In summary
Canon’s latest professional DSLR is based on the successful EOS-1Ds model of 2002. Like its predecessor, the Mark II has a full frame CMOS sensor and almost identical body and control layout. However, the new sensor carries 16.7 megapixels and includes much of the functionality of Canon’s other current ‘pro’ DSLR, the 8.2-megapixel EOS-1D Mark II, which was reviewed in issue 19 (October/November 2004). Canon has clearly positioned its new model to compete with the significantly more expensive medium format digital backs, showing confidence in the higher functionality, better specifications and lower price of the new model. And, with its tough, well-designed SLR body, high configurability and abundant controls, the EOS 1-Ds Mark II will take some beating, especially for wedding and sports photographers. . . [more]
Full review
Canon’s latest professional DSLR is based on the successful EOS-1Ds model of 2002. Like its predecessor, the Mark II has a full frame CMOS sensor and almost identical body and control layout. However, the new sensor carries 16.7 megapixels and includes much of the functionality of Canon’s other current ‘pro’ DSLR, the 8.2-megapixel EOS-1D Mark II, which was reviewed in issue 19 (October/November 2004). Canon has clearly positioned its new model to compete with the significantly more expensive medium format digital backs, showing confidence in the higher functionality, better specifications and lower price of the new model. And, with its tough, well-designed SLR body, high configurability and abundant controls, the EOS 1-Ds Mark II will take some beating, especially for wedding and sports photographers.
Sensor
As with most DSLRs, the story starts with the sensor which, in the EOS-1Ds Mark II, has the full 36 x 24mm imaging area of a 35mm frame and roughly double the resolution of the 28.7 x 19.1 mm sensor on the EOS-1D Mark II. The Canon-developed CMOS sensor produces a top image resolution of 4992 x 3328 pixels. However, the higher resolution of the 1Ds Mark II’s sensor gives it a pixel pitch of 7.2 microns, compared with 8.2 microns on the 1D Mark II. Both cameras support the same range of ISO settings.
The new sensor shares the 1D Mark II sensor’s on-chip RBG primary colour filter and enlarged microlenses, plus the improvements to the photodiode design. However, the 1Ds Mark II’s sensor has a new 3-layer optical low pass filter that works with the DiG!C II image processor to minimise false colour production. It also sports a second-generation, on-chip noise elimination circuit that is designed to improve the quality of very long exposures and applies dark frame subtraction automatically in such situations. Simultaneous readout is supported across 8 channels at 24MHz, which is critical for high burst capture speeds.
Naturally, the sensor’s size means that any 35mm lens fitted to the 1Ds Mark II body will provide its designated focal length and field of view, with no need for conversion factors. This allows the new model to be used with the full range of Canon EF lenses, including ultra-wide and specialised optics!
Image Files
The 1Ds Mark II can capture both 12-bit RAW images that convert to 16-bit files averaging 95MB in size and 8-bit JPEG files that are roughly 50MB in size, either of which will give photographers plenty of image data to please discerning clients. It also offers simultaneous RAW+JPEG capture for the four supported JPEG file sizes: L (16.6MP), M1 (8.6MP), M2 (6.3MP) and S (4.2MP). Image compression is adjustable through 10 levels with JPEG capture.
The DiG!C II image processor helps to process the large quantities of data associated with the highest resolution settings quickly. This single-chip unit features similar DDR-SDRAM memory to that found in today’s fastest computers plus a new signal processing algorithm that supports write-to-card speeds of up to 5.8 MB/second. The 1Ds Mark II’s buffer memory can support continuous shooting at up to four frames per second in a burst of 32 JPEG or 11 RAW files at maximum resolution. Mirror blackout problems in burst mode are minimised by Canon’s Active Mirror Control, which uses a mechanical latch that reduces mirror blackout to 87 milliseconds.
In use, the test camera was as responsive as a film SLR. Canon claims its shutter release lag is 55 milliseconds when the aperture is set within three stops of maximum, which can be further reduced to 40 milliseconds using ‘Personal Function 26’. Power-up and shut-down was almost instantaneous.
Controls
Like other professional EOS cameras, the 1Ds Mark II has a 45-point Area AF unit with manual selection of 45, 11 or 9 AF points. Three AF modes are supported: One-Shot AF, which locks when focus is achieved; Predictive AI Servo AF, which constantly tracks subject movement and focuses until the start of exposure, and manual focusing, which has focus confirmation with the in-focus indicator light and the superimposed AF point. Two 32MHz, 32-bit RISC microprocessors handle all AF controls: one covers area AF detection and auto AF point selection, while the other controls lens communications, lens driving control and predictive AF statistical calculations. Together they ensure the camera locks on quickly before the first frame in a sequence or in single shot operation and allow the camera to track a moving subject easily and shoot at 4fps, regardless of what other settings are used.
A 21-zone silicon photocell handles maximum aperture TTL metering and supports four metering modes: evaluative, partial, centre spot and centre-weighted average. Seven shooting modes are provided: the standard P, A, S and M modes; Evaluative and Averaged E-TTL II program autoflash (21-zone flash metering); flash-metered manual; and Bulb. Metering ranges from EV 0 to EV 20, with ISO selectable from 100 to 1600 in 1/3-step increments plus 50 and 3200 via the menu. Manual exposure compensation and AE bracketing are available across +/- 3 stops in 1/3- or 1/2-stop increments and AE Lock is available in any auto exposure mode. The top shutter speed is 1/8000.
The EOS-1Ds Mark II shares the new E-TTL II flash algorithm with the EOS-1D Mark II and supports a standard top flash sync speed of 1/250 plus full TTL flash at up to 1/8000 with a compatible EX-series Speedlite set to High Speed Sync. It is also compatible with the colour data transmission feature introduced on the Speedlite 580EX, which includes the colour temperature of the flash output in the white balance calculations. Flash sync is provided from the side PC socket and the newly-strengthened hot shoe.
Five colour space matrices are provided, consisting of Adobe RGB and dedicated sRGB settings covering general shooting; a warmer colour palette for portraiture; high saturation; and low saturation. Two additional user settings are provided for custom adjustments to saturation and colour tone. In addition, three sets of processing parameters can be applied, covering the tone curve and in-camera sharpness levels. Ten white balance modes are also provided, ranging from fully automatic control to Kelvin temperature adjustments and including blue/amber and magenta/green adjustments. According to Canon, the accuracy of the new white balance algorithm, especially at low colour temperatures, has eliminated the need for an external AWB sensor and hybrid AWB. Three white balance bracketed images can be captured with a single shot.
Performance
Photographers who need large, high-resolution image files – and those familiar with Canon’s earlier professional EOS models – will find the EOS-1Ds Mark II hard to beat. The test camera delivered outstanding detail and clarity. Images were generally colour accurate, with a full dynamic range that delivered usable detail from bright highlights down to deep shadows, and all files were clean, with no visible aberrations. Noise was undetectable up to ISO 800 and only became visible when shots taken at ISO 1600 were enlarged substantially. This is quite an achievement for such a high-resolution sensor and speaks volumes for the image processing system.
In-camera adjustments allow photographers to produce the exact style of picture they want and the huge range of custom functions and saveable settings makes the I-Ds Mk II the most configurable camera on the market. You can record the same image on both CF and SD cards, a useful back-up option. And there are plenty of handy inclusions, such as an auto rotate function and support for the new (optional) WFT-E1/WFT-E1A wireless file transmitter. The addition of PictBridge direct printing via USB (JPEG shots only) and NTSC/PAL video ports increases output options.
So what’s missing? GPS is not supported, as it is in Nikon’s high-end competitor. But otherwise, as a serious professional camera, the EOS-1Ds Mark II is without peer. [21]
Specifications
Image sensor: 36 x 24mm CMOS sensor with 16.7 megapixels effective
Lens: Canon EF lenses (except EF-S)
Lens multiplier factor: 1.0x
Image file formats: RAW (12-bit) and JPEG (Exif 2.21)
Shutter speed range: 30-1/8000 second plus bulb, X-sync at 1/250 sec.
Storage media: CompactFlash Type I/II or Secure Digital card (dual slots)
Interface: USB (for direct printing), IEEE1394, Video out (NTSC/PAL)
Body dimensions (wxhxd): 156 x 157.6 x 79.9mm
Weight: 1215g (body only)
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