Canon 1DX - Official Owners Thread

[jonneymendoza]

Sorry but the 1 dx has a single digic 4 processor JUST for the AF. The 5DMk III does not, so AF is faster and more accurate in the 1dx; I read reviews too. What I want is advice from pros who actually use the camera.

The people who review it are pros?

Look i am not saying the 1DX is not better then a 5d3. it is but not by a HUGE margin is what i am trying to make a point.

All i am saying is that a 5d3 is a awsome camera and carries "some" of the traits from a 1dx.

 

[Tugster]

I use both bodies when shooting sport. I use each body on different lenses, sometime the 5d3 on the 400mm 2.8is mk2 and sometimes on the 70-200 2.8is mk2. I put the 1DX on the other lens. I find that the focus speed on the 1DX to be much quicker than the 5D3, however saying that, I also find that the 5D3 focus to be better then the two MKIV's that I used to have before the 5D3/1DX combo. The tracking abillity on both bodies is really good but again I find that the 1DX edges it.The colours are great from both bodies, this is also the same for each of the two lenses.

I did consider 2 5D3's over the 5D3/1DX Combo, but I bought the 5D3 first and used it for sportshooting, I quickly realised that the Frame rate was too slow and that I needed the higher FPS that the 1DX offered.

I've still not mastered all the AF/Tracking combinations of the 1DX but from what i have experienced so far, i made the right decision to purchase the 1DX. The 5D3 comes into its own for wedding and social shooting as its much lighter to lug around all day.

I have read loads of the reviews and occasionally I go back and read them again if I have discovered something new about each of the bodies, but I always take the reviews with a pinch of salt as i do not know who is paying the reviewer for their observations

 

[George]

I think Tug has really answered the points very well and he has the advantage of having experience with both bodies, my experience of the mk3 is limited to a few hours.
Just wish he was so sensible about polarising filters!!!

I am seriously considering selling my 7D and getting a 5D3 as a back up, however I will wait till I see what the 7D2 is like first.

I think the real difference comes in to it's own in sports and wildlife and it depends on how your overall photography is weighted, only you can answer that!

You really can't make a decision based on reviews and specs and I hope our comments have helped.

Let us know, either will be excellent!!

George.

 

[Platslee]

Many thanks everyone. I will go for the 1DX (and the 70-200 2.8). I am sure I would love the MkIII to bits (I love my MkII!) but I reckon I have a once in a lifetime opportunity to buy the very best Canon make and whatever I shoot; wildlife, studio, macro, landscape the 1DX will give me the chance to test my limitations, not the cameras! Like Cosmica says, if I don't buy the 1DX I will always wonder "What if..."

 

[Tugster]

I think Tug has really answered the points very well and he has the advantage of having experience with both bodies, my experience of the mk3 is limited to a few hours.
Just wish he was so sensible about polarising filters!!!

I am seriously considering selling my 7D and getting a 5D3 as a back up, however I will wait till I see what the 7D2 is like first.

I think the real difference comes in to it's own in sports and wildlife and it depends on how your overall photography is weighted, only you can answer that!

You really can't make a decision based on reviews and specs and I hope our comments have helped.

Let us know, either will be excellent!!

George.

Is the 7D2 a real camera or is it just a big want from everyone. If it is to come to fruition George, it could be hell of a second body for the 1DX.

Especially if they keep the crop format.

I'm still pondering over the Filter too George..

 

[George]

Well, it'll have to come out sometime, Tug (7D2) and the rumours seem to suggest later in the year...but then I've also heard that it may not be till next year....who knows?
I think they overdid the pixels on the 7D, but no point in going down that discussion.
I agree, would be a good combo.
Stuart, you won't be sorry, is it a mk2 70-200?...that works exceptionally well with a 1.4 mk3 extender on the Dx. AF is still super quick, much faster than I'd expected.

 

[Platslee]

George, yes, mkii swap with my f4 is!

 

[George]

You'll enjoy that lot, Stuart, and do remember my comment re the x1.4, even the x2 is pretty good on that combo, but I calibrated the lot with FoCal.
George.

 

[bigrob]

Is the 7D2 a real camera or is it just a big want from everyone. If it is to come to fruition George, it could be hell of a second body for the 1DX.

If it comes hopefully it will be MUCH better at higher ISO than the 7D.

 

[IGADIZ]

Many thanks everyone. I will go for the 1DX (and the 70-200 2.8). I am sure I would love the MkIII to bits (I love my MkII!) but I reckon I have a once in a lifetime opportunity to buy the very best Canon make and whatever I shoot; wildlife, studio, macro, landscape the 1DX will give me the chance to test my limitations, not the cameras! Like Cosmica says, if I don't buy the 1DX I will always wonder "What if..."

Alternately, if it is the best canon has to offer that you are after.... Wait and see what comes of THIS

 

[Platslee]

Ha Ha, Nice post Igadiz, 46.1 MP! But to be honest, for me, so what! I do not need 46MP, neither do I need even 36MP in a Canon to compete with the D800. How many of use all that resolution? I barely scratch the surface of the resolution of my MkII; the largest I print is A3 and the odd larger print on canvas. I do not do high fashion or adverts for billboards. I think most images now are viewed on screen. 18 very good MP in a RAW file at 12fps is more than enough for me!!

 

[jamesLglass]

well as well as me dropping a 600 ex-rt into loch lomond at the weekend i also had my 1st error 80 just before that happened i turned it off the red busy or working light stayed lit i turned it on and it was still err 80 so i pulled the battery and that fixed it but what is causing this issue?

 

[IGADIZ]

Ha Ha, Nice post Igadiz, 46.1 MP! But to be honest, for me, so what! I do not need 46MP, neither do I need even 36MP in a Canon to compete with the D800. How many of use all that resolution? I barely scratch the surface of the resolution of my MkII; the largest I print is A3 and the odd larger print on canvas. I do not do high fashion or adverts for billboards. I think most images now are viewed on screen. 18 very good MP in a RAW file at 12fps is more than enough for me!!

But that's because is not yet out in the wild... Once it is, pixel fever will take hold of you. Cold sweats, uncontrollable shivers and spasmodic contortions will set in quickly. Ultimately, megapixel nirvana will be all you can think about and like many, you will engage in the now ritualistic pilgrimage to your local Canon dealer.
Resistance will be futile.

 

[Tugster]

What are you smoking Ivan ?

 

[nigpd]

What are you smoking Ivan ?

I'd like what he's having

 

[EMA747]

To anyone who owns a 1Dx and 5D3 how noticeable is the difference in size and weight in reality? I keep getting tempted to buy a 5D3 for use when out of the country but I wonder if the difference is size is really worth the extra cost. There is only one camera shop in Nottingham now and they don't seem to have a demo 5D3 so I can't really get a chance to compare them myself.

Given the current cashback and the fact I am going to Slovenia in a few weeks now seems the ideal time to do it if I was going to. Or maybe some more glass would be better.

 

[bigrob]

Andy the difference to is considerable.

 

[George]

What are you smoking Ivan ?

Nah, he's on the bottle again....

 

[George]

Andy the difference to is considerable.

Very considerable, unless of course you have a battery pack on it.

 

[bigrob]

But that's because is not yet out in the wild... Once it is, pixel fever will take hold of you. Cold sweats, uncontrollable shivers and spasmodic contortions will set in quickly. Ultimately, megapixel nirvana will be all you can think about and like many, you will engage in the now ritualistic pilgrimage to your local Canon dealer.
Resistance will be futile.

We are all Measurebators

 

[EMA747]

Very considerable, unless of course you have a battery pack on it.

I thought that might be the case. One other major drawback of the 1Dx is that it looks the part and I often feel too much like someone is about to mug me when I use it. It's not an issue when I'm getting paid but on holidays I find myself not getting it out as much due to safety fears. I guess a 5D3 would be much more unobtrusive. Then again if you hit a b****r with a 1Dx you might end up killing them.

 

[George]

I thought that might be the case. One other major drawback of the 1Dx is that it looks the part and I often feel too much like someone is about to mug me when I use it. It's not an issue when I'm getting paid but on holidays I find myself not getting it out as much due to safety fears. I guess a 5D3 would be much more unobtrusive. Then again if you hit a b****r with a 1Dx you might end up killing them.

My most violent act with a camera was to tap a far too inquisitive fur seal on the nose with a 100-400 at full extension in South Georgia, but it did persuade him to back off.
Rules are don't go closer than 5 m to the wildlife, however this one obviously hadn't been to school....!!

 

[Canon Bob]

I really don't think that your average mugger would know the relative values of a 1Dx and a gripped 350D, Andy. If it's going to happen, it'll happen and the SRP of the body will have little bearing on the outcome.

Bob

 

[Tugster]

My most violent act with a camera was to tap a far too inquisitive fur seal on the nose with a 100-400 at full extension in South Georgia, but it did persuade him to back off.
Rules are don't go closer than 5 m to the wildlife, however this one obviously hadn't been to school....!!

What were you doing down there George ? We're you part of the survey team ?

 

[George]

What were you doing down there George ? We're you part of the survey team ?

Was about 6 years ago, Tug, (BTW polarising filter essential with the reflections etc....!!!!) on a 21 day trip from Ushuia in Pategonia to the Falklands, South Georgia, then Elephant island etc (basically Shackleton's route in reverse) back to the Peninsula and down as far as Port Lockroy, if that means anything!!..with many landings as we were on a small boat.

It was partly inspired by slides of S. Georgia which I saw in the 60's, taken by a climbing pal of mine who did a lot of the 1st ascents there, and quite a few of my friends were on FIDS which became BAS (British Antarctic Survey) and were down there for extended periods, many over wintering.

Although I have done quite a bit of travelling around the world, South Georgia is without doubt the most interesting, wild and scenic place I've ever been to....250,000 penguins on a beach with elephant seals, fur seals etc os quite a sight, not to mention the smell!!

Have you been there?..it's brilliant.

George.

 

[NFI]

The dimensions difference between a 1D body and a 5D one is certainly evident, I can put the 5d in my compact lowepro bag, while i couldn't fit the 1d inside, apart from that the weight difference didn't bother me much, but when I'm not working I'm always using the 5d.

btw I'm new to the 1dx, anybody here transfer the images from the camera to a laptop with the ethernet port? What is the best mode to use for it? I can't figure out how do I need to setup the camera.

 

[George]

btw I'm new to the 1dx, anybody here transfer the images from the camera to a laptop with the ethernet port? What is the best mode to use for it? I can't figure out how do I need to setup the camera.

I always use a card reader!

 

[Tugster]

Was about 6 years ago, Tug, (BTW polarising filter essential with the reflections etc....!!!!) on a 21 day trip from Ushuia in Pategonia to the Falklands, South Georgia, then Elephant island etc (basically Shackleton's route in reverse) back to the Peninsula and down as far as Port Lockroy, if that means anything!!..with many landings as we were on a small boat.

It was partly inspired by slides of S. Georgia which I saw in the 60's, taken by a climbing pal of mine who did a lot of the 1st ascents there, and quite a few of my friends were on FIDS which became BAS (British Antarctic Survey) and were down there for extended periods, many over wintering.

Although I have done quite a bit of travelling around the world, South Georgia is without doubt the most interesting, wild and scenic place I've ever been to....250,000 penguins on a beach with elephant seals, fur seals etc os quite a sight, not to mention the smell!!

Have you been there?..it's brilliant.

George.

I was in the Navy George, I flew into Bird Island where the BAS team were working on Fur Seals and Albatross behaviour. I was very lucky to be part of the flight in as no ships were allowed in the area due to the conservation implications. I did Grytviken, Stromness Whaling station and several other stops. I have to admit. it is one of the best places I've been to. Sat in the middle of an Albatross breeding area is something else. Oh the days of film..lol.. I also worked with the RAF photographers on the Falklands, That was also very interesting.

Anyway ...Back on topic..sorry to abuse the thread.

 

[George]

I was in the Navy George, I flew into Bird Island where the BAS team were working on Fur Seals and Albatross behaviour. I was very lucky to be part of the flight in as no ships were allowed in the area due to the conservation implications. I did Grytviken, Stromness Whaling station and several other stops. I have to admit. it is one of the best places I've been to. Sat in the middle of an Albatross breeding area is something else. Oh the days of film..lol.. I also worked with the RAF photographers on the Falklands, That was also very interesting.

Anyway ...Back on topic..sorry to abuse the thread.

Wouldn't a 1 Dx have been brilliant there, Tug, and a super telephoto with a polarising filter.. Anyway, returning the thread to 1 Dx now, has anyone still got battery charge problems?
Despite having both batteries changed, mine still don't seem to register 100% and I wonder if others are seeing the same.

The last software update didn't help in that department.

George.

 

[Chris Y]

The dimensions difference between a 1D body and a 5D one is certainly evident, I can put the 5d in my compact lowepro bag, while i couldn't fit the 1d inside, apart from that the weight difference didn't bother me much, but when I'm not working I'm always using the 5d.

btw I'm new to the 1dx, anybody here transfer the images from the camera to a laptop with the ethernet port? What is the best mode to use for it? I can't figure out how do I need to setup the camera.

I've tethered using the Ethernet Port into the Utility. Instant images but takes forever to initiate. On my Mac anyway. I turned off the auto shut off.

To add to this, has anyone tethered into Capture One 7.** using the Ethernet cable?

 

[Canon Bob]

Anyway, returning the thread to 1 Dx now, has anyone still got battery charge problems?
Despite having both batteries changed, mine still don't seem to register 100% and I wonder if others are seeing the same.

The last software update didn't help in that department.

George.

Just grabbed a 4N off the charger George and it showed 100% (dropped to 99% when I closed and reopened the menu.

Bob

 

[George]

Just grabbed a 4N off the charger George and it showed 100% (dropped to 99% when I closed and reopened the menu.

Bob

Cheers, Bob, wil give it another try over the weekend and report!!
George.

 

[George]

OK, well I've just had another go, and, yes, Bob, they (2xE4N and 1xE4) all are reading 100% at the mo.
Am doing some shooting tonight, but I'll leave the other 2 and see how they fare over the weekend.

Thanks, George.

 

[George]

OK, well I've just had another go, and, yes, Bob, they (2xE4N and 1xE4) all are reading 100% at the mo.
Am doing some shooting tonight, but I'll leave the other 2 and see how they fare over the weekend.

Thanks, George.

Well, to my surprise, they are all (except the one I was using) reading 100% despite having stood all weekend.

Will keep an eye on them, do you think it was the software update, Bob?
I was using the charger with 110v supply but I don't think that should make any difference.

Thanks, George.

 

[Canon Bob]

Well, to my surprise, they are all (except the one I was using) reading 100% despite having stood all weekend.

Will keep an eye on them, do you think it was the software update, Bob?
I was using the charger with 110v supply but I don't think that should make any difference.

Thanks, George.

Being of suspicious mind, George, I'm inclined to think that there is still the same ammount being pumped into the batteries but the body is now being a little more optimistic with it's reporting.

Bob

 

[cosmicma]

talking of battery issues mine come up with the 02 error log warning ( quite often ) is it worth sending in for repair or just live with it as it doesn't seem to affect the camera performance in any way

 

[Tugster]

Being of suspicious mind, George, I'm inclined to think that there is still the same ammount being pumped into the batteries but the body is now being a little more optimistic with it's reporting.

Bob

Agreed..... Like they haven't rectified the issue, just don't report it with the new firmware.

 

[George]

Agreed..... Like they haven't rectified the issue, just don't report it with the new firmware.

Yes, Tug, however I did some quick tests after the new firmware was fitted, and to be honest, I possibly did them too quickly, then I was in Mexico for 5 weeks and didn't do a proper test till this weekend after Bob's comments.

I am happy with the battery life, so I suppose it's just forget it!

George.

 

[George]

talking of battery issues mine come up with the 02 error log warning ( quite often ) is it worth sending in for repair or just live with it as it doesn't seem to affect the camera performance in any way

Mark, is that the one which says something like "Battery has suffered a drop in performance, if this happens again report it to Canon"?...sorry I can't remember the exact wording.

I assume you have the latest firmware, however if you are getting this still, I'd be speaking to Elstree, when I told them they replaced the batteries, however that was before the latest firmware update.

 

[cosmicma]

Mark, is that the one which says something like "Battery has suffered a drop in performance, if this happens again report it to Canon"?...sorry I can't remember the exact wording.

I assume you have the latest firmware, however if you are getting this still, I'd be speaking to Elstree, when I told them they replaced the batteries, however that was before the latest firmware update.

firmware is ver 1.2.1 and the exact wording would be
caution 02
a sudden drop in battery performance was detected if this happens again after battery replacement contact a service center

i'm pretty sure it happens weather i use the original e 4n battery or a calumet e4 battery i have
the battery discharge rate doesn't seem excessive though

iv'e read bits about the 02 error log but could never find what the cause of it was