Thoughts on the New EOS-1D X Firmware 1.1.1

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Canon Rumors

Who Dey
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Jul 20, 2010
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<strong>Red AF Point Illumination…..


</strong>…. sort of.</p>
<p>Canon did a great thing and listened to the wishes of their customers, and spent some considerable time changing the way the AF point illumination worked on the EOS-1D X in AI Servo. Instead of a solid red illumination like the EOS-1D Mark IV, we now get a blinking AF point. Why does it blink instead of being solid? It probably has something to do with metering. While the blinking AF point is a new thing for all of us, I think we’ll get used to it in no time. I may actually take this camera over the 1D4 for lowlight shooting and birding.</p>
<p><strong>My preferred new settings for the EOS-1D X</strong></p>
<p><em>Menu > AF5 > AF Status in viewfinder > Show outside of frame</em>

I do this because the blinking “AF” graphic in the viewfinder is quite distracting</p>
<p><em>Menu > AF5 > VF Display illumination > Enable: On > Q > Illuminated: Normal</em>

I found the “Brighter” setting to be a bit distracting this AM while shooting some avian creatures. I will probably add this setting to “My Menu”, just in case there’s a situation where the brighter point is needed.</p>
<p><strong>f/8


</strong>I haven’t had the chance to try it out yet, I have an EF 800 f/5.6L IS at home, however there are no teleconverters here. I hope to get out this evening in the yard and do some shooting with a 1.4x TC.</p>
<p><strong>EF70-300 f/4-5.6L IS supported with a teleconverter?


</strong>f/8 support with the EF 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS! Yes, Canon has put this lens on the list of lenses that are supported now. As most of you know, mounting a TC to the EF 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS is mostly not possible. However, if you zoom the lens to about 250mm, the rear element retracts enough inside the lens to mount a 1.4TC. I would only recommend doing this as a last resort. If I did put a 1.4TC on the 70-300L, I would put it right to 300mm and not move it from there. I’ll give that a go tonight and see how it goes. As most of you know, <a href="http://www.canonrumors.com/reviews/ef-70-300-f4-5-6l-is-review/" target="_blank">I love the EF 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS</a>.</p>
<p><strong>What about my EOS 5D Mark III?


</strong>It may not be as simple as just updating the firmware in the same way. If you remember the <a href="http://www.birdsasart-blog.com/2012/08/30/mega-amazing-discovery-800-f5-6-1-4x-tc-canon-eos-1dx/" target="_blank">story about getting f/8 to work on the EOS-1D X with a Kenko teleconverter</a>, Arthur Morris was unable to make the EOS 5D Mark III do the same thing with the exact same teleconverter. The fact that Canon hasn’t updated both cameras at the same time tells me there are indeed differences in the AF systems. I am reminded only the EOS-1 line has ever had f/8 autofocus, so it may not be something that gets added to the 5D Mark III anyway.</p>
<p>The red AF points in AI Servo mode, I’d wager we’ll be seeing it in the EOS 5D Mark III in the near future.</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">c</span>r</strong></p>
 
In one of the original articles, its said there were three modes to chosese from: Brighter, Normal, Non-Illuminated. I don't have a 1DX :( so I don't know for sure, but it appears the answer to your question is YES.

-Brian
 
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Is the blink rate fast enough for action work?

I'm told the blink rate in AI Servo mode is half-second on, half-second off.

Do you find this adequate for tracking a small, fast-moving subject?
 
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Re: Is the blink rate fast enough for action work?

Cyrano said:
I'm told the blink rate in AI Servo mode is half-second on, half-second off.

Do you find this adequate for tracking a small, fast-moving subject?

The blinking is irregular on mine, it's a bit more annoying than if it was consistent...
 
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I had no problem using the Kenko ?TC / 100-400mmL with AF at F/8 on my 5D MK III and even on my 10D. However, the TC dies before I could do a AFMA or extensive testing. Its going back today while I wait to see if Canon modifies the 5D MK III. If Not, I'll pickup another Kenko next spring, or at Christmas sales.
 
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Re: Is the blink rate fast enough for action work?

Cyrano said:
The blinking is irregular on mine, it's a bit more annoying than if it was consistent...
That's not good.
Can you describe the irregularity? Is there any pattern to the on/off rate?

The "blinking" on mine is refocusing... each time it achieves focus it "blinks", which for AI Servo is all the time if you're moving at all... which is what it's supposed to do... I'm coming off of 2 1/2 years with 7Ds so this function turned off works for me... I might try it for night football but...
 
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Re: Is the blink rate fast enough for action work?

instaimage said:
The "blinking" on mine is refocusing... each time it achieves focus it "blinks", which for AI Servo is all the time if you're moving at all... which is what it's supposed to do...

Does this have the effect of making the AF point blink on/off very rapidly -- more rapidly than "half-second on, half-second off"?
 
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Has this firmware update (or any of the earlier ones) addressed the reported link between turning on the orientation linked AF points and "activation" of the AFMA bug? Specifically, it was reported right after the release of the 1DX that turning on orientation linked AF points could trigger a problem with AFMA settings not being retained. Consequently, I have not turned on that feature.

I would like to turn on orientation linked AF points, but have been able to live without them.

Anyone know if this issue was legit and/or if it has been corrected by any of the firmware upgrades? I haven't seen it mentioned directly.
 
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This is off-topic, but since he mentions using TC on unsupported lenses, the following works for me:

for decent macro:
50mm f/1.4 with 12mm extension tube and 2xTC.

Attach the TC to the body, then attach extension tube, then attach 50 mm (make sure to set focus to close first. other lenses may also work)

Macro results are not bad!
 
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Re: Is the blink rate fast enough for action work?

instaimage said:
The "blinking" on mine is refocusing... each time it achieves focus it "blinks", which for AI Servo is all the time if you're moving at all... which is what it's supposed to do... I'm coming off of 2 1/2 years with 7Ds so this function turned off works for me... I might try it for night football but...

Not sure that's the whole story - it blinks when focusing with the lens cap on, and in that case it's clearly never achieving focus.
 
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Im sorry if this sounds whiney but, Canon sure seems to drag their heels with the 5dm3...The 7d gets firmware almost every half year, don't quote me on that...I just don't understand when they have the tech to make changes and they are focussed on the next thing before finishing what they started. I have missed several shots at receptions do to a changed situation meaning the next i failed with the focus point. Now id like to think i never miss but i guess i have relied on that blink to tell me if the first shot didn't cut it and that i need a second shot. Well half happy for the 1dx crowd, half unhappy for them since they have to have servo on to use it. I shoot single shot for weddings and only occasionally hit the dof button for servo. If they don't take it all the way with the 5dm3 i'll be pretty disappointed. Still i realize i need to adapt it just more of a challenge since the 1dm3 i second body shoot with gives me what i want, on the 5dm3 doesn't nothing visual pre-shot unless i have time to reach up for confirmation.
 
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Bosman said:
Im sorry if this sounds whiney but, Canon sure seems to drag their heels with the 5dm3...The 7d gets firmware almost every half year, don't quote me on that...I just don't understand when they have the tech to make changes and they are focussed on the next thing before finishing what they started. I have missed several shots at receptions do to a changed situation meaning the next i failed with the focus point. Now id like to think i never miss but i guess i have relied on that blink to tell me if the first shot didn't cut it and that i need a second shot. Well half happy for the 1dx crowd, half unhappy for them since they have to have servo on to use it. I shoot single shot for weddings and only occasionally hit the dof button for servo. If they don't take it all the way with the 5dm3 i'll be pretty disappointed. Still i realize i need to adapt it just more of a challenge since the 1dm3 i second body shoot with gives me what i want, on the 5dm3 doesn't nothing visual pre-shot unless i have time to reach up for confirmation.

7D owners were pretty peeved a couple of years ago when the 5DII got a firmware update that gave us manual audio, and some other goodies, well-before the 7D. So I doubt that Canon will ignore the 5DIII.
 
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Canon Rumors said:
The fact that Canon hasn’t updated both cameras at the same time tells me there are indeed differences in the AF systems.

I think that's a little naive. I think it is actually much more likely, despite it being technically possible, that they would leave out f/8 autofocus on the 5D Mark III to differentiate it from the 1DX so they will get more 1DX sales. My only hope as a 5D Mark III owner is that the fact that the Nikon D800 has this feature will lead Canon to (reluctantly) add it. Competition is good!
 
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Re: Is the blink rate fast enough for action work?

Cyrano said:
instaimage said:
The "blinking" on mine is refocusing... each time it achieves focus it "blinks", which for AI Servo is all the time if you're moving at all... which is what it's supposed to do...

Does this have the effect of making the AF point blink on/off very rapidly -- more rapidly than "half-second on, half-second off"?

Yes, they blink every time the camera achieves focus so if you're moving or the subject is moving (hence why you use AI Servo...) it blinks...
 
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There is more to this blinking than is normal. My wife's IDX performs perfectly & just blinks once when focus is achieved.
Mine however blinks constantly, less brightly & even when I don't have my finger on the shutter button.
 
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