfinder and LCD. The LCD is 3.2' and less reflective than the old screen. There's a noticeable improvement in my opinion.There is a CF AND an SD slot onboard along with all sorts of improvements to the audio including a dedicated headphone jack, mic jack, and input level control (using a touch sensitive dial). Moire and aliasing problems are mostly gone.HDSLR movie shooters will love this camera since shooting video was factored into the design of the III where it was more of an afterthought on the II. There is a well-placed, video start stop button and there is less rolling shutter effect. Canon has also added SMPTE timecode recording, maximum 29:59 minute files, a better CODEC and better HDMI out options.I only shot a few minutes of video on the camera and that just to test the manufacturer claims as best I could. I do see a decrease in rolling shutter - not a dramatic decrease mind you - but noticeable. The overall video quality seems about the same to me.The autofocus has been beefed up significantly in the MK III and frankly it's about time. The 61 point AF on the new MK III is identical to the 1DX except that it does not include face detection. (Boo!) It's fast, reliable and much easier to customize than the MK II's AF. I cannot stress enough how much I like this new AF. If I had to decide on upgrading to this camera and money wasn't a factor, I'd do it on the basis of the new autofocus alone. I photographed eagles, flying erratically and straight at me and the new AF stuck with them every time. I had about a 92% keeper rate on the toughest shots - compared with about 85% on the 1D MK IV and 60% on the 5D MK II. This autofocus rocks. Period.There are other small improvements. You can now set a minimum and a maximum range in the Auto ISO and Auto ISO can now be used in manual shooting mode. One thing I really like is that Canon kept the battery the same for b

I'm a Sony shooter with only a few lenses. I use to shoot Canon during the film days. I tested both the Canon 5D mkIII and the Nikon D800 and here are my results. I tested a 5DmkIII with a 24-70 f2.8 lens and a Nikon D800 (not D800e) with a 24-70 f2.8 lens.High ISO:About the same, except D800 has a lot more detail to work with. In Lightroom, I can save a higher percentage of ISO 6400 shots because the D800 has more detail. Canon seems cleaner initially in Lightroom but when the picture fits into a 24" 1920x1080 monitor or a 64" Samsung plasma TV, the Nikon looks a tad cleaner, noise less noticeable. I think the Canon looks cleaner in Lightroom because it is just a smaller picture. But displaying ISO 6400 shots on a monitor or TV, Nikon looks nicer in general. Both cameras at ISO 12,800 look awful and not recoverable in Lightroom. It might look acceptable as a really small pic but why the heck would you buy an expensive camera to display really small crappy looking pictures?Frames per second:Easy winner. Canon can shoot 6 FPS, Nikon 4 FPS. However, in practice I think 4 FPS is pretty good. None of these cameras are really Olympic style sports cameras.Resolution:Easy winner. Nikon's RAW files are more detailed, almost 3D like. I can't really explain it other than the pictures look more real. I can crop a photo to 1/3 it's size (12 megapixels) and it still looks stunning. I wonder how much better the D800e version is. I'll have to wait until my friend receives his to find out.JPEG:Easy winner. Out of the camera, the Canon JPEGs are phenomenal. The processing done is quite remarkable.RAW:Easy winner. If you shoot RAW, Nikon is it. Also there is an issue with the Canon with the color red. I think the color is overblown at times because all the details are loss and not recoverable in Lightroom. Not always but it has happened at least twice. The same photo on the Nikon kept all the details.Autofocus:About the same. Canon and Nikon have awesomely quick autofocus and I couldn't determine a difference. The only caveat is that Nikon focuses better in lowlight (without the autofocus assist lamp) and also the Nikon focuses when there is almost no light (with the autofocus assist lamp). Why the heck doesn't Canon include an autofocus assist lamp is beyond me. Also, Nikon's face detection is extremely useful because it focuses right on the eyeballs.Flash:Easy winner. Canon doesn't have built in flash. Nikon flash worked surprisingly well.Dynamic Range:Easy winner. Nikon knocked it out of the park. I got a lot less blown highlights with shots with white clothing and more realistic blue skys. Also, there is a lot more headroom on both the highlights and shadows on the Nikon when editing in Lightroom. How did Nikon have better shadows and highlights! They have to share some of that technology!Video:Suprisingly about the same. I would have thought that Canon's lead in video would maintain. Surprisingly, the Nikon's video was just as awesome as the Canon. Nikon's video has a bit more detail and is definitely a little sharper than the Canon. I didn't test Nikon's uncompressed HDMI out, although it seems to be a useful feature (this is like RAW HDMI output for video). Canon should adopt uncompressed HDMI out also.Price:Easy winner. Why anyone (who doesn't already have Nikon or Canon lenses) would buy this Canon for $500 more than the Nikon would need to think twice. I can see why the Nikon is selling so much better than the Canon, at least on Amazon.Comfort:Both about the same weight. Both feel nice in the hand. Canon possibly slightly more comfortable if you have bigger hands. Nikon maybe more comfortable with smaller hands. Both are fine though.USB transfer:Nikon wins with USB 3.0. Skipping the card reader altogether by just plugging in the camera to the computer is convenient. Also the transfer speed is much much faster than Canon's older USB 2.0. This saves a lot of time.LCD Screen:Canon has slightly better screen in direct sunlight (LCD facing up towards the sun). Nikon is better when the LCD is not directly facing the sun. Nikon's screen is crisper and more 3D like.Weatherproofing:My last day of shooting was in a light mist/drizzle. I was shooting both cameras again for about 20 minutes when the Canon 5D mkIII developed some fogging inside the viewfinder screen. I could not wipe it away as it seemed to be inside the camera. I could no longer take pictures normally without live view. Nikon didn't have this problem and I continued to shoot the rest of the day with the Nikon in the same wet conditions without issue. I had planned to shoot at least 2 weeks with both cameras so this was definitely a bummer.Lenses:Both Canon and Nikon's 24-70 2.8 lenses are great. I would say the Canon 24-70 2.8 is just a tad faster on focus. Nikon is slightly sharper in the corners. Both Nikon and Canon seem to have a very comparable lens assortment (although my wallet won't be happy buying so many new lenses!)Well, after using both cameras for

I didn't rush to make a review of this camera, as I wanted to really put it through it's paces first. I won't try to list every feature or go over every bullet point (the above description does a fine job), but instead try to go over a few things which make a big difference to me as a 5D Mark II owner. For some background, I bought an original 5D in 2007, a 5DII in 2008 and have been working with these bodies ever since then. I also have experience with all of the Canon 1-series up through the 1DIII and 1DsIII. I currently log about 60,000 photos per year with the 5D Mark IIs as a professional wedding and portrait photographer. I shoot almost exclusively with fast L prime lenses in my work.So after a week of solid shooting with the camera, here are the areas which are of note relative to previous 5D bodies:**AUTOFOCUS**AF is the elephant in the room here so I'll address it first. Good news, we now have a focusing system worth of it's price point. The AF system here is identical to that in the 1Dx and is THE most sophisticated AF system EVER put in any Canon body. It is superior to that in the 1DV and all bodies before it.I have tested the AF point in servo and one shot mode with my fastest lenses. Speed, accuracy, and consistency have been exceptional and better than anything I have used before. AF gets the job done with zero drama. NO focus jitter, NO frontfocus, NO backfocus, nothing but near-instant, dead accurate focusing with all of my lenses. Even with my Sigma 85/1.4 (which gives my 5DII bodies absolute fits) is 100% accurate with no jitter on the 5DIII. Center AF point and all peripheral AF points are all usable with fast primes. With the 5DII you just use the center AF point and hope for the best (with often mixed results). You could forget using the outer AF points with fast lenses on previous 5D bodies. That has all changed now.Just to see how far I could push it, I took my most difficult to focus lens (24/1.4 II), put it on the 5DIII, and tried to focus on my black lab in my dimly lit apartment. At a distance of about 2 feet I would able to lock focus on the dog's eye with the far left AF point at F1.4, 1/40, ISO4000. Think about that. I was able to focus on a black eye on a black dog in a dimly lit apartment at F1.4. The 5DII would have hunted all day long trying to do this, even with it's center AF point.I could sit here and write a book on how happy this performance makes me. For what I do, if this were the only upgrade from the 5D Mark II, it alone would be worth of the $3500 price tag. That said, there is more...**BUILD QUALITY**It's hard to put my finger on exactly what changed, but the 5DIII just feels more substantial. It feels like a chopped down 1-series instead of a buffed up 10 series. The contour of the body has changed to fit your hand better. The rubber is also a new compound which is much grippier than before. The 5DIII feels much better to hold and use than the previous 5D bodies.**SCREEN**I wasn't expecting a big improvement here, but the screen is drop dead gorgeous. The height is about the same, but it's wider than that in the 5DII and fits the aspect of horizontal images perfectly now. The screen itself has better coatings which allow you to see it easier outside. The contrast, viewing angle, color, and saturation have all improved noticeably. It has a very similar look to a high end smartphone screen. This is a substantial upgrade from the 5DII's screen.**IMAGE QUALITY**Image quality is better than the 5DII, but not substantially so. Let me explain.The 5DIII now natively amplifies the sensor data to ISO 25,600 whereas the 5DII only natively went to ISO 6400. This means that for anything higher than ISO 6400, the 5DIII is better. In RAW you are looking at an improvement of about 1/2 to 3/4 of a stop at high ISO. At lower ISOs, the noise level is about the same.JPEG quality has improved much more though. The JPEG engine in this camera is staggeringly good and a solid 2 stops better at controlling noise at high ISO than the 5DII. It strikes the best balance of detail and noise control of any camera on the market right now. Note though that default NR in JPEG mode is fairly strong and that you will generally attain a better "look" from your files with the "low" NR setting.As an aside, the nasty cross-hatch banding present in the deep shadows of 5DII files is now gone with the Mark III. There is still mild vertical banding, but it's similar to the original 5D and only visible when pushed heavily (3 or more stops).**METERING**I don't have any hard data on this, but I'm fully convinced the metering of the 5DIII is better than that of the 5DII. I find myself correcting with exposure compensation MUCH less now with the new body than with the mark II. Shooting with the two side the newfound metering accuracy of the mark III is very obvious. I found the 5DII metering very similar to the original 5D. The new 5DIII is much improved here.**SPEED

This is a user not a professional review. Otherwise, I'd suggest go to dpreview.com or your preferred reference. I think they are capable of showing evidence of issues such as vignetting or chromatic abberration in a product that could get the attention of the manufacturer's engineering department. They helped or convinced me with the purchase. My intention is to give feedback on the couple of points they've raised and highlight what I've experienced as a user so far.I agree that this camera performs excellent at 12,800 ISO or even higher. At f/4, this allowed me to shoot handheld and flipped the mirror in a fraction of second. The almost black sky showed the clouds in the captured image which was not visible to my eye (my vision is 20/20). At some situations, you can have a 4L lens function at 2.8L. I was going for the new 24-70mm 2.8L but I had to wait 2 months for the 5D body only so I went for the kit. I guess it's a good accident.I am pleased with the new 61-point AF. Fast and gets my focus right most of the time so far. What I mean by fast is less than half a second or probably faster than that. I could catch a bird flying within my frame without exciting some nerves. I won't mention how the new AF system works. The pros could discuss this all day. What's important is that when you use AF you can capture a nice pic fast without going for MF or manually controlling the exposure. I was able to produce a silky background blur consistently (1 foot away from subject) with AF using the kit lens. Nevertheless, if you bought this camera you would find the MF as sweet or sweeter than the AF.35mm camera these days can do still and motion pictures but not excellent at both worlds in my opinion. 5D3's video is handsomely good but if you spent $3500, I think you wouldn't mind going a little further and buy a possibly lighter, smaller and more than capable video cam and get the 1080p/60fps. Pros I've met use their SLRs mainly for shooting still pictures. However, its video performance can be used in some production in my opinion as it's way too good for the end user.The manual states that this 5D does not comply with the Ultra High Speed memory cards but SDHC/SDXC can be used. I guess Canon is referring to writing at 95MB/s. I used the SDHC (600x) it worked just fine but I'm noticing some delay (around 1/4 second) when flipping images in the LCD. It might be normal. I will try the CF (600x too) and see the diffence. If you're considering to get the latest and greatest like 1000x you might want to wait a little while. Canon might release a newer firmware and make it fully compliant with UHS. Fast cards need fast writer too. Having both CF and SD is winner for me. Saving money on cards (unless CF and SD cost and perform the same) but achieving the same thing. Record to both or use one then switch. Don't have to worry losing the images or clips and backing up to the laptop regularly unless somebody steals the camera or I dropped it above the mariana trench.22M pixels is more than enough I believe unless you print posters or billboards. It's too big for me already. Large prints consume 10MB in the card. I don't see much difference shooting lower (12) than 22M pixels. Noise seems to show faster and noticeable at higher pixels and ISO.Physically, it's ergonomic and the buttons are placed almost perfectly. Kenrockwell articulated this well and I agree with him that 5D3 is the best well rounded SLR that Canon ever made. However, I disagree when he compared the D4 and 5D. It's like comparing BMW's SUV with Audi's sedan. Anyway, when I first lifted 5D3 the thumb, index, and middle finger put a groove in the grip. I'm 5 foot 8. Fits my right hand perfectly. The battery compartment has an internal lock - ensures pins remain in contact and it gets more secure as you put your hand around the grip. The camera is not heavy I would say but with the lens and the first all day shooting I felt the weight.Not sure why Canon did not go for USB 3. 128GB CF/SD will be a norm soon. Imagine taking hours transferring files to your computer via USB 2 where it could take in minutes. This is my biggest disappoinment. The touch pad is like the egyptian table compared to iPhone and it's a bit redundant with the track ball (above the Q button). I saw some cosmetic imperfection around the mode dial. It looks like a dent. If you notice this, please let me know. The top LCD looks to have a protective film but not the 3.2 LCD. I can't find anyone selling screen protector so I ordered the ones for the iPhone. I will cut and fit when it arrives.In summary, excellent ISO, AF, ergonomic. Best form factor out there for full 35mm SLR for me - I shoot outside and under the roof. No flash which is a plus for me - makes camera smaller and you won't need it most of the time if you have good lens but if you do, you wouldn't want the built-in flash. I have a couple of minor issues but the thing still deserves 5 stars.I will post some pics

I was able to pre-order and the Canon 5D Mark III arrived on March 29th. I had mixed feelings when the press release first came out with the specs on the new Mark III. Several features that were high on my wish list didn't make it into the camera, but when I started seeing some of the image samples, particularly in low light, I knew I wanted it anyway.I'm currently an owner of the 5D Mk II and the 60D and my expectations were that the Mk III would inherit many of the superior handling features of the newer 60D. I am an enthusiast and not a professional photographer but I do make my living shooting product photography for online sales. For pleasure I shoot nature, architecture, and the occasional portraits. I'm also an avid fan of DSLR video and the fact that these cameras can literally capture Hollywood quality footage with few modifications is a big deal to me and a lot of people in the independent cinematography community.The much anticipated release of the 5D Mark III was a bit of a letdown to me initially. One of the things I LOVE about the 60D is the articulating screen. The articulating screen is so handy to have and a joy to use in situations where the camera needs to be at an odd angle, such as low to the ground, high above your head or in tight quarters. The other indispensable use for the articulating screen is shooting self-portraits and videos of yourself. As a one-man act, you can't shoot a video and also be in it at the same time if you can't see the screen! So I really couldn't believe it when Canon came out with the specs on the Mark III -- and NO articulating screen!? It's a feature that has been in the lower-grade 60D and T3i for over a year and a half already, and here we're paying three times the price of the 60D we don't get it? COME ON, Canon!Canon's reason for not including an articulating screen to preserve weatherproofing. To remedy this I'm getting the Swivi 5.6" HDMI LCD Screen which is a giant 5" articulating LCD screen that even has FOCUS PEAKING (really cool). I guess I'm making lemonade out of the lemons in this situation. Another feature that didn't make it into this camera that has all the cinematographers grumbling is there is no clean HDMI output which would allow the uncompressed video footage to be captured on an external recorder. This feature would have made this a true high-end movie making machine to rival the $30,000 RED ONE and knock the socks off the Panasonic GH2 and even the AF100. For myself, not a deal breaker... but the Nikon D800 has this. [UPDATE: The latest Canon Firmware Update 1.2.3 has enabled clean HDMI output, but it's a disappointment. The uncompressed footage is still hampered by an internal processing system that delivers soft footage.]Probably the most vexing thing that did not make it onto my wish list is the elimination of the rolling shutter problem. It has been reduced a little, but it has by no means been eliminated, so the jello effect remains an issue and impossible to completely remove in post. And so far, there has been NO program that has been able to eliminate it entirely without creating additional artifacts (believe me, I've wasted untold hours trying them all). Rolling shutter has only been reduced by 20% or so and I won't be fully satisfied shooting video until we get the global shutter and eliminate this unprofessional looking artifact altogether.Continuous autofocus during video? It's not even an option. The Panasonic GH1/GH2 have it, and do it well. And now the Nikon D800 can auto focus continuously during video recording too, and includes face detection to keep subjects in focus. The only option for autofocus with this camera whole shooting video is still the old way: press the AF-ON button, and you'll set a clunky, noisy, re-focus point. So don't think about replacing your camcorder yet. Shooting video with this camera remains a manual focus affair best handled with a rig and follow-focus setup... classically handled as a two-man operation.Those are my three primary disappointments. Now the fun part: all the great things (and more) that DID make it into my wish list:1. Live View focusing with half depress of shutter button. The Mk II had a really awkward way of focusing while in Live View mode. You had to depress the separate AF button on the BACK of the camera, then hold absolutely still while you moved your finger back to the shutter button, and then take the shot. The Mk III acts just like the 60D in that you half press the shutter to focus, just as it SHOULD, which is to say exactly like shooting with a viewfinder. And you no longer have to go into the menu and set Live View to Stills-Only in order to get Exposure Simulation: The Mark III has a handy dedicated movie/stills mode switch.2. Better low-light performance. Nikon has been beating out Canon in high ISO performance since the D3, then the D3s, the D3x, and the D700. It's taken two product cycles for Canon to finally catch up. The Mk II was the low-light king when it

After only having owned this camera for a couple days, I am incredibly impressed with the Canon 5D Mark III. I am upgrading to this camera from a 30D, and while I have used a Mark II once in the past, my primary experience was with that (30D) camera. Therefore, I will focus primarily on a couple features that this camera offers, and not attempt to compare it to the Mark II or other full-frame cameras. Additionally, since I am primarily a stills photographer, I am not really qualified to discuss the issues of most concern to videographers, so I will leave it to another reviewer to cover those features of this camera. Finally, years ago I made the decision to buy Canon over other vendors. My subsequent investment in glass means that I realistically cannot switch systems at this point. I am not a Canon zealot and recognize that Nikon (and Sony, Fugi, etc.) all have great cameras. I chose this Canon because it was the upgrade path for me to continue to use my lenses, not simply because it was Canon.Taking the camera out of the box, it feels very good in my hands. It is very well balanced, has excellent "grip" and is molded nicely to fit my thumb on rear panel. I do not have very big hands and the size of this camera is just about at the limit of what feels comfortable to me. The buttons are laid out in a manner similar with most of the other Canon prosumer models, with some new buttons and some rearrangement as well. Canon put some thought into the button placement, and, while it will take a bit to get used to new layout, I think that the changes made work very well. For example, the set of buttons along the left side of the rear display are nicely arranged to be image review functions (erase, play, zoom, and the new "rate" and "creative photo" buttons), while the right side of the display is dedicated to "before you click" functions. Newly added to the 5D series is the Q button that is finding its way on other Canon DSLRs, giving you a the ability to select and adjust camera settings all from the rear panel. At first I was didn't think that I would use this, since I am accustomed to using the other buttons for adjustment, but I have come to like that feature now.This being my first full-frame sensor body, that alone would be reason to upgrade. However, I chose the Mark III instead of the Mark II for a few key reasons-- the pro-level focusing system, the improvements in ISO performance, and the improved weather sealing. As mentioned, I only had limited experience with the Mark II, but one of the things I didn't like was the small number of focus points (given the cost of the body), and the fact that they were really squished into the middle ~40% of the viewfinder. I was psyched when I learned that the focusing system from the 1DX was being added to this camera. It seemed like it could be cumbersome to use (the 61 available on the 5d Mark III is a big step up from the 9 on my previous camera), but it is really simple to select the focusing method (using the multi-function button) as well as select the focus point(s) (using both the main dial and the quick control dial). The result of these added focus points is a system that is very quick to lock focus, and very accurate. The high number of single and dual cross-point sensors really benefits the photographer.The ISO performance is no less impressive. The Mark II already was a great performer at high ISO, and the Mark III is even better. Stunning, nearly noiseless results all the way to ISO 6400. And still incredible results all the way to ISO 25600. Given that you can set the top end of the auto-ISO value set by the camera, you can *almost* leave the camera on auto-ISO with 6400 at the top end. I say almost because you can see some minor noise creeping in at 6400 when viewing shots taken in low light and viewed at 100%. Given better lighting conditions, you truly get EXTREMELY usable images directly from the camera all the way to 25600, and with a bit of post processing, those very high ISO photos look great as well.A few other things that I really like about this camera... The view finder is huge (perhaps only because I was shooting with crop-sensors in the past) and bright. The camera is very configurable, from changing the behavior of the buttons to the amount of focus data to display in the view finder, setting servo tracking parameters, it really can be individualized to suit your needs and manner of shooting. Also, I love the rear monitor as well-- very bright and crisp. And, while I know that video shooters will not be happy that the monitor does not flip out, given that this was done to improve the weather sealing of the camera, that was okay with me as well.There is so much more for me to discover with this camera that I have not had a chance to as yet. I am interested in seeing how good the HDR feature works, as well as the multiple exposure feature. And, I am interested in playing with the creative photo features as well. Al

After having this camera a little over a week and shooting 3 sessions with it, I thought it was time to throw in my 2cents.Stepping up to the 5D MK II was a big jump from my 50D, so I can't give a review as comprehensive as if I was stepping up from the MK II, but I can give a good review for those wondering if you should step up from your current consumer-level or semi-pro DSLR.The body:In hand this feels like a camera. It has a professional feel to it, which I know is a cosmetic feature, but I personally love the feeling. The buttons are laid out rather nicely and easy to access while shooting. My one complaint is the zoom button. I don't know where Canon was going with this but it's awkward. It will take some getting used to, but honestly if a zoom button is your deal breaker, you shouldn't be looking at this camera any way. The LCD screen is large, which is very nice, the color on screen is amazingly vibrant and true to what shows up on the computer.The Focal PointsI never knew what I was missing with only 9 focal points, but after playing around with the 61 different points on the 5D, I am impressed. During sessions I tend to shoot AF, out of convenience, in shooting AF though you rely on the camera to know where you want to focus and often times I found (at least with my 50D) that this led to soft images or soft faces. With the 5D I am able to completely manipulate AF with the push of a button. I set the focal point to the face and get my exact shot. This also comes in handy with macro shots. I find that getting a crisp macro is very hard on AF, as the focus is often soft or off. With spot focusing I can achieve the shot I want much faster without having to struggle with the camera not being able to lock on. The AF on this camera is a huge improvement and produces sharp, quality images.ISOThe ISO was something I was most excited to try out. I am amazed with the results at 1600, after minor RAW adjustments to the noise, there is virtually no grain and the image is perfectly useable. I did test the 25600 and while I would never use this ISO in a shoot situation, I was impressed with the quality. Yes there was noise, but you're at an ISO of 25600, what do you expect? This camera produces quality images at larger ISOs. As a portrait photographer, this can be an advantage. I don't like to set my shutter bellow 1/125 and in some situations having the ability to bump my ISO up to 800 with no hint of grain/noise after post processing really makes a difference.Image QualityI am highly impressed with the image quality of this camera. Images come out very true to life and are crisp. My first impression: Blown away with the quality. The detail, even when zooming in is crisp and to the point. The color, as I have said, is true to life. The reds are not as manipulated as in some of Canons other cameras. The camera is able to capture light perfectly as well, creating amazing hair-lights without external flash. In my opinion the image quality is top notch (right where it should be for such a high power DSLR)The duel axis electronic level is also a pretty neat feature. The level is great for landscapes and beach shooting. Yes you can produce a quick fix post image, but it is nice option to have.HDR featureI didn't really have an opinion about the addition of in camera HDR. It is really not a feature I thought I would ever have a need for. I have never been a huge fan of HDR, but the in camera HDR feature is actually quite fun to play with.Lastly, I just want to mention that the auto feature is amazing. 9/10 I get a perfect picture with auto, makes my job amazingly easy. I get to show up, put the camera on auto and snap away. {:) Okay, kidding there, wanted to liven up the post.}I have to say that I am amazed at this camera. Yes I did step up from a 50D, but my expectations were blow away with the quality of images this camera can capture. The colors and detail are true to life, which is a big deal to me. For the first time I feel like I can reach my full potential with this camera, yes I got amazing pictures with my 50D and `L' lenses, but I was never quite getting exactly what I saw, with the 5D MK III I am. If you're upgrading from a semi-pro body you will be happy, ecstatic even. Overall in my opinion Canon produced a high quality product, but wants a tad too much money for it.My advice for this camera is to get it if you are ready for the upgrade. By ready for the upgrade I mean have an arsenal of L lenses. Yes, USM will work with this camera, but to get the most out of it, L is the way to go. This is a camera for professionals, that being said If you have a semi-pro body and a variety of L lenses, and looking to step up a bit, then maybe this is the camera for you. If you don't have any L lenses, then invest in those first.Stepping up from a 50D this is a 5 star camera.Stepping up from a 5D MKII (which I have used a handful of times) it is probably a 4 star camera.

My upgrade path has been 450D -> 7D -> 5D Mark III. My subjects don't sit still or have a lot of patience, so AF speed and accuracy and general handling are big for me. That's why I never was a big fan of the 5D Mark II; I always considered the 7D the better camera of the two, its sensor size disadvantage being more than compensated for by the better AF system and ergonomics. All this changed with the arrival of the 5D Mark III, of which I am now a happy owner, after two rentals made me a convert.My experiences: AF is vastly improved over the 7D; with fast lenses (135 f/2L, various versions of the 70-200) I can shoot wide open and focus is exactly where I want it to be. I'd always chimp to double check on the 7D; on the 5D Mark III I still do, but it is unnecessary, because practically every shot is in perfect focus. AI servo is a treat to use, and I find myself taking more action shots than I ever did before. Shutter lag is almost non-existent, and I have been able to get shots of dancers in mid air consistently through pure timing without using the burst mode. Noise levels are much lower. With the 7D, ISO 800 and above resulted in iffy photos, but with the Mark III, ISO 3200 is very usable. For some reason, I also see an improvement in dynamic range, with more shadow detail preserved than on the 7D, which is a big help in recovering imperfectly exposed shots. Finally, even at low ISOs, it seems like the 5D captures more detail than the 4.3 MP advantage over the 7D would seem to indicate. If there is one minor complaint, it is that the jpg photos straight from the camera look a little flat. I believe this is due to very aggressive NR being applied in camera. Shooting RAW results in large files that take noticeably longer to process in Lightroom than my old 7D RAWs. In actual practice, very little if any NR is needed until you get to ISO 1600.What Canon appears to have done is to combine the ergonomics of the 7D with the IQ of the 5D Mark II - and then, almost impossibly, improve upon the result. What you have is a camera that does its job very very well, thus allowing you to focus on yours, which is composition, lighting, and timing. Using this camera is, as a friend of mine put it, like a tiger getting its first taste of human blood. Once you see how much better it is than anything else you've used, nothing less will do.Update May 2014: Nearly a year after purchasing this camera I feel compelled to add a few more words. Because this camera does what it does so well, it (and the full frame lenses that go with it) has improved my photography beyond all expectation; it is an absolute joy to simply have to concentrate on the scene and have complete confidence that the camera will capture in beautiful detail what your eyes and mind perceive; I never had this level of trust in the 7D or the 450D. I want to emphasize again the difference in sharpness and contrast between the RAW files and the in camera JPGs. The in camera JPGs use horrendously destructive noise reduction - to the point that the camera probably ought to flash a warning in the viewfinder when you shoot in JPG. Make doubly certain you are shooting in RAW for anything that is critical.

First I like to state that I am not a professional photographer and my company manufactures professional aerial video octocopters. I will be reviewing mostly the video part. See the aerial footage of Palatine Hill and Colosseum I filmed by search "Turbo Ace X88" in Youtube. We use exclusively Canon for aerial video and my review would tell you how we have reached such a decision after months and months of research and comparisons. Go to TurboAce.com and checkout what a Mark III can do in the air and why cinematographers are using it.The Mark III has the most stable under vibration and the it has the least moire issue among all the DSLR cameras we have tested. The cameras tested were Nikon D800, D3100, D5100, D90, D7000, Canon Mark ii, T3i, T4i. Our company spends thousands of dollars testing camera equipment that are suited for aerial, so the above cameras actually went up the air during these experiments. The Mark III has the tiny bit of moire issue as a 60,000 Sony film camera and I am very impressed. If you are familiar with moire, paid attention to any of the multi-million dollar productions and it is there, a pain for the directors and producer. I recommend only this DSLR for video especially aerial. At the time of the final test, the final contenders were the D800 and the Mark II/III, so which one is better?1. More mega pixel, more noise. Nikon just shot itself on the foot getting into the mega pixel race which Canon used to play. The D800 has noticeable noise level than the Mark iii when compared at 12k or higher ISO. I shot photos of green leaves on an indoor plant when I did the side by side comparison.2. For stills, auto white balance under fluorescent lighting shows a greenish tone on the D800 which looks very unatural. Even after I played with it by adjusting the kelvin, I could not make it better than the Mark iii image taken under the same condition with Auto white balance.3. Moire on video for the Mark iii is better than the Mark ii and the D800. Compare the videos side by side, you will notice the big difference.4. For stills, D800 shows more detail outdoor, or indoor with tons of light. I would buy the D800 if I need the mega pixel badly but it has no use for me other than chewing up my memory and slowing down the frame rate. The D800 has to wait for 2 minutes for the buffer to clear after shooting about 15 continuous frames. The Mark iii kept on going but at a much slower rate. At least the Mark iii was still usable while the Nikon was not responding at all.5. For stills, focus on the Mark iii is faster than D800. The D800 does hesitate a bit whereas the Mark iii was push and click, yes it's scary fast.6. Canon video has more accurate white balance and this carries on to the Mark iii. If you do video, Mark iii is a no brainer. The video was also a lot sharper than my Canon M52 which incorporates the 1/3 inch sensor the big camcorder uses. Again a no brainer if you are a cinematographer.7. Update: The following point is no longer true as the D800 supplies has improved, thumbs up for Nikon finally able to increase the supply to deliver the true MSRP. Price of D800 is not $2995. The lowest price in stock is on Ebay is $3650. Price is coming down fast at about $20 per day and I have been tracking this on Ebay. Good luck finding a D800 in stock because it does not exist unless you buy it on Craigslist or Ebay. Don't waste your time, wait for another month it should be better. Order cancellation on the D800 is going to surprise Nikon, they are taking too long to deliver and people are starting to find out that Canon is better this time. Most people are using the camera for sports, family, wedding and not landscape and the Mark iii is better for those applications.We switched to Canon because of our need but your need may be different. If you are a landscape photographer or wants to blow up your photo extremely large with more mega pixels and you have plenty of lights, stick with Nikon. If you are a cinematographer, sports, wedding or simply indoor family photographer go with the Mark iii. Canon is not always going to be better than Nikon and Nikon isn't always going to be better than Canon. But I can honestly tell you, for now this year Canon has stepped up and broken the ISO barrier and its video has blown Nikon out of the water. It has caught up with Nikon's low noise technology after 2 complete product cycles. What took Canon so long, I have no idea.I highly recommend the Mark III if you are going with the video or still, except if you are a landscape photographer or work under studio light. See all my Turbo Ace X88 octocopter aerial footage taken in Europe in Youtube.WowHobbies

I'm upgrading from the 5D Mark II..Thumbs up for the 61 point focusing system vs the 9 point on the 5D Mark II. J Howell's, David Siegfried and Coronet Blue reviews go into very good details on the specs of this unit so I don't need to repeat that. There's a learning curve with this unit however it's nothing really crazy to overcome. I opted for the Vello battery grip instead the Canon one which suites me just fine. Now with the grip the camera is more balanced with my 70-200 2.8 and the 100-400 glass. I just love the overall feel. The shutter is so much quieter than the 5D Mark II and hitting that shutter button and the overall camera has a more professional feel to it...if I can say that. The 6fps is so cool vs the 3.8 on the 5D Mark II.I took it out the other day and put it through it's paces during the daylight. I have to say I was pleased. The 1 thing I did not like that there was no red pre focusing point like the 5D Mark II but that's no surprise to most coming to these pages. It's going to be very hard for me to find that focusing point in a concert or play venue. I will update this review when I put this unit in a low light setting and that will separate the men from the boys!!!I'm strictly a still photographer so I can't tell you much about the video features.UPDATE 4/19/2014:I'm finding myself not wanting to touch my 5D Mark II (still a very good camera) any longer. The 5D Mark III is truly a great camera I'll suggest two books to read to assist you with the focusing system and overall operation of this AMAZING piece of machinery (IMHO). Canon 5D Mark III Experience - The Still Photography Guide to Operation and Image Creation with the Canon EOS 5D Mark III and David Busch's Canon EOS 5D Mark III Guide to Digital SLR Photography (David Busch's Digital Photography Guides) I hope this helps.UPDATE 5/12/2014:I took the 5D Mark III to a favorite location to test out it's ability to focus on people in a very dingy low light situation. The camera was able to focus on the dancing subjects where before my 5D Mark II would miss (even if I set it at the center focus point). I have to say that I'm thoroughly pleased with this unit!!! I'm satisfied in it's ability get the shot I want!!! Hello 5D Mark III and goodbye 5D Mark II!!!

This camera is exactly what I was hoping Canon would release, if not better. Canon stepped away from the ridiculous megapixel wars and delivered a very capable body that is well rounded for almost any use.While most of us wanted only a 7D equivalent AF system, Canon delivered the flagship system found in the 1Dx. The AF has not missed focus for me yet that was not my own user error. Servo tracking with even the farthest outer points are extremely accurate and nail focus each and every time. You are given many options to customize the AF system perform best to the subject you are shooting, which is great. These options include AF point switching speed, delay with interruptions, how erratic the subject will be, etc... It really is excellent.Image quality is what you would expect, Amazing. I have used the 5D Mark II for about a year prior and have edited tens of thousands of images from that camera. The 5D3 images are more impressive. At low ISO's you are able to better push shadow areas and really have the ability to increase the dynamic range more then the 5D Mark II. With the 5D2 you would get shadow banding with only minor pushes in exposure along with blotching and other artifacts. The 5D3 is heavily improved in this area. Images remain noise free at low ISO, just like they always have.The high ISO performance of this camera is simply incredible. With the 7D I tried to limit my high ISO shooting to about 6400... The 5D II my limit was the same, although it did render cleaner images and much better detail then the 7D. However, at 12,800 and above the 5D2 would go downhill very quickly. I am extremely comfortable shooing up to ISO 25,600 with the 5D3. Images are still very detailed with very nice looking, fine grain. Images don't become flat looking and still have a really nice look to them. I will even shoot 51,200 without a problem, although there is a big increase of noise beyond the native ISO values. Noise is never an issue with me, as long as it is nice looking noise and detail is there. I have been surprised on how well this camera does at such high ISO. It really is impressive.The JPEG's that this camera produces are beautiful if you don't shoot RAW. But make sure to turn off all noise reduction. Remember, even "OFF" applies some noise reduction. This camera will make a smeary mess of your JPEG images if you leave them on. Trust me, turn them off and the images will look great. I have no problem with amazing detail and clarity with the JPEG's with them turned off.The build of the camera is really good. Solid in the hand with additional extra grip applied on the battery door. Ergonomically it just feels really good in the hand, 7D like but even better. I used a grip with my 5D2 just so it felt better in the hand and planned to do the same with the 5D3, but after using it the past few weeks I don't think I will need to. It really is a comfortable camera body to hold and shoot with.The movie features in this camera body are really well integrated, much like the 7D was. I really dig the touch-pad for volume control and other settings while recording, it really is a great tool to have. Quality of the video looks really good.This camera now has the multi-point microadjust feature to fine tune your lenses to your 5D Mark III. You now have the capability to calibrate each zoom lens on the wide and telephoto end of each lens. Very nice feature.Of course, the camera is loaded up with many other new and improved features... Improved metering system, 100% viewfinder (beautiful, by the way), improved weathersealing and locking mode dial which I really like.Of course, no camera is perfect... But Canon has got REAL close with this one. A minor gripe which may or may not be fixed with a future firmware update include the lack of exposure compensation using AUTO ISO in Manual Mode. I have been wanting this feature for a long time now... It would be so useful in complex lighting when you require a set shutter speed and aperture, but care less about the ISO. You can do this now, but the camera will always meter to "0". Naturally, Canon bodies seem to underexpose by 1/3 to 2/3 of a stop almost always so it would be nice to have the ability to dial in the +1/3 or +2/3 stop and have it bump up the ISO value to compensate.Overall, I think Canon really delivered an amazing replacement to the 5D Mark II... People may be a bit bitter due to the steeper price of $3499, but I think it is worth the price. You can't really think of it as a 5D2 replacement, but almost a different model. I believe Canon is developing the 5D line to be a bit more high-end, just under the flagship 1Dx. In the future I see Canon releasing a low priced full-frame option. But at this time, the 5D Mark II is still in production and can be found new for around $2,000 or used for around $1600.

Here is the learning curve I followed in getting more confidence in the world of the DSLR.Start off with the great and humble and not too scary Canon EOS Rebel T3 12.2 MP CMOS Digital SLR with 18-55mm IS II Lens and EOS HD Movie Mode (Black). Please notice this is the T3 without the i . . .A great street camera which really gets you used to the technology and the set-up.Then progress to the wonderful, built-like-a-tank Canon EOS 7D 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3-Inch LCD (Body Only) which really carries you to the next level, into the pro's in fact. A camera built for hard use with the features you need.Then come into the light with this top of the line camera, the desire of all shutterbugs, pro and aficionado.The first thing you notice straight out of the box is the smaller size and yet solid build. Tiny features you really really appreciate right away is the fact the function changing button LOCKS, so when you set it to MANUAL (as you will all of the time), it doesn't migrate on its own to Bulb or Av OR WORSE, jsut when you were thinking you were cool with Manual and had to take an instant shot on the street.You also notice the repositioning of the buttons, such as the Quick Menu display which gives you access to the various settings as on the 7D. It is now on the right side in a space very convenient for righties. In fact, the redesign seems to favor the righties world.I need to study the manual further to find out what this RATE button is all about.Of course this review only begins not even to scratch the surface of all that is here, but this is right out of the box and clearly the epitome, the apex, of the DSLR camera today. I haven't even begun to mention how incredible this camera can be with the High Dynamic Range feature, the ISO range from FIFTY (for photography on the surface of the sun?) all the way to infinity and BEYOND (actually maybe 256000 or sometihng like that) for taking shots in total darkness as I tend to do on city streets and alleys at night.Study carefully the manual and do not lose it. It does not come as a .pdf file on CD disk, unfortunately. The bundled software is the same as what came with the 7D.

I upgraded from a Canon Rebel T3i to this camera. I was at the point where the Rebel was limiting me mainly in terms of high ISO image quality and the AF. I was unsure whether to try out another APS-C camera (the T4i or 7D potentially or a maybe even a mirrorless alternative) or make the "leap" to a Full Frame (FF) camera. As you can tell I decided to make the leap to a FF camera. I ended up selling my 17-55 zoom, 85 1.8 and 40 mm pancake and bought this 5D along with a used 135L that has been my only lens until today. Here is what I will tell you about this camera:1) You will not be disappointed in it unless maybe you are coming from a 1DX for some reason. The only thing about this camera that I wish was better is its burst rate, period. There is nothing else that disappoints me about it. - Battery life? Amazing. - High ISO? I have no issue keeping pictures taken at 12800 ISO. - AF? Blazing fast and all those AF points are glorious.2) It will likely make you spend a lot more than its $3k entrance price on lenses and other camera accessories. If you get the zoom lens with the kit you may eventually get the urge to upgrade to a faster zoom or a prime and even if you don't get the kit lens and use it with some of the better non-L lenses (85 f1.8, 100 f2) you will likely still catch the L bug and move up to some L primes (135L, 35L, 50L etc etc) due to their amazing image quality, build quality etc. Honestly, if you're buying this camera you will want to pair it with the best your money can get you because it will just continue to give back the more you give to it.3) It is, in my mind, worth every penny of its entrance price. I've gotten way more out of this camera than I dreamed of getting from my old setup. Keep in mind that I had a T3i with 17-55mm f/2.8 (great lens), 85mm f/1.8 (great lens) and 50mm f/1.8 and I am telling you that I've gotten more out of my 5D with just a 135mm f/2 (amazing lens) attached to it. I've just recently purchased a 35L to add to my collection.4) Take your time to learn all of the settings and really get used to the camera. I take a lot of pictures of my dog so getting to know the different AI Servo settings and learning about the focus points has been very helpful.5) If you're worried about weight then this guy is quite heavy. But what I will tell you is that weight is the #1 reason that I used to have the Rebel series because I thought this was way larger and heavier but in reality I've come to learn that the extra bulk is actually something I like. I'm never in a position where I think "Oh man my Rebel would have been so much easier to carry right now" but I'm always in a position where I'm thinking "Gosh I could not have taken this photo with my Rebel".6) The better bokeh you by grabbing a FF camera is noticeable and great. If you like bokeh then you will love this camera (just be sure to link it up with some fast glass).Otherwise, there's not much to say. You can probably tell I love the camera and I of course love my lens. If you don't have very much money I'd say grab this with the kit lens (24-105) since it's a well-reviewed lens but if you have some money to spend I would skip that and go for 1 or 2 primes if you can.Feel free to peruse through some photos of mine on my blog (photos taken with the 5D are labelled as such): [...]

I actually bought this camera from Adorama since the price was $2949 with no sales tax, and it came with a 16GB Sandisk CF card and Adobe Photoshop Element 10 for free.Before I have this camera, I have been shooting with my EOS 7D for almost 4 years. While the 7D has been the mainstay for my photographic adventures, I felt I was at a point to step up the game. The 7D was great for action, sports, and perhaps even landscape; however, there were times when I tried to lift shadows in post processing, I was disappointed with the banding noise even at low ISO. The banding noise was quite difficult to remove unless I used a very strong noise reduction to blur it out with a brush resulting in loss of details. Secondly, I have been eying on one of Canon 's legendary lens: EF 135mm F2L. Without a full frame body, it 's hard for me to justify the purchase of this lens since the focal length would be too long for portrait and I would not enjoy that background isolation effect without a narrower depth of field from a full frame body. Thirdly, images captured from the EOS 7D are only acceptable up to ISO3200. Beyond that, it gets pretty noisy. The 5D Mark3 is now my "night rider".When I mounted my EF 24mm F1.4L II USM lens on my brand new 5D Mark3 the first time, the images it captured were like OMG! Super sharp with great tonality. I finally can fully utilize this premium lens. Having been using the EOS 7D, the 5D Mark3 feels right at home. The auto focus system is fantastic. It even has more horizontal coverage area than the EOS 7D. The menu and handling are superb, although I am still wondering why there is no dedicated mirror lock up button. And what 's up with the dedicated RATE button? I don't quite understand. I took the 5D Mark3 for a spin in the back country. and let me tell you, this is an awesome piece of equipment. I have never come across a camera this good even though I have been tempted numerious times by the dark side.Overall the 5D Mark3 is extremely responsive. It 's a bit heavy but not to the point where it breaks your neck. I would suggest replacing the standard issued Canon strap with a comfy third party one. The lack of built-in flash does not bother me. I 'd probably get the 90EX with built-in wireless remote trigger. The battery can even be shared with the EOS 7D. How nice! I don't have to get additional spares.Before I bought the EOS 5DMark3, I actually had looked into the EOS 6D which was about a grand cheaper. However, I have been spoiled by the AF system of my EOS 7D. So when I tried out the EOS 6D at Best Buy, I was somewhat disappointed. Also its body is quite a bit smaller and it did not perfectly fit into my hands. Out of the three cameras mentioned, the body size of the EOS 7D has the nicest fit for me. The EOS 5D Mark3 is slightly wider and taller. However, I still don't feel fatigue after handling it for a long period of time. I also like the sound of the shutter and the relatively lack of vibration when the mirror is flapped. The silence mode is great. I think it should be featured in all future Canon cameras.Let 's see. I have not tried video yet. But I don't expect it to be that much difference from my EOS 7D. I rarely use my EOS DSLRs to shoot video. The multi-exposure blending and HDR mode are welcome features. There 's nothing I really dislike about the EOS 5D Mark3. Canon has finally nailed it and hit a home run.

I had full intensions of working my 5D Mark II for another year or two. The Mark II had really served me well, but I didn't have rain protection on one of my photo tours this year and during the week of intense rains here in Colorado, the Mark II gave out after being in the rain for 2 days. I needed a camera right away while my Mark II went in for repairs.I decided to go with the Mark III since it used compact flash and also I wanted the upgraded 61-point focusing system and the faster frame rate. Both the Mark III and the 6D have the new Digic 5+ processor which is amazing but the Mark III can shoot at a full 6fps allowing me to use the camera in more action related situations and so I didn't need to purchase a 2nd camera for the occasional sporting events I was shooting.On my last photo tour we did some astro photography just outside of Crested Butte Colorado on Ohio Pass and the result was some amazing images at ISO 5000 with little to no noise! I literally was able to use image right out of the camera with no post noise reduction.I also shoot portraits and occasionally I get requests to shoot the kids in action. I went to one of the high school football games to capture of few of my students in action on the football field and I was able to shoot at ISO 12800 so I could capture the players in action with a fast enough shutter speed. This in combination with 6fps gave me clean crisp images. Post noise reduction was minimal. The 5D Mark II would never have been able to match this camera's performance. Iso 6400 on the Mark II is loaded with noise so 12800.I am disappointed in the fact that the SD card slot is not UDMA-7 compatible and will only support write speeds of 133X. If you want to shoot fast with no buffering then don't use the SD card slot. Stick to the compact flash. When you pair this camera with the Lexar 1000X or San Disk Extreme Pro CF cards it can shoot all day long at 6fps and you never notice any buffering.I love the new beefier body and grip. It feels really good in the hands and ever better than the Mark II. Though it is heavier, I love the magnesium body. This camera is much more solid and tight sealing than my Mark II, though during my trip to Telluride I made sure I had rain and snow protection for the camera.The price is high for this camera, but I'm totally happy with my purchase. I'm glad I didn't settle for the 6D. The new 61-point focusing system and the 6fps frame rate made this the right purchase for me, plus the fact that I could take advantage of my already huge investment in compact flash cards I already owned and didn't have to move to new SD cards.Love this investment in my business! Totally worth it!

Some quick observations on the 5D3. Before I go further I should explain I'll be comparing vs. the 5D2 and second, if you need to know about video, I can't be of any help there.Received camera body from Amazon on 3/23. Lots of new features (5D2 manual is 259 pages; 5D3 manual is 403 pages). For the work I do, I was looking for two improvements over the 5D2: Ability to bracket more than 3 shots and much lower noise. The first wish was granted. As you probably know, the 5D3 does 7 exposures. Nikons do 9, but 7 is almost always enough. Those who need more will probably have a Promote remote anyway. Noise? Well, the 5D3 images are cleaner but I wouldn't say dramatically so. With the default noise settings and long exp NR set on, I'd say it's 1 to 1.5 stops better than the 5D2. Now, with a little Noiseware or other NR, you can get very clean images at 12800 with very little loss of detail so I don't consider this a problem. I guess it was unrealistic to expect the 5D3 to match the very low noise of my D700 but it would have been nice.It's true that nearly every feature on the 5D3 is an upgrade over the 5D2. Not all of these will result in better images but it's fair to say that the entire "feel" of the 5D3, the layout, viewfinder, displays are all nicer than the 5D2. The two things that may be game changers, IMO, are the shutter and the AF. If you haven't heard and felt the shutter on the 5D3, you're in for a treat. It isn't just quieter; there is much less kick from the mirror. Add the "silent" mode and, wow. I would not be surprised to see signs in the future that say "Please set your camera to silent mode". As for AF, I never had a problem with the AF on the 5D2 so I'm less impressed here. But if you shoot moving subjects, the 5D3 has it all--predictive, wrap around, sequential, selective. The manual devotes 45 pages to setting autofocus.A small thing that I've been waiting for, a dual axis electronic level is wonderful. For some time, digital SLRs have had an "artificial horizon" that tells you if you are tilting the camera to the left or right. That's nice but in almost all imaging software, rotating an image takes just a second. What these left/right levelers don't tell you is if you are tipping the camera up or down which can be a real pain with a super wide lens. Well, problem solved with the 5D3.The in-camera HDR is a mixed bag. Output is jpeg only and even at that, it takes awhile for the 5D3 to register the images. (This could be my cards which are Lexar UDMA 400x & Sandisk Extreme IV). Anyhow, it's a fun feature. This brings me to yet another interesting feature. Since the 5D3 has two cards (CF + SD) you can record different file types to each card. In other words, you could have a RAW-only card and a JPEG-only card. I haven't tried this but I presume this would mean that you could shoot everything RAW except in-camera HDRs which, being jpegs, would end up on the other card. I get requests for jpegs so now I can put them on one card while keeping an all-RAW card for myself. You can also have redundant cards for backup, sequential for extra capacity, etc. As with the autofocus options, the possibilities are endless!So, to summarize. Pros: Better AF, 100% viewfinder with electronic grid (no more screens), better LCD, faster drive and processor, fabulous shutter/mirror, 7-stop bracketing, 2-axis level, somewhat lower noise and thus somewhat cleaner images vs. 5D2, two card slots, uses same batteries as 5D2. Cons: Still no built-in flash (yes, it's very handy), in-camera HDR so-so, mode knob still feels flimsy (and it locks now, so be careful). All in all, this is a very nice, refined camera and anybody trading up from a 5D2 will be happy. And if you do get a 5D3, the person getting your 5D2 will be happy as well.Just a footnote. One thing that comes through loud and clear from these reviews is how very different people's needs are and how differently they use a camera. I can only explain how a product meets or fails to meet my needs. I would not dream of saying you do/don't need this feature or "read and decide" as if I was some sort of oracle. You know what is or is not important to you and how much you're willing to pay for it. The web has made everybody a professional and an expert but when it's your money, the only expert is you.

This is my first full frame DSLR. I'm upgrading from a Canon 50D which I have loved the past 3.5 years. This is a stellar piece of equipment, more so than I expected (and I expected a lot)!I have now used it for about a week, and have found that there is a little learning curve to upgrade, but it's well worth it. Here are some of my observations:* Image quality is fantastic. This should be expected from a full frame DSLR with L quality lens. I had heard that the 24-105 is good, but not great for L lenses. But I have found the sharpness, colors, and bokeh to be outstanding.* This camera feels like a tank. My old 50D felt really good and strong, and took a bit of a beating, but never missed a beat. The 5D mark iii feels much more sturdy, so I know it will hold up to many years of use in wet, cold, snow, sand, woods, and a toddler.* The shutter is so much quieter than the 50D, even went NOT using the silent shutter mode. The mirror slap is very quiet (maybe not Nikon quiet, but close). I feel like I can be stealthier with this camera.* The auto focus is amazing. This is especially true with the 1.2.1 firmware. It's so fast to lock on that I often find myself second guessing if it got the lock. And the AI servo mode tracks spectacularly well.* The buttons are WAY more programable than I expected. There is a menu option that lets you change the functions of EIGHT different buttons. This includes the newly placed DOF preview button, which I never used as a DOF preview, so I'm glad it's no longer useless. It's definitely taking me a bit of time to get used to the new layout (especially the left side buttons), but I'm sure it won't be long until it's natural.* The bracketed exposures can be set to 2, 3, 5, or 7 exposures! This is great news for me, as I like to take shots for HDR merges. I always found it annoying to mess with the exposure settings to get a series of 7 shots. Using this, I could go -8 1/3 to + 8 1/3 with just holding down the shutter once. That is a huge range!* Using the electronic level in the viewfinder is a little tricky. It's much easier in live view mode. This could make for a bit of a drain on the battery, although...* Battery life is outstanding. So far, I have taken 359 shots, and the battery is at 70%. At this rate, I would get approximately 1200 images before depleting the battery. And this is with a lot of image review, settings, etc. So the battery life could be much longer if I wasn't in the menus so much.* Vignetting is the one major downside I have to contest with. Because I shoot RAW, I have to handle it in post processing. It's not the worst thing, but it is a bit of a pain. This is to be expected wit ha full frame camera and a wide lens.Overall I am extremely pleased!

Like the above says, I had a Canon 7D which I used which shooting for my University's newspaper, which was perfect at that time being I shot everything including sports. I graduated and no longer needs the speed of the 7D and had been obsessing over getting a full frame camera. At that time, I had my eye on the 6D and 5D Mark iii since both were full frames with newer sensors and processors. Both are great cameras but the Mark iii came with a few more bells and whistles.The 6D has great low light noise performance but I found it does start to lose sharpness as the ISO increase, faster than the Mark iii. The main downfall with the 6D is the 11 point AF system, even though the center focus point was extremely sensitive (-3ev I believe). I thought this wasn't a big deal, being that I did't shoot sports anymore. I started to shoot more weddings and the AF kept up but didn't provide the performance I was hoping for. I also wished the 6D had dual card slots because I always like to back up my images when shooting important events. Don't get me wrong, the 6D is an amazing camera and will produce excellent images. I just advise thinking long and hard about whether to save a little longer and the get mark iii. I wish I had.I've now had the Mark iii for about three weeks or so and I already love it! The AF is spectacular! Better than the 7D's AF system, and I really loved my 7D and its AF. The low light performance is great, which is expected from the 5D line. I recently had a headshot session and after reviewing my photos I realized not one didn't have the eye tack sharp.All in all, if you have the money then pull the trigger and purchase this camera instead of the original 5D, 5D mark ii, and 6D. Otherwise you will continue to look at it, and look at it, and look at it, until you finally purchase it. I am a tech gear junkie and love buying the new best and greatest, but I can honestly say it will be a while until I purchase another body. Unless its to buy a second back up body or a Hasselblad or Phase One.Plus, you cant beat the price it's going for right now! I almost bought two but refrained myself.