When the original Canon 1Dx was launched, we purchased 4 of them for our wedding photography business (www.dKweddings.net)! Infact, we preordered them, and when they didn’t arrive soon enough, we purchased a few Canon 5D Mark III at the time to hold us over until the 1Dx arrived Long story short, the Canon 1Dx has worked wonders for our photography, we were thrilled with the camera so much that even with he introduction of the 1Dx Mark II, we didn’t feel the need to upgrade at that time.
However, it’s been 1.5 year since the launch of the 1Dx Mark II, and the price of the Mark II has gone down (from the $6500 MSRP). Also the price of Cfast cards have gone down dramatically as well. So I finally pulled the trigger and bought a Canon 1Dx Mark II! It has been a dream camera of mine, and now I have it!
This blog post will contain the reasons why I bought the camera as well as all the details about it I’ve collected over the internet to answer all my questions while using the camera.
- It has amazing autofocus while recording videos!
- Improved video resolution and frame rates: 1080P at 120fps, as well as 4k at 60fps!
- It has better autofocus for photos too!
- It has improved low light capabilities, with native ISO as high as 51,000; this beast seriously has night vision!
- It has a much beefier battery that lasts much longer.
Below are some answers to questions I was looking to buy the Canon 1Dx Mark II, as well as questions I had after I bought it.
Right on Canon’s official Website: https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/support/details/cameras/dslr/eos-1d-x-mark-ii?tab=manuals
You can download the latest version of the firmware on Canon’s website: https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/support/details/cameras/dslr/eos-1d-x-mark-ii?subtab=downloads-firmware
As of writing this article the latest version is Version 1.1.6 and was released on March 3, 2018.
Here’s the documentation and change log from Canon’s documentation:
Changes in the Firmware
Firmware Version 1.1.6 incorporate the following fix:
1. Fixes a phenomenon in which the camera may not function normally when images are simultaneously displayed on the camera’s LCD monitor and an external monitor (via HDMI output).
The Version 1.1.6 firmware being released at this time is for cameras with Firmware Version 1.1.4 or earlier. If the camera’s firmware is already Version 1.1.6, it is not necessary to update the firmware.
When updating the firmware of your camera, please first go over the instructions thoroughly before you download the firmware.
The firmware update takes approximately six minutes.
Note:
(1) Once the EOS-1D X Mark II is updated to Version 1.1.4 (or later), it cannot be restored to a previous firmware version (Version 1.0.0 to 1.1.3).
(2) Camera settings files created using a camera running Firmware Version 1.0.2 (or earlier) cannot be used on a camera running Firmware Version 1.1.2 (or later).
(3) Please use the latest EOS Utility version with the EOS-1D X Mark II after the camera has been updated to Firmware Version 1.1.2 (or later). The latest version of EOS Utility can be downloaded from Canon’s Web site.
EOS Utility Version 3.5.00 or later support cameras running Firmware Version 1.1.2 (or later)
(4) Accompanying functional improvements of Firmware Version 1.1.2 (or later), the instructional manual has been revised. The latest version of the instruction manual can be downloaded from Canon’s Web site, so please download the instruction manual together with the new firmware.
(5) When using Version 4.7.10 (or earlier) of Digital Photo Professional to edit JPEG/RAW images captured with a camera updated to Firmware Version 1.1.4 (or later), some of the Exif data may be deleted. In addition, chromatic aberration correction, peripheral illumination correction, distortion correction, and Digital Lens Optimizer cannot be used when processing RAW images captured using a TS-E lens (TS-E17mm f/4L, TS-E24mm f/3.5L II, TS-E50mm f/2.8L Macro, TS-E90mm f/2.8L Macro, or TS-E135mm f/4L Macro). Please be sure to update Digital Photo Professional to Version 4.7.20 (or later) before performing image processing.
Preparations for the Firmware Update:
Windows
After the downloaded compressed file (.zip) is extracted, a firmware folder is created.
* Extracting the downloaded file: Right-click the zip file, and then select Extract All to extract the file. The extracted folder contains the firmware (File name: 1DX20116.FIR / File size: 41,776,848 bytes) and instructions on the firmware update procedures (a PDF file in five languages: Japanese, English, French, Spanish, and Simplified Chinese).
Before starting the firmware update operations, please confirm the contents of the download, and carefully read through the firmware update procedures.
(The following is the history of past firmware updates.)
Q: Are the improvements from previous firmware versions included in Firmware Version 1.1.6?
A: Yes, the following improvements from the previous version are included:
(Previous) Version 1.1.4 improvements:
1. Support has been added for chromatic aberration correction, peripheral illumination correction, distortion correction, and Digital Lens Optimizer when using Digital Photo Professional to process RAW images captured with the following TS-E lenses: TS-E 17mm f/4L, TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II, TS-E 50mm f/2.8L MACRO, TS-E 90mm f/2.8L MACRO, or TS-E 135mm f/4L MACRO.
2. Fixes a phenomenon in which standard exposure may not be obtained, or an irregular exposure may result, when Silent LV (Live View) shooting with the following TS-E lenses: TS-E 50mm f/2.8L MACRO, TS-E 90mm f/2.8L MACRO, or TS-E 135mm f/4L MACRO.
3. Support for Exif 2.31 has been added.
(Previous) Version 1.1.3 improvements:
1. Corrects a phenomenon in which the drive mode icon is not correctly displayed when using custom shooting modes (C1/C2/C3).
2. Changes the maximum number of “Release cycles” displayed from 1,000,000 cycles to 9,999,000 cycles. This value can be checked under the “Camera system information” menu.
3. Improves the reliability of communication via USB cable when using the Lens Data Registration function within EOS Utility 3 software.
(Previous) Version 1.1.2 improvements:
1. The addition of a selectable color-tone option for the LCD monitor.
2. The addition of a function to append IPTC data.
3. The addition of a function to transfer only protected images.
4. The addition of a function to set the GPS positional data retention period.
5. An increase in the number of network connection settings that can be saved to a memory card from 20 to 40.
6. When retrying FTP transfer, extension of the minimum auto power off time to 10 minutes.
7. Improvement of wireless transmission when using Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E6.
(Previous) Version 1.0.2 improvements:
1. Incorporates countermeasures for a phenomenon in which the bottom part of still images recorded to SanDisk CFast cards become corrupted.
2. Enhances communication reliability between the camera and CFast cards.
If you are using the affected CFast cards, after having updated the camera firmware to Firmware Version 1.0.2 (or later), please make sure to use the camera to format the CFast card.
<Cautions in the Use of SanDisk CFast Cards>
Please note that when using the SanDisk CFast cards listed below with the EOS-1D X Mark II, the bottom part of still photos may become corrupted.
Affected CFast Cards:
– SanDisk Extreme PRO CFast2.0 64GB (SDCFSP-064G-xxx)
– SanDisk Extreme PRO CFast2.0 128GB (SDCFSP-128G-xxx)
– SanDisk Extreme PRO CFast2.0 64GB (SDCFSP-064G-xxxA)
– SanDisk Extreme PRO CFast2.0 128GB (SDCFSP-128G-xxxA)
– SanDisk Extreme PRO CFast2.0 64GB (SDCFSP-064G-xxxB)
– SanDisk Extreme PRO CFast2.0 128GB (SDCFSP-128G-xxxB)
*The “xxx” at the end of the product number varies depending on the sales region.
When using the affected CFast cards with the EOS-1D X Mark II, follow the steps below.
1: Check whether the firmware version of the EOS-1D X Mark II is Version 1.0.2 or later. If the firmware version of the camera is Version 1.0.0, update the firmware to Version 1.0.2 or later.
2: Format the affected CFast card with the EOS-1D X Mark II with firmware version 1.0.2 or later.
Note that when using a CFast card formatted according to the above step 2, the following operations will take place.
– An “ImgSaver.bin” file of several MB in capacity will be created in the “MISC” folder on the card. Do not move or delete the folder or the file on the card.
– When opening the card slot cover, the access lamp may remain lit or blink for a longer duration.
Remove the card only after having confirmed that the access lamp is off. When the access lamp is lit or blinking, recording to the card is in progress.
Never perform the operations below when the access lamp is lit or blinking as doing so may result in corrupted image data or may cause damage to the card or the camera.
– Removing the card
– Removing the battery pack
– Applying vibration or shock to the camera
– Unplugging and replugging the power cord (when using the separately-sold household power outlet accessories)
When using SanDisk CFast cards, to fully utilize the card performance, use the refresh tool provided by SanDisk before formatting the card with a camera with the above step 1 applied.
Refresh tool: http://kb.sandisk.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/17370
In addition, if an affected SanDisk CFast card has already been formatted with a computer or another device, please format the card again with a camera with the above step 1 applied.
About the “Refresh Tool” of SanDisk cards:
Q1: Whenever the camera is used to format a SanDisk CFast card, is it mandatory to use the refresh tool? If the refresh tool is not used, will the bottom part of still images become corrupted?
A1: The refresh tool is not related to image corruption that appears at the bottom part of still images. We are informing users about this tool as SanDisk recommends regular use of the refresh tool when using SanDisk CFast cards. For details about the use of the refresh tool, please inquire with SanDisk.
Q2: How often does the refresh tool have to be used?
A2: For details about use frequency, and the use of the refresh tool, please inquire with SanDisk.
Q3: What will happen to camera operations if I continue using a SanDisk CFast card without using the refresh tool?
A3: The speed for continuous data writing may decrease. If the data writing speed seems to have decreased during high-speed continuous shooting, please try to use the refresh tool to alleviate the problem. For any other technical questions concerning CFast cards, please inquire with SanDisk.Changes in the Firmware Firmware Version 1.1.6 incorporate the foll
