Canon 1DmkIV - not impressed

Pete W said:
Just got my Mk4 back from Canon after getting error 20... paperwork says replaced mirror box. Sent off Monday and got it back today
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Did you see a big difference before and after? Or was it not a quality issue in the first place, just an error one (no idea what error 20 is)?
 
A small point, and I'm sure won't be the cause of centre softness, but remember the sensor on the 1D is larger (obviously not as large as the 1DS, 5D but...) than the 7D so corners are likely to be a touch softer.

I hope the camera comes back soon and gives you better results!
 
manualfocus-g said:
A small point, and I'm sure won't be the cause of centre softness, but remember the sensor on the 1D is larger (obviously not as large as the 1DS, 5D but...) than the 7D so corners are likely to be a touch softer.

I hope the camera comes back soon and gives you better results!
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That would make sense but it's soft all over the image not just the corners.

It was dispatched yesterday (Thurs) so I should get it in the morning (Fri). Will update when I've had a play with it. ;)
 
Fingers crossed! I got better results processing your files with DPP than ACR, but if LR if significant to your workflow, that won't be much help.
 
I got it back this morning. In the paperwork they said they have calibrated the AF to work with the lenses I sent in.

I have just had a very quick test and the result is....the same as before really. The 7D still in my eyes comes out on top. I have uploaded the unedited raw files below of both tests. It was a quick test but I don't see the magic of the mkIv I was expecting.

Metadata intact and all settings were the same for the test. All at ISO400.

The first set is of some bubble wrap. The 7D and mkIV look about the same on this one with the mkIV maybe very very slightly better but not groundbreakingly so. I imagine once edited and printed the would look the same.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=W8UKNQ71

The second set is of the plant. Focus point was the leaf that sticks up the highest in the center. The 7D one looks much better to me. The little details are more evident especially in the stem of the plant where much more of the "scales" and ridges of the bark stuff can be seen in the 7D file.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=QQ617IE9

Please please can someone have a look at them and tell me what you think. :)
 
Below is a crop of both shots, with levels adjusted.

First thing I notice is that the 7D shot is at 54mm, the 1DIV at 62mm
Not sure if this affects sharpness for your lens but I thought I should mention it.

What I notice though and, in my opinion is quite important, is that the 1DIV shot back focuses (if you indeed focused on the top leaf).
I circled (well, tried to!) where each shot seems to focus.

Also both shots were underexposed due to the light coming through the window that introduced noise when I tried to bring out some detail.
To do a better comparison I would use exposure compensation and a tripod (for low ISO and stability) and use the exact same settings for the 2 cameras + (if possible) manual focusing (maybe with live view 10x magnification) to focus to the exact same point of the plant.

First is the 7D shot and second is the 1DIV

7Dleaf.jpg


1DVLeaf.jpg
 
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That may possibly be due to the fact that the DOF will be different between the two cameras due to sensor size even at the same aperture.
 
I haven't opened your links as they do funny things to my PC, but judging by the pics uploaded by micloi, that is a terrible test subject. Even if you did it with meticulous care, which with respect you clearly have not, it's unlikely to tell you anything meaningful.

If you want to check the AF accuracy, then choose a suitable target for that (like the cerial box and rule I posted recently) and shoot at a sensible distance. If you are looking for IQ, then choose a distant subject with some good detail, at f/8 with careful exposure, and make a couple of big prints - like A3 at least.
 
@ micloi - It could be back focusing but I would have thought if Canon had calibrated it as stated in the repair documents I shouldn't need to adjust the focus.

@ HoppyUK - I very much agree with what you say. It was a very quicky test. I will do a more careful test when I can. Another thing I will try is taking both camera out with me and taking some general shots then swap over half way and use the other body. They wouldnt be the same subjects but I would at least get an idea of if one is coming out consistantly better than the other in real world shooting. It's being happy with the camera in real world shooting that counts. (the last sentence wasn't meant to sound at all sarcastic if it comes across like that :))
 
EMA747 said:
@ micloi - It could be back focusing but I would have thought if Canon had calibrated it as stated in the repair documents I shouldn't need to adjust the focus.

@ HoppyUK - I very much agree with what you say. It was a very quicky test. I will do a more careful test when I can. Another thing I will try is taking both camera out with me and taking some general shots then swap over half way and use the other body. They wouldnt be the same subjects but I would at least get an idea of if one is coming out consistantly better than the other in real world shooting. It's being happy with the camera in real world shooting that counts. (the last sentence wasn't meant to sound at all sarcastic if it comes across like that :))
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good idea, get out there with it and do some proper shots before it drives you nuts lol.
 
EMA747 said:
Did you see a big difference before and after? Or was it not a quality issue in the first place, just an error one (no idea what error 20 is)?
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it was not a quality issue. Just kept getting error 20... I must admit I was impressed with the turnaround of the repair.....
 
I went out today to the Nottingham Marathon and I am now convinced the camera is.......absolutely bloody fantastic.
I did a MF adjustment yesterday and it seems to have done the trick. I just can't believe how many good and pin sharp images I managed to get. At ISO400 and 10fps it really delivered the goods. I maybe got about 2-3 in 10 out of focus but that may well be user error as I'm still learning.
Now all I need to some way to start making money off it!

See this thread for some examples. http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?p=2987775#post2987775
 
EMA747 said:
I went out today to the Nottingham Marathon and I am now convinced the camera is.......absolutely bloody fantastic.
I did a MF adjustment yesterday and it seems to have done the trick. I just can't believe how many good and pin sharp images I managed to get. At ISO400 and 10fps it really delivered the goods. I maybe got about 2-3 in 10 out of focus but that may well be user error as I'm still learning.
Now all I need to some way to start making money off it!

See this thread for some examples. http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?p=2987775#post2987775
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Glad its sorted.
 
EMA747
Can you tell us how you did your MF adjustment? What procedure did you use as I have always struggled to get decent results when I have had a go.

Thank you,

Alan
 
Alzibiff said:
EMA747
Can you tell us how you did your MF adjustment? What procedure did you use as I have always struggled to get decent results when I have had a go.

Thank you,

Alan
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I did a pretty non-technical one to be honest but I've usually got ok results with it.

I taped a piece of paper with sharp text on it to a window so that is was flat against the pane of glass. Set the camera up on a tripod about 1.5m from it and focused on the text using center poin focus, manual mode, at f2.8. Used mirror lockup too and self timer on 2sec but use a remote if you have one.
Took two shots at each MF setting starting at -10 then doing two for each up to +10. Before pressing the focus button I turned the focus ring to one end so that the AF motor would have to work each time. Someone in another thread said this works well.

Then view at 100% and see which is sharpest.

I'm sure there are better ways of doing it though. This one sounds interesting http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/showthread.php?58042-AF-microadjustment-tricks
 
Glad you are sorted now, Andy, hope our suggestions helped.

George
 
Yours and everyones elses suggestions were much appreciated. Thanks.
 
EMA747 said:
So it all arrived at Canon Elstree yesterday morning. What happens next? I have been keeping an eye on the progress at the link they sent me https://www1.canon.de/canon/repsrv.nsf/en It just says processing. Will they email me once something happens?
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Slightly off-topic (my search led me here), but I'm monitoring Canon's repair of my 40d and followed the same link provided. However, Firefox complains that the security certificate is invalid and recommends I don't add an exception. Did you have any problems with it? Or am I being over-cautious?

www1.canon.de uses an invalid security certificate.

The certificate is only valid for apps.canon.de.

(Error code: ssl_error_bad_cert_domain)
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Sponge said:
Slightly off-topic (my search led me here), but I'm monitoring Canon's repair of my 40d and followed the same link provided. However, Firefox complains that the security certificate is invalid and recommends I don't add an exception. Did you have any problems with it? Or am I being over-cautious?
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I had no problems at all when I used it a while ago. I just clicked it now and get a security warning. Strange. :suspect:

You might be best giving the repair place you sent it to a ring to check on the repair. You could mention to them the problem with the link.
 
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