How To Make The Perfect Bullet Time Shots Using Nearly $500K Of Canon Gear (EOS-1D X)

The video was made in 2013 by Swiss Radio and TV SRF with the support of Canon Switzerland. 50 Canon EOS-1D X cameras and 50 EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM were used for Bullet Time Shots (BTS) used for the programme “Sommer-Challenge”. From the article at CPN Europe:

“We approached Canon to see if 50 cameras and lenses were available to do this shoot,” explains cameraman Reischer, who didn’t specify which DSLR he required when he first enquired. It was lucky they made the request when they did, as usually Canon does not have this number of bodies and lenses available. But in this case, there were a few days of opportunity for the shoot, before Canon’s preparations began for the World Athletics Championships in Moscow. “It was like ‘wow’. This is the top model. We were going to shoot with 50 of them – it was just crazy,” Reischer recalls. The enormity of the task, and the challenge of getting to know Canon’s flagship DSLR intimately, was dawning.

A lot of high-end photography technology in use here.

[via PetaPixel] EOS-1D X Firmware

Canon EOS-1D X vs Nikon D4S Comparison Video (DigitalRev)

Here is a 7 minutes video full of he usual humour we know coming from DigitalRev’s Kai that compares the not so new Canon EOS-1D X (price & specs) to Nikon’s new flagship, the 4DS (price & specs). In their own words:

We test the very best of Nikon against the apex of Canon, to answer the most important question – which one is better? The two years old battle-tested magnificent Canon 1D X or the all new all powerful Nikon D4S?

[via PetaPixel]

Do The Canon EOS-1D X (and 1D C) Have An Autofocus Issue In Cold Weather?

EOS-1D X

It seems they have, at least the Canon EOS-1D X ([shoplink 4119]price & specs[/shoplink]). And since the EOS-1D C shares the same mechanical structure of the mirror box, the EOS-1D C may be affected too.

That’s what Canon Rumors is reporting, both in their forum and citing a notice they got from an anonymous source. Note that there is no official Canon statement so far. The notice, which looks pretty much like an internal memo and dates back to 2013, says:

Symptom:
Camera “does not autofocus”, “does not search in AF”, or “does not focus in AF search” depending on the reporter or the camera settings; specifically, the focus cannot be achieved in low temperatures (under 0 degree Celsius).

Cause:
This phenomenon is due to the Locking Claw of the Sub Mirror (mirror for AF) going over the Locking Pin. The Sub Mirror’s angle becomes deviated and the light rays for AF does not fall on the AF sensors, causing the “does not autofocus” phenomenon.

Reading the rest of the text it seems as if Canon knows of the issue. There are two passes that are significant:

If the user complains about this specific phenomenon (does not autofocus in low temperature), replace the Mirror Box Ass’y with the ones to be shipped in the future (CY3-1661-010 or CY3-1687-010)

and

Handling of general repairs: If the user does not mention this phenomenon, please handle as normal repair.

Which simply means Canon will not recall the affected batches but rather repair them only if the customer reports the issue. Let’s wait for an official Canon advisory.

[via CR]