Red AF Point Illumination…..
…. sort of.
Canon did a great thing and listened to the wishes of their customers, and spent some considerable time changing the way the AF point illumination worked on the EOS-1D X in AI Servo. Instead of a solid red illumination like the EOS-1D Mark IV, we now get a blinking AF point. Why does it blink instead of being solid? It probably has something to do with metering. While the blinking AF point is a new thing for all of us, I think we'll get used to it in no time. I may actually take this camera over the 1D4 for lowlight shooting and birding.
My preferred new settings for the EOS-1D X
Menu > AF5 > AF Status in viewfinder > Show outside of frame
I do this because the blinking “AF” graphic in the viewfinder is quite distracting
Menu > AF5 > VF Display illumination > Enable: On > Q > Illuminated: Normal
I found the “Brighter” setting to be a bit distracting this AM while shooting some avian creatures. I will probably add this setting to “My Menu”, just in case there's a situation where the brighter point is needed.
f/8
I haven't had the chance to try it out yet, I have an EF 800 f/5.6L IS at home, however there are no teleconverters here. I hope to get out this evening in the yard and do some shooting with a 1.4x TC.
EF70-300 f/4-5.6L IS supported with a teleconverter?
f/8 support with the EF 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS! Yes, Canon has put this lens on the list of lenses that are supported now. As most of you know, mounting a TC to the EF 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS is mostly not possible. However, if you zoom the lens to about 250mm, the rear element retracts enough inside the lens to mount a 1.4TC. I would only recommend doing this as a last resort. If I did put a 1.4TC on the 70-300L, I would put it right to 300mm and not move it from there. I'll give that a go tonight and see how it goes. As most of you know, I love the EF 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS.
What about my EOS 5D Mark III?
It may not be as simple as just updating the firmware in the same way. If you remember the story about getting f/8 to work on the EOS-1D X with a Kenko teleconverter, Arthur Morris was unable to make the EOS 5D Mark III do the same thing with the exact same teleconverter. The fact that Canon hasn't updated both cameras at the same time tells me there are indeed differences in the AF systems. I am reminded only the EOS-1 line has ever had f/8 autofocus, so it may not be something that gets added to the 5D Mark III anyway.
The red AF points in AI Servo mode, I'd wager we'll be seeing it in the EOS 5D Mark III in the near future.
cr