Why buy/own an EOS-1D X ?

[sanj]

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.

 

[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?

 

[Ozarker]

I don't own one but I surely would if I could. I've recently had the opportunity to have 2 separate days shooting with one. The first day was shooting birds of prey with a 300 2.8 attached and the second was at an open range zoo with the 200-400. I thought the 5D3 with 70-200 was quick focus but this thing amazed me with it's ability to quickly lock on to a Peregrine Falcon flying at speed low to the ground and into the shadows of a tree. The bonus for me was that the controls, ergonomics and menus are so familiar from using the 5d3 made it easy to pick up and use straight away.

That is a wonderful photo!

 

[Dylan777]

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

 

[IgotGASbadDude]

^ I could have written 99% identical post. Also went 7D -> 5D3 -> 1DX. Still have the 5D3, but been considering to sell it to fund 1DX2 next year.

Did you steal my password and login as me? I could have written 100% of your post! 7D->5D3->1DX->1DXII (Hopefully) Considering selling the 5D3 but wow, that thing has depreciated big time from what I paid for it . . .

 

[bdunbar79]

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.

 

[MTCWBY]

WOW 3rd shutter! can you please give approximate numbers on how many shoots it took for the shutter to fail on each time.

Mine failed at 216,000 this last August after shooting it for 3+ years. I'm hoping this is the last one because it will be replaced as my primary body by the 1Dx II or 5D mark IV in the next year or so.

 

[MTCWBY]

^ I could have written 99% identical post. Also went 7D -> 5D3 -> 1DX. Still have the 5D3, but been considering to sell it to fund 1DX2 next year.

Did you steal my password and login as me? I could have written 100% of your post! 7D->5D3->1DX->1DXII (Hopefully) Considering selling the 5D3 but wow, that thing has depreciated big time from what I paid for it . . .

I'm on a similar path but behind both of you. I've shot a 5d3 for the last three years for sports and considered a 1 dx but will probably wait for the next version. I rented a 7dII for a weekend of football last year when it came out and was impressed by the speed and autofocus but the IQ wasn't up to what I get from the 5D3. There were times this season where I wished for the extra FPS but this is a hobby and I'd rather spend the 6K once every 3 years instead of jumping on a DX late in the cycle.

 

[Roo]

I don't own one but I surely would if I could. I've recently had the opportunity to have 2 separate days shooting with one. The first day was shooting birds of prey with a 300 2.8 attached and the second was at an open range zoo with the 200-400. I thought the 5D3 with 70-200 was quick focus but this thing amazed me with it's ability to quickly lock on to a Peregrine Falcon flying at speed low to the ground and into the shadows of a tree. The bonus for me was that the controls, ergonomics and menus are so familiar from using the 5d3 made it easy to pick up and use straight away.

That is a wonderful photo!

Thanks

 

[NWPhil]

IF Canon had gone to a 1DsmkIV path instead of the X, most likely I would not have bought the 1Dx
my path: 40D, 5D, 5DmII, 1DsmkIII - 1Dx

why the 1Dx? everything but the high shutter rate, which now will open new shooting possibilities

(surprised no one answered " if you have to ask, then you can't....")

 

[tpatana]

^ I could have written 99% identical post. Also went 7D -> 5D3 -> 1DX. Still have the 5D3, but been considering to sell it to fund 1DX2 next year.

Did you steal my password and login as me? I could have written 100% of your post! 7D->5D3->1DX->1DXII (Hopefully) Considering selling the 5D3 but wow, that thing has depreciated big time from what I paid for it . . .

Don't tell me you had XTi before 7D?

I was checking the used prices for 5D3, and they were around $1600 depending on the condition. Add grip and total 3 Canon batteries and I'd probably get around $1750 or so. Add only ~$6000 more to fund the 1DX2 ;D :'( :-\

I've also considered selling the 1DX instead and keep the 5D3 as backup, the difference would be:

Pros:
-When need light camera for walkaround, I could remove grip and slap some 50/1.4 on the 5D3.
-Get ~$1000+ more money when selling, so that much less money to upgrade to 1DX2
-Real silent shutter
-Magic Lantern

Cons:
-Can't really use for indoor sports after getting used to 1DX
-No real Spot-AF metering outside middle
-No dual-CF
-Less buffer on sports, assuming I'd use it
-Looks less pro

 

[IgotGASbadDude]

Don't tell me you had XTi before 7D?

Haha. No. My first digital was the Nikon Coolpix 8700 circa 2005. Hated it. A few years ago I got the Nikon D3200.

I lucked into a 7D which really got me going digitally.

A couple of years ago I dropped the bomb ($$$$$) for the 5D3. Then last December, pinched and scraped and traded to get the 1DX. OMG. Love that camera! ;D

 

[FTb-n]

Don't tell me you had XTi before 7D?

Haha. No. My first digital was the Nikon Coolpix 8700 circa 2005. Hated it. A few years ago I got the Nikon D3200.

I lucked into a 7D which really got me going digitally.

A couple of years ago I dropped the bomb ($$$$$) for the 5D3. Then last December, pinched and scraped and traded to get the 1DX. OMG. Love that camera! ;D

Full disclosure, my SLR path was FTb-n -> AE1 -> XT -> 60D -> 7D -> 5D3 -> 1Dx.

 

[nikkito]

white balance on my 1DX is way better than on my 5D3. Which is a problem when i shoot with both cameras.
I guess i need a new 1DX (mkII)

 

[IgotGASbadDude]

Full disclosure, my SLR path was FTb-n -> AE1 -> XT -> 60D -> 7D -> 5D3 -> 1Dx.

Oh if we're going all the back: AE1Program -> Yashica 124G -> Calumet 4x5 -> Minolta Maxxum 7000 -> Coolpix8700 -> D3200 ->7D ->5D3 ->1DX

 

[sanj]

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?

 

[FTb-n]

Full disclosure, my SLR path was FTb-n -> AE1 -> XT -> 60D -> 7D -> 5D3 -> 1Dx.

Oh if we're going all the back: AE1Program -> Yashica 124G -> Calumet 4x5 -> Minolta Maxxum 7000 -> Coolpix8700 -> D3200 ->7D ->5D3 ->1DX

Well, if we include non-SLR's beyond 35 mm format, I need to mix in a Rollie 35, a Mamiya 645 1000s, a Canonet GIII QL17 (or two), a Polaroid SX70, an Argus C3 (used), and my trusty Kodak Instamatic that started me on this (expensive) adventure ;D.

Did you hang on to the Yashica 124G? I used one in high school. I always liked that camera -- one of the classics.

 

[IgotGASbadDude]

Did you hang on to the Yashica 124G? I used one in high school. I always liked that camera -- one of the classics.

That camera paid for itself many times over. Yes, still have it. Shutter button needs some repair but I still have all the mentioned film cameras. 8)

 

[FTb-n]

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.

...

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?

Check out TheDigitalPicture comparison tool. To the naked eye, the 5D3 is comparable to the 1Dx through 6400. The 1Dx starts pulls ahead of the 5D3 as the ISO increases beyond 6400.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Comparisons/Canon-EOS-1D-X-Digital-SLR-Camera.aspx

This is consistent with my experience. Below is a shot from the 1Dx (with the 100-400 II) of a high school football game under the lights. ISO 40,000, 1/500, f5.0, untouched in post, straight conversion from RAW under Photo Mechanic. (Image was cropped roughly 50% to fit the 5 MB file size limit.) I can't offer a comparable image from the 5D3. 40 years ago I shot games at the same school, but could only shoot day games. It still amazes me that I'm shooting at ISO 40,000.

 

[tpatana]

Check out TheDigitalPicture comparison tool. To the naked eye, the 5D3 is comparable to the 1Dx through 6400. The 1Dx starts pulls ahead of the 5D3 as the ISO increases beyond 6400.

My shooting it seems 5D3@3200 is about same amount of noise than 1DX@6400.