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THE WORLD’S FASTEST
DIGITAL SLR:
8.5 fps for up to 40 bursts
at Maximum Resolution
Seen previously in high-end computers,
double data rate synchronous dynamic
random access memory, DDR-SDRAM,
makesa world-first digital SLR appearance
in the EOS-1D Mark II. This high-speed
buffer memory, twice the size of the
EOS-1D’s, is one of the keys to the
Mark II’s ability to capture 8.2 megapixel
files at 8.5 frames per second for as
many as 40 JPEGs or 20 RAW images.
With its 4.1 megapixels, the 1D could
do 21 JPEGs or 16 RAW images at 8
frames per second. The EOS-1Ds, which
records a towering 11 megapixels, can
fire off 10 frames at 3 frames per second.
QUICKER SHUTTER
RESPONSE :
Reduced Shutter Release
Time Lag
In its normal configuration, the EOS-1D
Mark II has the same shutter release
time lag and viewfinder blackout time
as the EOS-1D, the EOS-1Ds and the
EOS-1v film camera, 55ms and 87ms
respectively when stopping down within
3 stops, but the delay can be reduced
to 40ms at maximum aperture with
Personal Function 26, “shorter shutter
release time lag.” The startup time
after the power switch is turned on is
about 0.5 sec., usefully faster than
the 0.9 sec. of the EOS-1D.
PERFORMANCE
NEW 8.2 MEGAPIXEL
CMOS SENSOR:
High Resolution, Fast Speed
and Efficient Power
Management
The heart of the EOS-1D Mark II is
a state-of-the-art, 8.2 megapixel,
single-plate sensor developed and
manufactured by Canon. It has twice
the resolution of the EOS-1D while
having the same sensor size.
Its effective pixel count is 3520
horizontally by 2342 vertically. Each
pixel is a large 8.2 microns square,
yielding great sensitivity and
responsiveness yeteven less noise
than the EOS-1Ds sensor. ISO speeds
range from ISO 100 to 1600 in 1/3 stop
increments, wider than the 1D
or the 1Ds, with ISO 50 and 3200
accessed through the LCD monitor
menu. The ISO 3200 speed setting is
one of several substantial improvements
made possible by the Canon-developed,
on-chip RGB primary color filter which
has larger microlenses but gaps
between them which are 1/3 the size of
those on the 1Ds. These narrow gaps
greatly increase the efficiency of light
convergence and capture while greatly
reducing birefringence.
A second-generation, on-chip noise
elimination circuit takes care of
fixed-pattern and random noise.
In addition to longer battery life, the
lower power consumption of the CMOS
sensor means that the Signal-to-Noise
Ratio is less affected when the sensor’s
temperature rises. For long exposures,
including those up to several minutes,
the circuit-driving standard current and
the power to the output amp are cut off
and the camera applies Dark Frame
Subtraction automatically. Additionally,
the irregular colors that occur during
long exposures at the corners and
edges have been reduced dramatically.
Noise has been further reduced in two
ways: the digital section of the camera
has been completely separated from
the camera’s other circuitry, causing
less noise to each other, and the
flexible boards’ wiring has been
reconfigured, shortening the signal
path to minimize noise.
The EOS-1D Mark II, equipped with
a low-noise, high-speed output amp,
can read 8 channels simultaneously per
line, 4 times the EOS-1Ds’s 2-channel
reading, enabling a continuous
shooting speed of approximately 8.5
frames per second despite the substantial
file size generated by 8.2 megapixels.
The EOS-1D Mark II’s sensor measures
28.7 by 19.1mm, giving a lens focal
length conversion factor of 1.3. At the
magazine standard 300 lines, the Mark II
has enough resolution to fill a whole
page with cropping or to run double
truck uncropped. This is borderline
medium format territory combined with
the convenience and control of digital.
UPGRADED
AUTOFOCUS SYSTEM:
Faster, Smarter and More
Accurate AF
The 45-point AF unit is the same as
the EOS-1D’s. However, the AF-related
circuitry and the AF algorithm incorporate
a completely new design so that the AF
performance surpasses that of the 1D.
The EOS-1D had a single CPU for AF
operations from focus detection to
lens-driving control. The EOS-1D
Mark II has two CPUs taking care of
these functions.
Dividing tasks means decisions can be
made simultaneously rather than in
sequence. For example, in One-Shot AF
mode, AF processing, SI display and
aperture stop-down are executed in
parallel with lens driving and mirror
flip-up. In AI Servo AF/Predictive 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 as the 1D’s. 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.
The AF CPU is a 33 MHz, 32-bit RISC
microcomputer that handles area AF
detection and auto AF point selection.
The camera CPU is a 32 MHz, 32-bit
RISC microcomputer that controls lens
communications, lens driving control
and predictive AF statistical calculations.
As a result, all the processing is faster
than with the EOS-1D’s AF control.
One-Shot AF speed is faster and
AI-SERVO AF focusing precision
is higher.
ADVANCED E-TTL II
FLASH EXPOSURE
SYSTEM:
New Algorithm Gives
Greater Flash Exposure
Control
The EOS-1D Mark II employs an
“evolved” version of E-TTL, the E-TTL II,
which incorporates distance information
from compatible EF lenses
**
for more
versatile flash exposure control. E-TTL II
eliminates under-exposure that can
occur with straight reflections by ignoring
10 PERFORMANCE/SPEED
PERFORMANCE/SPEED
PERFORMANCE/SPEED 11
sensor areas that report abnormally high
levels of reflections from its calculation.
This feature is useful when shooting a
subject with a highly reflective object in
the background or if the subject itself is
highly reflective. In addition, the new
E-TTLIlprevents over-exposure when
photographers lock focus and
recompose the shot by considering the
flash output level calculated according
to the distance information.
Moreover, with the EOS-1D Mark II, the
system is not dependent on the active
AF pointfor even more consistent flash
exposure result, considering the
numerous focusing points. Here is how
this works: the 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. This assumption is also
ensured by the distance information,
and the algorithm avoids chronic
underexposure problems in such
situation. These readings are weighted,
averaged and compared with the a
mbient light reading, and the main
flash output is then set and stored
in memory.
Thus, unlike the conventional system,
EOS-1D Mark II weighs and averages
the flash metering capturing the subject
as a “plane” and not as a “point”. As a
result, the camera can obtain consistent
flash exposures even if the subject
contains various colors and various
levels of reflections. The camera also
allows the user to select average
metering pattern by using its custom
function settings.
** Refer to the EF Lens Specificationschart on P. 20
for E-TTL II compatible EFlenses.
ADVANCED ≥II
IMAGING PROCESSOR:
Enhanced Speed, Precision
and Control
The next-generation DIGIC II Imaging
Processor in the Canon EOS 1D Mark II
features ultra-fast response and high
performance. The single board design
replaces the multiple boards of the 1D,
and the DIGIC II itself is a single-chip
unit whereas the 1D had two separate
imaging engines. The DIGIC II has a
new signal processing algorithm,
8-channel signal reading and faster
image data signal processing. Color
reproduction of high-saturation, bright
subjects is improved. Auto white
balance is more precise, and accuracy
in low color temperatures, such as
tungsten light, is better. False
colors and noise in low light have
been reduced.
The DIGIC II Imaging Processor enables
the EOS-1D Mark II to write to card at
5.0MB/sec, whereas the 1D had
a top speed of 3.2MB/sec and 1Ds is
just under 2MB/sec.
SPEED
PERFORMANCE/SPEED
8-channel
signal reading