Upgrading to the R3 in 2024

[Leonil]

Hi all

Been looking to finally upgrade my gear from the 7D and the 5D3 after my shutter in the 5D3 "exploded" and put a few slices into the sensor. So the repair would just be too expensive but I could use this as an excuse to upgrade.

Been shooting a lot of sports lately and want to move into the R3 and take advantage of the electronic shutter. I've looked at some sample images and didn't really notice much rolling shutter (which is important to me) as I often shoot indoor soccer and volleyball. Anyone find the rolling shutter to be noticeable in these scenarios? What sports do you see the most rolling shutter effect, like golf swings or martial arts?

Also, is it worth upgrading to the R3 now, as I'm looking to upgrade in April as I still need a FF camera for weddings too. Or is it worth it wait for the R52? I don't need the megapixels honestly. I've shot at 18/20 MP for over a decade and never really felt like I needed more. I mean, is 45MP worth it for the hard drive space, buffer duration and the lower ISO performance?

 

[R2D2]

Hi all

Also, is it worth upgrading to the R3 now, as I'm looking to upgrade in April as I still need a FF camera for weddings too. Or is it worth it wait for the R52? I don't need the megapixels honestly. I've shot at 18/20 MP for over a decade and never really felt like I needed more. I mean, is 45MP worth it for the hard drive space, buffer duration and the lower ISO performance?

While anyone can advise you what upgrade aspects, they consider worth investing in, they can't assure you that it would suit your needs.

I found that the OP gave us enough information regarding his needs to be able to match the R3's spec (very well) to those specific needs.

As far as the R3 being the best choice for him, that's a different story. As I mentioned he's going to have to try it out first in order to make that determination.

R2

--
Good judgment comes from experience.
Experience comes from bad judgment.
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[misteracng]

If you don’t need the extra MP, then it comes down to the r3 and r6 ii

R3, I think the best ergo and handling especially if you will use a vertical grip anyways. It’d also very light weight wise with vertical grip, much less then adding a grip. AF is technically faster then the r6ii due to the stacked sensor, even though the r6ii is a bit newer. FPS is excellent. It’s an ideal camera at 24MP, nothing it really cannot do. Price wise at 6k it’s not great but now at 4k for a refurb it’s really good. Also the smart controller for AF point control has no equal.

the r6ii is the baby r3. No grip, cheaper build, but AF and features are closest to the r3, except non stacked but the readout speed is good enough for most uses in electronic shutter mode. It actually has the newest subject detection even better then the r3 because it is newer. You can add a grip and it’s close to the r3 but handling it’s not the same. But with good refurb price it’s about half the r3

 

[gimp_dad]

If you don’t need the extra MP, then it comes down to the r3 and r6 ii

Some good points. I'll just add a few from my experience.

R3, I think the best ergo and handling especially if you will use a vertical grip anyways. It’d also very light weight wise with vertical grip, much less then adding a grip. AF is technically faster then the r6ii due to the stacked sensor, even though the r6ii is a bit newer. FPS is excellent. It’s an ideal camera at 24MP, nothing it really cannot do. Price wise at 6k it’s not great but now at 4k for a refurb it’s really good.

It's $4500 new in the US (either way, you're right that it is close to 2x the price for the R3). I bought it at $6k and have no regrets having used the heck out of it.

Also the smart controller for AF point control has no equal.

This feature is under-appreciated IMO. It's hard to understand until you actually use the smart controller. You can place the AF box where you want it anywhere in the frame almost instantly. In fast action this allows the user to immediately choose the framing and the subject simultaneously.

the r6ii is the baby r3. No grip, cheaper build, but AF and features are closest to the r3, except non stacked but the readout speed is good enough for most uses in electronic shutter mode.

Both DR and rolling shutter are excellent in ES with the R3 (DR in ES is 1.6 stops better than that of the R6II at ISO 100, while the gap gets very small around ISO 1600). No other Canon has all of this in one solution. The R5 and R6II both do better than most non-stacked sensors in rolling shutter but it's still relatively easy to induce artifacts.

It actually has the newest subject detection even better then the r3 because it is newer. You can add a grip and it’s close to the r3 but handling it’s not the same. But with good refurb price it’s about half the r3

You also get a 195fps mode for capturing decisive moments (e.g. bat striking the baseball). It works quite well for that case! And the buffer is excellent. With a fast CFExpress card I can get nearly limitless 30fps shooting in CRAW.

Robustness is much better with the R3 and the weight is surprisingly easy to live with given the dual grip design and the robustness.

It's safe to say I'm a fan of the R3. For casual travel, I often carry an R5 + RF25-105/4LIS but in most other cases (sports, wildlife, events) I reach for the R3.

 

[PAntunes]

I would wait until the Olympic Games to upgrade.

In theory the 1D should be replaced this year.

 

[KiloHotelphoto]

I would wait until the Olympic Games to upgrade.
In theory the 1D should be replaced this year.

The 1D was already replaced by the R3.

 

[PAntunes]

I would wait until the Olympic Games to upgrade.
In theory the 1D should be replaced this year.

The 1D was already replaced by the R3.

The 1D is still the top of the line.

"The pinnacle of professional performance" according to Canon's website.

 

[cfieldgate]

Love my R3. It’s nearly two years old now. Over ~75,000 e-shutter frames (estimated from LrC imports) and zero mechanical shutter actuations . I shoot all types of action. I’ve never noticed any rolling shutter. I hardly ever shoot video, which might be more susceptible to it.

 

[Zeee]

Love my R3. It’s nearly two years old now. Over ~75,000 e-shutter frames (estimated from LrC imports) and zero mechanical shutter actuations . I shoot all types of action. I’ve never noticed any rolling shutter. I hardly ever shoot video, which might be more susceptible to it.

You shouldn’t see any with the R3.

 

[FormerFearlessPhotog]

Just upgraded to an R3 from my 1DX, I have also owned a 7D Mark II, which didn't see much use after I got the 1DX. The fact that it's the only R bod currently with a stacked sensor that allows me to just freely use electronic shutter without compromising with rolling shutter and lower bit depth was a big selling point. Absolutely worth it to me, and also the best ergonomics available on any mirrorless body in my opinion, but I do shoot mostly wildlife.

 

[Zeee]

Just upgraded to an R3 from my 1DX, I have also owned a 7D Mark II, which didn't see much use after I got the 1DX. The fact that it's the only R bod currently with a stacked sensor that allows me to just freely use electronic shutter without compromising with rolling shutter and lower bit depth was a big selling point. Absolutely worth it to me, and also the best ergonomics available on any mirrorless body in my opinion, but I do shoot mostly wildlife.

I've always wanted any 1D series and the R3. My wife supports my hobby but there is a limit, which I set. She worked for it as hard as I did so she deserves the things she likes. We also travel a lot. I may not get as many keepers but I seldom come home empty handed.

She is still not happy with me for talking her into my new Sony 77" OLED. She said I turned our condo living into a media room. I don't see any problems. :-D

 

[Leonil]

Thanks all to all the advice. It was genuinely helpful and I have begun getting a few accessories like cards etc before heading to the store later to secure an R3. I have a wedding coming up and I am not obsessed with wildlife photography (something I was never good at) and I am also going to grab an 800 f11 to get started.

Thank you all again. It has been extremely helpful.