kyle wrote:
I only really use it for the Menu and maybe for a quick look at the histogram and to delete obvious "no hopers" -- but with enough CF / SD cards if you bracket you've got exposure adequately covered so you shouldn't nered to review until you can get to a computerl.
I shoot in raw, so I'm already down to about 120 frames per gigabyte. I'd rather have good shooting economy practices, than rattle away with as many shots as the buffer will hold (yeah, a novel idea in the digital world, I know ). Given the latitude I'm seeing with 1D Mk2 raw files though, I only need to rely on the LCD to show gross mistakes in exposure. I can then correct that mistake, rather than finding out about after I'm sitting in front of my computer.
The other pain is that it's easy to forget to switch the ISO back after you've changed it to say 800 -- but even if you make a mistake and leave it on the camera takes great shots at 800 anyway.
It's funny you mention that, because people have complained about the same thing on other cameras, and that they wished the ISO setting was shown in the viewfinder. Obviously, it's not that great of a help. But I agree about ISO 800... I shot all the church interiors for a wedding last week at ISO 800, and then had to push them an extra stop afterwards, and they still looked pretty darned good (especially running them through NeatImage).
Finally why show the Filename/ number on the back on the little panel -- of all the most useless pieces of information this one tops it.
Yeah, I don't understand that choice either. But at least it is a choice you can change. I have it showing the folder number and shots remaining on the back, and exposure/ISO on the top.
Still a great piece of kit and I'm certainly not swapping mine for a 20D even if a 20D looks attractive as a smaller more unobtrusive camera to use in some situations. I'm tempted to get a 20D as well BTW.
I'd be surprised if the 20D felt anywhere as good as the 1D Mk2, but yeah, I can definitely see it as a reasonable alternative as a backup camera. No budget for a second 1D Mk2 at the moment.
Gateboy wrote:
- Brian I think like you, getting used to different button layout and the lack of a SET button took some getting used to. I am not as thrilled as you are about having to hold down the select button to scroll through the different menus.
I don't really mind it, and I got used to it after about a week with the camera. Now my fingers get confused when I'm using the 10D.
- I love having a spot meter
Yeah, finally. Now all I need is a good, bright split-focus aid in the viewfinder, and I'll be really happy.
Question, are most of you using the AF point expansion or just the central AF point? I am trying the expanded AF atm.
I'm using the 7-point expansion, with the center AF point selected. It seems to help with AI Servo tracking, and also quick grab shots where I may not have the center AF over something with enough contrast.
I also have things set so that the * button does AF using the center point, and the X button beside it does AF using all 45 points. No more fiddling with the AF point selector! I just slide my thumb to one button or the other, depending on how many points I want to use.
James Lyons wrote:
noooooo... just when I've convinced myself that a 20D would suit my needs... this review is posted... Now I have to figure out a way to get another 2K.....
Well, maybe you should wait for my mini-review of the 20D then (whenever I get one in my hands), and then see how I feel about it, coming from the 10D and 1D Mk2. I'm heading over to my camera pusher this afternoon to see if I can jump the line on any unclaimed waiting list 20D's.
taob wrote:
Well, maybe you should wait for my mini-review of the 20D then (whenever I get one in my hands), and then see how I feel about it, coming from the 10D and 1D Mk2. I'm heading over to my camera pusher this afternoon to see if I can jump the line on any unclaimed waiting list 20D's.
perhaps.
I'm not on a waiting list per se, but B&H will send me an email when they get them in stock, so if I act fast in that regard, then I could get one just the same as if my name was near the top of a preorder list. In the end, although the mkII would be a great investment, I wouldn't/couldn't have glass for it if I could buy it [see sig]... by going with the 20D, I could get the 135L + maybe a fisheye [de-fishing if I want rectilinear] along with the necessities [memory, flash, etc] within a month or so. [I'm using the buy-as-you-go strategy; the 135L will probably be my first lens purchase, or if I go with the [consumer-zoom performance] 18-55 kit lens I might wait a bit and get the 70-200L IS.
what I buy really depends on how much $$ I will be able to earn while in school [while keeping grades up; half of my schedule is AP classes, but that's no biggie]
James Lyons wrote:
[In the end, although the mkII would be a great investment, I wouldn't/couldn't have glass for it if I could buy it [see sig]...
Ah yeah, in your case it would make more sense to go with the 20D... as good as the 1D Mk2 is, it still takes crappy pictures without a lens.
gyapp wrote:
Well, if you're willing to let me try the camera out for a week, it might justify my airticket to Toronto to visit some relatives and old friends.
Give up my 1D Mk2 for an entire week? What, are you crazy?!?
). Given the latitude I'm seeing with 1D Mk2 raw files though, I only need to rely on the LCD to show gross mistakes in exposure. I can then correct that mistake, rather than finding out about after I'm sitting in front of my computer.
Now all I need is a good, bright split-focus aid in the viewfinder, and I'll be really happy. 
Now I have to figure out a way to get another 2K..... 
