Wednesday 25 January 2012

New Canon 5D MkIII or 7d - Out in the wild

I don't normally like to get involved in idle speculation but the post on Stephen Oachs blog is simply too much for a Canon junkie like myself to resist.

For the full story about how Stephen of the Aperture Academy, who most probably is not on Canon's Christmas card list anymore, came across the yet unreleased Canon DSLR out in the wilds of Africa you really must read his blog.

It is almost excruciating.

The Canon employee who was involved in this most unfortunate episode has, one imagines, made a career decision.

So what is it?

A 5DMkIII or a 7D MKII? Or could it be something else?

It is worth pointing out that this may not be the camera in its final form as they can change as they are being developed, but judging by the condition, fit and finish of the camera it looks like a preproduction model from the line, something that is relatively close to launch. Not a hacked about prototype model with temporary decals on the buttons, the likes of which were visible on pre production Canon C300's

Let's have a look at it in forensic detail.....







1. Locking Function wheel, Amen to that!

Photographers were crying out for that from launch, it is possible to get this retro fitted to your 5DMkII, but  it should have been there from day one, it seems Canon have listened.

2. Relocated On/Off Button

This does seem to have been moved to an ergonomic logical and streamlined position, just requiring a flick of your left thumb.

I have a slight reservation though, the current on/off switch on the MKII seems to be in a bit of an odd place, but it is not really possible to knock it to the 'On' position by mistake, I wonder if this is true for this switch?

3. 'Paintbrush' button

Could this be a rapid way of accessing the in camera picture styles?

4. Rate button

One suppose that this is exactly as it says, a fast way of rating images, some people will find this very handy.

5. Mic ?

On back of camera, logical place for voice tagging

6. LED?

Perhaps, could this work with the mic?

7.M/Fn Button

You can never have too many user programable custom function buttons, could this be one of those?

Easy access position too.

8. Video/stills selection button

Like the 7D, this would be a welcome addition to the 5D as it's currently a bit of a 'faff'

9. Q button

Could be another user programable 'Quick' access button

10. Gaffer tape

Why, oh why is there not more of this.....??????

11. Lock

Does this 'Lock' all the settings on the camera with a single switch??? or could it be linked to...

12.Grip/battery

I only commented on this as it makes it clear in my mind at least that it is not a 1 series derivative.

Overall quite a rare and revealing little snap shot of a forthcoming Canon DSLR.

But which one?

Ladies and Gentlemen place your bets.

I have no inside line on what this camera is, or is not

But I strongly suspect it is a Canon 5D MKIII

Why?

The MKII was launched in September 2008, 4 years ago this September.

An age ago in the world of digital photography.

The MKII, as good as it is, is surely due for replacement.

What would I like to see on a MKIII?

In no particular order...

Faster and improved Autofocus, faster frame rate ( how about 6fps?) better body sealing (though this has never been an issue for me), more user friendly Codec for the video.

Better connectivity for mic's etc would be nice too.

And when will this come?

Photokina would be a natural place to launch this camera but this camera looks very finished to me, so perhaps before then.

What do you think?







9 comments:

Unknown said...

Perhaps rate as in frame rate?

Unknown said...

Could be...

My money is on 'star' rating the file.

Regards

Drew

Charles Lanteigne said...

On image #5 of Stephen's original post, looking at the top LCD up close reveals a card selection icon, which would indicate that the camera has dual card slots.

This is a most welcome feature...

John Fenix said...

This camera has no built in flash...do I have to say more^^

Unknown said...

Hi Charles and John

Well spotted with the dual card slots, a welcome feature indeed.

Good point John, many would regard this as a clincher in identifying it as a 5D MkII successor.

If that is the casein is very interesting to see how similar the placing is of the switch gear to the 7d.

Stephen Oachs certainly has livened the week up.

I wonder how many hits his site has had?

Regards

Drew

Denny Wells said...

The lack of flash (as noted by John) was one of the first things to leap out at me.

Also, in Stephen's image #5, there appears to be an extra button near the shutter release - curious what that's for.

I'm quite happy with my 5D2, and am not actively looking for a replacement - but the gearhead in me is always curious.

Unknown said...

Hey Denny

I suppose the lack of flash IS the big give away.

Could the button near the shutter release be some kind of user assigned button? I suspect so.

I wonder if Stephen had any idea of the furore that would follow the posting of the images?

I know what you mean about being happy with the mark II, it is a fantastic camera, my favourite of all time.

But when they come out with something irresistible offering great features that we never thought we needed, temptation tend to get the better of us

Regards

Drew

Hank said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Hi Hank

Good point

It is a very exciting prospect.

Regards

Drew