EOS 5D Mark III without light-leaking issues available at B&H (+ double instant rebates)

According to hdcamteam, this week B&H will receive a new batch of 5D Mark IIIs that do not have the light-leaking issue. So, if you were waiting for the light-leak issue to get solved, this may be the right moment to place your order (click here). Be aware that there is no official statement about batches or shipments of “new” 5D mark IIIs. However, it seems that Canon reacted to the problem and found a solution.

This is also a good occasion to check Canon’s double instant rebates on lenses (and/or speedlites), when purchased together with a EOS 5D Mark III, EOS 5D Mark II, EOS 60D or EOS 7D (ending 06/02). On EOS 60D bodies there is an instant saving of $100, and on 7D bodies it is $150. Savings on lenses can go up to $250, depending on the kit combination (body + lenses/speedlites) you choose. More lenses and/or speedlites can be added, increasing the overall saving.  Click here to check the double instant savings on selected Canon kits. It looks a little bit complicated at first glance, but simply choose a body and a lens, and then explore all the possible combinations that are offered.

[via hdcamteam]

EOS 5D Mark III light-leaking patched with tape

 

Over at lensrentals.com they got back a light-leaking EOS 5D Mark III that was fixed by Canon. Fixed? Not really someone may think. Would be better to say “patched”, since the problem was (albeit perfectly) solved by applying some black tape under the top LCD panel. You might think that is not the most elegant solution, and maybe not the solution you could expect on a $3,500 toy, but it is perfectly working (as lensrentals points out). No more light leaking through the LCD panel.

UPDATE: German site heise.de got a confirmation by Canon that tape is used for the light-leaking problem. This is a normal procedure, and tape is widely used in cameras and lenses.

[lensrentals.com via theverge & petapixel]

 

DxO Optics Pro v7.2.3 supports the EOS 5D Mark III

A fully-functional trial version of DxO Optics Pro v7.2.3 is available on the DxO Labs website. From the press release:

May 2, 2012 – DxO Labs announces the immediate availability of DxO Optics Pro v7.2.3 for Mac and Windows, its image processing software of reference for all serious photographers. This update allows DxO Optics Pro to offer support for the Canon EOS 5D Mark III and for the Pentax K-01, the latest in the Pentax hybrid camera lineup.

AN EXCLUSIVE CALIBRATION PROCESS

DxO Optics Pro v7.2.3 has already integrated 70 DxO Optics Modules for the Canon EOS 5D Mark III and 26 Modules for the Pentax K-01.

DxO Optics Modules are developed through a calibration process exclusive to DxO Labs, based on careful analysis of each camera and lens combination under different shooting conditions. This means that DxO Optics Pro automatically applies optical corrections for such problems as distortion, vignetting, chromatic aberrations, and lack of sharpness in a way that is perfectly adapted to each user’s equipment.

Camera and lens performance analyses are available on DxOMark, the reference site for image quality measurements. The Canon EOS 5D Mark III has achieved the best score among all Canon digital cameras (more information about this camera here.)

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EOS 5D Mark III, news and reviews round-up (vs D800, and free LR presets)

Credits: Mike Kobal

Ok, let us start with some EOS 5D Mark III vs Nikon D800 stuff. Photographer Mike Kobal got both cams in his hands and shares his impressions. Optical Viewfinder: slightly brighter on the 5D Mark III; mirror/shutter: a bit louder on the D800 (click here for audio file 5d3 vs d800 in continuous shooting mode, click here for silent mode); Auto-Focus: 5D3 little bit faster, nails AF almost immediately; sensor aspect ratio: D800 has crop modes and aspect ratio can be set, useful when you have to shot in aspect ratios different from 2:3. Mike’s conclusion: The D800 will appeal to the Studio/commercial photographer with the occasional photo-journalistic assignment, the 5D3 will appeal to the location oriented commercial photographer, the photo journalist and the wedding photographer. More after the jump.

 

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EOS 5D Mark III Firmware Hack: Magic Lantern is Coming

Magic Lantern running on a 5D Mark III

Canon released a firmware update for its EOS 5D Mark III and the file was analyzed by the hackers who brought us the Magic Lantern firmware hack for Canon cams. Looks like Magic Lantern can be ported to the EOS 5D Mark III. This is good news, since the hack brings a lot of improvements for video, IQ and usability. Would also be the first to work with the DIGIC 5 CPU. If you are into coding here is the link to the developer forum.

[via EOSHD]

EOS 5D Mark III DxO-Marks – How are they done?

I will not enter the discussion about the recently published DxO-Marks of the EOS 5D Mark III. It’s a technical measure made from a purely engineering point of view, and while being a valid benchmark it doesn’t tell the whole story. Period. It’s not that I am no happy that Canon obtained the best DxO Mark of its history, I am more surprised about the difference with other cameras (ok: with the Nikon D800 :-)). However, for all of us who are interested to know how DxO Labs performs their measure, which lab-setting they are using etc, there is a “behind the scenes” article by cnet that’s worth to be read. It’s long and detailed, and gives valuable insights. I liked the following excerpt:

Most people aren’t surprised to hear that high-end digital cameras offer higher resolution, lower noise, and better low-light performance than film. But there’s a common belief that film still surpasses digital when it comes to another important attribute, dynamic range, which measures the spread from where a scene is too bright for a camera to capture detail to where it’s so dark that details are lost in the image noise.

Indeed, most people are surprised when they are told that digital cameras have higher resolution, lower noise and better low-light performance!

EOS 5D Mark III price-check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA [via imaging-resource]