Putting it though its paces using my dogs a subjects
My primary camera body, since 2016, is Canon’s EOD 1DX which has served me wonderfully well. The shot counter has 120,000 photographs taken. I have a couple of EOS 1D MKIVs, which I use as my backup cameras. Never, ever hire a photographer with only one camera body because ‘stuff happens,’ and the photographer should always have a backup at the ready. But I digress…
With the introduction of the EOX 1DX MkIII, the MKIIs were favorably priced, so I bought myself a bargain.
Compared the the 1DX, the 1DX MKII:
- Better viewfinder
- Better high ISO performance (for shooting in low light)
- It operates in flickering lights, perfect for indoor sports.
- Wicked fast 14 frames per second under normal shooting conditions and 16 FPS using live view
- It still has two memory card slots, but one of them is a cFAST card which, combined with an upgraded design, can shoot and buffer 170 RAW images.
- GPS
- Larger 20MP sensor
- I don’t shoot videos, but I would be very excited about this upgrade
The first thing I did when unboxing was to set it up in the same manner as my 1DX so that I could switch from camera to camera seamlessly!
Next, I needed to use the camera in anger, and my interest was how well the autofocus system worked at 14 frames per second. I gave the camera a bit of a break by shooting in good lighting conditions; I saved low-light conditions for another day. I am fortunate to own a couple of bird dogs; my Weimaraner would push the limits of the autofocus.
As an FYI, before I receive complaints because I always do – my dogs wear GPS trackers (Gramin 100) because we run in forested lands with no cell services. The Garmin’s can track my dogs up to a 9 miles radius, should they decide to get lost in the woods. They wear bells to give wildlife a heads-up of an impending invasion. Fitz and Taggart run loose where coyotes, bobcats, fisher cats, and bears live.
That said, I pushed the pups with a variety of recalls. The Weimaraner runs at speeds in the low 30s mph with a lot of vertical movement.
The 1DX MKII paired with a canon EF 70mm to 200mm f/2.8 MKII did not miss a beat; it was flawless – the servo focus tracking was outstanding.
I am going to have fun with my new workhorse.
Canon EOS 1DX Mark II Autofocus: The Best in the Business
The Canon EOS 1DX Mark II is a professional-grade DSLR camera that is known for its incredible autofocus system. The 1DX Mark II has 61 autofocus points, all of which are cross-type. This means that they can detect contrast in both horizontal and vertical directions, which makes them very accurate in low-light conditions.
The 1DX Mark II also has a number of features that make it well-suited for fast-paced photography, such as AI Servo AF III and 5fps continuous shooting. AI Servo AF III is a predictive autofocus system that can track moving subjects very accurately. 5fps continuous shooting allows you to capture even the fastest action with ease.
In addition to its impressive autofocus system, the 1DX Mark II also has a number of other features that make it a great choice for professional photographers. These features include a 20.2MP full-frame sensor, a DIGIC 6+ image processor, and a 3.2-inch vari-angle touchscreen LCD.
The Canon EOS 1DX Mark II is a powerful camera that is capable of capturing stunning images in a variety of conditions. Its autofocus system is one of the best in the business, and it makes it easy to capture even the most challenging subjects.
Here are some of the specific autofocus features of the Canon EOS 1DX Mark II:
- 61 autofocus points: The 1DX Mark II has 61 autofocus points, all of which are cross-type. This means that they can detect contrast in both horizontal and vertical directions, which makes them very accurate in low-light conditions.
- AI Servo AF III: AI Servo AF III is a predictive autofocus system that can track moving subjects very accurately. It uses a combination of subject tracking and predictive algorithms to keep your subject in focus even when they are moving quickly or erratically.
- 5fps continuous shooting: The 1DX Mark II can shoot at up to 5fps continuous shooting. This means that you can capture even the fastest action with ease.
- AF Microadjustment: AF Microadjustment allows you to fine-tune the autofocus accuracy of individual lenses. This is a great way to ensure that your lenses are focusing perfectly on your subject.
If you are looking for a camera with the best possible autofocus system, the Canon EOS 1DX Mark II is a great option. It has a powerful autofocus system that is capable of tracking moving subjects very accurately. It also has a number of other features that make it a great choice for professional photographers.