Canon EOS-1D X Mark II Coming in April 2016 [CR3]

[instaimage]

I am so happy with Canon's decision to set the price at $5999 rather than $6,799.

Canon, I want you to know that the $800 difference will benefit you. Speaking for myself, I plan to purchase two this April, but would have purchased only one if the price were $6,799.

If the price drops by another thousand after the first year, I will likely purchase a third 1D X Mark II as well

Can I ask a dumb question? What would you do with 3 1DX type bodies?

I get owning 3 (or more) different bodies that serve different purposes. I get 2 of the same bodies with 2 different lenses in the midst of a shoot. But 3 at a time? Especially giant 1DX style?

Just curious.

I can only answer for myself... I have 4 1DX's... shooting basketball for example... two in my hands, 24-70 and 70-200 and two remotes, one behind the backboard and one in the catwalks. I have four because I want the same IQ from each body and not have to worry that "... that image was with that camera...". It's very expensive but it's worth it to ME.

 

[PureClassA]

Nikon is really pushing some marketing magic with its claimed "153" AF points. I would be very surprised if all 153 are actual AF sensors on the AF module. More likely is that the actual 55 points that are selectable are the actual sensors and the other ones are just the outer edges of the AF sensors. The AF sensors are always much larger than the actual squares in the VF anyways...I doubt Nikon crammed in 153 true sensors.

The last 1DX2 rumour stated 80 or so sensors. That may be feasible in actual sensors if they spread them out a bit more.

If I'm right about Nikon's marketing then actually the D5 has 55 sensors and 35 x-type....still well below the old 1DX's 61 points with 41 x-type.

Of course maybe the D5's AF will be better than the 1DX...maybe even better than the 1DX2 but somehow I doubt it....time will tell....

Funny you mention that, because I was wondering the same thing. You actually seem to have far fewer user selectable points than what Nikon is marketing, and even fewer still that are Cross type. Fewer than the original 1DX as you mention, which has a fabulous AF engine. All of this is what has me (at this point) doubtful of the Nikon's boasts. I HOPE I am wrong for their sake. I don't mean to suggest the D5 has a piss poor AF system, but I am not yet convinced by the specs it really is something it's cracked up to be or perhaps even any better than the current 1DX. Real world tests will bear the truth out.

 

[instaimage]

One very important and useful thing to me is the spread of the AF points. Finally the D5 will have AF points that cover most of the frame. The 1DX, until now, has all AF points close to the center, covering about 60-70% of the actual frame. That means for full body portraits, the AF points can't reach the face. That means either no focus or reframing the photo to focus. It's a pain and something I go thru every day.
I hope the new 1DX2 will address that problem, just like Nikon did.

This graphic is the D500 body which is a 1.5 crop body... the D5 has essentially the 1DX focus system, but it's only got 55 selectable points and 35 of those are cross type... (no dual cross type to my knowledge)... if you look at the D5 array, it looks much like the 1DX. To me, it looks like they've just used the same AF system on the smaller chip in the D500 which places the points across the either viewfinder...

 

[denomite]

Having some announcement is better than no announcement. Although we probably don't have enough detail info on the new Nikons, but I am sure a lot of people is thinking about switching. And I am one of them.

Canon, please make sure the new product will top Nikon's new offerings.

 

[sanj]

3) You are Surapon. what does this mean? some kind of code for big shot or something?

Surapon is a friendly member of the CR Forums, known for clever DIY MacGyver-style flash brackets, rope tripods and for occasionally posting pictures of himself with all his gear on...as he hikes to Delicate Arch, or other places.

Search the CR Forum, and you'll get to know Surapon. He's on my short list of people from the forum I'd like to meet someday.

 

[sanj]

The 1DX2, 5DIV, D5, and D500 all share two things.

First, they are undoubtedly good cameras...

Second, you only know what marketing departments and rumours have told you...

Until they have been in the hands of independent photographers and reviewed by unbiased sources, there is no sense wasting time arguing about the relative merits.

But there is one thing that we can depend on...... DXO will rate the Canon cameras poorly.

And why is that? Curious. I have never visited their site.

 

[ajfotofilmagem]

The 1DX2, 5DIV, D5, and D500 all share two things.

First, they are undoubtedly good cameras...

Second, you only know what marketing departments and rumours have told you...

Until they have been in the hands of independent photographers and reviewed by unbiased sources, there is no sense wasting time arguing about the relative merits.

But there is one thing that we can depend on...... DXO will rate the Canon cameras poorly.

And why is that? Curious. I have never visited their site.

DXO is a creative enterprise software for image processing, which has technology exchange with the camera manufacturers. DXO has a lot of collaboration with Nikon and Sony, as evidenced by the tests carried out as soon as new models hit stores. I vaguely remember a Nikon model is tested by DXO, even before they arrive in stores.

Moreover, Canon does not have agreements with DXO their cameras and take several months to be tested by DXO. The performed measurements can be useful, but the scores awarded to the camera models seems to be created (the amendment) tailored to favor the cameras has more dynamic range at ISO100. DXO arrives at the absurdity of 'contaminate' your lens measurements with the performance of the camera sensor. For example, the same lens Sigma, has the highest score when mounted in a body with DR in ISO100.

 

[helpful]

I am so happy with Canon's decision to set the price at $5999 rather than $6,799.

Canon, I want you to know that the $800 difference will benefit you. Speaking for myself, I plan to purchase two this April, but would have purchased only one if the price were $6,799.

If the price drops by another thousand after the first year, I will likely purchase a third 1D X Mark II as well

Can I ask a dumb question? What would you do with 3 1DX type bodies?

I get owning 3 (or more) different bodies that serve different purposes. I get 2 of the same bodies with 2 different lenses in the midst of a shoot. But 3 at a time? Especially giant 1DX style?

Just curious.

I actually don't know first hand, but I could speculate:

1) You shoot sideline sports (especially in inclement weather) -- easier/faster/safer to swap rigs than swap lenses.

2) You buy/own all of your business' gear but you shoot events with a partner.

3) You are Surapon.

- A

Awesome! This made me laugh. No, I definitely don't carry that many cameras around my neck.

Sideline sports is correct, etc. Usually one body beside me with a 300 or 400 (or in my lap if there's not enough room or too much going on), one I'm shooting with, and one (or more) synchronized and providing a different perspective (wide angle, high/low, other end of court, etc.). Definitely never a time or a place to be changing lenses, and it is far to much of a risk to rely on just one camera (or even just one perspective). It's not at all as glamorous as it might sound.

 

[Don Haines]

The 1DX2, 5DIV, D5, and D500 all share two things.

First, they are undoubtedly good cameras...

Second, you only know what marketing departments and rumours have told you...

Until they have been in the hands of independent photographers and reviewed by unbiased sources, there is no sense wasting time arguing about the relative merits.

But there is one thing that we can depend on...... DXO will rate the Canon cameras poorly.

And why is that? Curious. I have never visited their site.

DXO is famous for rating lenses and bodies in a very biased manner..... plus, even sticking within any given brand their criteria is "highly suspect". Their lens ratings are a joke (the 50F1.8 scores higher than the 600F4) and the camera ratings are really sensor ratings.... and those sensor ratings are based on a light level of 150 LUX, an unrealistic level where most photographers would be reaching for the light switch and mounting their flash......

 

[PureClassA]

I think DXO may punish the Nikon D5 score a bit for NOT using a Sony Sensor : I can't ever make any sense of their ratings either, but yes, they all seem to center exclusively around JUST the sensor Low ISO DR and sensitivity. How else can you claim that the Sony A7S is the top rated "Sports Camera"?

The 1DX2, 5DIV, D5, and D500 all share two things.

First, they are undoubtedly good cameras...

Second, you only know what marketing departments and rumours have told you...

Until they have been in the hands of independent photographers and reviewed by unbiased sources, there is no sense wasting time arguing about the relative merits.

But there is one thing that we can depend on...... DXO will rate the Canon cameras poorly.

And why is that? Curious. I have never visited their site.

DXO is famous for rating lenses and bodies in a very biased manner..... plus, even sticking within any given brand their criteria is "highly suspect". Their lens ratings are a joke (the 50F1.8 scores higher than the 600F4) and the camera ratings are really sensor ratings.... and those sensor ratings are based on a light level of 150 LUX, an unrealistic level where most photographers would be reaching for the light switch and mounting their flash......

 

[Loswr]

There are regular AF points. There are cross-type. And there are dual cross type. Nikon has none of the dual cross type we know of. And after having seen the AF point layout on the D5 and which ones it appears you can actually select ... I'm not that impressed. But yes, I'm sure the 153AF points are "superior" ... to the D4. Only real world head-to-head will determine which is faster and more consistently accurate. The D5 or 1DX2. I'm not putting money on the D5...

Really broadly, and with certain exceptions:

Number of AF points helps you sell to enthusiasts who don't know better.

Spread of AF points and teleconverter friendliness helps you sell to enthusiasts who do know better.

Quality of AF points / servo tweakability / pure hit rate in real world conditions helps your sell a 1DX or D5.

- A

Precisely Accurately

Fixed that for ya.

 

[dolina]

Come on Canon! Charge us 7 grand for one of these beasts! I demand you rip us all a new one!

 

[ahsanford]

Precisely Accurately

Fixed that for ya.

+1

With both a biostatistician and scientist in the family, I'm hard pressed to decide which hashtag to affix to my approval.

- A

 

[dolina]

Will they have a dual CF or dual CFast version of this mirroring what Nikon has done with the D5?

CFast card top end right now are 3600x while CF tops out at no more than 1067x.

 

[PureClassA]

: Nice

Precisely Accurately

Fixed that for ya.

+1

With both a biostatistician and scientist in the family, I'm hard pressed to decide which hashtag to affix to my approval.

- A

 

[brianb]

I am so sick and tired of rumours. I want to see an official announcement.

So if the 1DX will ship in April.....that means the 5D4 will be announced next year.......or even the year after........LOL

Come on Canon....!!!!

 

[PureClassA]

The issue is usability. The vast swath of journalist pros and sports shooters are working in big operations that use CF cards. To switch to a NEW format card would entail lots of extra expenses for those outfits. Canon will most likely build a product that will most easily and seamlessly integrate into existing systems. They will stick with CF. I'd be surprised if they go exclusively CFast cards. Perhaps they develop a hybrid of some sort although I don't know if it's possible in a single body like this.

Will they have a dual CF or dual CFast version of this mirroring what Nikon has done with the D5?

CFast card top end right now are 3600x while CF tops out at no more than 1067x.

 

[dolina]

The issue is usability. The vast swath of journalist pros and sports shooters are working in big operations that use CF cards. To switch to a NEW format card would entail lots of extra expenses for those outfits. Canon will most likely build a product that will most easily and seamlessly integrate into existing systems. They will stick with CF. I'd be surprised if they go exclusively CFast cards. Perhaps they develop a hybrid of some sort although I don't know if it's possible in a single body like this.

Will they have a dual CF or dual CFast version of this mirroring what Nikon has done with the D5?

CFast card top end right now are 3600x while CF tops out at no more than 1067x.

Nikon is offering two SKUs for the D5. One with dual CF and the other dual XQD (rival of CFast).

That would answer legacy support for CF cards and yet allow those with the flexibility an option for superior memory card technology.

My expectation is the 1D X replacement to be announced before Friday, 5 August 2016. Limited availability may happen before then or after.

With a shrinking dedicated still camera market I expect these cameras to have a larger price tag every generation.

 

[Loswr]

I am so sick and tired of rumours.

Boy, are you lost!

 

[PureClassA]

Safe bet since it will get announced in the next 45 days. It will be in hands before the Olympics.

The issue is usability. The vast swath of journalist pros and sports shooters are working in big operations that use CF cards. To switch to a NEW format card would entail lots of extra expenses for those outfits. Canon will most likely build a product that will most easily and seamlessly integrate into existing systems. They will stick with CF. I'd be surprised if they go exclusively CFast cards. Perhaps they develop a hybrid of some sort although I don't know if it's possible in a single body like this.

Will they have a dual CF or dual CFast version of this mirroring what Nikon has done with the D5?

CFast card top end right now are 3600x while CF tops out at no more than 1067x.

Nikon is offering two SKUs for the D5. One with dual CF and the other dual XQD (rival of CFast).

That would answer legacy support for CF cards and yet allow those with the flexibility an option for superior memory card technology.

My expectation is the 1D X replacement to be announced before Friday, 5 August 2016. Limited availability may happen before then or after.

With a shrinking dedicated still camera market I expect these cameras to have a larger price tag every generation.