Messages

16

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Speeding up 1DX foc lock... Any tips?

« on: August 27, 2012, 08:12:25 AM »

Viggo I can tell you exactly why that locked.

see the white lines in the middle of the frame, the reflections along the handle? The 1D gobbles that up and latches on - not kidding.

if it wasn't so white it would hunt.

Now this is dark:

1/13, f1.4, ISO 12800 - and as much as I hate to say it - the d4 didn't even remotely hesitate - locked on instantly and accurately. The 1DX on the other hand racked once and gave up - this is in single shot mode. 3D tracking on the d4 actually locked on where as the 1DX yet again racked and gave up.


Not without its flaws - apparently they haven't worked out that artificial fluros trick out the d4/d800 wb yet? Completely laughable but I'd take messed up wb in artificial light over not being able to focus personally. The shot here is me testing out the 70-200 VR II - how many different wb variations do you count lol!

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Speeding up 1DX foc lock... Any tips?

« on: August 26, 2012, 07:34:53 PM »

OK SO HOLD UP FOR A SECOND.

This isn't the Ai Servo bug/low light contrast bug

This is single shot lowlight - AF assisted - 1DX, taking 2-3 sec to lock a target in lowlight - NOT AI SERVO (absolute POS in lowlight so no point trying useless servo in those conditions)

I would assume the 5D3 would have the same issue - I can't isolate it down to the 600EX or the body as I don't have any 580II's anymore.

If you turn off the AF assist it focuses marginally faster - however a 5D2 and 7D kick the snot through the 1DX in the same reception situation.

For me I can't afford to wait 2-3 sec for each focus - that's a lot of: "Oh sorry just hold for 2 seconds, waiting for my camera to focus..."

I reported similar findings to canon over a month ago still waiting for response

I don't want to be selling off my gear but the 1DX is costing me moments - which is unacceptable to me, this is my second body (I handed back the last one after it completely locked up shooting with 600EX flash fill, 70-200 II in broad daylight - several times over 2 weddings, this body as yet hasn't done that as yet) and not sure if I can be bothered with a 3rd.

---

My gutt says hardware - the AF points are so small they are fantastic for hand-off of points however this would hinder the af acquisition in lowlight - notice the nikon variation, center af points are massive in comparison.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Speeding up 1DX foc lock... Any tips?

« on: August 26, 2012, 09:24:10 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!

Sample problem Mate,

Wedding yesterday, was great till the reception. If anything using af assist on the 600EX made it slower to single shot. I tried one point as well as expansion and zoning with no luck - still took 2-3 sec to get a lock.

This was iso 3200, f7.1 1/125 with ettl flash.

Swapped over to a 5D2 and it was instant.

I'm not happy, I'm on my second 1DX and I am half considering grabbing a D4 after my experience playing with one today it's lowlight focus ability obliterates the 1DX (not as fast in good light unfortunately).

I did google search and found that we aren't the only ones: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1219299&page=1&fb_source=message

19

EOS Bodies / Re: 1DX - issues in low light at reception / Edit..use expansion pts, problem solved

« on: August 23, 2012, 12:32:32 AM »

Okay, so I had an opportunity to try out expansion points in a dark reception setting.  Before I get into it, let me again say how flawlessly this camera performs outside, and in lower available light settings.  The tracking with AI servo is way more accurate than the 1DMK3 and better than the 1DIV.  And the low ISO noise I was getting with the 1DIV isn't present (I had to process noise in shots that were spot on exposure wise to begin with shot at ISO320 with the MKIV).  Backlit situations outside..no problem for the 1DX.

However, I'm still running into issues on a low lit dance floor where people are moving.  My 1DMKII's and IIN's would lock right onto that stuff historically.  And my 1DMKIII, it runs circles around the 1DX in THIS department (emphasis on THIS if you didn't catch it). 

Maybe this is something that can be addressed with firmware?  Perhaps it's a short coming of the sensor?  Again, it performs flawlessly in every other department!  It's incredible.  I just wish it would lock on as quick or even 1/2 as quick as the 1DMK3.  There has to be someone else out there who has noticed a lag.  I can't be the only one.  And believe me, I'm a huge 1DX fanboy!!!

My work around for the next wedding.  Use the 1DX all day long up until the dance floor opens up (in dark settings).  Then switch to the 1DMK3 so shots are not missed.  At this point I'm usually in the 500-640ISO range and the image quality is great (really just comes down to MP's and I'm cool with that, for now).

Thanks for listening,
Michael

Hi Michael - If You haven't had time to read through my post http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?topic=7820.0 pretty much mirrors your experience.

If you haven't done so - drop your max fps to 10 and the ai-servo should track a lot better. Not as good as a 1Ds3 or even a 7D in the same situation but better then on 12fps.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 1DX - Ai Servo Issue - Low light focus failure! UPDATE 21/08

« on: August 20, 2012, 12:12:46 PM »

Picked up the new body and ran a simple test: finding's added to initial post.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Another 1DX issue isolated - flash related - but need help replicating

« on: August 19, 2012, 08:54:04 AM »

Ok, so - replicated indoor with room lights, not the best test as the servo has issues in this room focusing normally. Remembering issue occurs during midday light on my unit.

-When it locks up, flash fires from test button.
-If i continue to mash the shutter over and over after a good 15-20 presses the lens suddenly springs to life.
-It did however take 23 shots before the issue occurred - i started at -3fec and ramped up to -1fec (not that it really matters)

Indoor settings, M: 1/40@f2.8, iso 6400 (I wasn't paying attention to shutter speed too much was just getting it to +1EV)

I will try my other 600 EX and see if that is the culprit tomorrow if I get the time.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Another 1DX issue isolated - flash related - but need help replicating

« on: August 19, 2012, 08:27:38 AM »

I had both 32GB cards in overseas when this originally happened - the 8GB in slot one today when it happened so its not the cards as far as I can see.

Flash temp unlikely (no red lcd) and dhooting nearly -2ev under so very very little flash added.

I haven't had time to run a controlled test at home as yet - i didn't think to try the ready lamp as I was struggling to get the system up and running with clients waiting for my gear to work...

Thanks for trying this out in advance.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Another 1DX issue isolated - flash related - but need help replicating

« on: August 19, 2012, 04:14:35 AM »

Ok so I am going to get my replacement body tomorrow (flew in too late to pick up on saturday). However I have just come back from a pre-wedding shoot this afternoon and the same flash related issue popped up again.

Equipment list:

1DX
600EX RT
EF 70-200 F2.8 L IS USM II
Sandisk 60MB/s 8GB CF and Sandisk 90MB/s 32GB CF (i normally use match pairs but didn't have time to clear the full card prior to the shoot)

Issue:
-------

Shooting in broad daylight, Direct flash being used for fill, AV Priority, F4, ISO 200-800+ (HTP on), EC +1/3 and FEC -1 2/3, HSS.

Now in single shot mode it works fine. But i had the couple move around a bit so switched to AI Servo and this is where the issue begins.

The camera literally locks up - screens are powered, vf is powered but the lens doesn't rack in portrait or landscape, depressing either shutter does nothing, powering off the body does nothing.

Turning the flash off and turning the body off fixes the issue for a few frames but after a good 20 frames it repeated the issue.

-Switching lens to a 50mm and the issue didn't come up again.
-When this first happened overseas I was using the same configuration 600EX with 70-200.
-On a 7D this same config doesn't have the same issue.

Thoughts?

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 1DX - Ai Servo Issue - Low light focus failure! UPDATE 31/07

« on: August 17, 2012, 09:19:29 PM »

The 5D3 and 1DX consistently had issues locking onto dark skin...

I haven't noticed this with the 1D X, neither on One Shot nor in AI Servo with iTR enabled.

You light is excellent there f2.8 1/320 iso4K - The conditions we were in need flash if we could lock on - it was iso 25K territory f2.0 1/125.

Still noted

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: HONEST users of Canon Bodies who earn their living with photography

« on: August 16, 2012, 09:46:20 PM »

It's a mixed bag for Me - I was/am pretty close to dumping my canon stock and going over to the dark side. But I don't like their primes (however their zooms are great) and that does stop me tbh.

AF wise I have always found Nikon to be more accurate but noticeably slower.

They are cheaper (at least where I am).

I've bought and dumped 2x5D3s and about to replace my first 1DX - If the new one screws up a wedding like the first (the af locked up in broad daylight...) I'll be over on the Nikon camp come Monday - I don't have room for that kind of machine failure.

I have entertained Canon long enough - there is no quality assurance even with their flag ship bodies.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 1DX - Ai Servo Issue - Low light focus failure! UPDATE 31/07

« on: August 16, 2012, 09:37:08 PM »

Charged the battery and tried again with the 35 L and the results; exactly the same as before. 12 fps H and 8 fps L locked at exactly the same thing equally quick and they both lost their ability to lock at the same amount contrast and light. One shot still worked until too dark to see and beyond.

In 12 fps H mode it locked on the black zipper of my black Induro tripod bag with f1,4 @ 1/60s 6400 iso. I think that's pretty crazy... Shot with center point, no expansion.

My serial number is: 053011xxxxxx

Remembering that my main issue wasn't even in remotely low light - it is a strange issue with seems to effect a fair few bodies. I can make it fail in daylight - i can just about predict where it will fail at 12 fps.

However:

I spat the dummy with mine - I have had it die on my twice in one wedding shooting in broad daylight - two days ago, one shot - 70-200 f2.8 II with 600ex rt on board (fill flash) - iso 100 1/600 at f4 - lens locks up and refuses to rack, had to turn it off and on again to start working.

Canon are replacing it tomorrow when I get back to Australia from overseas, however after not hearing back from them for 4 weeks I had to threaten to dump my Canon gear to get their attention.

The most annoying thing is even the head of Canon Australian and CPS Australia won't comment on the findings. They are basically ignoring the issue... it's disheartening.

I'm not sure if you have noticed there was a report of olympic shooters having issues during the games where canon reported 5-6 months to fix the af issues...

---

On a side note - we were in a reception with 5D2, 5D3, 1D4, 1Ds3, 1DX and 7D. The 5D3 and 1DX consistently had issues locking onto dark skin (not so good if you are working in asia). 5D2 actually had very little issues. on the 1DX I had to actually manual focus to get any shots which to me is rather stupid.

Using the 600EX for af assist did help (and didn't lock up when using at EF 50 f1.4)

---

I will have to redo all my tests with the new body tomorrow.

27

EOS Bodies - For Stills / 1dX lubrication spray?

« on: August 05, 2012, 06:09:27 AM »

Brand new 70-200 II used on my 7D for a month or so (5000+ frames ) not a spec of dirt on the rear element.

70-200 II On the 1DX used for 2 events 3500 frames what looks like lubrication spray on the rear element.

Never had this issue with my old 1D's but none of them were this fast - anyone else have this issue?

I have had this spray on my 50mm but that's easy to clean in comparison.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 1DX - Ai Servo Issue - Low light focus failure! UPDATE 31/07

« on: August 05, 2012, 12:55:30 AM »

Just a question here, so how is the 1d X af?

How many keepers do you have of a runner, a car speeding towards you, kids running around, birds leaving a branch , simple tasks compared to what Canon says it can..

I remember the D4 gave of 100% tacksharps and honestly would like to hear if it's as good as that... i found the mk4 pretty average for a simple test of a speeding biker, i had to chose the few focused one's and not the right moment. Is it perfect under good light and simple movements?

Hi Mate - in good light, tack sharp nothing dropped, in low light (where i normally shoot and hence the problem) it does drop probably in the realm of 8% and not all images are tack sharp - it is a bit like the lottery in low light at 12 fps.

However at 10fps or lower I haven't seen a frame dropped in similar conditions.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: dirty 1 DX --- Dirty 5D MKIII --- does Canon have quality control at all?

« on: August 04, 2012, 12:53:16 AM »

Lol my 1DX was filthy - and there were even small fibers in the mirror box.

Both 1 5D3 was perfect the other one needed an airblast.

Strange thing is it didnt surprise me.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 1DX - Ai Servo Issue - Low light focus failure! UPDATE 31/07

« on: August 03, 2012, 03:24:43 AM »

Last night I finally got a chance to test the AF in low light.  I shot a little tennis action with very poor flood lights.  70-200mm 1/1000s, F2.8, ISO12800.  IMO this is pretty poor lighting and the AF was incredible.  I did not notice any difference when using 12FPS or < 10FPS (I also tried the zone AF, which I never trusted much on the 7D, and it was amazing how the points danced around the players torsos - I was grinning ear to ear).  So in a nut shell, I'm very stoked with the AF performance.

I then decided to try and reproduce the H speed AI AF issue, and sure as nuts, in lower lighting situations the 12FPS AI AF just racked the lens back and forth.  Switch to 10FPS and locks first time.  I got home and tried the 5D II and it also locks first time.  This was by no means an extensive test and I did not try and find that exact lighting point where the 12FPS falls apart, but as a reference 70-200, F2.8, 1/80, ISO25800.

So thats +1 with a low light AF gremlin   (not that I'll ever shoot in these conditions in AI AF, but still . . .  .)

Any thoughts about the metering being 0-20ev and the af being -2ev-20ev ? I can' recall where I read the dx constantly meters the scene in servo which could be a reason?