The ludicrously large 1d series

[[email protected]]

So I borrowed a 1dx from Canon a few weeks ago and enjoyed myself vastly. I also borrowed the 500 f/4 II at the same time, and it was a blast.

In the past, I wondered how people could actually want a camera that large, and I figured that once you had one in the hand that perhaps the benefits of it would make themselves evident.

Well, I loved the frame rate, and I loved the files, but I have to say, I'm still sitting here wondering what Canon put in people's water to make them want to hold what feels like a chemistry text book up to their faces. I was out in the wood and marshes with the beast, so I wasn't able to determine if the combination would - as I suspect - scare small children were I to expose them to it on the street.

Perhaps it's not a question of choice, but rather of how much heft and volume is necessary to house that much electronic stuff, to harden it, to allow for heat dissipation, etc.

I bring this up because I now find myself watching everyone and their brother put up their 1Dx for sale, as they take possession of the new 1dx2. It is sorely tempting to take advantage of the increased supply in the 1dx used market. The price of a decent 1dx appears to be moving below that of a new 5dsr.

I'd sold my 5d3 in order to get maximum $ to put that cash toward the 5d4, but now I'm thinking I could get a 1dx instead. So hear are my questions:

1) Will my perception of the size and heft issue lessen over time?
2) Care to speculate as to IQ comparisons between the non-existent 5d4 and the quite existent 1dx?
3) Will mothers cross the street and put their hands over their children's eyes when I approach with 8 pounds of rig? (Think about that. The weight of a gallon of milk: 8 pounds; and the milk would have a better center of gravity.)
4) This one you need not answer, as I've discovered the answer... Will my wife allow me to carry this rig in her presence when other humans might see us?

Thanks for any discouragement. -tig

 

[Hannes]

You get used to 1 series cameras pretty quickly. Some issues obviously crop up like not being able to use your old camera bag, people looking at you funny. What kind of 8 pound rig are you planning on walking around on a daily basis? If you plan on walking around with a 500mm f4 people will look at you funny but if you are at the zoo people will move out of the way. People will also recoil from the immensely loud shutter, particularly if you have it going at full chat.

As for image quality that is anyone's guess but probably not too dissimilar however I expect the 5D IV would come out on top.

If you are unsure, why not look around until you can pick up a used 1DX at a good price, have it for a few weeks and if it is too much just sell it on at minimal cost or even a profit if you found it at a good enough price.

 

[[email protected]]

I think that's good logic. I just bought high mileage 1dx for about 2800. It'll get here next week. I suspect I can unload it later for roughly same price. Perhaps that'll last me till the 5d4 arrives, if it turns out to be much better.

I'll have the 100-400 II on it most of the time. Throw anything else on, like a TC, flash with better beamer, etc., and you hit that gallon-of-milk inflection point.

 

[GuyF]

I know what you're saying. A couple of colleagues got 5D3s plus the grip and I always thought it looked huge and too bulky but since they bought body and grip together right from day one, it's the norm for them.

When I got my 70-200 f4 I thought it was huge - biggest lens I'd owned. A few years later I then got the 300mm f2.8. Huge! Now the 70-200 seems small. A few more years pass and I get the 500mm f4. Really huge!! Now the 300 seems pocket-sized.

Your perception will change as you get used to handling the gear.

One thing to remember, big gear gets big attention. You can be in the middle of a forest and as soon as you pull out a big lens, someone will appear and ask if you're a professional.

To answer Q4, no. However just say you could still trade her in for a younger model.

 

[GuyF]

If you plan on walking around with a 500mm f4 people will look at you funny but if you are at the zoo people will move out of the way.

Totally agree. It's like having a magic wand. Parents drag their kids out of your way to give you a better view. Clearly you're a pro and their kids are getting in the way of your job!

 

[Mikehit]

I keep telling myself that since I own the 7DII I will not like the 1DX (either model) firstly because of the size and secondly because of the very loud shutter. Very important factors those....very important.....who cares about images at 25,6000...eh, really? Not me...nah...

 

[YuengLinger]

Friend got it for a great deal, but he is about 6'2", maybe 240 lbs, huge hands.

I guess it's big because of two batteries?

 

[j-nord]

It's funny the way you describe it because I had similar experience picking up a 5Diii after only handling my 6D for a long period. I forgot they were noticeably bigger and heavier. I can't image a 1D body for any sort of walk around photography. But, if you want the benefits of the 1Dx you have to accept the size, weight and cost. The same is true of big telephoto lenses.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

While you do get used to the large body quickly, you do not get used to the amount of space it and large lenses take up in your car.

My wrists developed Carpal Tunnel, (I don't blame that on the camera), so I sold mine and got a smaller 5D MK III.

I definitely did not like taking that large body everywhere, even the 5D MK III seems large to take some places, so I take my G1X II.

 

[Refurb7]

One of the best portrait photographers that I know of uses a giant Pentax 67II. Makes great photos and doesn't seem to scare anybody.

But for me, the 5D3 is already a little big, and the 1D series is way too big. I owned several of the 1D series when the 5D did not exist and when the 5D series had just begun. Now the 5D3 offers everything I need; the 5D3 is for me a "small" 1D series in every respect that matters to me. I would only ever buy 1D series for a specialized use, such as where its superior AF is essential. Fortunately I don't have any such need.

Giant cameras really don't appeal to me. The 6D has a "perfect" size & weight for me, but lacks the really good AF of the 5D3.

 

[[email protected]]

I do think Canon is losing a market here. I don't know what percent additional units they could sell, but I wouldn't be surprised if it were several tens of percent. Perhaps it would make for a good poll here.

What are all the Donald Trumps in the world to do if they wish to have a camera that requires large hands? I think the physical requirements of size and weight are only as bad as the "perception" issues of stopping traffic and losing any sense of unobtrusiveness.

 

[George D.]

It's a double-decker bus of a camera meant to be sold to professionals (actually their agency buys it for them) or to people who want to look like professionals. On the other hand if you want to carry around a long tele bazooka lens the camera is dwarfed anyway. Having said that it also depends on what you're shooting. Bird watchers, wildlife shooters, can't do without the bulky stuff.

The next innovation needs to be on batteries. Reducing battery size significantly reduces body size and costs lesser to manufacture (and sell). Multiple benefits.

Concerning the necessity of a larger grip for larger hands, remember the tiny grip of the F1N. That's all you need. The motor driven stuff asked for the grip due to extra size/weight (12 AA/NiCad batteries) and got carried over to the EOS-1/1D lines. Without it grip is no longer required regardless big or small hands.

 

[Al Chemist]

"Chemistry Text Book" I "resemble" that remark! LOL

 

[unfocused]

As someone who is considering moving from a 5DIII (gripped) to a 1D XII, I'm curious about this. For those who have used both styles, is the 1DX really that much bigger and heavier than a gripped 5D?

 

[MTCWBY]

I find people react more to the lens I have on it than the body. And I've shot a battery gripped 5D mark III for the past 3+ years. As for the size, it's not bad and in fact when I shot a game with 7DII I missed having the extra grip size. It sort of felt like my hand was hanging off in space.

 

[Loswr]

As someone who is considering moving from a 5DIII (gripped) to a 1D XII, I'm curious about this. For those who have used both styles, is the 1DX really that much bigger and heavier than a gripped 5D?

I used gripped 5DII and 7D bodies before getting the 1D X. The 1D X is slightly lighter than a gripped 5DIII. The accessory grips bulge out both in front and in back, whereas the integrated grip bulges in front only, exactly like the 'landscape' grip. That makes the 1-series more comfortable to hold vertically than a gripped non 1-series body, to me.

 

[Mikehit]

The next innovation needs to be on batteries. Reducing battery size significantly reduces body size and costs lesser to manufacture (and sell). Multiple benefits.

Smaller battery means lower power reserves which mean AF not a quick on big lenses (a lot of glass to move) and not as many shots between charges. You can't fight the laws of physics. And given the main target market of the `1Dx the payoff would not be well received, I think.

 

[unfocused]

As someone who is considering moving from a 5DIII (gripped) to a 1D XII, I'm curious about this. For those who have used both styles, is the 1DX really that much bigger and heavier than a gripped 5D?

I used gripped 5DII and 7D bodies before getting the 1D X. The 1D X is slightly lighter than a gripped 5DIII. The accessory grips bulge out both in front and in back, whereas the integrated grip bulges in front only, exactly like the 'landscape' grip. That makes the 1-series more comfortable to hold vertically than a gripped non 1-series body, to me.

Thanks Neuro. When I factor in my wallet, I expect the package will be significantly lighter.

 

[Loswr]

When I factor in my wallet, I expect the package will be significantly lighter.

Lol – so true!

 

[yorgasor]

I have both a 1Dx and a 5D3. I almost always prefer the 1Dx, now when I grab my 5D3, there's nowhere for my pinky to go and it feels weird. A lot of my work is in theatre work where lighting isn't always great. The 1Dx handles the odd lighting better, but when noise is an important factor, the 5D3 is all I can use.

I haven't heard how quiet the 1Dx II is, if it has a good quiet mode that will be a killer feature for me!