Canon 5d Mark III: Still Worth It in 2024

In this video, Frankie discusses why the Canon 5D Mark III is a great camera for beginners who want those great results specifically for photography. Thanks for watching!

Mirth Films:

[MrRensan]

To me, this camera is a keeper. Aside from build quality, great Canon color science, quick focus, two card slots, numerous lens choices, low light capability, the 5D legendary reputation and many more attributes, it is still good in 2023.

[bmin]

I listen to modern pros and I wonder how they would have made a living even ten years ago without all the bells and whistles modern mirrorless cameras have in-body to spoil them. The way they talk it's as if no decent images were ever produced before 2018. The 5d mark iii was a top quality pro camera that kept many pro users enjoying fine wine and cigars as a result of it's amazing quality images. You don't need a gazillion focus points to produce iconic images.

[roastbeefyweefy]

I'm not a professional, but:
- The battery life is phenomenal
- Low light is amazing in my experience
- Canon colors matter because I hate editing, and resent the idea that I need an indefinite Lightroom subscription to enjoy my craft
- Tough body, unparalleled ergonomics, intuitive dials, meaty grip
- DSLRs are not trendy, so you get a lot for your money
- Viewfinder won't lag, skip, or consume power since it's not electronic
- Dual card slots (CF / SD)
- Good enough AF for me / my price bracket
- Full frame

5Ds are like standard issue military cameras, if that were a thing. They can do the job at the highest level while being versatile, durable, and easy to learn.

Most cameras are amazing, but to me the 5D3 is a perfect machine.
I got mine for $500+ btw, so don't feel like a chump if you can't find one cheaper. It's a highly capable, professional camera.

[quazisanjeed]

Sorry, disagree with the title. Canon 5DIII is Not a beginners camera. Professionals used it round the globe for paid work. Many of them are still using it. It requires quite a bit of understanding of photography for extracting the optimum performance of this great camera.

[tonyellelearasomerville]

I'm a beginner. I have always loved taking photos preferably of nature as a hobby. I just purchased this with A 50mm lens to start. Great video for someone like me.

[mikkirurk]

Canon 5dm3 is better now than it was on release day - it takes the same awesome pictures, it costs a fraction of its release price. If you're not making videos and you're into photography - buy it and spend the rest on the lenses. Lenses are way more important than a camera body.

[philiphunt]

I just picked one up for shooting stills in a studio setting and it’s an incredible piece of kit. It’s my first full frame camera and I love it

[mudgie]

I don't know how professional photographers coped 10 years ago with all the draw backs you've listed. Seriously, any good photographer or videographer can easily get outstanding results with the 5d mark III if they know what they are doing.

[phillytalks]

I'm still doing a ton of video gigs with that and the Mk IV. IMO it's still a great camera for video, as long as you can handle the manual focus and your customers don't want 4k.

[THORFXMX]

The feature film “ACT OF VALOR” was mostly shot with Canon 5d ‘s . They were modified to accept Panavision lenses.

[andrewdoeshair]

When I went from the 5Diii to the EOS R I felt like the auto focus and general operation of the EOS R was insanely sluggish, like I have never cursed at any cameras as much as the EOS R. Many of the things which can be changed and adjusted using muscle memory on the 5Diii required menu dives in the EOS R and EOS RP (like white balance, for example, or toggling from one shot to servo on the 5Diii could be assigned to holding the DOF preview button but on the mirrorless cameras this functionality requires more time, your eyes, a left hand, and/or a little bit of brain power to toggle). I miss having a straight, even row of dual-function buttons on top of the camera, where I could make changes with the camera at my side just by feeling it-- to this day (after five years of owning R series cameras) I couldn't draw a picture of the button layout on the top off any R series camera, it's like they flicked paint blobs on a body and let those blobs dictate where the buttons would sit. Even the physical lock switch on the 5Diii was a smarter choice than the unresponsive sterile push-button on the EOS R, which requires looking at the camera to know if it's locked, or remembering whether you locked it, instead of reaching for a quick feel with your thumb to be sure. When canon went mirrorless they basically took their M50 and put a full frame sensor on it, and designed a menu and touch screen driven camera for Gen Z kids who don't want to put their eye on a viewfinder and don't know why there are "clicks" on the shutter wheel. I miss my 5Diii dearly. I only keep my R6 because it has a flippy screen, but the colors are hot garbage and it feels like a plastic Rebel in the hand.

[purvue]

I do understand what you're talkin about the autofocus points but you are more critical on the amount of autofocus points but the autofocus mechanism itself works with lenses and it snaps on really fucking fast. Any professional would not mind using this kind of autofocus because it is very Snappy. As a photographer I feel like everybody should learn how to use simpler versions of features. I use just the center focal point point to where I want to be unfocused and then I reframe for my picture and I do that simultaneously really quick and I take all my shots I don't miss the shots. This camera builds good shooting habits. This is why they created the 2 levels of pressure on the trigger. One to lock the exposure and then fully press to complete the capture but that half press is there so you can put your af point on the thing you want in focus then hold it, reframe and then shoot. I have the 6d mark1 and looking to add this because its old but new enough for me to make up for everything in post. But yhats my style anyway i shoot for post editing since im a heacy graphic designer as well. I shoot flat as possible. I just needed something cheap with a great sensor that at at least had the basics.

[sapienproductions]

With magic lantern installed this thing is a fantastic movie tool. There are rumours that the ML crew are going to make a full frame build of the ML crop mood for the Mk3. This cam will once again kick ass.

[PaulKretz]

If you manage to find *Toshiba Flash Air SD card* (+app), you can have wi-fi files transfer in any camera + some additional options (not remote shooting, though, it is reserved for native app only). I own couple of these cards and use them with 5D Classic and 5DIII.

[username_]

Um the Canon Mark iii is EXTREMELY good at video. That's all I've used it for. It's cinematic just with the standard lens. I highly recommend for video. The only issue is there is no view finder or auto-focus. So if you're planning to do a video of yourself, you'll need an external monitor. Other than that, don't knock it until you try it.

[andychandler]

I shoot with a Canon 5d Mark ii. I like the "movie film" look to my shots. Also like you mentioned around 1:10, it's a tank and build to last.

[thealternativevlog]

I plan to buy a 5d Mark 3 as an upgrade from a Rebel T7, which I bought two years ago. I plan to use the camera as an event photographer for paying clients. I think the camera is "pro" enough, for me.

[nessa]

Nice video but disagree about the auto focus not being good for professional work. Many professionals still use this camera as their primary and the autofocus is more than adequate. Is the mirrorless autofocus more advanced? Absolutely. But 5DIII is no slouch.

[MdWahidurRahmanOvi]

Totally agree, canon color science is addictive.

[CoralBlake-jq]

Your absolutely correct about the colour science of Canon.