I got my hands on the game-changing firmware update for the Canon 5D Mark III at NAB 2013, and I’m thrilled to share what this means for us videographers.
Jeremy from Atomos walked me through the update, and I can tell you – this changes everything about how we’ll shoot with the 5D Mark III.
Let me break down why I’m excited: This update lets you output clean, uncompressed HDMI (YCbCr 4:2:2, 8 bit) to external recorders.
What does this mean for you? Imagine capturing buttery-smooth footage at higher bitrates while monitoring your shot on a beautiful external display without those pesky overlays cluttering your frame.
I’ve been testing this with the Atomos Ninja 2, and the workflow is seamless. You’re getting ProRes and AVID DNxHD recording straight to SSDs or HDDs.
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The real magic happens in post – I’m seeing so much more flexibility in color grading compared to the internal 4:2:0 codec. The extra color information makes a world of difference when you’re pushing your footage.
For those of you looking to upgrade, I’ve spotted the 5D Mark III body going for $2,812.19 on eBay – that’s nearly $500 less than B&H and Amazon’s current $3,299 price tag. With this firmware dropping on April 30th, I’d say now’s the perfect time to jump in.
Here’s what I’m loving about the update:
- Uncompressed HDMI output at 4:2:2
- Clean external monitoring without overlays
- Enhanced color grading potential
- Improved overall workflow efficiency
I’m already planning several shoots to really push this new capability. Have you been waiting for this update? I’d love to hear what you’re planning to create with it.
💡 Pro tip: When shooting with external recorders like the Ninja 2, I recommend grabbing a few extra SSDs. You’ll be capturing a lot more data with that uncompressed output, and trust me – you don’t want to run out of storage mid-shoot.
[Check out this full video guide of the Atomos Ninja 2 paired with the 5D Mark III below]
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