New used? 5D mk III hints for set up? I just received my Canon 5D III today. Put a charged battery and formatted cards, a 16 GB CF and a 64 GB SD, in it and set the date and time. I...

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

I just received my Canon 5D III today. Put a charged battery and formatted cards, a 16 GB CF and a 64 GB SD, in it and set the date and time. I took a quick shot with it and then looked at it, it was number one! I can't ask for more then that! Used, I don't think so!

I shoot wildlife, mainly birds, often BIF. I am looking for some hints on setting up the camera. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Using the "Q" button I did change to raw, continuous and A1 Servo but now could use some help. The menu is so much different than my 7D!

Going to look for BBF settings and the different focus points. Trying to decide what to use and when. Suggestions are going to be very welcomed while I try to learn to use this camera!

Jim D

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Old, I've never shot a lll, but so many do, I can't believe you are almost on of 3, and no help.
It looks like you're gonna have to curl up in front of a romantic fire with your manual! :lol:
You may even have to resort to uTubes.
This will at least get you back to the front.
Good luck. ;-)
SS

Chris F. Loc: San Francisco

Congratulations, you will love it. I have had my 5DIII since they first came out and prefer it much more than my 7D. You will love the vivid colors and ability to take great shots in low or limited light.

There are a ton of options in the menu once out of the auto mode. My advice is to look at each of the settings and try them out on different shots.

Also, there is a feature to set the camera back to original settings so that when you have changed a bunch of things and can't remember what you did, all settings will be restored back to default.

Have fun!

Chris

oldtool2 wrote:

I just received my Canon 5D III today. Put a char... (show quote)

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I found Rockwell's user's guide quite useful:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/5d-mk-iii/users-guide/index.htm#trsettings

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

SharpShooter wrote:

Old, I've never shot a lll, but so many do, I can't believe you are almost on of 3, and no help.
It looks like you're gonna have to curl up in front of a romantic fire with your manual! :lol:
You may even have to resort to uTubes.
This will at least get you back to the front.
Good luck. ;-)
SS

It does start to look that way. No problem, I am sure in time I will figure out the settings I need. I have found part of what I want for BBF and the focus points I think I will use, focus expansion.

Problem is I am very busy right now but it looks like I am going to have to make time to do some reading.

Jim D

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

Chris F. wrote:

Congratulations, you will love it. I have had my ... (show quote)

Chris,

Thank you on the congrats. I am fairly sure I am going to enjoy this camera from everything I have seen and read.

I figured there is a reset somewhere, just have not found it yet. Any changes I have made so far I have found in the manual and marked the pages so I can go back to them.

It is going to be interesting to say the least, quite different than the 7D that I am so familiar with. The menu is set up completely different.

Haven't looked at the auto mode, not something I use. I am normally in AV or TV, or full manual modes.

Jim D

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

CHG_CANON wrote:

I found Rockwell's user's guide quite useful:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/5d-mk-iii/users-guide/index.htm#trsettings

CHG_CANON,

Thank you for the link to this guide. It looks like it is going to give me a lot more reading but may have some of the things I am looking for.

Jim D

amehta Loc: Boston

Congrats, and have fun! Just don't figure out its limits too fast, you want to enjoy this until you're ready for a 1DY. :-)

lukan Loc: Chicago, IL

amehta wrote:

Congrats, and have fun! Just don't figure out its limits too fast, you want to enjoy this until you're ready for a 1DY. :-)

A 1DY is giving me GAS... :lol:
It's a good thing it won't be out for a while! :thumbup:

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

Creative live has courses on camera models. I've purchased 2of their programs for my cameras. The instructor John Greengo is very good. Until July 20th the programs are on sale. http://www.creativelive.com/courses/canon-5d-mark-iii-dslr-fast-start-john-greengo

oldtool2 wrote:

I just received my Canon 5D III today. Put a char... (show quote)

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

amehta wrote:

Congrats, and have fun! Just don't figure out its limits too fast, you want to enjoy this until you're ready for a 1DY. :-)

amehta,

Thanks, I am sure I will enjoy it when I have more time.

Trust me I won't! Having some work done around the house and yard and that is taking up a lot of my time right now. That is why I am asking for some starting hints. Normally I would just dive right in but can't right now.

I did spend some time with the book last night though and found some of the starting points I wanted. I usual though the manual is only a starter, not the best by any means. If I didn't have a little background I would be in trouble!

As for the 1D series, I don't ever see that happening! Not being a pro I couldn't begin to justify that cost. Had a very hard time justifying this one!!

Jim D

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

sueyeisert wrote:

Creative live has courses on camera models. I've purchased 2of their programs for my cameras. The instructor John Greengo is very good. Until July 20th the programs are on sale. http://www.creativelive.com/courses/canon-5d-mark-iii-dslr-fast-start-john-greengo

sueyeisert,

Thank you for this link. It looks like it might be well worth it. I will take a closer look at it later this weekend.

Jim D

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

This is the first camera I have owned that has two different types of memory cards. I would like to set up the SD card for jpg's and the CF for raw. I mainly shoot raw and have the CF card set for that but every time I try to set the SD card it changes both cards. I don't want to shoot raw & jpg at the same time.

Is it possible to set these cards up independently?

Jim D

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

I have his quick start for the Fuji X-E2 and Oly EM-5.

oldtool2 wrote:

sueyeisert,

Thank you for this link. It looks like it might be well worth it. I will take a closer look at it later this weekend.

Jim D

William Bennett Loc: Il

Just got my 5D III in the same boat that you are I am working at it.Need all the help i can get I also have the 7D
Bill