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Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II Digital SLR
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II Focus and Exposure Features
45-point Area Autofocus System
The EOS-1Ds Mark II uses the exceptionally precise and fast autofocus system of the EOS-1D Mark II with a few minor changes.
Like the EOS-1D Mark II, 1D, 1Ds and 1v, the EOS-1Ds Mark II has a 45-point Area AF unit. Manual selection of 45, 11 or 9 AF points is possible. 38 of the 45 AF points are vertical-line sensitive up to a maximum aperture of f/5.6. 6 of the 7 AF points at the center are cross-type sensors that are vertical-line sensitive up to a maximum aperture of f/2.8 and horizontal-line sensitive up to a maximum aperture of f/5.6. The central AF point is a cross-type sensor that supports vertical-line sensitivity to a maximum aperture of f/4 and horizontal-line sensitivity to a maximum aperture of f/8.
There are three autofocus modes: One-Shot AF, which stops and locks when focus is achieved, Predictive AI Servo AF, which constantly tracks subject movement and focuses until the start of exposure, and Manual focusing, which has focus confirmation with the in-focus indicator light and the superimposed AF point. EOS Speedlites that have built-in AF-assist emit a near-infrared beam when necessary to assist autofocus.
The AF-related circuitry and the AF algorithm in the 1Ds Mark II incorporate the new 1D Mark II design so that the AF performance clearly surpasses that of the 1Ds. The EOS-1D and 1Ds had a single CPU for AF operations from focus detection to lens-driving control. The EOS-1D Mark II and 1Ds Mark II have two CPUs responsible for these functions.
Dividing tasks means decisions are made simultaneously rather than in sequence. In Predictive AI Servo AF, statistical prediction using the focusing data from previous focusing operations is incorporated. The number of focusing operations per unit time is twice as many with the 1D and 1Ds. With shorter time intervals and more repetitive focusing operations, the predictive AF control works effectively from the first shot even with subjects moving erratically. Should the subject's movement change just before shutter release, the shorter focusing operation interval means the predictive AF control has a higher probability of catching it.
Canon Speedlite 580EX |
E-TTL II Flash Exposure Control
Since the first photographer set a house on fire with blitzlichtpulver (flash powder) more than a hundred years ago, low-light shooters have waited patiently for E-TTL II, the complete solution to flash control.
The EOS-1Ds Mark II shares the new E-TTL II algorithm with the EOS-1D Mark II. The system enables uncanny E-TTL flash accuracy and reliability. In previous cameras, evaluative flash metering was based on the assumption that an autofocus point would cover the subject. When this is not the case, inaccurate flash exposures result. The EOS-1Ds Mark II's evaluative flash metering is not dependent on the active AF point.
In the new algorithm, ambient light is measured when the shutter button is pressed. Next, a pre-flash is fired and the metering sensor takes readings at the central 17 metering zones. The ambient and pre-flash readings are compared. The metering areas having a small difference are selected as the flash exposure metering areas. (Areas with very big differences between ambient and pre-flash readings are excluded or down weighted because they are assumed to contain a highly reflective object or that the subject is not in that part of the frame. The algorithm avoids chronic underexposure problems in such situations.) These readings are weighted, averaged and compared with the ambient light reading, and the main flash output is then set and stored in memory. E-TTL II weights and averages the flash metering for the subject and all other objects at the same distance as the subject. Even if the subject's position, reflectance or size changes, the flash output will not change radically. The flash exposure will be highly accurate and stable.
Most EF Lenses provide distance information, and this data is also considered in determining if there is a highly reflective object, once again lessening the chance of underexposure. The EOS-1Ds Mark II is compatible with the color data transmission feature introduced on the Speedlite 580EX. When the Canon Speedlite 580EX is used with the 1Ds Mark II, the color temperature of the flash is incorporated in white balance calculations, affording a remarkable improvement in color balance accuracy.
Flash sync is provided from the side PC socket and the newly strengthened hot shoe. A locking pin in the hot shoe prevents Speedlite slippage. The two connections can be used simultaneously. Hot-shoe mounted flash units can sync at 1/250 or slower. Studio flash can sync at 1/125 or slower. The PC terminal has no polarity issues and can be used safely with sync voltages up to 250V.
The EOS-1Ds Mark II is compatible with Canon's entire line of EX series Speedlites plus the MR-14EX Macro Ring Lite and the MT-24EX Macro Twin Lite for close-ups. Wireless flash works with the on-camera Speedlite 580EX, 550EX, MR-14EX, MT-24EX or Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2 serving as the master, transmitting wireless signals to an unlimited number of 580EX, 550EX and 420EX Speedlites as slave units. The 420EX can only function as a slave, and the MR-14EX or MT-24EX can function only as master units. The master unit's flash can be enabled or disabled. Even when disabled, the flash head can still transmit wireless optical signals. Except with the 420EX, a modeling flash can be fired.
Up to 3 groups (for main, fill and background) of slave units can be set up. The slave unit's ID is set to Group A, B or C. The flash output ratio between Groups A and B can be adjusted automatically from 8:1 to 1:1, or from 1:1 to 8:1. The flash output of Group C can be adjusted through flash exposure compensation.
Exposure Control
The EOS-1Ds Mark II has a 21-zone silicon photocell that handles maximum aperture TTL metering. There are four selectable metering modes: Evaluative, which is linkable to any AF point, Partial, which meters approximately 8.5% of the screen, Center spot metering, which reads approximately 2.4% of the screen and has added options of AF point-linked or multi-spot metering, and Center-weighted average metering, which calculates over the entire image, but emphasis is placed in the center zone.
The 1Ds Mark II, like the 1D Mark II, has seven shooting modes: Shutter-priority AE, Aperture-priority AE, Program AE, either Evaluative or Averaged E-TTL II program autoflash (21-zone flash metering), Manual exposure, Flash metered manual or Bulb. The metering range is from EV 0 to EV 20 and the ISO range is from 100 to 1600 in 1/3-step increments with 50 and 3200 menu-selectable. In addition to manual exposure compensation, auto exposure-bracketing (AEB) records 3 exposures in an adjustable range of up to +/- 3 stops in 1/3 or 1/2 stop increments. AE Lock is available in any auto exposure mode.
Wide-Ranging ISO Speeds Selectable In 1/3 Increments
The EOS-1Ds Mark II gives you unprecedented freedom with ISO speeds, which are selectable in 1/3-stop increments (100-1600) and may be set as low as 50 or as high as 3200 through the ISO Extension menu. ISO speed bracketing is also possible, enabling exposure to be varied while keeping the same shutter speed and aperture settings. When combined with a high shutter speed, a high ISO speed can produce blur-free photos in dark settings.
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