I just came across a certain review of the new Canon 5D Mark III and am compelled to respond. It is one thing to write a critical review, but a whole other thing to list various perceived shortcomings and deficiencies that simply don’t actually exist in the camera. After having spent several intimate weeks with the 5D Mk III (as I wrote the Canon 5D Mark III Experience camera guide), it is disappointing to then read about alleged issues and faults which actually don’t exist but were merely assumed by a reviewer because effort wasn’t put into reading the manual and properly learning the camera.
Detail of the Canon 5D Mark III by dojoklo
I have put together a list of some of my responses. KR quotes are in italics and blue, and my replies below them.
Slower Autofocus – With so much more to set, learn and get in the way, the new AF system will slow you down until you master it. The 5D Mark III’s AF system is that is about ten times more complicated than earlier cameras. Now it will take you forever to learn how to use it, and if you do, you’ll discover that the Auto AF Area Select mode takes much longer to select which of the 61 points it feels like using, while the original 5D and the 5D Mark II instantly selected among their 9 points..
Yes, the sophisticated and highly customizable autofocus system of this professional camera needs to be fully learned and understood in order to take full advantage of it and to gain proficiency at using it. But the AF system and menus are designed to be powerful yet easy to get the most from, and this proves to be true once the user puts some effort into learning and setting it up. Then you will find that there are numerous solutions to quickly accessing it, changing it, and making full use of the Canon 5D Mk 3 autofocus system, including:
- Limiting the number of selectable AF points in the AF4 menu to just 15, 9, or 41 cross-type (while all of the 61 AF Points will still be available for use by the camera to find, track, and capture subjects).
- Setting up all the AF menu and Custom Function items initially to best suit your style of shooting and then not dealing with them anymore.
- Or better yet, tweaking any of the Autofocus Case presets to your liking, then quickly choosing among the Cases based on your shooting situation.
- Setting up your favorite combination of AF settings, modes, tracking settings, etc, which can then all be registered and called up with the press of the DOF button.
- Adding any of the AF menu items to My Menu, setting My Menu to come up with one button push, then quickly accessing the AF menu items you need to change.
A different response to the Canon 5D Mk III autofocus system would be to marvel at the incredible, never-before-possible opportunities to customize and use a state-of-the-art AF system to track, retain focus, and capture shots that could not have previously been captured, through pre-setting the camera to be aware of the rates of speed and amount of erratic movement to expect from the subject, as well as take into account the user’s desire to either retain focus on a subject/ distance or to quickly be able to change to another subject/ distance. Not to mention the various configurations of AF points and Zones which can be chosen to most accurately focus on and track a variety of subjects and situations.
AF is much more complicated, not necessary better than the original 5D and 5D Mark II.
Anyone who has used the 5D and 5DII autofocus system for more than 6 minutes and then used the 5DIII AF system will tell you that:
1. there were some major shortcomings with the 5D and 5DII autofocus, particularly in lower light, and
2. the AF speed, accuracy, and low light focusing abilities of the 5DIII are on a whole new performance level than those previous models.
It’s not any different from other AF cameras as far as low-light is concerned.
As indicated above, I found quite the opposite to be the case as, for example, I quickly and easily grabbed focus on a black furry face in incredibly dim lighting, which could never have been accomplished so easily with the 5D II or 50D:
Canon 5D Mark III – 25,600 ISO, JPEG straight from camera. 25,600 ISO plus 1/640 plus f/1.4 will help indicate the light level.
The finder’s AF display is inferior. Instead of discrete LEDs that only blinked as needed, the Mark III’s new screen uses solid black LCD boxes that get in the way of seeing your subject’s subtleties — like when they smile.
The big, bright, glorious viewfinder of the 5D3 offers several options for how and when to display and/ or illuminate the AF points as they are seen in the viewfinder, including different options to have them visible and/ or blink just when used or needed, as listed below. See the AF5 Menu, AF Point Display During Focus item as well as other menu items to set up exactly how and when they illuminate such as VF Display Illumination.
Selected (constant) – The selected AF Point (or points) is always visible, but not all of the other 61 AF Points.
All (constant) – All of the 61 AF Points are always visible. Recommended: this will make it easier to always know where the other points are for when you quickly need to select a different point. These AF Points are typically too important to hide!
Selected (pre-AF, Focused) – The selected AF Point(s) is visible when the camera is ready to shoot even before you have started any AF operations, when you are selecting an AF Point or zone, and when focused is achieved by the camera (except when working in AI Servo AF mode).
Selected (focused) – The selected AF Point(s) is visible only when you are selecting an AF Point or zone, and when focus is achieved (except when working in AI Servo AF mode).
Disable display – The selected AF point(s) will only be displayed when selecting an AF Point or zone.
Plus you can turn the grid display off or on. I myself find seeing all the AF points as well as the grid indispensable to taking full advantage of the AF system while keeping my framing straight and level.
The AF points are now poorly lit. An LED lights up the entire screen and sort of helps you see the dark LCD AF point boxes in the dark. The older cameras were much better.
Again, I did not find this to be the case, and had no problem making use of the AF points in the dark as I took these images. In fact I rather enjoyed using the AF system in the dark as I shot these images, and marveled at how pleasant it made night shooting. However, other 5D3 users have shared KR’s complaint regarding the black AF Points in dark situations, and it sounds like Canon is going to address this with a future firmware update.
Canon 5D Mark III – In-Camera Multiple Exposure feature
Canon 5D Mark III – In-camera HDR Shooting Mode – Art Embossed setting, +/-3 EV
No Highlight AND Shadow optimization – While all Nikons and the 5D Mark II can optimize both highlights and shadows at the same time, the 5D Mark III no longer can do this.
Auto Lighting Optimizer is designed to automatically adjust contrast and brightness and helps to maintain detail in both the shadow and highlight areas. The new HDR shooting mode, when set to Natural, can also capture a wider range of shadows to highlights. ALO and Highlight Tone Priority were never designed to be used simultaneously.
A huge defect in the 5D Mark III’s AF system is that no longer can I switch among the AF modes I use with one click, without stopping or taking my eye from my subject.
The DOF Button can be set to instantly switch between One-Shot and AI-Servo AF Modes on the 5D Mk III. I’m not sure how one did this “one-click switch” with the Mk II in a way that can’t also be done with the Mk III.
No Zoomed-in Histogram – When you zoom, the histogram goes away.
With the new side-by-side Comparative Playback, you can view the entire image with histogram on one side of the screen, and a zoomed in detail from that image in the other window.
Not to mention that the incredibly versatile side-by-side image playback feature offers numerous other review and comparison opportunities never before available.
Impossible-to-set custom manual white balances – It still takes about ten steps to set a custom manual white balance.
Add Custom White Balance to My Menu and access it much faster. Then take your WB photo, access Custom WB through My Menu, select that photo you just took, and set the camera WB setting to Custom with the quick press of a button and turn of a dial. I count 4 steps to access an advanced feature that very few photographers employ on a regular basis. Not really that hard.
No Custom White Balance Memories
True, but you could register the custom WB as part of one of the C1, C2, or C3 Custom Shooting Modes.
The Ratings button is a waste of a button, unless you really like to edit in-camera.
That may be true if you find you don’t use it. I have unexpectedly grown fond of the Rating feature, and use it to save much time later when back at my computer. In addition, the 5D Mk III offers an incredible amount of options for customizing the buttons and controls of the camera, as demonstrated by the grid of choices on pages 322-323 of the manual, plus several additional options discussed with the functions they control.
As I’m learning to use the AF system, I’ve realized that it will never make sense because the AF-Area settings were removed from the Quick Control screen. Now we always will have to look in two different places to set the AF Mode (AI SERVO, AI FOCUS or ONE SHOT), and someplace else to select the manner in which the various AF areas are used.
If you first press the INFO Button and access the Shooting Settings screen and then press any of the three setting-selection buttons on the top of camera (including AF Mode), you can view and change their settings on the rear LCD Monitor, also using either the Main Dial or the Quick Control Dial as you would when changing the function while viewing the top LCD Panel. In other words, an amazingly awesome and handy Quick Control Screen specifically for each of the top button’s paired functions. This will also work with the AF Point Selection Button after pressing the INFO Button and accessing the Shooting Settings screen, and then you can view and select an AF Area Selection Mode on its very own Quick Control Screen. BUT, the reason that the 5D Mark III has buttons that the T3i does not have is so that a knowledgeable user can quickly and easily access these functions on the fly (such as AF Mode and AF Area Mode) without using a Quick Control Screen. Sigh.
To learn much more about how to use and take advantage of all of the features, controls, and capabilities of the Canon 5D Mark III, have a look at my guide Canon 5D Mark III Experience.
Canon 5D Mark III Experience – The Still Photography Guide to Operation and Image Creation is an e-book user’s guide that goes beyond the manual to help you learn the features, settings, and controls of this sophisticated, powerful, and highly customizable camera. Most importantly, it explains not only how but also when and why to use the features, settings, and controls in your photography.
Written in the clear, concise, and comprehensive manner of all Full Stop guides, Canon 5D Mark III Experience will help you learn to use your EOS 5D Mk III quickly and competently, to consistently create the types of images you want to capture.
As one Canon user has said about Full Stop guides:
“I don’t know how I could fully take advantage of all the features the camera has to offer without this publication! It’s well-organized, easy to understand, and succinct enough to keep your attention while still containing a wealth of information to get the most out of your camera.”
Take control of your Canon 5D Mk III, and the images you create!
Doug, thanks for this writeup. I started reading KR’s review but had to stop as he clearly didn’t read the manual. Sometimes blog writers write for the sole purpose of gaining google rank, but substance is weak.
I just received my 5D Mk3, and as a long time 40D shooter, am really excited about the new features, despite having to learn the new AF system (which I feel isn’t out of reach). Your book appears to be the first one out on the Mark III, so I’ll be picking it up shortly.
Thanks! Good luck with the new camera. I hope you enjoy the book, and please spread the word about it!
Nice write up, I am thinking of buying the book as I will have my 5D III next week, I am really happy that Canon added the multiple exposure feature as I was always using my friends Nikon for that, but Canon took it a step further and added more features like Average, Dark and so on but do you explain when to use what multiple exposure feature for an Image? thanks
Chris;)
Thanks! Yes, I briefly explain the differences between the different Multiple Exposure options such as Average and Dark, as well as the additional Multiple Exposure options. I can send you that section so you can have a look.
Thanks, now I understand as I think the one in Nikon is the Average on the 5D III, ok I will order now thanks;)
Hello,
About the statement of Ken Rockwell “The finder’s AF display is inferior. Instead of discrete LEDs that only blinked as needed, the Mark III’s new screen uses solid black LCD boxes that get in the way of seeing your subject’s subtleties — like when they smile. “.
I read your reaction. I read page 102 of http://gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/8/0300007348/01/eos5dmkiii-im-c-en.pdf. I also read page 212 and around of the french manual for the 7D. http://files.canon-europe.com/files/soft35634/Manual/EOS%207D_HG_FR_Flat.pdf
I think you miss the point. KR questions what happens after the focus has been achieved. Think of the typical audible beep. It beeps for a split second when focus is achioeved and then it leaves you alone. When you look at the setting that you mention “AF5 Menu, AF Point Display During Focus”, the last milestone relevant for Canon is “4. When focus is achieved”. It probably lacks a 5th milestone “A split second after focus has been achieved”. In my experience at the counter with the EOS 7D, the big AF black box will indeed stay ON until after the picture has been taken.
Thank you for your site
Cheers
Olivier
KR uses Auto AF with a $3500 professional camera, and so multiple AF Points are of course blocking his view. And indeed his complaint proves to be valid in his situation, as a viewing of his photos shows that he fails to ever capture one with ‘subtleties.’. :)
BTW: at least on the 7D, there may be several AF black box ON, after focus has been achieved.
Yes, if you are using Auto AF and allowing the camera to choose the AF point. I recommend using Single Point AF or one of the Zones, to more accurately focus where you wish to focus, rather than allowing the camera to decide.
Please,
Could someone verify what KR has said about AF system not helping with manual focus ? *not lighting up red dots and no beep *
Just set lens to manual mode, half-press shutter and let me know if there is any kind of confirmation in the VF.
THANK YOU!
I use mostly manual lenses
I do believe that the 5DIII has a “rangefinder” capability, where the selected AF Point will blink when manual focus is achieved at that AF Point – I will check when I get a chance.
Indeed, if you press the Shutter Button half-way while manually focusing, the Focus Confirmation Light in the viewfinder will light up when focus is achieved at the selected AF Point, to verify that your subject is in focus. If using 61-Point Auto Selection AF Area Selection Mode, the center point will be used to confirm focus this way. You can confirm this on page 111 of the Canon 5DIII Manual (available at the Canon website). Or you can more easily confirm this by reading what KR says, and then assuming the opposite is true :)
Thanks for clarifying that dojoklo, I needed that info. Do you by any chance use old m42 or other-mount manual lenses? If so and with a chipped adapter do you get AF confirmation? I am asking because I was told that new mark 3 does not recognize those chips …
Cheers
mark
Sorry, I don’t use any non-EF mount lenses, so I can’t help you there.
THANK YOU – THANK YOU – THANK YOU
I’m so glad someone has said something. I have no idea why that silly website pops up every time I Google something about photography…what what a tool! The biased incredible remarks permeate throughout that website. I always thought that is was just an amateur, a novice hobbyist.
The silly conclusions drawn from there ranges from inexperienced to idiotic. Just give the 6D vs 5D3 comparison review a gander. But BS dumpster epitomizes our current internet society… anyone can have a website these days, and every but+h0le with a camera is a “photographer”. Every schmuck and every 11 year-old child with an internet connection is a blogger, it’s absurd. Specifically, in this case, there is clearly an ulterior motive, whether it’s greed, vengeance or ignorance [or a combination]… in other words… it’s either: Promotion, ANTI-promotion or oblivious morons running on auto-pilot.
It’s just a complete void of photographic experience and knowledge over there. I honestly was thinking… the weirdo’s that are running that website are hands down, the luckiest buffoons in the Google world. NO credibility. No real value to the profession. Silly or salacious claims. Novice behavior.
Just block that site with your browser, and all is well.
Yes, it is very frustrating how those articles are always at the top of Google and thus mislead a lot of novices who aren’t aware of his quirks and biases. But he has been at it consistently for a long time, and thus he reaps the Google search rewards. I don’t believe that he has a bad ulterior motive, rather something closer to misguided enthusiasm taken to an extreme. Plus not realizing or acknowledging that photographers work in many different ways, and that some of them really need and make use of the advanced features (what he simply calls “bells and whistles”) on new models.
My thanks as well. What a breath of fresh air. I began reading KR stuff a couple of years ago when I began researching for a new camera. I was turned off by his constant beg for money by buying from his links, so I could “help support his growing family.” Still I thought maybe he had some valid info, until the day I read a post where he claimed there is no reason for using larger files or shooting in raw, and that you could do anything you wanted with the “small jpeg file” on the 5dmarkiii including blowing up the image to poster size and it will retain all it’s sharpness, ( which I find interesting since the printers I use tell a different story about print size requirements). He further made snide comments about those of us who use PS or lightroom saying that if you need those then you’re a bad photographer. I pointed out to him that the use of PS or lightroom has more to do with artistic impression then trying to make a bad photo good (which is impossible anyway as any good photographer knows crap in crap out, you have to begin with a good file) to which he had no response.
So I do not read his stuff anymore and bought a 5dmarkiii a little over a year ago and I love it. And by the way, the little black focus boxes? I hardly notice them, but they come in handy when I’m shooting a pole vaulter or a long jumper through their execution to be sure the focus point remains where it needs to through their movement. I’m off to buy your 5d guide now!
Yes, I’m not sure if he really believes the ridiculous things he says, or if he does it to antagonize people and get them writing about him in blog posts – which just leads to more people going to his website. But if so, that is a deceitful and disingenuous way to work, and either way he misleads and misinforms large numbers of photographers who are eager to learn.
it is refreshing to hear another view, well done.