Messages

61

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 1DX Owners: Read This Warning!

« on: September 06, 2012, 11:25:03 AM »

Ahh.., I see that I'm not the only that this happened to!

Thanks for the nice feedback everyone.  I'm glad that I was able to bring this issue to other peoples attention.

62

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 1DX Owners: Read This Warning!

« on: September 05, 2012, 11:24:20 PM »

I'm glad you changed it!  I saw that setting and I even tried it, but I always shoot in Raw, so I figured I didn't need it, But I would never have imagined that I would be able to change from 20MB RAW to 1MB Jpeg, by accident without looking.

I must of reached up to the wimberley with 2 hands to remove the 1DX from the 500mm, and I hit the card image selection button with my left thumb and then as I rotated the 1DX off of the 500mm, I must have turned the main dial one notch with my right thumb.

I could also see this accidentally happening while reviewing images, by hitting the card selection button with your left thumb by mistake and then turning the main dial to view the next or previous image!

63

EOS Bodies - For Stills / 1DX Owners: Read This Warning!

« on: September 05, 2012, 09:15:01 PM »

Monday, I was out shooting with the 1DX and MKIV and 500mmII.  I was comparing the MKIV to the 1DX with the 1.4XIII attached.  Everything was on a tripod and Wimberley.  I set "both cameras to RAW only."

I shot about 500 shots with the 1DX for about 3 hours and when I got home the 1DX had "50 RAW files at 20MB each" and "450 Jpeg S files at 1MB each."  I was in shock!

I figured I must have accidentally changed the setting from RAW to JPEG.  However, If you look under the 2nd red menu buttons under (SHOOT2) this seems somewhat impossible, as you have to press a few buttons for this to change, so I thought.

So, I discovered that if you press the "Card Image Size Selection Button" (below the Image Playback Button, Pg. 117) and then turn the Main Dial only one notch to the left, you will change your image choice from the highest quality RAW to the lowest quality Jpeg!  

I must have accidentally changed to Jpeg when I was taking the 1DX off of the 500mm lens/extender combo in order to mount the MKIV.   Personally, I don't think that Canon should have the original setting as the default, or at least require you to press the SET button.

Everyone should try it now, so that you'll know what I'm talking about!  Since I was comparing the MKIV and the 1DX, I was so focused (no pun intended) on framing the shot and setting the same exposures via the histograms that I didn't notice the change.  After-all, I set both cameras to RAW and confirmed the word RAW on the Histogram screen!  I can only imagine a wedding photographer accidentally changing this setting in the dark and not realizing it until the next day.

The good news is that you can change the "default" image size selection method to a different custom selection method.

Go into the orange menu; C.Fn4: Disp/Operation; it's the last choice, "Rec card, img size setting.  You could change this default setting from "Rear LCD Panel" to "LCD monitor."  Now, if you accidentally press the "Card Image Size Selection Button" you will see the setting change on the large LCD screen as it lights up, as opposed to the small dark LCD screen. For those that haven't noticed yet, the white menu choices are the defaults and once you choose a custom selection, then your menu choice turns blue.

I never accidentally changed this setting on the MKIV and it's "function button" appears recessed and on the 1DX, it's not.  But for those interested, to change from RAW to Jpeg on the MKIV it's the function button next to the trash can and then one notch turn of the main dial.  To prevent this from happening on the MKIV, you can change the default in C.FnIV:8-1 from rear LCD to LCD Monitor.

I hope that this info will save somebody one day!  Luckily my test shots were not important, and they still looked pretty good considering they were only 1MB.

Rich

64

Sports / Re: 1DX & 500mm f/4L IS II Varsity Football

« on: September 04, 2012, 12:09:18 PM »

Here's a few shots from yesterdays Varsity Scrimmage shot with the 1DX and 500mm f/4L IS II:

How is the AF compared to an f/2.8 lens such as the 400 f/2.8?

-PW

I don't own the 400mm f/2.8 but I have demoed it, however I do have a 300mm f/2.8L IS version one.  The AF on the 500mm f/4II feels equally as fast as the 300mm f/2.8 during the day.  I haven't tried the 500mm f/4II at night yet.  The AF of the 500mm f/4II is extremely fast and feels instantaneous, whether in AI Servo or One shot.  When I press the shutter button in One Shot the AF confirmation beep occurs simultaneously with the shutter press.  There is no lag whatsoever, as a matter of fact it does feel "a little" faster than the 300mm f/2.8 and I can't believe I just wrote that (all bets are off for night games).  When I press the shutter button in One Shot with the 300mm f/2.8I, the sensation is shutter-press then an instant beep, with the 500mmII it feels as though the shutter-press is actually causing the beep without any lag.

Now, with the 500mm II in AI Servo when tracking the player, if you loose the player for a second and then have to reacquire him, there is a longer delay with the 500mm f/4L as the glass moves forward and backward to reacquire focus (I have focus search off which is recommended for super-telephotos in order to prevent extreme de-focusing, for extreme de-focusing I reacquire with the Manual Focus ring).  I don't view this as a concern with it's AF ability, as I feel it has more to do with the longer focal range, just taking a little longer to re-lock onto the target.  In other words the de-focused 300mm f/2.8I will move back and forth faster so it re-acquires faster and of course it's also easier to track your subject with a wider FOV angle.

Rich

65

Sports / Re: 1DX & 500mm f/4L IS II Varsity Football

« on: September 04, 2012, 11:23:02 AM »

Richard,

I have a football game Saturday the 8th, at night of course (damn it!) but I will take my 400 f/2.8 and see if that works much better, with less cropping.  The thing I noticed about the 1DX is that I didn't need to give much AF time.  I could just point the lens and shoot the shot, without a half-press sometimes and bang, it nailed the focus anyways.  I suppose that would have more to do with the lens though too.  My 1D4 was not doing that however, even with the same lens, and I cannot recall any DSLR that I've used that could do that.  Cool camera!

Yes, it's very impressive, not only is the AF very fast but it's very accurate too!  The 400mm is a good call for that game.  You'll just need to be prepared to back up more and stay ahead of of the drives.  You could still shoot a little loose, but now when you crop it will just be for perfect composition instead of mainly removing dead space.

66

Sports / Re: 1DX & 500mm f/4L IS II Varsity Football

« on: September 03, 2012, 10:50:49 AM »

Instaimage,

Nice Action shots!  Your game looked like a very physical one! 

I think you'll do really well this year at night with the 1DX.

67

Sports / Re: 1DX & 500mm f/4L IS II Varsity Football

« on: September 03, 2012, 10:44:12 AM »

Richard,
           Really great shots. Look to Camera Canada for the best price for either the 400,500 0r 600 Mk 11 best prices.     USA and Canada warranty and thousands cheaper than B&H, Adorama and Amazon. If you are out of country no tax from Canada. Just ordered the 400 mk 11 @ $10,299.00.    The 500 mk 11 is $8899.0 and the 600 mk 11 is $11,389.00         
Keith

 
Thanks for the nice feedback Keith, and I'll keep that in mind about the lenses.

68

Sports / Re: 1DX & 500mm f/4L IS II Varsity Football

« on: September 03, 2012, 10:42:12 AM »

These are great. Really like the two final ones. They capture the kind of things that catch your eye during a break in play.

Thanks Dave!  I don't know if you can appreciate it in this small version but on my monitor, in the last image you can see the green football field and white lines in the coaches sunglasses.  I thought that was kind of cool and totally by accident!

69

Sports / Re: 1DX & 500mm f/4L IS II Varsity Football

« on: September 02, 2012, 09:46:24 PM »

Thanks for the nice comments Tex and John (Neuro)!

I rented the 500mm II for 10 days (this way I get 2 weekends with it), as I figured I could get in at least 2 Football games, and maybe some Soccer too, plus I have a Surfing tournament this week, but the waves are flat right now, they better pick up soon before this bad-boy has to go back.    I'll be deciding between this lens and the 400mm f/2.8II.

I was very impressed with the 500mm II.  It feels relatively light for a super-telephoto and it's really well balanced too. I shot with it on a Gizto 5 series monopod, which essentially rendered it weightless.  The AF is fast and the lens appears sharp.  I shot this game from 11am to 2pm and there was no sun flare and the contrast was very nice too for a mid afternoon game.  There is quite a bit more vignetting in the corners on the FF body, than I had anticipated, but I think it looks pretty good for sports shots and in some instances I just corrected for it in post.  I think I'll try the peripheral illumination setting.  I never had a need for it before.  I hadn't noticed any CA either.

I also tried out the new IS Mode 3 and it works as advertised.  It didn't fight my movements like Mode 2 does, and I was basically unaware that it was in use. Mode 3 is only activated with the shutter-press and is inactive and in standby while shooting.

Tomorrow I'm going to try and shoot some BIF handheld with this combo.  I already purchased the 1.4X III figuring I would need that no matter which super-telephoto II lens I get, since I only had the version II extender.

70

Sports / Re: 1DX & 500mm f/4L IS II Varsity Football

« on: September 02, 2012, 06:33:13 PM »

Thanks Keith, your comments are greatly appreciated! 

Sure, I sell my photos constantly 24 hrs a day, it's just that no one ever buys them! 

You see.., a while ago I learned the difference between selling and buying! 

Unless you do this for a living full time, you won't make your money back.  I'm a serious hobbyist and I do sell some photos, but truth be told I don't promote myself and I don't advertise.  The money is minimal in sports, the big money is in weddings and advertising.  I do it for the love of the game!

If you like playing with high-tech gear then it's certainly worth it!

I will add, that if you would like to take shots like this, then the 7D with a 300mm f/2.8L IS version I is completely capable. I used that setup in addition to the MKIV before I upgraded to the 1DX.

Rich

71

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: EOS 5D3 - shooting first wedding on Saturday

« on: September 02, 2012, 05:41:30 PM »

Double Post.

72

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: EOS 5D3 - shooting first wedding on Saturday

« on: September 02, 2012, 05:39:37 PM »

What do you guys recommend for removing digital noise?

Noise Ninja and Topaz Labs DeNoise are both great!

They both do an excellent job, however after doing a free demo of each (hint-hint), I purchased Topaz Denoise because I preferred it's user interface better.

http://www.topazlabs.com/denoise/

73

Sports / Re: 1DX & 500mm f/4L IS II Varsity Football

« on: September 02, 2012, 05:01:18 PM »

Thanks, it's greatly appretiated!   

It was my first game with the 1DX and first time shooting the 500mm too!

The 1DX IS TOTALLY AWESOME!!

Here's a couple more!

74

Sports / Re: 1DX & 500mm f/4L IS II Varsity Football

« on: September 02, 2012, 04:39:09 PM »

I Reposted the Images for proper configuration!

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Sports / Re: 1DX & 500mm f/4L IS II Varsity Football

« on: September 02, 2012, 04:14:24 PM »

Here's a Burst!