1D Mark III owners, please step in......help/advice

To be 100% honest, since I have switched to my Mark III from my 30D.....I have not experienced 100% satisfaction with my image quality. At least no where close to where I was with my 30D. For years, I shot the 30D and used a ton of different rental glass. Mostly the 100-400L, but often several versions of the 70-200L also. I had a very high keeper rate of some great and sharp action photos. Obviously capturing stationary items were no task, if action shots were on point.

Before I picked my Mark III up, I purchased a 100-400L from a friend. I used this on my 30D and achieved great and sharp photos with that combo. Now I have been primarily using the 100-400L on my Mark III.....and have yet to come away with a days shooting with a satisfied feeling. Even stationary subjects, I've found to have to add a little sharpness here and there.....nothing that has really blown me away with sharpness/detail out of the camera.

I've been discussing with several friends and even a few members on here, about sending my lens/body to Canon and have them take a look. I've tried myself with the microadjustment.....th​ought I had gotten that pretty spot on, and had no better luck. I'm going to end up swapping my 100-400 with a friends 70-200 f4 for a few weeks, to see how each others results are (he has a 7D, and his images with his 70-200 are razor sharp). I guess that will be proof enough there....

I'd like to see if any of you Mark III owners, or really anyone with experience, might give me your evaluation of what I am experiencing.....hopef​ully from experience yourself. Am I a total idiot? Am I overlooking some obvious things? Might I have a Mark III in need of repair? Feel free to add anything needed, to help me get in the right direction. At this point, I am looking for any help possible.

Below is a sample image from yesterday. Tripod and remote shutter used, IS was off, 120mm, 1/1600.......and the image is poop.

http://jonsmithphoto.c​om/darren/host/fountai​n-5.jpg

Any help/feedback is appreciated!

What aperture and lens did you use?

If this is supposed to be spot on focus, it seems to me that your camera (or lens) might have a focus issue - nearly in focus but not dead on. A fully working Mk3 should be able to "wow" you. I haven´t tried the mk3, but I am currently using a mk2N which, despite its 8,2 megapixel, still continues to amaze me.

Something is clearly not right, if this is your experience. A 1d3 should indeed be able to deliver better results than your 30D, in every situation.

kit lens wrote in post #15702666
To be 100% honest, since I have switched to my Mark III from my 30D.....I have not experienced 100% satisfaction with my image quality. At least no where close to where I was with my 30D. For years, I shot the 30D and used a ton of different rental glass. Mostly the 100-400L, but often several versions of the 70-200L also. I had a very high keeper rate of some great and sharp action photos. Obviously capturing stationary items were no task, if action shots were on point.

Before I picked my Mark III up, I purchased a 100-400L from a friend. I used this on my 30D and achieved great and sharp photos with that combo. Now I have been primarily using the 100-400L on my Mark III.....and have yet to come away with a days shooting with a satisfied feeling. Even stationary subjects, I've found to have to add a little sharpness here and there.....nothing that has really blown me away with sharpness/detail out of the camera.

I've been discussing with several friends and even a few members on here, about sending my lens/body to Canon and have them take a look. I've tried myself with the microadjustment.....th​ought I had gotten that pretty spot on, and had no better luck. I'm going to end up swapping my 100-400 with a friends 70-200 f4 for a few weeks, to see how each others results are (he has a 7D, and his images with his 70-200 are razor sharp). I guess that will be proof enough there....

I'd like to see if any of you Mark III owners, or really anyone with experience, might give me your evaluation of what I am experiencing.....hopef​ully from experience yourself. Am I a total idiot? Am I overlooking some obvious things? Might I have a Mark III in need of repair? Feel free to add anything needed, to help me get in the right direction. At this point, I am looking for any help possible.

Below is a sample image from yesterday. Tripod and remote shutter used, IS was off, 120mm, 1/1600.......and the image is poop.

http://jonsmithphoto.c​om/darren/host/fountai​n-5.jpg

Any help/feedback is appreciated!

That's not what a 1D3 image should look like. That camera can make super tack-sharp photos, and its AA filter is weak. Something is wrong with your camera, maybe try sending it in as you said earlier. That is a sure bet on getting things back in good order.

I bought a use 1DIII and had the same problems you are having. Contact Canon and they will fix it for free. 1-800-ok-canon. They were very helpful and my camera was fixed and back home in a week and the results are amazing. Tack sharp focus through an entire burst.

Definitely send it in.

I'm not sure what the nature of your issue is, thsi deosn;t soudn like the "MkIII AF Syndrome" that was a concern way back at launch.
Even when I had my 1st disastrous 1D MkIII at initial launch, I still got utterly fantastic images with it when the AF hit correctly. You should be saying "this blows away my 30D!"

What is the serial number of your body?

I am thinking I may be having the same issues as you... Not 'wowed' by the photos, a lot of not tack sharp focus, etc. I just picked it up saturday, so I'm hoping it's just me needing to get used to the af and such.. We'll give it a few days and see.

Thanks for the quick replies so far. Sounds pretty convincing to send it in.

FWIW, the camera included the original box it came in.....if I recall had some sort of blue dot on the box to indicate the production date. Also I have the Canon paperwork showing the fix of the AF backfocus issue.

mattymx wrote in post #15703067
What is the serial number of your body?

531248

That number is in the range of the issue, but you say you have proof it's been fixed. Does the SN March from the box and receipt to the body? Sounds like you need to send it in.

fishyone wrote in post #15703017
I bought a use 1DIII and had the same problems you are having. Contact Canon and they will fix it for free. 1-800-ok-canon. They were very helpful and my camera was fixed and back home in a week and the results are amazing. Tack sharp focus through an entire burst.

I just called. The "mark" for the blue or white dot for the AF fix is inside of the battery compartment. Weird I have paperwork with matching serial number from Canon, but there is no mark in the battery compartment. They are sending me my free shipping label, and minus any other issues......this fix will be free and under warranty. Thanks for getting me to double check that too! Now I'm excited.

@kitlens, so what are they fixing for free? Since they already have done the AF adjustment?

thanks let me know!

I think, since it lacks a blue or white dot, Canon feels the fix has NOT been done.

Agreed. Send it in.

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #15703815
I think, since it lacks a blue or white dot, Canon feels the fix has NOT been done.

Exactly. I mentioned the paperwork too. I gave him my serial over the phone, and he said there was no history. I bought the camera from a POTN member too.

Oh, that's not good