BEST FOR TIME-LAPSE ONLY: 5D MK III vs. 5D MK II

[Joe Taylor]

Getting ready to start a new project and looking hard at the MK III. Anybody in the know who has used both for astrophotography, would sure love to hear from you.

 

[Bryan Moore]

I use mrk iii

 

[Dave Blackham]

We use both for Time Lapse, I don't think there should be any issues for time-lapse with either camera. I don't know abut the Astro specifics though. Given the choice irrespective of price I do think the mk3 is a better camera, it does have the edge on resolution and sensitivity which may affect your use.

 

[Pawel Achtel]

neither: Nikon D4 is currently the best for astrophotography

 

[PatrickFaith]

Canon eos 60 da is what i am thinking about for night time time lapse.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/853491-REG/Canon_6596B002_EOS_60Da_DSLR_Camera.html

 

[Tom Lowe]

Might have better luck asking this at Timescapes forum. Generally, most people are happy moving to 5D3. 1Dx is not too shabby, either.

 

[Andrew Walker]

Thanks for the input, but I am only looking for specifics between the 5D MK II and MK III. I know there are several users out there who have experiences with the MK III. (Andrew Walker! You out there??!!!)

Would appreciate hearing how much of an improvement the MK III is over the MK II.

Mechanically the 5D3 is better than the 5D2. The shutter is quieter and the overall felling of the camera is more solid to me. I went from a nay sayer on the 5D3 saying it wasn't worth the extra $1,000 over the 5D2...to selling both my 5D2s to replace them both with 2 5D3s. The tone range on the 5D3 seems to be better than on the 5D2. I have found that night shots down in the city shot at the same ISO on the 5D2 have less noise and a overall better look on the 5D3. Astro shots do benefit a lot from using the 5D3 as opposed to the 5D2. But its does have its limits. You can't shoot at ISO 6400 and expect it to look exactly like ISO 3200 on the 5D3. But 3200 is cleaner on the 5D3 along with all the lower ISOs.

Plus I have both my 5D3s loaded up with 128GB of storage...(1) 64GB CF card, (1) 64GB SD card. Its helpful for shots that are going to last 7hrs or more. But the SD cards have some limits shooting 5 bracketed HDR shots. They just aren't fast enough. Still its nice to have that option of extra storage.

 

[Andrew Walker]

Thanks Andrew. The MK III's astro abilities are likely to be the buying point for me. I'd be using this on a telescope as well and it's low light abilities (such as the MK II's) are what I am shopping for.

Well if your going to use it on a telescope then you might want to get the Canon 60Da as someone else suggested. The 5D3 is an all around great timelapse camera but I think the 60Da would be way more sensitive. Still I think you could get some awesome shots with the 5D3.

EDIT: Okay after seeing some comparison shots between the 60D and the 60Da I would just go with the 5D3. Its just my opinion but I don't think having more red information really helps astro shots.

 

[Brian F Kobylarz]

Canon announcement yesterday - the EOS 6D

Canon announcement yesterday - the EOS 6D

Just when you thought your decision was between the 5D MK III and the 5D MK II, along comes another consideration:


http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/slr_cameras/eos_6d

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/canon-eos-6d

http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/17/canon-eos-6d-hands-on/

http://gizmodo.com/5943763/canon-eos-6d-the-cheapest-full+frame-dslr-ever

 

[Brian F Kobylarz]

Don't know Brian. Looks like the MK III is still a more solid all around machine.

Chances are good that your first impression will be reinforced by many others in the professional community.

I have not researched enough yet to issue any objective opinion - hence, my posting of links only.

Looking forward to more information to help out my own decision process - have been holding onto my R1 just for limited time lapse work.
Wish my EPIC had that feature fully enabled - as well as long exposures, actual "Still" mode and a faster calibration.
Hoping some of those come alive with the release of the Dragon sensor...

In the meantime, to supplement, I need to decide which DSLR will best fill in the gaps. Invested in Canon glass - so that's my own starting point.

Appreciate any and all the feedback you post...
[Edit] If you learn great stuff on other forums, please keep us informed!

 

[Andrew Walker]

Will do, Brian. Just looking at the 6D's specs seem like Canon is taking several small steps back from the big advances made with the MK III. Like a 97% viewfinder. Something like that is important.

I looked at the 6D and it could make a great timelapse camera. But its not as versatile as a 5D3. I've been doing a lot of 5 bracketed HDR timelapses and I need the CF card speed. SD cards will not give me the speed I need to do a lot of the shots I want to do. So right there its pretty much dead to me. Do like that it has wireless and GPS. Both features I wish the 5D3 had but I can live with out it for now.