Canon 5D mk3 - accessories.

Prophet

Prophet

Prophet

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Hi all, I'm looking for some advice on a few accessories I need for my camera.

Currently I have a 16GB Sandisk Extreme III CF card but need a larger one. Something reliable and not too expensive. What do you guys use?

Also, SD card for backups - This shoot requires it!

Batteries - I only have the original and need another couple of spares.

Flash batteries - Need a few sets so recommendations please.

Strap - Need something better than the standard possibly with a hand strap too.

Appreciate any input you guys can give.
 
Currently I have a 16GB Sandisk Extreme III CF card but need a larger one. Something reliable and not too expensive. What do you guys use?
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Sandisk/Kingston 32gb CF cards here.

Also, SD card for backups - This shoot requires it!
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I have a Kingston 128gb which it backs up to but be warned the SD Card is noticeably slower to write to.

Batteries - I only have the original and need another couple of spares.
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Get a battery grip and add an additional battery. I'll be absolutely gobsmacked if you flatten 2 batteries in one sitting. Otherwise I'd only use Canon official ones. I've taken 3000+ photos at a wedding in the course of a day and I was running out of energy before the camera was. The grip significantly prolongs battery life due to the load balancing tech.

Strap - Need something better than the standard possibly with a hand strap too.
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What makes you say this? I've been using the original strap (and have had a MKiii pretty much since the release) which is completely fine unless you're swinging it around rapidly, but anyone who would do that needs to be shot on sight :p
 
Phate said:
What makes you say this? I've been using the original strap (and have had a MKiii pretty much since the release) which is completely fine unless you're swinging it around rapidly, but anyone who would do that needs to be shot on sight :p
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I tend to wrap the strap around my hand/arm in the absence of a dedicated hand strap. Just wanted to see what options were available.


Thanks for all the other info. I'm looking at purchasing a Canon L 24-70 f2.8 IS and Canon L 70-200 F2.8 IS in the next couple of weeks so may throw in a battery grip. I've started to get more weddings as the main shooter so need to up my kit collection.
 
Prophet said:
I tend to wrap the strap around my hand/arm in the absence of a dedicated hand strap. Just wanted to see what options were available.
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OK gotcha, you won't get a strap which is both a hand strap and a neck strap, it's one of the other (if this is incorrect someone can correct me, but I've not seen otherwise) You can buy 3rd party hand straps and fit it alongside with the existing straps but I find hand grips get in the way for me, personally. But it's all about preference. I'd pick up any cheap 3rd party one, should be fine.


Thanks for all the other info.
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No problems, I shoot loads of weddings and use the same camera, if you have any other questions, please ask.
 
What lenses do you use out of interest? I've currently got a nifty fifty, Canon L 24-105 f4, Canon L 70-200 f4 so looking at upgrading to the 2.8s and adding something like the Sigma 85mm 1.4.
 
Get the lenses that fit around your style of shooting and subject matter - Nobody can tell you what lens will work best for your photography, as everyone has their own style and preference :p

I'm probably one of very few who don't like the grip on the 5D3, any other non 1 class body a grip is great but the 5D3 just feels best to me without the grip! I have a couple of extra Duracell battery packs should the Canon one get empty though and do note that when the 5D3 battery drops to 50% or below, the burst speed will be reduced in high speed mode.

For weddings I shoot on CF as main and duplicate that on to the 128GB SD card. This way I've got a single card with all shots (SD) and multiple CF cards spread out. It's slower this way when emptying the buffer writing to the SD card as the SD part of the 5D3 isn't high speed like other cameras, but I don't tend to exceed 3-4 bursts in one go for most uses on an average shoot anyway so this works well for me.

I've modified a leash and cuff into the original camera strap so now I have a very quickly removable neck strap that's just as strong as a stock strap looped into the hoops on the body.

A Rocket Blower is my most used accessory though I have to say, a quick blow when changing lenses (on to the back of the lens, not the camera sensor or mirror) and the sensor has not needed a clean in the past year of shooting.
 
Phate said:
17-40L
24-70L
35L
Sigma 85mm 1.4
135L

Pretty much covers me for everything I need I find.
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I can borrow a 135L so may take that along with me.

mrk said:
Get the lenses that fit around your style of shooting and subject matter - Nobody can tell you what lens will work best for your photography, as everyone has their own style and preference :p

I'm probably one of very few who don't like the grip on the 5D3, any other non 1 class body a grip is great but the 5D3 just feels best to me without the grip! I have a couple of extra Duracell battery packs should the Canon one get empty though and do note that when the 5D3 battery drops to 50% or below, the burst speed will be reduced in high speed mode.

For weddings I shoot on CF as main and duplicate that on to the 128GB SD card. This way I've got a single card with all shots (SD) and multiple CF cards spread out. It's slower this way when emptying the buffer writing to the SD card as the SD part of the 5D3 isn't high speed like other cameras, but I don't tend to exceed 3-4 bursts in one go for most uses on an average shoot anyway so this works well for me.

I've modified a leash and cuff into the original camera strap so now I have a very quickly removable neck strap that's just as strong as a stock strap looped into the hoops on the body.

A Rocket Blower is my most used accessory though I have to say, a quick blow when changing lenses (on to the back of the lens, not the camera sensor or mirror) and the sensor has not needed a clean in the past year of shooting.
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I'm really getting into shooting with primes. Love the 50mm 1.8 even if it is the baby of the range and really like the look of the Sigma 85mm 1.4 which I believe you use a lot? My 70-200 f4 is also a main player so I think my ideal range would be..

50mm 1.4
85mm 1.4
24-70mm 2.8
70-200mm f2.8

and possible a wide angle.

I see what you're saying about the hand strap. I think more about that.

My rocket blower is used frequently. I like to keep my equipment clean :p
 
I'm still waiting for a 14mm prime (or 14-24 2.8 zoom) to come out from Sigma, I accept I may be waiting for ages though. Need an excuse to replace the 17-40 as it’s getting on a bit now, even though it gets used quite a bit.

Yeah I have the Sigma 85 1.4, such a sharp lens, it’s a tad sharper than my copy of the 35 1.4 even, and that’s quite sharp. I use the 35 the most though. I had the 50 but found my most used range was 35 and 85, rarely in between.
 
mrk said:
I'm still waiting for a 14mm prime (or 14-24 2.8 zoom) to come out from Sigma, I accept I may be waiting for ages though. Need an excuse to replace the 17-40 as it’s getting on a bit now, even though it gets used quite a bit.

Yeah I have the Sigma 85 1.4, such a sharp lens, it’s a tad sharper than my copy of the 35 1.4 even, and that’s quite sharp. I use the 35 the most though. I had the 50 but found my most used range was 35 and 85, rarely in between.
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That's interesting. I've not used any primes less than the 50 so have got used to that. I'll do some test shots with my 24-105 at 35mm to see what that allows me to capture (framing-wise).
 
Picked up a Sandisk Extreme 32GB (160MB/s)... love the speed it can shoot at... just doesn't stop or slow down in that burst rate... quite impressive... along with the speed it empties the cache when you stop.

Big improvement over the 128GB 80MB/s Sandisk SD I have.

Not that I need the burst rate... just cool to see :D

I'm obviously not a pro-tog... just hobbyist... I like the feature that you can use the SD slot as overflow... so even with an SD card in the slot, while using the CF it doesn't slow the writes down. But run out of space and it'll auto-switch to the SD.

Strap wise... I really like the blackrapid, much nicer to wear for longer periods than stock strap of D800 or 5D3. Useful if you don't need frequent tripod access. Quicker to use and more comfortable to wear for longer periods.

I'm currently expanding my lens collection... feeling naked with only a single lens... Sigma Art 35mm 1.4... sold the kit lens

Waiting on delivery of:
24-70 2.8 II
135 2.0

About to buy another lens or two... the second might wait til next month.

Struggling to decide which to get first...

Canon 85mm 1.2 II
Sigma 150-600 4.X-5.6 Sport

I've been browsing groups on Flickr, taking a look at various different lenses and those are the too that really pop out to me... well... of the ones that are anywhere near my budget.

I was originally thinking about the 85 1.8... then I got pointed to the Sigma 1.4 and I already knew about the Canon 1.2... only had dismissed it due to the cost above the others.

Then I did the wrong thing... went and took a look at the photos of each lens on Flickr.

I find the Canon 85 1.8 to be really bland in its colours and general images... due to its price range, it'll be an easier access lens for people, whereas those with more developed skills are more likely to use the Sigma and Canon 1.2, I suppose... but it didn't just seem like that was it... despite the 1.8's sharpness and AF ability etc.

I think the Sigma 1.4 is closer to the Canon 1.2 than the 1.8... good lens.

But those 1.2 based images... there's this magical sense to soooooo many of the pictures I see that have come from it... it's unreal.

Then taking a look at the 150-600 Sport vs Contemporary... even though the selection is much more limited... the Sport seems to come out ahead a bit.

The 70-200 2.8 is a great piece of glass... but with the 85 1.2, 135 2 & 150-600... I just don't think I'll use it.
 
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I think the battery grip has equal positives and negatives to it really.

For a Studio type setup, or shooting portraiture, I wouldn't go without it.
When just doing general shooting, even if I need battery power without the interruption, it's often easier to go without the grip.

Having had my 5Diii since 2012 now, I do find that a standard battery actually tends to last quite a long time anyway. Obviously it's different if shooting video, but for stills, you can go quite a long time on one charge.
 
And LP-E6 batteries. Such a minefield out there. I bought some 3rd party batteries for my 40D which worked as well as the originals but with the Mk3 I don't want to take any chances.

What are you guys using?
 
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