So... when are we getting 5D Mark III with 19 AF points?

Next fall...

OK, it's a guess. But it's as good as anyone else's guess...

its a simple formula, you want a pro camera, pay up!

It be very upsetting if they cropped the FF, I wouldnt buy it does not matter on features if it is not a FF I would be very disapointed.

bigcountry wrote in post #8579844
its a simple formula, you want a pro camera, pay up!

Only thing is, other companies are now offering pro cameras at less-than-1D prices.

Nikon's D700 is, without any doubt, a pro camera. Full weather sealing, 51-point AF. 5fps (expandable to 8) at 12MP, or similar data throughput to the 1D3 (10fps at 10MP). If they released a new version - bearing in mind that it is an older camera than the 5D2 - there is little doubt it would include dual card slots (like the D300s) and video, as well as a faster shooting rate. Comparable to a 1D3, but at half the price and in a compact form factor. I would similarly expect a D700x, using the 24MP sensor of the D3x, to be much cheaper than the 1Ds3 while including similar features.

A full-frame version of Pentax's K-7 would kill the 5D2 in terms of features - the full weather sealing, 100% viewfinder and 11 selectable AF points (9 cross-type) do it alone - and would probably cost about the same...

I don't know how long Canon can ignore this trend - in the travel photography field, for example, I have already seen more and more full-time pros travelling with a pair of D700s (lighter, smaller, cheaper, same features), rather than a D3/D3x or 1D3/1Ds3.

D700x comes out shortly too, just to make matters worse... Canon are already bhind, this will make matters worse.

McChook wrote in post #8580657
D700x comes out shortly too, just to make matters worse... Canon are already bhind, this will make matters worse.

No, it'll make matters much, much better!

Nothing to motivate an entity like competition...

I don't care if Canon doesn't have the best body on the market at any particular time. Technology moves fast, and one year Canon might have the best body, while the following year Nikon does. Who knows - next year, it may be Pentax! I care more that Canon has a yawning gap in it's professional/prosumer camera lineup - the compact pro body - which every other camera company is moving towards (e.g. D700) and which happens to be the type of body (in either hi-res or action flavour) most suited to my photographic work!

then go nikon.

i thought pro cameras had dual memory slots. crazy me!

Shadowblade wrote in post #8580542
Only thing is, other companies are now offering pro cameras at less-than-1D prices.

Nikon's D700 is, without any doubt, a pro camera. Full weather sealing, 51-point AF. 5fps (expandable to 8) at 12MP, or similar data throughput to the 1D3 (10fps at 10MP). If they released a new version - bearing in mind that it is an older camera than the 5D2 - there is little doubt it would include dual card slots (like the D300s) and video, as well as a faster shooting rate. Comparable to a 1D3, but at half the price and in a compact form factor. I would similarly expect a D700x, using the 24MP sensor of the D3x, to be much cheaper than the 1Ds3 while including similar features.

A full-frame version of Pentax's K-7 would kill the 5D2 in terms of features - the full weather sealing, 100% viewfinder and 11 selectable AF points (9 cross-type) do it alone - and would probably cost about the same...

I don't know how long Canon can ignore this trend - in the travel photography field, for example, I have already seen more and more full-time pros travelling with a pair of D700s (lighter, smaller, cheaper, same features), rather than a D3/D3x or 1D3/1Ds3.

bigcountry wrote in post #8586574
then go nikon.

i thought pro cameras had dual memory slots. crazy me!

So the D300s is a pro body? The Leica M8.2 isn't? Even the 1D3/1Ds3 only has one CF slot and one SD slot, not two CF slots. Dual slots is certainly a very useful thing to have, but doesn't make or break a pro body alone - it's very easy to fit into a gripped body, more difficult in a compact body.

Besides, I prefer the Canon lens lineup...

Three years ago, everyone was pronouncing Nikon's imminent demise. Canon and Nikon have been leapfrogging each other since 1971. It's not going to stop now.

But it won't be Pentax. Or Sony. As they have always done, they will inject an occasional new concept--Pentax was first with the instant-return mirror, through-the-lens metering, and multicoated lenses, but those were not "disruptive technologies." Minolta was first with autofocusing--which was a true "disruptive technology" (heck, it forced Canon to totally abandon their entire previous product line)--but Minolta failed to take advantage of the three-year lead they had over Canon and Nikon.

I do really like that position-oriented rear LCD, though. I shoot a lot of verticals.

bigcountry wrote in post #8579844
its a simple formula, you want a pro camera, pay up!

First, we need to define "Pro Camera". Since our local newspaper uses 30D's, and their photographers are professional by definition, shouldn't the 30D be considered a pro camera? Or should that title be preserved for the 'top-of-the-line' bodies from the respective manufacturers.

Tom W wrote in post #8587698
First, we need to define "Pro Camera". Since our local newspaper uses 30D's, and their photographers are professional by definition, shouldn't the 30D be considered a pro camera? Or should that title be preserved for the 'top-of-the-line' bodies from the respective manufacturers.

QFT!!!

The camera is just a tool to do a job. The better the tool, the easier it is to do a job which does not preclude someone doing just as good a job with a slightly less capable tool.

I think that too many people focus on the "gadget factor" instead of looking at the capability of the tool and whether they could use it to it's potential. Me, I know that I can't use my 5DII to it's full potential yet - but I am thankful that it makes it easier for me to take better photos than I can with a P&S!

Here's what I'd like to see in the 5D MKIII:

- 21 MP with the new sensor technology. Improved high ISO noise and best in class DR.

- ISO in 1/2 or 1/3 stop increments.

- Viewfinder with 100% coverage.

- 7D improvements to video recording.

- Pop-up flash for wireless ETTL as with the 7D (something I really like on the D700).

- 45 point, customizable, pro AF with at least 19 cross type sensors. For manual selection can switch between 45 or 19.

- 8 fps without a grip.

- Improved weather sealing.

- Smaller/lighter than 5D MKII.

- Four year warranty with no increase in price.

The above would produce a camera for me that is marginally better than the current D700, so Canon may even need to go further to ensure they will have something better than any upcoming D700s (D700 MKII?, D800??).

Manual focusing in Live View gives it "infinite point" focusing, not to mention absolute accuracy and 100% view of what's going onto the sensor. Better than a view camera.

No, Live View is not suitable for action, hence, the 7D.

Bob_A wrote in post #8594028
Here's what I'd like to see in the 5D MKIII:

- 21 MP with the new sensor technology. Improved high ISO noise and best in class DR.

- ISO in 1/2 or 1/3 stop increments.

- Viewfinder with 100% coverage.

- 7D improvements to video recording.

- Pop-up flash for wireless ETTL as with the 7D (something I really like on the D700).

- 45 point, customizable, pro AF with at least 19 cross type sensors. For manual selection can switch between 45 or 19.

- 8 fps without a grip.

- Improved weather sealing.

- Smaller/lighter than 5D MKII.

- Four year warranty with no increase in price.

The above would produce a camera for me that is marginally better than the current D700, so Canon may even need to go further to ensure they will have something better than any upcoming D700s (D700 MKII?, D800??).

Full Frame 7D with 24ish MP, Pro AF, and 5ish FPS. Anything else is gravy

I'm getting the idea from all the press on POTN that the 5DII is already history and probably not something I want to think about as a second camera? Didn't it take 3 or 4 years before they upgraded the 5D classic and now people are really pushing it back and it's only been less than a year? This is confusing.