Just got the 1D mKII [Archive] - Canon Digital Photography Forums

dpp

28th of June 2005 (Tue), 06:02

Hello

Just recently received my 1D mkII, excellent camera, a bit on the heavy side and the shutter is noisier than my 10D.

Have you got any tips or things that I should watch out for. I made my first mistake of putting the noise reduction on, forgot to format the CF card, and getting all fingeres and thumbs in the wrong place, but apart from that like it so far.

Just trying to compare the image quality to my 10D, but at the moment I dont think I have taken enough shots to immediately tell the difference.

Any do's and dont's greatly received.

Cheers

weemannie

28th of June 2005 (Tue), 06:18

Congratulations on your new buy and welcome to the club. :D

Yes, its heavy, but it feels so solid, doesn't it?

Don't:
1. Drop it
2. Give it away
3. Let it out of your sight

Do:
1. Enjoy it
2. Practise with it. Read the manual
3. Share your successes with the rest of us.

scottbergerphoto

28th of June 2005 (Tue), 06:23

There are too many things to say about the 1DM2 in a single post. If you do a search above on 1DM2 you will have enough reading for a few days. Be sure to condition you battery with 3 charges and conditionings before using the camera much or you will never get full battery capacity. Also read the suggested CFn. settings at http://www.siphoto.com/?canon1DM2.inc

ssim

28th of June 2005 (Tue), 06:31

Congrats on the purchase.

It may be louder than your 10D but it is such a sweet sounding shutter, especially if you put it on high speed and let it rip.

You should see an increase in quality over the 10D on similar subject matters. I have enlarged one of my 1DMKII files to 20X30 and it could still easily go larger.

I thought that getting used to the two handed menu system was going to a difficult transition. It presented its challenges for the first few days but you get used to it real quick.

It is such an amazing camera with so much to offer that you can't cover it all quickly. Read the manual and practice with it. You'll be amazed at what it can do. And above all, have fun.

robekert

28th of June 2005 (Tue), 08:04

Enjoy,
One of the things I appreciate is that the camera is a complete photographic solution. There are no compromises. You now possess a very serious photographic tool. Start with the manual. It has everything you need to know about the camera and how it functions. I carry my manual in my bag. Here is a link I am sure you probably know about http://www.photoworkshop.com/canon/index.html Tons of info here.

If I could give you some advice, stay away from the custom functions for now. The camera works very well in "default" settings. I have had my 1D Mark II for over a year now and have gone full circle with the custom functions. Tweaked eveything I could and now I tweak nothing. I now just use the default settings and shoot mostly in Manual mode/RAW. When I use the 580EX flash I shoot in P Mode. The camera is very smart. Smarter than me. I started to enjoy the camera when I let it do the hard work.

One piece of non camera advice. Get Photoshop CS2 if you do not have it. The "Shadow & Highlight Adjustment" and "Smart Sharpening Filter" are worth the price of the software alone. I have reprocessed some of my favorite shots and they look better.

One other thing you will enjoy, is when Canon comes out with their latest offerings you will not feel one pang of upgrade envy. If you do, you are a "gear head" and not a photographer. The 1D Mark II is a photographer's tool.......use it, and enjoy it.
Rob

Miranda1

28th of June 2005 (Tue), 08:14

Hi

Congratulations

I also upgraded from a 10D and and I couldn't be more pleased. I really liked my 10d, especially the quality of the images but the mark2 in a different league altogether. The first thing you will notice compared to your 10d is that the blown highlites that were such a common thing on that camera are almost non-existent on the mark2. The camera is really a no compromise solution can't say enough about it.

CyberDyneSystems

28th of June 2005 (Tue), 08:19

CF 4-1
I'd advise that you enable CF 4-1 now.. and get used to it asap for the best results with this camera.

Exposure Compensation
Be aware that many copies of this camera tend to er more on the side of underexposure than your 10D did.. so for best results in many situations you will need more "+" exposure compensation than you did with the 10D. (this was the biggest trouble I had making the adjustment)

AF points
Also.. there is a Custom function that limits the number of user selectable AF points to 11 (11?) or 9.. if you are like me and like to use off center AF points often.. I would advise you enable this feature. Scrolling through 11 AF points is far easier than 45!!!!! I have yet to ever need any of the other 34 AF points as my chosen AF point.... And no.. enabling this feature does not in any way limit the cameras ability to use all 45 AF points for predictive AF tracking.

AF EXpansion
Depending on your shooting style and subjects you may want to tweek this now or not.
When using Center AF point only ,. the 1D has the ability to automatically expand the AF area to include the AF points immediately surrounding the center AF point.

I think the default for this is "on" ( you can actually change how many AF points it will expand to as well)

Many who are trying to acheive pinpoint AF on a small area find this function cumbersome and turn it off. It's very handy though for trying to grab fast moving objects where keeping just the center AF point on the subject is difficult.

At the very least.. just be aware of this should find yourself having a hard time focusing on some tiny detail.

SeanH

28th of June 2005 (Tue), 17:57

Have fun......I just returned mine. Don't worry , it was just me. Words of wisdom........don't expect sharp shots, or any better shots just because it's a 4 thousand dollar camera........at least right out of the camera. If you have more PS knowledge than me you will be fine. And another piece of advice, just set every shapening tool you have to the max setting.

Pekka

28th of June 2005 (Tue), 18:35

Shoot RAW. If you have PC, get Rawshooter Essentials. Shoot RAW.

Michaelmjc

28th of June 2005 (Tue), 19:46

Don't:
2. Give it away

haha that made me laugh, congratulations... Now lets see some pics!

dpp

29th of June 2005 (Wed), 05:35

================================================== =======================
Have fun......I just returned mine. Don't worry , it was just me. Words of wisdom........don't expect sharp shots, or any better shots just because it's a 4 thousand dollar camera........at least right out of the camera. If you have more PS knowledge than me you will be fine. And another piece of advice, just set every shapening tool you have to the max setting.
================================================== ========================

Has anybody else experienced not so sharp pictures?, have tested mine with a few shots and seems ok, using it for the first time on Friday, so I hope/trust it will be ok.

lomond

29th of June 2005 (Wed), 05:51

Take a look at this.
http://photoworkshop.com/canon/EOS_Digital.pdf

Pages 25 & 26.

Pekka

29th of June 2005 (Wed), 06:39

Rob612

29th of June 2005 (Wed), 06:45

No tips here since I don't have one (yet). But congratulations !!!!

Al Nakib

29th of June 2005 (Wed), 08:18

Use your left thumb to handle the ISO change by pressing the two buttons at once.

Softness is the result of the default JPEG sharpness level set in the camera. At 0, the minimum sharpness is applied and most people find that too soft. I shoot RAW exclusively and still yet to encounter softness.

SeanH

29th of June 2005 (Wed), 09:51

I get very sharp pictures from Mark II. It's all about using best lenses and using RAW, there is no softness on the camera. By best lenses I do not mean only L, but "good copies" of lenses.

I didn't mean it to sound bad, but it is a fact.......it produces soft photo's.......period. Even the Canon link for the camera (like someone posted) admits the sharpness, sat, & contrast level are MUCH lower than the 20D......and not to mention the Rebel. Let me also say some people have a different view as to what is sharp. Also saying it has to do with the lens is a given.......of course it does! That is exactly why I tested it with a 24-70 2.8L, a 70-200 2.8L, and the last test was a 300 2.8L. Please don't get me wrong the 1D is a GREAT camera, but for me I just don't like having to process (alot) every shot out of my camera........it's as simple as that. But if your going to try to say it produces as sharp of images out of the camera as the 20D, then I'm sorry to say but you are flat out wrong.

But just to let you know you did get a great camera I will post this shot I got while testing it on the beach......razor sharp, but shapened in RAW, and also 300 USM.

weemannie

29th of June 2005 (Wed), 10:06

I didn't mean it to sound bad, but it is a fact.......it produces soft photo's.......period. Even the Canon link for the camera (like someone posted) admits the sharpness, sat, & contrast level are MUCH lower than the 20D......and not to mention the Rebel. Let me also say some people have a different view as to what is sharp. Also saying it has to do with the lens is a given.......of course it does! That is exactly why I tested it with a 24-70 2.8L, a 70-200 2.8L, and the last test was a 300 2.8L. Please don't get me wrong the 1D is a GREAT camera, but for me I just don't like having to process (alot) every shot out of my camera........it's as simple as that. But if your going to try to say it produces as sharp of images out of the camera as the 20D, then I'm sorry to say but you are flat out wrong.

But just to let you know you did get a great camera I will post this shot I got while testing it on the beach......razor sharp, but shapened in RAW, and also 300 USM.

I read too, that RAW from the Series 1 cameras are less sharp than prosumer cameras. But I understood that by changing the parameters JPGs' would come out like the 20D?:confused: Did you try your own settings for JPGs?

BTW you came up with a couple of good points there :lol:

SeanH

29th of June 2005 (Wed), 10:23

I read too, that RAW from the Series 1 cameras are less sharp than prosumer cameras. But I understood that by changing the parameters JPGs' would come out like the 20D?:confused: Did you try your own settings for JPGs?

BTW you came up with a couple of good points there :lol:

I tried RAW, and the JPG in the max settings. The sat level was better when I set it on high(sat level) , the the softness was there regardless of what I did. Believe me I wanted it to work out......I loved shoting with it. I have been a photographer for a LONG time but only in digital for 2 years, but I believe that the image should be improved on the computer.....not created. But I will probably just have to get used to the fact that I might be wrong in part of the statement???

But keep in mind the images for the 1D can take 2X's the shapening as the shot's from the 20D.......so they look as good.......maybe better. I just don't have the time to work with every shot. Again.......this is a FAR better camera than the 20D, I am just not in the right place for it right now.

Pekka

29th of June 2005 (Wed), 12:09

I didn't mean it to sound bad, but it is a fact.......it produces soft photo's.......period. Even the Canon link for the camera (like someone posted) admits the sharpness, sat, & contrast level are MUCH lower than the 20D......and not to mention the Rebel. Let me also say some people have a different view as to what is sharp. Also saying it has to do with the lens is a given.......of course it does! That is exactly why I tested it with a 24-70 2.8L, a 70-200 2.8L, and the last test was a 300 2.8L. Please don't get me wrong the 1D is a GREAT camera, but for me I just don't like having to process (alot) every shot out of my camera........it's as simple as that. But if your going to try to say it produces as sharp of images out of the camera as the 20D, then I'm sorry to say but you are flat out wrong.

Which are we talking about here: JPEG or RAW? If we are talking about RAW then you are wrong - RAW output of 1D Mark II is excellent. If we are talking about JPEG then I do not know, I do not shoot JPEG.

If we are talking about RAW then in-camera contrast, curve and sharpening settings are irrelevant. With RAW you do not have to sharpen every shot separately as it gets done when you convert the RAW, if you want it to be done.

mrclark321

29th of June 2005 (Wed), 12:24

Is the CF 4-1 the same on the XT?
Mine says Shutter button/AE lock button
What does this do by using this function?

Thanks Dan
CF 4-1
I'd advise that you enable CF 4-1 now.. and get used to it asap for the best results with this camera.

Exposure Compensation
Be aware that many copies of this camera tend to er more on the side of underexposure than your 10D did.. so for best results in many situations you will need more "+" exposure compensation than you did with the 10D. (this was the biggest trouble I had making the adjustment)

AF points
Also.. there is a Custom function that limits the number of user selectable AF points to 11 (11?) or 9.. if you are like me and like to use off center AF points often.. I would advise you enable this feature. Scrolling through 11 AF points is far easier than 45!!!!! I have yet to ever need any of the other 34 AF points as my chosen AF point.... And no.. enabling this feature does not in any way limit the cameras ability to use all 45 AF points for predictive AF tracking.

AF EXpansion
Depending on your shooting style and subjects you may want to tweek this now or not.
When using Center AF point only ,. the 1D has the ability to automatically expand the AF area to include the AF points immediately surrounding the center AF point.

I think the default for this is "on" ( you can actually change how many AF points it will expand to as well)

Many who are trying to acheive pinpoint AF on a small area find this function cumbersome and turn it off. It's very handy though for trying to grab fast moving objects where keeping just the center AF point on the subject is difficult.

At the very least.. just be aware of this should find yourself having a hard time focusing on some tiny detail.

xuxu1

29th of June 2005 (Wed), 12:41

Congratulations on your new buy and have fun!

I´m still sticking to my 10D. Not making the jump to a 1D series body yet. in the meantime i´m filling up my lens collection :lol:

Looking forward seeing some pics taken with your nice new camera!

Regards
ED

SeanH

29th of June 2005 (Wed), 13:17

Which are we talking about here: JPEG or RAW? If we are talking about RAW then you are wrong - RAW output of 1D Mark II is excellent. If we are talking about JPEG then I do not know, I do not shoot JPEG.

If we are talking about RAW then in-camera contrast, curve and sharpening settings are irrelevant. With RAW you do not have to sharpen every shot separately as it gets done when you convert the RAW, if you want it to be done.

I understand that, I also shoot RAW, and JPG's. But you seem to be missing my point, my point is: The 20D requires LESS PROCESSING either raw or JPG's than the 1D (IMO), and within that it is sharper straight from the camera. I understand that is hard to except given the price difference, but if it make you feels better compare it to a point & shot. Yet again, what I am saying is: If your a pro, and understad how to get the best possible image in photoshop, and know 75% of all the ways to "tweak" a photo, then you would be a fool not to shoot the 1D. Now if your a guy like me that shoots for enjoyment, and gets a thrill out of seeing the photo he shot pop up the first time he opens it, then I would say the 1D isn't your best choice. Personally I'm at a loss for this disscusion, it's right on that Canon link....page 26. That chart makes my point very clear.........in addition to my personal experience with this camera last week. Now if your thinking RAW should be RAW regardless of 1D or 20D, then you got me how the 20 is sharper than the 1D.......I don't build them. However I highly doubt they are the same, and if they are, then why would you pay the extra 2500 bucks? Yes spot metering,45 focus points, 8.5 FPS, 2 merory cards, and ever custom function know to man is very nice........but extra 2500 nice?? And for the 3rd time, the 1D IS the best out there (besides the DS), but for a guy like me the 20D just works better..........that is until I get my "masters" in PS......then I will be all over that 1D again........plus, did I mention my inside source at Canon had something to do with waiting.......wink, wink.

And BTW....DPP congrats, you will love it, and I loved the sound of that shutter!! OH and if you are shooting long (30+) second exposures, and have the noise reduction on, don't be freaked out when it takes as long as the exposure to write it. I'm sure some of you know that but it freaked me out.....LOL.

Pekka

29th of June 2005 (Wed), 15:34

I understand that, I also shoot RAW, and JPG's. But you seem to be missing my point, my point is: The 20D requires LESS PROCESSING either raw or JPG's than the 1D (IMO), and within that it is sharper straight from the camera. I understand that is hard to except given the price difference, but if it make you feels better compare it to a point & shot. Yet again, what I am saying is: If your a pro, and understad how to get the best possible image in photoshop, and know 75% of all the ways to "tweak" a photo, then you would be a fool not to shoot the 1D. Now if your a guy like me that shoots for enjoyment, and gets a thrill out of seeing the photo he shot pop up the first time he opens it, then I would say the 1D isn't your best choice. Personally I'm at a loss for this disscusion, it's right on that Canon link....page 26. That chart makes my point very clear.........in addition to my personal experience with this camera last week. Now if your thinking RAW should be RAW regardless of 1D or 20D, then you got me how the 20 is sharper than the 1D.......I don't build them. However I highly doubt they are the same, and if they are, then why would you pay the extra 2500 bucks? Yes spot metering,45 focus points, 8.5 FPS, 2 merory cards, and ever custom function know to man is very nice........but extra 2500 nice?? And for the 3rd time, the 1D IS the best out there (besides the DS), but for a guy like me the 20D just works better..........that is until I get my "masters" in PS......then I will be all over that 1D again........

In all Canon consumer/prosumer models sharpening is added to RAW before it is saved, 1D series does not have any kind of preprocessing in RAW files.

RAW converters should compensate for that internally, same way they compensate color and curves. If they do not do that it does not make 20D RAW files sharper: that is an placebo effect you get when applying same amount of sharpening to unsharpened file v.s already sharpened file. Still, C1 and RSE have more than adequate range for sharpening for any camera, mostly only fraction of it is needed for natural looking photos.

plus, did I mention my inside source at Canon had something to do with waiting.......wink, wink

If it's more megapixels then no thanks - I'm in trouble storing these already :)

Skippy29

29th of June 2005 (Wed), 16:16

OH and if you are shooting long (30+) second exposures, and have the noise reduction on, don't be freaked out when it takes as long as the exposure to write it

You're welcome : )

SeanH

29th of June 2005 (Wed), 16:26

You're welcome : )
Thank you! Hey what are you doing over here.......nothing new in the Nude section...LOL :p

CyberDyneSystems

29th of June 2005 (Wed), 17:20

dpp...

I would not worry about softness.. it is a non issue.

Vita Rara

29th of June 2005 (Wed), 19:37

In all Canon consumer/prosumer models sharpening is added to RAW before it is saved, 1D series does not have any kind of preprocessing in RAW files.

Pekka, what is your source for this? I thought raw was raw.

Thanks,

Mark

Tom W

29th of June 2005 (Wed), 20:08

dpp...

I would not worry about softness.. it is a non issue.

Don't confuse "softness" with non-sharpened. The 1D2 can produce incredibly sharp images, but you have to do your half in the digital darkroom. Yes, you can crank up the sharpening, saturation, and contrast in-camera, but when you do so, you are removing the capability to further process your image.

I had a 10D - excellent camera. I bought a 1D Mk II last fall. It's even better. Faster operating in every way, considerably lower image noise, greater dynamic range, great autofocus, the list goes on. As you shoot with it and get used to the processing, you'll find that when you get your shooting technique right (which I do only occasionally), you'll have incredible images.

You'll eventually find that you can do a large amount of post-processing to an image from the 1D Mk II without bumping into the graininess, blown highlights, or other issues that many DSLR cameras exhibit when you try to extract more data.

It's sweet!

SeanH

29th of June 2005 (Wed), 20:56

Very well put Tom, you nailed it.

DwightMcCann

29th of June 2005 (Wed), 21:13

Bought mine February and it has already fallen about 4 feet ... the 70-200mm f2.8 L IS USM attached to it is on its way to Canon for repair but the 1D Mark II seems OK (he says hopefully). It took me about 3 months to begin to get comfortable with it. And as you can see from the number of responses, we all LOVE 'EM!

blackviolet

29th of June 2005 (Wed), 22:55

do i need to take mine back? - mine doesn't have any softness. can i use cheaper lenses to compensate?

seriously, any minor differences in apparent sharpness between the 10d (that i moved up from) and the 1dmk2, were more than compensated by the hugely increased % of keepers. i didn't even really change my workflows.

dpp - congrats and after a few days of playing around, i'm sure you'll have some more questions. as Scott pointed out, be sure to charge/refresh 3 cycles. note that you don't have to do this before you use the battery, you just need to refresh instead of simply recharge. after that, refresh once a month (or less if you don't use your camera that much).

one other tip - the first time you go from 9999 to 0000 pics, you may think you have filled your card. it's just filling up the folder - follow what the screen says and you'll be fine (that one caught me out the first time or two).

mrclark321

29th of June 2005 (Wed), 23:51

Can someone answer what this function is for Please CF 4-1

kenyc

30th of June 2005 (Thu), 04:47

Pekka, what is your source for this? I thought raw was raw.

Thanks,

Mark

Yeah, me too...

KAC

schmoelzel

30th of June 2005 (Thu), 04:54

Can someone answer what this function is for Please CF 4-1

I think it enables the * button to act as the half-press focus button.......I have tried it on my 1D but I find it very awkward!! Still using the same old system of half-pressing the shutter to get focus and recompose..........

kenyc

30th of June 2005 (Thu), 04:57

Shoot RAW. If you have PC, get Rawshooter Essentials. Shoot RAW.

WOW, I just downloaded the trial Rawshooter Essentials and ... I LOVE it. Much better than any of the alternatives I've seen. Very fast!

KAC

CyberDyneSystems

30th of June 2005 (Thu), 05:35

Can someone answer what this function is for Please CF 4-1

Sorry Mr Clark;

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=42867
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=46965
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=28314

schmoelzel

30th of June 2005 (Thu), 05:39

Sorry Mr Clark;

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=42867
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=46965
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=28314

Ok CDS.......just reread your old thread and will give this a try for the long weekend..........if I miss any good shots I will just blame you!! :D

Have a great holiday weekend!!

CyberDyneSystems

30th of June 2005 (Thu), 05:52

You'll miss a few.. ;)

Some get the hang of this after a week of lots of shooting.. some take longer.

I had to try making the switch twice myself... and found it "stuck" the second time.. mainly because I incorporated "The Switch" into learning to use the 1D.
I set 4-1 out of the box.. and forced it as part of learning the new camera.

In the end.. this one change in how I shoot has resulted in the one single larest change and improvement i have made to how I shoot. In the year after making this switch.. my ability to capture the right moment has improved literally 1,000% (ten times better)

This is not an exageration...

Example.. Last May (2004) a group of us went to Maine to Shoot Osprey... out of thousands of photos and hundreds of dives I was able to get one poorly focused underexposed unusable shot of an Osprey hitting the water during a dive.

At the time I had only been using CF 4-1 for about a week on the brand new one week old MkII.. and the 10D which I used for some shots was still set 4-0

This year after 14 months with CF4-1... we went back to Maine for the Osprey.
I was able to get DOZENS of the same difficult diving shot perfectly.. in focus and exposed correctly. This using CF4-1 on both MkII AND 20D. No problems with either Camera catching the correct moment.

I could not do this without CF4-1 set,.. and practice. No way.. no how.