Any other new owners of a 5D3?

Anyone else just bought a 5D Mark III? I did, and was curious how others are getting along with the transition.

I've been shooting a long time... started with Nikon and transitioned to Canon years ago, moving from a Nikon D2H to Canon 1D Mark II. I do a lot of sports, and actually had a youth sports business for a number of years, but mostly back to hobby now, and a little freelance on the side. I have had lots of bodies and lenses, most recently a 1D Mark III and 50D that I have been shooting with together. My biggest disappointment over all my Canon years has been the autofocus tracking shooting sports. That old D2H bettered (in my opinion) all my Canon bodies, but the new system in the 5D3/1DX I think may have changed that... just getting started with it and so far I'm impressed.

The only other crop body I owned was a 5Dc, which I had for about 6 months, rarely used, and ended up trading it for a Mamiya medium format film kit. I liked the full frame for some stuff, but it was just too slow to use for sports in any way. The jury is still out on the 5D3. I'm used to having 10fps available, but truthfully I rarely shoot bursts in sports. I tend to time the shots, and might get a 2 shot burst by accident, or once in a while do a 3-4 shot burst, but rarely does "spray and pray" ever get peak action. So I know it will be an adjustment, but I'm not 100% convinced since I've had the higher speeds available for so many years.

I have also loved the 1.3 crop of the 1D series, as a good compromise, but with the insanely large files of the 5D3, I think I'll still do fine since I crop most of my shots anyways. I want to be able to stop using just prime lenses for sports and be able to use my f/2.8 Ls. I do a lot of indoor sports in poor lighting, and have had to rely on f/2 to get fast enough shutter speeds, even at ISO3200. WIth the better high ISO of the 5D3, I'll hopefully be able to shoot at f/2.8 to get a little more focus plane, and be able to use zooms.

And then there's the benefit of being able to remove the grip and have a smaller walk around full frame camera. I do wish there was a comparably compact super zoom like the 18-200 IS I use on my 50D. If there was such a lens, I'd be able to get rid of the 1D3 and 50D, and just have a single body that does everything. Maybe has full frames become more popular and affordable, Canon will produce such a lens for them.

So now to my experience so far. I love the new AF engine so far. Being able to have tracking in AI-Servo, and be able to have the tracking focus points lit is exactly what I wanted. Wish they were red, but can't have everything. I haven't done any real sports yet, other than testing, and shooting a bit of a marathon over the weekend, but so far I like what I see.

So anyone else new to the 5D3? What are you planning to use it for, and how are you coming along with it so far?

I got mine last week of Sept, not sure thats "just" but im still getting to grips with Ff after 7 years with crop cameras.

The two big hurdles im facing is loss of reach, something that has kept me away from FF, and too narrow DOF. Im still trying to remember that f/2 at 100mm (for example) is very, very narrow compared to what it was on my crops.

i love the camera though and have no regrets. Im even using primes more and more now. The focal lengths just seem to make more sense now.

The better AF makes a nice change, especially AF Servo and using the DOF button to get it when i need it, I love the fact that we can have different AF points set for different orientations, and i find i shoot at quite high ISO without too much worry now. The tripod gets used less and less at the moment, although i realise its not going to be replaced.

Im just a casual shooter but i would like to get in to gig and function shooting. No idea if i ever will though.

I've had mine for about a week or so coming from a 5Dc. Really like the new AF, the spread of them, able to use the outer points, the use of higher ISOs. Still getting used to the new AF and what it can all do. I've done some AF-Servo so far I am really liking it but don't use it much. The 100% view finder throws me off still since I am not used to seeing my entire image. My 5Dc is pretty much collecting dust.

Although I still use my it especially when using primes so I don't have to switch lenses in the field. Not really a fan of where the Off and On switch is on the camera but I will get used to it the more I use it I am sure. Otherwise I am really glad I got it not to say I probably could have made do without. Just more of a joy to use being able to broaden what I can photograph now. Fairly a generalist, nature and landscape mainly with some other types here and there.

I agree with you on the on/off switch, and add the magnify button to that as well. I shoot gripped in vertical orientation a lot, and that magnify is driving me crazy. I'm sure I'll get used to it in time, as its just muscle memory that is driving the discomfort.

Your fear of changing lenses in the field is something that comes from the 5Dc. Like I said, I had one briefly and it was a total dust magnet. I don't think the 5D3 has the same issue, or any other Canon body for that matter. I have changed lenses a lot in the field over the years and can't remember ever having a dust problem, other than in the 5Dc. I think it had to do with a) no dust removal stuff, and b) the design of the sensor actually attracted dust.

Oh yeah, the magnify button is still catching me out.
The on/off switch is fine for me, its in the same place as my 60D so im used to it.

I've had mine since Wednesday of last week, and I like it a lot. Coming from the Markii and a 50D (which sadly barely sees any use) the AF system is something else.
I do need to get into the manual a bit more, so I can use it to its full potential! But I already had some keepers were I know I would have struggled with the Mark ii to get one in focus image.

I don't mind the new position for the on/off switch, but the magnify button annoys me, also not used to the MFn button.. I'm happy that the mode dial now has the lock function, when using a sling strap,
I often found myself in Bulb mode.
What I use it for? Lots of things, I study Photography and we do a bit of everything, I feel with this body I'm set for when we have to decide what to do for Specialization
(I really like sports and shot lots of assignments for class with the 5D2 and 50D.)

Just bought mine Saturday, and kept my 7d also. The new 5dmkIII is just awesome. Great metering, autofocus, and built like a hockey puck. Love it!

My cure for the magnify button is to set the set button to magnify 100%. Can use just my right hand

Mine will be here soon, the set up isn't a issue as I have a 7d and its very close. By the way the 5dc isn't a crop body.

kwando wrote in post #15212075
My cure for the magnify button is to set the set button to magnify 100%. Can use just my right hand

Great idea!

Please tell this ignorant 7D user where they moved the 'magnify button' to? With all of the complaints I'm seeing it almost sounds like it was eliminated (surely not?).

Soon to be, as I just returned a 5DIII back to CPS that they loaned me. Should of never borrowed it, big mistake, my wallet is not going to be happy, but I will. Just waiting for the next big sale..

Yogi Bear wrote in post #15214711
Please tell this ignorant 7D user where they moved the 'magnify button' to? With all of the complaints I'm seeing it almost sounds like it was eliminated (surely not?).

It's right above the rate button on the buttons to the right on the rear LCD display

seoul4korea wrote in post #15214776
It's right above the rate button on the buttons to the right on the rear LCD display

Thank you, seoul4korea!

I just got mine two weeks ago and I'm lovin' it! I agree that the magnify button is taking some getting used to, but other than that I've had no problems. It may be just my imagination, but my 24-105 seems better and my 135L is simply outstanding on this body.