Canon EOS 1D Mark IV Review 2021 (Part 1)

Canon EOS 1D Mark IV Review 2021 (Part 1)

November 2021, Carl Garrard

  

My review of the 1D Mark IV is a culmination of over two years of proud ownership and experience. Before I dive in though, I must say that it doesn't seem appropriate to write a review about the Canon 1D Mark IV without having first given a nod of  respect to the important heritage of the 1D series digital cameras. All of them have a nearly impeccable reputation amongst the most demanding photographers in their (relatively) short 21 year history. Mostly, this is due to the fact that these same photographers have worked in the most demanding of all situations and climates. Sometimes even life and death situations. And when the reliability of your gear is that important, photographers have consistently reached out for Canon's 1D DSLR's to get the job done. My own personal photography experience has never been as important as life and death, yet the expectations I have of my gear, like many other photographers, are still very high. And when I need a camera to perform better, more consistently, and with the greatest of fluidity, I find that it's nearly impossible to find better cameras than the 1D series for those demands.  Therefore it's my assessment that the numero uno in Canon's naming convention isn't just mere coincidence. It stands for something. They truly are amongst the best cameras that you will ever use.

 

Introduction

*All images in this review can be viewed at larger sizes if you just click on them*

I won't covet any mystery in this review. Right off the bat, I'll say that my personal favorite of all the Canon's 1D series, is the 1D Mark IV. I'm well aware that I'm probably in the minority, but I've got a solid foundation of reasoning why I think so. But please know that I think all of the 1D series cameras are exceptional, even going back to the original 1D with its 4mp CCD sensor and unrivaled 1/16,000th of a second mechanical shutter. I've been fortunate enough now to have tried several different models, including the full frame versions (albeit for a shorter period of time). 

 

Like many others,  my early "digital career" is replete of experience with these cameras. Without reservation this was simply due to my fear of the level of monetary investment required for entry. However times are much different these days, with prices on pro level DSLR's finally coming down to much more digestible levels.

Extremely well laid out controls and ergonomics. All of what you need and very little excess clutter in one of the best built highest performing cameras of all time.

 I've owned my own Canon 1D Mark IV for over two years now. It's performance has never let me down once. It is one of the most consistent and reliably performing camera's I've ever used, not to mention one of the most pleasurable. Looking back on the mere $1,100.00 I paid for mine in 2019, it almost feels as though I stole it. It has earned back that money spent more times than I can count. It's one of the best camera purchase decisions I ever made, and one day I may get another "just in case" as a um, well, backup body. We'll see. 

 

Today's used prices are still at or even above the same value as when I bought it. They are hard to find in the condition mine is in, so needless to say I take very good care of it despite it's extremely rugged construction and pinnacle level of materials and craftsmanship. I've lost count how many images I've made with it, but it's so durable that it's feasible that it will last me well over a million shutter actuations or more without failing (it's guaranteed to last to at least 300K by Canon).

 

 

To completely understand the 1D Mark IV and leverage is capabilities took me longer than most cameras. It's not because it's a complicated either, quite the contrary it's one of the easiest DSLR's to use in my Canon collection. The reason it's taken me so long to master it (I use that term nervously), is because the 1D Mark IV is a supremely capable beast that challenged me to raise my photography skills to a much higher level in order to realize it's full potential. Until the Mark IV came along, I couldn't make images like the three preceding "flight" photos.

 

You know a camera is good when you can see how ugly Turkey Vultures are when shot 100 yards away.

Even now with a much greater grasp and understanding of this camera, I still find situations where the camera is more capable than I, and any missed opportunities are almost always my fault. But I have a lot more hits than misses these days, and I get better and better with it every time I use it. Hence...

 

Spot on focusing, even with some moderate or mediocre lenses.

Today, I'm well beyond the point of merely respecting and appreciating this camera. These days I can truly say that I love it, at least as much as one can really love an inanimate object. It is not only my favorite 1D camera, it's my favorite camera of-all-time. No kidding. There is no such thing as a perfect camera, but no camera I've ever used feels so well balanced from its outer shell to it's final images.

 

I'm not sure if it will retain that crown permanently or not, I cannot predict the future. 

 

Especially considering I've recently picked up the massively impressive Nikon D3s and 1DX for comparison (more on that later!). But what I can say with full confidence, is that the 1D Mark IV will always be one of the very top camera's I've ever had the pleasure of owning and making images with. Nobody will be wasting their money by purchasing one.

 

Tack sharp, reliable autofocus. This is one of those cameras that just works. Love this camera.

 

Sensor Performance (Meanwhile, in the real world...)

 

Canon's 1D Mark IV is one of three camera's that I currently own in the APS-H sensor format. I'm a big fan of this format. I've never fallen short of reasons to find advantages with this format compared to the slightly larger full frame format. Far as I'm concerned, APS-H is the sweet spot sensor format that ought to have been the standard in the industry instead of full frame. 

 

It's size eliminates many of the shortcomings of using full frame lenses for digital photography, while still maintaining a wide angle advantage over the much smaller APS-C format. To me, APS-H is the goldilox sensor format, not too big, and not too small. Wide angle lenses are still wide, and you still get that 1.3X crop advantage for telephoto all without losing much (if any) overall image quality to full frame.

 

It's very unfortunate that we can't buy cameras with sensors in this format today leveraging the most current and modern sensor technology. It truly is.  But at least I can say the 1D Mark IV has the best APS-H sensor ever developed. And boy is it really really good!
 

If we could agree to ignore DXOMark's insultingly low ISO score of the 1D Mark IV (1,320, really?), and instead use a much more more fair measurement for high ISO quality than color depth to determine that score, you'd see clearly that the 1D Mark IV is, at the very worst- less than a one stop behind the 1DX or 1DX Mark II. 

 

For example, lets say we used absolute dynamic range as the yardstick of measurement instead of the outdated color depth measurement DXOMark has been using. And let's say, just for example purposes that a 9 stop minimum of DR is an acceptable cutoff point. Using this method, you'd get a much more realistic measurement of  camera's real world high ISO performance. Testing this way is a fair way to measure, it's just more accurately based in reality.

Using the above yardstick I've presented as measurement, the 1D Mark IV can go to ISO 5,242 before dropping under 9 stops of DR. The 1DX goes to ISO 9,891 and the 1DX Mark II to ISO 8,808. That's a real life advantage of about 3/4 stop with the full framer's which is exactly where it should be. If you notice, the more pixel dense the sensor, generally the lower the score, and that my friends is real life!

The above does not take into account any advancements of sensor efficiency made since the 1D Mark IV was announced either. If all three were on a level playing field, I can guaranty you that a modern APS-H sensor would not be very much behind a full frame sensor at all.  

 

Now isn't that kind of measurement and logic more common sense based than DXO's color depth formula? And I'm still using DXO's data for those numbers! What I find even more reinforcing of that logic, is how my personal acceptable cutoff point of the 1D Mark IV's image quality correlates to that score of 5,242 ISO at 9 stops. 

 

ISO 5,000 f/4 1/4th of a second hand held- Canon 24-70mm f/4 L Macro

 

 

The highest ISO that I'll use on the 1D Mark IV for critical or professional photo work is about ISO 5,000- just like the product shot of the 6D Mark II above. At this setting, only a minor amount of chroma noise reduction is necessary for a clean image file for a client. Of the thousands of raw files I've developed from the 1D Mark IV, I find any setting above ISO 5,000 to be iffy for this kind of work, even if imminently usable for most personal photography purposes. But remember, I demand the very highest quality files for pro work I sell to certain unnamed companies. I use this camera to 12,800 ISO for my own personal photography all the time with no hesitation. 6,400 for BIF, action, or indoor photography is no issue at all- and you can produce beautiful images at these settings.

 

 

ISO 12,800 f/4 1/13th of a second hand held- Canon 24-70mm f/4 L Macro, looks good, right?

 

So in short, I set my ISO no higher than ISO 5,000 for pro/critical work, and no higher than 12,800 for personal work. I just never need to go higher than that. Hi 1, or 25,600 ISO is usable with careful exposure and good post processing skills, but it's not a native setting.  I don't recommend using the Hi 3 or 102,400 ISO setting unless you have no other option. 

 

ISO 3,200 (I use my Mark IV for custom restaurant menu images, amongst other paid jobs)

 

These facts about real world image quality alone make the 1D Mark IV a gigantic bargain compared to successor 1D cameras like the 1DX-1DX Mk III. Because as I've shown, in reality it's really not that far off the most current and expensive 1D DSLR's from Canon.

APS-H Advantages

 

One area the Mark IV has a huge advantage in real life- is the time spent in post processing images. 

 

Because the 1D Mark IV's APS-H sensor takes advantage of the sweet spot of full frame lenses, I don't have to spend the extra post production time correcting aberrations like vignetting or distortions. This is a HUGE time saver that cannot be understated here. Crop shooters who primarily use full frame lenses already  know the advantage I'm talking about here.

 

This advantage allows me to use lenses that cost less as well. Usually its the most expensive, heavy, and unwieldy lenses that can properly resolve corners and borders for full frame sensors. Since I don't have to buy those, I save extra money, weight, and space with my kit.

Now APS-C users (1.5/1.6x crop) can make similar claims as well, but there are sacrifices in image quality from those even more pixel dense sensors, as well as further loss in the wide angle advantage. Sure they gain a bit more on the telephoto side, granted. However I don't see a big difference between a 1.3x vs. 1.6x crop factor at the telephoto side vs. the wide angle side that is more prevalent. 

So in a nut shell (and I could go on in more depth), the above reasons are basically my argument in favor of the APS-H format being the best all round format when everything is considered. And thus because of that, the 1D Mark IV currently represents the very best value for overall performance amongst all of the digital 1D cameras. 

 

Really none of this is rocket science. Granted it's not discussed openly and objectively on most commercial review sites these days, but that doesn't diminish facts. I'd assume that's probably because camera companies decided long ago that photographers ought to accept full frame as the superior format so they can charge more money for their equipment. And commercial review sites pretty much fall in line with that, unfortunately.

Let me be very clear here, I'm not discounting any advantages of full frame either- because I'm well aware they exist. My only claims are that the 1D Mark IV performs better in real life than DXOMark would have you think and, it's sensor size is the best overall compromise of the three I've stated. 

 

It's a format that should be continued because no other maker are competing in this space. And that begs the thought: what a wonderful opportunity for Olympus to capitalize on (utilizing a new mount), should they get creative. 

 

Heck, Canon or Nikon ought to consider making a couple more bodies with this sized sensor, it's not like they need to make any new lenses either. The cost would be relatively minimal considering chip manufacturers already have APS-H sized sensors for sale including 250mp and 120mp APS-H chips from Canon!

https://canon-cmos-sensors.com/canon-li8020sa-250mp-cmos-sensor/

https://www.phase1vision.com/sensors/canon-sensors/area-scan-sensors/120-megapixel-cmos

One can dream (but less pixels please!).

Other Advantages of the 1D Mark IV

Taken as a whole, the 1D Mark IV is a versatile imaging platform. It feels just as much at home in the studio as it does in the field. Sure it's headline feature at the time was its' ability to shoot 10 frames per second at 16mp with a generous buffer and highly capable AF system. Although it excels at this task if you leverage it correctly, this alone should not define it as a camera relegated to action work only. Not even close. But I do have to say, it's really good for action work with a well matched lens.

 

 

Raven with nesting material in its mouth. One of my favorite shots of all of my Raven images.

 

With an ISO 50 option and 16 high quality megapixels it's also a great landscape camera. It doesn't have to be the best to be great either. It's just great.  Expose to the right to keep your shadows and midtones full of color depth, use HTP to protect highlights, and shoot raw.  T

 

Canon's 1D Mark IV is capable of making gorgeous landscape images. Stop looking at test data, get one, and push it to it's limits. And I love the mid tones in the sky in this image below. Gorgeous!

Said the Mark IV: "I'm not just for sports and action people..."

 

 

For instance, the product/studio shots of the 6D Mark II made earlier in the review were made hand held at 91mm equivalent and 1/4 and 1/13th of a second respectively, that's awesome! Thus it's size and weight make for a very stable platform eliminating vibrations and shake. Since I can hand hold down to 1/4 of a second (sometimes less!) this eliminates the time constrictions of using a tripod and making specific settings for tripod work. 

 

Also this advantage translates into all kinds of other photography, especially telephoto/macro work. Trust me, the 1D Mark IV makes an awesome macro shooting platform- stability is a huge requirement for macro work. And the depth of field you gain from its cropped sensor helps keep tiny subjects fully sharp. I love using it for macro in live view or using the viewfinder.

Shooting with lighter cameras usually requires me to use a tripod and set up a timer with a mirror lock up mode. I'm used to doing that, and that's fine, but having the benefit of shooting images freehand is a blessing when you need to save time (who doesn't these days?).

Other advantages include its bombproof build and robustness, weather sealing, awesome battery life, fast operation, supreme reliability, with consistent performance in nearly every circumstance. This is also one camera that you will not lose your investment on, in the end it saves you a lot of money buying the Canon 1D Mark IV.

There are other advantages shooting with this camera of course and I cannot list them all in one review, but hopefully I've shed enough light on the 1D Mark IV to make it worth your consideration. Plus if you do decide to get one, because of it's sensor size alone you'll be shooting with something that's rather unique in the me-too world we live in these days. Remember, smaller and lighter doesn't necessarily equate to better. Trying different tools sometimes can bring a whole new world into your creative photography world you didn't expect.

Breathing New Life Into the Mark IV

"Photographers date their cameras, but they marry their lenses"

 

Although I've used many capable lenses on the 1D Mark IV, it wasn't until I purchased the Sigma 100-400mm DG OS HSM Contemporary lens that I felt I had found a lens that could keep up with the Mark IV for action work. It's a fantastic match in every way. Its speed, build, features, ergonomics, and image quality are all at a level in which I feel I can truly leverage the most out of the Mark IV for action photography.

 

 

Finding this lens was a godsend for me because I felt that all the other telephoto lenses I tried weren't really performing up to the ideal standard of the body for action work. It literally felt like the Mark IV was finally unchained and living up to the capability of the body. I'm sure there are other lenses that feel matched in performance, I just haven't run across them. I wasn't happy with the 70-300mm L Canon lens performance in comparison.

 

The image quality, speed and accuracy of focus, make the Sigma 100-400mm DG OS HSM C lens a perfect companion for the Mark IV.  Low price or not, these two together are a stellar performing duo.

 

I haven't tried all of Canon's white L glass to see if they can hold up to the Sigma's performance, perhaps the 100-400mm L Canon would, I don't know. But its so much heavier and expensive than the Sigma that it makes it a no brainer to use the Sigma for this task. It's literally a perfect match. So if it ain't broke...don't fix it.

 

For landscapes, macro, and portraits I really like the Canon 24-70mm L f/4 Macro, it's my favorite Canon zoom lens for multiple reasons and is a great match also. I use this lens on all of my Canon bodies, and I can't say enough about it. It's much like the Sigma in that it over performs for the price while not ever feeling cheap in any regard. It's well behaved through the entire range. At 70mm it's almost scary sharp keeping in lockstep with any high resolution camera. And then it has a .7X macro feature and full weather sealing in a compact and well built package. 

 

Again with the ISO 5,000 shot. This time with the 24-70mm f/4L Macro. A great portrait lens especially on the Mark IV at its 70mm (91mm equivalent) setting.

Another lens I really like for the Mark IV is one I recently acquired. It's the Canon 35mm f/2 IS USM. Talk about a versatile prime. On the Mark IV it equates to about a 45mm field of view (damn near my favorite 40mm equivalent), and it has excellent close up magnification as well (.31X equivalent on APS-H) which is rare for standard primes like this. Add in its ultra quiet USM fully internal focusing (great for video too) with full time manual override, optical image stabilization, and excellent sharpness characteristics even wide open at f/2- and you have gem of a prime that is a low light beast on the Mark IV. 

With these three lenses you basically  have an entire high quality optical kit covering a majority of photographic tasks that doesn't cost an arm and a leg and kidney to afford. They are all fantastic matches to the Mark IV and help breathe new life into it as a result.

Another item you should purchase immediately is the Digigear  Slim CF sd/wifi- SD to CF adapter, it's about 15 bucks and worth 10x's its weight in gold. Doing so will enable you to use SD cards up to 128 gb, which is amazing considering the Mark IV is only supposed to be compatible up to 32GB SD cards. It also gives you the option to use wifi cards, or a wifi/standard card in your secondary SD slot as an additional 32GB of backup!

 

 

ISO 12,800 1D Mark IV (this is the exact setup I use in mine)

 

As shown above, I'm using a Sandisk Ultra SDXC Class 10 card rated at 80MBs with it, and I've never hit my buffer limit yet on the Mark IV shooting raw/jpeg. Honestly I should have tested it for this review to see how it affects the buffer limit on the Mark IV, but I know for certain it's only helping matters, not hindering. After you put it in the camera, count to five before turning it on. Then format the card for the first time use. Count to five before you use the camera every time you take the card out and put it back in. Take a bit for the Mark IV to read the card.

 

So the long story short here is that well matched lenses, and a good CF adapter utilizing a fast high capacity SD card can simultaneously help to fully leverage (and even boost) the Mark IV's capabilities. The result is a more modern feeling version of the same camera. And in my opinion making these choices only further add to the incredible value of a used 1D Mark IV.

Tune in later on for Part II of this review where I go more in depth on exposure techniques, comparisons to the D3s and 1DX, and give my final conclusion to this wonderful camera.

Stay focused,

Carl Garrard