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

[Sycotek]

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.

 

[Bosman]

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.

Wow, this is a thread i havent read til now. I do have a (the new Canon word "phenomena") where my 5dm3 wont move the lens and i have ot wrack it to a close place of focus and it will work again. Kinda silly this happens now and then.

 

[mjcphoto]

Re: 1DX - issues in low light at reception / in single point or expansion

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.

Thanks, yeah...I've been shooting RAW plus Large JPG to the 2nd card so my fps isn't at 12. Still many issues in low light when using various canon flashes (assist beam enabled)...on camera flash is set as my fill flash. Off camera, main light is from Q flash triggered by pocket wizard. Again, the 1DMK3 is almost flawless in this situation! 1DMK4, very slow and almost clumsy, not picking up focus...kinda frustrating...I suppose it's a trade off of having everything else excellent! And I have work around for now.

 

[helpful]

Re: 1DX - issues in low light at reception

Use the AF-point expansion instead of one single point. The 1D X performs very well under low lightning conditions.

Amen. There is so little area contained inside of a single AF point that its just a little shaky dark area to the camera. Almost impossible to focus no matter how good the camera.

One point AF in the dark is like trying to look through a long narrow tube at a scene rushing by out of the car window. No context, and it's almost impossible for even our eyes to focus or comprehend what is going on. But without the tube its easy for our eyes to focus out a window or in the dark

The extra points help the camera in the same way.

 

[mjcphoto]

Re: 1DX - issues in low light at reception

Use the AF-point expansion instead of one single point. The 1D X performs very well under low lightning conditions.

Amen. There is so little area contained inside of a single AF point that its just a little shaky dark area to the camera. Almost impossible to focus no matter how good the camera.

One point AF in the dark is like trying to look through a long narrow tube at a scene rushing by out of the car window. No context, and it's almost impossible for even our eyes to focus or comprehend what is going on. But without the tube its easy for our eyes to focus out a window or in the dark

The extra points help the camera in the same way.

Still hunts and takes a while with 8 point expansion. Much, much, much slower than the 1DMK3 in this situation. I'll just use the MK3 for the darker reception halls for now.

thanks though,
Michael