Canon R3 R3 Surpasses Expectations

[Sharpshooter]

I had made up my mind that I was not going to take the two R3's that I have coming with the first shipment. That was prior to this past weekend when Canon showed up with a shiny new R3 for me to test. My gear consists of two 5DSR's, a 1DXIII and two R5's so I'm used to great cameras. The 24MP sensor in teh R3 was the reason I had decided to pass, just spoiled by big beautiful files. I was shooting a three day air show when Canon brought me the R3 so I put my 100-500RF on it, programmed the eye controlled AF function and began blazing away. I had heard that the AF Eye control took some time to get comfortable with, that was not my experience. The camera performed flawlessly and the AF was very intuitive, I found that my eye was exactly on my subject and so was the focus point. Just for fun I shifted my eye from one Blue Angel to another and in an instant, the other one became the focal point, so natural and eliminates any focus hunting . The camera was set on mechanical shutter and I left it there, but on the highest frame rate available, post processing confirmed what I was seeing in the viewfinder, the keeper rate was as close to 100% as any camera I have ever shot with. The ergonomics are great, the oversized viewfinder is wonderful. Over the few days I had the R3 I shot over 20,000 images, more than enough to convince me that the focus acuity, and tonal qualities of the 24MP sensor would serve me well.

 

[royd63uk]

I am definitely considering the R3 only downside for me would be cropping ability.

 

[Dave Williams]

I had made up my mind that I was not going to take the two R3's that I have coming with the first shipment. That was prior to this past weekend when Canon showed up with a shiny new R3 for me to test. My gear consists of two 5DSR's, a 1DXIII and two R5's so I'm used to great cameras. The 24MP sensor in teh R3 was the reason I had decided to pass, just spoiled by big beautiful files. I was shooting a three day air show when Canon brought me the R3 so I put my 100-500RF on it, programmed the eye controlled AF function and began blazing away. I had heard that the AF Eye control took some time to get comfortable with, that was not my experience. The camera performed flawlessly and the AF was very intuitive, I found that my eye was exactly on my subject and so was the focus point. Just for fun I shifted my eye from one Blue Angel to another and in an instant, the other one became the focal point, so natural and eliminates any focus hunting . The camera was set on mechanical shutter and I left it there, but on the highest frame rate available, post processing confirmed what I was seeing in the viewfinder, the keeper rate was as close to 100% as any camera I have ever shot with. The ergonomics are great, the oversized viewfinder is wonderful. Over the few days I had the R3 I shot over 20,000 images, more than enough to convince me that the focus acuity, and tonal qualities of the 24MP sensor would serve me well.

Can you put a small object in a cluttered background to replicate something like a bird in a leafy bush and then try to focus instantly on it?
Also, can you tell me how fast the start up time is, from sleep mode to taking a shot...the R5 seems to take an age.

Those are the two dislikes I have using my R5 compared to a DSLR.
TIA Dave

 

[Sharpshooter]

I am definitely considering the R3 only downside for me would be cropping ability.

That is a consideration when you are used to double the file size.

 

[Sharpshooter]

Can you put a small object in a cluttered background to replicate something like a bird in a leafy bush and then try to focus instantly on it?
Also, can you tell me how fast the start up time is, from sleep mode to taking a shot...the R5 seems to take an age.

Those are the two dislikes I have using my R5 compared to a DSLR.
TIA Dave

Focus lock on is instantaneous, even with a cluttered background, especially if you have eye control on. The camera starts up very quickly.

 

[Dave Williams]

Focus lock on is instantaneous, even with a cluttered background, especially if you have eye control on. The camera starts up very quickly.

Thanks for that inside info! Have you found that single point AF is tricky with the R5 where the subject is in a cluttered background as a comparison? And is the R3 faster than the R5 at start up? I should have asked that before as you have both!!

 

[Sharpshooter]

Thanks for that inside info! Have you found that single point AF is tricky with the R5 where the subject is in a cluttered background as a comparison? And is the R3 faster than the R5 at start up? I should have asked that before as you have both!!

Hi Dave, I believe the R3 is faster in waking up. I know exactly what you are referencing re: AF on teh R5. I love the camera, but I have missed numerous shots while it hunts in the sky for an aircraft. I end up trying to chase the subject wit the center spot while the camera pops in and out of focus, very frustrating. Good news is, in 20,000 shots, it never happened, not once.

 

[Sharpshooter]

In the interest of full disclosure, I have decided to pass on the R3 when it comes in. My opinion of the camera has not changed, it's an incredible piece of technology, but I have given it a great deal of thought and here's my reasoning. Biggest factor is the firmware update on the R5, it narrows the AF gap between the two cameras by just enough to make one wonder whether it's worth six grand to close the gap the rest of the way. A second factor is feedback from R3 recipients who love the camera, but are still having lingering doubts about dropping back to 24MP, and say that they will be keeping their R5's close at hand. The third factor is knowing that whenever the R1 is released, I'll be getting two of them, and even if it's a year from now, $6000 is kind of a chunk to toss out there when the updated R5 will serve me well until they arrive.

My reasons shouldn't deter anyone else from getting an R3 and loving it, they just make sense for me at this point. I'm guessing that mine would have come in sometime in the next few weeks, but if Canon's press release about taking up to a year to fill orders is anywhere near accurate, some folks might be getting their R3's about the time the R1 ships.

 

[Dave Williams]

Whilst I agree with your logic on mp's if they are having problems with supplying R3's I can't see any further releases until they are resolved.

 

[Sharpshooter]

Whilst I agree with your logic on mp's if they are having problems with supplying R3's I can't see any further releases until they are resolved.

Under normal circumstances I would agree, but try to find an R5 on the shelf today, yet they are "shipping" R3's.

 

[Dave Williams]

Under normal circumstances I would agree, but try to find an R5 on the shelf today, yet they are "shipping" R3's.

A quick check and I can find several places that have stock of R5 ,R6 and just one who has R3 available. All grey imports. It makes you wonder who gets what and how!
If they can't produce more cameras because of a parts shortage, I still think there will be no further new releases for the time being.

 

[Hanley]

I've had my R3 for a week now and simply love it!!
It feels perfect in my hand.

I'll be keeping my R5 for when I want extra MP but I'll be selling my R6.

 

[Dave Williams]

I've had my R3 for a week now and simply love it!!
It feels perfect in my hand.

I'll be keeping my R5 for when I want extra MP but I'll be selling my R6.

Tell us a bit more about why you are keeping it. Where does it score over the R5 and 6?

 

[Onesickpuppy]

I just got my R3 yesterday....setup was super fast as all menu's and settings are virtually the same as the 1Dx3 basically.
Have only taken about 10 sample/setting shots so far....maybe tomorrow I can get out and see if I can find some targets to
confirm its abilities
Compared to my 1Dx3, its like its son at 16....slightly smaller and lighter

 

[RedCobra]

Can you put a small object in a cluttered background to replicate something like a bird in a leafy bush and then try to focus instantly on it?
Also, can you tell me how fast the start up time is, from sleep mode to taking a shot...the R5 seems to take an age.

Those are the two dislikes I have using my R5 compared to a DSLR.
TIA Dave

I have learned to push the AF button on the back as I bring up the camera so it's awake when I get to the VF.

For your bird in the leafy bush: I have the main AF button set to animal eye focus, and the asterisk button next to it set to single point AF. In busy backgrounds I hit the spot first on the bird, keep the camera steady and then hit the animal eye. You just slide your thumb over. The spot seems to tell the cam where to look before I hit animal eye. Takes a little practice, but......

 

[Bdunn62588]

Focus lock on is instantaneous, even with a cluttered background, especially if you have eye control on. The camera starts up very quickly.

I'll second this, the R3 starts up quite fast... both from Off and from sleep. I am still trying to dial in my AF the way I want it but I have been impressed with the R3 over my R6's for sure. And definitely from the a7iii I left to come back to canon.

 

[Sharpshooter]

Can you put a small object in a cluttered background to replicate something like a bird in a leafy bush and then try to focus instantly on it?
Also, can you tell me how fast the start up time is, from sleep mode to taking a shot...the R5 seems to take an age.

Those are the two dislikes I have using my R5 compared to a DSLR.
TIA Dave

Hi Dave,
I believe the R3, programmed properly would handle the AF scenario you described. Truthfully, I can't recall how fast the start up is, but you are right about the R5, sometimes it seems like forever.