1D X Mark II Owners Unite! Discuss & Post Photos

MatthewK wrote in post #18903866
I was lucky with my 1DX2, and was able to sell for close to what I was asking, but it took 2 weeks to find a buyer. Since I originally got it at a super price, the loss wasn't all that bad, but if I had recently bought new at full list, I definitely would have been a bath on the sale.

Yeah, the market is so depressed right now because Canon is still in this EF to R transition, and everyone is waiting with baited-breath to see what (if any) giant technological leap Canon will make in sensor design as well as their next "Pro R" MILC. It's getting harder and harder to move big ticket items, stuff is sitting stagnant and people have to keep lowering prices to sell, and it's starting not to make sense to part with certain gear because you'll lose so much money. People have to be very certain that what they're buying is what they need, because that safety net of good resale is gone.

It's like musical chairs, and the music has stopped.. what gear you have now, might just be best to keep it.

Yeah I agree

Everything I have works great. Not in a real hurry to jump into mirrorless with the price of the new glass

Still love the 1Dx2 as much as I did they day I go it. I cant find anything that comes close. And nothing touches the AF. So Im Inclined to keep it for a long long time. I Really like the EOS R...but not as much as the 1Dx2 or 5D4......Its different and I think thats the appeal v/s what the cameras can actually do

Would like to get a new mirrorless and add a 16-35 new R wide angle and use my current primes on the newer body. But Im seeing 16-35's being given away so I might get one and keep what I have for 2-3 more years

No rush for sure

My first attempt at an otter, I would have had these come much closer to me if it wasn't for some other photographers trying to get closer to them and chasing them.

Another post with a backstory:

At the 2019 Klem’s DockDog Days event in Spencer, Massachusetts, I met a young man named Jake.
Jake approached the end of the dog-jumping pool and while he had a much smaller (Nikon) DSLR with him, he wasn’t tall enough to get the lens up and over the end of the pool’s line of sight.

A bit later in the day I noticed Jake with his mother in a vendor’s tent and I asked his mom if Jake might like to take some images using my professional-grade camera.
Everyone liked this idea so the three of us made our way to the end of the pool again, and with Jake now standing on a chair and with me helping with his balance, he took control of my 7-pound camera.
(Made more impressive, as that it was 96℉ at the time, with "humidity to match")

Carrying himself like many other kids that are seemingly getting smarter and smarter at younger and younger ages, Jake fired off a burst of frames and successfully tracked a flying (then swimming) dog;
one I believe that they came to see and to support.

Upon processing the RAW files, sure, his images were a touch out-of-focus and I had to level them a bit, but this camera is no lightweight and it can be as complicated to “fly” as a helicopter; it was not his camera after all.
I liked Jake’s two-eyes-open technique thru the viewfinder; he will miss fewer things occurring in his peripheral vision at such events.

His mom and I exchanged e-mails and later, some images, for which I was truly happy to provide, and grateful to receive.

While as an adult I am still waiting for an owner of an Aston Martin to hand me their keys and suggest that I take it out for a romp, I do remember in my youth people letting me check out cool things, like Jake was checking out my camera. Many folks that have not yet used an EOS 1D X Mk II are often taken aback by the burst rate, and that experience of performance may seem comparable to my fantasy "spin” in an Aston Martin.
It is fun to watch their expressions as they shoot at such an impressive frame rate.

Jake with his loaner 1-D X Mk II:

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2gKr​xN9

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2gKq​QAU

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2gKr​EpF

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2gQv​Dkc

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2gQv​Fy5

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2gQv​HLG

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2gQv​KY2

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2gQw​qNx

From the above event at Klem's in Spencer, Mass, where the camera's high frame-rate and excellent subject tracking, is a boon:

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2gKr​g9Y

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2gKq​hSZ

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2gKq​VqE

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2gKo​jVX

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2gKm​Hy6

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2gKj​F45

Mark A. wrote in post #18905418
Another post with a backstory:

At the 2019 Klem’s DockDog Days event in Spencer, Massachusetts, I met a young man named Jake.
Jake approached the end of the dog-jumping pool and while he had a much smaller (Nikon) DSLR with him, he wasn’t tall enough to get the lens up and over the end of the pool’s line of sight.

A bit later in the day I noticed Jake with his mother in a vendor’s tent and I asked his mom if Jake might like to take some images using my professional-grade camera.
Everyone liked this idea so the three of us made our way to the end of the pool again, and with Jake now standing on a chair and with me helping with his balance, he took control of my 7-pound camera.
(Made more impressive, as that it was 96℉ at the time, with "humidity to match")

Carrying himself like many other kids that are seemingly getting smarter and smarter at younger and younger ages, Jake fired off a burst of frames and successfully tracked a flying (then swimming) dog;
one I believe that they came to see and to support.

Upon processing the RAW files, sure, his images were a touch out-of-focus and I had to level them a bit, but this camera is no lightweight and it can be as complicated to “fly” as a helicopter; it was not his camera after all.
I liked Jake’s two-eyes-open technique thru the viewfinder; he will miss fewer things occurring in his peripheral vision at such events.

His mom and I exchanged e-mails and later, some images, for which I was truly happy to provide, and grateful to receive.

While as an adult I am still waiting for an owner of an Aston Martin to hand me their keys and suggest that I take it out for a romp, I do remember in my youth people letting me check out cool things, like Jake was checking out my camera. Many folks that have not yet used an EOS 1D X Mk II are often taken aback by the burst rate, and that experience of performance may seem comparable to my fantasy "spin” in an Aston Martin.
It is fun to watch their expressions as they shoot at such an impressive frame rate.

Jake with his loaner 1-D X Mk II:

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2gKr​xN9 07_2019_14_20_HDR_LR5 by Mark A. photo, on Flickr

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2gKq​QAU 07_2019_14_20a_HDR_LR5 by Mark A. photo, on Flickr

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2gKr​EpF 07_2019_14_20a_LR5 by Mark A. photo, on Flickr

Some of the images generated by this 1st-time 1D X Mk II user:

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2gQv​Dkc 125_0820 by Mark A. photo, on Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2gQv​Fy5125_0821 by Mark A. photo, on Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2gQv​HLG125_0822 by Mark A. photo, on Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2gQv​KY2125_0823_16x9 by Mark A. photo, on Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2gQw​qNx125_0844 by Mark A. photo, on Flickr

Very uplifting post Mark. Jake got some really nice shots with your camera. It's very likely that he will pursue the field of photography, due to your taking the time to let him shoot with your camera, and guiding him while he was learning to use it.

Well you just created a future photographer there. Though he'll probably use a mirrorless by the time he turns pro.

Lame-Duck wrote in post #18905649
Very uplifting post Mark. Jake got some really nice shots with your camera. It's very likely that he will pursue the field of photography, due to your taking the time to let him shoot with your camera, and guiding him while he was learning to use it.

Bkop wrote in post #18905700
=Bkopperl;18905700]Wel​l you just created a future photographer there. Though he'll probably use a mirrorless by the time he turns pro.

Thank you both for taking the time to comment.

At these events, I have often loaned out lenses to spectators, most often my EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM.
Often that is a treat and lens trial enough for people, but the recipients are almost always adults.

I have handed over my 1D X Mk II twice now to young people, and after the fear of seeing it accidentally dropped subsides, I am really happy that I could make someone's day.
My next step is to make and subsequently get to Jake, a print of an image he took that he can pass around and show off.

I do not know what affect these encounters will have on these two youths but I hope that at minimum, they have a good story to tell their friends and remember.

I am also impressed by the camera; one that could be picked up by a novice, and still track what it was suppose to.

These two sequential images remind me of Harold Edgerton's "Milk Coronet".
These would be, a "Boston Terrier Coronet".

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2gKo​u69

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2gKp​cWz

Sparrow Hawk in my garden...

GerdW wrote in post #18905885
Sparrow Hawk in my garden...

Hosted photo: posted by GerdW in
./showthread.php?p=189​05885&i=i231610552
forum: Canon Digital Cameras

Excellent shot. What a piercing stare this one has, Gerd.

MatthewK wrote in post #18903741
1) weird, the forum seems to have had a hiccup as of late, some lens/camera labels are missing, and the pics didn't get added to my gallery. Had to pop over to where I posted them and add them quick, and now they're here

2) Nikon D500 + 500 f/5.6PF. It's insanely small and light, w/ nearly-1DX2 level of AF, great IQ right out of camera. A few sacrifices had to be made:

- 14 FPS down to 10FPS
- 1DX2 has crazy low noise at high ISO, a stop better at least.
- FOV... it's a 500mm lens on a crop body, which is a 750mm perceived FOV, but still 500mm. Whereas, the 1DX2+600+1.4 is a true 840mm. Most noticeable drawback: less background blur, and separation of subject from background
- overall reach potential w/ AF: 1200mm vs. 1000mm (well technically 700mm, but 1000mm FOV). This one isn't as big to me, since I rarely shoot at these distances

The 1DX2+600 combo was practically point-and-shoot, whereas now I need to be more cognizant of my surroundings and setup in order to get the same level of shot (which is actually a good thing in the long run). Notably for birding, I have to angle the perch as such that there aren't any distracting branches or sky holes in the background, and I just plain need to get closer to them.

A few weeks back (on the 4th of July, actually) I was stalking through a sunflower field after Indigo Buntings. Bugs and sun+heat+humidity and itchy plants, and the process of maneuvering the 1DX2+600 through the sunflowers stalks/leaves was just smoking my arms. I switched over to the D500PF, and it was a breath of fresh air: no fatigue, super easy to swing into position, easy to hold the camera at eye level waiting for the Buntings to land. Most importantly though, I ended up loving the shots from the Nikon kit more than the Canon. I'd been shooting both systems side-by-side for a few weeks, but it was then and there that I decided I didn't need the huge body/glass in order to get shots that I enjoyed.

In the end, while the 1DX2 is probably the best camera I've ever used, I don't think that how/what I'm shooting actually requires that much camera, and I can afford to take a step down in cost/weight/features and still end up getting photos that I am absolutely happy with.

I intend buying a Nikon 500 too, not sure which lens at this time. I will keep my 1DX2 though, as this is getting buried with me. I intend selling my 7D2 and a couple of lenses I do not use to part finance this new move.

GerdW wrote in post #18905885
Sparrow Hawk in my garden...

Hosted photo: posted by GerdW in
./showthread.php?p=189​05885&i=i231610552
forum: Canon Digital Cameras

Whoa! Laser beam focus on you! How did you manage to snag the shot w/o scaring the Hawk away? Were you crouched down or maybe on your belly?

Red Dexs wrote in post #18907420
I intend buying a Nikon 500 too, not sure which lens at this time. I will keep my 1DX2 though, as this is getting buried with me. I intend selling my 7D2 and a couple of lenses I do not use to part finance this new move.

The D500 is a smashing camera for an absurdly great price, I can't find a fault with it. So everyone raves about the D500's AF, and how it compares with the best from Canon (and Nikon's D5 too)... if you shoot the 1DX2 and D500 back-to-back, you'll see that the 1DX2 locks on just a bit faster, but after initial acquisition, they're pretty much equal. The thing w/ the 1DX2 is when the AF locks on, it's like a vise, you can almost feel the brakes come on, whereas every other camera I've shot with just kind of grabs focus in a nice, polite manner

Here is the whole story about the Sparrow Hawk in my garden:

Nearly every evening around 7 PM this guy comes to my garden to have dinner with the little sparrows.
For that reason he bangs at full speed into an elder tree and comes back with a poor sparrw in his fang.....

A few days ago the sparrow must have decided to trap this guy. Maybe they hang a hidden plank into the tree that knocked out the hawk for a while

So the guy staggered through our garden for more than two hours before he could leave again. That gave me the chance to take these pictures
Thank you sparrows
Sorry for my poor English....

GerdW wrote in post #18907470
Here is the whole story about the Sparrow Hawk in my garden:

Nearly every evening around 7 PM this guy comes to my garden to have dinner with the little sparrows.
For that reason he bangs at full speed into an elder tree and comes back with a poor sparrw in his fang.....

A few days ago the sparrow must have decided to trap this guy. Maybe they hang a hidden plank into the tree that knocked out the hawk for a while

So the guy staggered through our garden for more than two hours before he could leave again. That gave me the chance to take these pictures
Thank you sparrows
Sorry for my poor English....

Hosted photo: posted by GerdW in
./showthread.php?p=189​07470&i=i199463004
forum: Canon Digital Cameras

Very interesting story, Gerd. Your English is just fine by the way. This photo of the sparrow hawk is really a nice one.

Hi guys, im after some help please..

I have 3 LP-E19 batteries that are showing battery performance down to 2 on there green indications.. And none are asking for calibration, However I want to calibrate them but I really don't know what im doing wrong, I put the battery in the charger and press the Calibrate / performance button and it appears to just charge normally..?

Any thoughts / advise would be greatly received.

From the canon manual.

This is a recommendation that you calibrate (discharge) the battery so that the camera can accurately determine its capacity and display its battery level accurately.
It is recommended that you perform calibration if the <CAL> lamp blinks in green. If you want to just recharge the battery, you can let the battery start recharging automatically after approx. 10 sec.
If you want to do the calibration, press the <CALIBRATE> button while the <CAL> lamp is blinking in green. When the <CAL> lamp lights up in green, the battery will start to discharge.
After the battery is finished discharging, the battery will start recharging automatically. Note that the less depleted the battery, the longer the discharging will take. The <14h>, <4h>, and <2h> figures respectively indicate the approximate number of hours it will take to complete the power discharge. If the <14h> indicator blinks in green, it will take approx. 4 up to approx. 16 hours to complete the discharge.
The calibration (power discharge) will completely drain the battery’s power. Therefore, it will take approx. 2 hr. 50 min. to fully charge the LP-E19. If you want to stop the calibration before it is completed and start recharging the battery, remove the battery from the charger and attach it again.