For many years I have been a reasonably happy Canon shooter. Much to my excitement I heard about the new Canon 1D X. At first glance I was really pleased with what I read. Full Frame, 12fps, 2CF card slots, etc: features promising increased usability and functionality.
Much to my horror I found out that this camera only autofocuses to f/5.6! Never mind that, the announcement mentions that the 1D X will be replacing the 1Ds Mark III and the 1D Mark IV.
What the ….
Not for me. A 1D with autofocus only to f/5.6, will never replace my 1D Mark IV.
Autofocus at f/8 is my primary motivation to consider a 1D body and provides for a fantastic range of lens flexibility, in particular for my f/4 supertele lenses. Canon says: “Stuff you. You can’t anymore. We think we know better and you don’t need your 2xTC any longer. Wait, we help you and make autofocus at f/8 impossible.”
Let me not forget to mention that the 800mm/f5.6 will also no longer focus with a 1.4xTC attached.
I really don’t understand the rationale behind this decision of Canon. Why is this necessary ? Have the dudes at decision levels a clue ? Clearly not. They applied a business decision profile that disregards the needs and requirements of today’s nature and semi-pro hobby photographers.
What struck me as well was the line in the announcement that says: “… culmination of customer feedback and requests from the field … and answered the requests of many photographers …” (apparently for the two CF slots). Well, they missed the boat here completely. Autofocus at f/8 has always been the most important feature of the 1D Mark IV for me and if they would have asked their current users what they would think about removing this feature, they would get an overwhelming response: please don’t.
Although I think this new camera has some great new features, no autofocus at f/8 is a killer criterion for me. I really looked forward to the new line, which I expected a bit later. I wish they did wait a bit and re-considered this strange move. I will either sit it out, consider a second 1D Mark IV (which I really did not want to do) or make a move to Nikon. Tbc
Hopefully this will be true
http://www.canonrumors.com/2012/02/canon-eos-1d-x-f8-to-be-added-cr1/
James, yes let’s. For me the uncertainty about this has taken too long and I switched to Nikon. I am going to FL next week with a D700 and 600mm and when coming back a D4 will be smiling to me.
Peter, way to be proactive…you had a lot of Canon gear, their loss. Good luck in Florida and D4 sounds awesome, AF @ F/8 and at more than just the central point as well.
One more peculiar thing, pasted from the ofic canon site:
“In normal shooting, with full AI Servo AF tracking enabled, the EOS-1D X is can fire at up to 12fps (*) to ensure that you don’t miss any of the action, no matter how fast it becomes.”
/(*) Unless the battery has less than 50% charge.
With you all the way on this. I delayed a purchase plan on the Mark iv for the new release. acquired the 2x III… all set to pull the trigger on new body. well I punted…Canon and netflix management must have gone to the same school
If you are thinking about it Welcome to the Dark Side
(Nikon)
Sadly, canon has totally lost their minds!
Autofocus at f/8 is a milestone for most of the photogs!!!
I’ve already went to Nikon, D3s is the ultimate camera, Peter. It is still well ahead of any canon body, inc 1Dx.
Hi Peter, I cannot think of a single photographer not in agreement with you, and who will also refuse to spend $6800 for a f/5.6 AF system. Well said!