Canon 1dmk3 and its af system. - Canon have a fix !!!!

mho

mho

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I got hold of a 1dmk3 from a friend at Canon last week, and after reading about the new settings etc, and getting familiar with the camera for a few days I spent the next 2 days setting the AF system up with my lens's.

At this point I was extremely happy with the results I was getting from the the camera, and what I have been experiencing from my mk2n, fast accurate focusing.

Over the weekend I went out to cover a few different subjects with various lens's on the camera, mostly the 70-200 2.8 IS, 300 2.8 IS, 600 4.0 IS.

Out shooting birds in flight and still the camera didn't through up any problems, a few cars on track at Renault weekend and all was well, then I went to the Yorkshire run in Sheffield, mainly using the 300 2.8 which I had used on the previous shoots, all went well until i got home and looked at the shots on screen, I found 80% of my shots from the run were OOF, I'm definite it wasn't user error, My first shot in each string was in focus perfectly but the following one's were not, this pattern continued for most of the shots for that day.

I went back to the birds and car shots and again all these were ok apart from ones where i missed the focus point.

I went out again today at the local running track but couldn't get it to replicate the OOF issues i was getting on the run, and it was hotter and sunnier today.

I have the camera for a few more weeks so will be out and about more.

Just some info about the camera etc.

Its been checked by Canon and they say its OK.
its serial number starts 528
its got firmware 1.1.0
its done approx 5000 shots.

I have some one looking into getting firmware 1.1.1 for me but will have to wait and see what happens.

The lens's all focus correctly on my mk2n's

Everything else on the camera is superb, and I would say as easy if not easier than the mk2n to use.

I suppose the question is if I had to buy one now which would I buy ?.
Well having experienced the problem of the mk3 myself I would say I wouldn't buy one now unless I was shooting things it wouldn't affect. Id buy a mk2n for approx £ 1400 - 1500 (approx half price of the mk3). and wait until the situation is sorted and the mk3 is down even further in price later in the year / after Christmas.

Saying this I have just placed my order for a 1Dsmk3 in the USA.
 
Mark,

Thanks for the thoughts, its really strange that the only issues being reported with these is when runners are involved ? is there something odd about shooting runners ? Have never tried it myself and all of the US reports seem to involve running people when the shots fail ?
 
IanC_UK said:
Mark,

Thanks for the thoughts, its really strange that the only issues being reported with these is when runners are involved ? is there something odd about shooting runners ? Have never tried it myself and all of the US reports seem to involve running people when the shots fail ?
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I know its strange, I haven't managed to try this actual camera on surfers yet but another mk3 i tried didnt fair too well at the last event I did. The only thing with the runners that is different from the other things i have shot is their arms move about a lot, maybe the AF is somehow picking that up and moving focus to where it shouldn't be. I tried a few different AF settings but always used the centre point.

I have just spoken to a friend who has 2 mk3's and hes having trouble with both his, hes a sports photographer.

Oh well out for more testing today as its hot and sunny here.
 
Weird!

I wonder if it could be that birds in flight and cars is a more or less continuous smooth movement, whereas people running is far less so, and that's what's confusing the AF system which has to be predictive to a degree?
 
I really need to get a second body, or demote my present camera to a second body. I was looking at the mk111, but have held off due to the current problems. I've just been looking on ebay, low actuation mk11n's seem to be selling for more than they were new, just before the mk111 was released.
 
If you need someone to look at it for you, i'll 'test' it for you for a few months or 6 and let you know if i have similar issues :)
 
It was shot using the selected single AF point, no expansion on.
 
A bit of an update on the situation, I have been out and about and in the studio with the 2n and mk3, a very consistent set of results has appeared.

In the Studio.

Studio set using 4 light high key for a single portrait using 85Lmk2 and 24-70 2.8. The 2n nailed the focus on every shot, manual and AF on selected point. The mk3 was a disaster when left on AF using selected point with both lens's focus was front and back, never where you wanted it. Manual focus was perfect.

I know its not a lens issue as all my lens's were calibrated last year and they perform perfectly on the 2n. I also used a 40D that was available in the studio, that ws also fine.

I used them both in a cycle race (2n and mk3) and I was getting good results with the 2n and mk3, using m 70-200 2.8 IS and 300 2.8 IS.

I just don't know what to make of these findings, apart from mk3 is a waste of time if you need to rely on your shots being in focus, I have wasted enough time on this myself, not even going to bother taking it surfing, it will be going back with a note saying how inconsistent its AF system is.

My 2n's wont be going anywhere in a hurry.
 
Hi,

A newbie here, just want to say it sounds like a tough time for you with your mark3.

I have a mark 3 and although havent used it to cover any football yet I have used it to do some of the wildlife photography. I was using a 300mm f4 with Kingfishers last week and every image was oof on the jpegs (probably due to turning the sharpening off) but the raw images were all perfect?? I also visited a safari park and took 350 - 400 images and out of that only 5 were oof (and they were user error) I havent tried another jpeg on the camera though!! I got a list of settings from another forum (pm for details) and they all seem to be great - well with RAW anyway.

HTH.
 
Damn! :(

It's hard to believe that Canon have launched a flagship camera onto the market this flawed, but some of these reports are a bit worrying and have to be taken seriously.
 
CT said:
Damn! :(

It's hard to believe that Canon have launched a flagship camera onto the market this flawed, but some of these reports are a bit worrying and have to be taken seriously.
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I hope they make a better job of the 1DsMkIII or there is going to be some very angry customers..:(
 
busterboy said:
I hope they make a better job of the 1DsMkIII or there is going to be some very angry customers..:(
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Well it's going to have the same AF system as the 1DMK3 Tim, so it's to be hoped they get it sorted before the launch. :suspect:
 
PapaLazarou said:
Have you checked the micro adjustment settings, just in case.
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Yes all those where calibrated with each lens.

Note.

I have just been told Canon have released a new batch of cameras with serials starting 53****, the newest of the last batch was 528*** I believe. Their are rumours that they have done something to the new cameras.

We will have to wait and see
 
CT said:
Well it's going to have the same AF system as the 1DMK3 Tim, so it's to be hoped they get it sorted before the launch. :suspect:
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I hope they have as I have one on order from USA
 
I've had a good look at canons professional network site, which covers the custom functions of this camera particularly the AF system. As it does seem VERY customisable, I'm considering the possibilty that some of the issues may be with settings used and selected. Also some CF's work in conjunction with each other. I need to get a new pro camera, but I've been putting it off til this issue is resolved. Most people covering the same type of photography as me that use a MK3 (3 people so far) have no issues. 1 guy said his went in for calibration and came back great.
Have any current users checked out this site, if so have you found the suggested settings may resolve the issues.
I've also noticed that low use used mk11n's are selling more now than just before they were discountinued new, which suggests that their is enough of an issue with the MK3 to push up demand for these used bodies.
 
Yes i have tried all the suggested combination of settings from various sources, with not much joy it has to be said.

I'm staying away from buying one until Canon have solved the problem to the satisfaction of its users.
 
Cheers mho. Would also be good to hear from IanC_uk who also has one and noticed that object moving towards him are a struggle for the camera. Which will be the type of movement I'll have to get.
 
mho said:
I have just been told Canon have released a new batch of cameras with serials starting 53****, the newest of the last batch was 528*** I believe. Their are rumours that they have done something to the new cameras.
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:thinking: Big pinch of salt with that one I think. I've had mine a few weeks and as far as I can tell, it was from an August delivery.

It has a S/N 535***. ;)
 
Some sort of problem with the QC process there.

It's shocking that a company as large as Canon has let this happen. It's not going to do their reputation any good at all. Unfortunately, I think most of the damage will have been done already as the way such news spreads around the world now, even if it is mostly speculative.

Lets hope Nikon haven't shafted the D3 or 300 in the same way!



P.s. Aren't reuters threatening to go Nikon unless canon sort it out asap?
 
Irritable_Rabbit said:
:thinking: Big pinch of salt with that one I think. I've had mine a few weeks and as far as I can tell, it was from an August delivery.

It has a S/N 535***. ;)
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Thanks for the info.

As I said I'm not prepared to buy into a system that is broken from the outset, lets hope Canon sort it out soon.

I feel sorry for the thousands of people who sold gear to buy a mk3, then find all this hasstle. The anoying thing is for those who havent had this problem occur yet, and shoot with the mk3 as their only / main camera. Sods law says when you get a job / event / day out thats potentially costing / costs / generates a lot of money, the thing will screw up and for some of the shots that are OOF you cant see until you get them on a proper screen.
 
I've used my mk3 with a range of lenses, most used are the 35 F/1.4, 50 F1.4, 24-105 F/4, 70-200 F/2.8 and not noticed any AF issues at either dawn, noon, dusk or inbetween.

The serial No on mine starts 53, and i wouldn't put it passed ANY company to make secret updates, so who knows. Perhaps i should try it on some running action (dogs, birds and horses all fine so far) for a final test........
 
the only issue i had with mine with tigers running towards me was when i couldnt track it fast enough and keep the focus point on its head, i havent shot any other things coming straight at me though, i guess i better find something and try it ! :)
 
I used my mark3 today to cover a training session with the pro football club I work with and can report no faults with the af system. Every image (with 1 exception) was sharp and had lots of detail in it.

I will use the camera tomorrow for the first time in anger so hopefully everything will be ok.

Arron
 
I sent mine back to CPS last week, they've done some resetting and cleaning but not stated about replacing anything. Will give it a go on Saturday at Carr Mill for some Boat Racing to see what shots I get.

Carl.
 
CarlOgden said:
I sent mine back to CPS last week, they've done some resetting and cleaning but not stated about replacing anything. Will give it a go on Saturday at Carr Mill for some Boat Racing to see what shots I get.

Carl.
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From what I hear they haven't started a replacement program in the UK yet, so it may have to go back again.
 
Blimey, heard about this yesterday. Big news, bad news. Hope mine continues to be a solid camera...
 
Diego Garcia said:
Blimey, heard about this yesterday. Big news, bad news. Hope mine continues to be a solid camera...
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Came across the Rob Glabraith article too......... another huge pinch of salt expended. Like Ian, I've not used mine in those very limited hot weather, small aperture conditions - but also had absolutley no issues.:shrug:

Lets see what fact emerges from conjecture this time
 
Diego Garcia said:
Blimey, heard about this yesterday. Big news, bad news. Hope mine continues to be a solid camera...
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Speaking with a guy at Canon today, and they have said they can tell which bodies are affected by the body number but stated, the body nunber is not the serial number but a number engraved/etched into the bare body's when they were made, but he didn't have / wouldn't tell me the numbers.
He said even if your camera wasn't showing the fault at the moment it may later, and as such to return the camera for repair.

As a side the second camera I was given also has the problem.
 
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