Canon has recently launched the EOS 1DX Mark II, a successor to the 1DX. They are now freely available and the price dropped a fair amount following the Rio Olympics, where the camera was used extensively.
There are a number of upgrades to the previous model. Frame rate is upped to 14 fps and 16fps in Live View. 4K video can be captured at 60fps and Full HD at 120fps. There is now a Dual Pixel AF which grabs focus faster than the 1DX and to record all this data quickly, the camera has a CFast card slot. (A great pity Canon did not put in two CFast slots – the other slot is for CF). The new camera sensor has been upgraded to 20,2 MP and has improved dynamic range and low light performance. I have certainly seen an improvement of detail in the shadows over previous models.
The set up is similar to the 1DX with a number of additional features and options. Video has a stack of options that are not covered in this blog.
I chose to save three sets of set ups under the Custom Controls C1,C2,C3 under Custom Function 6. I have set up for Landscape photography, General Nature which would include most wildlife in a relatively static mode and then a set up for “action” nature which is mainly centered on bird flight photography and any other fast action. To facilitate this further, I have set up a “MY MENU” #2 which contains all the AF settings (PURPLE in the Menu) so you can adjust the three elements making up the AF Case and also focus or speed priorities.
Custom Controls offer a number of possibilities for programming particular buttons for certain functions. This would be a very personal choice depending on your own likings.
TABLE OF SAVED SETTINGS FOR A CANON EOS 1DX MARK II | |||
MENU/FUNCTION/MODE | C1 | C2 | C3 |
Landscape | “General” Nature | “Action” Nature | |
SHOOTING | |||
Shooting mode | Av | Av | M |
Metering Mode | Evaluative | Evaluative | Evaluative |
Aperture | f/8 | f/5.6 | f/5.6 |
Shutter speed | – | – | 1/2000 |
ISO Settings (RED #2)* | 200 | 400 | 800 |
Range | 50-25600 | 100-25600 | 100-25600 |
Auto ISO Range Note 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Min. Shutter Speed Note 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Menus | |||
RED#1 | |||
WB | AWB | AWB | AWB |
Set Custom WB | – | – | – |
WB Shift/Bkt | 0,0/±0 | 0.0/±0 | 0,0/±0 |
Color Space | Adobe RGB | Adobe RGB | Adobe RGB |
Picture Style Note 2 | Standard | Standard | Standard |
Lens Aberration Correction Note 3 | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
Multiple Exposure | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
RED#2 | |||
JPEG Quality | L(n/a) | L(n/a) | L(n/a) |
Image type/size | RAW | RAW | RAW |
ISO Speed settings | see above | see above | see above |
Auto Lighting Optimiser | OFF | OFF | OFF |
Long Exp. Noise Reduction | OFF | OFF | OFF |
High ISO Noise Reduction | OFF | OFF | OFF |
Highlight Tone Priority* | OFF | OFF | OFF |
RED #3 | |||
Image Review | 8 sec. | 8 sec. | 8 sec. |
Beep | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
Release Shutter w/o Card | OFF | OFF | OFF |
Mirror Lockup* | OFF | OFF | OFF |
Dust Delete Data | – | – | – |
External Speedlite Control | |||
Flash Firing | Enable | Enable | Enable |
E-TTL II Metering | Evaluative | Evaluative | Evaluative |
Flash Sync . Speed in Av Mode | Auto | Auto | Auto |
Anti-flicker shooting | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
RED #4 | |||
Live View Shooting | Enable | Enable | Enable |
AF Method | FlexiZoneAF☐ | FlexiZoneAF☐ | FlexiZoneAF☐ |
Grid Display | OFF | OFF | OFF |
Exposure Simulation | Enable | Enable | Enable |
RED#5 | |||
Silent LV Shooting | Mode 1 | Mode 1 | Mode 1 |
Metering Timer | 8 sec. | 8sec. | 8 sec. |
LV Touch Control | Standard | Standard | Standard |
PURPLE #1 | |||
AF Case Note 4 | Case 1 (0,0,0) n/a | Case 3 adj.(-2,1,0) | Case 3 adj. (-2,1,0) |
PURPLE #2 | |||
AI Servo 1st Image Priority | Focus (+2) n/a | Focus (+2) | Equal Priority |
AI Servo 2nd Image Priority | Focus (+2) n/a | Focus (+2) | Equal Priority |
PURPLE #3 | |||
USM Lens Electronic MF | En. After 1 shot MF | n/a | n/a |
AF Assist Beam Firing | IR | IR | IR |
PURPLE #4 | |||
Auto AF point Selection:EOS iTR AF | OFF | OFF | OFF |
Lens Drive When AF Impossible | ON | ON | ON |
Selectable AF Point | 61 pt. | 61 pt. | 61 pt. |
Select AF area selection mode | excl. zones and auto | excl. zones and auto | excl. zones and auto |
AF Area Selection Method | M-Fn | M-Fn | M-Fn |
Orientaion Linked AF point | Separate:pt only | Separate:pt only | Separate:pt only |
Initial AF pt, in AI servo | Initial pt. selected | Initial pt. selected | Initial pt. selected |
PURPLE #5 | |||
AF pt. Selection Movement | Continuous | Continuous | Continuous |
AF point Display During Focus | All AF points | All AF points | All AF points |
AF Point Brightness | Normal | Normal | Normal |
AF Status in Viewfinder | Outside | Outside | Outside |
AF Microadjustment | ON | ON | ON |
BLUE #2 | |||
Image Jump with turn of wheel | 1 | 1 | 1 |
BLUE #3 | |||
Highlight Alert | Enable | Enable | Enable |
AF Point Display | Enable | Enable | Enable |
Playback Grid | OFF | OFF | OFF |
Histogram Display | RGB | RGB | RGB |
Movie Play Count | Rec. Time | Rec. Time | Rec. Time |
Magnification | 1x | 1x | 1x |
Control Over HDMI | Disable | Disable | Disable |
YELLOW #1 | |||
Record func. + card/folder Select | Standard | Standard | Standard |
File Numbering | Continuous | Continuous | Continuous |
File Name | Preset | Preset | Preset |
Auto Rotate | Computer Only | Computer Only | Computer Only |
Format Card* | |||
YELLOW #2 | |||
Auto Power Off | 30 mins | 30 mins | 30 mins |
LCD Brightness | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Viewfinder Display | Show Electronic Level | ||
INFO button display options | Custom Quick Control Screen | ||
YELLOW #3 | |||
Video System | PAL | PAL | PAL |
Sensor Cleaning* | |||
Communication Settings | Disable | Disable | Disable |
GPS Settings Note 5 | Disable | Disable | Disable |
HDMI Frame Rate | Auto | Auto | Auto |
YELLOW #4 | |||
Custom Shooting Modes | C1,C2,C3 set | C1,C2,C3 set | C1,C2,C3 set |
Firmware Version | 1.0.2 | 1.0.2 | 1.0.2 |
ORANGE #1 | |||
Exposure Level Increments | 1/3 | 1/3 | 1/3 |
ISO Speed Setting Increments | 1/3 | 1/3 | 1/3 |
Bracketing Auto Cancel | ON | ON | ON |
Bracketing Sequence | 0-+ | 0-+ | 0-+ |
Number of Bracketed Shots | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Spot Meter Linked to AF Point | Active Point | Active Point | Active Point |
ORANGE #2 | |||
Safety Shift | OFF | OFF | ISO |
Same exposure for New Aperture | OFF | OFF | OFF |
ORANGE #3 | |||
Restrict Shooting Modes Note 6 | None | None | None |
Restrict Metering Modes | Evaluative only | Evaluative only | Evaluative Only |
Metering used in Manual Exposure | Evaluative | Evaluative | Evaluative |
Set Shutter Speed Range | Default | Default | Default |
Set Aperture Range | 1.4 to 32 | 1.4 to 22 | 1.4 to 22 |
AE Microadjustment | OFF | OFF | OFF |
FE Microadjustment | OFF | OFF | OFF |
ORANGE #4 | |||
Continuous Shooting Speed | 14(16),10,5,3 | 14(16),10,5,3 | 14(16),10,5,3 |
Limit Continuous Shot Count | – | – | – |
Restrict Drive Modes | None | None | None |
ORANGE #5 | |||
Focusing Screen | Std | Std | Std |
Viewfinder Info During Exposure | OFF | OFF | OFF |
LCD Panel illumination During Bulb | OFF | OFF | OFF |
Recording card, image size setting | Rear LCD Panel | Rear LCD Panel | Rear LCD Panel |
ORANGE #6 | |||
Warnings in Viewfinder | – | – | – |
Dial Direction during Tv/Av | Default | Default | Default |
Av Setting without lens | OFF | OFF | OFF |
Multi Function Lock | Quick Control | Quick Control | Quick Control |
Custom Controls | see below | see below | see below |
key/microphone button function | Rec Memo | Rec Memo | Rec Memo |
ORANGE #7 | |||
Add Cropping Information | OFF(3:2) | OFF(3:2) | OFF(3:2) |
Timer Duration | 6 sec | 6 sec. | 6 sec. |
Shutter Release Time Lag | Shortened | Shortened | Shortened |
Memo Quality Audio | 48kHz | 48kHz | 48kHz |
Default Erase option | [Cancel] Selected | [Cancel] Selected | [Cancel] Selected |
Retract Lens on Power Off | n/a | n/a | n/a |
MY MENU #1 (*) | |||
Mirror Lock Up | |||
Format Card | |||
Highlight Tone Priority | |||
Sensor Cleaning | |||
Custom Controls | |||
ISO Speed Setting | |||
MY MENU #2 (AF Functions) | |||
Tracking Sensitivity | |||
Accel/decel tracking | |||
AF point auto switching | |||
AI Servo 1st Image Priority | |||
AI Servo 2nd Image Priority | |||
AF Microadjustment | |||
CUSTOM CONTROLS C.Fn.6 | |||
Shutter Button | metering start only | metering start only | metering start only |
AF-ON Button | AE Lock | Metering and AF | Metering and AF |
* Button | Metering and AF | Metering and AF | Metering and AF |
DOF Button | AF Stop | AF Stop | AF Stop |
Lens AF Stop Button | One Shot=AI Servo | One Shot=AI Servo | One Shot=AI Servo |
M-Fn | Switch Custom Shoot | Switch Custom Shoot | Switch Custom Shoot |
M -Fn 2 | Switch Reg AF Fn | Switch Reg AF Fn | Switch Reg AF Fn |
SET | WB | WB | WB |
Main Dial | Tv | Tv | Tv |
Quick Control Dial | Av | Av | Av |
Toggle | AF pt. Selection | AF pt. Selection | AF pt. Selection |
Mn-F2 Note | |||
Can Set up a different AF configuration and toggle between your normal set up that is saved in theCustom Shooting Mode (C1,C2,C3) and the different AF configuration. | |||
Example you may quickly want to change just the AF area selection mode by merely pushing M-Fn 2 button and holding . Releasing it gets you back to your saved setting. Just another alternative rather than having to enter “My Menu” and changing the AF set up. | |||
In this way, I have changed the area selection as follows: | |||
C1: from single point to expand AF Area:surround | |||
C2: from Expand AF Area:Expand AF surround to Expand AF area | |||
C3: from Expand AF Area:Expand AF surround to Expand AF area | |||
OTHER NOTES | |||
Note 1: If you set ISO to Auto, then you should configure your range and minimum shutter speed | |||
Note 2: This is only for representation of the LCD image. If you use DPP for Raw conversion then these settings will appear when you open the RAW image in DPP. In this instance it is only the sharpening setting that will be transferred (setting 3) which is just fine | |||
. | |||
Note 3: You can do this in camera. Both Lightroom, ACR and DPP have adjustments for this. | |||
Note 4: These settings assume that you using single point AF in C1 and expansion in C2 and C3 | |||
Note 5: You can enable GPS settings if you so wish. Will shorten battery operation | |||
Note 6: Remember to enable C1,C2 and C3 shooting modes otherwise you will find you can’t save them. | |||
General Note: The AF set up can be complex and there are various methods you can employ to more quickly make changes to individual settings to suit your particular needs. | |||
Excellent work John .