philo Loc: philo, ca

I use to save things for the best of time or for special moments. However when you get to be of a certain age you come to realize that today is the best of time so why not go for it. Many people say they can't do something because of their kids. If your kids want a high end camera let them get it the same way you did. Get a job and do their thing.

photomarkz Loc: parma hts,ohio

Every sports photographers dream camera.
Love to see some pics from it

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I hope you enjoy it.
--Bob

rafikiphoto Loc: Spain

Congratulations! Sure what the heck! I hope that you enjoy your new camera.

NoSocks Loc: quonochontaug, rhode island

Have a great time with that piece of art. I'll be forever envious. But you're living my philosophy: if you want it, and can afford it, go for it. Congratulations!

Hal81 Loc: Bucks County, Pa.

You did the right thing. Im a Nikon shooter. But if you shoot a lot of sports The reason you see all those guys on the sidelines with that camera is because it focuses a little faster than the Nikon.

paulierocks

I like how you think! Enjoy!!!

jim10ec Loc: KNOXVILLE, TN

Thanks for all of the comments, I must say after playing with it for the last several days it is one SUPER camera. Now I don't feel bad about spending the money for it, and even my wife is glad that I went ahead and purchased it. Although I mulled it over for several weeks and read everything I could find about the EOS-1D X Mark II, there were very few negative comments regarding it and even those had really never used it, just commenting. I think I had everything there was to know in the back of my mind at least a week before I ordered it. Woke up one morning last week and told my wife I was ordering it and made it happen. Purchased it through B&H where I have got a lot of camera equipment from and it was on my front door that day after that. Yes - I was watching for the UPS truck all day and wouldn't you know it, he came late that day, but eventually got here. It was like getting up as a little kid on Christmas morning and looking for my presents.

Being the main photographer for our local professional hockey team, I got the first chance to use it this past Saturday. There was a couple of things that I noticed right away. 1) the focus is incredibly fast, was blown away by how quick it would focus compared to the 7DMII (and the 7DMII is pretty fast). 2) all I can say about the 14 fps is WOW. The focus at the speed blew me away. Although the post processing goes on forever with that many frames to go through - but just about all of them were great.

I don't normally use the high speed frame rate, just go on single shot - although I may now try a few more shots using the 14fps as it is kind of enticing. Fortunately most of the set up is quite like the 7DMII, so that part is easy to use, but there are a lot of other parts that I need to set down with the book and learn more about this camera.

Yes it is quite expensive and now I will just have to put off looking for a new car and just enjoy "driving the camera" around. If anyone has any great helpful ideas on using the EOS-1D X Mark II, just let me know. I will try and give any comments about how it works as I find out more about i.

jim10ec Loc: KNOXVILLE, TN

I will try a picture or two later.

RRS Loc: Not sure

Say Jim, how did you find your reach with the FF 1DXMMII? Did you use a different lens then you have been using with the 7DMKII?

jim10ec Loc: KNOXVILLE, TN

Used same lens that I have for my 7DMKII - Canon 70-200 F/2.8 EF Lens - That was one thing that I wanted to be sure of that my EF lenses would work on the 1DXMMII. Also have a Canon 24-70 F/2.8 EF Lens which I haven't tried yet. The 70-200 worked quite well, especially for hockey, which I use it for more often than anything else. The 24-70 will more than likely be my "carry round" lens.

jim10ec Loc: KNOXVILLE, TN

OK - I am going to try a picture, never done t his before so this will be my first try at one of the hockey game pictures. Don't pick on me now!
I do notice that the focus isn't sharp on here for some reason. Not sure why that is.

I guess it looks better when it is downloaded.

(Download)


(Download)

jim10ec Loc: KNOXVILLE, TN

I take about 1000 action pictures at each hockey game (home only) and after post processing and editing I upload around 150 or so. Taking that many pictures in a short time results in a lot of duplicate shots (especially at 14 FPS) so they get deleted and some that might be a little fuzzy that don't get used. Over that last 15 years taking pictures of our local Professional Hockey Team, I have taken around 500,000 pictures and this is my 3rd camera during that time.

I was going to slow down this year and retire from taking game pictures, but after the first game without a camera in my hands - I just had to get back at it again and just give up on the idea of "slowing down".....

Hal81 Loc: Bucks County, Pa.

Just make sure you do a good job when my Flyers come to your town.

jim10ec Loc: KNOXVILLE, TN

Would luv to have them here in Knoxville, but all we have is a minor league - Southern Professional Hockey - yes we do have hockey here in the south...!