Canon EOS-1D X Digital Camera Body Details

[Arthur Morris]

Unless I wind up selling the 800, I would have to classify this info from Canon USA's top tech rep Chuck Westfall as bad news (just received via e-mail):

"AF is unavailable on the EOS-1D X if the maximum aperture reported to the camera through the electronic lens mount is smaller than f/5.6. This is a lower specification than previous EOS-1 series DSLRs. On the plus side, consider the fact that with most f/4 lenses including the 400 DO, 500/4L IS and IS II, and 600/4L IS and IS II, you now have 41 cross-type AF points plus color and face detection, whereas you had no cross-type points and no color or face detection during AF with previous EOS-1 series DSLRs using the same lenses, not to mention a significantly wider AF coverage area from left to right."

[Doug Brown]

I'm really surprised that they abandoned AF at f/8. That really limits the utility of the new 2x with most of the super-telephoto lenses, and the 800mm f/5.6 with any TC. I wonder why they decided to do it.

[Arthur Morris]

Doug, I agree. With a full frame camera TCs are vital. Being unable to use the 2X III TC on any of the f/4 super-telephotos (new or old) and being unable to use the 1.4XIII TC on the 800 is just brutal.... Not so bad for sports folks who do not have as great a need for TCs as wildlife folks and especially bird photographers.... Sometimes is baffles me when new gear is introduced as a total surprise....

[arash_hazeghi]

Unless I wind up selling the 800,...

Canon made your 800 obsolete by disabling f/8 AF, the new 600 is now the longest lens plus the 1.4. I would sell today!!!

looks like a simple 600 + 1DX rig will now sum up to 20 grand, hand holding it will be more fun for sure!

[Humberto Ramos]

Canon made your 800 obsolete by disabling f/8 AF, the new 600 is now the longest lens plus the 1.4. I would sell today!!!

looks like a simple 600 + 1DX rig will now sum up to 20 grand, hand holding it will be more fun for sure!

We can also buy a good car and a good pair of binoculars to watch wild life

[arash_hazeghi]

We can also buy a good car and a good binocular to watch wild life

Not in the US, 20 grand will not buy you a "good" car that can actually go to places with wildlife...But it will but you a dozen of darned good binoculars.

Occupy Canon!

[Doug Herr]

... 20 grand will not buy you a "good" car that can actually go to places with wildlife...

My wildlife car is a 1994 pickup truck, net original cost about zero. Regular maintenance & repairs as recommended by a good mechanic cost me about $1,000 annually, leaves more $$$ for photo equipment and travel. Safe, comfortable, reliable, unfortunately has no MP3 player.

The AF system suggests the 1D-X wasn't designed with birder input.

[arash_hazeghi]

My wildlife car is a 1994 pickup truck, net original cost about zero. Regular maintenance & repairs as recommended by a good mechanic cost me about $1,000 annually, leaves more $$$ for photo equipment and travel. Safe, comfortable, reliable, unfortunately has no MP3 player.

The AF system suggests the 1D-X wasn't designed with birder input.

What's the millage like and how much you pay for gas ;)

As a flight photographer I never use a 2X TC so for me the 1DX might indeed have the perfect AF system.

I don't think Canon deliberately drop the f/8 AF to annoy their customers.

The phase detecting AF becomes more difficult at smaller apertures, not because there is less light but due to the angle distribution of incident light. At f/8 the angle distribution is too narrow for precision phase-detect. 1DX uses new AF sensors and the split signal at f/8 is probably below its angular detection threshold.

see here for more info http://dougkerr.net/pumpkin/articles/Split_Prism.pdf

You can still use contrast detect AF in LV mode even at f/8.

We have to wait and see how the new AF system performs in the field.

FYI, Nikon also officially support AF at f/5.6 only, but they do not "disable" it at smaller apertures, they just don't guarantee reliable operation. I think Canon was paranoid with giving you something they were not fully confident in and having people complain to them later.

[Doug Herr]

What's the millage like and how much you pay for gas ;)

18 MPG with full camping/photography load, $3.58/gallon

You can still use contrast detect AF in LV mode even at f/8.

We have to wait and see how the new AF system performs in the field.

FYI, Nikon also officially support AF at f/5.6 only, but they do not "disable" it at smaller apertures, they just don't guarantee reliable operation. I think Canon was paranoid with giving you something they were not fully confident in and having people complain to them later.

Yup, best to see how it actually works, a few months from now.

[Roger Clark]

The phase detecting AF becomes more difficult at smaller apertures, not because there is less light but due to the angle distribution of incident light. At f/8 the angle distribution is too narrow for precision phase-detect. 1DX uses new AF sensors and the split signal at f/8 is probably below its angular detection threshold.

But Canon has demonstrated for years they have the technology to do excellent AF at f/8.

Roger

[Dan Brown]

Occupy Canon!

Good one, Arash! Occupy Nikon too, while we're at it!

[Larry Handal]

Canon made your 800 obsolete by disabling f/8 AF, the new 600 is now the longest lens plus the 1.4. I would sell today!!!

looks like a simple 600 + 1DX rig will now sum up to 20 grand, hand holding it will be more fun for sure!

I personally would rather have my bare 800mm than a 600mm(840mm) with a 1.4tc . I will have to see for myself to believe that the focus speed and IQ is as good as the 800.
I do plan to sell my old 500 and get the new one because of the lower weight advantage though.
Larry

[Arthur Morris]

I personally would rather have my bare 800mm than a 600mm(840mm) with a 1.4tc . I will have to see for myself to believe that the focus speed and IQ is as good as the 800.
I do plan to sell my old 500 and get the new one because of the lower weight advantage though. Larry

800 and new 500 is a great combo. But for folks who can own only one big lens the 600 is likely a better way to go.