1D X "Limitations" Fixable?

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Re: 1D X Limitations Fixable?

You can likely attempt autofocus with the pins taped, and it will probably work on some lens / TC combinations just like the non 1 series bodies. They are slow to focus and often require a pre-focus and then loock-on, depending on the hardware.

I think its not available because it does not give fast and reliable AF at f/8, but will focus slowly most of the time with pins taped. It would be nice to have a firmware option to set attempted AF at any aperture, even f/11. I could sometimes AF my 1D MK III with pre-focus first at F/11 with pins taped. This is not good for moving objects, but still scenes were fine.

 

[rossbeckernz]

Re: 1D X Limitations Fixable?

Setting the custom white balance without taking a photo is already a standard feature of the 1D series. I use it all the time.

 

[Loswr]

Re: 1D X Limitations Fixable?

I have tried the "tape trick" before on assorted crop sensor bodies and lenses, but never had any AF performance with a f/8 system that I would say was usable. That's why my original comment suggested a difference between having any f/8 AF, and one that works well.

Of course, that's with an AF system programmed not to try to achieve AF narrower than f/5.6, rather than one which has been optimized to do so from a firmware standpoint.

Look carefully at Nikon's D4 AF specs. With f/8, 11 points including 1 cross; between f/5.6 and f/8, 15 points including 9 crosses. Does that mean the center AF point is an f/8 cross? If so, the shorter baseline means Nikon traded away accuracy. What about the 8 other crosses that don't work at f/8, but do at, say, f/7.1? Are those f/7.1-sensitive sensors? Without seeing a schematic of the sensor or more details from Nikon, we won't know for sure, but I suspect the answers are no and no. I think they'd not choose to sacrifice accuracy, but maybe the sensor is just more complex, and where Canon chose to squeeze more AF points and make more of them crosses, Nikon chose to squeeze in some f/8 and f/7.1 lines.

Still, I think it's possible that Nikon is using the same f/5.6 AF points, and just optimized the firmware to support narrower apertures. If so, it's possible for Canon to do the same (although there may be non-technical reasons that they won't).

I'm not so sure ... there's comments somewhere that Canon changed the sub-mirror responsible for autofocus from being elliptical to flat. If that's actually the case, then it may be that there's less "concentration" of light with the new AF mechanism and thus less ability for AF to work with less light.

I don't think that would matter at all. The aperture limitation isn't really about the amount of light, but rather about the baseline of the sensors. An f/5.6 lens won't activate f/2.8 sensors because the sensor lines are widely spaced, and the narrower aperture doesn't allow the light to be spread far enough. Consider - if it were the amount of light, AF would fail with a 3-stop ND filter on an f/5.6 lens, but instead it works fine, as long as the intensity exceeds the EV sensitivity of the sensor (-2 for the 1D X, -1 for previous 1-series, and -0.5 for other bodies).

Also, 'concentrating' the light implies the mirror was concave - I don't think that's what is meant by oblong. Rather, it was more oval rather than rectangular. Going from oblong to rectangular for the 1D X makes perfect sense - look at the shape of the AF point arrays - oblong on the 1DIV and 1DsIII, rectangular on the 1D X.

 

[mememe]

Re: 1D X Limitations Fixable?

This is a bit like: "I have a Pentium 3! Where can i download the firmware update to make it a i7?"

No seriously... You cant update hardware limitations via Firmware...

 

[motorhead]

Re: 1D X Limitations Fixable?

"Never had any AF performance that I would say was usable"

Thats a sad situation. I have regularly used my 30D at MotoGP events with my 100-400 & 1.4x in extremely bad weather (i well remember the pouring rain at Donnington) where I used f/8 with no problems at all obtaining good focus in AI Servo.

 

[eaw213]

Re: 1D X Limitations Fixable?

This is a bit like: "I have a Pentium 3! Where can i download the firmware update to make it a i7?"

No seriously... You cant update hardware limitations via Firmware...

I'm an engineer at Intel, and this made me chuckle a bit, although I don't say that in a way to put you down. I chuckled because what you said about Intel chips sounds so logically true. I mean, you can't just magically upgrade to a new chip by unlocking features on your old chip... right? And yet it just so happens to be what Intel attempted in the past.

There were plans to release chips that contained a myriad of power levels already packaged within them, and when you bought a chip of a certain power level, all that meant was that you bought the same chip as everyone else, but your chip was unlocked up to the power level you purchased. In the future, when you decided you wanted more power, you simply paid to have more power from the same chip unlocked. There was of course a lot of kickback from consumers on this policy of selling intentionally limited products, so you don't see it in effect today, but the idea has always been there.

Of course, that's not entirely the same as this. In one case, Intel has pre-engineered the power into the product and is intentionally concealing perfectly usable computing power until you purchase and activate it. On the other hand, Canon would be concealing performance levels that don't live up to their standards, which wouldn't have anything to do with trying to intentionally hold back technology or sell additional product... unless the TC sales angle is a valid one. Still, I thought it was an interesting story worth telling given your comment. Cheers.

 

[mememe]

Re: 1D X Limitations Fixable?

There were plans to release chips that contained a myriad of power levels already packaged within them, and when you bought a chip of a certain power level, all that meant was that you bought the same chip as everyone else, but your chip was unlocked up to the power level you purchased. In the future, when you decided you wanted more power, you simply paid to have more power from the same chip unlocked. There was of course a lot of kickback from consumers on this policy of selling intentionally limited products, so you don't see it in effect today, but the idea has always been there.

Oh yes, i remember... This was about the time i lost interest in PC-Hardware... Didnt knew that they dont really came out with that plan. My knowledge stopps at the core series...

The abilties of the AF-Sensor have to do with size and placment (distance) of the phase-detection-sensors itself. So i dont think they built it for f8 and cut it out with firmware. I mean... possible at a 300D but not in a 1-Series Camera...

 

[Loswr]

Re: 1D X Limitations Fixable?

This is a bit like: "I have a Pentium 3! Where can i download the firmware update to make it a i7?"

No seriously... You cant update hardware limitations via Firmware...

No one is suggesting that (at least, I'm not). Point is, cameras limited to f/5.6 are limited by the firmware, and as the statement from motorhead indicates, when you trick that firmware so an f/8 lens appears to be f/5.6, AF is attempted and can succeed.

I'm not suggesting adding AF points or anything like that. To revise your rather off-base analogy to something better aligned to the current discussion, an i5 processor is limited to a given clock speed by firmware (in effect). While it cannot be turned into an i7, it's quite possible to change the 'firmware' and overclock the processor. That's pretty much what the pin taping trick does, and if Canon decided to officially support that, it would be a better implementation.

 

[seanmcr6]

Re: 1D X Limitations Fixable?

A) Make the price $5K
B) Clean HDMI output
C) Include peaking in camera
D) Built in wifi
E) Bring the MP back up to 24

I know it's not all about MP....but for studio/commercial work, I want more MP, not less...and I already have over 10K in Canon glass. I don't want to buy Medium format.

I don't know any commercial photographers that want or need to shoot 26000 ISO or above. Yeah, it's nice to see Canon advancing ISO performance, but it's now more of a marketing function that something pro photogs can actually use.

And a separate attachement for wifi? really? Still? If eyefi can put the guts for wifi inside an SD card...surely Canon can add this to the camera. While we're at it...make the new Canon EX flashes wifi enabled.

 

[Kernuak]

Re: 1D X Limitations Fixable?

I don't know any commercial photographers that want or need to shoot 26000 ISO or above. Yeah, it's nice to see Canon advancing ISO performance, but it's now more of a marketing function that something pro photogs can actually use.

If an ISO setting gives clean enough images, then a commercial wildlife photographer will welcome as much sensitivity they can get. Mostly, they prefer natural light over flash, so it would extend the period into which they can shoot. Imagine being able to photograph crepuscular wildlife after the sun has set or even into almost pitch black and still get detail. It isn't yet possible, but wildlife photographers would welcome the opportunity.
This shot for example was taken well after sunset at ISO 1600. At the moment, only silhouettes are possible (even with a D3 - I've seen similar results from that camera). It shows behaviour that only occurs after sunset and a flash is useless, but imagine a clean image that could capture detail instread of a silhouette.


Roding Woodcock by Kernuak, on Flickr

 

[wickidwombat]

Re: 1D X Limitations Fixable?

liv_img - "Also exposure compensation with Auto ISO. Fix a shutter and an aperture, and have the exposure compensation dial work."

Viggo - "Aim the centerpoint at a grey area, lock with AF-ON button and, boom, whitebalance sampled. Instead of taking an actual picture , and then set and then turn to Custom WB, setting."

Couldn’t agree more with these two wishes. It’s interesting that they should even be mentioned in a discussion about the new ‘state of the art’ Canon flagship! such basics should be available on an 1100D i.e. they entire DSLR range. I‘m not sure how important the additional mode would be for pros but setting whitebalance easily/quickly is just basic.

making the AF-on button a white balance would screw it up for those of us that use back button focus but if you ahd to hold the af-on and the * together to do that it would be very cool sort of like the original 1D had functions where you had to hold 2 buttons together to set AEB etc

 

[Ryusui]

Re: 1D X Limitations Fixable?

making the AF-on button a white balance would screw it up for those of us that use back button focus but if you ahd to hold the af-on and the * together to do that it would be very cool sort of like the original 1D had functions where you had to hold 2 buttons together to set AEB etc

+1

Currently, I will either choose AWB if I'm in a rush or manually set the temperature for my WB. And I also use the AF-ON button 100% for focusing. So having the combined option that wickidwombat suggested would make me use custom WB much more often.

 

[zim]

Re: 1D X Limitations Fixable?

liv_img - "Also exposure compensation with Auto ISO. Fix a shutter and an aperture, and have the exposure compensation dial work."

Viggo - "Aim the centerpoint at a grey area, lock with AF-ON button and, boom, whitebalance sampled. Instead of taking an actual picture , and then set and then turn to Custom WB, setting."

Couldn’t agree more with these two wishes. It’s interesting that they should even be mentioned in a discussion about the new ‘state of the art’ Canon flagship! such basics should be available on an 1100D i.e. they entire DSLR range. I‘m not sure how important the additional mode would be for pros but setting whitebalance easily/quickly is just basic.

making the AF-on button a white balance would screw it up for those of us that use back button focus but if you ahd to hold the af-on and the * together to do that it would be very cool sort of like the original 1D had functions where you had to hold 2 buttons together to set AEB etc

+1 on that wickidwombat

How much R&D have you just saved them ;D

Anyway 1Dx is a stunning camera and I'm lovin all the speculation. Has CR ever been as active? Maybe they'll get everything right (just for me) on the 6D you know the 2K FF 9 cross point 5 fps high IQ beauty that will be out next month LOL ;D ;D

 

[wickidwombat]

Re: 1D X Limitations Fixable?

going a little OT here but on the white balance topic, I use these
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/67mm-White-Balance-WB-filter-mount-Lens-Cap-DSLR-AU-/260866113858?pt=AU_Cameras_Photographic_Accessories&hash=item3cbcd50142
keep one in your pocket and if you need a custom WB pop it on (they fit snug onto the filter rim)
really cheap and work increadably well. A quicker way to actually set the custom WB would be nice as discussed
maybe when you select the custom WB icon it would then enable the AF-ON and * button to set the WB from the next shot then it could prompt you for which slot to save it to on the screen, use the controller to select and set then bang you are good to go. (currently setting custom WB with Nikon isnt any easier though)

 

[Canon-F1]

Re: 1D X Limitations Fixable?

This is a bit like: "I have a Pentium 3! Where can i download the firmware update to make it a i7?"

No seriously... You cant update hardware limitations via Firmware...

well you heard about AMD triple core chips where you can unlock a 4 core.
the core might be not 100% up to tolerances but it works.

the hardware is there it´s just not utilized.. and there are MANY MANY more examples where a firmware update can do miracles. just look on the panasonic GH2.

so no.. your example sucks....

 

[pwp]

Re: 1D X Limitations Fixable?

If the f/8 AF limitation was a pragmatic compromise that enabled superior AF at faster apertures then I have no problem with it. Probably <1% of all shots taken worldwide would be taken with f/8 max aperture setups. That's definately unfortunate for the ultra telephoto shooters, but I guess the majority needs priority.

1DX limitations? How about the long complained about mirror lockup function being buried deep in the CF menus.

There is a downside to the demise of the SD slot: the EOS-1D X will not take an Eye-Fi wireless/memory SDHC combo card. I know the upcoming bolt-on Wireless Transmitter WFT-E6A should answer most of the critisisms of the older WFT series, but even a modest built in WiFi function would be extremely useful. I use the SD sized EyeFi to stream small JPEG files to iPad while the RAW files go to CF. I'll really miss this with the twin CF 1DX.

But for the most part the 1DX looks brilliant. There's always room for more refinement, and you'll never get a full set of functions that will 100% satisfy every photographer on the planet. But wow, the 1DX is going to check a lot of boxes for me.

Paul Wright

 

[Canon-F1]

Re: 1D X Limitations Fixable?

There is a downside to the demise of the SD slot: the EOS-1D X will not take an Eye-Fi wireless/memory SDHC combo card.

they suck anyway.. no pro i know would use them.
i returned mine after 4 days.

for studio work you have ethernet with the 1D X and there sure will be better solutions then the eye-fi cards.

 

[Stu_bert]

Re: 1D X Limitations Fixable?

There is a downside to the demise of the SD slot: the EOS-1D X will not take an Eye-Fi wireless/memory SDHC combo card.

they suck anyway.. no pro i know would use them.
i returned mine after 4 days.

for studio work you have ethernet with the 1D X and there sure will be better solutions then the eye-fi cards.

Mine works fine thank you in a 1Ds MK 3 body, and it serves it's purpose (out in the field). Spending 400+ on a wifi transmitter is not something I think is reasonable, even if it gives me http & ftp capabilities and remote control.

PwP - Apparently some 5D and 7D users have purchased specific CF<-> SD cards which have some success in working - scan the eye-fi forums for details

 

[Canon-F1]

Re: 1D X Limitations Fixable?

and it serves it's purpose (out in the field)

and that purpose is to transfer small JPG files for a preview i guess?

i had problems many photographer have reported with these cards.
20% of the photo are blank, black, or banded.. corrupted.
constantly dropped the connection. even when the access point was only 5m away.

and given the bad user reviews im not alone....

sorry for OT.

 

[lol]

Re: 1D X Limitations Fixable?

"Never had any AF performance that I would say was usable"

Thats a sad situation. I have regularly used my 30D at MotoGP events with my 100-400 & 1.4x in extremely bad weather (i well remember the pouring rain at Donnington) where I used f/8 with no problems at all obtaining good focus in AI Servo.

Could I ask which TC did you use? I've only ever tried the cheap(er) Kenko and also the current Sigma. Always did wonder if the Canon ones were much different but not enough to get one, yet, although I've been thinking about it again for other reasons. All I got when I tried most times is hunting but rarely a lock.