Is it worth picking up the 1D-X?

[Loswr]

I preordered the camera at Adorama. They are accepting preorders...

Not anymore, or at least, not that I can find.

 

[kennykodak]

i hope that it's worth it, i have on order. i need the low light, full frame, extended focus points and dual card capability.

 

[zsj11]

I preordered the camera at Adorama. They are accepting preorders...

Not anymore, or at least, not that I can find.

You will have to call them. Currently, they only accept pre-order of 1DX over the phone, not online. Adorama set an internal pricing of 1DX at $9999. Of course this is not the price you pay. They will take a credit card authorization of a small amount (not an actual charge) to hold your place. Once the pricing of 1DX is finalized by Canon, you will be given an opportunity to either accept that price and confirm your order, or you may choose to withdraw. Adorama is very reliable based on my 4-year experience dealing with them and will never charge your card until the camera is actually shipped, so personally I see no risk at all to place a pre-order.

I will be shooting at the Olympic Trials and also in London so I will surely need this camera. I called them in early November as soon as I figured out this channel, and there were already more than 50 people ahead of me. Good luck!

 

[kitaoka]

I would recommend spending money on a good class like those held in Santa Fe or other recognized instructional courses. So much of what comes out of your work lies behind the camera and lens rather than the type of equipment you utilize. Sure, equipment can make a difference, but my personal belief is learning HOW to use your gear improves a shot much more than the gear itself.

Like so many other pursuits we tend to focus our attention on gear and that's evident on all forums be they photography, cars, or other hobbies. I taught closed course motorcycle racing for years and was always pleased when students improved their lap times through instruction and practice much more than buying new gear. "Seat time" as we called it with proper instruction may be something you want to consider.

 

[AprilForever]

Of course it's worth picking one up!

But what for?

Why would you use it?

What could it do for you the 7D and hot glass could not?

If so, get it and love it! Treat it well, and feed it gloriously.

If not, there are many other cameras in the sea...

 

[Isaac]

As a wedding and event photographer the 1Dx is definitely on the list. The only problem is that there is a big difference in cost between the 1Dx and 5D3:

1Dx - $7000
5D3 - $3000

Nevertheless both camera's look like they will be master pieces ;D

 

[krakozyabr]

kirispupis: I've read much here about super-high ISO performance, incredible AF system etc... that are the true killer features. Well... depending on how they will really perform at real world in the hands of not canon testers. I think many of you saw high iso test shots that were really amazing and hope they were not with huge amount of post-pro from any of the CS5 guru-people

But you didn't mention digic 5+ processors that are considered to deliver exceptional exposure and color control providing great mid-tone contrast increasing overall image quality. I've read some comments as well as saw some videos from people that say "photoshop is not needed" with 1dx... I don't know how much truth is in their words but... it makes to think of smth

For real... I don't think that AF system and higher that 1d Mark IV ISO performance will force pro-wedding-sports-guys to sell there bodies and go for 1Dx And, besides, they are the target people for that camera. That thing is deeper... increase in dynamic range and accurate exposure may be also one of the key features, and I suppose canon will rely on them when advertising because ISO is not enough (Nikon d3s or d3x has outstanding (read higher) working iso besides, so if canon whats to outsell them 2 points are not enough). If having 5dm2 with working ISO 6400 will you upgrade if you will be offered with the same, but working ISO increased to 12800? I guess not... unless you'll need it now and today or for free.

At cpn.canon-europe.com there is a great article describing both AF and AE systems, explaining many new features that will be introduced and much is said about image and color quality. Al in all I just want to say that looking at 1dx just like at increase in ISO or AF is not correct, but I may be wrong of course...

P.S. Don't blame me for Nikon

 

[waving_odd]

Kirispupis, I don't want to repeat how many good features on 1D X get me excited (read EXCITED) like other posters do on this thread. I just want to share my experience on your following point:

Finally I take a great number of photos travelling. For this scenario I take both the 5D2 and 7D and often have both cameras out at the same time. I typically put the 70-200/2.8 II on the 7D and the TS-E 24 II on the 5D2. If I go through with the 1D-X I would carry only that camera as I would sell the 7D + 5D2. For examples of places traveled to we did Uzbekistan+Tajikistan this year and have trips booked to Dubai and Tuscany next year.

I have similar set up when travelling. 5D2 + TS-E 24/3.5 II and 7D + 16-35/2.8 II. But when I receive my 1D X, I will only sell the 7D. The reason is I don't want to change lenses at the spot when travelling. My wife usually carries the 7D set up for her snapshots while I carry the 5D2 + TS-E primarily for landscape. Both are light and compact.

If you end up with just one 1D X, TS-E 24 II, and 70-200/2.8 II, ask yourself if you are OK with changing lenses at the spot back and forth when you are in Tuscany for example.

Not anymore, or at least, not that I can find.

You will have to call them. Currently, they only accept pre-order of 1DX over the phone, not online.

Neuroanatomist, have you called them yet? I just called but I think they are close. Just want to know about how many people are on the list now... ???

 

[kirispupis]

If you end up with just one 1D X, TS-E 24 II, and 70-200/2.8 II, ask yourself if you are OK with changing lenses at the spot back and forth when you are in Tuscany for example.

This is a good question. Right now I cannot afford to keep both the 5D2 and the 1D-X. I will need to sell the 5D2 and the 7D to afford the 1D-X. There are other pluses and minuses to carrying two cameras, but essentially if I move to the 1D-X I will have a single camera (other than my X10) for about a year.

Right now I am still leaning towards going with the 1D-X, though I really wish Canon would publish some actual full res shots at high ISO and give the camera out to pros who are allowed to blog on it. The main thing pushing me is I for the most part have the glass I want and the items left are all a P2. Even among the rumored lenses (24-70 2.8 II, 100-400 II, 35L, etc) there isn't anything that I would really want.

 

[Loswr]

Neuroanatomist, have you called them yet? I just called but I think they are close. Just want to know about how many people are on the list now... ???

Not yet - I am planning to preorder from B&H. Would be nice to have it for a trip planned for February, but that's not going to happen, so I'm not in a huge rush as my next trip won't be until summer.

 

[willrobb]

Sounds like you are having a dilemma between getting the 1DX and saving a lot of cash.

I know you have the budget for the 1DX, I am sure it would be an amazing camera for you, but if you are already happy with what you have I would hold off buying until you are needing to upgrade and have tested out the 1DX to make sure it actually fulfills your needs.

 

[pwp]

I was very excited at the announcement of the 1D-X and I quickly put a preorder in, but I admit that I am now having second thoughts.
On the one hand a 1 series camera has always been a bit of a 'holy grail' to me and I have always wanted one. On the other hand I am not sure it is truly worth the expense.

If you are able to work effectively with your current setup, why not just sit tight and wait until you can physically test drive both the 1DX and the 5DIII. Put your second thoughts on hold until you can actually assess a 1DX, read reviews and so on. It might seem like a long time to wait, but how fast did the last 12 months go?

Again, if your current bodies are working just fine for you and you really need that long fast glass, it sounds like you've answered your own question.

I put a pre-order in the day the 1DX was announced without any anxiety. There will be such high demand for the camera when they start shipping you could just about auction your place in the queue.

Paul Wright

 

[JR]

There will be such high demand for the camera when they start shipping you could just about auction your place in the queue.

Paul Wright

+1. WHile my local dealer offers pre-order here in Montreal, I still prefer waiting for B&H to open their ordering but I totally agree with you, there will be a demand for this camera no matter what for a few months, so should be easy to sell if someone buy one and change their mind.

We dont talk alot about exposure in these forum regarding the 1DX but for myself I cant wait to try the new exposure system they have powered by a Digit IV! My 5D mkII keeps messing up white balance when ever I shoot inside, and I would not call all these shots low light...

 

[leicaandi]

There will be such high demand for the camera when they start shipping you could just about auction your place in the queue.

Paul Wright

+1. WHile my local dealer offers pre-order here in Montreal, I still prefer waiting for B&H to open their ordering but I totally agree with you, there will be a demand for this camera no matter what for a few months, so should be easy to sell if someone buy one and change their mind.

We dont talk alot about exposure in these forum regarding the 1DX but for myself I cant wait to try the new exposure system they have powered by a Digit IV! My 5D mkII keeps messing up white balance when ever I shoot inside, and I would not call all these shots low light...

@ JR: I used to have slight issues with the 5D2's AWB as well, whenever taking indoor pictures. However, this had little to do with the 5D2's AWB, since the same issues replicated themselves using the trusty Sony A100, Nikon D90 and the delightful little Leica M9. It had more to do with all these new energy saving light bulbs one gets these days. Each manufacturer uses a slightly different colour temperatures and so you will get different colour temperature (AWB) readings throughout a room, whenever different energy saving light bulbs are in use. The best way to get around this is to either switch to manual WB and use an external Sekonic C-500 ProDigi Color meter, to shoot in black and white or to simply fix WB issues in post-production.

 

[kirispupis]

I also have had WB issues with my 5D2 - particularly indoors. Interestingly enough my new X10 does a bit better job in terms of auto WB. As I cannot sell the 5D2 + 7D until I have the 1D-X in my hands several of you make a good point that if for some reason it doesn't live up to the hype IMHO I should be able to let it go for what I paid for it (or return it to the store). I have a feeling I will not be returning/selling it though.

Another reason for keeping my spot in line is I have two trips planned already. I will be in Dubai in early April (though I understand it would be a miracle to have the camera by then) and I will be in Italy in August. Based on looking back at the 1D4 release, I believe that those who placed early preorders at US stores should receive their cameras at the end of April. The camera will likely continue to be difficult to obtain throughout the summer. Stores in Europe and Japan will likely have the camera by early April. In terms of release date keep in mind that they need to release several months before the Olympics. Most pro photographers are not going to depend on a brand new camera for one of the most defining events of their careers. They will want to get used to it for several weeks before bringing it in the field.

 

[waving_odd]

I called them in early November as soon as I figured out this channel, and there were already more than 50 people ahead of me.

I pre-ordered later than you did but they told me there're only 25 people in the line then. Maybe some people cancelled? Maybe my rep wasn't counting seriously... ???

WHile my local dealer offers pre-order here in Montreal, I still prefer waiting for B&H to open their ordering

I also think B&H will get the very first batch first. But AFAIK they won't put up for pre-order on website until they know the stock is coming shortly. My experience of pre-ordering 1D IV and TS24 II with them is that the pre-order button can come and go in split of second!