EOS-1D X Mark II in Final Preproduction Form

[Etienne]

Yes, I think that you do wait for the decisive moment - THEN spray. At least if you are a bird photographer or other high-speed-action photographer.

Yes agreed. 12 fps has gotten me shots I might not otherwise, such as the ball just on the tip of the receiver's fingers. You cannot time that shot as it's all luck. And increasing fps increases your chances of hitting that. It doesn't guarantee it but it increases the chance for sure.

The writing's on the wall for sports photogs. Frame grabs from High Res video, 4K, 8K, etc, will eventually take all of the guess work out of it. Events will just be recorded while you sip your coffee, scan the results later for the great shots. Or maybe even the great shots will be plucked out automatically by software.

... learn video now.

Agreed although you might not need to learn anything at this rate.

True, an awful lot of stuff can be automated, but somebody still has to set up the automation. The required skill set changes. Demand for video skills will increase before full automation kicks in. But demand for sports photogs, like other photogs, will decline pretty soon.

 

[kaihp]

If the external body has not changed then will it be difficult to hide? I doubt the general placement of buttons will change, maybe the grip a tiny bit, and of course the screens will, but I think they should be able to hide it almost in plain sight if the form is true to the Mk I

If they changed the shutter (and this seems likely to get higher fps), the change in shutter sound vs the 1Dx will be a dead giveaway.

I remember one of the first pro's to have a 1Dx shooting at a press conference got all the other Canon guys to turn their heads and go over to him because they realized he had to have a 1Dx, because they could hear that the shutter sounded different from anything they knew.

 

[robio]

Yes, I think that you do wait for the decisive moment - THEN spray. At least if you are a bird photographer or other high-speed-action photographer.

Yes agreed. 12 fps has gotten me shots I might not otherwise, such as the ball just on the tip of the receiver's fingers. You cannot time that shot as it's all luck. And increasing fps increases your chances of hitting that. It doesn't guarantee it but it increases the chance for sure.

The writing's on the wall for sports photogs. Frame grabs from High Res video, 4K, 8K, etc, will eventually take all of the guess work out of it. Events will just be recorded while you sip your coffee, scan the results later for the great shots. Or maybe even the great shots will be plucked out automatically by software.

... learn video now.

Many events don't allow video to be recorded by anyone other than their designated video personell. The need for sports photographers with still images won't go away anytime soon. NBA and MLS are good examples.

 

[unfocused]

Yes, I think that you do wait for the decisive moment - THEN spray. At least if you are a bird photographer or other high-speed-action photographer.

Yes agreed. 12 fps has gotten me shots I might not otherwise, such as the ball just on the tip of the receiver's fingers. You cannot time that shot as it's all luck. And increasing fps increases your chances of hitting that. It doesn't guarantee it but it increases the chance for sure.

The writing's on the wall for sports photogs. Frame grabs from High Res video, 4K, 8K, etc, will eventually take all of the guess work out of it. Events will just be recorded while you sip your coffee, scan the results later for the great shots. Or maybe even the great shots will be plucked out automatically by software.

... learn video now.

Enlighten me about this. Will these frame grabs be shot at 1/500th of a second and above? My understanding is that motion blur is a good thing in video, because it makes the illusion of motion appear more smooth. Isn't the standard to shoot video at 2X the frame rate? How will high resolution frame grabs stop the motion for still photos?

 

[lourenco]

Yes, I think that you do wait for the decisive moment - THEN spray. At least if you are a bird photographer or other high-speed-action photographer.

Yes agreed. 12 fps has gotten me shots I might not otherwise, such as the ball just on the tip of the receiver's fingers. You cannot time that shot as it's all luck. And increasing fps increases your chances of hitting that. It doesn't guarantee it but it increases the chance for sure.

The writing's on the wall for sports photogs. Frame grabs from High Res video, 4K, 8K, etc, will eventually take all of the guess work out of it. Events will just be recorded while you sip your coffee, scan the results later for the great shots. Or maybe even the great shots will be plucked out automatically by software.

... learn video now.

Enlighten me about this. Will these frame grabs be shot at 1/500th of a second and above? My understanding is that motion blur is a good thing in video, because it makes the illusion of motion appear more smooth. Isn't the standard to shoot video at 2X the frame rate? How will high resolution frame grabs stop the motion for still photos?

I can see the idea with 4K raw video as the ability to cheat. You can an external recorder saving the video frames as individual DNG picture files. This allows you to obtain a much higher frame rate than normal. 24 FPS Or 30fps is much better than 12fps. I cannot see this working for me all the time given I would not be able to use flash. You need a very bright continues light instead, which tends to be expensive.

The bigger concern with trying to take photos from video is you would need to have a global shutter or a very fast sensor. I cannot see panning shots coming out well otherwise.

If someone wants to grab action shots from video, it has to be at a fast shutter speed to make sure there is no motion blur. This as you noted will make the video not look smooth when played, but it will look fine for the individual still frame you want to make into a photo. I would use the dng files for photos only, and I would not make it into an actual video in that case.

 

[GuyF]

The 1DxIII blows this one out of the water, so I'd wait...


;D

Ooooh! Now I want a mk3 too!!! Can't wait for 2020 when it arrives!

 

[tpatana]

So it is too late to wish for:

Interchangable Viewfinder (evf)
36/42mp 5-7fps fullframe mode
18/24mp 16-20fps 1.6 cropMode???
Touchscreen?

Even better:
60M <5fps full frame
15M 4:1 binning full frame high fps
30M 1.6x high fps


I'm not sure about 20fps or such, unless there's best-ever DPAF. Can't imagine mirror slapping 20 times per second, and lasting for more than a week.

 

[kubelik]

So it is too late to wish for:

Interchangable Viewfinder (evf)
36/42mp 5-7fps fullframe mode
18/24mp 16-20fps 1.6 cropMode???
Touchscreen?

Even better:
60M <5fps full frame
15M 4:1 binning full frame high fps
30M 1.6x high fps


I'm not sure about 20fps or such, unless there's best-ever DPAF. Can't imagine mirror slapping 20 times per second, and lasting for more than a week.

well, also doesn't make sense that the speed would go up in crop mode. the issue with maximum shutter speed isn't just the data throughput, it's also about mirror construction (as tpatana noted) and giving the AF sensor enough data to track accurately. I don't think we'll see a 20fps FF or even APS-C reflex camera for many years yet

 

[RGF]

Who needs the 1Dx Mark II when there's the Sony A7R II?

;D

High speed FPS, better build for action (wild life, sports)

Sorry - nearly every day I hear from someone that this or that mirrorless is the god's gift to photographer and that I should ditch my big dSLR and lens and go mirrorless. So I guess I am a bit sensitive :-\

Oh I see, you missed the joke...

 

[RGF]

If only we could have the insider's info

;D

 

[rs]

Yes, I think that you do wait for the decisive moment - THEN spray. At least if you are a bird photographer or other high-speed-action photographer.

Yes agreed. 12 fps has gotten me shots I might not otherwise, such as the ball just on the tip of the receiver's fingers. You cannot time that shot as it's all luck. And increasing fps increases your chances of hitting that. It doesn't guarantee it but it increases the chance for sure.

The writing's on the wall for sports photogs. Frame grabs from High Res video, 4K, 8K, etc, will eventually take all of the guess work out of it. Events will just be recorded while you sip your coffee, scan the results later for the great shots. Or maybe even the great shots will be plucked out automatically by software.

... learn video now.

Enlighten me about this. Will these frame grabs be shot at 1/500th of a second and above? My understanding is that motion blur is a good thing in video, because it makes the illusion of motion appear more smooth. Isn't the standard to shoot video at 2X the frame rate? How will high resolution frame grabs stop the motion for still photos?

Not to mention focusing. I'd hate to watch a video where the AF is snappy enough to get the vast majority of frames nailing focus on a prominent object in the frame... It's not to say that you couldn't get stills style AF with fast shutter speeds and high frame rates. It's just thats called a fast still camera, not a video camera.

 

[jrista]

I'm curious if this is the actual name. I mean, technically speaking, isn't the 1D X really the "1D Mark X"? All the generational marks are in roman numerals, X is just 10. So, wouldn't the next 1D be the 1D Mark XI? Or just 1D XI. One Dee Zee!

Anyway, just a curiosity.

 

[eml58]

Well it does look like anyone wanting a 1Dx cheap will get their wish, I have 2 Mk 1 models that'll be going so I can pick up 2 new ones.

2 5DMK III models to go as well now I have the 5DsR

Isn't progress wonderful ??

 

[that1guyy]

Who needs the 1Dx Mark II when there's the Sony A7R II?

;D

I don't even want to have a Sony a7rII for free.

The A7rII is a very nice camera, unfortunately it will NOT work for sports/action/birding - I have already returned the camera. Focus not fast enough, EVF stops for half a sec with every shot which makes tracking impossible and other issues.

Interesting you made your comment just to tell us that. Troll?

I am interested in the A7rII; will buy when the price is in my budget.

I agree that it's probably not the ideal solution for a professional sports photographer, but for casual use it seems fine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coc2LzjC4VQ

The AF seems pretty fast to me and there doesn't seem to be any lag to me with the lcd. Not sure how many of those bursts are accurate but again, seems good enough for most people.

 

[clicstudio]

I am not a dreamer. All I want is better Dynamic Range. That's all. My 1DX is already great.

Can't wait. I am already approaching the 400K actuations on my camera. I hope it doesn't die on me!

 

[LetTheRightLensIn]

Has anyone spotted it at the IAAF World Athletics Championship in China? I watched Usain Bolt after his 100M win and he was swamped by Canon tabbard sports photographers seems like the ideal place.

Those who are allowed to use it are asked to pick places where they will not be spotted. Canon wants to keep its secrets.

Not necessarily and you can't tell much from a view of the body unless it's a radical form change.
It's no secret they are testing new stuff.

 

[LetTheRightLensIn]

Has anyone spotted it at the IAAF World Athletics Championship in China? I watched Usain Bolt after his 100M win and he was swamped by Canon tabbard sports photographers seems like the ideal place.

Those who are allowed to use it are asked to pick places where they will not be spotted. Canon wants to keep its secrets.

If the external body has not changed then will it be difficult to hide? I doubt the general placement of buttons will change, maybe the grip a tiny bit, and of course the screens will, but I think they should be able to hide it almost in plain sight if the form is true to the Mk I

That was my thought too until I realized the key feature will likely be 9 direct print buttons and that just might show and they don't want to give Sony or Nikon a heads up on THAT one can be sure.

 

[LetTheRightLensIn]

OT: Why do all the posts show up as having 0 comments? Anyone else?

Eventually the number rises a bit, but yeah it always seems to be 0 for a long time and then a low number, rarely updated and usually far off for the last few months.

But whatever, not sure it matters much. Although, actually that's not quite true as it also blocks a direct line to comment forum until it gets above a zero reading.

 

[emko]

Yes, I think that you do wait for the decisive moment - THEN spray. At least if you are a bird photographer or other high-speed-action photographer.

Yes agreed. 12 fps has gotten me shots I might not otherwise, such as the ball just on the tip of the receiver's fingers. You cannot time that shot as it's all luck. And increasing fps increases your chances of hitting that. It doesn't guarantee it but it increases the chance for sure.

The writing's on the wall for sports photogs. Frame grabs from High Res video, 4K, 8K, etc, will eventually take all of the guess work out of it. Events will just be recorded while you sip your coffee, scan the results later for the great shots. Or maybe even the great shots will be plucked out automatically by software.

... learn video now.

Enlighten me about this. Will these frame grabs be shot at 1/500th of a second and above? My understanding is that motion blur is a good thing in video, because it makes the illusion of motion appear more smooth. Isn't the standard to shoot video at 2X the frame rate? How will high resolution frame grabs stop the motion for still photos?

I can see the idea with 4K raw video as the ability to cheat. You can an external recorder saving the video frames as individual DNG picture files. This allows you to obtain a much higher frame rate than normal. 24 FPS Or 30fps is much better than 12fps. I cannot see this working for me all the time given I would not be able to use flash. You need a very bright continues light instead, which tends to be expensive.

The bigger concern with trying to take photos from video is you would need to have a global shutter or a very fast sensor. I cannot see panning shots coming out well otherwise.

If someone wants to grab action shots from video, it has to be at a fast shutter speed to make sure there is no motion blur. This as you noted will make the video not look smooth when played, but it will look fine for the individual still frame you want to make into a photo. I would use the dng files for photos only, and I would not make it into an actual video in that case.

Stills from Video is a dumb idea for many reason, video people shot completely different then a stills person.
One wants blurry images the other does not you can not pick both so the video is either going to be flickering/juddering or smooth. Then you have the compositions video guys use motion and other things for their composition but stills have to work with one frame. Then you have the codec compression vs raw 14+bit images

what will happen is stills cameras will keep increasing in fps especially the mirror less cameras.

 

[tpatana]

I'm curious if this is the actual name. I mean, technically speaking, isn't the 1D X really the "1D Mark X"? All the generational marks are in roman numerals, X is just 10. So, wouldn't the next 1D be the 1D Mark XI? Or just 1D XI. One Dee Zee!

Anyway, just a curiosity.

I was told it'll be 1DY