Anyone own a Canon 1D mkII or mkIII?

[Dylan Couper]

I have a question for Canon 1D MkII or MkIII users, or anyone who has given them a good test.

Is there any way to control, up or down the frames per second it shoots?
Are the settings simple, like single shot/fully auto?
Or does it have multiple settings, like 2fps/5fps/10fps?

Also, any opinions on consistancy of frame rate? Does it fluctuate much or is it a stead 8/10 fps without slowing down (until the buffer is full)?


Thanks!

[Daniel Browning]

Originally Posted by Dylan Couper

Is there any way to control, up or down the frames per second it shoots?
Are the settings simple, like single shot/fully auto?
Or does it have multiple settings, like 2fps/5fps/10fps?

On the mark III, you may choose from 1, X, or 10 FPS, where X may be set between 2 and 9 and defaults to 3. (I changed it to 5, which is about the fastest speed I can use before accidentally shooting 2 when I wanted one in burst mode.)

Originally Posted by Dylan Couper

Also, any opinions on consistancy of frame rate? Does it fluctuate much or is it a stead 8/10 fps without slowing down (until the buffer is full)?

I haven't done any scientific tests, but just from the sound it makes I can assure you it's consistent to within a quarter or eighth of a second in manual focus mode. I don't know of any tests on the consistency to within tenths or hundredths of a second.

Servo AF is another subject: the camera has had problems in that area; new firmware is supposed to address it, but most people are still experiencing poor focus accuracy. Under ideal conditions with the center focus point only, the camera can do full-tilt 10 FPS with Servo AF. However, conditions are frequently not ideal.

I recommend The-digital-picture.com for more information about Canon cameras.

[Dylan Couper]

Thanks Daniel, that's what I was looking for!