Canon 1DX Mark II Review for Bird and Wildlife Photographers

[@loveinchristpj]

I have Nikons, I just want to tell you I love your honest approach and detailed review. Keep them up.

[@GlennBartley]

Thanks Paul!

[@jacqueslepage6570]

Hey wake up BH Photo...Give him the new 1DX II !...They make a lot of ads about your !...This man are the best birds professional photographer...Don't be cheap BH !!!

[@forsterl.stewart414]

I highly recommend the 7d Mark ii and 2x extender for small birds. I also shoot full frame 5d ii,5d iii and 5dsr and 5dsr image details are tack sharp but the f.p.s. are slow. The 1dx markii auto focus with 600mm and 2x at f8 is worth it... buy it. And keep 7d mii for spare body.

[@desertoo23]

I really liked this video. I had been waiting for any decent video on the canon 1dx mark II and I came across this fantastic one, I love the fact you were in a controlled environment and also the fact that you showed the crop and full frame comparison. Great video.

[@GlennBartley]

Thanks Bruno!

[@joncothranphotography9375]

I currently shoot the 7D ii and I am looking at the 1Dx ii for a second body. I know what you are thinking... In 2024? Yes! I think that would still be an awesome camera for, now $1400, everything that I do. Thanks for your thoughts!

[@GlennBartley]

I think you answered your own question... I personally wouldn't recommend a dslr in 2024

[@Methodical2]

The 1Dx, 600II and 2xIII is a potent combination. I just started using the 2x with my 1Dx a couple weeks ago to photograph waterfowl and I was blown away with the image quality, even with some heavy crops. Although you only have access to the center focus point with the 1Dx, if the subject is far away that won't hinder you. I've thought about getting the 1DxII for the multiple points, but I am not really limited at the moment. I am sitting back and waiting to see what Canon will do with the next iteration of the 7D. If it gets the 1DxII sensor, then I'd consider it, after some real world reviews. I've always preferred crop sensors for bird photography and I use the 7D2, 600II and 1.4II combination (2x is way too slow on the 7D), but cropping with the 1Dx is no slouch. Now, I see why a lot of the photographers are using either the 5D4 or the EOS R body; they can crop the mess out of them with all that resolution and still have a nice image. Btw, I don't even think about ISO when shooting with the 1DX. I can do a little bit of cleaning with Topaz Denoise and you'd never notice it.

[@BryanHixbyrdnerd]

Nice job Glenn. Totally agree with you about the lack of wireless flash capabilities. Sony has had that forever on their digital bodies. I don't know why Canon doesn't add that feature.

[@ScottPrincePhotography]

I disagree with anyone that says you "must" use the 7d mkii for wildlife photography. I own a 7d mkii and recently purchased the 1dx mkii. I love FF and hardly use the 7d anymore. My 1.4 on the dx mkii w/Canon 500 mm f/4 is awesome. I recently purchased the 2x extender and it works great on the 1dx mkii. Just my 2 cents.

[@zakariyyaali7899]

Such great advice for nature photographers

[@musclerambo1]

Thanks Glenn for the great video. I currently have a 7D mark II and want to upgrade to 1DX. I found someone is selling a used 1DX for $3,595 and it has about 2,949 shutter count. Is that a good deal or the price is too high? I really want to buy that camera but would like to see what you think?

[@narayananm9156]

Hi Glen, thanks for your video. I have been spending more and more money on gear and I think I make good photographs. I want to upgrade to bigger lenses but would like to know if there are enough options to make money to fund it back. Appreciate your comments on it. Are you full time into photography?

[@robertoa6958]

Excellent job Glenn. I'm with you regarding not willing to spend 6K when I can get almost the same features buying an used IDX for 3K ( I don't do videos). You forgot to mention in the summary in the end that the cropping factor in 7DMII is an advantage for the ones who are mostly bird photographers.

[@GlennBartley]

It sure is!

[@riazj.siddiki4945]

:) I can understand why you are not being more definitive at this time....... I myself have been torn between D500 and D5 for bird photography....... I went for D5....... I hope I could get the results in time to come....... One other thing that we may consider is shutter life if all other things are at par...... You can do as many frames with one 1DXMKII body as you would do with two 7DMKIIs.......

[@GlennBartley]

Good thoughts!

[@danielreyesespinosa]

Hey Glenn Great video Are you releasing your video blog about Colombia? Saw the photos you took of that trip and they are magnificent You should totally do a video comparing against the D5 and 1Dmk2 and D500 vs 7Dmk2

[@hjtw6]

Hi Glenn, great video thanks! Just wandering, what are your thoughts to using an Olympus OMD EM1 with the new 300mm f4 and also their 1.4 extender for bird photography? I'm interested in this because of the great portability and immense equivalent focal length you get on a micro 4/3 sensor and very nice IQ it seems.

[@rareonyxnunya8316]

Cool video! I'm looking for a camera that has 30mp or more, HD video recording with slow motion capture along with a minimum of 20mins recording time per session. 10 or more FPS. Dual high capacity transfer rated memory card slots. A high buffer capacity to assist with FPS and a swivel / tilt LCD touchscreen. Any ideas?

[@li-chungchih7494]

Glenn, please rent the D500 ! And do a comparison video!

[@julieholland9639]

Ive often looked at the 1DX2 but having a 5DIII and a 7DII and I do a lot of birding, Id rather keep the full frame I have and upgrade to the 7DIII if and whenever it comes along, the 7DII images seem OK to me anyway, Once you crop heavily with a full frame they do not print very well too large and once in print 7DII images are very good

[@cardiacade]

Me too, except I now use a 5dsr and 7dii for my main bodies.

[@golf228]

Thanks Glenn! Nice review and thanks for the sample pics. I'm also having a hard time thinking of moving from the 7D2 up to the 1DX for birding... you mentioned that the 2x TC slows down AF by quite a bit but how about the 1.4? Is it that much of a penalty?

[@frederikcarlsson]

+Jason Low AF speed is reduced by 50% using the 1.4x converter and by 75% with the 2x according to Canon. learn.usa.canon.com/resources/articles/2011/updates_supertelephoto_article.htmlp

[@GlennBartley]

+Jason Low I think 75% sounds pretty harsh. I found the 2x converter to work very well. The 1.4x would be even faster. But there is definitely a penalty. Its kind of like buying a Ferrari and towing a camper trailer :-)

[@Coreyhkh2]

excellent Glenn

[@kanukster]

As a professional, wouldn't there be some way to write some of the cost off, based on the premise that's a tool for your trade...?

[@mattpacker4372]

what do you think of the nikon d500? will you review it glenn love your videos

[@NoMoreForeignWars]

1DX is a sports camera with only 20MP. For wildlife you want a crop body with a high res sensor to get you closer to the action.

[@stakstonkvinge]

From what I've seen, the sensor in the 1DXII seems to pretty much have closed the gap vs Sony sensors.

[@grsiva]

You can have the custom menu even on the 7D MII. How different is this one?

[@pinakiray2005]

superb video ....

[@Stefan1968ful]

I fight with myself right now. I can get here in Shanghai a good deal for a Canon 1DX Mark II for 26k RMB or 3850 USD. New. I am actually on Nikon system but I am currently thinking to add the 800mm Nikon to my lenses for Wildlife. But...this Nikkor 800mm 5.6 FL is super pricy. It cost basically the same here as the Canon 800mm 5.6 USM plus (!) the Canon 1DX Mark II. I am torn apart here right now :)

[@GregTjosvold]

Glenn, what tripod mount are you using? I'm intrigued.

[@GlennBartley]

Wimberly Gimbal

[@kevindiossi]

I'm really not sure I agree with the remark about Nikon/Sony sensors destroying Canon...especially the D5 vs the 1DXII.

[@radusz1]

great review ...give me reason to think ..... thanks for this video :)

[@geoffneville6332]

Great review thanks.

[@johngunning2123]

So here we are 4 years later. Did you decide to buy one?

[@GlennBartley]

No. For the style of shooting I do I still prefer a crop body. So for me Ive been with the 7D II for some time now.

[@scarmenl]

It is simpler for me. I don't own the older model so the new one when I can get the money up will be a sweet camera.

[@GlennBartley]

True!

[@cillyede]

Great video again! Thanks. Hello from Germany.

[@AlfredoFernandezphoto]

Great one man!

[@silverleapers]

Thanks Glenn. Reaffirms that I'll never be able to enjoy a full frame. Keep Calm and Click On!

[@unailarraya]

i love your videos but... please do videos with techniques for aproximate more to the wildlife please. if you do it im going to be grateful all of my live.

[@jameslarsen9814]

Who else here thought for a second that the plastic bird was real? Before he said it was plastic I was like...huh? Great review!

[@bensslightnature]

glenn can i tell you that i love you? i enjoy watching your videos a lot!. please make more trip vlogs!!

[@jimkeener3773]

Thank you.

[@telemaq76]

the upgrade is not in high iso, but in low iso, 10x better on mkII than MK I

[@GlennBartley]

The challenge with that is that where I need it is from ISO3200 and up. But yes this does seem to be the case....

[@amarjolly7483]

People who disliked it, is from mars :)

[@46ace]

HI iso in bright daylight....Why?????????

[@redauwg911]

CANON,,, Give this guy a 1DX mark ll ,,,,,

[@GlennBartley]

That would be nice!

[@RickyLJones]

Excellent video Glenn. As much as I love this camera, I'm sticking with my 7DmkII, losing the crop factor is just too much to lose.

[@TheScottStuart]

I shoot a lot of sports with it and had the 7D2 for a while, but what I found regarding the crop is that whatever you lose in reach, can easily be matched in post edit crop. With the larger sensor and overall sharpness you get from the 1 DX2, especially with the mark II lenses, it's a wash. I gave up my 7D2 after a couple of months because, when using two bodies to cover a game, there was just too much of a drop-off in the image from the 1D to the 7D.

[@GlennBartley]

It just depends on how much you crop. When you are in the field shooting small birds and having to crop heavily as is then the loss of 60% of the reach is really difficult. But each situation is definitely unique to the individual shooter!

[@TheScottStuart]

I agree, it depends on the lighting conditions and how much you need to crop. But I haven't had a problem getting to 60% shooting sports. However, most of my images are for online or smaller print sizes.

[@omeshsingh8592]

How fast is silent continuous?

[@GlennBartley]

It was 5 or 6 FPS

[@MrGflan]

Glenn Bartley I didn’t get a grasp on the autofocus ability for the two cameras. For birds in flight and tracking fast gulls, etc, is the 1DXII the best choice by a long shot, or can the 5D Mark IV or 7D II be almost as good. I’m really trying to figure out what to do. I have a 1D Mark IV now and love it, but I need an upgrade. What would you do? I shoot a lot of songbirds and birds in flight. Thanks Glenn

[@2006lilmoe]

ISO is around 2/3 of a stop better and dynamic range is more than a stop. But don't buy this camera nor the 1DX, bro. If your 7D II isn't slowing you down, then wait for the 7D Mark III which you'll appreciate much, MUCH more considering your needs for a fraction of the price. Canon's APS-C sensors are seeing MUCH more improvements compared to full frame. 4K video of this camera is significantly cropped anyway... Also, as a tech savvy guy this might come as a bit alien for even pro photographers (no offense), but even the latest Canon Digic processors are built on 28nm technology. 14-16nm are just making their way into the market, and in a year or two, Canon's processors are going to see SIGNIFICANT improvements in processing power and efficiency (low heat). ISO and video recording capabilities are going to see HUGE improvements. Trust me, wait it out. You won't regret it. Great honest review. Loved it.

[@GlennBartley]

Good thoughts. The challenge is that the new 7D is likely 4 years out. So not quite as simple as that...

[@2006lilmoe]

Fair enough. But I have reasons to believe that the 7D will see an upgrade much earlier. The new Nikon D500 and the latest crop of mirrorless are changing the game rapidly.

[@MrKdr500]

"4K video of this camera is significantly cropped anyway..." this camera is a true cinema 4k so i don't know what you are reading.....

[@XperiaVideosCR]

Glenn how can you test this camera where there is so much light? your review on this camera is not formal at all. You should take it to Costa Rica, Perú or Ecuador where you run your tours and put to the test inside the dark rainforests.

[@S.R_Productions]

0:50 that’s not the 1DX Mk II on the tripod

[@GlennBartley]

Correct

[@berendjevandekamp6924]

Hallo met Bea heel foto's hoor ik kijk er naar groetjes 😳👱‍♂️

[@GlennBartley]

Greetings to you too!

[@Jerry23555]

Gift me 1 dx mark ii Can't afford to buy But crazy about photography Christmas gift

[@GlennBartley]

That would be nice. Good luck saving up to get a camera though!

[@Jerry23555]

Cudnt save bro Due to unexpected expenses

[@NuvoVision]

6:45 ....is that a tiger?

[@melvinch]

When you can afford an expensive professional camera but not a good microphone.

[@GlennBartley]

Good one Uncle! So clever!