Canon 5D mk3 - accessories.

Soldato
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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.
 
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

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.
 
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.
 
17-40L
24-70L
35L
Sigma 85mm 1.4
135L

Pretty much covers me for everything I need I find.

I can borrow a 135L so may take that along with me.

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.

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.

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).
 
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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