A short review on 1DX

I was being invited to test the preproduction unit and provide some feedback to them some time ago. I only have some time to share my view right now and bear in mind the review is solely based on my own opinion.

I won't be able to provide some sample image as they don't allow me to publish any image. I noticed that in some countries they
already plan(or planned) to release it. Anyway I just let you all know of my thought.

Autofocus
Exhibit the same behavior as 5DIII, the whole viewfinder will turned red if VF illumination was turned on.
I was being informed, they're working on it for the fixes.
In term of performance, as expected, faster than 5DIII, I think similar like 1DIV

I've yet to see the advantage of the new AF which could track subject color and faces i.e in some situation where the 1DmarkIV /1Ds markIII failed, with the help of the iTR system it would able to excel.

Handling
Typical 1D series.
The button is smaller similar like 5DIII.
Silent shutter sound is a tad louder than 5DIII. They didn't promise that this would be fixed but they'd send the feedback to their headquarter.
I hope they'd fixed that as well.

The mini-joystick multi-controller feel better than the 5DIII multi-controller and the old 1D/1DS multi-controller,despite
being smaller.

Video
It's much simpler than the 5DIII which need to turn to left for video. For me I prefer the 1DX handling.

Exposure
Won't be able to see the advantage of the 100,000-pixel RGB AE sensor with 252-zone metering. Probably the 5DIII is already good enough for me.

Weather sealing
A check on the compartment reveal that the weather sealing is on par with the 1D. In other words, it's much better than 5DIII. With this I was being assured that if there's any assignment to shoot in the stormy dessert or heavy rain, I could do so without worrying much whether it'd failed. This is of course need to couple with a weather seal lens, complete with filter.

Gotta say this- Don't know how good this camera is but what I do see is a lot of photographers trying to justify that this is not that much better of a camera and not worth the extra expense. I agree that for part time guys who make a little change on the side or hobbyist it may be too much but it drives me crazy how cloudy so people think.

Lets be honest right here and now- If this camera lives up to it's spec sheet then it's a no brainer for a working professional who makes his living off photography. As someone who makes most of his income off of weddings and portraits I can tell you that I'm looking for the best camera body that Canon has to offer. For me the extra $3k for the 1dx over the 5dmk3 is irrelevant, especially if it gives me Spot metering for selective AF points, more reliable focusing, lower noise levels, dual compact flash slots, 3 seperate processors with 1 dedicated to AF, better build, ETC.

Again, I'm not knocking the 5dmk3 at all but I think reality needs to set in for some of the people who were tired of waiting and have written off the 1dx and are now rationalizing their decision for getting the 5dmk3. As a photographer who does only high end weddings and sells large format images to clients I need the best tool out there and it's not even a question.

Up until this point I never saw the need for a 1series body but the 1dx has blurred the line and if this camera is up to spec it's an easy decision because it will be a substantially better camera than the 5dmk3 unless you need the extra MP. I agree with canon in regards to MP not being the end all be all.

danielyamseng wrote in post #14628699
Autofocus
Exhibit the same behavior as 5DIII, the whole viewfinder will turned red if VF illumination was turned on.
I was being informed, they're working on it for the fixes.

God yes. I need this

johneric8, I'm pretty much agree with you. To date those who choose the 1D over the rest need 3 features:-

1) Autofocus - speed and reliability
2) Weather sealing - able to shoot in extreme condition
3) Handling

With 5DIII the gap has become much closer, I think probably the reason is they've kill the 1d crop series. Thus, that's why they added a much better AF to 5DIII instead of placing a 7D AF system.
Another, reason maybe is to compete with the Nikon full frame camera.

On the contray for those who rely on high fps or work in extreme condition, they only have one choice, the 1D series camera. No doubt about it.

But to the masses, what 5DIII offer is sufficient.

Well I'm not professional but I really enjoy having two bodies so I recently took a big step up from my 5D Mk II /7D combo to a 5D Mk III / 1D Mk IV combo. ( found a great deal on the lightly used 1D). Not sure if this was the best way to go since the funds I've tied up would allow me to get a single 1D X. Should I sell these for a single 1Dx? Have to admit the 5D2/7D combo was great to have only one type of battery and charger. Lost that when I added the 1D IV.

johneric8 wrote in post #14628818
Gotta say this- Don't know how good this camera is but what I do see is a lot of photographers trying to justify that this is not that much better of a camera and not worth the extra expense. I agree that for part time guys who make a little change on the side or hobbyist it may be too much but it drives me crazy how cloudy so people think.

I see the opposite. I see people wanting the 1DX to be THE camera. I just don't see it and yes, I own 2 5D3 and I can afford a 1DX. I shoot weddings. I really don't need a 1DX. I mean sh*t, I was shooting weddings with a pair of 5D2s. The AF system on the 5D3 is almost as good as the 1DX and honestly, that's plenty good enough for this wedding photographer.

johneric8 wrote in post #14628818
Lets be honest right here and now- If this camera lives up to it's spec sheet then it's a no brainer for a working professional who makes his living off photography. As someone who makes most of his income off of weddings and portraits I can tell you that I'm looking for the best camera body that Canon has to offer. For me the extra $3k for the 1dx over the 5dmk3 is irrelevant, especially if it gives me Spot metering for selective AF points, more reliable focusing, lower noise levels, dual compact flash slots, 3 seperate processors with 1 dedicated to AF, better build, ETC.

If the 1DX is 2 stops better in noise handling, I would consider it. Otherwise, let's be honest right here and now, a wedding photographer doesn't really need the other stuff. I know I never have. Maybe I'm just a sh*tty photographer though.

And assuming backups, that's $6k extra if you get 2 of those suckers. It's bad business practice to buy the best gear just because it's the best gear. I buy the best gear that will get the job done, and for me, the 5D3 fits that description. Again, not defending my purchase at all. I love the 1 series bodies. LOVE them. I used to own the 1D3 twice over and also shot with the Nikon D3. I just love that form factor, build, and feature set. But honestly, with the 5D3 I stopped thirsting for a better camera.

johneric8 wrote in post #14628818
Again, I'm not knocking the 5dmk3 at all but I think reality needs to set in for some of the people who were tired of waiting and have written off the 1dx and are now rationalizing their decision for getting the 5dmk3. As a photographer who does only high end weddings and sells large format images to clients I need the best tool out there and it's not even a question.

I wasn't waiting for one b/c I knew I didn't need a 1DX and when I saw the spec sheet for the 5D3, I knew I had to have one. I would venture a guess and state that I am probably not the only one who felt that way.

johneric8 wrote in post #14628818
Up until this point I never saw the need for a 1series body but the 1dx has blurred the line and if this camera is up to spec it's an easy decision because it will be a substantially better camera than the 5dmk3 unless you need the extra MP. I agree with canon in regards to MP not being the end all be all.

Again, it sounds like you are the one trying to justify things. Yeah, the 1DX looks like the better camera, but I think it's stretching it to say that the 1DX is what you need to shoot high end weddings. Come on man. That's silly.

danielyamseng wrote in post #14631101
On the contray for those who rely on high fps or work in extreme condition, they only have one choice, the 1D series camera. No doubt about it.

Completely agreed on that.
For weddings I shoot, there's no sprinting, jumping, running, shooting in sub zero weather, in a hurricane, etc, etc. Maybe I just get the weird weddings.

5D3 is more than good enough to handle weddings.

You're missing my point Niksan. For me someone who makes a very nice income and supports his family with photography it's an easy decision to get a camera that by all accounts is better and less likely to fail. My point was that people who are saying these are the same cameras are lying to themselves. I did not say that you said that or intended my comments for you.

/One thing you have wrong is that I've never been a photographer that went out and bought the latest greatest I actually make this decisions based on specs and my needs. My point here is the 1dx is the first camera that Canon has put out that covers all bases. I don't need 12fps ever but would use it. The thing I'm the most interested in is reliability and features. I can honestly say that I get so much out of spot metering with selective AF points. The way that I shoot at times when using AV priority I use this to really nail exposures and composition especially when I don't have time to worry about shutter speed. With the dedicated processors there is no doubt that the metering system should be the best we've seen and again this will be very advantage for ETTL as well in regards to using speedlights off camera in which I do. At this point in my business I can afford these expenses especially when it's time to upgrade anyway. I can't imagine why a wedding photographer wouldn't want a better performing body it makes no sense to me. Could he or she get by without it, sure but why when you don't have to.
/

johneric8 wrote in post #14631918
You're missing my point Niksan. For me someone who makes a very nice income and supports his family with photography it's an easy decision to get a camera that by all accounts is better and less likely to fail. My point was that people who are saying these are the same cameras are lying to themselves. I did not say that you said that or intended my comments for you.

/One thing you have wrong is that I've never been a photographer that went out and bought the latest greatest I actually make this decisions based on specs and my needs. My point here is the 1dx is the first camera that Canon has put out that covers all bases. I don't need 12fps ever but would use it. The thing I'm the most interested in is reliability and features. I can honestly say that I get so much out of spot metering with selective AF points. The way that I shoot at times when using AV priority I use this to really nail exposures and composition especially when I don't have time to worry about shutter speed. With the dedicated processors there is no doubt that the metering system should be the best we've seen and again this will be very advantage for ETTL as well in regards to using speedlights off camera in which I do. At this point in my business I can afford these expenses especially when it's time to upgrade anyway. I can't imagine why a wedding photographer wouldn't want a better performing body it makes no sense to me. Could he or she get by without it, sure but why when you don't have to.
/

Its a business decision. You can get two excellent bodies for the price of a 1Dx. It also boils down to how much ISO performance you really really need. We shoot 25 a year and in very low lit churches and venues. Both my cameras get me excellent usable files at 8000 ISO. I dont need more than that but agree it would be nice to have it if it was ever needed. I agree with you on all points with ETTL,speedlights, and use for AV shooting. IDX will be awesome. But the MKIV and the 5D3 that i currently use work remarkably well for these needs. So business decision wise, and i think this is where Nick is at as well, It makes more sense to have two bodies that can do the job for the price of 1 body if they meet your needs. Sometimes you just dont have to have the best available if 2nd best more than meets your needs.

Ive also read some comparisons with the MKIV and the 1Dx as well. The op that started this thread made some statements that are similar to what i am reading as well. The MKIV is an excellent camera. 10 fps v/s 12 fps is just hogwash. If you cant get it in 10, your sure as hell not gonna get it in 12. The 1Dx will have a stop ISO over the MKIV. You give up the 1.3 FOV with the 1DX. That is huge for many including myself. I have an excellent full frame camera in the 5D3. I dont want to give up the advantages of the 1.3 fov for a 1Dx and be forced to buy more expensive glass to achieve the same results.....300mm v/s 400mm is a whole new ballgame and expense.

So business wise, for many, myself included, the MKIV and 5D3 or two 5D3's in Nicks case is a better business decision.

I have NEVER felt the need for 10-12fps shooting a wedding. NEVER. However, as mentioned before, tell me that the 1DX is 1.5 to 2 stops better, and I'll certainly listen. Absolutely. That would be a game changer, at least for me. The AF? The one in the 5D3 is more than good enough. It's only bested by the 1DX, so hey, I'll take that any day of the week.

Again, You guys are making my point. If money really isn't an object and your company has plenty of capital to purchase this gear it's an easy decision. Like I said, for me I can make up the difference for what I paid over the 5dmk3 on a couple of canvas sales so without blinking I'm going for the better camera, especially one that is almost 100% guaranteed less likely to fail. Another thing I failed to mention is I haven't upgraded in two years so it's time. I have all L glass I will ever need..

All the stuff that has been mentioned confirms exactly my point. Some of you guys are of a completely different mindset in regards to budget and business. There is nothing wrong with either way of thinking. Bottom line here- I'm a master photographer and one of the best in my field, I'm going to get the best gear that I can even though I don't necessarily have to have it. Trust me, most of my photographer friends with a similar business model do exactly as I when something substantial comes out with major improvements. Having said that, I agree with your points and I know full well the mk3 is more than enough. I've been using a 5dmk2 for years with great success..

johneric8 wrote in post #14644860
I'm a master photographer and one of the best in my field..

Off topic (my apologies): I enjoy viewing the work of master photographers...especi​ally the best ones. Do you have a web gallery of your work you can share? On topic, the 1DX is going to be amazing and I can't wait to see what talented shooters can do with it!