5D MarkIII

[canon shooter]

Reading humor on the Net that Canon is already working on the 5D Mark III.

Hope this is NOT true. I am still trying to justify spending the money on 5DII.

But with the 5DII being so hard to find, can't understand why Canon would already be working on 5DIII.

Can image Canon releasing Mark III any time soon. Wasn't the 5D out for between 2 1/2 and 3 years before the 5D Mark II?

[basroil]

Rumor after the 1dmkii was released was that canon was working on the 1dmkiii. Rumor was right, but it also took three years and a 1dmkiin before the 1dmkiii was released. There is absolutely nothing in that rumor that could possibly scare you. Not like yesterday's camera is suddenly useless because a new one came out. Just look at the sale of XTi's around the world, still strong not only after the XSi came out and replaced it, but also still strong after the T1i came out and replaced the XSi.

And this belongs in the rumors forum, it's where "talk about photography" is.

[DarthVader]

Yeah actually the 5D II was designed 2 years ago.

[pgruiz123]

But it is not really a rumor. It would be foolish of a business not to start work on the new product the minute the old product was release to market.

[Tee Why]

I suspect that soon after a model is release, the design team is at work on the replacement. As mentioned above, I would guess it'll be about 3 years before it's replaced though.

[Duncan Frenz]

I suspect that soon after a model is release, the design team is at work on the replacement. As mentioned above, I would guess it'll be about 3 years before it's replaced though.

I think it depends on many factors: technological advances, competition, current sales, competition, gremlins in current model, competition, etc...

Seeing as they have rolled out the X0D line 6 months earlier than previous models, I suspect the MKIII is much closer than 3years away unless Nikon has nothing in the ballpark. Even if Nikon doesn't, it will be ready to roll based upon market evaluation and not a time table. They won't cut their own throats.

[andrewc]

If wouldn't surprise me if the design of 5D3 was started before the 5D2 hit the shelves - maybe not at full speed but being discussed.

[kaitanium]

so people are spending $2600+ on old tech. sweet.

that means i just spend $1000+ on an ancient mkI. LOL.

[Karl Johnston]

They don't start making the camera just when they start leaking it :p

[Keltab]

After being in the computer industry for way too long, I learned that most technology companies are working at least 1 if not 2-3 generations ahead. I would not be surprised at all if Canon had a "5DmkIV" already in the planning. Maybe not much done on it yet, but goals to achieve by the time it needs to be ready. The more defined your pre-design goals the better the product usually. So Canon probably had the 5DmkIII up and running in design when we first saw the mkII released. Things can always change after the design process has begun... but usually they have the specs decided well before we hear about them.

[RDKirk]

After being in the computer industry for way too long, I learned that most technology companies are working at least 1 if not 2-3 generations ahead. I would not be surprised at all if Canon had a "5DmkIV" already in the planning. Maybe not much done on it yet, but goals to achieve by the time it needs to be ready. The more defined your pre-design goals the better the product usually. So Canon probably had the 5DmkIII up and running in design when we first saw the mkII released. Things can always change after the design process has begun... but usually they have the specs decided well before we hear about them.

Indeed. A few years ago, right after the 20D was released, a Canon executive mentioned that dust-cleaning technology had been considered for the 20D, but they weren't ready to produce it at that time. Obviously, it was three xxD releases later before it was ready.

Canon execs have also mentioned that they produce cameras in broad five-year plans. Obviously they can't predict precisely where their R&D will be in five years--they will cruise easily in some areas and run into roadblocks in others.

And there is always the chance that some other company will come out with a serious "disruptive technology" that will force them to go an entirely different route. (Autofocusing was such a disruptive technology--in-body IS is not.)

But when they roll out one project, they already have a "to-do" list for the next. There will be things considered for the 5D2 that for some reason didn't pan out technically or economically. There will be technologies seen lucrative in other cameras (their own and other manufacturers) that they will want to incorporate.

There may be advanced elements from the 1-series that they can now produce cheaply enough for the consumer cameras (more likely electronic than mechanical--advanced mechanical features always carry an increased labor cost).

[samurairx7]

They don't start making the camera just when they start leaking it :p

lol bw!

[MikeMcL]

major industry leading companies plan ahead.

I guarantee that they have SOME sort of plan for the next camera in every line, dont let it get you revved up.

it takes the US air force almost 20 years to take a fighter just from concept to asskicking... by the time we use it "for real" it has already been in development for 2 decades.

Just let them do their thing, and enjoy the products. Canon is just doing what every large tech company does.

[alexanderGARDNER]

Standard practice to begin working on the next model before the previous model has even hit the production line. You're wasting resources if departments are resting on their laurels.