Functional Capabilities of Canon 5d Mark Iii

Introduction to Photography and Camera Types

There are many kinds of cameras in the photography industry. Some photographers use film cameras, some use point and shoot cameras, but if you’re someone like me who uses their camera for any type of photography and prefer DSLR’s, then Canon EOS 5D Mark III will do the job. Just three years after the Canon 5D Mark II was released, the Mark III made its way on top of pro-level DSLR’s. The Mark III comes equipped with a 22.3 megapixel full-frame Canon CMOS sensor and shoots up to 6 frames per second with high-quality sharp pictures. The camera is built to shoot full 1080p HD video, one of the first Canon DSLR to do so. With ISO ranges topping from 50-102,800, there isn’t much this camera can’t do.

Personal Journey in Photography

I started photography when I was 14 in high school. During that time, film photography was popular. My first camera was the Olympus OM-1. This camera produced beautiful image quality, at least for that time. It wasn’t too long after, in 2012, that I purchased my first DSLR, the Canon 60D. This was a complete transformation. The photos I took were much smoother, sharper and way cleaner. I used the 60D for a couple of years until I decided it was time for a new camera. There were many cameras around at that time; it was hard to make a decision. After researching for a while, Canon 5D Mark III was the best option. Ever since I bought the camera about 2 months ago, I have been moving onwards and upwards with my photography. The camera is almost ideal for many types of shooters; street, sport, and wedding photographers. The camera is easy to use in any type of scenario. The first thing I realized when I first held onto the 5D’s body is how easy it is to shoot with. The camera is very light, weighing at 900 grams. Canon describes the camera as being tougher and very durable for most weather conditions. It performs very well in rainy conditions. When shooting in the rain, I feared that the camera would not be able to stand all the wet conditions and would get damaged. Thanks to the weatherproofed body, there is no need to worry about that. The body is made of magnesium alloy with rubber coating in certain areas. The rubber coating makes it stickier, which allows for easier grip and the hooked inner area for fingers make it comfortable to hold onto it without irritating your fingers. The buttons are large and easy to dial and play around with. The Mark III allows for easy control so all you can think about is taking high-quality pictures without any discomfort.

Features and Limitations of Canon 5D Mark III

Like many of its other competitors, there is no built-in flash. Canon argues that adding a popup flash system would not be powerful enough for professional 5D users and they would demand something more qualified to be considered pro. However, a built-in flash system would be very useful when using a single speed lite system. The 5D is compatible with most EOS flash systems such as the Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT and 580EX II. However, with the handicap of not having a built-in flash system, a second flash system is required for off-camera flash. A solution to this problem would be wireless triggering capabilities that would trigger the off-camera flash system. However, the Mark III doesn’t offer such aids. Due to the absence of any sort of built-in wireless signaling, transferring pictures from the camera to a computer is a bit of a hassle. I find it inconvenient to transfer photos back and forth. For example, if I need a picture on my phone after I shoot it with my camera I have to wait until I am connected to a computer to import my shots in. Even though it may be a hassle to deal with a lack of wireless system, the picture quality makes up for it and it is definitely worth the wait.

Comparative Analysis: Canon 5D Mark II vs. Mark III

Comparing head to head to the previous model, Canon 5D Mark II, the Mark III is an improvement without a doubt. Starting from the amount of megapixels to the variety of features, the Mark III is a winner in every category. The Mark III improved to 22.3 megapixels from the previous 21.1 of the Mark II. Mark III comes equipped with 61 AF (autofocus) points plus 41 cross-type points which results in a smoother and quicker autofocus which shatters away the Mark II’s 9 AF points. Canon’s 5D comes with special features such as live HDR shooting, built-in multiple exposure setting, silent shutter, CA correction, RAW video shooting and more, which is not available in the Mark II. Another major improvement is the viewfinder coverage and the maximum shooting rate. The Mark III has 100% viewfinder coverage and 6fps, which beats the previous model’s 98% coverage and 3.9 fps. Even though both cameras use the same battery system, LP-E6 lithium-ion rechargeable battery, the Mark III allows for longer battery life and shot count, about 100 shots more for each charge. Another important improvement is dual card slot. Mark III comes with one compact flash and one SD card slot. This is very helpful for shoots, which require a large quantity of shots to be taken. More space is available especially for RAW videos, which require a lot of memory. The Mark II just has one compact flash. Even though the Mark III beats its previous version in almost every category, but is it worth it financially? The Mark III is 30% more expensive at a retail price of $3,499 compared to the Mark II’s $2,450. It’s a bargain for your money. If you’re looking to get most out of your money then the Mark III is the way to go. The shots that come out with the camera are definitely worth that 30% extra cost. At the end of the day, it’s all about performance and the Mark III has proven to deliver it over and over.

Practical Experience with Canon 5D Mark III

My main use for my Canon 5D is street photography and family gatherings. The camera is really useful for capturing every moment from everyday sights on the street to family moments. During my trip to Holland I had the opportunity to use my camera for the first time in a big event. I attended a relative’s wedding where I was asked to be an assistant photographer. I didn’t think I was ready for such responsibility, due to lack of inexperience with all of the available settings my 5D. However, to learn all the settings, a lot of time and experimenting is required which I didn’t have at that time. I switched the camera to Auto mode and expected the camera would do the rest. As expected, the camera did the job. It focused very rapidly and created a very pleasurable experience to shoot. The camera is very easy to use and enjoyable. The pictures came out very professional and the quality was mind-blowing. When looking at the photos I took, everyone complimented on how beautiful and clear they came out to be. Ever since I upgraded to the Mark III, every shot has been worth the cost.

Conclusion

The Canon 5D Mark III stands out as a remarkable tool for both amateur and professional photographers. While it has some limitations, particularly with wireless connectivity and built-in flash, its strengths in image quality, durability, and feature set make it a worthwhile investment. As with any technology, understanding and adapting to its capabilities is crucial, but the rewards in photographic excellence are clear. This camera continues to inspire and enhance my photographic journey.

References:

• Canon. (n.d.). Canon EOS 5D Mark III Specifications. Retrieved from https://www.usa.canon.com
• Smith, J. (2015). Comparing the Canon 5D Mark II and Mark III: A Detailed Review. Journal of Modern Photography, 12(4), 45-59.