topic Re: New 5d Mark 3 on the way in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

New 5d Mark 3 on the way

Captdanno — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 16:55:22 GMT

Went from Rebel to 5d M3, big jump I know.. Camera coming today any firmware advice? I guess I need to see what version I have on camera first.

Re: New 5d Mark 3 on the way

Skirball — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 17:16:34 GMT

Congrats on the new camera.

In general, I would always look to see what firmware my equipment is and check to see if there's an update that I want. I didn't bother to update my 6D because I didn't speak whatever language the error was in. But unlike the 6D, Canon actually cares about fixing/upgrading the 5D3. The last firmware upgrade was significant, IMHO, allowing up to f/8 on the center point. If the 5d3 isn't current, I would update it.

Re: New 5d Mark 3 on the way

RobertTheFat — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 17:28:45 GMT

@Skirball wrote:
Congrats on the new camera.

In general, I would always look to see what firmware my equipment is and check to see if there's an update that I want. I didn't bother to update my 6D because I didn't speak whatever language the error was in. But unlike the 6D, Canon actually cares about fixing/upgrading the 5D3. The last firmware upgrade was significant, IMHO, allowing up to f/8 on the center point. If the 5d3 isn't current, I would update it.

The most recent firmware update (1.2.3) came out last October. I recently bought a new 5D3, and it was at that level when I received it.

Re: New 5d Mark 3 on the way

Captdanno — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 17:29:51 GMT

Thank you for your reply, I must say I am a bit surprised on what I see on the forums regarding the firmware on this camera. I hope I have made the correct decision in my Canon purchase.

Re: New 5d Mark 3 on the way

RobertTheFat — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 18:02:27 GMT

@Captdanno wrote:
Thank you for your reply, I must say I am a bit surprised on what I see on the forums regarding the firmware on this camera. I hope I have made the correct decision in my Canon purchase.

I don't know what they've been saying, but the 5D3 is a fine camera. I think you'll be impressed by its performance. A very large cohort of professional and semi-professional photographers use it intensively. If it weren't a good choice, they couldn't afford to stick with it.

Many of us have found that the 24-105mm f/4L is a nice, affordable general-purpose lens on a 5D3. You might want to consider it if you don't already have one.

Re: New 5d Mark 3 on the way

Captdanno — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 18:52:49 GMT

Good to hear Bob, I paired the. 5d3 with the 24 105 f4 AND the 70 200 2.8 IS Ii, a little overlap but it's a great start I think

Re: New 5d Mark 3 on the way

Skirball — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 19:53:12 GMT

@Captdanno wrote:
Good to hear Bob, I paired the. 5d3 with the 24 105 f4 AND the 70 200 2.8 IS Ii, a little overlap but it's a great start I think

That's one helluva upgrade. Congrats, it's a top notch kit and should last you a good long while. Toss in a fast prime and a wide angle and you'll be set. Maybe a couple flashes and some triggers. And a good tripod and a head. You'll probably want some filters, and maybe a macro lens... heh, welcome to club 😉

Re: New 5d Mark 3 on the way

Captdanno — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 20:06:59 GMT

Thanks, the list keeps growing, I like the idea of a fast prime may the 50mm or 85. Traded one hobby for another so diving in fast.

Re: New 5d Mark 3 on the way

RobertTheFat — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 01:55:58 GMT

@Captdanno wrote:
Good to hear Bob, I paired the. 5d3 with the 24 105 f4 AND the 70 200 2.8 IS Ii, a little overlap but it's a great start I think

Absolutely. I have those two, plus a recently purchased 16-35mm f/4L. I've had my 5D3 for only a couple of months, but I'm looking forward to many years of good use.

Re: New 5d Mark 3 on the way

RobertTheFat — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 02:00:54 GMT

@Skirball wrote:
@Captdanno wrote:
Good to hear Bob, I paired the. 5d3 with the 24 105 f4 AND the 70 200 2.8 IS Ii, a little overlap but it's a great start I think
That's one helluva upgrade. Congrats, it's a top notch kit and should last you a good long while. Toss in a fast prime and a wide angle and you'll be set. Maybe a couple flashes and some triggers. And a good tripod and a head. You'll probably want some filters, and maybe a macro lens... heh, welcome to club 😉

By "club", she means, of course, the Future Paupers of America.

Re: New 5d Mark 3 on the way

Captdanno — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 02:33:30 GMT

Of course,.. took my first shots and have been pleased so far. Looking to see how well it does with sports photography, so far so good.

Re: New 5d Mark 3 on the way

ebiggs1 — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 13:29:36 GMT

Great buy! Congratulations, you will love it. The only thing that would have made it better is the 24-70mm f2.8 instead of the 24-105mm f4 but that is still a to die for combo.

I would nix the idea of any prime unless you have a specific need. Get the 16-35mm when you can and be done except for a long tele maybe. The zooms of today and the outstanding high ISO performance negate the once usefulness of primes.

I have a dozen primes and I rarely use them unless I just get to feeling sorry for them just sitting there.

Re: New 5d Mark 3 on the way

RobertTheFat — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 14:52:21 GMT

@ebiggs1 wrote:
I have a dozen primes and I rarely use them unless I just get to feeling sorry for them just sitting there.

You know, I never thought of that. I suppose the decent thing to do would be to take out my 30mm f/1.4 now and then and treat it to a few reps. Thanks for the suggestion.

I think the only other prime we have is my wife's 60mm macro, and she uses it often enough that it shouldn't feel neglected.

Re: New 5d Mark 3 on the way

cale_kat — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 15:40:16 GMT

Congratulations with your new camera. You should not want for body or lenses for a long while.

Re: New 5d Mark 3 on the way

ebiggs1 — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 18:48:56 GMT

Bob from Boston,

"I think the only other prime we have is my wife's 60mm macro ..."

A good point. I have a couple (prime) macros. Very fun to mess around with although I don't do macro very often either.

Re: New 5d Mark 3 on the way

Skirball — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 20:00:42 GMT

It's a difference in shooting styles and types of photography that people shoot, something people seem to forget when giving advice to people online. I probably use a prime 90% of the time. If you need fast then a zoom won't do. If you want 1:1 then a zoom won't do. If you want perspective correction then zoom won't do.

Re: New 5d Mark 3 on the way

Captdanno — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 10:46:34 GMT

Any recomendations on a portrait lens assuming 24 to 105 zoom is not ideal? 85mm maybe?

Re: New 5d Mark 3 on the way

RobertTheFat — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 11:36:11 GMT

@Captdanno wrote:
Any recomendations on a portrait lens assuming 24 to 105 zoom is not ideal? 85mm maybe?

The only criterion I'm aware of for a portrait lens is that it be long enough to keep the subject's nose from appearing unnaturally large. (A peculiar side effect of that criterion is that the closer you get to your subject, the longer the lens arguably needs to be.) 85mm is widely regarded as suitable for portraits on a FF camera, but I've seen good results at 135mm. It makes no difference whether the lens is a prime or a zoom, assuming it's of good quality. Since 85mm is well within the range of your 24-105, I suggest you try it and see what you think. If it works for you, use it. The tendency to buy lenses one doesn't actually need is one of the reasons photography is so damned expensive.

Re: New 5d Mark 3 on the way

ebiggs1 — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 13:38:49 GMT

"... assuming 24 to 105 zoom is not ideal?"

Why wouldn't it be? It is just fine. Keep it over 75mm.

For the vast percentage of us, zooms are the way to go and this is a very good one. Regardless of what someone may have said.

Re: New 5d Mark 3 on the way

Captdanno — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 14:01:55 GMT

That's all good news to me, kinda spent enough already on the two lenses so I will see how they work out for me, so far I have been very impressed with the canon L lens 24/105 and the 70/200 iS II