R1 Reviews

[SvO2]

Whether or not the base ISO is truly 200, it does seem like the dynamic range at 100 is the same as at 200 and more than a full stop less than the R3/R5-I at ISO 100. If they needed to make that sort of sacrifice for the faster readout, it does make me wonder why Canon didn't just go global shutter.

 

[Quarkcharmed]

If it’s actually 200, only a relative handful of people will know (and probably not all of them will care).

The Canon specs state the native ISO range is 100-102400. Bill Claff shows ISO 100 as a pull from 200. He also indicates NR or other ‘cooking’ based on the energy spectrum, but that really looks no different from the Sony a1…except he plots that with circles instead of triangles on the PDR plot, indicating no NR. Let’s just say I’m not convinced the R1 base ISO is 200.

Normally - basically, in all other R cameras - you'd expect about 1 stop improvement at ISO 100 against ISO 200, something like this:


So if ISO 100 in the R1 is native, it doesn't behave like native. As a last resort, we may envisage a possibility the test shots provided to Bill were flawed.

 

[Quarkcharmed]

The Sony A9III has a base ISO of 250, so not exactly unprecedented.

The A9III has a high base ISO because it has lower full well capacity -- half the photo site was occupied by a capacitor needed for the global shutter. Maybe the R1 has similar electronics in each photo site that limits capacity.

The R1 shows almost the same performance as A9III, but without a global shutter:

Photographic Dynamic Range versus ISO Setting

So if we believe the P2P data, the R1 sensor is not an engineering marvel (although the camera as a whole can be brilliant in other aspects).

 

[frankchn]

The R1 shows almost the same performance as A9III, but without a global shutter:

Photographic Dynamic Range versus ISO Setting

So if we believe the P2P data, the R1 sensor is not an engineering marvel (although the camera as a whole can be brilliant in other aspects).

To be fair, I didn't expect the sensor to be any engineering marvel just by the specs. It is a moderate resolution fast read out sensor (1/400) but the core specifications isn't anything we haven't seen before -- either from Canon or from other manufacturers.

I view the camera as a whole as a refinement instead of a revolution. The R3 to R1 update to me feels like the 1DX2 to 1DX3 update (same res, higher fps, better AF, matched card slots), and yes I've owned all 4 of those cameras.

 

[neuroanatomist]

So if ISO 100 in the R1 is native, it doesn't behave like native. As a last resort, we may envisage a possibility the test shots provided to Bill were flawed.

Makes sense. I did notice the lack of a drop in DR going from 100 to 200.

Bill Claff shows ISO 100 as a pull from 200. He also indicates NR or other ‘cooking’ based on the energy spectrum, but that really looks no different from the Sony a1…except he plots that with circles instead of triangles on the PDR plot, indicating no NR.

Worth noting that Bill just changed the R1 from triangles to circles on the PDR plot.

 

[Quarkcharmed]

Worth noting that Bill just changed the R1 from triangles to circles on the PDR plot.

He says there's still some processing applied, just too minor to be flagged.
Some Sony sensors also have it.
The threshold first flagging the cooked raws, as far as I understand, is largely arbitrary/empirical.

 

[SvO2]

He says there's still some processing applied, just too minor to be flagged.
Some Sony sensors also have it.
The threshold first flagging the cooked raws, as far as I understand, is largely arbitrary/empirical.

Yeah he did post somewhere that it's a judgment call. And R5II seems to be similar to the R1 and Sony cameras in question at least at ISO 100.

 

[docsmith]

A lot to unpack from this very thorough review.

Test Canon EOS R1 - Wstęp - Test aparatu

Test aparatu Canon EOS R1 - Wstęp ...

www.optyczne.pl

This does mirror what we have been seeing. Good resolution for 24 MP. Good high ISO performance. It is give and take in performance against the R3.

While I haven’t read it all, it does seem to be an overall favorable review and at least someone was willing to call it a deserving flagship, even with the caveat for photojournalists.

 

[plusnq]

For those interested, a video compilation of wildlife in Costa Rica taken with the R1

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtu.be

That’s some beautiful work.

 

[OldDudePhotog]

I wanted to weigh in and feedback on the AF tracking on the R1. It works excellently when a subject (subject(s) will be track runners for this) is by themselves. The R1 seems to struggle when the subjects are running in a pack and several heads/eyes are close together, though not as much as the R3. For my event yesterday I would use one of the locked options for large group and switch to AF tracking when they started spreading out. I use the control ring to select which reticle and system I use, so it is easy to do on the fly. When the subjects are close together, I put the reticle on the runner I am wanting to shoot but the R1 often searches and selects someone else, usually one that is closer. Perhaps there is a better way to pick the one I want but I have not found it yet.

Edit:
When the subject was alone, the AF tracking could pick them up with complete accuracy, even several hundred feet away and maintain tracking throughout the whole time the runner was in front of me. i wound up having much fewer shots that were out of focus than I typically have at an event like this as I never used tracking on the R3, for a few reasons.

 

[koenkooi]

I wanted to weigh in and feedback on the AF tracking on the R1. It works excellently when a subject (subject(s) will be track runners for this) is by themselves. The R1 seems to struggle when the subjects are running in a pack and several heads/eyes are close together, though not as much as the R3. For my event yesterday I would use one of the locked options for large group and switch to AF tracking when they started spreading out. I use the control ring to select which reticle and system I use, so it is easy to do on the fly. When the subjects are close together, I put the reticle on the runner I am wanting to shoot but the R1 often searches and selects someone else, usually one that is closer. Perhaps there is a better way to pick the one I want but I have not found it yet.

You can use a photo to select a specific face (person) that gets priority: https://cam.start.canon/en/C018/manual/html/UG-04_AF-Drive_0080.html

That is only useful if you’re after a few specific persons and have time to prepare. I’ve added my family on my R5II and it’s doing a very good job of noticing it’s them, so far. I wish the R8 supported that as well!

 

[OldDudePhotog]

You can use a photo to select a specific face (person) that gets priority: https://cam.start.canon/en/C018/manual/html/UG-04_AF-Drive_0080.html

That is only useful if you’re after a few specific persons and have time to prepare. I’ve added my family on my R5II and it’s doing a very good job of noticing it’s them, so far. I wish the R8 supported that as well!

I typically shoot anywhere from 100-500 different people when I shoot these events. Otherwise, this is a good suggestion.

 

[DaveGershon]

I would like to see more sports added to the Acton Priority. Especially by next fall for Football.

 

[docsmith]

Ron's AF review comparing the R5 II AF to the R1 AF. I haven't watched it all, but the net summary, both are very very good and very very similar. But there is a lot of detail and evaluations that he did. I suspect I will be very interested in it, but I don't have time this morning.

- YouTube

Auf YouTube findest du die angesagtesten Videos und Tracks. Außerdem kannst du eigene Inhalte hochladen und mit Freunden oder gleich der ganzen Welt teilen.

youtu.be

 

[SvO2]

Ron's AF review comparing the R5 II AF to the R1 AF. I haven't watched it all, but the net summary, both are very very good and very very similar. But there is a lot of detail and evaluations that he did. I suspect I will be very interested in it, but I don't have time this morning.

- YouTube

Auf YouTube findest du die angesagtesten Videos und Tracks. Außerdem kannst du eigene Inhalte hochladen und mit Freunden oder gleich der ganzen Welt teilen.

youtu.be

Overall does seem like the R1 does focus better, but between the narrower aperture and less contrasty lighting with the R5II for his real world examples, hard to draw a true conclusion IMO.

 

[neuroanatomist]

In case it helps anyone, thought I'd share my R1 menu settings. Most of what's below should be only what differs from the default settings (but I probably listed some settings that are the defaults).

Shooting
1: RAW, no JPG (but set to L 10)
2: ISO Speed settings – min shutter speed Auto +1 (change for C#), anti-flicker OFF
3: Picture Style Neutral with Sharpness strength 1, Auto Lighting Optimizer OFF
4: White balance AWB-W, lens aberration corrections peripheral illumination ON, distortion correction ON, other three OFF, Long exp. NR OFF, high ISO speed NR OFF
5:
6: H (change for C#), electronic shutter, release without card OFF
7: set up Q screen (Drive mode, AF area, AF operation, Subject to detect, Pre-cont.shooting, Anti-flicker shoot, Metering mode, Focus guide, Peaking), metering timer 4 s
8: blackout free display ON (sets display simulation to exposure+DoF and OVF sim to off)
9: Shooting info display: Screen info (1: default, 2: add e-level, 3: everything but e-level, 4: image only, 5: off, 6: off), VF info (1: default, 2: only e-level, 3: everything but e-level), Grid display 3x3, Histogram RGB small, Battery level % display ON, lens info (focus distance when focusing, focal length enable, SA variable amount enable), VF display frame rate smooth, suppress low frame rate not checked

AF
1: (will change for C#)
2: (will change for C#)
3: Case Auto character –1 (locked on)
4: Servo 1st image priority Focus,
5: limit areas to spot AF, 1-point AF, Expand AF area around, Flexible zone AF1
6: peaking on, level low, red; Lens electronic MF Enable One-Shot>magnify

Playback
1:
2:
3: mag actual size, from AF point, maintain position enable
4: switch enable, rate button mic only, memo high quality
5: playback display (1: default, 2: rgb histogram, 3, default, 4-10 disabled), AF point display enable

Communication
1: Network disable, Bluetooth disable
2: (at setup, enable bluetooth, Connect to wireless remote and pair, then disable Bluetooth)
3:
4: GPS enable (mode 2, auto time off, 2 min update, bluetooth remote enable (and pair), then disable until needed

Set-up
1: Record func+card, stills rec to multiple, stills play priority card 1 checked, File name stills change user setting 1 to AA_6 and select
2:
3: Screen/viewfinder display Auto 2
4:
5: C# see below, auto update off

Customized controls
1: Custom buttons and dials, see below
2: Still/movie switching – silent shutter; multifunction lock all unchecked
3: AF area selection control main dial; RF lens MF focus ring linked to rotation degree
4: Custom buttons for playback

Custom buttons for shooting
shutter – metering start
movie – all auto (reset all in Fv)
mode – default
AF-ON – #3, half press metering and AF start, full press switch ES cont shooting mode, H+
smart controller – direct AF point selection
AE lock – move AF point, start by eye control
AF point select – eye detection AF
DoF preview – one shot <-> servo AF
L-Fn – Peaking
M-Fn – switch to custom shooting mode
M-Fn2 – default
M-Fn3 – Direct select of sub to detect
Illumination – LCD panel illumination
Set – default
Multicontroller – direct AF point selection

Custom dials for shooting
main – aperture
QCD1 – Tv
QCD2 – EC
Control ring – ISO

Custom buttons for playback
Rate – Hold to record voice memo
Movie – off
M-Fn – magnify
LED illumination – off
DoF preview – off

Custom functions
1: restrict modes to M, C1-C3 (change after setting up C# modes in Fv), number of bracketed shots 5
2: same exp for new aperture off, AE lock meter all modes checked, shutter/aperture restrictions, AEMA off, FEMA off, no shot limit, no drive mode restrictions
4: Cont. shooting H+ = 40, H = 20, L = 10
5: shutter release time lag shortened

My menu
Battery info
Format card
Anti-flicker shoot
HF anti-flicker shooting
External Speedlite control
Bluetooth settings
(Display from My Menu)

C# settings
C1 – static subjects
Fv mode (with 85L, Av set to f/1.2 and active, Tv and ISO auto, EC at 0)
Spot AF, One Shot, Drive mode single shooting, Subject to detect OFF

C2 – moving people
Fv mode (with 85L, Av set to f/1.2 and active, Tv and ISO auto, EC at 0)
Shoot2 ISO Speed settings – min shutter speed manual 1/250 s
Shoot6 drive L, Pre-cont. shooting Enable
AF1 servo, 1-pt AF, subject to detect people
Custom2 shutter speed restricted to 1/60 and faster

C3 – animals
Fv mode (with 85L Av set to f/1.2, Tv set to 1/2000 and active, ISO auto, EC at 0)
Shoot2 ISO Speed settings – min shutter speed manual 1/500 s
Shoot7 drive H, Pre-cont. shooting Enable
AF1 servo, 1-pt AF, subject to detect animals
Custom2 shutter speed restricted to 1/250 and faster

 

[mmmm]

Customized controls
1: Custom buttons and dials, see below
2: Still/movie switching – silent shutter; multifunction lock all unchecked
3: AF area selection control main dial; RF lens MF focus ring linked to rotation degree
4: Custom buttons for playback

Custom buttons for shooting
shutter – metering start
movie – all auto (reset all in Fv)
mode – default
AF-ON – #3, half press metering and AF start, full press switch ES cont shooting mode, H+
smart controller – direct AF point selection
AE lock – move AF point, start by eye control
AF point select – eye detection AF
DoF preview – one shot <-> servo AF
L-Fn – Peaking
M-Fn – switch to custom shooting mode
M-Fn2 – default
M-Fn3 – Direct select of sub to detect
Illumination – LCD panel illumination
Set – default
Multicontroller – direct AF point selection

Custom dials for shooting
main – aperture
QCD1 – Tv
QCD2 – EC
Control ring – ISO

I’m always hugely interested in this part of people’s set up, hoping to start a trend, I’m going to share mine. It’s very recently tweaked and still subject to change.


Custom buttons for shooting

shutter – metering start

movie – movie / (c1) all auto

mode – OVF sim

AF-ON – #5,
half press metering and AF start (spot focus + people + eye detection checked) full press full area tracking

smart controller – direct AF point selection

AE lock – centred spot focus only, no subject or eye detection.

AF point select – focus and metering, free to use all af point options / (c1) Exposure Hold.

DoF preview – select eye (L or R only, off and auto disabled)

L-Fn – off.

M-Fn – switch to custom shooting mode. I only have M mode and 1 custom Fv mode, other modes are disabled - A few of the button customisations are changed, (marked in this list with a “/ (c1)”. The Fv mode has a minimum shutter speed of 125. This is my oh shit button/mode.

M-Fn2 – switch ES cont shooting mode, H+40fps - normal setting 10fps.

M-Fn3 – Direct select of sub to detect (people and none only)

Illumination – LCD panel illumination

Set – flash firing off / (c1) crop/full frame switch

Multicontroller – direct AF point selection/center AF point.

Custom dials for shooting
main – ISO
QCD1 – Tv
QCD2 – AF point selection.
Control ring – Av

Still/movie switching – default ; Multifunction lock : control ring checked only.

 

[neuroanatomist]

The next wait is for the dedicated RRS L-bracket. Neither the R3 nor the 1D X bracket are a flush fit (close, but not close enough). So it’s the generic BP-CS plate for now. I didn’t bother with their ‘universal’ L plate.

...and the wait is over. No preorder, RRS announced the base plate and modular L-bracket for the R1 today and it is now shipping.

https://reallyrightstuff.com/canon-r1-plates

Looks like they're not selling the upright portion separately as they've done before, you order either the base plate only ($95) or the full L-bracket ($255). I ordered the latter about 5 minutes after getting the email.