Foggy Trucks, Quirky Alleys, and the Eternal Camera Strap Struggle: Also a new to me Canon 1Dx Mark III.

I started the day by dropping off my truck at the shop. Why? Not because it is auditioning for the role of “personal fog machine.” The inside is wetter than a soggy sponge, and every time I turn on the heat, it’s like a sauna, but without the relaxing vibes. Nope I am dropping it off because there is the nastiest of vibrations coming from the drive train.

So, with my truck in capable hands, I grabbed my new-to-me Canon 1Dx Mark III with the Sigma 50mm art lens I and hit the alleys for a little test run.

Revisiting the Same Old (But Different)

If you know me, you know I’m obsessed with back alleys. And yes, I’ve already wandered through these exact ones the day before yesterday. Today, they’re darker, wetter, and somehow completely new. It’s amazing how a little rain and cold can turn the same place into a whole new mood. Not to mention that things just change, depending on the time of day or whatever else causes things to change.

Now, I know photographing old cars is as cliché as pumpkin spice lattes in the fall, but I don’t care. Old cars are cool, okay? The lines, the wear, the stories they could tell if they could talk (or honk, I guess). Speaking of which, shoutout to that red Jeep grille from my last post. It’s still living rent-free in my head and hooray, thinking speaking of different. I get to see a whole new angle of that jeep.

OK Meet the Canon 1Dx Mark III: Heavy, Quirky, and Full of Surprises

Let’s talk about my latest Camera, I grabbed a new to me Canon 1Dx Mark III from some dude off the Internet.

Now while I have had a Canon 1Dx mark II for many years now it is starting to truly disintegrate. Many, many things seem to be failing on that camera the hot shoe, the rear screen, it error 99’s a great deal and the wheels for the aperture and shutter randomly waltz when you use them. Meaning for every two clicks forward, it will randomly roll three clicks back as an example. It isn’t really the camera’s fault. I am rough on gear and always have been, it’s part of the reason that I always shot the Canon 1D lineup back when I did this for a living. They seem to be the only cameras that would put up with the abuse, and this camera definitely gets abused. Well definitely baby my Leica and Hassey’s, the Canons are the camera that I take 4x4ing, hiking, into the rain, in general dusty dirty shenanigans because I know they can take the abuse.

All that is to say that it was high time to look into replacing it, and being that the Canon 1Dx Mark III is most likely the last DSLR that Canon will ever make, I was definitely not spoiled for choice. :) that said it is a pretty decent leap up from its predecessor.

While I know that you can find this info on the Internet. Here are some of the specs for the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III:

• Sensor: 20.1MP full-frame CMOS
• Processor: DIGIC X
• Burst Speed: 16 fps (mechanical), 20 fps (electronic in Live View)
• AF System: 191 points with AI-powered subject tracking
• Video: 4K 60p, 10-bit 4:2:2 Canon Log
• ISO Range: 100-102,400 (expandable to 50-819,200)
• Storage: Dual CFexpress card slots
• Build: Weather-sealed, rugged for extreme conditions

The has 191-point autofocus system has a brain of its own, like it actually has its own small CMOS sensor that it uses just for focussing. It is also using AI learning to stick to your subject like glue, even if they’re bolting downfield or diving off cliffs. That is to say it’s not using AI to do learn an adapt as you use it, more that they used an AI learning model to create the auto focussing algorithm that is then loaded into your camera.

The Canon EOS-1D X Mark III is like the older superhero of cameras—fast as a cheetah, tough as a tank, and smarter than your average octopus secretly planning a jailbreak. As all of the Canon 1D lineups have, this beast shoots faster than rumour spreads in a small town (16 fps or 20 fps if you’re feeling specific). The autofocus system has a doctorate in ““Oh, THAT’S what you wanted to focus on,” and three PhD’s in “follow that thing.” Need to shoot in the dark? Its ISO range is so insane (up to 819,200) Let’s just say it could make darkness feel self-conscious. All that and like all of the Canon 1D Lineup has been it is a weather-sealed, mostly indestructible body, and it’s basically yelling, ‘Pack the jeep, we’re going on an adventure!

The Differences

Here’s a concise outline of the key differences between the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II and Mark III:

1. Sensor and Image Quality

• Mark II: 20.2MP full-frame CMOS sensor.
• Mark III: 20.1MP full-frame CMOS sensor with an updated design for better low-light performance and dynamic range.

2. Processor

• Mark II: Dual DIGIC 6+ processors.
• Mark III: Single DIGIC X processor, offering significantly improved processing power and efficiency.

3. Autofocus

• Mark II: 61-point AF system with Dual Pixel CMOS AF for video and Live View.
• Mark III: 191-point AF system with deep learning AI for better subject tracking and accuracy, plus improved Dual Pixel AF for video.

4. Burst Speed

• Mark II: Up to 14 fps with the viewfinder, 16 fps in Live View.
• Mark III: 16 fps with the viewfinder, 20 fps in Live View (mechanical or electronic shutter) + you can have a full silent electronic Shutter now.

5. Video

• Mark II: 4K at 60 fps with Motion JPEG codec.
• Mark III: 4K at 60 fps with 10-bit 4:2:2 Canon Log and the option for RAW recording, plus more efficient codecs like H.264 and H.265.

6. ISO Range

• Mark II: 100-51,200 (expandable to 50-409,600).
• Mark III: 100-102,400 (expandable to 50-819,200), offering better low-light performance.

7. Storage

• Mark II: CFast 2.0 and CompactFlash slots.
• Mark III: Dual CFexpress card slots for faster read/write speeds.

8. Build and Controls

• Mark II: Industry-standard weather-sealed body with traditional button layout.
• Mark III: Enhanced weather sealing and improved button design with better tactile feedback, including a Smart Controller for quicker AF point selection.

9. Connectivity

• Mark II: Limited connectivity options with basic Wi-Fi (via adapter).
• Mark III: Built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Gigabit Ethernet for faster and more versatile file transfer with out having to add on a Wifi Adapter.

10. Battery Life

• Mark II: Approximately 1,210 shots per charge.
• Mark III: Improved efficiency, with approximately 2,850 shots per charge.

11. Other Fun changes.

• Oh, and here’s a fun discovery: did you know if you press the ISO button while looking through the viewfinder, it shows you the current time? WHAT? I feel like I accidentally unlocked a secret level.

Camera Straps: My Nemesis

Let’s get one thing straight—I hate camera straps. They’re always in the way, they get caught on stuff, and they make me feel like I’m dragging a reluctant toddler. But, because I only have two hands and dropping my gear isn’t an option, I begrudgingly tolerate them.

Before you ask, yes, I’ve tried them all. Slings, straps, handles, you name it. And no, none of them are perfect. They’re either too sticky, not sticky enough, or just plain annoying. The only saving grace? Those little Peak Design quick-release things. They’re the MVPs of my camera setup.

The Beauty of Fleeting Moments

Today, I learned (again) that timing is everything. I spotted a perfect shot of a building with a bike leaning against it—super moody, totally my vibe. But just as I was about to snap it, some guy came out, grabbed the bike, and poof! The moment was gone. If I’d been a second earlier or later, it would’ve been a completely different scene.

The Accidental Art of Back Alleys

Here’s the thing about alleys: they’re full of unintentional masterpieces. A patch of mismatched paint, a garage door turned into a people door—these aren’t design choices; they’re just what worked at the time. And yet, there’s beauty in their randomness.

Take a graffiti-covered wall, for example. Someone painted over it with white (or whatever paint was handy), then someone graffitied over that, and then it got painted over again with green. It’s like a battle of layers, and the result is this perfectly imperfect piece of art that could only happen by accident.

Coffee, Gloves, and the End of the Road

By the end of my wanderings, I was freezing. Turns out I had gloves in my pocket the whole time but forgot to wear them because, you know, genius. But once I remembered, it was like a warm hug for my fingers.