Canon EOS-1D X Mark II to Shoot 4K Video [CR2]

[wallstreetoneil]

As a wedding pro that shoots a variety of Canons (5DSR, 5D3, 7D2) and now also a Sony A7R2, it was a very informative read to here all the oil issues with the 1Dx and bricking the camera. By the sounds of it, you sports guys are all needing a mirrorless camera more than anyone. In terms of 4k, let me be another pro to say, who gives a fvck. Give me more higher ISO, maybe 1 more FPS, and better more shadow recovery. If you shoot video, please buy a proper video camera. I own a C100, and while the 7D2 has great dual pixel autofocus, no in camera ND filters, no XLR sound, seriously - get a proper video camera. I have looked many times at getting a used or now new 1Dx but that camera is not built for weddings - way too loud - for sports, I wouldn't have anything else. Now that I have played with mirrorless, all I can say is that in 5 years, everything is going to be mirrorless - oil in a camera - that is just crazy.

 

[brianftpc]

The a7r 2 sounded great in theory but not so well in practice. If mirrorless cameras want to replace the top of the line from canon and nikon they are going to have to at least be on par with how well they focus. All those other specs and features mean nothing if it cant focus on a professional level.

The 1Dx is bigger than the a7r2 and 5D line. It has more room to cool itself for 4k. Hell they could even put a removable rubber piece that exposes a vent for when you shoot 4k so it can actually get airflow. Just dont use it in the rain or near sand.

If you are only using your cameras for stills then you are only making half your money with your camera. Even if the 1Dx came with the same 1080P from the previous generation the camera would still be sitting in its same price point so whats the issue with having a swiss army knife with a few extra features. 4k shouldnt effect your camera while you take stills. All i really care about is higher quality and better liw light 1080P with continuous autofocus that actually works for video. As for stills give me better low light and better autofocus. Higher MP would be nice but if i want that i can just get a 5Ds thats gonna be under 3,000 cone black friday.

 

[Oneand0]

First of all this is a rumor and lets just treat it as if it were a fact. Because that's what I a have seen so far from most of the replies. That's fine, it stirs the pot and makes everyone think, defend, reason, or become angry.

So Canon decides to put out 4K in one of their cameras that most (not all) enthusiasts would never even think about buying. Right!? Who dishes out more money overall to their company when buying their products, pros or enthusiasts? This is simple and I know I might get one or two defenders to challenge it, but come on, there's just more people having a good time making pictures and videos with their camera, than making a living.

How on earth does Canon expect the enthusiasts to stay put when they can't even come up with a half ass answer (so far) to what is driving people over to Sony, or other companies who are making cameras that have technology they want and will use? So that being said "Scyrene" you can keep shoveling all that Canon sand that keeps falling out of the Canon sand box, as people leave to switch over to the other products currently available with options Canon does not have. Someone has to do it!

For those people who replied to this post, and I read their frustration, it's up to you to stay frustrated and wait. Don't buy something because you don't have it, buy it because you need it. At the end of the day it's just a tool, and if you are currently working hard at what you love, you're probably putting out nice work that you enjoy and others enjoy. If Canon is not making something you need for your creativity, go out and buy it if you can afford it.

I enjoy the work my Canon equipment has let me make and have nothing bad to say about their product. I can't even say anything bad about them not listening to the rants about not having certain technology in their cameras, it's their company. Their company that people have invested a lot of their hard earned money in for a hobby, or a profession. It's up to them if they want to keep loosing people. It's up to us personally to realize when it's time to leave.

 

[expatinasia]

Thanks for making MY point. I want a camera devoted to stills. It's what I do for a living in the sports industry. The 4K video means NOTHING to me. As a matter of fact it's just ANOTHER thing to go wrong.

If I want to fry an egg... I'll use a frying pan not a FF sensor in a 1DX shooting 4K video.

I've got 3 working copies of 1DX's now that took forever to get right with repairs. Sure they SPEW oil, but with 3 copies I'm safe shooting 10,000 frames per day and only once have I had to dig into the 3rd because the first two were so BAD you could not shoot. This happened on a tropical shoot in very warm weather and the viscosity of the oil in the mirror box of the 1DX was just a mess. Bricked the first 1DX.. no focus at all... The second got so dirty and the lag showed me it was about to freeze next.... The third body got me through the day. The issue was the tropical heat and humidity.

I'd rather Canon FIX my issues, forget the VIDEO and allow me to buy (2) two 1DX MKII's vs. having to lug 3 around with my 2.8 70-200; 2.8 300mm and f/4 200-400. In the studio we use $200,000 lenses. In the field for sports video it's a $22,000 body & also expensive lenses. MY POINT is that a 1DX serves NO purpose at ALL to "me" with video. I will NEVER use it. I wish Canon would devote their efforts for the 1DX to stills and forget the video. Let the people shoot with the C300's it's not a 240 or 260 fps SONY but it's a platform devoted to "good quality" video. FIX the 1DX... Redesign the mirror box.... Improve the color... Add across the frame cross focus points... Add radio control for flashes and strobes with on camera IR for low light focus... Add "multipoint" AUTO AWB .... Add bracketing of light metering modes.... Add more DR... My batteries last ALL day please don't screw with them... Refine the 6 focus cases... Allow me to wirelessly dump to a 2-3TB portable HD... Adopt a Canon Workflow Solutions Team to work on Production through Post centered on the 1DX platform to include adoption of ADOBE tools that correctly work with the Camera Standard with all of Canon's "A" lenses..... I could go on but won't.... So I'll leave my post saying I don't want or need 4K video on MY 1DX. I just wan the BEST sports camera in the WORLD and I'll pay whatever the price is to have (2) working bodies at all times.

With the problems you have, or have had, you may want to get a fourth!

Have the innovations Canon introduced into the 1D X (over the 1D Mark IV) with regards to video hampered your stills work? Of course they haven't. They just made the stills side of it even better, just as they will do with the 1D X Mark II.

I live and work in South East Asia, some of the hottest and most tropical climates on earth are found here, and I have never had a problem with the 1D X. Only once did I see the heat icon inside the viewfinder and that was when I was shooting video outdoors in 50+ degree heat. I have never seen it shooting stills in such heat. I think we can forgive Canon for that.

My cameras have never "spewed" oil, as you seem to love repeating happens to yours. No matter what the climate or temperature, they work flawlessly. I give up before they do.

I just do not see why you are getting so worked up about them adding a feature, which many may well find useful. The main focus of the 1D X will remain stills, so don't worry.

 

[Peer]

The 1D X replacement is rumoured to remain firmly a stills camera above anything else, and no-one who is planning on buying the ultimate fast stills camera would consider a video camera instead.

If Canon were smart, they'd bump the frame-rate to 24p and advertise it as a 6K burst video camera.

-- peer

 

[romanr74]

I guess we have to ignore those who have absolutely no imagination and no inclination to improve their game ... again ... with the 4K revolution.

Feel free, but I have the strong feeling that Canon does not ignore the ignorant but significant portion of potential buyers that do not crop a 4k image to 180p, achieving zoom or pan effects in post...

People don't crop 4K to 1080p, they down-sample and get increased IQ as a result.

Hear that Etienne, people don't crop 4K to 1080p, they down-sample and get increased IQ as a result!?

 

[romanr74]

Re: Canon EOS

Why is it that every time a new technology is produced, there's a small army of "experts" asserting that it has no value, and we don't need it?

It works both ways. Every time a new technology is introduced, there's a small army of "experts" who say any new product without it is dead on arrival, awful, useless, etc.

The primary reason is simple: fear of the new and unknown.

There is also another reason: new features in a new camera make my camera older (in terms of features) and therefore worth less if I sell it.

Makes perfect sense: I'll no longer walk through my flat in the dark when my dslr features 4k. I'll be full of fear it's going to attack me from behind and chew me up... shiver...

 

[M_S]

A7RII and adapter ordered. Eagerly awaiting to see D820 specs late next year.

Bye then.

sorry? ... happy? ... or just "S***, another one with more courage than i"?

Courage? To buy the product that best meets your needs? Everyone should do that - it's not courage, just sense. Actually, I was hoping that those who flood this forum with negativity do what's best for them and leave.

This is just another form of saying "shut up and go". Really the best way to answer that? Just because he made a point in a forum....where the whole function is to discuss things or making points? I don't think so. Reading between the lines: he just expressed that he is not satisfied with the way canon products are beeing released so he is looking elsewhere. Thats a totally valid point. A cool and valid question would have been: "Why are you leaving?" But I guess it is easier to say "shut up and go".....

 

[romanr74]

A7RII and adapter ordered. Eagerly awaiting to see D820 specs late next year.

Bye then.

sorry? ... happy? ... or just "S***, another one with more courage than i"?

Courage? To buy the product that best meets your needs? Everyone should do that - it's not courage, just sense. Actually, I was hoping that those who flood this forum with negativity do what's best for them and leave.

This is just another form of saying "shut up and go". Really the best way to answer that? Just because he made a point in a forum....where the whole function is to discuss things or making points? I don't think so. Reading between the lines: he just expressed that he is not satisfied with the way canon products are beeing released so he is looking elsewhere. Thats a totally valid point. A cool and valid question would have been: "Why are you leaving?" But I guess it is easier to say "shut up and go".....

Yeah, maybe. But some of the comment just completely and immedately discredit Canon (or others) and I am not sure this is always fair and factual. Yes, the D800 spec list was more impressive than the 5DIII speclist. But for me the 5DIII is a fantastic work-horse. Yes, I would sometimes like more FPS or better shadow recovery, but then when I look at picutres some other people post done with a 5DIII (or a D8xx) I realise the most limiting factor is probably the individual holding the camera, much more than the camera or the camera manufacturer. I cannot help having the feeling that the people bashing most, deal with the frustration about themselfes much more than anything else.

 

[scyrene]

A7RII and adapter ordered. Eagerly awaiting to see D820 specs late next year.

Bye then.

sorry? ... happy? ... or just "S***, another one with more courage than i"?

Courage? To buy the product that best meets your needs? Everyone should do that - it's not courage, just sense. Actually, I was hoping that those who flood this forum with negativity do what's best for them and leave.

This is just another form of saying "shut up and go". Really the best way to answer that? Just because he made a point in a forum....where the whole function is to discuss things or making points? I don't think so. Reading between the lines: he just expressed that he is not satisfied with the way canon products are beeing released so he is looking elsewhere. Thats a totally valid point. A cool and valid question would have been: "Why are you leaving?" But I guess it is easier to say "shut up and go".....

Maybe you've not been around here long enough. Some people have written hundreds or even thousands of posts saying how awful/backward/unimaginative/greedy/lacking in innovation/terrible Canon is. We sometimes ask them, why not just switch to another brand that better suits your needs, and stop moaning? It seems that has happened here, and I replied commensurately.

 

[jeffa4444]

A7RII and adapter ordered. Eagerly awaiting to see D820 specs late next year.

I'm also curious to see what Nikon do with the D620 - it'll likely be much more interesting than the 6DII.

Thats as much in the hands on Sony lets not forget Nikon doesnt build sensors.

 

[jeffa4444]

In terms of sales the Nikon Df has likely been a poor performer likely because of the retro looks / layout and price. But equally because it doesnt have any form of video. Personally Ive never used my former 7D, my 6D and will never use my 5DS for video thats not what I bought them for for others it maybe different.
To me DSLRs are a compromise too far for video Im used to high end video cameras from the Canon C300 up to the Alexa SXT and the layouts, functionality and ease of use are entirely different. Im not suggesting the Canon 5DMKIV is a natural competitor to these products, its not. However as Ive stated elswhere not all 4K is equal and the term alone is VERY misleading.

 

[unfocused]

Maybe you've not been around here long enough. Some people have written hundreds or even thousands of posts saying how awful/backward/unimaginative/greedy/lacking in innovation/terrible Canon is. We sometimes ask them, why not just switch to another brand that better suits your needs, and stop moaning? It seems that has happened here, and I replied commensurately.

I agree. The "Glass-is-half-empty-and-it's-all-Canon's-fault" folks seem to take great joy in seeing everything through the most negative lens possible. Generally, I think the "Glass-is-half-full" crowd (which is by far the majority of people on this forum) are usually polite, if firm, in their rebuttals. But, after awhile it gets a bit tiresome, especially when the same handful of people incessantly repeat the same talking points over and over again on thread after thread.

I fully understand that part of the problem is that cameras generally have improved to the point where there isn't a nickel's worth of difference between one brand or model and another. This leaves an ever-shrinking territory for debate and as usually happens, there is a clear inverse relationship between the insignificance of the topic and the intensity of the debate.

Today we are left with debates over fractions of an f-stop and other, equally insignificant, matters and people must take a microscope to the differences in order to justify their opinion.

 

[gsealy]

I guess we have to ignore those who have absolutely no imagination and no inclination to improve their game ... again ... with the 4K revolution.

Feel free, but I have the strong feeling that Canon does not ignore the ignorant but significant portion of potential buyers that do not crop a 4k image to 180p, achieving zoom or pan effects in post...

People don't crop 4K to 1080p, they down-sample and get increased IQ as a result.

I think he meant that a 4K original video can be reframed to a 2K video, thus achieving HD quality. I would say this is one of the reasons to shoot 4K now. If you are doing documentary work, where it is a one shot opportunity, then the 4K original framing can be off a bit and then adjusted to a better frame in 2K.

 

[unfocused]

I guess we have to ignore those who have absolutely no imagination and no inclination to improve their game ... again ... with the 4K revolution.

Feel free, but I have the strong feeling that Canon does not ignore the ignorant but significant portion of potential buyers that do not crop a 4k image to 180p, achieving zoom or pan effects in post...

People don't crop 4K to 1080p, they down-sample and get increased IQ as a result.

I think he meant that a 4K original video can be reframed to a 2K video, thus achieving HD quality. I would say this is one of the reasons to shoot 4K now. If you are doing documentary work, where it is a one shot opportunity, then the 4K original framing can be off a bit and then adjusted to a better frame in 2K.

As is frequently the case, our friend Dilbert is relying only on what he reads on the internet and not on any real world experience. In fact, cropping is one of the best uses for 4K.

Gsealy, you are correct: re-framing is one use.

Another key one would be post-production stabilization. To stabilize in post Premiere must crop the image to remove the shaky, inconsistent edges and reframe the sequence. Starting with a 4K image would preserve the quality.

I'm not sure what romanr74's exact point was supposed to be, but certainly taking a 4K frame and creating a move that simulates panning or a slider shot by cropping to HD would also be useful.

 

[East Wind Photography]

I think 4K would be a nice addition as long as I could also fail back to full HD (very likely). I shoot mostly sports and wildlife, carry two cameras so I dont have to switch lenses as often and serves as a backup. I am also a CPS member and have had Canon repair lenses, cameras, flashes both in warranty and out and in the RARE occasions where something just goes, Canon has repaired ALWAYS within 3 days. So the Canon bashing is unfounded...especially when you have Sony's that lock up, overheat, brick after shooting in 4K.

All of them have issues. Lets face it when it comes to cameras the grass is never greener on the other side of the fence...the best solution is the right tool for your trade and a good company to stand behind it's products.

For 4K I would like the option. I shoot very little video and when I do it's a special request. I dont need a pro level video camera. If I did I would buy a Pro Video rig. The extent that I've gone has been to use a seperate audio recorder, 4 channels, and used the internal audio just to sync the audio back into the footage. I like the idea of basic 4K in the 1DXII as it will also keep the price down a bit.

 

[3kramd5]

In terms of sales the Nikon Df has likely been a poor performer likely because of the retro looks / layout and price. But equally because it doesnt have any form of video.

How are you quantifying that bit?

 

[3kramd5]

when I look at picutres some other people post done with a 5DIII (or a D8xx) I realise the most limiting factor is probably the individual holding the camera, much more than the camera or the camera manufacturer.

I think it's overwhelmingly what's in front of the camera, not who's behind it or what's inside it

Even many meticulous photographers often can't be bothered to go when the light is best. They just shoot when they happen to be somewhere and hope for some miracle of technology to replace long, low light. It doesn't work that way.

 

[ktatty]

I just want to be in the hunt with nikon/sony sensors- i shoot video with my iPhone.

 

[romanr74]

I guess we have to ignore those who have absolutely no imagination and no inclination to improve their game ... again ... with the 4K revolution.

Feel free, but I have the strong feeling that Canon does not ignore the ignorant but significant portion of potential buyers that do not crop a 4k image to 180p, achieving zoom or pan effects in post...

People don't crop 4K to 1080p, they down-sample and get increased IQ as a result.

I think he meant that a 4K original video can be reframed to a 2K video, thus achieving HD quality. I would say this is one of the reasons to shoot 4K now. If you are doing documentary work, where it is a one shot opportunity, then the 4K original framing can be off a bit and then adjusted to a better frame in 2K.

That doesn't happen nearly as often as it does with photography.

If a movie is shot in 4K, do they 'reframe" it down to 2K? No.

When a movie is shot, the framing is done once and done right the first time. The master is in 4K and a 2K (HD) video is made from that. In the future maybe masters will be done with 8K. When movies like Star Wars are shot, there's no "cropping" of the frame - that would be wasting film and people's time.

Smart people are already shooting in 4K and using it to master HD video - and not for the purpose of cropping.

If you are doing documentary work then you take a professional approach to it and get it right the first time so that minimal time needs to be spent later "correcting" in post. Doing multiple takes is perfectly acceptable and indeed preferred to "reframing."

The knowledge and smartness of some people out there is just plain infinite, respect!