Canon 5D MKIII - Built in electronic level: Another reason to read the manual. I upgraded from the Canon 5D MKII to the Canon 5D MKIII 18 months ago. Didn't feel the need to read the...

DBaltzer Loc: Scottsdale, Arizona

Another reason to read the manual. I upgraded from the Canon 5D MKII to the Canon 5D MKIII 18 months ago. Didn't feel the need to read the manual page by page since I knew the MKII inside and out and so I just scanned through it. Imagine my surprise when I saw another photographer display a two way (side to side and tilt) electronic level on the LCD monitor on his 5D MKIII. Went home and pulled out the manual and there on page 60 were the instructions for activating the level (push menu button once then info button twice). For 18 months I've been using a manual level that snaps into the hot shoe. Doh! I'm posting this not to demonstrate my ignorance but because I've since talked to two other friends of mine who have MKIII's and they didn't know about the level either. So just in case there's another Hogger out there with a Canon 5D MKIII who like me, doesn't read manuals, this post is for you.

cmc65

DBaltzer wrote:

Another reason to read the manual. I upgraded from... (show quote)

7d mk 2 has it also. It's great.

Bill_de Loc: US

DBaltzer wrote:

Another reason to read the manual.

So true. Nikon first had it in the D300s. I wonder how many people have this, and other features, without knowing it.

I remember when as long as you could find the shutter speed dial on top of the camera, and the aperture ring on the lens, you were good to go. :)

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SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

DBaltzer wrote:

Another reason to read the manual. I upgraded from... (show quote)

DB, LoL, LoL!! I to have a 5ll and went to the 7ll, pretty much the same camera as the 5lll and it's like going from a Model T to a Ferrari!! Not even close to the same animal. And that's not even mentioning the focus system. So without reading something, how do you learn the focus system in that beast?! Holy crap, that's the whole heart of the 5lll!! How to use the focus points, which ones, when and on which Case!
I suggest you go out of town one night and get a swanky hotel, go to a nice dinner, then come back and snuggle up for a long night with your MANUAL!!! :lol: :lol:
SS

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

The original Canon 7D is the first that I am aware featuring the electronic level, not a clue about Nikon.

Although it never hurts to have a triple level in your kit.

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

Bill_de wrote:

So true. Nikon first had it in the D300s. I wonder how many people have this, and other features, without knowing it.

The current Nikon version of "Virtual Horizon" probably has more features than most users are aware of too. In addition to the menu option for a Virtual Horizon display on the LCD, the Fn key can be optioned to toggle on/off a simple graphic display in the viewfinder.

Just push the Fn key, and both roll and pitch are indicated. Push the Fn button again to return the viewfinder display to "normal".

Nikon has had the viewfinder display and the very simple single button toggle since the D3 generation introduced the first virtual horizon in a DSLR, announce in August 2007; the dual axis with both roll and pitch indications, came with the D4 generation in 2012.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

cmc65 wrote:

7d mk 2 has it also. It's great.

The OP was talking about the level in the LCD screen. The 7D2 had that as well as the one visible through the viewfinder.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

DBaltzer wrote:

Another reason to read the manual. I upgraded from... (show quote)

On the 5D Mark III, a level is also available through the viewfinder although the viewfinder level is not as well implemented as the one on the 7D Mark II. See the link below for both the LCD and viewfinder level on the 5D3.

http://support.usa.canon.com/kb/index?page=content&id=ART134194

Anandnra Loc: Tennessee

DBaltzer wrote:

Another reason to read the manual. I upgraded from... (show quote)

That would be me as well not reading the manual and figuring things out on my own..... thanks for the tip,

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Like most here, I don't read my manuals cover-to-cover. But I do download them to my tablet and my laptop. When I have need to use them I just open the PDF and SEARCH for whatever topic I'm interested in. In the process, I've uncovered many things I didn't previously know.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Anandnra wrote:

That would be me as well not reading the manual and figuring things out on my own..... thanks for the tip,

The manual for the Canon 7D Mark II is 549 pages. I'm sure the 5D3 manual is a similar length. I've read my 7D2 manual from cover to cover. If I hadn't I would have missed out on dozens of very useful configuration options and features that are not obvious and which were unlikely to have been discovered on my own.

Anandnra Loc: Tennessee

mwsilvers wrote:

The manual for the Canon 7D Mark II is 549 pages. I'm sure the 5D3 manual is a similar length. I've read my 7D2 manual from cover to cover. If I hadn't I would have missed out on dozens of very useful configuration options and features that are not obvious and which were unlikely to have been discovered on my own.

Agreed - it's been on my to do list but somehow never can get motivated enough to do it. Just following threads like these we pick up things along the way.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

mwsilvers wrote:

The manual for the Canon 7D Mark II is 549 pages. I'm sure the 5D3 manual is a similar length. I've read my 7D2 manual from cover to cover. If I hadn't I would have missed out on dozens of very useful configuration options and features that are not obvious and which were unlikely to have been discovered on my own.

Of the 549 pages in the manual, how many are devoted to the AF system? The 1 D-x's manual is 419 pages, and the majority of them are dedicated to AF. There really is a lot of important stuff hidden away in that book. I do not understand the fear so many people have of it.

Big Stopper Loc: London

Like most here I'm not one for reading manuals but I'm pleased to say I found this feature pretty soon after getting my 5d Mk 3. For seascapes I couldn't do without it.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

davidrb wrote:

Of the 549 pages in the manual.
I do not understand the fear so many people have of it.

I can give you 549 reasons!!! :lol:
SS