First Impressions: 1D Mark II

I finally was able to get my Mark II out of the house after the three cycle conditioning of two batteries. The only other camera that I've used that feels this good is a Nikon F5. I had gotten used to the fact that digital cameras were just slower and less responsive. I switched from Nikon film gear to a 10D last year. I prefer Canon's color rendition to Nikon's in digital cameras. I returned a D100 before I bought the 10D. The 1D Mark II is clearly in the class of the F5 and cameras like it (EOS 1V). It's fast and stable. The Autofocus is very quick, no hunting, and the shutter sounds and feels beautiful. The display of the picture and histogram is virtually instantaneous. Do I sound impressed? I'll check the results tonight. I hope the pictures are as impressive as the build.
Scott

Scott:
You've touched on something really important to a lot of people. The look, feel, ergonomics, and even sound of a camera are almost as important to a user as performance. Forty years after they were state of the art, I still love to 'dry fire' my old screw-mount pentaxes; there's a feeling of solid quality there, and it sounds like the Mk II is very similar, albeit on a much higher technological plane.

We look forward to seeing your results.

Tom

I'd like to compare a 1D MKII with my first series F1. When I dry fire it, I get a nostalgic rush, but also get the feel of a camera built for professionals.

No knock on my (or anyone else's) Drebel, but this (as Tom suggested) has reminded me of that facet of the equipment.

Tom, Rick,
Exactly! This camera feels good just to handle, to look through the viewfinder and watch things snap into focus. The sound of the shutter snapping like a precise instrument. I still love my 10D. I get great reults with it and it's very portable. But the 1D Mark II just feels and sounds like something very different.
Thanks for sharing my experience.
Scott

Sounds like Canon have spent some time getting the ergonomics right. I have felt that my 10D is not quite as solid as the D60. I know it is supposed to be better, being alloyed body, but the click and tick from the knows ans switches is not quite as good in my opinion (not helped admittedly by having a couple of grains of sand under the jog wheel). In most things you do get what you pay for. Cant wait to see some examples from you Scott.

scottbergerphoto,

I agree with you totally. This camera seems to have something extra. If feels so secure in my hand and it feels like it can take on the world. I don't worry about if I will get the shot, I worry about what shot to take.

The focus is sharp and very fast. I am playing around with it in the house and there are so many things to check and set that I need a nap already.

I am going to take it out tomorrow and test it out.

I sure hope RFMSports got his too, it would just make the weekend all the better. We should have some sort of show and tell next week. Not a bragging session but a look what I got and how it felt type of thing. Some will consider it bragging but that is life.

NiL,

But the 1D Mark II just feels and sounds like something very

Sure does feel different...got mine today and realised what a slew of differences there actually were. I have a ski event to shoot next week and will be so jazzed to shoot bursts of skiers around the first and second bouys on the course...Naturally I will wish I had more memory soon enough but oh well there are camera shops everywhere

I love the Mk11 so far!!!

J

My second impression...The batteries take too long to charge. I am still waiting. I have been charging all day. Charge refresh, charge refresh. For the money I don't think we should have to go through this.

My third impression is the battery is also very hard to put in. LOL

I am cranky, thought I would be shooting outdoors with it today instead I have been looking at blinking lights...

Oh well.


NiL,

NILOLIGIST wrote:
My second impression...The batteries take too long to charge. I am still waiting. I have been charging all day. Charge refresh, charge refresh. For the money I don't think we should have to go through this.

My third impression is the battery is also very hard to put in. LOL

I am cranky, thought I would be shooting outdoors with it today instead I have been looking at blinking lights...

Oh well.


NiL,

Based on reviews, i tihnk you'll forget about these issues during your 3 days or so of straight shooting.

I keep finding myself depressed reading these threads. Then i realize i'm only 18 and have already managed to invest a large sum of money into a camera. I just know that someday i will own somthing much better, perhaps even an MKII when it's replacement is here.

(say...lets start talking about the MKII replacement! )

Maybe....

NiL,

What's with the battery cycling before starting to use the camera?
I thought the 1DMkII used a NiMH battery, surely you can charge and use the battery straight away, with battery life improving over the first few cycles.

I have used NiCd, high capacity NiCd, NiMH and Lithium Ion. All battery types I have come across could be charged and then used without needing to be cycled first.