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Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II Canon upgrades their "ultimate" d-SLR with 16.7 megapixels of resolution and significant performance improvements. Select a topic Reference: Datasheet EOS-1Ds Mark II Test Images EOS-1Ds Mark II Imatest Results --------------------------------- 1. Intro and Highlights 2. Comparison, Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II vs EOS-1Ds 3. Executive Overview 4. Design 5. Viewfinder 6. Sensor, Noise Reduction, and Optics 7. Exposure 8. The "Red Problem," Description and Workaround 9. Flash 10. Shutter Lag / Cycle Times 11. Operation & User Interface 12. Control Enumeration 13. Camera Menus 14. Image Storage & Interface 15. Video & Power 16. Included Software 17. Test Results & Conclusion --------------------------------- Print-Friendly Review Version Additional Resources and Other Links Reader Comments on EOS-1Ds Mark II Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Control Enumeration :(Previous) | (Next): Image Storage & Interface>> Page 13:Camera Menus Review First Posted: 9/26/2005

Camera Menus

The 1Ds Mark II offers five menus, all of which are available at all times by pressing the Menu button. The last item you had selected in any given menu is the first selected when you re-select that tab. It is not reset until you power the camera off and on.

Record Menu

• Custom WB: Lets you select an image for the Custom White Balance setting. For example, to set the Custom White Balance, you capture an image of a gray card in the lighting in question. You would then select that image through the Custom WB menu option as the image to base the white balance on, and apply that to the current subject. You could also apply the white balance from a previously captured image.
• JPEG Quality: Sets the compression level for each resolution setting, from one to 10.
• Parameters: Accesses any of up to three customized camera settings created on the host computer with the camera's driver software (such as tone curves, sharpness level, JPEG compressing settings, etc.).
• Color Matrix: Sets the color characteristics for the image, with eight options. (See the extensive discussion of color space options under the "Exposure" section of this review.)
  • 1: Standard.
  • 2: Portrait. Sets the hue and chroma for skin tones.
  • 3: High Saturation. Adjusts hue and chroma to match high-chroma slide film.
  • 4: Corresponds to Adobe RGB color space.
  • 5: Low Saturation. Lowers chroma, for more moderate color tone.
  • 6: CM Set 1.
  • 7: CM Set 2.
  • Set Up.
• Review: Turns on an automatic review of captured images. Image review can display the image only or the image with information and histogram.
• Review Time: Establishes the time length that the review image appears on the LCD screen, with options of two, four, or eight seconds, or "Hold" (which displays the image for half of the time allotted for the auto shutoff).
• Noise Reduction: Activates or deactivates the Noise Reduction feature, which reduces the image noise in long exposures.
• ISO Expansion: Expands the ISO range (100 to 1,600 by default) to include 50 and 3,200 equivalents.

Playback Menu

• Protect Images: Write-protects the selected image(s), preventing accidental erasure or manipulation in any other way. Does not protect from erasure due to card formatting, however. Protection can also be removed here.
• Rotate: Rotates the image 90 or 270 degrees clockwise.
• Erase All on CF Card: Erases all unprotected images on the memory card.
• Print Order: Sets the print type, date imprinting, and file number imprinting for print order images.
• Highlight Alert: Enables (or disables) the Highlight Alert, which flashes the blown-out highlights in the image review.
• Display AF Points: Displays the AF points used to determine focus when the image information is displayed.
• Histogram Display: Sets the histogram display to Bright or RGB. Bright shows the tonal distribution for the entire image. RGB shows the tonal distribution for each primary color.

Setup Menu 1

• Auto Power Off: Specifies the period of time of inactivity that must pass before the camera automatically shuts itself off. Options are 1, 2, 4, 8, 15, or 30 minutes, or Off.
• File Numbering: Resets file numbering, or continuously numbers frames until the folder is full. The "M-Reset" option creates a new folder and resets file naming to start at 0001.
• Backup: Saves a copy of the image on both memory cards, if both CompactFlash and SD memory cards are in the camera.
• Auto Rotate: If turned on, this function automatically rotates vertically-framed images for the correct display in review mode.
• Save Camera Settings: Saves the current set of camera settings to a memory card.
• Loading Camera Settings: Lets you recall a previously saved group of camera settings.
• Format: Formats the CompactFlash card, erasing all images (even write-protected ones).

Setup Menu 2

• LCD Brightness: Adjusts the brightness of the LCD monitor display.
• Date/Time: Sets the camera's internal clock and calendar, as well as the format of the date.
• Video System: Sets the video output to NTSC or PAL timings.
• Language: Sets the menu language to one of 12.
• Firmware: Updates the camera's firmware when the appropriate memory card is inserted.
• Sensor Cleaning: Readies the CCD sensor for cleaning, the directions for which are in the Instruction Manual.

Custom Menu

Custom Functions
The 1Ds Mark II continues with the extensive Custom Menu and Personal Function options that appeared on the original 1D, making it one of the most customizable cameras I've seen. An amazing range of the camera's operating functions is subject to user configuration, with no fewer than 21 "Custom" function menus and 27 "Personal" functions.

To help you manage the 1Ds Mark II's configurability, you can group both custom and personal functions into "custom function groups," letting you quickly switch between different sets of them for different shooting conditions or photographers.

Here's a list of the Custom Function options, and the camera features they control. (I didn't bother showing you screen captures of these, as there's really not much information displayed on these screens other than a list of options for each. The list below has more detail on the actual operation of each menu than is in the menus themselves.)

• Custom Functions: Allows you to set the camera's Custom Functions according to preferences.
  • C.Fn-00: Focusing Screen
    I confess I don't really know what aspect of camera operation is affected by this option, but you apparently have to inform the camera which focusing screen it's using. (For exposure determination?)
    • 0-New Laser-matte screens.
    • 1-Laser-matte screens.
  • C.Fn-01:Finder display during exposure.
    Specifies whether the viewfinder display is on during Continuous Shooting or not.
    • 0-Off
    • 1-On
  • C.Fn-02: Shutter release without card
    Designates whether the Shutter button will work when no CompactFlash card is inserted.
    • 0-Possible
    • 1-Not Possible
  • C.Fn-04: Shutter Button/AE Lock Button
    Controls the usage of the Shutter button and AE Lock button.
    • 0-The Shutter button controls autofocus and the AE Lock button controls AE Lock.
    • 1-The Shutter button controls AE Lock with a half-press, and the AE Lock button sets focus.
    • 2-In AI Servo AF mode, pressing the AE Lock button momentarily stops the AI Servo AF operation, exposure is set when the picture is taken.
    • 3-In AI Servo AF mode, pressing the AE Lock button starts and stops AI Servo AF operation, exposure is set at image capture.
  • C.Fn-05: Manual Tv/Av set. for Manual Exposure
    Select which controls affect shutter speed and aperture in manual exposure mode. (Also affects how autoexposure bracketing functions in Manual mode.)
    • 0-Main dial controls shutter speed, Quick Control dial controls aperture.
    • 1-Quick Control dial adjusts shutter speed, Main dial adjusts aperture.
    • 2-Same setup as 0, only the aperture can be adjusted without the lens attached to the camera.
    • 3-Same setup as 1, with adjustable aperture even without the lens attached to the camera.
  • C.Fn-06: Exposure level increments.
    • 0-Exposure adjusted in 1/3 stop increments, compensation in 1/3 stops also
    • 1-Full-stop increments for exposure settings, 1/3 stop for compensation.
    • 2-Half-stop increments for exposure, 1/2 stop for compensation.
  • C.Fn-07: USM lens electronic MF.
    Controls when and how the manual focus ring on USM AF lenses is active.
    • 0-Turns electronic MF on after One-Shot AF.
    • 1-Turns electronic MF off after One-Shot AF (prevents accidental focus adjustments from any movement of focus ring).
    • 2-Electronic MF is always off.
  • C.Fn-08: Top LCD panel/Back LCD panel
    • 0-Top LCD displays remaining shots, back LCD displays file number.
    • 1-Top LCD displays ISO, back LCD displays remaining shots.
    • 2-Top LCD displays ISO, back LCD displays file number.
    • 3-Top LCD displays the number of shots in folder, back LCD displays remaining shots.
  • C.Fn-09: Auto Bracketing Sequence/Cancel
    (Alters Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB) sequence and cancellation. "Cancel" means AEB mode is canceled whenever the camera is shut down or the lens is changed.)
    • 0-Standard exposure is followed by under- and then overexposures, auto cancellation of mode.
    • 1-Standard exposure is followed by under- and then overexposures, no cancellation of mode.
    • 2-Underexposure is followed by standard and overexposure, auto mode cancellation.
    • 3-Underexposure is followed by standard and overexposure, no mode cancellation.
  • C.Fn-10: AF Point Illumination
    The Mark II shows which AF points are active in the viewfinder. This control adjusts their display.
    • 0-On
    • 1-Off
    • 2-On without dimming
    • 3-Brighter
  • C.Fn-11: AF Point Selection Method
    Lets you choose which buttons control AF selection and Exposure compensation. Likewise controls which control dial affects vertical and horizontal point selection.
    • 0-Default selection method.
    • 1-Reverses functions of the AF Point Selection and Exposure Compensation buttons.
    • 2-During exposure metering, Quick Control dial sets horizontal AF point, while vertical points are set by Assist button and Main dial.
    • 3-Reverses functions of AF Point Selection and Flash Exposure Lock buttons.
  • C.Fn-12: Mirror Lockup
    Mirror lockup reduces vibration on long exposures, particularly with long tele lenses. When enabled, a double-press of the shutter button is required to capture a shot. (First press locks mirror, second fires shutter.)
    • 0-Disables mirror lockup.
    • 1-Enables mirror lockup, which prevents camera movement caused by mirror reflex.
  • C.Fn-13: Number of AF points,/Spot Metering
    Controls the number of selectable AF points, and whether the spot metering tracks the active AF point or remains at the center of the frame.
    • 0-45 point, Spot Metering uses center AF point.
    • 1-11 points, Spot Metering uses active AF point.
    • 2-11 points, Spot Metering uses center AF point.
    • 3-Nine points, Spot Metering uses active AF point.
  • C.Fn-14: E-TTL II (autoflash system)
    Sets exposure weighting for TTL flash metering. (For Canon speedlights only)
    • 0-Evaluative.
    • 1-Average.
  • C.Fn-15: Shutter curtain (flash) synchronization
    • 0-1st curtain
    • 1-2nd curtain
  • C.Fn-16: Safety shift in Av or Tv
    Allows the exposure system to adjust the dominant exposure parameter if the subject's brightness changes suddenly. (Eg, the camera can override the aperture setting in Av mode and the shutter setting in Tv mode if needed.)
    • 0-Disable
    • 1-Enable: Shifts the shutter speed and aperture to match any shift in the exposure conditions.
  • C.Fn-17: AF point activation area
    Expands active AF area, helpful for use with erratically moving subjects.
    • 0-Single AF point
    • 1-Area expands by one point all around the manually selected AF point.
    • 2-Sets the AF point activation area to seven or 13 points to suit the lens focal length.
  • C.Fn-18: Switch to registered AF point
    Defines the button combinations used to switch between normal AF and a previously-registered AF point.
    • 0-Assist button plus AF Point Selection button
    • 1-Assist button only
    • 2-Assist button must be held down.
  • C.Fn-19: Lens AF stop button function
    Some Canon lenses (the super telephotos) have a special "AF stop" button on them, normally used to control AF operation, to avoid excessive AF "hunting". This Custom Function option controls how the Mark II interprets actuation of the AF stop button.
    • 0-AF stop
    • 1-AF start
    • 2-AE lock while metering
    • 3-AF point, holding down button switches from manual to auto, or from auto to center.
    • 4-AF mode, button switches from One-Shot to AI Servo AF modes.
    • 5-IS Start (Image Stabilizer).
  • C.Fn-20: AI Servo tracking sensitivity
    Controls AF tracking speed. (Slower settings can prevent you from losing focus lock if another object is momentarily interposed between the camera and subject. On the other hand, you'll want to use a faster setting for fast-moving subjects.)
    • 0-Standard
    • 1-Slow
    • 2-Moderately slow
    • 3-Moderately fast
    • 4-Fast

Personal Functions: A wide variety of secondary camera options can be controlled via the "Personal Functions" menu system. These are options that are less integral to basic camera operation, but that fall more into the realm of personal preferences. (Examples include things like setting the continuous shooting speed, enabling or disabling metering modes, whether or not to illuminate the LCD panels during bulb exposures, etc.)

These functions are enabled or disabled via the host software provided with the camera. The default is for none of the personal function options to be available: You'll have to connect the camera to the computer and turn them on before they'll be accessible on the LCD menu system. The menu displays in this mode are unusually informative, as Canon has made excellent use of the high-resolution LCD panel to show explanatory information. Changes in the specific settings must be made from a host computer, using Canons EXIF Viewer software. Once a particular P.Fn has been enabled, you can turn it on or off from the camera's P.Fn menu. (But you'll have to go back to the host computer to actually change the settings themselves.) Given the fairly self-explanatory nature of these screens, I'll simply show screenshots of each Personal Function menu in the table below.