So as soon as I saw the Markiii was soon to come out I called my local camera store…
They were able to put me on a wait list, for the dear sweet arrival.
Joseph at FORT WORTH CAMERA called me when those bad boys were on their way.
Talk about service. I just love my guys (and few gals) at FW Camera, they always take care of me. 🙂
I went in to ‘check it out.’ Threw on a their lens (I wanted the beloved 85mm 1.2) and their CF card to do some test shots.
Luckily and insanely enough – my kids were with me to practice on.
I say insane because as I am tinkering around with the camera my kids are running around and Parx falls flat on her face busting her nose, spraying blood all over her WHITE linen dress and their carpet.
Oh the joys of toting your silly and wild creatures into the camera store.
I bet you have never had your camera fellas grab towels for you to help clean up dripping blood, while grabbing the baby out of your arms so you can tend to the tot.
Joseph was literally ringing me up while holding Edie on his hip, bouncing up and down to make her laugh… one reason I will ALWAYS shop here and support them!
Thanks Joseph and Jeff, for your help and attentiveness!
I snapped some images and swoon… fell head over heels for my new fella.
Today I wanted to share just a few things I immediately noticed about the 5D Markiii camera, I have not had much time to play around with it… so I will have more info to share later!
Now, I am not a techie girl – very hands on, learn through trial and error, and verbal questions. So, this review of the 5D Markiii – is pretty easy to read and elementary. 🙂
A few great changes from the Markii to the Markiii:
1. The Body and Grip – perhaps my Markii had a good feel when I first purchased it and can’t remember, but the 5D Markiii had a nice non-slip grip to it. Feels great in my hands!
2. The Power Switch – has moved over by the mode dial! Just one less thing on the back of the camera allowing for…
3. Mode Dial – Okay this seems silly, but one of my FAVORITE physical changes is the mode dial. It has a lock on it, so you have to push a button to swap modes. Why is this a big deal? Well, I am sure many of you who own the Markii notice that your camera will swap to BULB mode on it’s own, during a shoot. Now, this CANNOT happen. 🙂
4. Bigger Screen size – which is always great when shooting images where you need to make sure your images are sharp and clear! Plus you can view one image, side by side with another one!
5. AF Points – I am sure you have all read about the 61 AF Points. This is a BIG DEAL. I am always recomposing my shot in the Markii, but with the 5D Markiii you have so many options of focal points, that you will not have to recompose! So far it seems like they are very accurate and spot on. You can use both wheels and joystick to move these points, which will probably become easy and fast for me – over the next few weeks of shooting.
6. ISO capability – is GREAT! I loved the Markii, but the 5D Markiii has even BETTER Noise control… and this flippin’ bad boy goes up to 25,600 ISO, holy krikees batman.
7. Video Mode – is now on a switch, which seems a little bit more user friendly.
8. Memory Card – now has a back up SD slot. It is NOT built for two CF cards, but I will say with my poor luck with memory cards and malfunctions recently, I think this is GREAT to cover your rear end when shooting!
9. Battery – IS THE SAME as the markii. Who cares right?! I DO! Just one more thing I do not have to buy… I now have two chargers and THREE batteries that fit both of my cameras. This is great for wedding photographers – and destination travel!
10. Canon – I am very confident that Canon will continue to be pro-active about fixing ‘issues’ and keeping up with competitors – like Nikon. I was getting really nervous about the focus capability, but feel that the 5D Markiii has been built to resolve previous issues! I adore Canon glass… and don’t want to leave my lovely friend that has been on my hip since 2007!
*I haven’t read the manual yet, so bear with me… I have also heard you can change .CR2s to .JPEGs in camera! That is a function that some people may find to come in handy. I also heard about a silent shutter… great for ceremonies and newborn sessions!
One bummer bob issue, I am having to use the Adobe DNG converter, because currently LR4 AND CS5 are not supporting the 5D Markiii’s raw files. GO FIGURE, doesn’t this always happen?
Here are some links for Photoshop CS6 BETA – that we all know will be the ONE program that supports these files. 🙂 🙁
Took me all day yesterday to download and install these programs, just to view my images. Hopefully I can save you some time!
Camera Raw 6.7 and DNG CONVERTER
Some images… taken with the markiii, nothing to fabulo-so – as I have only had it for a day and a half! 🙂
*Also most of these images are VERY high ISO – 1000-2000! 🙂
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask them in the comments section below!
I figured I’d leave the blood on – war wounds for this camera!
Pierson wanted to use the new 5D Markiii!
This is great, I’ve been wondering about the reviews. I’m not sure how much longer I can hold out before purchasing one of these bad boys! Thanks for the insight!
I know, I feel so fortunate to have one of the first in town! 🙂
Thanks for the great review! I just recently upgraded to the 7D after hearing that the Mark iii might be a no go so I’m kind of bummed I didn’t wait it out a bit longer. Haha. She’s a beauty! Can’t wait to see what you do with her!
Thanks Courtney. No regrets… 🙂
Great pictures! I love the ones with baby and mommy.
Thank you!
Gorgeous pictures. Although, I don’t think your kids can take a BAD picture. I want the iii so bad, I just have to figure out how to get one in my hands. P.S. I need to give a “whoot” to your FW Camera shout out. They are so kind and helpful every time I walk in. I seriously lurve those guys and puppy, Emma!
That is great to hear Kim… shop local when you can! My kids are pretty darn cute huh? Save up some cashmoney.
I want to get the mark iii so bad! I have had focusing issues with the mark ii and want something more reliable! I love FW camera too 🙂 They are da bomb! Congrats on the camera and thanks for the review!
Thanks Liana… it’s especially hard with those little babies. I know my 50mm 1.2 had a difficult time finding those ‘eyes.’ Hoping the markiii will resolve that!
Hi Arden! I did a semester-long project with a mark iii, but since I was always in a rush I only converted files I was printing (using my school’s computers). Now that I’m on break and have more time, I want to convert the rest of my raw files, but I have CS5 on my MacBook. I saw that you posted a few programs that you had to download for converting…do you have to buy ALL of that to convert the files?
Eeek, I have NO IDEA!!!??? Have you googled or called anyone?
Hi Arden!
May be a similar question to Bekah’s above but I am also wondering about your “bummer bob” comment about having to download programs to see your RAW files- I also use Photoshop CS5 on a Macbook Pro- what computer system do you use/did you actually need all of those links you posted? Just want to make sure I won’t need to actually PURCHASE any software because it’s my first FF camera/invesment this big and I’m trying to plan carefully with all of the extra gizmos I need for the camera! (Different memory cards, batteries etc than I already have for my Rebel). Thanks Arden!