hands on Canon new flagship EOS-1D X

Canon upcoming flagship of the EOS line, 1D X has lots to live up to.

Thanks to Canon Malaysia. I had a chance to play with few of the upcoming Canon’s products including 1D X together with Kenn-Wai. I am however not going to do a full review on 1D X (which is available all over the internet) but to share some of my experience on playing with it and also the images of new Canon Speedlite flash 600EX-RT and the new Canon Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT.

My first impression: I really likEE the new ergonomic design of 1D X. The hand-grip is more comfortable which is quite similar to that of the new 5D Mark III, better than my 5D Mark II. Canon also takes a different approach on the 1D X’s button placement, allowing me to have quick access and navigation on menu and settings.

This new flagship of Canon EOS camera has a larger 3.2″ and improved 1,040k dots LCD screen. It will be a great advantage for us for on-site image evaluation. And checking of the ISO range on the camera setting, it can be expanded up to 204,800. I didn’t do any test on ISO performance because I was in a bright environment but hopefully I can do it next time.

I did a few of shots with the 1D X and the focusing really impressed me. Fast and accurate! 1D X has an entirely new autofocus capability with a massive 61 autofocus points, providing high autofocus accuracy and precision, low-light autofocus performance. Thanks to a DIGIC processor dedicated strictly to helping the autofocus.

Besides autofocus, 1D X can shoot at 12 fps (14 fps with mirror lock-up). It is a revolutionary improvement for a full-frame camera; remember that the larger sensor, larger and heavier mirror to move. Yet 1D X can produce a full frame quality at high speed. Check on video clip below on the continuous shooting of 1D X recorded. It was shooting like a machine gun. So wildlife and sport photographers are just going love it.

Next a real shooting, I took two shots with the 1D X camera, one of Kenn Wai with the new Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT and one of the buildings and beautiful sky. These were standard shots without playing much with the settings, therefore I wouldn’t comment much on the image quality.

Reading on the specification, 1D X is packed with top-end features which meet the needs of professional photographers. It should be released very soon as to be ready in time for the London 2012 Olmypic game.

Thanks again to Canon Malaysia for the arrangement. Sharing some shots of the 1D X.

May all beings bEE happy.

pro-looking of 1D X

rear view of 1D X; 3.2" of 1,040,000 dots LCD screen, larger and clearer screen compared to the other 1D-line, the viewfinder is also significantly larger (0.76x)

top view of 1D X

1D X has new autofocus system (61-point AF system with 41 cross-type points)

1D X pushing the ISO range to 204800

new battery for 1D X, LP-E4N (2450mAh, backward and forward compatible with LP-E4)

Kenn-Wai with 1D X; its enhanced ergonomic design is more comfortable

my Canon Speedlite 580EX II and Canon new Speedlite 600EX-RT

Canon new Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT

model: Kenn-Wai, shot with Canon EOS-1D X and Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM and Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT

subject: Melaka Raya, shot with Canon EOS-1D X and Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM

a short clip of 1D X’s burst mode:

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Qian Hongyan, who was forced to use half a basketball as her prosthetic body, has inspired millions recently with her ambition to compete as a swimmer in the 2012 Paralympics in London. (photo from http://www.weirdasianews.com)

Qian Hongyan lost both her legs in an accident at only three years old in 2000. Hongyan’s family wasn’t wealth enough to provide her with hi-tech equipment to help her walk, so they gave her a basketball to help her move. Hongyan used brushes as low-level crutches. She was able to travel to and from home and school by bouncing on the basketball. Five years later, doctors were finally been able to give her prosthetic legs.

The seventh national special sports-meeting was held in Kunming in May 2007. Qian Hongyan went to watch the games every day and seeing the handicapped players struggle in the matches deeply moved her. After the sports meeting, Qian Hongyan was determined to join in the special swimming club. She and her parents went to consult the opportunity with Zhang Honghu, a well known coach who has trained many handicapped swimming champions. Then, Qian Hongyan began her life in the swimming club and did professional swimming training.

“Qian Hongyan studies hard. She never grouches in training although she was confronted with many difficulties at the beginning, ” her coach said.

At first, Zhang didn’t pay much attention to Qian Hongyan. “The individual’s capability is important in choosing a player,” he said. “Qian Hongyan doesn’t have legs. It seems that a ship has no a helm, then the ship could work well for lack of a sense of direction.” In order to solve the problem, zhang made a special training plan for Qian Hongyan to help balance the shoulders.

Qian Hongyan swims for about 2000 meters in a day. She always does the exercises and sit-ups, dumbbells and so on carefully. After a short period, to Zhang’s surprise, he found that Hongyan was gifted in swimming. Zhang said, “Hongyan is a very good swimmer but it would be boring and take a long time to train her and repeat the exercises every day. I couldn’t ensure she would be a world champion. However, I can tell that she is definitely a promising swimmer. Our biggest wish is to train her to have a positive attitude to life.” Qian Hongyan’s dream is to take part in the 2012 special Olympic Games and become a world champion. She works hard to achieve her dream.

Qian’s family, living in Zhuangxia, China, was unable to afford modern prosthetics and instead used a half a basketball to get around on. Once on the ball she uses two wooden props to help her move around. (photo from http://www.weirdasianews.com/)

Qian now has a pair of proper prosthetic legs, but still says she likes to use the basketball from time to time as it is easier for her to get in and out of the pool with. (photo from http://www.weirdasianews.com)

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