Showing posts with label DP Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DP Review. Show all posts

March 3, 2012

Canon 5D Mark III

Canon has a new full frame camera and it seems like a great cross between the 7D, 5D II and 1Dx.




I am excited for this camera and have one, with a grip on order...I can hardly wait for the end of March.

There seems to be a lot of disappointment out there with this camera though. I might be missing something, but what did we all want the 1Ds replacement to be? The 5DII was really just a 1DsIII light and when the 1Dx said it was the "New Flagship" that meant that the 1DsIII needed to be replaced.

My list for the 1DsIII replacement was:
  • Drop the weight...check
  • Get better AF...(assumably) check
  • Get more AF coverage...check
  • Get better/more high ISO shooting...check
  • Get to 6+ fps...check
  • Get to 6,000pix on the long end, but not much more...(close - 5760 x 3840)
  • Shoot 1080P with usable features to replace tradition cameras...check (real audio/exposure control and legitimate timecode/monitoring)
  • Get internal HDR and Timelapse...we got the HDR half of it
  • Get a real GPS option...check (I have experienced the poor reception and battery life of built in versions)
  • Get a better screen...check
  • Dual multi-selectors...check (if you add the grip)
  • Keep dual cards (After the D3x-1Dx I wanted it to stay CF and SD)...check
  • Keep a good/consistent Battery...check (same as my 5DII and 7Ds)
It took almost 5 years, but we went from the 1DsIII TO 5D III:
  • 5616 x 3744 TO 5760 x 3840 (I really did want to match the D3x at 6048 x 4032, but not much more)
  • 100 - 1600 in 1/3 stops, plus 50, 3200 TO Auto, 100 - 25600 in 1/3 stops, plus 50, 51200, 102400
  • Less than perfect 45p AF TO 61p AF (with spot AF :)
  • 230,000 screen dots TO 1,040,000
  • 5 fps TO 6 fps (the 1DsII was only 4fps and the 1Ds was only 3fps)
  • Exposure compensation of ±3 EV TO ±5 EV
I used the 1DsII then the 1DsIII, sold mine and have been waiting for the next sense the 5DII proved to be close for landscapes and the occasional portrait. I did want to hit 6,000 pix, but if 5,760 is going to give me better quality it is close enough. I would have happily taken 7-8fps, but I wanted at least 6fps and I would not give up resolution to have more speed. I did want internal time-lapse shooting, but that is a firmware thing that could be added easily. It looks like I got everything else that I wanted/needed.

I have a 5D III and grip on order, and will use it heavily. It is almost exactly what I have wanted for big mile days when I take only one camera and should be a slight improvement for my landscape photography (over the 1DsIII and 5DII, but they did not need much improvement).

I am sure Canon will eventually deliver a 30-50MP, slow, camera for those of you who want that, but I don't think that I would have bought the camera if it could only shoot 4fps in full quality 14-bit RAW, even at 50MP. When I need insane file size for landscapes I use my T/S lens' like a large format camera. I don't think I have ever had a client as for more resolution, ever. I also don't believe current lenses and diffraction limits of optics will make folks happy when they shoot a 45MP camera much past f/8.

For those that wanted "serious" video features, that is the C300 and whatever else they bring out below it in that line. I don't need to produce music videos, TV shows, feature films or even commercials. I am just looking for a high quality way to record footage while I am in the field to shoot stills.

I am happy with what Canon made for us who choose to purchase one, and I hope that those of you who are not happy will soon get a camera that will do what you need in the field.

Happy analyzing, but really you should get out and do some shooting ;)

August 26, 2010

New Canon Glass

First off I want to apologize for the extended silence on my blog. After spending a month in the Candian Rockies I came back to a full plate at work. I still have about 4000 images from my trip and two entire Yellowstone trips to edit and get online for all of you. I am working on it.

Now for the reason behind the post... Canon has lots of new glass and I wanted to share the news.

Canon's site with all of their glass, new and old, is here:
http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/ef_lens_lineup

dpReview has all the news items from Canon, and other PMA announcements, online here:
http://www.dpreview.com/

The biggest news for me was the weight on the new 400/2.8L IS II (8.5lbs).
http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/ef_lens_lineup/ef_400mm_f_2_8_is_ii_usm
I am going to be taking a hard look at this lens and will likely sell my 500/4.0L IS to make the upgrade.

May 11, 2010

Sony develops E mount HD camcorder

From DPR:
Sony develops an Interchangeable Lens HD Camcorder

Sony announced today that it is developing a new type of AVCHD high definition camcorder which features key technologies powering the newly announced interchangeable lens digital camera, “NEX-5” and “NEX-3”.

The new camcorder will be equipped with the same “Exmor” APS HD CMOS sensor to be used in “NEX-5” and “NEX-3.” In addition, the camcorder will be compatible with “E Mount” interchangeable lenses developed for “NEX-5” and “NEX-3”, and also the wealth of “A Mount” interchangeable lenses from the existing “α” DSLR camera lineup via a mount adapter. By combining these features, Sony aims to market a camcorder capable of generating a variety of creative expressions in HD quality.

Sony plans to commercialize the new HD camcorder in fall 2010.

Now Canon needs to do the same.
Something that has relatively fast AF would be nice ;)