another 5d III question from a 1d user....

how would i find the ergonomics of the 5d III after being strictly a 1d user the past five years? are the controls just as "easy", better or a step backwards?

two things that i change frequently are AF point and ISO.

thanks !

I go back and forth between my 5D3 and my 1Dx, doesn't bother me much, pretty similiar. To have the same feel and controls you will need to grip the 5D III.

Depending from which 1d. Early 1d has horrible ergonomics. I had the 1d2n. Hated the multi-finger acrobatics. FOr your question changing ISO would require friggin' two left fingers + hold and right finger to dial for the 1d2n. But one right finger press (no need to hold) and dial.
Changing AF points is just a matter of moving the rear joystick. No such facility with the 1d2n. Again different if you have different 1d cameras.

In any case there will be some adjustments because buttons are located in different areas. due to physical size and designs. However like the 7d before it, the 5d3 allows for button functions reassignments. I find this super-handy.

Using the DoF button to toggle b/t One-Shot to AI Servo is awesome.

Ergonomy! If anything, I think you will be sighting relief and feel a lot better with the switch.
I still admire the olden days pros with that tiny LCD of Baba 1D then that long list (Never ending) of hard to read Menu.

i have been using the 1ds and 1d mark III, not the older models and i'm not interested in using a grip. is the 5d III joystick similar to the 1d bodies? can i toggle between AF points without having to push another button?

is an ISO change as simple as pushing a button and spinning a wheel?

i like the idea of reassigning a button worthless to me to a useful function like AI servo!

the most important question is does the 5d III have a print button ?

You have to half press the shutter to "wake" the camera before using the joystick to change points, but otherwise, yes, it is just the joystick. ISO changes are that simple, yes. I think it has one. I have never paid attention to that particular button, so I don't know if it is on the camera.

Ed it is all the same excpet the zoom button for image playback, that is now on the left and controlled by the top scroll wheel... I am still not used to it. Otherwsie ISO and AF joystick the same. You can also toggle the various AF point selection methods using the far right button then Mfn... quite nice to be honest. The grip (I bought a cheapie) also has a joystick so much easier in portrait mode.

You can assign the DOF button to turn AF to AI Focus... woah!

ed rader wrote in post #15675893
can i toggle between AF points without having to push another button?

You have to set it up in the custom controls, but yes, you can move the AF point (or zone) around with just the joystick. No need to press another button.

Yes, you can assign the Set button to do this. Again, it's a custom control setup, but once set, all you do is press and hold the Set button and turn the main dial to change the ISO.

Thanx Neil. The LCD must be much better too? I know with the 1d I can't judge critical sharpness from the LCD and since I use an iPad when I'm away I use an Epson p3000 with 4" LCD to review raw files and cull out the obvious duds

Have they fixed the black autofocus point yet?

I too have assigned ISO to the Set button.

Only drawback is that Auto ISO isn't accessible with the Set button. You have to invoke ISO with the regular top right button to set Auto.

i checked out a 5d III at best buy today and the silent shutter is a major plus for me. i keep my 1ds in silent mode but it ain't that silent, only works in single shot and causes lag.

obviously you can pare back the number of focus points to, say, nine?

thanks Todd. that'll work for me.

agedbriar wrote in post #15676337
I too have assigned ISO to the Set button.

Only drawback is that Auto ISO isn't accessible with the Set button. You have to invoke ISO with the regular top right button to set Auto.

i had forgotten about auto ISO. that may be the way to go when shooting handheld. any drawbacks to auto ISO?

Ed, I'm using the 5D 3 without a grip for the reason of keeping it light. Idk how big your hands are but, I can definitely hold a 70-200 without discomfort.