Question about the 1D series

Hi all,


I feel real dumb and stupid for asking this, but I want to know. I have my sights focussed on a 1D (Either 1DSMKII or 1DMKIII) as an upgrade in the coming months so I've been paying close attention to these cameras, one thing I noticed is that there is no mode selector dial on these cameras. Why? How does one select different modes on the 1D series? A follow-up question, and logically I will deduce that mode selection is either through the menu or through buttons? If this is the case, then this seems counter intuitive from what I am used to, from DSLR to film SLRs. How does it feel and does it feel second nature? I appreciate your input. TIA.

There is a mode button that you press and hold while turning the selection wheel.

Big honkin' wheels with pictures on them feel cheap after a while.

00silvergt wrote in post #3907939
Hi all,


I feel real dumb and stupid for asking this, but I want to know. I have my sights focussed on a 1D (Either 1DSMKII or 1DMKIII) as upgrade in the coming months so I've been paying close attention to these cameras, one thing I noticed is that there is no mode selector dial on these cameras. Why? How does one select different modes on the 1D series? A follow-up question, and logically I will deduce that mode selection is either through the menu or through buttons? If this is the case, then this seems counter intuitive from what I am used to, from DSLR to film SLRs. How does it feel and does it feel second nature? I appreciate your input. TIA.

it is done by pressing the mode button button on top of the camera, and then rotating the dial till you get to the required setting. To me it seems no harder to do than a fixed dial, although i generally stay in M most of the time. The layout is obviously different to a 20D, but once you get it down its much more ergonomically friendly, or so i would say.

Can't say on Mklll, but on the others you need to hold down combinations of 2 buttons on the top & turn the wheel. That prevents accidental changes.

Oh, that kinda sucks. Cos, has anyone had any problems with the plastic wheel? Does it feel 2nd nature, eventually?

What sucks? It's better than a big chunk o' plastic on top of the camera. I can look through the viewfinder, press a button and know what mode I'm in. Nothin' is counter intuitive about it. The two selection dials are very robust and I've never had a problem with them.

What many don't experience with a 1 series and M mode in general is that you are able to manipulate the camera while looking through the viewfinder far better than with a consumer body.

I rarely have to look at my camera to see how it's set. You get a feel for it like all cameras but the viewfinder display and the buttons make for fast adjustments looking through the viewfinder.

Ever lost a shot while you had to look at the camera and set it?

If you lived here I'd let you try it out, you'd REALLY like it.

00silvergt wrote in post #3907972
Oh, that kinda sucks. Cos, has anyone had any problems with the plastic wheel? Does it feel 2nd nature, eventually?

Trust me you get used to it very quickly and then the little mode wheel seems odd...

Coming from a 20D it was a bit of a shock to see there was no dial but it certainly makes for a cleaner look and I seldom change mode in a shoot anyway.

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cosworth wrote in post #3908012
What sucks? It's better than a big chunk o' plastic on top of the camera. I can look through the viewfinder, press a button and know what mode I'm in. Nothin' is counter intuitive about it. The two selection dials are very robust and I've never had a problem with them.

What many don't experience with a 1 series and M mode in general is that you are able to manipulate the camera while looking through the viewfinder far better than with a consumer body.

I rarely have to look at my camera to see how it's set. You get a feel for it like all cameras but the viewfinder display and the buttons make for fast adjustments looking through the viewfinder.

Ever lost a shot while you had to look at the camera and set it?

If you lived here I'd let you try it out, you'd REALLY like it.

I agree, taking your eye off the VF to check settings do suck. Yeah, I can't find a retailer that has it in stock. I looked at the 1D MKII but that's not the same, right?

nitsch wrote in post #3908036
Trust me you get used to it very quickly and then the little mode wheel seems odd...

LOL, Wow, now I'm getting excited.

Does the Sigma/Tamron Digital (DC and Di II) series lenses work on the 1D MKIII? Or are those only for APS-C only lenses?

racketman wrote in post #3908058
Coming from a 20D it was a bit of a shock to see there was no dial but it certainly makes for a cleaner look and I seldom change mode in a shoot anyway.

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Does the mode appear on the VF as well? Thanks for the pic, BTW.

M and bulb display M and well, bulb. TV the shutter stays constant. AV the aperture stays constant. If you use P on a 1 series, then you should be shot. P will vary both so you know what mode you're in easily.

LOL I though you were going to say: "If you use P on a 1 series, you need to go and sell it and buy a Rebel Xti or a 40D. LOL. I hope there are no "creative" zones on the 1 series, right?

cosworth wrote in post #3908116
If you use P on a 1 series, then you should be shot. .

You should shoot me 'cause I use P mode sometimes
I used M mode and AV mode all the time with XTI. Somehow with Mark III, I used P mode from time to time.
Make note to self. Remove P mode selection from the CF menu

00silvergt wrote in post #3908177
LOL I though you were going to say: "If you use P on a 1 series, you need to go and sell it and buy a Rebel Xti or a 40D. LOL. I hope there are no "creative" zones on the 1 series, right?

Nope P, AV, TV, M and B.

The 1D series is a pro camera - so, no auto mode, no preset program modes like Portrait, Close Up, etc. The only modes available are manual, Av, Tv, etc...

It forces you to setup your shots carefully - and with thought. Almost like back in the film days!