As a reviewer, there is no greater thrill than being privy to a product that you know will either revolutionise or turn the world upside down. The first Palm Pilot, USB devices, and the Canon 1Ds.
Designed from the ground-up as a digital SLR, not just a film SLR with a digital back, the 1Ds is the first digital SLR (dSLR) to feature a full aspect 3:2 (36 x 24mm) Canon CMOS imaging sensor, at a whopping 11.1-megapixels, producing images with a maximum resolution of 4,064 x 2,704. This allows for the production of 144 x 96cm press-prints without retouching. Not only that, but as its sensor is the same dimensions as a 35mm film, there is no conversion of lens angles. Simply put, a 28mm lens on the 1Ds acts like a 28mm lens, instead of a 35mm lens.
Being a professional camera, it's been engineered to survive in the harshest environments; from Antarctica to the dustbowls of the Middle-East. Attention to detail from the 72 integrated gaskets of the body, to the silicone moisture seal at the lens mount to the double-sealed covers of the FireWire and PC connection ports to the two-way safety (lift and twist) mechanism of the battery and CompactFlash ports are testament to this.
Although heavy at 1.6kg (with battery), the camera's ruggedised non-slip, rubber-coated body is superbly balanced and is easy to hold in the normal landscape or portrait position using the integrated vertical handgrip. Additionally, the added weight balances the camera well when used in conjunction with a long-lens and a monopod.
All controls are ergonomically placed for instinctive control of the camera, using the familiar EOS convention of a main jog dial at the right index finger, and the rapid control dial at the thumb. Rounding out the package is a high-resolution two-inch, 120k element TFT screen. Canon has finally implemented a zoom function when reviewing images, allowing photographers to verify the quality of the shot while in the field. The screen has good color balance, and does not ‘wash out' when viewed in direct sunlight.
Technically, this camera is fantastic, with the fastest and most intelligent tracking auto focus in both digital and film SLRs. This camera has built up on the technology of the EOS 1v (film), and features 45 focusing points. The AI AF (AI Servo) system is able to continuously cross-track and intelligently predict focus and exposure of up to seven elements at a time. Couple this with a Canon Ultra Sonic lens, and you have a killer combination for any action shots.
The 1Ds also features one of the most advanced Through The Lens (TTL) metering systems on the market, borrowing from its 1v sibling. Up to 21 metering zones may be evaluated, with the ability to center-weight or build up a custom exposure value with eight-point spot metering.
But what is truly amazing about the 1Ds is its 3fps speed for 10 shots. On average, a RAW full-resolution shot comes in at about 11.5MB, with a Fine resolution JPEG at about 4.3MB. The 1Ds has the ability to record both RAW and JPEG files simultaneously and sustain 3fps! That's almost 45MB/s of image data being buffered and handled by Canon's custom imaging engine. The imaging engine is also able to ‘simulate' the use of different film stocks by using one of five colour matrixes. All are sRGB compatible, with colour matrix four optimised for Adobe 1998's expanded color space.
In the studio, the 1Ds' software package came into its own. By linking the camera up via FireWire, one is able to remotely fire the camera from a PC. The moment the Imaging Engine processes the shot, it is immediately transferred to the PC for immediate proofing adjustments. Alternately, this setup may also be used in a time-lapse photography setting.
The EOS Digital Solutions package that comes bundled with the camera allows photographers to unlock the full potential of the camera. Through the software, all 28 personal and 21 custom functions are able to be changed and saved against a user profile.
In all, the 1Ds represents the pinnacle of dSLR imaging technology. It is a slick package that is well integrated with its software bundle, presenting all the benefits of digital photography without inundating the photographer with the technology. Some work still needs to be done to improve its low-light performance, but other than that, this is the best dSLR that I have ever handled.
Like motorsport, the technology in the 1Ds has already filtered down Canon's range. The G3's widely acclaimed DIGIC chip is based upon the Image Engine, and the G3 and IXUX V3 AF/Shutter control logic are borne from 1Ds technology. At 11.1-megapixels, this is the only dSLR that I would even consider replacing my faithful 1v. We have finally come to the point of true film-replacement, and this is the first camera to cross the threshold.