Best guide to mastering 5D3?

So I made the switch from the 6D to the 5D Mark III for that superior AF system. And it's clear that I've not got an incredibly capable tool in my hands. Obviously this forum provides plenty of invaluable tips and advice, but is there a preferred, thorough online book (or *gasp* book) for gaining advanced understanding of the 5D Mark III's many capabilities?

http://www.learn.usa.canon.com/galleries/galleries/tutorials/eos_5d_markiii_tutorials.shtml

Along with the suggested books that some may refer you to I found some of the Canon tutorials worth looking at. You can search specific tutorials on areas that you may need some support with.

"not" --> "now" in the second sentence?

Canon's owner's manual is fine. The camera has many complications, most of them irrelevant to the average photographer. My advice is to sit down and master one particular area by reading the book and playing with the camera, and then go out and shoot some pictures. For example, read the section on HDR. Manipulate the camera controls until you understand it, then go shoot some pictures. Next, maybe study the video section and then go shoot some video. I play with the camera while I'm watching TV or waiting for something to cook. You can't get too familiar with your camera.




The owner's manual can also be downloaded from Canon's site in PDF form.

Hi-

Good luck with your 5D3. I got mine about two weeks ago. Upgrading from a 7D made the transition a little easier. I agree that reading the manual is necessary. You can also search YouTube. There are many tutorials which have helped me learn the camera. I still have a lot to learn, but the camera is awesome and worht the learning curve.

I went through the videos on youtube Esp the part about autofocus.

Here is something I learnt.

I wanted to test the AI Servo or AI Focus mode. So I selected the single focual point mode in the autofocus mode (you press the right most button on your cam in the back and then press the tiny button near the shutter button in the front to cycle though the different auto focus selection modes) and then thought that the focus point would move as the subject moved. I was wrong. Nothing moved.

Then I went back to the manual and found that it can be done only in the 65 point auto selection mode. If I select the zone mode or the 4/8 point mode, the selection due to the movement will only be in those points. For example you cannot select a zone and expect a zone to move to another zone when the subject moves.




Also you get a 7 day free trial for Lynda.com. If you get time you can see the video about 5d mark III to get get a lot more info.

"the Canon 5D Mark III Experience" by Douglas J Klostermann. Downloaded it for about 10bucks and it is worth it's weight in gold. Read the Amazon reviews.

If you are a Lynda.com member there is an excellent video course 'Shooting with the Canon 5D Mark III' presented by Ben Long which covers about every aspect of the camera over more than 5 hours. If you aren't a member, you can preview the course and many others on photography and photo editing.

Read the manual. And take pictures. A lot of pictures and learn from your mistakes and experiments. Along the way you'll master the controls faster than you will from a book and potentially learn to capture better photographs.

Especially the 2nd (Advanced) Vid

Just watched then today

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Someone posted video links from a Canon seminar explaining the metering and focusing of these great cameras
I thought I had them saved.

I tried searching without luck.

Anyone have the links?

Thanks,

Mike

This is what I was looking for, a friend just sent this to me: