Canon 1D Mark II Hands On...

I was able to check out the new Canon EOS 1D Mark II at PMA this week in Las Vegas along with the 1Ds. My past DSLR experience has been with the Canon 10D using the 17-40 L and 70-200 2.8 IS lenes. The two most impressive features that I found were the image quality and focusing speed. I sat through several shoot sessions featuring pro photographers shooting various models at the Canon booth. They had the Mark II hooked up to several LCD screens where we could see each shot about 1 second after it was taken. Then one of the images from the shoot was run through the new Canon imaging software and printed on a giant Canon printer. The subsequent print was 20 x 30 and passed around the audiance for review. All I can say is either they are using smoke and mirrors or the images that the Mark II spits out are in one word STUNNING!

I also had a chance to play with several Mark II's with various lenses. Though the bodies did not have memory cards in them, I was able to check out the autofocus speed and general handling of the camera. Nothing really new ergonomically compared to the 1D and 1Ds, however, the shutter speed in high mode was unbelievable. I played with a 1Ds which felt like a bannana slug in comparisson as far as shutter speed and focusing were concerned. The Mark II has a flutter like quality to the shutter rather than the typical loud slap from most other DSLR shutters. Though this feature is typically not very important in U/W photography, the focusing speed is. The focusing speed and image quality are going to be killers for U/W photography in my opinion.

Yeah, initially I was a little disapointed that the camera's price will be at or near $4500 but after checking it out and seeing the images it produced, I have absolutely no worries about getting my monies worth from this camera. I believe at this price it is a great value. They could have easily ask $5,000 or more for it.

Keith

P.S. I won't post a full PMA report as there already seems to be ton of information out there on the 2004 PMA convention.

That's good news Keith. I'm hoping to get a look at the camera during the Focus on Imaging exhibition in Birmingham, UK next week. How did the viewfinder compare with your Canon F1, which I presume you are using fullframe. I'm in almost the same situation - Nikon F3 in Aquatica A3 housing.

Robert

Hi Robert,

The viewfinder seemed very bright but I can't tell you exactly how close it was to my speed finder (which I just sold). I am looking at a Seacam housing and am hoping that the Proview finder will be nice and bright.

Keith

Keith -

You're not talking about shutter SPEED, right? You're talking about frame rate? Or shutter lag?

Frame rate won't matter for strobe photography, since most strobes won't cycle fast enough for a 1Ds, even. But for surface and shallow photography, it will be nice.

Thanks Eric, yes the frame rate was what I was talking about. Sports shooters will rejoice!

Now if only I could pre-order one.....

Keith

Hi Keith,

Did you get a chance to see how well the new Canon does at higher ISO speeds, noise that is ?

I placed my pre-order with Ritz Camera right after the first reviews came out, along with the 28-300 mm lens.

Marc

Hello Mark, I did not get a chance to play with the ISO speeds but wish I had. So far what I have read is that 100-400 are excellent with no visible noise. But it sounds like everyone is looking at pre-production models at this point. After seeing the 20"x30" prints from the Mark II, I went and called around and got my name on several wait lists. Do you know what housing your are thinking of putting your Mark II in?

Keith

Hi Keith,

I’m hoping that the Canon does well in the higher ISO range of 400 speed. I like my Fuji S2 but it’s still to noisy for my taste.

I’ll be making my own housing out of PVC, or I’ll make a mold and pour a housing out of urethane.

Marc