Canon EOS-1D X Mark II to Feature More Than 61 AF Points [CR2]

[Canon Rumors]

<p>We’re told that the upcoming Canon EOS-1D X Mark II will feature a brand new autofocus system, which was to be expected and that it will offer more than the 61 AF points on the current EOS-1D X. The upcoming Nikon D5 is <a href="http://www.canonrumors.com/nikon-d5-specifications-surface/">reported to have either 107 or 173 AF points</a>, which we’re told will be more than the Canon will be offering.</p>
<p>We weren’t told the exact number of AF points, only that the camera would feature a “slightly wider spread” of AF points and we’ll see the return of some kind of illuminated AF point when in AI Servo mode. We expect all of the AF points to be crosstype.</p>
<p>The same source also speculated there would be an advancement in liveview AF for this camera.</p>
<p>More to come…</p>

 

[Big_Ant_TV_Media]

well i suspect between 80-100+ af points for the new 1DX2
the next 6-8 months will have influx of used 1DX's on ebay,craigslist and even b&H and adorama

 

[sanj]

This is great. Hope they are bit more spread out as well.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

I'm missing a understanding of a benefit for so many AF points. Does anyone actually decide to set AF point number 122?


How would you calibrate the points? Even now, AF points are often inaccurate, you can use FOCAL to test each one and its a long process even for a 5D MK III. It might take hours to test them all if there were 175.


Dual Pixel Technology is the only tech I know that has consistent accuracy for all the AF points when you use the capability.

 

[raptor3x]

How would you calibrate the points? Even now, AF points are often inaccurate, you can use FOCAL to test each one and its a long process even for a 5D MK III. It might take hours to test them all if there were 175.

I've never really understood to practical purpose of that test. It's not like you can apply an AFMA for each individual AF point.

 

[3kramd5]

I'm missing a understanding of a benefit for so many AF points.

Subject tracking?

 

[rrcphoto]

<p>We’re told that the upcoming Canon EOS-1D X Mark II will feature a brand new autofocus system, which was to be expected and that it will offer more than the 61 AF points on the current EOS-1D X. The upcoming Nikon D5 is <a href="http://www.canonrumors.com/nikon-d5-specifications-surface/">reported to have either 107 or 173 AF points</a>, which we’re told will be more than the Canon will be offering.</p>

well it's about time for canon to marry DPAF and PDAF on the 1 series cameras for perfectly accurate AF regardless of lens calibration.

Canon's got a fair amount of patents regarding using both methods together.

it will be vary curious on the fps.. the nikon rumor states 15 fps - I can bet that's with AF/AE locked. IMO I don't think apertures can open and close that fast reliably, after 10 fps things start to get shaky.

 

[erjlphoto]

So, can we presume that the 5D mk iv will get the old focus module?

 

[ahsanford]

So, can we presume that the 5D mk iv will get the old focus module?

I thought the 5D3 already had the 1DX AF setup, it just didn't track quite as well. I expect the 5D4 to be closer to the 1DX II than the 1DX for AF.

- A

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

How would you calibrate the points? Even now, AF points are often inaccurate, you can use FOCAL to test each one and its a long process even for a 5D MK III. It might take hours to test them all if there were 175.

I've never really understood to practical purpose of that test. It's not like you can apply an AFMA for each individual AF point.

There is a calibration for every AF point, but only Canon can currently do it. The test basically tells you if a point is off so you can send it in for calibration.

 

[ahsanford]

On my 5D3 (hoping for some of this new 1DX II goodness to come to the 5D4), trying to focus on things outside of the AF points invariably involves focus and recompose with slight stopping down (to cover the risk of reframing pulling subjects out of focus). Switching to MF might be an option in that case if the 5D3 had an MF viewfinder screen option, which it doesn't.

So shooting wider apertures beyond the AF spread is very, very difficult unless you're on a tripod --> so I'd love a wider spread of points.

- A

 

[kevl]

we’ll see the return of some kind of illuminated AF point when in AI Servo mode.

Um... I want them illuminated no matter which mode I'm using.

 

[Eldar]

I don´t care how many there are, provided I get a wider spread and improved ability for tracking of fast moving objects. And I want proper alternatives and support for manual focus.

 

[Loswr]

The upcoming Nikon D5 is <a href="http://www.canonrumors.com/nikon-d5-specifications-surface/">reported to have either 107 or 173 AF points</a>, which we’re told will be more than the Canon will be offering.

We expect all of the AF points to be crosstype.

I wonder if Nikon will have cross-type points restricted to the center as in their previous models?

All cross-type, more f/2.8 points, and a wider spread would be good (although there are technical limitations on the last one).

 

[aceflibble]

Too often, a body comes out with more focus points but not more sensitive or accurate focus points. Sony and Fuji have AF points across the entire frame and they're very accurate, but they're all still so slow there's no advantage over manual focus. Nikon and Canon have been adding more and more focus points with every new model, but they're still no more accurate than they were ten years ago so you can never rely on the AF system entirely, unelss you have absolutely no other choice and have to trust to blind luck out of necessity.

It's a bizarre world where the fastest and most accurate focusing I've experienced is still the old 1Ds mkII (and the other bodies from that line) with the unassuming, cheap 100mm f/2. Even then, using anything other than the few cross-type centre points is asking for trouble. I thought the 1DX was going to finally solve my AF woes and let me be free of manual focusing for good, but nope, no dice, it may have more points but it's no more accurate and, if anything, very slightly slower.

1D X mkII bumps up the point count? Fine, if they can also bump up the sensitivity, speed and accuracy of at least the centre points. More points at the exact same performance they have now? May as well not bother, save some money.

 

[K]

Nikon goes for big numbers to have better looking specs. To those not in-the-know, it will appear that Nikon has an advantage in AF. However, at the flagship level with usually pros or experts being the target market, and with folks having to bust out that kind of coin to purchase - the buyer is more educated on the features and won't fall for it. This is why the 5D3 is still such a popular and powerful pro camera even though others beat it in specs. Most of the higher and better spec'ed cameras out there just don't outperform it in actual practice.


I'd rather have 61 AF points that track and work well - than 150 that are iffy.

With enough processing power, that many points could help subject tracking. It will smooth it out a bit. However, current systems are very good at it already. Nikon's D750 locks on a subject and tracks it very well with high accuracy. LIke a pit bul on a pork chop. Not sure how that many more points will truly materialize into a worthy advantage.

It almost seems like that many points would be better for a studio camera to frame up a shot and really zero in on an area for focus. Then again, you can just manual focus in the studio and not worry about it.

All the rumor says is more than 61. That could be as low as 65.


I think what is more important in AF isn't more points at this point - but instead, going lower light, like -3.5EV or more, and better intelligent tracking / speed.

 

[wockawocka]

There's hope, the 5DSr AF is better than the 1DX, whether Canon will transfer that to the 5D4 and keep the next stuff to the 1DX II who knows. They will need to keep a defining difference.

I'm probably out of pro series bodies now, the weight was one thing but that flipping BLAT BLAT BLAT was a problem for my wedding work. Silent shutter that is really silent in the 1DX2? I'm buying.

 

[Silvertt7]

The upcoming Nikon D5 is reported to have either 107 or 173 AF points

Wow... 107 or 173?

Canon step up your game...

 

[rbielefeld]

Too often, a body comes out with more focus points but not more sensitive or accurate focus points. Sony and Fuji have AF points across the entire frame and they're very accurate, but they're all still so slow there's no advantage over manual focus. Nikon and Canon have been adding more and more focus points with every new model, but they're still no more accurate than they were ten years ago so you can never rely on the AF system entirely, unelss you have absolutely no other choice and have to trust to blind luck out of necessity.

It's a bizarre world where the fastest and most accurate focusing I've experienced is still the old 1Ds mkII (and the other bodies from that line) with the unassuming, cheap 100mm f/2. Even then, using anything other than the few cross-type centre points is asking for trouble. I thought the 1DX was going to finally solve my AF woes and let me be free of manual focusing for good, but nope, no dice, it may have more points but it's no more accurate and, if anything, very slightly slower.

1D X mkII bumps up the point count? Fine, if they can also bump up the sensitivity, speed and accuracy of at least the centre points. More points at the exact same performance they have now? May as well not bother, save some money.

I find the talk of the inaccurate and slow AF on the current 1Dx to be a bit perplexing. I have owned and shot many of Canon's DSLR bodies over the years and used the AF systems to try and track all sorts of small and fast subjects. I specialize in bird in flight photography. I have been shooting the 1Dx since it was available and find the AF system to be very fast and very accurate under very challenging conditions and by far the best Canon has produced. The lenses I have used most are the 500 f/4 IS Mk. I and the 600 f/4 IS Mk. II. Both shot with and without the Canon 1.4x and 2x tele-converters. I am sure the 1Dx Mk. II will have even a better AF system, but the current AF system is really amazing to me. Images posted below so people reading this don't take me for some neophyte photographer who would not know a good AF system if it bit him. Click on images for larger versions.

 

[arthurbikemad]

And that's one small fast bird!

AF slow on the 1DX...lol whatever...lol.

Let's be seeing all these nice AF points in the dark!