CR in Rwanda With The Canon EOS-1D X Mark II

[YuengLinger]

Re: CR in Rwanda With The EOS-1D X Mark II

Did the gorillas in Rwanda last october, with 5DSR, 7D2 and 5D2, here's a little selection:

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=18142910&size=lg

5DSR in these circumstances was just brilliant & produced images that are just out of this world. For me, there's no better body for the job. Paired it with 70-200 2.8 IS II most of the time. For gorillas, the crop 7D2 was great but too tight, better for distant elusive chimps & birds. The 5D2, while still producing good quality shots, just made me want to kill the guy who designed its AF. RIP, it died over there in the rain...

Sorry to say and I don't mean disrespect... But those images can't even compare to Craig's. They look flat, over processed and there are a lot of flat highlights and lack of sharpness... Out of this world? Maybe out of this country... Nothing like the quality of the 1DX II... Again. Just my opinion as a viewer.

This is a typical cynical, demotivational comment on Canon Rumors. Mister Cactus has shared some moments that were special to him. Simply dismissing his efforts was graceless and nasty. It is exactly what stopped me from posting photographs ever on this site, even those where photographs are encouraged. Of course Craig's photographs are excellent - but don't let that spoil the joy of others...

I think part of what happened here is that a sprinkling of pretty rude posts belittling a new camera and its photographer (for not posting complete exif and shooting comments) was focusing more on gear than craft.

That said, the use of the linked shots to try and argue that the 1DX II is a waste, a misfire, a silly extravagance, was, to any objective viewer, a complete fail. Lighting and processing in the linked shots are at best good in a few, and in many unworthy of including in the series. Even the world's greatest photographers are very, very selective in what they share.

The shots in the link tend to document movement and activity without conveying emotion. I've never photographed gorillas, and, though they are in some ways close to human portrait subjects, catching character seems extremely difficult.

Furthermore, we have no way of knowing that the link reflects the work of the poster, so we take it on faith or simply wonder. And, of late, I've suspected several relatively new posters of having multiple user-names, mostly based on their writing style and quick defense of an earlier dubious post. I might just be paranoid!

So, somehow, envy or pricing frustration has turned into attacking the photographer?

The 1DX II is looking to be a great camera for the relatively few professionals who need it, and those enthusiasts who can afford it (and have hands large enough).

This past week, it seems that gorillas in the news are generating plenty of controversy!

 

[3kramd5]

Re: CR in Rwanda With The EOS-1D X Mark II

hat said, the use of the linked shots to try and argue that the 1DX II is a waste, a misfire, a silly extravagance, was, to any objective viewer, a complete fail

Er, to the objective viewer, the linked shots were not used to argue the 1Dx II is any of those things.

Aside from one poster's sarcastic allegiance to Tony Northrup, there is no animus towards the camera.

 

[Daan Stam]

AMAZING photo's that seems like a awsome trip with some awsome gear

 

[gregory4000]

Seriously!!!
How difficult is it to focus on a subject sitting or laying down.

 

[applecider]

Craig where are you posting your pictures, besides first post?

 

[GuyF]

How difficult is it to focus on a subject sitting or laying down.

Answer: very easy if it is inert. Now what if the subject could rip your arms off without breaking sweat if it feels like it? Don't forget, a 400lb silverback can have the emotional stability of a small child.

 

[gregory4000]

How difficult is it to focus on a subject sitting or laying down.

Answer: very easy if it is inert. Now what if the subject could rip your arms off without breaking sweat if it feels like it? Don't forget, a 400lb silverback can have the emotional stability of a small child.

 

[gregory4000]

How difficult is it to focus on a subject sitting or laying down.

Answer: very easy if it is inert. Now what if the subject could rip your arms off without breaking sweat if it feels like it? Don't forget, a 400lb silverback can have the emotional stability of a small child.

Having a shaky hand still should present no challenge for the camera.
I'm sure nearly everyone on this site could focus correctly these primates with a manual lens.
And anyone who shoots young active children poses a much greater challenge to the systems focusing capabilities.

 

[clicstudio]

Re: CR in Rwanda With The EOS-1D X Mark II

Did the gorillas in Rwanda last october, with 5DSR, 7D2 and 5D2, here's a little selection:

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=18142910&size=lg

5DSR in these circumstances was just brilliant & produced images that are just out of this world. For me, there's no better body for the job. Paired it with 70-200 2.8 IS II most of the time. For gorillas, the crop 7D2 was great but too tight, better for distant elusive chimps & birds. The 5D2, while still producing good quality shots, just made me want to kill the guy who designed its AF. RIP, it died over there in the rain...

Sorry to say and I don't mean disrespect... But those images can't even compare to Craig's. They look flat, over processed and there are a lot of flat highlights and lack of sharpness... Out of this world? Maybe out of this country... Nothing like the quality of the 1DX II... Again. Just my opinion as a viewer.

This is a typical cynical, demotivational comment on Canon Rumors. Mister Cactus has shared some moments that were special to him. Simply dismissing his efforts was graceless and nasty. It is exactly what stopped me from posting photographs ever on this site, even those where photographs are encouraged. Of course Craig's photographs are excellent - but don't let that spoil the joy of others...

First of all it's not a cynical comment. This post is about Craig sharing his images taken with a newly released camera and showing what it can do. The only demotivational comment is in fact Mr Cactus', claiming his images are comparable. This is not a contest or show off post. Also comparing a consumer camera like the 7D to a 1Dx is a joke.
Also, since I am not a wild life photographer I am entitled to my opinion as a viewer. I don't have to know details about which camera was used to see how bland those images look. If Mr Cactus wanted to show his images he should have started his own thread asking others for gorilla photos instead of dismissing Craig's. Regardless of which camera was used, the skill of the photographer is the most important part of an image. Composition, the right exposure and the capture of the soul of the image is far more important than megapixels or noise.

 

[clicstudio]

Seriously!!!
How difficult is it to focus on a subject sitting or laying down.

Asking a question like that makes me think you've never taken a photo in your life. Seriously!!!

 

[sanj]

Seriously!!!
How difficult is it to focus on a subject sitting or laying down.

I agree! Not very. They are nice photos indeed but could have easily been taken by 5d2 which does not have the best focusing in the world. My opinion.

 

[ykn123]

Re: CR in Rwanda With The EOS-1D X Mark II

Hi Eldar,
I think you got me wrong. I normally dont post nasty or unfriendly comments and so did not this time. At least it was not meant like that. And i had a smiley at the end to make it look less unfriendly in case someone got it like you in that case.
Also i agree to some extend that a 1DX MI or a 5DM3 or any other fullframe camera together with a superb lens like those used in that case, could have produced images like'e Craigs, IF the camera had been set correctly (metering,aperture, exposure compensation,...) AND postproduction would have been done carefully. Those (Craigs) images might be not the best test images for a 1DX Mark II in terms of that they only can be produced by this camera, but Craigs's images are really impressive just because he did everything right AND used great gear for that. The thread had not been about : this is 1DX MII extreme testing and he posted some extremely nice images of that creatures, taken with the camera he currently uses. Then comments came in about how other cameras could have done this, and especially that the 5DSR could do this (i kind of agree) and some samples had been posted as a proof for this. Now in theses social media (fb and the like's) days, it's very common, that every single image that allows you to at least identify the subject, get's a lot of Wow's and Likes. But it is simply true, that the 5DSR images (not because of the camera) are not as good as Craigs posted images. Some of them are not sharp, they have too little dark tone values (most of them - either wrong settings or too much post production). Yes , they capture some very nice moments and creatures and they are very nice - but posted in this context (to show the 5DSR would be superior) - they just fail to proof that , if you compare to Craig's. My comment wasn't meant to hurt someone, but can't we tell the truth anymore about the images without being called rude or something ???

Did the gorillas in Rwanda last october, with 5DSR, 7D2 and 5D2, here's a little selection:

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=18142910&size=lg

5DSR in these circumstances was just brilliant & produced images that are just out of this world. For me, there's no better body for the job. Paired it with 70-200 2.8 IS II most of the time. For gorillas, the crop 7D2 was great but too tight, better for distant elusive chimps & birds. The 5D2, while still producing good quality shots, just made me want to kill the guy who designed its AF. RIP, it died over there in the rain...

Sorry to say and I don't mean disrespect... But those images can't even compare to Craig's. They look flat, over processed and there are a lot of flat highlights and lack of sharpness... Out of this world? Maybe out of this country... Nothing like the quality of the 1DX II... Again. Just my opinion as a viewer.

This is a typical cynical, demotivational comment on Canon Rumors. Mister Cactus has shared some moments that were special to him. Simply dismissing his efforts was graceless and nasty. It is exactly what stopped me from posting photographs ever on this site, even those where photographs are encouraged. Of course Craig's photographs are excellent - but don't let that spoil the joy of others...

I think part of what happened here is that a sprinkling of pretty rude posts belittling a new camera and its photographer (for not posting complete exif and shooting comments) was focusing more on gear than craft.

That said, the use of the linked shots to try and argue that the 1DX II is a waste, a misfire, a silly extravagance, was, to any objective viewer, a complete fail. Lighting and processing in the linked shots are at best good in a few, and in many unworthy of including in the series. Even the world's greatest photographers are very, very selective in what they share.

The shots in the link tend to document movement and activity without conveying emotion. I've never photographed gorillas, and, though they are in some ways close to human portrait subjects, catching character seems extremely difficult.

Furthermore, we have no way of knowing that the link reflects the work of the poster, so we take it on faith or simply wonder. And, of late, I've suspected several relatively new posters of having multiple user-names, mostly based on their writing style and quick defense of an earlier dubious post. I might just be paranoid!

So, somehow, envy or pricing frustration has turned into attacking the photographer?

The 1DX II is looking to be a great camera for the relatively few professionals who need it, and those enthusiasts who can afford it (and have hands large enough).

This past week, it seems that gorillas in the news are generating plenty of controversy!

 

[Eldar]

Re: CR in Rwanda With The EOS-1D X Mark II

My comment wasn't meant to hurt someone, but can't we tell the truth anymore about the images without being called rude or something ???

Point taken and I have no problem with your reasoning. But truth can be told in many ways. Some as constructive criticism and some as a rude groin kicks. I prefer the first.

 

[cpsico]

Truly amazing shots on every level. It truly looks like canons flagship has hit it out the park!

 

[3kramd5]

Re: CR in Rwanda With The EOS-1D X Mark II

Then comments came in about how other cameras could have done this, and especially that the 5DSR could do this (i kind of agree) and some samples had been posted as a proof for this.

I don't read mister cactus's post as saying "oh yah, the 5DSR is just as capable for wildlife as the 1Dx2 and here is proof."

Rather, I read it as a guy who decided to participate because he too has photos from Rwanda (thread topic subject) of gorillas (thread OP content).

Sure, he said for him the 5DSR was the body for the job, but he was comparing it with the 7D2 (too tight) and the 5D2 (poor AF). It says nothing disparaging about the 1Dx2.

 

[scottkinfw]

Re: CR in Rwanda With The EOS-1D X Mark II

I feel like while these are astoundingly great images, they could have been better. Tony Northrup says the 1DX 2 is not the best wildlife camera and the 5DSR with its 50 MP and the 7D2 with its crop sensor can deliver just as good or better shots.

Still, though, wonderful pictures! Beautiful animals.

Thank you for this comment. I saw the video of Tony with those comments. He did review pros and cons and I was somewhat surprised that he said 5DSR would give much better images. Tony went on to opine that a crop or a 5DSR would be superior for wildlife photography, especially when comparing the 1DXII with a TE. He also wento on to compare images which (imho) showed little differences in iq in a controlled situation.

I would be interested in opinions of CR people?

Thanks.

sek

 

[scottkinfw]

Re: CR in Rwanda With The EOS-1D X Mark II

Did the gorillas in Rwanda last october, with 5DSR, 7D2 and 5D2, here's a little selection:

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=18142910&size=lg

5DSR in these circumstances was just brilliant & produced images that are just out of this world. For me, there's no better body for the job. Paired it with 70-200 2.8 IS II most of the time. For gorillas, the crop 7D2 was great but too tight, better for distant elusive chimps & birds. The 5D2, while still producing good quality shots, just made me want to kill the guy who designed its AF. RIP, it died over there in the rain...

Excellent shots!

Excellent images, but to my eye Craig's images seem to have better resolution!?

sek

 

[scottkinfw]

Re: CR in Rwanda With The EOS-1D X Mark II

I feel like while these are astoundingly great images, they could have been better. Tony Northrup says the 1DX 2 is not the best wildlife camera and the 5DSR with its 50 MP and the 7D2 with its crop sensor can deliver just as good or better shots.

Still, though, wonderful pictures! Beautiful animals.

This is frankly nonsensical. As is a lot of what Tony Northrup produces. I've owned both. The 1DXii is so far ahead of the 7dii, it hardly warrants discussion. As it should be at the price. The 5DSR is not a wildlife camera, full stop. Try photographing a leopard on the move at night at 8000 iso with it.

I have the 7DII, I have the 5DSR and I have the 1DXII. Yes, the 1DXII is far ahead of the 7DII, which it should be, price etc. considered. In low light and for fast action, the 1DX/1DXII is also far ahead of the 5DSR. But to bluntly say that the 5DSR is not a wildlife camera is a clear sign of ignorance. It has less fps and need a bit more light, but when 5 frames/sec is enough and you have normal daylight, it is a fantastic birds and wildlife camera.

I have thousands of shots, of big, medium, small and tiny birds, lions, leopards, painted dogs, birds in flight, elephants, buffalo, waterbucks +++++ with the 5DSR. It is a far more capable camera than the non-users give it credit for. Up to ISO3200, provided you expose correctly, you get very good results. Up to ISO1600 you get great results and below ISO1000 you get spectacular results.
For an ISO8000 opportunity of a leopard I would clearly go for the 1DXII. But how often does that happen?

But according to Tony Northrup you should easily be able to push the ISO on the 5DSR and then reduce the image size to that of a 1DX2 image with better, cleaner, and sharper results!!

Cult following. Gospel according to TN.

You're saying you can't push the ISO and reduce image size later to make a quality image?

You can push a 5DSR image beyond ISO3200. It is remarkably good also in less light than that, but it takes a bit more work in post processing. Having seen what it can deliver, I was surprised that Canon capped it as they did, considering the ridiculous ISO-settings you have on a 1DXII, not to mention a Nikon D5.

To exemplify, here is a snap of The Local Lion, at ISO6400. Only edit it is Highlight -25 and NR Luminance 30.

5DSR, 100-400 f4.5-5.6L IS II

Eldar to me this lacks sharpness, crispness, that I a saw with Craig's 1DXII.

 

[scottkinfw]

...though we did have some luck and could have easily been shooting with a 24-70.

Indeed...my wife and I were there about 10 years ago, lucked out by drawing the best-habituated Susa Group (of Dian Fossey fame) for our first trip up the volcano. Or maybe it wasn't luck, the night before our local guide brought his friend around for a beer with us – his friend was the head of the Rwandan National Park Service. Regardless, we did get quite close...

One of the adult females even rested her hand on my wife's shoulder as she walked past us.

Here's one more from that day...

Beautiful shots, and no 5DSR or 1DX

 

[Eldar]

Re: CR in Rwanda With The EOS-1D X Mark II

I feel like while these are astoundingly great images, they could have been better. Tony Northrup says the 1DX 2 is not the best wildlife camera and the 5DSR with its 50 MP and the 7D2 with its crop sensor can deliver just as good or better shots.

Still, though, wonderful pictures! Beautiful animals.

Thank you for this comment. I saw the video of Tony with those comments. He did review pros and cons and I was somewhat surprised that he said 5DSR would give much better images. Tony went on to opine that a crop or a 5DSR would be superior for wildlife photography, especially when comparing the 1DXII with a TE. He also wento on to compare images which (imho) showed little differences in iq in a controlled situation.

I would be interested in opinions of CR people?

Thanks.

sek

I have all three cameras. The 7DII can only compete with the others when you have to crop significantly and you are shooting in good light. For everything else, the 1DXII and 5DSR are superior cameras.

To get any benefit from the high resolution of the 5DSR, you need to control camera shake and I think it is fair to say that you lose one stop because you need a faster shutter speed. As I showed earlier in this thread, the 5DSR can produce very high quality images, also at ISO12800. However, that is as high as you´ll get. And adding the issue of shutter speed, it is clear that the 1DXII has a significant advantage here. Both of these cameras have a better noise structure than any previous Canon SLR, so I find it easier to handle in post processing. Dynamic range is in my view very close between the two, with a small advantage to the 1DXII.

The AF system on the 5DSR is fantastic and, compared to the 1DX, it is difficult to tell the difference. However, the 1DXII took AF to another level. So in difficult light and/or when things are going very fast, the 1DXII is a far more capable camera.

In most situations I find 5 fps to be more than sufficient. But quite often I find myself in situations where I need more and with the 1DXII (and 1DX before that) I have everything I need. I would also add that the ergonomics and total package you get with a 1DXII is in my view the best you can get anywhere. I have commented before that, even though I know it is only a 2MP increase from the 1DX, it feels like more. There must be something with the quality of each pixel that gives that extra quality feel.

So summing up, the 7DII is a low cost and very capable camera, but it does not really compete with the other two. In good/decent light, where 5 fps is sufficient, I am willing to agree with Tony Northrup, that you can get better results with the 5DSR. So it is up to each individual to consider if this is a valid argument for them. But if I had to choose just one camera, I´d choose the 1DXII every time. I am lucky to have both and I carry both almost all the time, getting the best of both worlds. The 7DII has become my wife´s camera, with a 16-300mm zoom more or less permanently attached.