Why buy/own an EOS-1D X ?

[Ozarker]

Why indeed? It's a valid question. Some people get them just because they can, others value a super dependable work tool and others get them to look cool, which is perfectly fine too. Why not?

But buying a 1DX won't make you a pro photographer, it just makes you a 1DX owner.

There's a raft of reasons people buy 1-Series bodies. They're just rock solid in a way that 5D3 and 6D just don't come near. I shoot daily with 5D3 & 1D-Mk4 and the Mk4 is the winner by orders of magnitude for handling, speed of operation, "just perfect" ergonomics, almost insane levels of weather sealing and long term dependability which is vital in business. The 1D4 has a shutter count of several hundred thousand and hums along like new whereas the 5D3 is now on it's third shutter. It's not an expensive job but equipment failure can cost you your reputation. Previous 1-Series bodies have been retired with 700K+ shutter counts and still functioning perfectly.

The 5D3 was my first non-1 Series body since the original 1Ds. While I love the files I get from the 5D3 in hindsight I wish I'd coughed up for the 1DX. I'll be first in line for the 1DX-II. Once you've travelled first-class it's hard to go back.

-pw

True. 1dx is my first 1d body. The only upgrade path now is 1DX II.

Sure makes that path easier and less fraught with problems, doesn't it?

Another big problem with 1Dx is it gives me 12-14 clean-clear and sharp photos in single full burst. To pick the best of out 12-14 is kinda slowing me down in post

My Sony A7r II and A7s make it easier to choose: keep or delete ;D

Yeah, I'll bet that 1Dx burst rate is a real PITA.

 

[Loswr]

I've been shooting school sports (indoors and out), events, and portraits with the 5D3. I upgraded from the 7D to the 5D3 and found the latter to be an underrated sports body. Still, I was pushing the 5D3 to its limits with low light action. While shooting figure skating in poor light, the AI Servo on the 5D3 can lose focus during a skater's double-revolution jump. For this, and the extra stop of low light performance, I added the 1Dx.

From my experience, the 1Dx offers the following advantages over the 5D3:

- About one stop better high ISO performance.
- 12 FPS is an obvious plus. I don't like to rely on spray and pray, but 12 FPS is the only way I can consistently capture the face of a figure skater during the apex of a double jump.

- Quicker AF, better AF tracking. The 1Dx has more processing power combined with a bigger battery that locks on quicker and stays on track. The 5D3 is no slouch. But, the 1Dx rarely misses. Part of the advantage is that the bigger battery drives the lens a bit quicker.

- More accurate Auto White Balance.

- More accurate exposure metering.

- Manual mode with exposure compensation. Thanks to improved exposure metering, I have more success using Auto ISO in manual mode and leveraging the exposure compensation when doing so. That said, I still prefer full manual most of the time.

- Better ergonomics. A seemingly minor plus, I like that I can select or deselect the custom modes. I often have only one active and toggle between M and C1 with the touch of the M-Fn button. I don't have to cycle through all three custom modes or rotate a dial to do so.

- Great battery life -- although, I've never drained a 5D3 battery during a single day's shoot.

- Makes the 5D3 feel like a compact, "travel light" camera.

The 5D3 is no slouch and still is my preferred body for events due to its quiet shutter and lighter weight. I most often use two 5D3's -- one with the 70-200f2.8 II and the second with the 24-70 f2.8 II. I also prefer the 5D3 for portraits and landscapes due to the extra pixels. But, admittedly, I haven't done comparison shots to see whether the extra pixels of the 5D3 give me a noticeable advantage.

To be fair, if the 1Dx had a quiet shutter, I'd see less need to hang on to my 5D3's.

No.

Oh yeah, his bad. It's actually 1.1 stops at ISO 6400, not 1 stop. But then again, he did say 'about one stop."

Just for factually-based information, the 1Dx has 9.7 stops of DR at 6400 and the 5D3 has 8.6 stops. I guess I'm not really sure why you disagree since, factually, it does.

Any proof?

Yes.

 

[sanj]

Ok, I stand corrected. But usage at 6400 ISO it is so rare that it does not really matter much, to me.

 

[tpatana]

Ok, I stand corrected. But usage at 6400 ISO it is so rare that it does not really matter much, to me.

Good for you.

Rough estimate I've shot >50k clicks this year exactly at 6400. I think 1DX is perfect body for me. (until Mk2).

 

[FTb-n]

Ok, I stand corrected. But usage at 6400 ISO it is so rare that it does not really matter much, to me.

Good for you.

Rough estimate I've shot >50k clicks this year exactly at 6400. I think 1DX is perfect body for me. (until Mk2).

I'm in a similar position. Maybe 40K clicks in the past year, most hover around 6400.

I think a 1Dx2 is a few years down the road for me. I'm not ready to pay $6,000+ for another body. In the short term, with rapidly falling prices, I could be tempted with a second 1Dx. But, I want to see how close the 5D4 gets to the 1Dx before doing so. If the 5D4 is close to the 1Dx plus a silent shutter and anti-flicker, it would be tempting at the expected $3000-3500 price range.

 

[Dick]

If I wanted to look like a dork, 1DX would the easiest (maybe not the cheapest) way achieve that status. I get it if the person using it is a pro, but if some random person is taking pictures of his/her kids playing outdoors, the 1DX is just ridiculously embarrassing.

Why buy it? You really need at least one of the features it has that smaller bodies don't. Simple as that.

I don't own a 1DX nor will I buy one even though I can afford it any day.

The dumbest reason to own an 1DX is the need to have it just because of online forums and the discussions where one can mention owning that particular body. That is like wearing sunglasses indoors. Just stupid no matter who you are (even if you are the CEO of Ray-Ban).

 

[sanj]

Ok, I stand corrected. But usage at 6400 ISO it is so rare that it does not really matter much, to me.

Good for you.

Rough estimate I've shot >50k clicks this year exactly at 6400. I think 1DX is perfect body for me. (until Mk2).

I'm in a similar position. Maybe 40K clicks in the past year, most hover around 6400.

I think a 1Dx2 is a few years down the road for me. I'm not ready to pay $6,000+ for another body. In the short term, with rapidly falling prices, I could be tempted with a second 1Dx. But, I want to see how close the 5D4 gets to the 1Dx before doing so. If the 5D4 is close to the 1Dx plus a silent shutter and anti-flicker, it would be tempting at the expected $3000-3500 price range.

Good then. I avoid going over 3200 with my 5d3 0r 1dc. I suspect there are lots that feel the same. But as you both point out, there are people who shoot at 6400 regularly.. Did not know that.

 

[Loswr]

If I wanted to look like a dork,

I'd say you've succeeded. Good job!

 

[bdunbar79]

If I wanted to look like a dork,

I'd say you've succeeded. Good job!

Didn't you read his name?

8)

 

[Dylan777]

If I wanted to look like a dork, 1DX would the easiest (maybe not the cheapest) way achieve that status. I get it if the person using it is a pro, but if some random person is taking pictures of his/her kids playing outdoors, the 1DX is just ridiculously embarrassing.

Why buy it? You really need at least one of the features it has that smaller bodies don't. Simple as that.

I don't own a 1DX nor will I buy one even though I can afford it any day.

The dumbest reason to own an 1DX is the need to have it just because of online forums and the discussions where one can mention owning that particular body. That is like wearing sunglasses indoors. Just stupid no matter who you are (even if you are the CEO of Ray-Ban).

Can you get good portrait with 85f1.8 instead of 85L II? Do you think it's stupid to pay for 85L II over 85f1.8?

 

[bdunbar79]

If I wanted to look like a dork, 1DX would the easiest (maybe not the cheapest) way achieve that status. I get it if the person using it is a pro, but if some random person is taking pictures of his/her kids playing outdoors, the 1DX is just ridiculously embarrassing.

Why buy it? You really need at least one of the features it has that smaller bodies don't. Simple as that.

I don't own a 1DX nor will I buy one even though I can afford it any day.

The dumbest reason to own an 1DX is the need to have it just because of online forums and the discussions where one can mention owning that particular body. That is like wearing sunglasses indoors. Just stupid no matter who you are (even if you are the CEO of Ray-Ban).

Can you get good portrait with 85f1.8 instead of 85L II? Do you think it's stupid to pay for 85L II over 85f1.8?

If you're not a real pro, you will look absolutely ridiculous and obnoxious with an 85 f/1.2L II.

 

[Loswr]

Didn't you read his name?

Lol, yes. I even alluded to it after his similarly asinine comment in the 'why buy a 5DIII thread' that's now gone (zapped by mods, or more likely the OP threw a tizzy fit and deleted it, he was doing a lot of shouting already).

 

[privatebydesign]

If I wanted to look like a dork, 1DX would the easiest (maybe not the cheapest) way achieve that status.

Hey Dick, if you want to look like your namesake for cheap then just get a 1D for $150, to 99.9% of the population there is no difference between a 1D and a 1DX so you save yourself over $4,000.

 

[sanj]

I thought Dick was a common name in USA.

 

[Orangutan]

I thought Dick was a common name in USA.

It used to be a common nickname for Richard, but very few under the age of 60 use it now. The more common usage is a mildly vulgar term for male anatomy and/or a disagreeable person.

 

[Dick]

If you're not a real pro, you will look absolutely ridiculous and obnoxious with an 85 f/1.2L II.

Most likely true. I got a good deal though, 24LII + 85LII for the price of one of those.

If I wanted to look like a dork,

I'd say you've succeeded. Good job!

Hit a nerve there I assume. In the end, I don't mind looking like a dork. I just don't try to force that look.

The people I mainly see with 1DX bodies are Japanese tourists who also walk around with selfie sticks while not using their precious Canon gear.

 

[Loswr]

Hit a nerve there I assume.

Nope, as apparent from multiple responses you just made yourself look silly (or is that sillier?). As I stated in the since-deleted thread, it sounds more like you're embarrassed by your smaller, less capable tool.

 

[Orangutan]

Hit a nerve there I assume.

Nope, as apparent from multiple responses you just made yourself look silly (or is that sillier?). As I stated in the since-deleted thread, it sounds more like you're embarrassed by your smaller, less capable tool.

I remember that line from high school chess club.

 

[eml58]

I probably should have posted in the first couple of pages, before the thread went off the rails, but.

I Photograph Wildlife mainly, Long Lenses mostly, either in Africa (Dusty/Muddy at times) or in the Arctic/Antarctica (Cold/Snow/Water/Ice), I've used most of Canon's non Pro bodies in an attempt to keep weight down, and a few of Nikons as well, in the types of Photography I enjoy most the pro Bodies, Canon & or Nikon, simply do the job better and with the most reliability, and when your + 1,000 Klms from the nearest Canon/Nikon store, it's mostly about reliability.

The weather/Dust proofing you get on a 1Dx is about as good as you will get today short of an Underwater Housing, the Burst rate @ 12 fps is exactly what you need to freeze a Cheater in flight at 100kph, the ruggedness and drop ability (new word ??) of the pro Bodies is again what you need in a harsh environment, this is a package developed for People that want to get the very best from the equipment in generally harsh environments, it has the ability as well of being just at home at the Local High School Sports meet.

the fact that the Bodies are large is only a concern in the carrying of the said Camera & attachments, if you could get all that the 1Dx is, into the body of the 5DMK III, I'm on the list of buyers, but until that time arrives, I'll continue to use & enjoy the results of the 1Dx, until of course the 1Dx II arrives.

I'm off to Europe over Xmas & New Year with the Family, the 1Dx stays home & the 5DsR + 5D MK III go in the Bag, unless I find out there's an Elephant in St Marks Square, or the Lions are back in the Colosseum, or the Huns are back in Vienna for the Xmas Season.

 

[Gino]

Hi Everyone,

I'm an amateur photographer and photography is my hobby. I realize some of you make a living as a photographer, but based on some of the comments posted in this forum, I think some of you take photography way too serious. At the end of the day it should be fun, and if owning a 1D X gives you pleasure, then I think you should buy one! Cost is only an issue int the absence of value.

Personally, I bought the 1D X because it's just fun to use, and I've found that I can produce better looking photos with less effort with the 1D X.

I can't wait until the 1D X MKII comes out, because, yes, I'm going to upgrade, and buy it....and have even more fun!!! 8)

Have a great day!