Canon 1D Mark II Question and Answer

[Steve Mitchell]

This area is for questions regarding the new Canon 1D Mark II. Answers will be provided by Stephen Eastwood. Other fashion photography questions are welcome as well. Stephen will be online at approximately 8:30.

[Steve Mitchell]

I'd like to begin by thanking Stephen for taking time out of his schedule to share his impressions of the new Canon Mk II as well as giving us some insight on his great and uniique work. The first question I would like to ask is the regarding the quality of the file itself. Is there any Canon body currently available that you can compare the file quality? And besides the obvious resolution difference, was their a difference in file quality at the medium resolution settings?

[santa]

I would like to ask about the new flash technology. The numerous complaints about flash with the 10D have kept me from moving into the Canon DSLR camp but I am ready to spring for a MKII if the new flash system compares favorably with the Nikon system, particularly the new SB800 wireless system. What can you tell me about the new flash that isn't already in Canon's blurbs. Thanks very much.

[Steve Mitchell]

As a follow up to santa's question, from what I understand, the new ETTL II flash system now takes into consideration all focus points, and does not just meter from the selected auto focus point as the current ETTL system does. Consistency in results is what the supposed outcome will be. Knowing that your were firing of studio strobes the majority of the time, did you have a chance to test the new flash system, and was there a noticable difference?

Originally Posted by santa

I would like to ask about the new flash technology. The numerous complaints about flash with the 10D have kept me from moving into the Canon DSLR camp but I am ready to spring for a MKII if the new flash system compares favorably with the Nikon system, particularly the new SB800 wireless system. What can you tell me about the new flash that isn't already in Canon's blurbs. Thanks very much.

[Steve Mitchell]

One of the more intriguing features of the Canon 1D Mark II is the ability to make finer adjustments and custom color matrixes. Did you have an opportunity to experiment with this feature, I know you're a Photoshop guru as well. Did this feature lessen your post processing time?

[DaveMart]

Are you going to miss 1/500th synch in your type of work?
Regards,
DaveMart

[Steve Mitchell]

Other than a sports, fashion can also test the buffer capacity. Particularly when shooting RAW, after allow the CF card to write, I am sometimes prevented from shooting while waiting for the buffer to fill. With the larger file sizes of the 1D Mark II, were you ever limited from shooting due to waiting for the buffer to write?

[photobug]

I'd like to ask about the button sequences. do you still need to use both hands to change the settings? I've been using a D30 and a quick dial. Have they switched to this type of controls?

[teski]

We've read a lot in the forums and marketing materials that the White Balance has been improved even though there's no external sensor. Did you find that Auto WB did the job for you and resulted in minimal processing? Also, did you play with the WB compensation?

Thanks for all of your hard work Stephen.

Teski

[teski]

There have been talks that Canon killed the DEP mode on the MKII. Not sure if you use this in your line of work, but do you know if that is in fact the case and if so, why would Canon kill this feature?

Teski

[sjhugoose]

1st. Stephen thanks for doing this, your a great resource and and even better photographer!

2nd. I'd like to know if they told you anything about the sensor? I'm concerned of problems similar to the 1D's double write buffer type problems and id there the potential for this to happen on the new 1DII?

3rd. You mentioned the camera really shines in the speed category with fast cards. What card were you using and how fast and instant is this camera? As fast as the original 1D?

4th. Can you teach me everything you know

Thanks for your time Stephen and hope to see you around here more.

Scott

[DaveMart]

Originally Posted by teski

There have been talks that Canon killed the DEP mode on the MKII. Not sure if you use this in your line of work, but do you know if that is in fact the case and if so, why would Canon kill this feature?

Teski

This has already been answered by Chuck W on the Rob Galbraith forum:
'Essentially, DEP mode was dropped from the EOS-1D Mark II because Canon determined that it was an infrequently used setting for the majority of EOS-1D owners, and they wanted more room on the CPU to add other features.'

[teski]

Originally Posted by DaveMart

This has already been answered by Chuck W on the Rob Galbraith forum:
'Essentially, DEP mode was dropped from the EOS-1D Mark II because Canon determined that it was an infrequently used setting for the majority of EOS-1D owners, and they wanted more room on the CPU to add other features.'

Thanks Dave...Didn't catch that on Rob's site.

[Steve Mitchell]

Breaking away from the facts and stats for a bit, there have been endless debates in the various photography forums on whether it's the tool or the photographer. I consider you to be one of the great true artists in your field. You have seen digital come a long way, and made incredible images with the earliest DSLR. Yet you always have the best tools available. Do you feel the 1D Mark II will allow you to better express your vision, and if so, how?

[digitalman2003]

Stephen,
Thanks for your time.
1. Do you feel that the Mark II produces a better file than the 1Ds -- quality wise (even though it's a smaller size than the 1Ds)

2. Have you tested any high ISOs (not for you normal work, but just standard testing) how did noise compare to the 1Ds and the 1D?

3. Do fashion magazines require files of a certain size from their photographers? ie would a photog have to shoot with a 1Ds for an editorial, even if he normally would shoot with a 1D... I know 99% of fashion shooters wouldn't use a 1D, but I'm just making a comparison. (I'm refering to the editoral pages or even high end ads)

Thanks!!!