In Scandinavia, nature and landscape were the focus, clear, including but tough autofocus tests with approaching birds. Puffins, for example are quite small and fast (80 km / h). The requirements are the "BIF (bird in flight)" is usually higher than in sports photography because many birds softer contours and contrasts verwaschenere offer as an athlete in colorful jerseys or racing cars. As a comparative case I had my long-standing 7D in luggage (because the magnification factor at VA at macro and telephoto photography), next to a fellow passenger with extensive equipment from Nikon (D300, even without "S"). Objective: I had to my 5D3 from the 18 mm wide-angle to 500 mm telephoto Zeiss a whole range of lenses in use, thanks to weight training before the trip I was able to make hand shots with the 500er.
Right at the conclusion: the 5D3 is a great full-rounder. In the picture quality, however, suggests the 5D2 narrowly (see also footnote from 3.12.2012). The resolution is comparable to the noise performance slightly better (but not worlds). The biggest advance in image quality provides the 5D3 in the most amazingly lifelike color reproduction, you can rely on in many situations simply to the automatic white balance. Super: the large LCD screen, which represents the colors very well. Crucial compared to 5DII is the completely redesigned autofocus system. With the right lens it works practically still to dark (see below for details); it is the most reliable AF system, with which I have been photographed - much better than the already good of the 7D, but at the low contrast is weakening fast times. In addition, the 5DIII is wonderful fast, compared to 5DII it depends on gas, so to speak (= trigger ;-)). This ranges from the shutter lag to the rapid sequence of 6 frames / sec. This Canon has eliminated the biggest shortcoming of 5DII.
Who needs an all-rounder, which can detect sometimes fast objects under rather unfavorable light conditions, especially with telephoto, or to the macro wants to photograph fluctuating butterflies or flowers out of hand in the wind, should the juicy premium over the still (mid-2012) available 5DII not afraid. Who more "slowly" and much photographed mainly manually, especially landscape, is better with 5DII. It has become a great full-bargain for (roughly) half price.
Since the 5DIII for amateurs already represents a heavy investment, for those interested here are a few practical experiences and tips in detail. A Rezi for a 3300-euro-device (mid-2012) may be more descriptive, I think.
- Autofocus system. The 5D3 has the professional AF system of the new EOS 1D X get (with a few reductions in tracking functions, specifically, the ability to track faces). About three parameters it provides the ability to track objects with different behavior in simple terms. For example, it can detect and track, without being irritated by changing the background to a very approaching birds in the right mindset. This is complex and requires training, but Canon is in ergonomics again exemplary: The camera's menu offers six different cases which are explained with reference to sports photography, pre-settings. In order to get even by good, if necessary they can be easily individually influence. Canon has the menu organized so that it has its own tab to the AF functions, while the RR parameter you have to look under the Custom Functions in the 7D. Very clearly. In practice, the AF system of 5DIII is significantly better than the 7D, my yield sharp images of moving objects has increased significantly. Really bad saw the Nikon D300 (without S) compared from (with comparable lenses), but fair to point out that this camera in 2007 came on the market.
- AF-system and motifs. The 61 AF points cover the viewfinder image from very wide, which is great for the composition. They are controlled as in the 7D either manually individually (eg if you want to set the sharpness level, precisely on an eye.) Or grouped into different zones - or fully automatic. 7D-owners is the small button next to the shutter already familiar, on the one switches these functions in combination with the AF button at the top right of the rear panel. This "monkey grip" is at the beginning a little getting used to, but goes to the first extensive photo tour already in his sleep. The spatial control of the AF points is as with all upscale models from Canon via the joystick on the rear panel.
- AF system and lenses. Canon had to make the new AF sensor chip quite large to accommodate all 61 AF points with cross and even diagonal cross-type sensors. This required compromises, and so the engineers have all "nice to have" sensors placed externally on the chip, all "must have" features more inside. The downside: Only fast lenses that provide an aperture of at least f = 2.8, can fully illuminate the large AF sensor with wide-open aperture. This is especially true for the diagonal cross-type sensors that are sensitive to inclined by 45 ° lines, and sitting on the chip outermost. According to the manual Canons (only inner area of the AF points with important functions =) holds lenses in Group A (= light strong enough for all functions) and H together. At first this sounds daunting, but in practice the camera also works well with less high-speed lenses. The system is also logical, because the larger the aperture, the smaller the depth of field and the more precise must the focal plane sitting on the sensor. To me anyway amazingly reliable hand shots of approaching birds with my old EF 500mm f / 4.5 succeeded, though this is just a group of E-mount lens. This also holds true for Canon's classic Birder lens, the EF 400mm f / 5.6, which really makes fun of 5DIII. The hammer is the way the interaction with the EF 70-200 / 2.8 II in low light conditions.
- Image Quality. Canon has indeed carried out an amazing turn of years leader of the pixel race at moderate by today's standards pixel numbers and get in return by many beatings. I for one am glad that that is designed 5DIII rather cautious with their "only" 22 megapixels compared to Nikon's new D800 Pixel Boliden. The larger pixels avoid some disadvantages, which I know all too well from the 7D. Their pixels about the size of the pixels of the Nikon D800. An unpleasant consequence smaller pixels is a fairly small aperture supportive of the f = 7.1. With larger aperture numbers is the light at the needle small apertures so strongly bent (an inevitable consequence of the wave nature of light) that the pixels of the subject blossom into slices, which are larger than the pixels. At the latest from f = 10 loses 7D therefore clearly to resolution, at the pixel level, the images are clearly blurred (as shots with fine structures). Nikon D800 is expected to show a similar behavior, because the laws of physics can not be circumvented. Landscape photographers get so not the full resolution of 36 MP sensor, but unchanged gigantic files with very large f-numbers. With the larger pixels of 5D3 contrast I need hardly worry me about loss of detail due to diffraction. The beneficial aperture is about f = 10 and f = 14 and more you can still work with a clear conscience.
In addition, cameras are more sensitive to motion blur with small pixels. Especially in the telephotography therefore requires the 7D very fast shutter speed, if you want such. B. scan small, highly active vibrant songbirds. Unfortunately, you end up then quickly at high ISO values, and thus the noise. The 5D3 is as much good-natured.
- Noise. Promoted by the 7D (and similar models with the 18-megapixel APS-C size sensor) experience a different world here. The 5D3 makes at ISO 6400 significantly better images than current Canon APS-C DSLRs at ISO 1600. Incredibly, I even convincing bird portraits with ISO 10000 hingekriegt without the spring structures in noise drown completely. The comparison to 5DII other hand, is not as clear (I do not have to, but I played around extensively with borrowed copies). The noise behavior seems to be slightly better, but also the noise reduction system of the 5D3 goes right to work aggressively. In People Portraits that works impressively well. But when it comes to fine detail, I recommend to turn off the noise reduction completely and accept the Canon quite pleasant analog "graininess" of the noise. Two examples: In animals, then muddying feather or fur structures not as fast, at landscapes act leaves and rock structures not so washed out or even artificial plastic adhesive. The great progress of the 5D3 is, as I said, rather in the very natural color reproduction even with the standard white balance without much screws parameters. Also in artificial light the results are surprisingly good, although not perfect. It was interesting here by the way, the comparison with the old Nikon D300, from violet violets - all screw Clean the color management contrary - made merciless blue flowers. This shows how the development has progressed in recent years, certainly at Nikon.
Another plus point of 5DIII is the big 100-percent viewfinder with einblendbarem grid, level, etc. The controls and the housing are in relation to the changed 5DII strong 7D-owners feel at home more quickly, however. However: Many keys are otherwise allocated, which sometimes confused me when switching between the two models.
Instead of the classical style image button now has the 5DIII a "creative recording" button, which opens three functions. In addition to the classic "Picture Style" (Standard, Portrait, Landscape, etc.) it now offers "Multiple Exposure", which the creative analog photographers heart beat faster, and the ability to automatically produce from the camera HDR JPEGs (with quite variable influenced setting parameters ). For non-critical designs with clearly drawn contours or soft gradients throughout the HDR function works quite useful (but is best to use a tripod to prevent not move the frames against each other). In classical forest treetops against blue sky but you're gonna get ugly quickly bright edges ("halos") at the top, because trees unravel once strong now. As hand work on the computer is still unavoidable.
Class is the silent mode. Actually, the combination of a mirror mechanism is equipped with a digital sensor is an anachronism, DSLR are therefore large, indecent loud, and only from the semi-professional level upwards I personally for them a few more years future. The market for mini-DSLR with unusable optical viewfinders, the system rolls up cameras with electronic viewfinders soon, I think. However, at least the disadvantage of loud levels can shock the 5D3 off amazingly well. In - albeit slower - Silent mode is so discreet quiet that I would no longer am afraid to use them during a Mass in a church times. I have learned to love the right Silent mode.
VIDEO
For me, the classic photograph is important, therefore, only a brief comment, because that can judge right Video Photographers competent. The equipment has become adult since the 5D2 my impression. Canon seems the rolling shutter problem that results in faster Mitziehern and pans to unsightly artefacts to have significantly better in the 5D3 under control. Also moiré patterned with small motifs (z. B. Clothing or more distant brick walls) are virtually in the 5D3 no longer an issue. A great feature is the on Tactile switchable thumbwheel. Then you can sweep up in the depression instead of rotating it. So you can with sensitive video recordings in quiet environments such. B. readjust the recording level when sound without producing annoying noise buster. For demanding videographer inside the upgrading of 5D2 worth safely.
Plus points:
++ Superb image quality
++ High resolution despite moderate number of pixels
++ Very natural color reproduction
++ Low noise even at high ISO values extends the capabilities of the available light photography almost in the range of night vision goggles (;-))
++ Topp autofocus system with 61 configurable AF points makes 5D now an all-rounder
++ AF system works with high-speed lenses virtually in the dark
++ Significantly faster response than 5DII, lower shutter lag
++ For this full-size class below the major professional housing very high frequency of 6 frames / sec (with good map)
++ Sophisticated video feature
++ Haptics, processing, ergonomics and usability top
+ Wonderful silent mode for discreet photography
+ Very good, large LCD screen
+ 100 percent viewfinder
+ Additional card slot for SD cards (z. B. for JPEGs)
+ Who's even need (I'd rather not): Now as for Nikon also in-camera RAW processing of images possible.
Neutral:
o Price-performance ratio appropriate to the professional AF system; But who can wait for falling prices, should do
o the famous light leakage problem is solved in the current model series.
Bad points:
Not swivel LCD screen -
- No Pop Up for the occasional flash of if you do not have this Aufsteckblitz
- Full AF functionality even in low-light lenses would be even better
- No output uncompressed video data (as opposed to Nikon D800), but this also requires tremendous computing power (memory, disk space)
-. A few teething problems in the software, for example, can usually still beliegenden DPP versions 3.11.10.XX not represent RAW files in full resolution - ie update right after installation. But that is typical of new models and finished with several firmware updates.
Footnote (3.12.2012):
There is a recurring criticism of the image quality of the 5D III: it tends to default to muddying very fine structures and to make it appear waxy. Especially in landscape or fine fur or feather structures that falls on unpleasant. The reason are the default settings, the more aggressive approach to the suppression of noise and artifacts than the 5D II. Here Canon clearly had professional photographers and -journalists in mind, where the "cleanliness" of wedding or politician pictures at high ISO values are more important as thinnest structures in landscape photos. Your photos are printed so rare in A3 format, and the web-resolution was good enough.
The full detail resolution of the 5D III but you get quite easily on RAW editing, and it is the resolution of the 5D II never after. With Canon's DPP software supplied for free to reach over two of the three control under "unsharp mask", through "delicacy" and "emerging". These two you pull to the left (= finer details + lower threshold of Drawing) and observed as the image change. The result is the total epiphany, suddenly the finest structures are there. But you have to like the 5D II will also accept more noise than price (which I almost always prefer).
In fact, Canon should install this in a future firmware update the option in the camera to be able to select (by o. Ä. Picture Style menu) maximum fineness at low threshold as the default settings for RAW files. The noise reduction can indeed turn down in the camera and completely off.
