First Outing with Canon 1DX
After waiting for Canon to come out with a high-end crop sensor camera, finally decided it was time to upgrade from my 7D to a 1DX. I fought it for quite a while as full frame wasn’t on my radar due to losing the 1.6 crop factor of my 7D. With bird photography being my niche, being focal length limited can be a challenge. A recent trip to Nebraska convinced me that it was time to upgrade with missing some good shots while not being able to crank up the ISO enough to get higher shutter speeds. My 7D is a great camera but it gets noisy above ISO 400.
This was my first trip to High Island this year. Each season is a little different at the rookery with this year not being as good as previous years, IMO, with increased growth of the vegetation on the island covering up some of the best perching locations.
Besides the changing landscape, trying out a new camera was also challenging, especially when showing up in the dark about 45 min before the sun came up. Will need lots of practice with this puppy to get used to the button locations. Luckily the buttons to change focus points and ISO settings are similar to the 7D.
The ability to crank up the ISO to get higher shutter speeds was very sweet. Took most of my photos at ISO 1600, which look very similar to my 7D at ISO 400. I’ll post more later comparing the 7D to the 1DX after I get some more trigger time with the new camera.
Taken with Canon 1DX and Canon 500mm F4 IS II with 1.4x III teleconverter mounted on Gitzo tripod with Wimberley II gimbal head
Great Egret preening: aperture priority, 1/2000 sec @ F11, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, -1/3 exposure compensation
Tim Timmis Photography 
Oh you are going to be so happy that you upgraded. The image quality is no comparison, especially with that 1DX. What a wonderful camera. I got the 5D Mark III and am so happy with it. The image holds up with intense cropping, where it didn’t with the 7D.
May 18, 2014 at 7:30 pm
Sweet shot Tim. I know you will love the 1DX once you get to know it better.
May 18, 2014 at 7:30 pm
If the egret photo is any indication, you’re going to love your new camera. What a stunning photo!
May 18, 2014 at 7:57 pm
Awesome! Makes me want to upgrade to the 1DX! Where’s a good place to get a good deal?
Photography by Roy O’Dell 817-294-2529 http://www.odelldigitalphotog.com
May 18, 2014 at 10:43 pm
That light coming through its neck is fantastic. Congrats on the new camera – lots of good feedback on it.
May 19, 2014 at 1:04 am
Thanks Emily. I’ve only had it out 3 times for far but it looks very promising. I’m sure that I won’t regret it. The only pain so far has been the price tag.
May 19, 2014 at 6:24 pm
Oh yes..no joke !! Thus the Mark III for me, but you’re a true pro and at least get paid for your work. 🙂
May 19, 2014 at 6:24 pm
Thanks Doug. It will take some time to retrain my brain but I’m looking forward to the practice time.
May 19, 2014 at 6:25 pm
Thanks Judy. Always appreciate you comments. Having a better camera won’t make me a better photographer but it will help to get some shots that I couldn’t have gotten before.
May 19, 2014 at 6:26 pm
Thanks Roy. I got this from B&H like almost all of my gear. Saw a few cheaper locations but they were “grey market” without the US warranty, so I stayed away from them. Haven’t seen it on sale yet from the usual dealers.
May 19, 2014 at 6:28 pm
Thanks Lyle. The camera has gotten some great reviews so I’m looking forward to putting it though its paces, especially laying down on some sandbars.
May 19, 2014 at 6:32 pm
You’re already an incredible photographer, Tim. And 1 talented photographer + 1 quality camera = photographs that are art. Enjoy!
May 19, 2014 at 7:00 pm
Congrats on your new camera Tim. I can’t wait to see more images…….
May 24, 2014 at 6:42 pm
Thanks Sheldon. I’ll post some more soon. Looks like a keeper to me.
May 24, 2014 at 7:23 pm