Release issued by Canon UK:

Introducing the EOS-1Ds Mark II - Canon’s new 16.7 Megapixel Digital SLR extends studio photographer’s options

Also read our Initial thoughts on Canon's new flagship 1D Mark II

Canon, world leader in photographic and imaging technology, is pleased to announce the launch of its new flagship camera: the 35mm full-frame 16.7 Megapixel EOS-1Ds Mark II Digital SLR. The camera is expected to appeal to professional studio and commercial photographers.

Featuring a full-frame 36 x 24mm 16.7 Megapixel CMOS sensor, the EOS-1Ds Mark II produces images with outstanding colour rendition and dynamic range. It has sufficient resolution to produce files which convert to 50MB uncompressed TIFF at 24 bit colour depth, now considered standard acceptable size by leading international photo agencies and stock libraries.

Replacing the award winning 11.1 Megapixel EOS-1Ds, the camera is powered by Canon’s second generation DIGIC II image processor and is capable of firing at 4 fps for bursts of up to 32 frames in JPEG, or 11 frames in RAW. An optional wireless adaptor (WFT-E1 - also released today) delivers high speed IEEE802.11b/g wireless LAN and 100 Megabit per second wired LAN support.

Besides the inherent advantages of digital, such as immediate turn-around and elimination of film costs, it is the flexibility of the EOS 35mm SLR format which Canon expects to appeal to many studio photographers. For the first time, medium format image quality combines with access to the world’s most extensive range of professional lenses, spanning from 14mm to 1200mm.

"The EOS-1Ds Mark II is a tremendous achievement, it represents the pinnacle of Canon’s digital camera technology," said Malcolm Hills, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging in the UK and Ireland. "With its resolution, image quality, immediacy of wireless and the power and flexibility of SLR, the EOS-1Ds Mark II offers the first real digital alternative to medium format, which has so far been the choice for mainstream commercial studio and location work."

Canon expects the camera to be adopted in areas such as fashion, car, calendar, advertising and architectural photography.

Key camera specifications include:

16.7 MP full frame 36 x 24mm CMOS sensor

0.3 second start up and 4fps performance

ISO 100-1600, expandable to L:50 and H:3200

Digital Photo Professional v1.5 RAW processing software with support for sRGB, Adobe RGB and wide gamut RGB colour spaces plus various European, North American and Japanese standard CMYK separation simulations

Hi-Speed FireWire and Video out interface for complete connectivity

Dual high performance SD and CF/CF-II card slots (supports cards greater than 2GB)

Complete compatibility to all EF lenses & EX-series Speedlites

2.0" LCD screen with 230,000 pixels, 1.5-10x playback zoom

Simultaneous RAW & JPEG shooting

Battery life - approximately 1200 shots at 20C, 800 at 0C - in accordance with CIPA testing standards

Unsurpassed image quality
The EOS-1Ds Mark II’s full frame 16.7 Megapixel resolution sensor has a built in low-pass filter to reduce false colour and moiré effects, which can appear when shooting subjects with fine regular detail, such as textiles. The second generation DIGIC II processor delivers 0.3 second start up time, fast continuous shooting and simultaneous RAW and JPEG recording. It also features advances in the image processing algorithms to improve white balance, auto exposure and overall image quality. Photographers can choose between four resolutions and 10 quality levels for JPEG images. Within the camera, the EOS-1Ds Mark II supports sRGB and Adobe RGB colour spaces with user settable colour saturation and tone levels, and provides five preset and two user-definable colour matrices. When using the Digital Photo Professional software and RAW image files, Wide Gamut RGB is also available. White Balance (WB) bias is correctable by +/- 9 levels for both blue/amber and magenta/green bias and the camera supports WB bracketing up to +/- 3 levels.

Flexibility of SLR in the studio
Photographers switching to Canon’s EOS system open up access to over 60 EF lenses, including tilt-shift, macro, super telephoto and Image Stabiliser lenses. The EOS-1Ds Mark II is compatible with the entire range of EX-Series Speedlite flash units, including two macro set ups and a range of wireless master/slave flash solutions. For photographers comfortable with the vertical orientation viewfinders of some medium format cameras, the camera accepts an optional Angle finder C right-angle viewfinder.

The immediacy of wireless image transfer
With the optional Wireless LAN adapter plugged into the camera’s IEEE1394/Firewire connection, photographers can work untethered as huge full-frame RAW files transfer automatically to the studio LAN in seconds . "A London publisher can now lay out a production-ready front cover of a magazine with a photograph taken literally seconds beforehand in a Milan studio," observes Hills. "Once this level of immediacy becomes commonplace, it is hard to imagine anyone accepting the risks and costs associated with the delays of film developing."

The Wireless LAN adapter supports both IEEE802.11b, IEEE802.11g wireless network standards and also includes a 100 Megabit wired ethernet connector for automatic and immediate transfer to any wide or local area network. The system supports a comprehensive range of major wireless network encryption and security features.

The CMOS advantage
The EOS-1Ds Mark II’s CMOS sensor offers lower noise levels and a superior dynamic range (capacity to capture subtle tonal gradations in shadow, midtone and highlight areas) to that of sensors found in other digital cameras and camera backs. Canon is the only camera manufacturer with a history of significant research and development investment into image sensors. The resulting CMOS sensor technology found in its Digital SLR range is key to the company’s competitive advantage. CMOS sensors have formed the basis of a long line of award winning cameras including the EOS-1Ds, EOS-1D Mark II and EOS 10D. Such is the strength of Canon’s sensor development that this is the third new CMOS sensor Canon has commercialised this year. Canon’s first commercialised sensor technology formed the basis of the 1987 EOS Auto Focus system, with CMOS technology first appearing as an image sensor in 2000’s EOS D30.

RAW processing
Digital Photo Professional v.1.5 image processing software is provided for high-speed processing of lossless RAW files. Processing with Digital Photo Professional is approximately six times faster than the File Viewer Utility supplied with the EOS-1Ds. It allows real-time display and immediate application of adjustments to images and includes a wide array of RAW, TIFF or JPEG image editing functions, which give control over variables such as white balance, dynamic range, exposure compensation and colour tone. sRGB, Adobe RGB and Wide Gamut RGB colour spaces are supported, and an ICC (International Colour Consortium) profile is automatically attached to RAW images that have been converted to TIFF or JPEG formats. This allows images to be displayed in true colours in software applications that support ICC profiles, such as Adobe Photoshop. Image processing of various parameter changes can now be batched rather than carried out sequentially, vastly increasing the efficiency of applying a number of changes to the same images. The new version of Digital Photo Professional adds the ability to simulate the CMYK separation of images based on regular Japanese, European and USA printing industry practices.

Pricing, availability and reader enquiries
The EOS-1Ds MKII will be available from November 2004 for £5999.99 RRP inc. VAT / £8699.99 RRP inc. VAT.

Reader enquiries: www.canon.co.uk
Eire - www.canon.ie

Specifications
EOS-1Ds Mark II

IMAGE SENSOR	Type	36 x 24mm CMOS
	Effective Pixels	Approx. 16.7M
	Total Pixels	Approx. 17.2M
	Aspect Ratio	3:2
	Low-Pass Filter	Built in/ Fixed
	Colour Filter Type	Primary Colour
IMAGE PROCESSOR	Type	DIGIC II
LENS	Lens Mount	EF (excludes EF-S lenses)
LENS	Focal Length	1.0x Multiplication with EF lens fitted
FOCUSING	Type	TTL-AREA-SIR with a CMOS sensor
	AF System/ Points	45 -point AF (Area AF)
	AF working range	EV 0-18 (at 20°C & ISO 100)
	AF Modes	One Shot AI Servo
	AF Point Selection	Automatic selection, Manual selection, Home position (switch to registered AF point)
	Selected AF point display	Superimposed in viewfinder
	Predictive AF	Yes
	AF Lock	Locked when shutter button is pressed half way in One Shot AF mode.
	AF Assist Beam	emitted by an optional dedicated Speedlite
	Manual Focus	Selected on lens
EXPOSURE CONTROL	Metering modes	"TTL full aperture metering with 21 zone SPC (1) Evaluative metering (linked to any AF point) (2) Partial metering (approx. 8.5% of viewfinder at centre) (3) Spot metering: Center spot metering (approx. 2.4% viewfinder at center) AF point-linked spot metering (approx. 2.4% of viewfinder) Multi/Spot metering (Max 8 spot metering entries) (4) Center weighted average metering
	Metering Range	EV 0-20 (at 20°C with 50mm f1.4 lens ISO 100)
	AE Lock	Auto: Operates in 1-shot AF mode with evaluative metering when focus is achieved Manual: By AE lock button in all metering modes
	Exposure Compensation	+/-3 EV in 1/3-stop increments (can be combined with AEB).
	AEB	+/-3 EV in 1/3-stop increments. 1/2-stop increments selectable with C.Fn-06-2. Bracketing methods: 1 Shutter speed or aperture 2 ISO speed
	ISO Speed Equivalent	100-1600 (in 1/3-stop increments) ISO can be expanded to L: 50 or H: 3200 (selected on shooting menu)
SHUTTER	Type	Electronically-controlled focal-plane shutter
	Speed	30 - 1/8000 sec. (1/3 stop increments), Bulb,
	Shutter release	Soft touch electromagnetic release
WHITE BALANCE	Type	Auto white balance with the imaging sensor
	Settings	Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten light, Fluorescent light, Flash, Custom, Colour Temperature Setting, Personal WB, (Total 10 Settings) White balance compensation: 1. Blue/Amber +/-9 2. Magenta/ Green +/-9.
	Personal White Balance	Up to 3 personal WB settings can be registered
	WB Bracketing	+/-3 stops in full stop increments. Method: 1. Blue/Amber 2.Magenta/Green. 3 bracketed images per shutter release.
COLOUR MATRIX	Type	5 types of colour space: 4x sRGB, Adobe RGB. 2x user selectable.
VIEWFINDER	Viewfinder	Pentaprism
	Coverage (Vertical/Horizontal)	Approx. 100% (for JPEG images)
	Magnification	0.7x (1)
	Eyepoint	20mm
	Dioptre Correction	-3 to +1 dpt
	Focusing Screen	Interchangeable (9 types). Standard Focusing Screen Ec-CIII
	Mirror	Quick-return half mirror (Transmission: reflection ratio of 37:63, no mirror cut-off with EF1200mm f5.6 or shorter
	Viewfinder Information	AF information (AF points, focus confirmation light), Exposure information (shutter speed, aperture, manual exposure, metering range, ISO speed, exposure level, exposure warning), Flash Information (flash ready, FP flash, FE lock, flash exposure level), JPEG format, number of remaining shots, CF card information, WB compensation.
	Depth of field preview	Yes
	Eyepiece shutter	Built-in
LCD MONITOR	Monitor	2.0" TFT, approx. 230K pixels
	Coverage	Approx. 100% (for JPEG images)
	Brightness	Adjustable to one of five levels
FLASH	Modes	E-TTL II Auto Flash, Metered Manual
	HotShoe/ PC terminal	Yes/ Yes
	X-sync	1/250sec
	Red-eye Reduction
	Flash Exposure Compensation	+/-3 EV in 1/3-stop increments with EX series Speedlites
	Flash Exposure Bracketing	Yes
	Flash Exposure Lock	Yes
	Second Curtain Synchronisation	Yes
	Built-in Flash Range
	Guide Number (ISO 100, meters)
	External Flash	E-TTL II with EX series Speedlites, wireless multi-flash support.
SHOOTING	Modes	Program AE, Shutter priority AE, Aperture priority AE, Manual
	Photo Effects
	Drive modes	Single/ Continuous
	Continuous Shooting	Max. Approx. 4fps. (speed maintained for up to 32 images (JPEG), 11 images (RAW)) (2)
	Intervalometer
RECORDING PIXELS / COMPRESSION	Image Size	(LF)4992x3328, (M1)3600x2400, (M2)3072x2048, (S)2496x1664, (RAW)4992x3328
RECORDING PIXELS / COMPRESSION	Compression	JPEG (1-10 settings, user selectable), RAW (Canon RAW 2nd edition)
FILE FORMAT	Still Image Format	JPEG (Exif 2.21 [Exif Print] compliant) / Design rule for Camera File system (2.0), Digital Print Order Format [DPOF] Version 1.1 compliant
	RAW+JPEG simultaneous recording	Yes
	Folders	Folder creation & selection is possible
	File Numbering	(1) Consecutive numbering (2) Auto reset (3) Manual reset
	Processing Parameters	3 parameters in 3 sets
	Sound Files	WAVE (monaural)
DIRECT PRINT	Canon Printers	Canon Compact Photo Printers and PIXMA Printers supporting PictBridge
DIRECT PRINT	PictBridge	Yes
OTHER FEATURES	Custom Functions	20 Custom Functions with 65 settings
	Personal Functions	27
	IPTC Tag	Yes
	LCD Panel (EL) Illumination	Yes
	Water/ Dust resistance	Yes
	Sound Memo	Up to 30sec per image
	Intelligent Orientation Sensor	Yes
	Histogram	Brightness: Yes RGB: Yes
	Playback zoom	1.5x - 10x
	Display Formats	(1)Single image with information (2) Single image (3) 4 image index (4) 9 image index (5) Magnified view
	Image Erase Protection	Erase protection of one image, all images in a folder, or all images in the memory card can be applied or cancelled at one time
	Image Erase	Single image, All in folder, All on card
	Self Timer	Approx. 2 or 10 sec.
	Menu Categories	(1) Recording Menu (2) Playback menu (3) Set-up menu (4) Custom/ Personal Functions Menu
	Menu Languages	English, German, French, Dutch, Danish, Finnish, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Japanese
	Firmware Update	Update possible by the user.
INTERFACE	Computer	IEEE 1394 (Supplied with 4-pin dedicated cable), USB 1.1(Mini-B, PTP)
INTERFACE	Other	Video output (PAL/ NTSC)
MEMORY CARD	Type	CompactFlash Type I/ II (Microdrive compatible)(3), SD memory.
SUPPORTED OPERATING SYSTEM	PC	Windows 98(including SE) / 2000 / Me / XP
SUPPORTED OPERATING SYSTEM	Macintosh	OS 9.0 - 9.2, OS X v10.1 / v10.2 / v10.3
SOFTWARE	Browsing & Printing	EOS Viewer Utility/ EOS Capture
	Other	PhotoStitch
	Drivers	Twain, WIA
	Image Manipulation	Digital Photo Professional
POWER SOURCE	Batteries	1x Ni-MH pack NP-E3, 1x CR2025 for date & settings
	Battery life (4)	Approx. 1200 (at 20C) Approx. 800 (at 0C)
	Battery check	Automatic
	Power saving	Power turns off after 1, 2, 4, 8, 15 or 30mins.
	A/C Power Supply	Power adapter DCK-E1
ACCESSORIES	Case
	Lenses	All EF lenses (excludes EF-S lenses)
	Flash	Canon Speedlites (220EX, 380EX, 420EX, 550EX, 580EX, Macro-Ring-Lite, MR-14EX, Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX, Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2)
	Battery Grip
	Remote Controller/ Switch	Remote control with N3 type contact
	Power Supply & Battery Chargers	DC coupler kit DCK-E1, Battery charger NC-E2
PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS	Body Materials	Magnesium Alloy
	Operating Environment	0-45 °C, 85% or lower humidity
	Dimensions (WxHxD)	156.0 x 157.6 x 79.9mm
	Weight (body only)	Approx. 1215g (battery weight 335g)

1 with 50mm lens at infinity, -1 dpt
2 Depending on memory card speed / capacity
3 Compatible with all memory card capacities, including cards of 2GB and more
4 Based on the CIPA Standard and using the batteries and memory card format supplied with the camera, except where indicated

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Introducing the EOS-1Ds Mark II - Canon’s new 16.7 Megapixel Digital SLR extends studio photographer’s options