EOS 1D Mark 2 owners - can you help me get started

[john_at_work]

OK got it Christmas eve, wow has Santa been generious.

Moved from D60 to 10D and now to 1D Mark 2.

Have done some searches but its not easy as people use (Mark 2, MK2, Mark II, MK II, MKII, etc etc) so I have few questions on settings

About my photography
I shoot mainly high key portraits, a few Weddings a year and occasional sports in UK.

(1) Navigation - first thing I notice is how difficult (compared to 10D) navigation around the menu is, hold this then that, any PF key make it easier.

(2) CF4-1, I am used to using the CF4 for focus but I do find the button stiff or not as soft as 10D/D60 so am reverting to half then full focus.

(3) I only use C1 and PS7 so haven't loaded any Canon software any reason too (other than C1 doesn't support Mk2 until 15/1.

(4) Any other useful settings for Wedding/portrait work.

(5) Tips on settings for 550EX and Mk2, I was reasonably happy with 10D combo.

(6) Firmware 1.0.2 - is it worth it 1.1

(7) 3rd party batteries - any good as spares they seem to offer better power but fit no as slick

(8) Finally anything else, even if its a link to a previous post I may have missed it, I (as even) appreciate your resopnses.

Oh a quick last few
(9) CSPro (FM) looks very good - any experience
(10) C1 ETC Magna profile - worth $30

John (at_work) or jd_D60 (at hame)

[KennyG]

(1) Navigation - first thing I notice is how difficult (compared to 10D) navigation around the menu is, hold this then that, any PF key make it easier.
You will get used to it very quickly and see the logic.

(2) CF4-1, I am used to using the CF4 for focus but I do find the button stiff or not as soft as 10D/D60 so am reverting to half then full focus.
Some people prefer using the button for focus, but I found it a pain for motorsport and use AI Servo mostly anyway.

(3) I only use C1 and PS7 so haven't loaded any Canon software any reason too (other than C1 doesn't support Mk2 until 15/1.
C1 3.5.2 for Windows supports the 1D MK-II. That's what I use. You may be confused with the 1Ds MK-II support, which won't happen until the next release.

(4) Any other useful settings for Wedding/portrait work.
Can't help there as I only shoot things with wheels that go very fast (not getaway cars though).

(5) Tips on settings for 550EX and Mk2, I was reasonably happy with 10D combo.
More or less the same settings. You will find it better than with the 10D as it takes advantage of ETTL-II

(6) Firmware 1.0.2 - is it worth it 1.1
Yes, very worth it.

(7) 3rd party batteries - any good as spares they seem to offer better power but fit no as slick
Concensus seems to be avoid them due to crap build quality. You will get more shots out of the MK-II battery anyway than the 10D gave you for sure. Go with a genuine Canon for your spare IMHO. Make sure you do a full refresh the first three times you use the battery.

(8) Finally anything else, even if its a link to a previous post I may have missed it, I (as even) appreciate your resopnses.
Don't use the preview to check sharpness, you will get a shock. Use the histogram a lot in the early days.

Oh a quick last few
(9) CSPro (FM) looks very good - any experience
(10) C1 ETC Magna profile - worth $30
Magna's profile is very good for your wedding work. Forget CS Pro, just shoot RAW and use C1's sharpening at say 100/2. No need to do any more in PS. It reduces the workflow times.

[john_at_work]

Kenny

many thanks for detailed response if I may
(3) I only use C1 and PS7 so haven't loaded any Canon software any reason too (other than C1 doesn't support Mk2 until 15/1.
C1 3.5.2 for Windows supports the 1D MK-II. That's what I use. You may be confused with the 1Ds MK-II support, which won't happen until the next release.

I asked this Q on Phase one and MichealT replied it is 3.6 (maybe 3.6 is free from my current version and 3.5.2 isn't (I'm using very old 1.2 release of LE

(7) 3rd party batteries - any good as spares they seem to offer better power but fit no as slick
Concensus seems to be avoid them due to crap build quality. You will get more shots out of the MK-II battery anyway than the 10D gave you for sure. Go with a genuine Canon for your spare IMHO. Make sure you do a full refresh the first three times you use the battery.

Do you mind explaining this "full refresh" do you mean drain completley and full charge


Everything else very useful thanks

John

[KennyG]

Hi John, I understand about your copy of C1. I got the free upgrade to 3.5.2 from the original version I bought for my no longer owned 10D. My Pro version I probably won't bother upgrading as hopefully 3.6 will fix some issues with 1D (original) files and I'll no longer need it.

If you look at your charger there is a refresh button. When the battery goes flat in your camera, put it on the charger and hit the refresh button. This will totally discharge before charging and help prolong the battery life. Do it for the first three charges from new and after that, once a month to keep the battery in condition. Some people do three discharge cycles in a row, but flattening it in the camera and getting use out of the camera at the same time is just as good. Oh, and if you get a second battery, mark the labels so you know which is which.

Other tips, check the portrait mode shutter button as some of them are really over-sensitive. If it is, Canon can adjust it for you. Get a 512mb SD card (now quite cheap) for emergencies. You can simply whip out the CF and continue with the SD.