Quote of the day: “Without leaps of imagination or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all is a form of planning.” ― Gloria Steinem

My New Canon 5D Mark III Camera

The Journey Continues

I’ve dreamed about upgrading my camera and lenses for a long time. Researching, planning, trying different cameras and lenses, I wondered when I would finally purchase the new camera.

I did it!

I bought a new camera Friday at the National Camera Tent Sale in Golden Valley, MN. I had already decided exactly what I wanted and when I found it on sale for $400 less than I had planned to pay, I bought it.

Originally I was looking to buy one of the new Sony Alpha 7 or Sony Alpha 7R cameras. The Sonys, with a full frame sensor and much smaller size looked very interesting to me. I had tried one last winter at the National Camera Store and was impressed with it’s small size but wanted to wait until the cameras had been out longer to see if they were as good as the hype.

Then I had a chance to try out a Canon 5D Mark III and see photos from it at Camp Unistar where I led a photography workshop in July. Although it is much larger and heavier than the Sony, it felt really good to hold. And the photo quality was outstanding. Then I began reading reviews about the auto-focus in the Sony being a bit slow and the focus on one of the main lenses I was considering, being soft. The Canon 5D Mark III began to look better and better to me.

There is still a part of me questioning, “Did I buy the right camera? Will I regret this?” instead of totally enjoying this lovely new tool.

I AM thrilled to be learning my new tool. It is a beautiful camera. AND at the same time, I am concerned about whether I can adapt to the size and weight of this new camera. I’ve gotten tendonitis in my forearms when using the Rebel for long photo shoots. How will I do with an even heavier camera? Time will tell. I have a month or so to try it and can return it if it really doesn’t work for me.

Yesterday morning I went over to French Regional Park and made a few photos. I found myself frustrated at times when I couldn’t figure out how to do something that came so naturally for me when I used my Rebel. The extra weight was definitely noticeable. But for that short photo shoot it was OK.

It is both exciting and frustrating using my new camera.

Like many of us, a part of my brain thinks that simply having this nifty expensive new tool should auto-magically improve my photography immediately. Along with that, the camera controls are different enough and the capabilities so much more advanced that I have lot to learn to just be able to use the camera skillfully. This is frustrating, especially when I cannot figure out how to do things that are so easy on my Canon Rebel camera.

The exciting part is how wonderful it feels to be learning to use this new tool, how many of the things I’ve already learned about photography carry over to my new camera, and how much joy it brings me to be taking my learning to a new level.

Here are some of my first photos made with my new camera: