Canon EOS 1D Mark IV Digital SLR Camera Review

[docmore]

Anybody having any problems with focus after the new firmware update (1.06)?

[kitaoka]

None whatsoever

[btaylor]

Another great (albeit epic) review Bryan, thanks [Y]


So many things about the 1DIV are attractive but the servo mode looks to be quite incredible. I was particularly impressed withthe performance of the AFwhen usingServo AF to help maintain focus while shooting macro subjects.Doing thismakes a lot of sense.


Obviously the H1-H3 ISO modes are fairly unusable and I suspect this is mere marketing by Canon to get on par with Nikon's D3s. However, as Bryan mentioned if you need it then it's there, if you need it and you don't have the capability - you miss the shot.


I'm highly impressed with the 1DIV actually. I really love the integrated grip of the 1-series bodies as I could never go back to shooting without a grip for the ease of use in portrait orientation.


I'm going to have a hard time figuring out which direction to head when the time comes to upgrade bodies some time this year. I'd love to go full frame (but can't justify the cost of a 1Ds III/IV body) but I'm still unsure about the autofocus capability of the 5D mkII. I'm starting to get more into the wedding side of things so the low light AF performance of the 1DIV might well overweigh the DOF and dynamic range benefits associated with a FF sensor.


I'd love to see canon bring out anupgrade to the 5D mkII with improved AF performance in low light. I don't necessarily need the high frame rate of the 1DIV (although it does sound rather sexy clicking away like a mini gun) so an "in between" body would be my ultimate.


Very impressed all the same. Thanks againBryan.Yourthorough and hard work on this fantastic website is going to send me broke... and I don't care one bit!!! []


Cheers, Ben.

[mrkjhn]

Purchased the 1D MK IV after waiting patiently for Canon to upgrade the MK III and putting up with the sluggishness of the 5D. Mine has gone back to CPS 2x, and now a third time due to inconsistent focusing issues with Single Shot mode. They've acknowledged the camera needed adjustments each time, but I'm perplexed why they can't seem to nail this completely. My 5D is beginning to look better and better, though it's slowness and crappy LCD pains me.

[elmo_2006]

In typical fashion, awesome review Bryan.


I can't help but agree with Bob whole heartedly. The MIV has peaked my interest but my friendsand family (wife)cannot understand why someone would want to pay so much for a camera with no return on investment. I'm at ease when I'm behind the camera, it seems strange but I get a sense of peace knowing that I'm out having fun with my camera. It's an escape from the daily grind (ok, I'm about to get teary eyed - LOL).


My response as usual is that I find it akin to those that spend $1500or more on golf clubs or thewife that spends weekends at the local fashion outlet or even those that spend huge sums of money on rims or those that spend thousands at the local casino and going home empty handed.


If it reallymakesone happy in life,then just do it!


...as of this post, my wife is still against it.....but eventually she'll cave in...moohahaha

[peety3]

On 1/1/10, we had a 1D3, a 40D, and a Rebel XTi. The 1D4 was on my wishlist for 2010. Alas, I'm getting married this year, and we're funding it ourselves and stating "no gifts" (it's #2 for both of us), so the 1D4 was too expensive to be bought this year. Our compromise (because we felt it was time for each of us to have two cameras, due to our event shooting) was to get the 7D. The plan was to share the 7D, and then next year I'd get a 1D4 and the 7D would "become hers".


The 7D arrived early March, and got heavy use at two charity events and a hockey event. Incredible images, even up against my 1D3 with a rented 200/2. We have two huge "paid" gigs in April/May where we rent enough to have two good cameras and wide/mid/tele per person. Between the rental fees for those two gigs, the potential rental cost for our upcoming Alaska cruise in September, and the potential revenue coming in from selling the Rebel, we are selling the Rebel and bought a second 7D only three weeks after buying our first.


I've honestly tried to justify selling her 40D and kit lens to get a third 7D. I've considered selling my 1D3 to get a third/fourth 7D (and more glass). The only two things I truly miss on the 7D are the easily-bumped exposure mode knob (combined with the influence of the C1-C3 settings) and the inability (that I've found so far) to map ISO to the big wheel on back.


In my opinion, if you aren't getting paid for your work, the 7D is clearly the better camera. If you are getting paid, and you don't need ultra-wide, you might be able to justify the 1D4 after you have all of the glass you need. (7D and 10-22 is a fantastic wide kit for about $2500. To get almost as wide with 1D4, you'd need the 14/2.8, driving the combo up to about $7200.) It is on my wishlist, but after six lenses and at a point where I feel a second fully-rugged body is worthwhile.

[Keith B]

In my opinion, if you aren't getting paid for your work, the 7D is clearly the better camera. If you are getting paid, and you don't need ultra-wide, you might be able to justify the 1D4 after you have all of the glass you need. (7D and 10-22 is a fantastic wide kit for about $2500. To get almost as wide with 1D4, you'd need the 14/2.8, driving the combo up to about $7200.) It is on my wishlist, but after six lenses and at a point where I feel a second fully-rugged body is worthwhile.

I rely on a 5DII and 7D solely for my livelihood these days and I feel really confident going into a shoot with my gear. For $4200 you can have 2 bodies, one being FF which in my opinion is a huge benefit.


Not to take away from 1DmkIV but the 7D is a super camera especially at $1700.