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View Full Version : 1D III, 16-35/2.8 II, 580EX II: first impressions


cwphoto
03-04-2007, 06:12 PM
Sampled all these new beauties today over a brief meeting with some Canon pals.

First impressions of the EOS-1D Mark III:
1) The live view mode is going to revolutionise studio/location commercial photography. A simple press of the 'SET' button on the rear enables this feature and then a simple tap of the 'magnify' button zooms in on your scene for precise focusing. I see so many advantages, particularly when working with wide-angle lenses where precise focusing is difficult.
2) Wireless is fantastic. When using live view you can operate and focus the camera from the comfort of your own laptop. No more cramming myself into and out of cramped spaces in the RV as I rush the media card back to the AD outside for comment. We can both simply focus, fire, view images from the lappy. Great feature.
3) 10fps for over 30 RAWs (an increase of 50%) is welcome.
4) Simplifed array of AF points and a new jog dial to operate. Great for horz shooting but useless for vert - will still need to use the rear dial for ultimate control from both axes.
5) sRAW. Geat for when you don't need the full 10MP but still want the flexibility of RAW. Table/guests shots at weddings here we come.
6) New silent shutter release. Simply select in drive mode and you have a very quiet shutter. Great for churches and whenever you want to be discreet.
7) The lightness is apparent immediately (for those whom are used to the 1D Mark II etc).
8) New battery tells you how many more shots are likely.
9) New highlight control, great for weddings.

First impressions of the EF 16-35mm f/2.8 L II USM:
10) Larger front element so new filter size of 82mm is a pain.
11) Hard to tell if the IQ is better in the corners. Will have to take Canon's word for it as they say they have increased the size of the image circle to compensate.

First impressions of the 580EX II:
12) It seems bigger (but not heavier).
13) Totally revised layout, controls are similar but battery door is different.
14) The coupling to the camera is heaps more secure with a lever and catch.
15) PC socket at the side of the flash under a cover. Not sure what advantage this gives over the camera's PC socket - maybe remote triggering from an external meter?

The 16-35/2.8 II can wait but I'm definitely up for the Mark III and new Speedlite.

Questions from the floor? :D

RichNY
03-04-2007, 06:19 PM
It sounds like you had a fun day today!

noyjimi
03-04-2007, 06:43 PM
Yes question here! Send it to me to confirm your first impressions! ;) :D

cwphoto
03-04-2007, 06:45 PM
Yes question here! Send it to me to confirm your first impressions! ;) :D

The Canon boys wouldn't even let me take a sample image on my media card, so I doubt I could run off with it! :(

forno
03-04-2007, 06:45 PM
Indeed it sounds like you had alot of fun

What are you comments on the highlight control?

cwphoto
03-04-2007, 06:46 PM
Indeed it sounds like you had alot of fun

What are you comments on the highlight control?

Sounds interesting, but hard to tell without doing tests. Won't be able to quantify that until April when my order is (hopefully) filled.

forno
03-04-2007, 06:53 PM
Sounds interesting, but hard to tell without doing tests. Won't be able to quantify that until April when my order is (hopefully) filled.


Cool, I bet there were many hands trying to get that demo camera

cwphoto
03-04-2007, 06:54 PM
Cool, I bet there were many hands trying to get that demo camera

Yeah the Canon Sales guys are doing the rounds at the moment, mainly govt but the press are very interested too (placing orders for dozens of units).

noyjimi
03-04-2007, 06:58 PM
The Canon boys wouldn't even let me take a sample image on my media card, so I doubt I could run off with it! :(

bummer! did they say anything bout the 82mm size? why, why, why (as if i could afford the 16-35 lol)

i'm actually excited about the 580ex ii, i believe they finally put in a good ole auto thrystor sensor in it, which is the reason i use metzes (besides their swappable feet). so now i can perhaps switch to the canon flash system and still be able to use auto mode instead of &@^#@! ETTL...but maybe not, i still love my metz flashes, lol. oh... it has weathersealing, too, btw.

cwphoto
03-04-2007, 07:02 PM
bummer! did they say anything bout the 82mm size? why, why, why (as if i could afford the 16-35 lol)

i'm actually excited about the 580ex ii, i believe they finally put in a good ole auto thrystor sensor in it, which is the reason i use metzes (besides their swappable feet). so now i can perhaps switch to the canon flash system and still be able to use auto mode instead of &@^#@! ETTL...but maybe not, i still love my metz flashes, lol. oh... it has weathersealing, too, btw.

As far as I know 82mm allowed them more flexibility with a larger image circle.

noyjimi
03-04-2007, 07:26 PM
7) The lightness is apparent immediately (for those whom are used to the 1D Mark II etc).


i did a search:

(body only)

1d m3 = 40.7 oz
1d m2n = 43.2 oz
1d m2 = 43 oz
5d = 28.6 oz
20d = 24.2 oz

wonder how much more savings with battery for 1d m3?

99allturbo
03-09-2007, 06:45 AM
Found this vid of the MkIII so I wanted to share:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8h2AMllP0Y

Wesan
03-09-2007, 07:55 PM
It shoots like a machine gun! :eek:

drew_viii
03-10-2007, 06:31 AM
nice comment cwphoto! i like to read comments from actual users on it, and the wireless features is really amazing, im just wondering, could you transfer pictures to your laptop while holding the camera and taking it around the place, lets say, taking in wedding, i put my laptop somewhere the range under the table and would it be possible that i take some pictures at the same time it is wirelessly transferring the photos to my lappy? nice feature if they really can do that!

never heard of a filter size that big for the new lens hehe

cwphoto
03-10-2007, 07:12 PM
If you've got the range it will send them no prob.