An analysis of EOS-1D Mark III autofocus performance

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In our first look at the EOS-1D Mark III back in April, we described the camera's autofocus as being blazingly fast at acquiring initial focus and quicker off the line in dim light than any camera we'd used before. But at times, it also had real troubles holding focus on static subjects as well as tracking moving subjects. Over the last three weeks, we've been shooting extensively with two full production EOS-1D Mark IIIs in an attempt to figure out whether the autofocus weaknesses (and strengths) of the preproduction body carry over to shipping units. Here is what we've learned.

From RobGalbraith : More...
 
Hmm, I've had a look at the captures, and the conclusions in the article, and I feel without doubt, mightily relieved I haven't got one of those cameras.

There is a potential knock on effect for not only new, but used MkIII bodies. Who is going to buy a MarkIII used, when they suspect it may have been one of the original batch with the weak AF.

I wonder if Canon will provide a free fix for the problem, both for first and second users??

Frankly, I don't feel that they have any choice. Much more bad news like this will lose Canon it's 'Pro top of the pile' reputation.:eek:
 
I (and a few others) are finding this very bizarre... I've been using my MkIII for birds in flight and it's way better than my 1Ds MkII, and this isn't just with large slow moving lateral subjects like Herons.. but fast moving smaller birds coming towards the camera.

If mine is 'dodgy' then I can't imagine what it is supposed to do when fully working ;)

If it is a temperature issue, maybe that's why there's been less problems with U.K. users than in the U.S. I've been shooting in pretty good light, but even sunshine in the U.K. can't compare to what you get in some countries.

A quick look at sportshooter.com seems to indicate some delighted pro sports shooters and some unhappy ones.

Very mysterious.
 
Very interesting stuff :)
I will hold off my purchase until the problem is sorted.
 
I'm just pleased I can't afford one just now :p
 
I love this shot, look at the poor close lined fellers sponsor. Excellent!

2108_eos-1d_mkiii_rugby_01c.jpg


Image hotlinked from www.robgalbraith.com article on the autofocus performance of the 1D MkIII.

King.
 
Okay.. Um.. I'm looking on the bright side here.

With so many people cancelling their pre-orders I'll be moving rapidly up the waiting list of 200. By the time they fix this possible problem I'll be number 5 in the queue and get one nice and quick. :D

But I was wondering where wcavanagh was with his comments. I mean, he did get his MKiii from the Canon shop about a month before anyone else didn't he? How is he getting on with it? :suspect: :suspect: ;)
 
Irritable_Rabbit said:
Okay.. Um.. I'm looking on the bright side here.

With so many people cancelling their pre-orders I'll be moving rapidly up the waiting list of 200. By the time they fix this possible problem I'll be number 5 in the queue and get one nice and quick. :D

But I was wondering where wcavanagh was with his comments. I mean, he did get his MKiii from the Canon shop about a month before anyone else didn't he? How is he getting on with it? :suspect: :suspect: ;)
Click to expand...

O.K. I went through 3 of the sequences and I am just curious what effect the hands of the athletes play on the AF?:shrug:

The hands enter and exit the shown AF field during the bursts and this should surely have an effect?:suspect:
 
I'm with AR, though it is very concerning.......

Surely though, it a logarithm issue and a simple firmware update is all that is required (if indeed there really is a fault).

Was discussing this yesterday - is there a corroborating story elsewhere...?
 
Jonnyreb said:
I'm with AR, though it is very concerning.......

Surely though, it a logarithm issue and a simple firmware update is all that is required (if indeed there really is a fault).

Was discussing this yesterday - is there a corroborating story elsewhere...?
Click to expand...

Is there not some teething problems with just about any new model of electronics??

Chances are the good peeps at already working on firmware version 15.0.1:D
 
Andy Rouse is conducting an on-going review of the Mk3 and is more than happy with the one he's using.

CLICKY
 
CT said:
Andy Rouse is conducting an on-going review of the Mk3 and is more than happy with the one he's using.

CLICKY
Click to expand...

Will read the whole thing later, THANKS!

If it is good enough for Andy Rouse it is definitely good enough for me!!!:lol:
 
To be fair while Andy describes the camera as 'Awesome' he does admit that people who's opinions he respects are reporting issues with the focusing system. Whether it's down to a fault or to the AF setting options (which apparently are quite complicated) remains to be seen.

An interesting thread HERE
 
STOPPIT CT!!!:lol:

You keep giving these good links to long but interesting reads, how must I pack up and go home?:D
 
Anton Roland said:
STOPPIT CT!!!:lol:

You keep giving these good links to long but interesting reads, how must I pack up and go home?:D
Click to expand...

Its keeping me amused AR :)

I work strictly to the 80 / 20 rule :D
 
Thats how i spanked the extra 20 :)
 
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