http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8h2AMllP0Y

How incredible is that. Drool-worthy.

Drool-worthy? I don't know. Entertaining? Yeap!

It actually sounded like one of those old 8mm movie cameras. Actually, if you need to shoot that fast why not get a video.

(p.s.: Yes, I'm a canon user and I love my MkII 1D)

I like the guys chuckle at the end.
It sounds like a movie camera.

I was shooting a figure skater the other day - everytime she did one of her death spiral things I was shooting 8.5 fps and out of every 80 shots got about 4 that I really love. So it really depends what you're shooting. We do a lot of portraits and while normally 8.5 fps isn't helpful, it sure was that day. Normally a lot of features aren't helpful but having the best pro+ cam you can means you can handle *anything* - and I'm sorry but 4-5 fps wouldn't have gotten ANYTHING the other day.

M

Great clip!! That sounds pretty incredible!!

I agree with Matt....I can count on both hands how many times I've NEEDED to fire my 1d Mark II N at 8.5fps. But when I did...I definately needed it! For me it was while in Africa and a bunch of Children were playing soccer. We pretty fun.

Funny. I like his chuckle at the end too. Like Tim Allen grunting over a power tool.

But if your subject is moving (in the case that you all used with this technique), how's the focus? I guess if they're staying on the same plane it's okay but if they're coming toward or away from you wouldn't you need to refocus? Just wondering.

AI Servo with 45 AF points. Yum. They'd be focused probably.

Hmmm, very interesting (in a detective sounding way).

What do you shoot with now? Something with decent AI Servo or?

Because video is ~24fps, and even 1080p HD video isn't close to the quality of 10 megapixels on that sensor ... especially in print.

The 10fps is cool, but the new AF is definitely the highlight. Almost 3x the cross-type sensors, and they're actually on the edges, and the center now ... I think that feature alone is worth the upgrade from a Mk. II.

I'm curious where other 1D Mark IIn shooters choose to set their focus points, especially for fast action.

AI Servo, multi-spot AF - on all the spots.

M

Thanks, Matt. (I was just watching your Lightroom tutorial!). I've hesitated in using the multi-spot AF for fear that it may grab onto something in the background, rendering the subject OOF. Has it worked pretty consistently for you?

Chris,
I know you asked Matt this question, but I hope you don't mind my .02.

I typically choose the very center Auto focus point for the exact reason you specified (Focus locking on other subjects). The center points become crosshair type which gain sensitivity in AI focus. I believe you can change which points it uses and how in your custom functions.

I'm no pro, nor half as experienced as Matt so I'm sure he'll have an answer for you and educate me at the same time. Haven't spoken with yet, but from the help he gives DJ on techical issues with the OSP, he's a wiz in my book.

Blessings,
Damion

Hey Damion,
Thanks for the input. I tend to move my focus point selection around depending on the composition.
p.s. I just visited your website and love the intro with bloopers included. It kept my attention and I laughed right along with you and your wife.

The way I am using it - multi-spot with AI Servo, the AI Servo focus should lock onto the subject and "move" with the moving subject. In my experience I use center AF for everything but moving, sports-type action. For that I'm using the multispot AF. Is it wrong sometimes? Usually but most often when I actually try to focus on the same thing twice. If it nails it the first time but I let the button go and try to focus again it says "oh I must've been wrong!" and refocuses on something else. If you push it a third time in that case, it goes back to the subject almost everytime.

If you use AI servo I think it defeats the purpose of AI Servo, which for me is to shoot a multi-image composition such as my figure skater or something of the sort that uses a moving target. If the target can be locked on with center AF point, I always do that.

M

By the way - the fastest way to do this for me is actually to vary. I can set multi-spot AF and then by the click of one button on the 1d2 I have a preset AF which is set to center AF. So as something is moving, I can reset my AF very very quickly just like that.

Chris,
Thank you for the compliment. We hope that the video helps "endear" our clients that much more. Glad you had a good laugh as well. We've seen the video a thousand times and still laugh to this day!

I see your just up the road from us in Monrovia. I use to work at the Claim Jumper right there off of Huntington Dr for about 3 years....but that was back in 1996. Great food... but not the place for me to work!

As you can see from above....I knew Matt would deliver better that I on this subject as I don't do any fast action photography.

Thanks Matt...I learned a lot from that and will try out the multi-spot focus on my next run with AI servo.

Here's a scenario I've been having focus problems with. It's a bit of a favourite of mine, and my last wedding party called it 'the reserviour dogs shot'

I line them up and get them to swiftly walk towards me....I lay on my belly to add forground to the shot....ask them NOT to look at me, rather at each other or straight ahead. Potentially a very cool, fun shot. But I'm having problems with focus, and it's only just occurred to me that maybe I should be using ALL of the AF points!

I've been using centre point only, and have tried both AI focus and AI Servo. This sounds dumb....but I'm not sure about what to do with the shutter button. It doesn't feel like it's 'locking on' to the continual forward movement....so I keep re-pressing the shutter, looking for focus. I take heaps...so I always seem to get a few in sharp focus. BUT it's always the shots with the best expressions that are bloody soft!!!!! Grrrrr...

I like taking a lot of 'walking' shots, so some advice in this area would be a real gift! (I shoot with a 30D) We tend to shoot the wedding party for an hour or two between ceremony and reception here in Australia. I see all walking from point A to point B as potentially great, natural shots....if I could just work out the focus! ha ha ha

AI Focus? AI Servo? ALL the focus points? Shutter technique?
A better understanding of how those two focus methods work would be a good thing too I think. I just don't get it!......


Annie

SICK!!!! I can't wait!!!

Ryan, do I sense you've been doing a little reading about this? hee hee

My hubby read the white paper on it and keeps mentioning it...I think he may be dropping hints...

Of course it's drool worthy! When are we going to learn that bigger-better-faster is always...better I can't wait until I upgrade to those...the 3 fps on my 5Ds is my only dissatisfaction thus far.

I checked out the specs and the camera only syncs at 1/60 with studio strobes??? I understand the camera is primarily made for sports shooters and photo j's, but that's still a total bummer. The Mark II synced at 1/250...

I might've glanced at it, a time or two.

From the white paper: "With non-EX Speedlites, the X-sync speed will be 1/250 sec., the same as the EOS-1D Mark II N's."

So there you have it, the max sync speed for studio lights is 1/250s.