Data Loss Protection; Reliability And Durability; Ease Of Operation - Canon EOS1 Ds MARKII Design And Performance

One can select either the CF card or the SD card for recording. When the card becomes
full, one switches to the other card. This is not an automatic process so you will know
you're now on your "reserve tank."
The intelligent display of the number of remaining shots displayed on the top LCD panel
is based on the memory card that has fewer frames left.
The red LED memory card access lamp blinks while data is being written to or read from
the memory cards. Error warnings are displayed on the top LCD panel, in the viewfinder
and on the LCD monitor. The shutter release locks. A menu setting permits separate
card formatting. Shooting is possible with only the SD card inserted.

Data Loss Protection

Of interest to untold thousands of photographers, even if the memory card slot cover is
opened by mistake, the EOS-1Ds Mark II and the EOS-1D Mark II prevent data erasing.
Writing resumes when the cover is closed.

Reliability and Durability

The Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II continues the tradition, begun in 1971 with the Canon F-1
SLR, of reserving the "1" series designation for cameras which represent state-of-the-art
ruggedness and durability. The use of magnesium alloy is continued for the top, front
and rear covers, the memory card slot cover and the chassis. The mirror box is a
machined aluminum die-casting. The dust-proofing and waterproofing seals have been
improved. There are nearly 100 environmental seal points on the EOS-1Ds Mark II body.
L-series lenses add an additional seal at the lens/body interface. Shutter durability has
been increased from 150,000 cycles on the 1D, the 1Ds, and the EOS 1v film camera, to
200,000 cycles, as on the 1D Mark II. Additionally, the flash accessory shoe has been
strengthened to reflect the service conditions that the 1Ds Mark II may face.

Ease of Operation

In response to users who had trouble operating the 1D memory card slot cover knob
with gloves on, the shape of the knob handle has been changed on the 1Ds Mark II and
the 1D Mark II. A recess has been created under the handle.
Some commonly used functions have been made more accessible than they were on the
1Ds. JPEG, RAW and RAW + JPEG can be selected in a single operation and manual color
temperature settings can be adjusted directly with the WB button and the main dial
III. NEW AND IMPROVED DESIGN FEATURES 15