I just came back from Kaua'i and shot about 1700+ images of family and landscape mix. Probably won't be posting anything here, but I will add a few comments about the 5D Mark III. Firstly I haven't processed any of the RAWs yet, since LR4 cannot see them yet, which is my main RAW processing tool. Okay disclaimer out of the way.
AF: This to me is the most important aspect. I was expecting at least a 5D Mark II image quality and with everything in the new camera just to be built on top and as an improvement. Surely this was so. Initially I felt the AF tracking just average, but over time I felt I am happy with it. I am comparing to the D700, which I remember I was able to track my son running around all the time, and felt 100% shooting with f2.8 all images were sharp.
My settings are mostly with AI servo, Case 5 (I probably need more experimenting here, chime in if you have anything to add here), I mostly shoot with my 50mm at f1.2 to f2.0, and felt I could get 8-9/10 sharp and focus where I want it. The biggest difference was that when I was shooting at f2.8 with the Nikon, I wanted his face to be in focus. Shooting with the Canon at f1.2 I wanted his closest eye to be in focus (head turned of course
). I got a high percentage of this. AF does have difficulties searching in very low light. This was evident during my last night at dinner at the St. Regis. Oh, Joel McHale (Community) was outside when I left, sorry no happy snaps of him, I don't do that sort of thing
As soon as the joint Birthday desserts were brought out for my son and another little girl sharing our vacation together, with candle light, the focus can pick out light instantly again.
Silent Shutter: I used this in both in Live view and regular High Speed Silent. Personally, I feel only the user can hear it. I didn't really experiment with this theater or on set as such. In the hotel room, my wife didn't even realize I had released the shutter.
Custom settings on mode dial & Bracketing: I love this. I don't even remember if my Mark II had this, but it is easy to register the setting of the camera into this. I set up for my landscape photography, and portraits for chasing after my son moments. I set up the camera for exposure bracketing, I think it can do up to 7 images, I had it set to 3 exp with 2 stops over and 2 under, I used to bracket with 5 shots for this. I will see how this turns out, since family vacation with kids are like drive by shootings with cameras. All in all, this was easy to use, I also had my grid in live view set to 3x3.
Shutter sound: I know this is a personal thing, but I am very happy with it and didn't feel like it interfered with my operation of the camera at all.
All in all, the camera feels very improved. I'm still waiting for LR4 to have the camera listed. So if the proof is in the pudding, that's what mostly remains. As far as handling is concerned, it's minimal quibble and very forward looking for me.
Personally, my biggest quibble is the image review with the zoom, they now have you use the dial to zoom, I would have preferred if they left the old with with two buttons to zoom in and out as well. I don't mind retraining myself, but that's one thing that I have hard programmed in for now.
So far, one vacation, 1700+ images, 3 battery charges (includes wife browsing through all the images at night on the LCD screen, which is probably why the battery drain), 76% of use on a 64GB SD card. I even brought with me a full set of 10 cards.... no idea why! Probably thought I was on a wedding shoot all week
I may also now cancel my Nikon D800E, mostly because good enough is good enough, and I don't necessarily need better or the best. I think the 5D3 with L lenses are a great combination and certainly fits my needs right now. Certainly feeling the burn in my wallet after the vacation. I think the next thing on my list is still a camera that might be the Fuji X200. Vacations, a DSLR and set of 3 primes with tripod is a good reminder every time! It certainly doesn't tell you that you need to exchange it for another DSLR, at least if you are as happy as I am with it!