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Canon EOS-1D Canon leaps into the professional SLR arena, with the fastest digital SLR on the planet! Select a topic Reference: Datasheet EOS-1D SAMPLE IMAGES! --------------------------------- 1. Intro and Highlights 2. Executive Overview 3. Design 4. Viewfinder 5. Optics 6. Exposure & Flash 7. Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests 8. Operation & User Interface 9. Camera Modes & Menus 10. Image Storage & Interface 11. Video, Power, Software 12. Test Results & Conclusion --------------------------------- Print-Friendly Review Version Additional Resources and Other Links Reader Comments on EOS-1D Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Image Storage & Interface :(Previous) | (Next): Test Results & Conclusion>> Page 11:Video, Power, Software Review First Posted: 12/08/2001

Video Out

The EOS-1D has no video output.

Power

Power is supplied to the EOS-1D via an NiMH rechargeable battery pack or the included "DC Coupler" (AC adapter) accessory. The NP-E3 battery pack and DC coupler both accompany the camera, along with a battery charger. According to Canon, a freshly charged NP-E3 battery pack should produce as many as 500 shots at normal temperature. (At low temperatures, battery capacity can be significantly reduced.) The (approximate) amount of battery life remaining is displayed on the top LCD status display panel. An Auto Power-Off feature automatically turns off the camera after 1, 2, 4, 8, 15, or 30 minutes, depending on the time set through the settings menu (you can also turn this off). ACR2025 lithium battery serves as the backup power supply for the camera's internal calendar and clock.

Working with the DC coupler, I performed my usual measurements on the EOS-1D's power consumption in various operating modes. (Really, runtime in various operating modes makes a lot more sense than the "number of shots" figures published by the manufacturers and some other sites. The number of shots is certainly important to a photographer, but shooters expecting 500 shots from the EOS-1D would be sorely disappointed if they tried to capture all those shots over the course of a five-hour shooting session.) Here's what I found for the 1D's power consumption numbers:

Operating Mode	Power (@ 13v)	Est. Minutes (1650 mAh NP-E3 pack)
Capture Mode, "semi-sleep"	260 mA	350
Capture Mode, "awake"	600 mA	152
Memory Write (transient)	780 mA	n/a
Image Playback	410 mA	223

Overall, the 1D's run time numbers reflect the huge capacity of its hefty 1650 mAh, 12-volt battery pack, but not as much as I'd been expecting. (Just for reference, this is fully 2.6 times more power than that delivered by a set of 4 NiMH AA cells, as used in most consumer digicams.) Runtime in "standby" mode (capture mode, but with the camera in the "semi sleep" mode it goes into after two seconds of inactivity) is nearly six hours, but active capture mode drops this to only about two-and-a-half hours. Furthermore, the power demands of fast-acting autofocus lenses with large optics are considerable. (Current drain spikes over 1 amp when a Canon USM autofocus lens is focusing.) Likewise, the 1D's shutter mechanism consumes a noticeable amount of power. Overall, the EOS-1D has very good battery life, but a practicing pro should definitely plan on purchasing a second NP-E3 battery and packing it along. For extended studio work, the DC coupler will be a lifesaver.

Included Software

The software they didn't include...

(But that you should) Few people realize just how *much* you can improve your digicam images through clever processing in Photoshop. Greatly (!) increased sharpness, reduced noise, and even ultra-wide dynamic range (light-to-dark range) by combining multiple exposures. Fred Miranda and uber-Photoshop expert Fred Miranda has packaged some of his Photoshop magic in a collection of powerful and affordably priced "actions." Check out his site, the results are pretty amazing!

A single software CD comes with the EOS-1D, containing Canon's Solution Disk software for both PC and Macintosh platforms. The camera connects to the computer via an IEEE-1394 "FireWire" interface cable. The Solution Disk software package includes Canon Utilities, RemoteCapture (for operating the camera from the computer), and the necessary drivers. I mentioned the Canon software earlier, calling particular attention to the ability it provides the user to customize the camera's tone curves. I hope to write at some length about the EOS-1D's software, as the ability to manipulate and upload new tone curves to the camera is a significant differentiator between the 1D and competing cameras. Time constraints (and the extraordinary amount of time I've already spent on this camera, having now been through three major reshoots of my test images) may preclude a full treatment of the software. - I'll have to see how the time goes. For now, here's a simple list of what's included on the cross-platform disk:

• TWAIN Driver
• Macintosh Plug-In Module (for Photoshop and compliant applications)
• IEEE1394 Driver (Windows)
• FireWire Driver (Mac)
• RemoteCapture
• TWAIN Driver for Card Reader
• Adobe Photoshop LE

In the Box

Included with the EOS-1D digital camera are the following items:

• Eyecup for optical viewfinder
• NiMH NP-E3 battery pack with protective cover
• NiMH battery charger
• DC Coupler Kit
• Neck Strap
• Hand Strap
• IEEE-1394 "FireWire" Interface Cable
• EOS Digital Solution Disk software CD (Includes Adobe Photoshop LE)
• Instruction Manual, Registration Information, and Quick Guide