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Messages - mccallew

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EOS Bodies / Re: Where's the 1DX firmware?
« on: May 06, 2013, 06:07:34 PM »
Ok, I'll correct you.  ;)

Thanks for correcting me. I guess I am so used to Canon not doing what they say, that when then do I don't recognize it! I guess less than a month to go. At least my backup 5D3 is working better :-)

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EOS Bodies / Where's the 1DX firmware?
« on: May 06, 2013, 02:48:36 PM »
Correct me if I am wrong, the AF-Assist "fix" was announced for the 1DX but not for the 5D3... so what did Canon do? Released the fix for the 5D3 and not the 1DX. Any word on the 1DX update? Arguably the 5D3 is more important to more people, but selfishly I am eagerly waiting as my wedding season ticks on. Anyone know what's happening? Bueller, Bueller...

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Speeding up 1DX foc lock... Any tips?
« on: August 27, 2012, 04:18:59 PM »
I just spoke with someone at CPS USA and he noted that this slow lock in low light is not an issue he is hearing (said I was the first). So, if you are a 1DX or 5D3 CPS member having this issue CALL them. He said he was going to do some anecdotal testing himself and speak to the engineers there to see what they've heard, but I was shocked this wasn't on the radar (vs. the black focus point they are hearing a lot about). Speak up!

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Speeding up 1DX foc lock... Any tips?
« on: August 26, 2012, 08:48:00 PM »
During wedding receptions, my issues come during first dances/parent dances and later in the evening during reception dancing. Even people posing on the dance floor static, aimed at their faces in one shot mode with a 600ex-rt with AF assist on is slow as mud. The 5DMk1 and 5DMk2 blow both the1DX and 5DMk3 out of the water in this regard. It is super frustrating. Like one of the commenters above, I lose moments, trying to catch a couple before they turn, or a smile or look, they are more often gone before I ever get focus The silver lining, if there is one, is that I am becoming even better at anticipating those moments... I have to so that I have the 2-3 seconds to lock focus. Also, I typically am shooting a 70-200 f/2.8 IS II, 24-70 f/2.8 (I hate this lens, but like the focal range) or 16-35 f/2.8. I'd like more primes, but mine are 50 and 85 1.2, which are awesome for portrait work but junk at a reception. I would love for this to be something that can be fixed in firmware, but if it can't the 1DX and 5D3 are merely a stepping stones to hopefully better cameras that don't have such glaring and seemingly obvious flaws.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Speeding up 1DX foc lock... Any tips?
« on: August 26, 2012, 09:46:58 AM »
It's exceptionally frustrating. I've only used the 600s on the 1DX and Mk3, and agree, until The lights get turned way down it is best to leave the AF assist been off. How did canon botch this so bad, especially on the 5D, a camera seemingly built for weddings. Is it a hardware or software problem, you think? I loath to think about switching to Nikon D4, especially since their color seems all over the map and I'd need 2... Maybe 1DX Mk2 will resolve this crappy AF...

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Speeding up 1DX foc lock... Any tips?
« on: August 26, 2012, 09:09:25 AM »
Anyone have any tips that work for speeding up focus lock in low light situations (in my case wedding receptions)? I was hopeful that the 1DX would lock focus faster than the 5DMk3 bit alas it doesn't seem to. I love the camera after a half dozen weddings with it, and about 15 with the Mk3, but the extremely slow time to lock is killing me. Both the 5D1 and 5D2 did WAY better, which boggles my mind! If there are AF configurations I can try to speed things up I am eager to learn. Thanks all!

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Remote Trigger and Tethered Shooting
« on: August 16, 2012, 09:01:26 PM »
Is there a way to use a remote trigger (wireless) on a 5D MkII when shooting tethered? I am finding that the remote trigger does not work in live view mode. What I am trying to do is have a tethered laptop show the image in a photo booth so that users can see that everyone is in the scene, and then be able to use a wireless remote to trigger the shutter... i.e. I don't need to be attending to the booth the entire time. I know having a monitor is possible (I don't know how), and I was hoping it could be done via a laptop since I have that already. Any pointers for setting up this scenario would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

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EOS Bodies / Re: Canon 1DX in stock, 7/20/12
« on: July 25, 2012, 10:28:15 AM »
Just got a call from Calumet in Cambridge, MA that they have one 1DX in stock. I already got mine, so if you're looking...

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EOS Bodies / Re: Adorama Shipping MY 1DX today!! WooHoo!
« on: July 20, 2012, 12:25:11 AM »
Likewise. Adorama shipped my 1DX today for delivery on Monday. I ordered April 10. Kinda surprised I made their cut today...

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EOS Bodies / Re: Amazon shipping 1DX yet? (status?)
« on: July 18, 2012, 01:34:46 PM »
For what it's worth, after seeing these posts about Crutchfield I looked into an order with them (I placed an order with Adorama on 4/10 so I am probably looking into 2013 before seeing a camera, it feels)... Customer Service at Crutchfield  told me,

"This is a new item, and we haven't received our first shipment yet. We'll be sure to keep you updated with information as we receive it from Canon."

So, it might seem, just like everywhere else, information and responses are dodgy at best.

I will note too, that as of an hour and a half ago they had approx 20 people on their wait list, and I was #15ish based on an order yesterday.

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EOS Bodies / Re: Amazon shipping 1DX yet? (status?)
« on: July 18, 2012, 11:19:29 AM »
I just canceled my Amazon order for the 1DX because Crutchfield shipped it first!

I just got notice that my 1DX has shipped from Crutchfield this afternoon and will be in my hands by early next week! The amazing part is that I just got on Crutchfield's pre-order list on 7/11, and it shipped out today! (Big Thanks to Sephknite for posting about his similar experience with them!).

I am posting this in a couple of threads to both give kudos to Crutchfield for an awesome turn around time and to let the rest of you know that if you are "far back" in a queue at one of the other vendors and really want the camera as fast as possible, you should at least consider getting on the Crutchfield list, as they, like others, don't charge your card until the camera ships. They seem to have a very "short" queue right now (last I read was 8 in line, and now I'm out of the line and so is the guy in front of me).

I had been one of the first to order on Amazon, within two hours of when the camera became available for pre-order on 3/16. Since then, I have not been able to get a bit of information out of Amazon about either where I was in the queue or when they expected to receive a shipment. After receiving my shipping confirmation from Crutchfield, I canceled my Amazon order.  Now looking forward to getting the camera in my hands next week.

For what it's worth, after seeing these posts about Crutchfield I looked into an order with them (I placed an order with Adorama on 4/10 so I am probably looking into 2013 before seeing a camera, it feels)... Customer Service at Crutchfield  told me,

"This is a new item, and we haven't received our first shipment yet. We'll be sure to keep you updated with information as we receive it from Canon."

So, it might seem, just like everywhere else, information and responses are dodgy at best.

12
EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS-1D X Availability in North America
« on: July 02, 2012, 03:40:43 PM »
Yeah, Adorama, where I ordered, has been giving me the same canned "we can't tell you anything" line. Adorama was so much faster getting me a 5DMk3 than B&H I just went with them for the 1DX. Now there's really no concrete info from anyone. What a joke on Canon's part...

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EOS Bodies / Re: Shot wedding with 5DIII, dissapointed in AF
« on: June 21, 2012, 08:42:49 PM »
Playing with the Mk3 in low light some this evening at home, I can say that using the Mk3 + 85 f/1.2 + 600EX-RT focus will lock much fast if I disable the AF assist beam as an earlier poster mentioned. I am going to try this at my wedding on Saturday and see if it works better. There is hope... Low light no flash seems to not be an issue... with flash there seems to be one.

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EOS Bodies / Re: Shot wedding with 5DIII, dissapointed in AF
« on: June 21, 2012, 01:05:37 PM »
Like the OP, I have the same slow focus issue at weddings. I have shot 5 weddings in the past 4 weeks with the Mk3 and used multiple settings, tried changing focus-release etc. Mk2 -- and even Mk1 -- are faster. Could be the particular body, but my second shooter's experience is the same. Hands down I prefer the Mk3 to the Mk2, but it's focus speed -- not it's accuracy -- leaves much to be desired. With decent light the AF has been rock solid for me, but like the OP at 5 wedding receptions now I've missed moments that I KNOW I would not have with he Mk2. That's frustrating. But, I guess, there is no silver bullet camera out there, and Canon continues to have AF issues even if they've addressed other supposed short-comings.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 5DMk3 at wedding receptions
« on: June 11, 2012, 10:19:43 AM »
So, I get that that Mk3 AF is very advanced vs. the Mk2, etc... what I am finding, however, is that during low light wedding receptions (dancing) the AF takes a second or so longer to lock on that the Mk2 or Mk1 did. I've changed the settings to release priority vs. focus priority so I can at least get the shot even if focus is not locked, but I am somewhat stunned that this advanced AF takes so long to lock in these reception situations. First, I am wondering if there is a setting I am missing, and also is anyone else seeing this? My second shooter and I are both having the "problem", so I thought I would ask. Thanks all!

Which lens are you using?  Is it f/2.8 or f/4.0?  Is the focusing motor a USM?  Have you tried different lenses?

My rig during receptions is generally the 70-200 f/2.8 II, 24-70 f/2.8 and 16-35 f/2.8, mixing in an 85 1.2 occassionaly. I am now shooting 600EX-RT flashes on my Mk3 and Mk2 bodies with a 3rd off camera (these flashes rock, though can't wait for the 1DX to come out so that I have two "now" bodies to capitalize on all the flash functions on both bodies). I generally shoot at 2.8-3.5, sticking at 3.2 mostly, and not that it matters for AF at iso 2000 on the mk3. I have the slow AF lock on pretty much all lenses in low light. I shoot one shot most of the time. Next weekend I'll roll AI servo some, but then won't even know if it's locked. I just don't trust it in light of its slow lock. In good light... AMAZING!

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