Pekka
26th of February 2004 (Thu), 11:43
Today I got a thorough look on pre-production 1D mark II, fitted with Canon EF 70-300 f/4.5-F5.6 DO IS USM and Canon EF 28-300 f/3.5-F5.6 L IS USM lenses. I also had a brief look of PowerShot Pro1 and PowerShot S1 IS. No images were allowed to be stored or copied on my cards.
What can I say: 1D Mark II is wonderful. It's responsive, AF is excellent and it's build like a waterproof tank. It will make your life as photographer easier in many ways.
It was somewhat heavier than 10D - but the weight was well balanced and it felt comfortable after a while.
The new 28-300 L was about the same size and weight than 70-200 f/2.8 and it balanced also well. I liked a lot how wide range of photos one lens could capture - quality looked very good (of course could not check them on computer), slight barrel distorion on wide end otherwise very clean looking images. I did not like the pump zoom method, after 70-200 that felt very clumsy and inaccurate - but 100-400L owners can tell if one can get used to it. Based on my short experience with it I'm sure this lens will sell a lot.
1D mark II shutter responsed to a hint of touch. I had to put it in single shot mode because I took about 4 shots with each 10D-equivalent shutter press :) Too bad I was unable to test the mirror dampening function because you needed to set it into personal functions via computer - the shutter sound was to me not as harsh as 1D - darker.
What I liked a lot was how AF (when using all points) was able to hold the focus even when I composed to very much side of frame (45-area AF) - it always preferred closer subject to be in focus and locking was instant. What was also cool: focus points used were shown in review after the shot.
I roughly tested viewfinder coverage and I think it was really 100% - exact composing was easy, viewfinder was big and bright. I liked the way viewfinder info text was not distracting from main image - the fonts were small (but clear) and not directly "attached" to main image (some space between).
I shot some "wide dynamic" subjects (person indoor backlit by window, unevenly lit cafe bar) and based on that the dynamic range can be described as "enough". Definitely more than 10D.
Auto white balance was in a word perfect. I took shots in a cafe, half artifical, half ambient light, backlit etc. and I never had a feeling that I wanted to change something in resulted colors. At last!
Metering was really accurate - again one thing which makes daily life easy. in P mode you could just shoot and get good exposures all day long. Useful touches like spot metering with 3 measure lock points (you show hi, mid, low light and it shows you exposure latitude) will need some training for sure.
I am not familiar with 1-series control system, and it first seemd odd that you e.g. needed to press two buttons to change ISO via wheel. But I noticed I could hold them both down with one finger, too :) The control system is so different to 10D it will take some days to get familiar with all settings and methods.
Overall the machine just works and works. I do not hesitate for a moment to put all that money into it. It buys you peace of mind about technical issues and you can concentrate on creating.
Can't wait to get one.
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Pro 1 was a nice tiny thing, L lens and all. Well built - lots of controls added in small body space. The lens zoom was handled by manual zoom ring which is a welcome improvement, but it still worked in digital steps (i.e. not smooth). Easy to operate, still very slow LCD (after 1D mark II testing anything feels slow). I'm sure it will gain lots of friends and it seems like a good deal for a high quality portable and unobtrusive digital camera - looks like a very good travel camera.
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S1 IS seemed like a perfect candid camera or beach cam, whatever suits you. Viewfinder was also LCD (odd looking but usable) and zoom was really fast. More plastic feel than Pro 1.
What can I say: 1D Mark II is wonderful. It's responsive, AF is excellent and it's build like a waterproof tank. It will make your life as photographer easier in many ways.
It was somewhat heavier than 10D - but the weight was well balanced and it felt comfortable after a while.
The new 28-300 L was about the same size and weight than 70-200 f/2.8 and it balanced also well. I liked a lot how wide range of photos one lens could capture - quality looked very good (of course could not check them on computer), slight barrel distorion on wide end otherwise very clean looking images. I did not like the pump zoom method, after 70-200 that felt very clumsy and inaccurate - but 100-400L owners can tell if one can get used to it. Based on my short experience with it I'm sure this lens will sell a lot.
1D mark II shutter responsed to a hint of touch. I had to put it in single shot mode because I took about 4 shots with each 10D-equivalent shutter press :) Too bad I was unable to test the mirror dampening function because you needed to set it into personal functions via computer - the shutter sound was to me not as harsh as 1D - darker.
What I liked a lot was how AF (when using all points) was able to hold the focus even when I composed to very much side of frame (45-area AF) - it always preferred closer subject to be in focus and locking was instant. What was also cool: focus points used were shown in review after the shot.
I roughly tested viewfinder coverage and I think it was really 100% - exact composing was easy, viewfinder was big and bright. I liked the way viewfinder info text was not distracting from main image - the fonts were small (but clear) and not directly "attached" to main image (some space between).
I shot some "wide dynamic" subjects (person indoor backlit by window, unevenly lit cafe bar) and based on that the dynamic range can be described as "enough". Definitely more than 10D.
Auto white balance was in a word perfect. I took shots in a cafe, half artifical, half ambient light, backlit etc. and I never had a feeling that I wanted to change something in resulted colors. At last!
Metering was really accurate - again one thing which makes daily life easy. in P mode you could just shoot and get good exposures all day long. Useful touches like spot metering with 3 measure lock points (you show hi, mid, low light and it shows you exposure latitude) will need some training for sure.
I am not familiar with 1-series control system, and it first seemd odd that you e.g. needed to press two buttons to change ISO via wheel. But I noticed I could hold them both down with one finger, too :) The control system is so different to 10D it will take some days to get familiar with all settings and methods.
Overall the machine just works and works. I do not hesitate for a moment to put all that money into it. It buys you peace of mind about technical issues and you can concentrate on creating.
Can't wait to get one.
----------------
Pro 1 was a nice tiny thing, L lens and all. Well built - lots of controls added in small body space. The lens zoom was handled by manual zoom ring which is a welcome improvement, but it still worked in digital steps (i.e. not smooth). Easy to operate, still very slow LCD (after 1D mark II testing anything feels slow). I'm sure it will gain lots of friends and it seems like a good deal for a high quality portable and unobtrusive digital camera - looks like a very good travel camera.
----------------
S1 IS seemed like a perfect candid camera or beach cam, whatever suits you. Viewfinder was also LCD (odd looking but usable) and zoom was really fast. More plastic feel than Pro 1.