Real World Use of the Canon EOS R3 Photographing the Olympics with Jeff Cable

[@stubones]

I used my new R3 properly for the first time today shooting gymnastics. What a camera!!

[@BehindTheShot]

Jealous.

[@esphilee]

You know how intense the photography work in olympic gets, when you find out the pro photographer only blink one eye.

[@hypnoraythompson5824]

not funny.

[@mikede2464]

You know how dumbass the comments in youtube gets, when you find out the commenter @esphilee leaves a comment he thinks is funny.

[@MacawAviculture]

Great video, thanks for sharing! After using a Canon 1 Dx Mark II for all videos/photos of my Macaw parrot family since 2016, I recently watched a few KZbin videos on the Canon R3 eye tracking autofocus. I decided to rent an R3 and was truly amazed. I love the large 1 Dx camera body size, so the R3 fits like a glove, and the R3 uses the same battery as the 1Dx! My only complaint with the R3 is related to the memory cards. If the R3 had 2 CFexpress card slots like the new R1 body, it would truly be a perfect camera. I bought the r3 anyway, and can use all my EF lenses with the adapter.

[@BehindTheShot]

Thanks for watching, and yes, that SD slot can be a bottleneck for sure. I just did another show with Jeff on him using the R5-2 and R1 at the Paris Olympics.

[@yannisvaroufakis9395]

This is great! I just bought an R3 after waiting years to afford one, which I finally could, thanks to the $2,000 price drop after the release of the R1 and R5II. I’m figuring out the best way to set this up, and it would be great if you could do a tutorial. The takeaway I got from your interview with Jeff is that you both agree that dual button back focusing is the way to go, with AF-ON assigned to eye/face servo, and the * assigned to single point servo for general photography, and the reverse for sports, am I correct? If so, do you put these two settings in custom modes to switch back and forth? Also, what’s the advantage of dual back button focusing as opposed to just having eye/face servo on the half press of the shutter release button and just one back button, the AF-ON or the *, for single point servo or vice versa? What does your half press do? Do you ever use spot focusing for anything?

[@BehindTheShot]

Hi Yannis, Thanks for watching, and so glad it helped. To be clear, the back-button focus setup I use is the opposite of what you mention here. The AF-ON is, in my case, expanded point (center + 8 surrounding), and the * switches to eye / face. That mine 100% of the time, but yes, if you shoot different genres then you could reverse that when needed. I have a walkthrough at the end of this video, at 1:35:58, and the timestamp chapter markers will take you to it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3epfJafjtGroLMsi=RIasNa7n5h13Pz3- As well, here’s a link to David Bergman’s setup which mine is based on: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYu7haFnnpd0Z5Y I don’t have my setting on a C# to switch as needed between that and my Meet & Greet setting which is eye / face only. My half press does nothing. I have completely separated the AF from the shutter. Back-button in general, and definitely a dual BB, is to separate meter and shutter from focus. I don’t have to hold anything half way for an extended period, full press is easier. And more importantly, if I focus, pre-focus, or focus and recompose, letting go of a half press, or just taking a picture doesn’t trigger the AF again. I never use Spot meter. I would if I was on Nikon. On a Canon, only the 1 series has the spot meter follow the AF point. In any other body, including the R3, and R5 series, the spot meter is ALWAYS at the center point. So I can move an AF point to a face in the upper left that’s under a spotlight and end ip with a spot meter doing the meter on a solid black part of a stage. Useless. Nikon doesn’t do that, their many top pro bodies have the spot follow the AF.

[@cooloox]

Hey guys, great interview and discussion. One suggestion, in case you're not aware of it: when you choose face and eye tracking as the focus box type, you can hop into the menus and choose Initial AF Point behaviour. There is auto (by default) where the camera grabs a face or an object etc. automatically. However there is an option "face tracking priority". What this means is there is always an AF box in the frame before you shoot. You can drag it around or move the whole camera to place it over a face. As soon as you half-press the shutter button (or press the BBF button) it locks onto that face and will track the eyes and/or face. This means you can choose who the camera focuses on every time, right away (and it will follow that person around the frame), instead of manually using a single AF point which you have to tediously keep on that subject.

[@BehindTheShot]

Thanks for watching Cooloox. Yes, that’s is a great feature too. It’s basically Face & Eye where you get control to aim it at the start. It’s always nice to have so many options.

[@angelogarciajr5356]

I think I watched this live and it did not mean a lot to me, now two years later after using an R6 and R7 and thinking of getting the R3 now, this was a fantastic re-watch for me. It makes so much more sense. Glad it showed up in my search again. I am now going to look and see if Jeff has any camera set up info when I get my R3. Mainly for sports. I see Jeff has no R3 settings advice.

[@BehindTheShot]

Thanks for watching, again!

[@paulmiles9388]

we need more interviews like this. Good work

[@DAVE_WHITE]

Watched this and the one where you had Rudy on explaining the focus system, I set my R3 up "case" either 1 or auto I keep the metering and focus on the shutter but I use afon for the tracking and only use the * for eye tracking focus, Shooting fast subjects like motocross this works well because If I hit afon and it misses, I can then just pump the regular shutter use my point and get focus. I can also if I have time " pump" the afon button again to turn off the tracking and go to either another person in frame or cancel it all together. Like Rudy stated the tracking for vehicles works very well, if you have that sub menu checked for helmets.. It is amazing how it will show a tracking on the motorcycle then put a blue box right on the helmet.. I have shot 2 weekends so far using this and out of over 5600 shots I can honestly say I missed focus on 11 and those were probably my own fault I also have not upgraded the r3 to firmware 1.4 or 1.4.1 as many are still having issues I kept the R3 at firmware 1.3

[@BehindTheShot]

Thanks for watching, Dave!

[@bertnase9933]

Funny, I saw the similar multi exposure image some years ago from Joe McNally.

[@BehindTheShot]

Joe is one of the most creative people out there today.

[@johnbrown7312]

I loved the fencing shot, would make a great episode on its own.

[@BehindTheShot]

Yeah. Jeff has a ton of shots like that. I agree that would be a great episode.

[@JaredRibic]

Pre-ordered my EOS R3 and can't wait! Using EOS R5 bodies now so I'm spoiled with 45MP.

[@BehindTheShot]

Yeah, I thought the 45 would be too much, but nope! Loving it.

[@JaredRibic]

@@BehindTheShot If the EOS R3 was 35MP it would have been absolutely perfect. I pre-ordered two R3 bodies and if I don't like them I can always sell them. I mainly do stills but have been getting more and more video jobs. Having the ability to record video longer than 29 minutes is another plus.

[@BruceLeroyUK]

@@JaredRibic did you decide to keep the cameras?

[@JaredRibic]

@@BruceLeroyUK - Yes. I have both now, but mainly using the R3 bodies. There are a few minor things about the R3 I'd like to see changed, but overall, it's just awesome to use.

[@BruceLeroyUK]

@@JaredRibic Awesome. Thanks for replying.

[@jeromephotographyofchester8279]

This was an awesome interview and very helpful as I consider moving to the R3.

[@BehindTheShot]

So glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching Jerome!

[@tomweishaar]

Peter Reed Miller did the multi exposure fencing shot over 12 years ago. QUESTION... any information about low light noise (high ISO) performance compared to the 1dx mkii/iii & R5.

[@BehindTheShot]

Yeah, I’ve had Peter on the show before a few times too. Wonderful guy. I didn’t ask about high ISO performance. Ugh. That’s going to bother me that I forgot that - that would be my main question! I think I was just thinking that what he shoots wouldn’t come near the nightmares I see in music. Sorry about that.

[@justinbweiler]

Can you link photo/video settings like with the 5dm4? When you switch back and forth from photo to video a lot… it’s helpful.

[@BehindTheShot]

Unfortunately, I don’t have an R3 to test it, but I’d assume so. Perhaps Jeff or someone else will chime in here.

[@terrellcwoods]

Good stuff with you and Jeff. R1: Two cfexpress cards. A few more MP. Single Dedicated processor for focus like the 1D. Metering on all focus points. Built in electronic ND? And a $1500 rebate. Yup! Seriously though, this was fun and semi geeky. I use a 3 button back focus technique and shoot (Noooooo!) in Canon's CR3 so really the smaller raw file never and the jpeg don't slow up the camera, in ES or mechanical. At least it's never buffered. Anyway, mines on order and the shop says late november to early january for me. Thanks for all you do getting the real world info to us!

[@BehindTheShot]

November to January? Wow. That’s a big variable!

[@terrellcwoods]

@@BehindTheShot Little people get the big variable

[@BehindTheShot]

Hahaha. I’ve seen your work remember. Not little people.

[@massmediaartistry2589]

It’s crazy when you started about the back button focus I’m thinking why not make the center spot like I do on the AF and the eye focus on the asterisk and then you said you did next now I know I’m progressing that higher level when I can relate to such professionals like yourselves so cool to finally get a grasp of the customization of the pro bodies. I shoot 1 r5 1 r6 ii and 2 R3s I have found it’s best to use the same identical bodies since the buttons are slightly different have you had any difficulties using to different bodies? Also why mechanical vs electronic I also Am a concert photographer?

[@BehindTheShot]

Thanks for watching. Yes, two of the exact same bodies makes carrying two bodies easier, but if they’re all the same brand it’s not bad. The mechanical shutter a few advantages, on many bodies. The main thing is that electronic shutter will suffer from a Rolling Shutter effect when photographing fast moving subjects, even the R3 to some extent. An R5 or R6 will definitely show it. If you’re not familiar with Rolling Shutter, watch this video by David Bergman. Amazing to see it happen with drone prop blades. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWiYXpqwf5dgf8k

[@retinaky]

Did you ever get clarity around whether he was shooting with electronic shutter or e-first curtain?

[@BehindTheShot]

Hey John, Glad you followed up. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to, but I’m pretty sure it was electronic.

[@retinaky]

@@BehindTheShot that’s great as that would allow for the full 30 fps with no obvious rolling shutter!

[@BehindTheShot]

Yup. I know someone that used ES at a concert last night but haven’t heard their thoughts yet.

[@R17D5D]

Great interview! I’m looking forward to seeing what Jeff does to his Olympic images when he can finally edit the RAWs. Thanks for doing this interview, guys!

[@BehindTheShot]

Thanks, and yeah, I’d love to see the RAW files myself.

[@akinipeters]

Awesome

[@madgprimeau4827]

Hello, first thing the ''Screwball Peanut Butter Whiskey" is really good. I managed to find it in New Brunswick Canada and I live in Montreal, Canada. My family were all amazed at the good taste it gives to the holiday time. and thank you for this podcast and for talking about this canon R3 camera.. it is already on order for me a return to sport after 2 to 3 years of absence. I missed photography. found very informative this poscast. #jeffcabble

[@BehindTheShot]

Yeah, we tried Screwball shortly after this and it surprised me. Thanks for watching!

[@JGZphotography]

One of the suggested tips for culling large bursts or thousands of images, if time permits between football snaps, game innings, etc., is to quickly playback the images taken of that action and mark or tag the peak moment. When using the 1DX series, R5, and R3, you also can voice record a brief activity statement of what happened and jersey # (if not visiable), then tag the image. Then after ingesting into Photo Mechanic with a preset XMP file, select "tagged" images only, then proceed to write the caption, listen to voice recordings, then color tag that image, and go to the next tagged game image. When completed, show only the chosen colored tagged images and import into Adobe Camera RAW, sync a preset, the go to each image for cropping and exposure/color touchup. When done, export to an named game folder as JPG. Look that folder up in Photo Mechanic, then perhaps a quick review of the images/captions to be sent, and then upload to the media server. Culling through hundreds to thousands of images without any tags made in the camera searching for peak moments is too time consuming in post.

[@BehindTheShot]

All great points John. I could see that process helping a lot of people. Obviously, everyone’s workflow is different. For me, the audio bits I simply wouldn’t need. Between “plays” which for me is bands, I review and star in camera. That’s more than enough info. My delivery doesn’t need to include caption info. But again, love the idea in concept.

[@jevans8225]

Terrific interview! Somehow it seemed shorter then it was. So engaging and helpful. Can’t wait for a follow up when Jeff has a production R3. Or the R1 is announced and you can both chat about it. Thank you so much

[@BehindTheShot]

Thanks for watching, and so glad you enjoyed it.

[@arodriyt]

Fabulous interview; lots of great information. Many thanks!

[@BehindTheShot]

Thank you Armando! Glad you liked it, and appreciate the feedback.

[@NikCan66]

Excellent job and conversation

[@BehindTheShot]

Thanks. Appreciate your time watching.

[@NikCan66]

@@BehindTheShot your welcome

[@MrGflan]

Excellent interview. Jeff is a great guy and so knowledgeable. I have an R6 and it’s updated to the latest firmware. The issue I’m getting is when i shoot a burst and then go to review the photos, there is a delay in seeing the last photo. I have to hit review a second time and then I can see the last photo taken. Do you get this delay also? Is it just a write speed issue? I’m using the best of the best (that I know of) lexar fastest SD possible. Thanks!!

[@BehindTheShot]

Hey Gary, Thanks for watching. That’s and interesting issue. I have not had that issue, but I would suggest perhaps that “burst” is the variable here. My bursts are maybe 3-5 shots. Very rarely more than that. Even so, I’ve not seen that issue myself. Also, while a card brand, like Lexar, may be good, SD cards come in different speed ratings. I’d start by confirming yours are UHS-II with a fast write speed.

[@PjlphotographyNet]

So does the R3 let you link the focus point to the exposure spot metering like the 1DX Mk3 ? I pre ordered an R3 assuming that it did.

[@BehindTheShot]

I’m now playing the show back in my head, because I know we discussed it but I’m not sure he answered a definitive yes or no. My impression was yes, it does. I’ll try to confirm.

[@BehindTheShot]

Here is the answer I got from Canon: “No, the spot meter is not linked to the Active AF Point- HOWEVER- in Evaluative metering, the AF point is the driving factor of the metering system. Evaluative metering uses the Active AF point to weight the scene and then averages the surrounding areas- placing the preference of the metering on the AF point. Its important to understand with the metering system of today, the face that the camera reads is also much more accurately exposed since we are looking at facial information.”

[@PjlphotographyNet]

@@BehindTheShot Thank you for checking that out...very interesting. I guess this must also apply to the R5 & 6

[@BehindTheShot]

Oh yes. The R5 and R6 are not even seen as Pro bodies from the Canon point of view, just like the 5D4 wasn’t.

[@BruceLeroyUK]

Have you received it yet? If so, what are your thoughts about the camera?

[@antpruitt]

15mins turn around AND the raw files aren't visible yet in Adobe LR. That's definitely the work of a hero. Good stuff, Steve

[@BehindTheShot]

Thank you Ant! And for anyone that reads this, be sure to subscribe to Ant’s channel! Consistently great content.

[@Photosbytw]

@@BehindTheShot Ant's on the radar and has been.......Seth Miranda was hard to take but HEY! he's Seth Miranda........and he's also on the radar......

[@PaulKretz]

Very interesting! Thanks so much from Russia!

[@Photosbytw]

Steve, I'm assuming there are no live podcasts on youtube for these interviews............

[@BehindTheShot]

Hi Terry, No, the regular shows are recorded and edited before posting.

[@nimbuskhannk627]

It is not true that exposure only follows focus points in Canon's 1D cameras. In evaluative metering the exposure is biased to the active focus points in cameras such as the 5DMKIV and the R5. You just have to test it to see it happen.

[@BehindTheShot]

I was speaking only to Spot metering. And yes, in spot metering these bodies meter off the center point only, regardless of where you’ve moved the active AF point.

[@nimbuskhannk627]

@@BehindTheShot I see. Sorry for the confusion.

[@BehindTheShot]

No worries, appreciate the chat.

[@BrandonTalbot]

This is my first time on your channel and I gotta say that I loved this interview in discussion. This is typically not my jam, but I enjoyed every minute of it in words really valuable tips along the way. Definitely subscribing to checking out the blog posts as well

[@BehindTheShot]

Thanks Brandon! Appreciate the feedback, and hope the rest of the content holds up too.

[@TheVidPro]

Thanks! Excellent interview & info!

[@BehindTheShot]

Thanks for watching Keith. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@TheVidPro]

@@BehindTheShot I should mention that you lighting & audio setup is superb! Bonus points!

[@BehindTheShot]

Hahaha. Thank you! I like geek gear way to much.

[@mauriziocascone]

Really great content! 🤩

[@BruceLeroyUK]

Great interview

[@BehindTheShot]

Thanks Mr. T.

[@esphilee]

Excellent interview.👍🏻

[@BehindTheShot]

Thank you for watching!

[@MarkLaingPhotography]

Excellent!

[@BehindTheShot]

Thank you! 🤘🏻😎👍🏻

[@starlight7830]

If canon upgraded the 1DX mark 3 with the R3's image sensor and called it the 1DX Mark 3n with 4k 120 ,,,,, I would buy it ! I believe that Canon might bring out the 1DX Mark 3n to buy more time to come out with the release of the R1.

[@BehindTheShot]

I don’t see that happening. The R3 will buy time, and the R1 is most likely well into development. An expensive DSLR right now, using EF glass simply wouldn’t sell enough.

[@starlight7830]

@@BehindTheShot "The R3 will buy time" You're right ,, It will buy time until the Z9 comes out then all of us Canon shooters will be "WTF" !

[@BehindTheShot]

Exactly. You can’t chase technology, and you can’t wait for technology. Something new will always come out, and the truth is that you can make sellable images with a camera from 10 years ago still today. Buy would fits your needs, and is your budget, then make your best work and enjoy it.

[@BehindTheShot]

Oh yeah. The only time it’s semi-easy to change is when changing technology level too, like DSLR to mirrorless. Even then, adapters make it cheaper to stay.

[@BehindTheShot]

Totally agree.

[@androidstreak]

Why blackout at beginning in R3 ??? But it won’t happen in A1 … is canon not complete blackout screen shoot ???

[@BehindTheShot]

Hi Streak, I’m not sure I understand your question, sorry. Could you clarify? I’m thinking you might mean EVF blackout, but the R3 is blackout free on the EVF when using electronic shutter.

[@androidstreak]

@@BehindTheShot sir , evf is not completely black out free , I mean when you click once under h+ electronic shutter , the first time it has minor flicker , then no flicker till it reaches it max capacity … but in Sony a1 , right from first click , it has no blackout Secondly , Have u observed the eye cap of R3 ? The build is very bad and it’s not as tightly holds as 1dx or r5 ..

[@joegadams]

What was the name of the favorite band?

[@BehindTheShot]

Hey Joe, His favorite band was Shinedown. Here's their website (and I added it to the notes below too): www.shinedown.com

[@starlight7830]

Can anyone here predict what the spec's of the R1 would be like ?

[@BehindTheShot]

I can’t, but Jeff gave a little wish list in the show.

[@starlight7830]

@@BehindTheShot Yah,,,, I should of finished watching the Vlog before I asked the question !

[@just2watchvideoss]

Loving this conversation, think you’re doing great as a host, but interrupting at 19:36 hurt and we’ll never be able to go back and get that full answer.

[@BehindTheShot]

Thanks for watching, and for the kind words Bishop. My apologies that I cut him off there, and I can always pass a question on to Jeff if you’d like.

[@kilohotel6750]

Steve not sure if you know, it took me a little to find it in the menu but you can make the histogram smaller in the EVF. When I got my R5 the default setting was large and it did get in the way at times. I found the smaller one much better and an incredible tool in changing light for wildlife.

[@BehindTheShot]

Really, I went through the entire manual, and menus, so I must have seen it, but I’ll look again. That would help. I’d even like to move it.

[@ricksammon]

Good stuff!!!

[@BehindTheShot]

Hey Rick! Thank you. That means a ton coming from you.

[@gburgMD]

2700 images in 14 minutes? There's more to this than just "I go through them".

[@BehindTheShot]

No. He is paid, and working for the Olympic team. No one is shooting the Olympics unpaid.

[@gburgMD]

@@BehindTheShot seriously...how do you cull 2700 in 14 minutes. What's the hack? are you marking shots as you shoot? so you only import marked shots? Or is this an industry secret?

[@BehindTheShot]

I can’t answer for Jeff, and I doubt he’ll see this. I’d suggest asking him on social. That said, my guess is he knows his own work well enough that he just runs through the shots quickly (easy in Photo Mechanic) and flags only the hero shots he needs.

[@gburgMD]

@@BehindTheShot Steve, thanks. I did get an answer from Jeff. I've emailed him in the past. I'm a fan of his presentations. I've subscribed to your page too. I really enjoyed the video you did last year about the R3. Thanks.

[@BehindTheShot]

Awesome. Jeff is such a great guy. Did the answer make sense to you?

[@esphilee]

Confirmed, real pro only use single AF point when it matters.

[@BehindTheShot]

Every single one I’ve asked.

[@mmz0810]

Jeff’s eye looks kind of strange. Hope he’s ok. He’s one of my favorites

[@BehindTheShot]

I think he's fine. His eye was swollen that day. Appreciate the concern very much. He's such a great guy.

[@michael-4k4000]

Joe McNally?

[@BehindTheShot]

I don’t understand the question. This show didn’t have Joe McNally, he’s a Nikon ambassador, but he was on this past February.

[@hemidesign]

You both look like twins.. no kidding!

[@BehindTheShot]

Hahaha. If only his talent ran in the family.

[@esphilee]

That is why R3 is not 50MP camera. You have 14 minutes, not even 15minutes.

[@BehindTheShot]

Such a weird thing it’s 14.

[@dna8269]

@@BehindTheShot What is 14 minutes? Sorry I don't understand the reference

[@BehindTheShot]

We talk about it in the show. Jeff's turn around time for the Olympics is 14 minutes. After an event he has that long to pick, edit, and have images to the client in the U.S.

[@EugeneMaynard]

👏🏾👍🏾🙏🏾

[@1234tracer1234]

26:24 back button

[@BehindTheShot]

When I started using duel-back-button AF on the R5 it changed a lot for me. Awesome setup.

[@androidstreak]

Looks like twin brothers

[@BruceLeroyUK]

Peanut better whiskey.

[@BehindTheShot]

I had to go try it…. It’s…. interesting.