EOS 1DX field review and impressions
One of the other advantages of EOS 1DX over EOS 1D Mark IV is the customizable controls on the camera body. There are two buttons by the lens mount that are programmable to an extensive degree. The photographer can tie each of these buttons to specific custom functions including all available AF custom functions. I usually use expansion AF mode in AI-servo, however in some conditions it might be best to use single AF point, or reduce the number of expansion points. You can program each of these buttons to switch to single AF point or a different expansion pattern while pressed. It is now possible to switch between AF modes/settings while handholding a super-telephoto lens on the fly. This is a very useful feature.
Female American kestrel. EOS 1DX 840mm f/5.6 1/3200sec ISO 1600 handheld. Click here to see an HD file.
The high ISO capabilities of the EOS 1DX opens new possibilities for high speed shooting late in the evening. ISO 6400 is perfectly usable for making high quality prints while ISO 3200 is so clean I would use it with no reservation.
Female American kestrel. EOS 1DX 8400mm f/5.6 1/3200sec ISO 3200. Click here to see an HD file.
Female American kestrel. EOS 1DX, 840mm f/5.6 1/3200sec ISO 1600 handheld.
One of the original complaints about the new AF system in both the EOS 1DX and the EOS 5D Mark III was the lack of AF at f/8. Since then, Canon have addressed this issue in the EOS 1DX with firmware 1.1.1. The center AF point is now active (and cross sensitive) plus the four surrounding AF sensors are used in AI-servo tracking if expansion is enabled. Given my limited time, I did not have a chance to try the EF extender 2X III yet but from what I have seen I am confident the AF performance will be a head and shoulder above the EOS 1D Mark IV. I will leave this for a future article.
Conclusion
The EOS 1DX is the new flagship professional DSLR from Canon and it well deserves the title. It is a solid improvement over the EOS 1D Mark IV in overall image quality, high ISO performance, dynamic range, speed of operation, buffer capacity, storage interface, controls and a surprisingly significant improvement in AI-servo performance for flight photography. In my opinion the advantages it brings to the table for experienced flight photographers far outweighs the slight disadvantage it may have in low ISO resolution compared to the EOS 1D Mark IV.
Of course the EOS 1DX is no cheap date, like the series II super-telephoto lenses. With an MSRP $6700 it is the most expensive “fast” camera Canon has ever made (note the ancient EOS 1DS Mark III was actually more expensive when it was introduced back in 2007). Of course one aspect of the camera I did not cover is its advanced video capabilities which I personally do not use and perhaps that is where some of the cost comes from. In addition to that the new camera is full-frame and has a larger sensor, prism and mirror box so it is understandable that the price had to increase relative to the EOS 1D Mark IV. I personally wish Canon offered a third version of the EOS 1DX with no video capability at all, for those of us who don’t use this feature while lowering the cost a little bit. However at the end of the day, in my opinion the EOS 1DX is the best body for flight Canon has made to this date. In retrospect the EOS 1DX can help you capture the killer frame that you might miss otherwise, and that frame is priceless. I highly recommend this body to all pros and enthusiasts who like to make the highest quality flight images.
pros
★New AF system, excellent AI-servo performance for challenging BIF.
★Extremely fast super-telephoto servo drive even when extender is attached.
★Highly customizable AF functions that can be programmed to physical buttons for quick toggle between AF parameters.
★Excellent Full Frame sensor with very low read noise, low pattern noise, excellent color response, sharpness and exceptional high ISO performance.
★12 fps continuous shooting speed, does not slow down in AI-servo mode.
★Largest, brightest viewfinder Canon has ever made with electronic overlay.
★Large capacity buffer, can fire for more than 4 seconds at 12 fps in RAW mode while using the fastest CF cards
★Dual CF slot.
★Solid body with better controls and a larger LCD screen.
★Larger capacity battery.
Cons
☆More expensive than its predecessor.
☆At low ISO and focal length limited cases the EOS 1D Mark IV has some resolution advantage.
☆About 6 oz heavier than the EOS 1D Mark IV.
☆Some features add cost but are not useful for all wildlife photographers such as LAN or video function.
My verdict for flight photography: Highly recommended
I hope you enjoyed the review. Please keep visiting my website and blog for more reviews, articles and images.
Thanks for posting this excellent report.
Excellent review. Your comments on the camera’s AF sytem, especially its AI-Servo perfermance all match my experience perfectly.
A very well done and very helpful review. Thank you!
The comparison to the 5D3 is especially useful. At first glance the 5D3 would seem to win because it is one pound lighter and costs $3,000 less. However, even though they share the same AF module you point out that the 5D3 has a much slower servo performance with long lenses. That is a deal breaker for photographing birds in flight.
Succinct and appreciated.
Thank you very much for your review.
Thank you Arash for doing such a great write-up on the 1DX. Your writing is very professional, and your results with the 1DX exactly mirror mine. I love the camera. I have been using the 1DX with the 600 II and the 2XIII teleconverter with great results. It is sharp, and capable of focusing quite well on flying birds.
I had the exact same conclusions when testing against the 1DIV. I even found the autofocus precision on the 1DX using gave it the advantage over the 1DIV, even in low ISO situations.
Excellent review Arash. I agree with everything you have to say about the 1Dx. It really is an outstanding body! Your photos are proof positive of both the 1Dx’s image quality and its AF prowess.
Great review, we spent a lot of time with the D4 as well and after a lot of eval, the 1DX wins on nearly every front. We love the 1DX, we just purchased two and sold off all our older stuff. I don’t think there is a better camera out there to date. Pleasantly surprised in just about every way with the exception of the USB spec as mentioned. The USB 2.0/3.0 spec – not sure that’s a big deal though, even the fastest, most expensive CF card does not come close to the i/o speed of USB 2.0 Might be a while before we see 2000x CF cards…
The AF system is the best we’ve ever seen – faster and more accurate than anything we’ve ever used by Nikon. Good job Canon!
The fastest CF cards can deliver about 70-80MB/sec which is more than the practical USB 2.0 bandwidth (about 35MB/sec). So the USB 3.0 makes sense, there are a number of USB 3.0 card readers on the market for these cards.
Thanks for the excellent review with a slant specific to BIF photography. You have addressed the question I had regarding reach limited subjects.
Reading your review, I have assumed that your evaluations were all performed using the latest supertele mark II lens which I understand, Canon has also improved for better AF responsiveness when coupled to the 1DX compared to the 1DIV? Not to take away anything from your excellent review, but are you truely reviewing the 1DX or in actuality a complete system consisting of not only the body but new lens models and models new teleconverters, all designed to work together which is not possible when the same lens and teleconverter are used with the 1DIV?
When I reviewed EF 600mm f/4 IS II, I used EOS 1D Mark IV. Canon have not indicated that the EOS 1DX can take advantage of series II super-telephoto lenses in a different way than the EOS 1D Mark IV. It is just the superior AF hardware/software in the EOS 1DX that has brought the improvement. Of course the series II 500mm and 600mm super-telephoto lenses are the best choice for avian photographers who use Canon system.
A very good and thorough review, Ari. I have only used my 1Dx for sports up to now, but want to get out soon with the 1Dx and my 600mm for BIF shots. What did you find as your best settings for this BIF series?
Hi,
I use expansion mode (4 points) and set the AI-servo tracking sensitivity to slowest.
My main concern regarding the purchase of the 1DX compared to my present 7D is the lost of the 1,6X magnifying factor and going back to 1X while using a 600 mm lens.
It will mean to get closer to the bird in order to get the same ratio bird/sensor surface as I get now. As an example, shooting a bird in a tree across the street will not have the size in the picture as I have now with my 7D. Maybe the crop will be good compared to the same bird with my 7D, but I am wondering. It is a purchase of $6,700 …
What do you think about that?
Thanks for your review! …and your pictures of the kestrel and the white tail kite are TRULY outstanding!
Thank you
First to clarify, the what so called crop factor has nothing to do with the number of pixels you get on a subject, it is the pixel size that determines number of pixels on the subject in a FL-limited situation.
As for the 7D is not really a camera that I would recommend for professional bird photography, its sensor is very poor when it comes to high ISO and its AF is not accurate for flight. It does not meet my standards so I don’t shoot with it or recommend it. If budget is tight, I recommend the EOS 1D Mark IV or EOS 5D Mark III instead.
Thanks for your answer Arash.
I am not sure though that you have answered my concern.
I love to take full frame pictures of birds with lots of details. If I loose the 1,6 X crop factor, at a given distance, eg across the street, the bird will be smaller in the frame with a 1Dx than with a 7D if shot with the same lens. So I will have to get closer to the bird to get the same ratio bird/frame. Quite often, getting closer to a bird is far from being an easy task!
This lost of ratio bird/frame is my concern : I am not sure I will get the same picture quality with a shot that is a crop from a 1Dx while it would a full frame shot with a 7D.
I am concerned about the loss of the magnifying factor in regards to image quality.
If you have any opinion about this, I am interested to know it.
Thanks!
Yves,
As I mentioned, It is not the crop factor that gives more detail on the subject at a given FL, it is the pixel size. The crop factor equals more reach is a common misconception that troubles many photographers.
The 7D has smaller pixels so it will have more pixels on the bird at a given FL, thus the bird appears larger on your screen. But the smaller pixels collect less light and have lower signal to noise ratio, so the image quality with 7D is really poor when compared to a 1DX despite the fact that 7D has more pixels on the bird.
If your lens is too short to take advantage of 1DX I suggest you invest in a 500 or 600 supertelephoto lens first then get a new body.
Hope this helps
Arash
Hi Arash, an excellent hands on review. For you BIF photography have you played around much with 1st and 2nd shot focus or release settings? Common sense to me would suggest that they should be set to focus. However, I have noticed delay issues when trying to do erratic flying European jays at close range, although this has been with a mk1 500mm which I suspect is less responsive than the newer versions. Just wondered what your experience with these AF settings has been?
Best wishes
Rich
Hi Rich,
Thanks for your comments. The few times I switched those settings I did not see a noticeable difference with the 600 II. I always use far limit, so maybe it would be more noticeable if you are using full range or close limit.
best regards
Once again Arash you have come through with the goods.
An excellent and pertinent review which I have already stored in my collection of your reviews and past posts.
Thanks Mate
Appreciate your review, and just purchased a 1DX. Using AI-Servo mode, with expanded AF point selected and all 61-points available, I was under the impression that if the camera obtained focus on the bird when a series of continuous shots was started, the focus would follow even if the target (bird) flew off the original AF point. I’m finding this not to be the case (Cases 5 and 6) with birds flying across the FOV. Unless I keep the initial AF point on the bird (tough with Swifts and Terns) , shots go out of focus — even against a plain sky. On the other hand, my wife’s 50D has no problem in similar circumstances. What am I doing incorrectly? Using 70-200/2.8L IS II in bright daylight. I’ve actually had better luck with my 1D4.
Hi Harry,
You cannot photography BIF by having the camera choose one of the 61 points automatically for you. you need to use center point with expansion, please see my AF guide for more details about setting up your 1DX for flight
best
Great review!
I was wondering: is the area around the vertical shutter button plastic like on the vertical grip of the 5D mark III or metal like the area around the main shutter button?
Thanks, there are no plastic parts used in 1DX body, except for the buttons.
I thought at least the battery door was plastic.
When looking at the magnesium alloy frame of the 1DX, there are clearly some parts left out (such as the battery door and the area around the vertical shutter button), so I assumed those were plastic parts.
Hi Roland,
The EOS 1DX does not have a traditional “battery door” because that would be a weak point for the camera in rain/snow. The battery itself is a magazine that loads at the base of the body and it seals tightly by turning a locking lever.
Hello Ari,
I have to read your interview on http://www.arihazeghiphotography.com/AH_CW_interview/ learned that the heavier battery 1Dx affects the AF speed of the L lenses. I photographed with the 7D and 400mm F2.8 L II USM lens and had problems with the speed of the AF. Sometimes the lens remained suspended and I had to manually adjust the lens to AF to get back. Now I have the 1Dx few weeks completely forgotten this problem. Thanks for your information. I post a link on my website to your information http://birdsinflight.be/canon-7d-vs-canon-1dx-af-speed.html
Kind Regards,
Pierre Nowosad
Thanks Pierre,
The 1DX AF is in a different league when compared to consumer cameras such as 7D. You can set “focus search” to ON in your 7D to force focus search in extreme de-focus conditions but that may cause hunting.
Best,
Ari
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Ari, Using the 1Dx body, would you rather use the new canon 100-400 II with a 1.4x version II extender or a third party Tamron 150-600mm. Which combination do you think would yield better results for both static birds and BIF. Regards, Scott
Hi Scott,
I never use third party lenses, nor do I recommend them.
best
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