rscheffler
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 p.5 #8 · Pre-order: Canon 1DX Mark III ($6500) | |
I had a quick look at the camera today but didn't take home any images, so can't really comment much on that aspect of the camera, other than what I saw on the rear display.
First of all, the AF point toggle thumb button thingie is BRILLIANT. Finally there's a way to BBF and move the focus point around easily, but not accidentally. I also tried it with black gloves and it worked just as well.
It sounded a bit different. More muffled, though obviously you still hear the shutter/mirror slap. I'd estimate silent mode was slightly better than the II. Like every new model, it felt faster than the previous ones. AF, fps, response, etc.
Live view AF was good at sticking to a subject as it moved around the frame, even at 20fps with the mechanical shutter. There was barely any stutter while shooting and a very slightly longer delay once you lifted off the shutter release before live view was fluid again. Much better than previous 1DX cameras in this regard. Again, it would have been so sweet to have a hybrid OVF/EVF to be able to shoot live view through the viewfinder. One of those rear display magnifier hoods might be an option but certainly not ideal.
I shot a bit through the OVF with my 85/1.4L IS wide open at max fps and it consistently nailed focus on stationary subjects in AI Servo. It's reassuring that the AF is not jumping around between frames thinking there should be something moving when it's not, which in the past sometimes resulted in focus flutter/drift, based on my experience with previous cameras (though the II was pretty good too). This based on zoomed in image review on the camera, both at near (1m), medium (3m) and farther subject distances (8-10m). This was without any MFA, whereas this lens will back focus on my 1DXII without MFA. It'll really be a matter of trying the camera on a few shoots to get a better feel for how it will handle a range of situations. For the time being the impression is it's really fast/responsive without any initial indications of AF reliability concerns.
My Canon Canada contact said no CPS price. Whereas the CPS discount was no-haggle and preset by Canon Canada, it's now up to each photographer to negotiate something better. FWIW, when I worked in photo retail some time ago, the CPS price was normal dealer cost (there were also 'pro' dealers who got a slightly better price for maintaining a certain level of inventory). For each CPS sale, the dealer was given a percentage refund off dealer cost. IIRC, it was 10%. I don't know if this is how CPS pricing currently works. Anyway, there's pretty much zero chance a dealer will sell the camera at cost. Now, instead of that profit margin being reimbursed to the retailer by Canon, it's coming from the consumer (like a normal purchase). I guess the freebie package is to make up for this. At it's regular retail price, it's more than what the CPS discount likely would have been. That said, I'd still likely be buying 4x128s if I got the camera, which will add another $600-800 USD.
As for the 512GB card, its inclusion (in the Canadian preorder package) was due to logistical considerations that didn't allow for smaller capacities. I did explain I'd rather they included 4x128s, but it is what it is...
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. I actually just sold my last 1dx II today, I only have the R now.