Archive for: eos-1d x
Firmware Coming?
There has been a lot of questions wondering when Canon will release a firmware update similar to the EOS-1D X that adds the blinking red AF point when in AI servo mode. While I figured they were working on it, I wasn’t quite sure why it hadn’t been brought to market or included with the announced and upcoming firmware update.
This is a direct quote of what I have been told:
They are testing that at the moment but don’t know if it is possible to implement. The former system had a different type of focusing screen and it was easy to handle because it had no reflection in the viewfinder. The new system, with the LCD screen inside the viewfinder is reflecting the red light back and this can affect the light metering system. In the EOS-1D X, the viewfinder box is bigger than in EOS 5D Mark III, which aids in making it possible and workable. In the EOS-1D X they alternate red illumination and metering, and this is why there is the red blinking. With the EOS 5D Mark III, they are testing it but they are not sure if they can make it operate in the same way.
This sounds logical enough, and it’s good to know they are trying to implement it.
5D Mark III at Norman (Body | Kit), B&H (Body | Kit) Amazon (Body | Kit), Adorama (Body | Kit)
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Official Numbers are in
For the people that like the numbers game, DXOMark has released their official score for the Canon EOS-1D X.
The numbers don’t look too bad, though they don’t tell the whole story about the EOS-1D X. I think it’s currently the best DSLR as a whole currently on the market, unless you want the big resolution of the D800.
Read the complete review at DXOMark
Canon EOS-1D X at B&H | Amazon | Adorama | Norman Camera
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The EOS-1D C isn’t just firmware
There have been reports around the web that the upcoming Canon EOS-1D C is the exact same camera internally as the EOS-1D X (other than the PC sync port) and Canon is just charging people $7000 for different firmware.
I have spent considerable time trying to find someone at Canon to clarify the reports as well as someone to open their EOS-1D C (no one would do that for me!). The information I have received backs up what Canon said at the development announcement of the EOS-1D C, it does in fact have a different hardware configuration inside. While the DIGIC V processors, image sensor and AF module are all identical to the EOS-1D C, there is in fact “reworked circuitry and design to dissipate heat for the 4K recording”.
So is the reworking of the internals worth the additional $7K? If it’s required for the 4K resolution, and the 4K performance is top notch, then I don’t see why it’s not. This camera is targeted to professionals and priced accordingly. Volume sales of this camera will be far lower than the EOS-1D X, which probably makes the cost of production higher.
There are a few people I know that will open the EOS-1D C when they get their hands on it, I know I will be. That’s going to be the only way to 100% prove the internals are indeed different. I do wish Canon would clarify this point and put it to rest, which they may do when the camera is officially announced.
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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.
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EOS-1D X Firmware 1.1.1 Available for Download
To support the needs of wedding, portrait, sports, wildlife, and theatrical performance photographers working in low light, AF points in the EOS-1D X’s viewfinder can now be illuminated in red with a half-press of the shutter in AI Servo AF mode, for easy viewing of the selected point. Illumination is intermittent, not continuous, and does not interfere with metering accuracy. Two brightness levels are available for the most suitable level of illumination in dark settings and illumination is fully compatible with the range of focus points and focus zone selection options on the EOS-1D X.
For best results, the following additional menu settings are suggested when using AF Point Illumination in AI Servo AF mode with Firmware Ver. 1.1.1:
- AF Point Display During Focus should be set to the first option, Selected (constant). This setting will allow the camera to display the selected focusing point while the shutter button is pressed halfway.
- Optionally, AI Servo 1st Image Priority can be set to Focus Priority to ensure that focus is achieved before the shutter is released.
- If you wish to recompose the image after focusing in AI Servo AF, use the EOS-1D X Custom Control menu to change the setting for half-press of the shutter button from “Metering and AF Start” to “Metering Start.” This will allow you to control focusing with the AF-ON button. Once you are satisfied with the focus, lift your thumb off the AF-ON button, recompose and shoot.
Crosstype AF Available for Maximum Apertures as Small as f/8
Ideal for wildlife photographers and others who often use Canon EF super-telephoto lenses with extenders, the new firmware allows cross-type autofocusing with the center AF point when the maximum aperture becomes as small as f/8. This new feature greatly expands the range of EF lens/extender combinations that support autofocus when used with the EOS-1D X. Please refer to the list of compatible lenses below.
If AF point expansion is selected with an f/8 maximum aperture lens/extender combination, the four AF points surrounding the center point will act as AF Assist points. This option effectively expands the size of the AF detection area to enhance autofocus performance with subjects that appear small in the viewfinder and difficult to track, such as small animals and birds in flight. AF points above and below the center will be sensitive to vertical contrast, while points to the left and right will be sensitive to horizontal contrast.
Download the EOS-1DX Firmware 1.1.1
Canon EOS-1D X at B&H | Amazon | Adorama | Norman Camera
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UPDATE
It appears as though Canon jumped the gun on this announcement, and have pulled the press release. However, I do expect to see it some time in the 7 days. I would also hope to see a 5D Mark III firmware update as well. I’ll keep asking around.
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., October 17, 2012 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced a new firmware update in response to user requests which further enhances the capabilities of Canon’s flagship EOS-1D X Digital SLR camera. The EOS-1D X will now be capable of AF point illumination during AI Servo AF and cross-type AF for maximum apertures as small as f/8. The new firmware update is available now at no charge from the Canon U.S.A. website and can be downloaded by end users or through Canon Factory Service Centers.
AF Point Illumination During AI Servo AF
To support the needs of wedding, portrait, sports, wildlife, and theatrical performance photographers working in low light, the new firmware allows AF points in the EOS-1D X’s viewfinder to be illuminated in red when the shutter button is pressed halfway during AI Servo AF, for easy viewing of the selected point. This valuable feature will enhance the photographers’ ability to aim the camera accurately in low-light conditions, and when photographing dark subjects. To preserve exposure-metering accuracy, illumination is intermittent, not continuous. Three choices will be selectable from the menu system – Non-illuminated, Illuminated (Normal) and Illuminated (Brighter).
Cross-Type AF Support at f/8
The EOS-1D X is equipped with an innovative 61-point High Density Reticular AF System featuring up to 41 cross-type AF points, depending on the lens in use. The cross-type AF points recognize a wide variety of subject matter, making them highly desirable for maximum autofocus performance. Until now, cross-type AF on the EOS-1D X has been limited to EF lenses and lens/extender combinations with a maximum aperture of f/5.6 or larger. The new firmware allows cross-type autofocusing with the center AF point even when the maximum aperture of a Canon EF lens/extender combination becomes as small as f/8. Ideal for wildlife photographers and others who often use EF super-telephoto lenses with extenders, this new feature greatly expands the range of EF lens/extender combinations that support autofocus when used with the EOS-1D X.
If AF point expansion is selected with an f/8 maximum aperture lens/extender combination, the four AF points surrounding the center point will act as AF Assist points. This option effectively expands the size of the AF detection area to enhance autofocus performance with subjects that are small in the frame and difficult to track, such as small animals and birds in flight. AF points above and below the center will be sensitive to vertical contrast, while points to the left and right will be sensitive to horizontal contrast.
http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/standard_display/EOS1DX_firmware
The link currently doesn’t work, but should shortly.
Canon EOS-1D X at B&H | Amazon | Adorama | Norman Camera
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For those that care
I was sent an email claiming the results of DXOMark’s testing of the Canon EOS-1D X. I have not yet seen it on their site, so don’t take these numbers as official until they’re up.
DxO score: 90
DR: 12.8
Color depth: 24.9 bits
ISO: 3296
Do what you will with these numbers. They do show that the 1D X has the “best” technical numbers as far as sensor testing goes. This puts the 1D X above the Nikon D4, but below the D600 & D800. I know people love to debate the numbers from DXOMark.
Canon EOS-1D X at B&H | Amazon | Adorama | Norman Camera
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A big difference
A reader sent in a quick comparison between the Canon EOS-1D X and Canon EOS 5D Mark III showing a very different color rendition as well as a significant difference in noise performance at ISO 25,600.
The Quick Test
The following test was conducted at sunset. This is the reason for the white balance setting, which on my 5d3 most closely approximated the warm tone of the light. Both files were dialed in at 8000k, +15 magenta. Both use the exact same lens, and were shot within 1 minute of each other. Both files are DNG 7.1, process version PV2012, and use the camera calibration setting “Camera Neutral.” All other settings including sharpening, noise reduction, tone curve, etc are all zero’d out for consistency. I’m using the latest version of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom available as of this writing, which is 4.1.
The Test with 100% Crops | Click for Larger
Canon EOS-1D X at B&H | Amazon | Adorama | Canon EOS 5D Mark III at B&H | Amazon | Adorama
Source: [PPT]
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From Arthur Morris
Arthur has written a great article about getting f/8 autofocus with the new Canon EOS-1D X. A lot of birders used the EF 800 f/5.6L IS with the Canon 1.4x TC & EOS-1D Mark IV for example. The biggest complaint with the EOS-1D X has been the inability to get f/8 autofocus.
However, with the Kenko Teleplus PRO 300 DGX 1.4 teleconverter you can give the EOS-1D X the ability to autofocus at f/8 with the EF 800 f/5.6L IS. Another plus of using the Kenko teleconverter is you’re able to move the AF point at f/8. With the Canon teleconverter on say, the 1D Mark IV, you only had the center AF point active.
Arthur has posted lots of images to show the image quality that is possible with the Kenko 1.4x TC.
From Arthur Morris
Once I got down in the mud I discovered that AF with the the Kenko Teleplus PRO 300 DGX 1.4x AF Teleconverter was fast and sure and accurate. I have been out every morning and afternoon since then and have totally fallen in love with the 1DX. That first afternoon I managed to get a huge gob of black, sticky, gooey much all over my brand new camera. It was a proper baptism.
Read the entire article
Kenko 1.4 TC at B&H $259 | Canon EOS-1D X at B&H $6799
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From FredMiranda.com
Fred Miranda has posted his review of the Canon EOS-1D X. I always find his reviews easy to read and quite detailed in real world situations.
Conclusion
Overall, the 1D X is a very versatile camera. When you shoot with it, you feel like it can handle anything. Combined with ultra wide-angle lenses, the 1D X captures amazing full frame landscape photos. It does costs more and has less resolution than the Canon 5D Mark III (Read our Canon 5D Mark III vs Nikon D800 review), but you’ll get great dynamic range, less banding, and body that you can take anywhere under any conditions. Sports and action shooters have found a match made in heaven. Only time will tell if other realms of photography will embrace it too.
Read the full review
Buy the Canon EOS-1D X at: B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon | Norman Camera
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