The latest report on 1D Mark III AF issues

blonde wrote in post #3889471
, in the past month alone, i managed to take the best 5 images of my life taken with the mkIII.......... and i can also post some AI Servo shots that will show you that once you understand what the camera can and can not do, you will be fine.

I too have taken some outstanding pictures a few that have also been published recently. But to concede that this camera has distinct limitations that should not be inherent with a camera at this price is unacceptable to me. I also have missed numerous BIF shots here in Fl. and once in a lifetime wildlife opportunities when in Alaska recently that would never have happened with even my lowly tired 20D.

I sent it back this week. I hope they can sort things out. If not I will probably unload it and pick up a 1DMK2n and a 5D.

Blue Deuce wrote in post #3889568
I too have taken some outstanding pictures a few that have also been published recently. But to concede that this camera has distinct limitations that should not be inherent with a camera at this price is unacceptable to me. I also have missed numerous BIF shots here in Fl. and once in a lifetime wildlife opportunities when in Alaska recently that would never have happened with even my lowly tired 20D.

I sent it back this week. I hope they can sort things out. If not I will probably unload it and pick up a 1DMK2n and a 5D.

i agree with you man and i know what you missed in Alaska because of the camera.

Pekka- let's just agree that we all have different expectations from the camera. i don't think that the problem is that the Servo is not perfect because i don't expect it to be. however, based on my experience with the 1D, 1DmkII, 1DmkIIn and 1DmkIII, the camera is simply not up to par when it comes to Servo action when pushed hard.

i do agree with you that the images and operation of the camera are the best i have seen to date from any camera.

Pekka wrote in post #3889566
If you say Mark III is "disaster of epic proportions" then you must be living in a world without hunger and wars.

AI Servo (note: AI SERVO, NOT AUTO-FOCUS) in Mark III is not perfect. That is the problem. It is not perfect. It was not perfect in Mark II or 10D or D30 either as far as I'm concerned. It works differently to previous models.

Apart from some AI Servo imperfections the camera is wonderful, clearly the best EOS to date.

I haven't checked this thread in a while, but out of curiosity I just looked through the last few pages of replies. It seems that the thought now here is that all MIIIs have the AF problems. I would have to disagree with that, and weigh in with agreement with Pekka's comments. Mine has been performing very well, and I am a sports shooter so its not an issue of it being a different subject matter. I recall that just before Randy returned his camera, he posted a very simple test with a 135 f/2, that I tried and it worked fine on my MIII... so these problems are absolutely not on every MIII. My MIII tracks better and produces fewer OOF images in bursts (shooting sports) than any of my four MII and MIIN bodies.

RedCarpet wrote in post #3889486
The Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III is a disaster of epic proportions. This camera was in development for how many years? And it's been how many months since it was released without being fixed?

When was the last time any SLR from any company was put on the market--especially a very expensive camera--that was so f'd up?

Canon's attitude to the disaster makes the whole thing even worse. It's disgusting. To treat the customers, many of whom have been loyal to the brand for years, and spend a lot to get it, like idiots, is beyond the pale.

Now why couldn't Canon have loaned a prototype to many photographers who shoot many different kinds of situations so this problem would have been discerned years ago?

It's amazing that they had the camera for years, saw nothing, but real-world photographers have it for a day and see its problem.

Too bad Canon's brain trust can't autofocus on brand loyalty.

RC

my question is, do you have either the 1dmkiii or 1dsmkiii? seems like you don't since you don't state anything in the first person. and secondly, this is about the 1dmkiii not 1dsmkiii, since i have yet to hear of anything from the 1dsmkiii camp (are they even around?)

basroil wrote in post #3889687
my question is, do you have either the 1dmkiii or 1dsmkiii? seems like you don't since you don't state anything in the first person. and secondly, this is about the 1dmkiii not 1dsmkiii, since i have yet to hear of anything from the 1dsmkiii camp (are they even around?)

1) he made a typo with the S, no need to get all nasty about it.
2) he didn't say anything about his camera not working, he simply made a comment based on this thread.
3) i don't think that the 1DsmkIII is even out yet.

Just got my Mark III back from the NJ center. Looks like they did nothing. Cleaned sensor and tested. It said it tested normally for AF. I will be shooting this week and will test it and get back with results. I didn't really have much issues with the camera, but wanted to send it back just to see if they would do anything with it. Looks like they set all the default settings back to the way the camera came out of the box. Keep tuned and I will get back

Pekka wrote in post #3889566
If you say Mark III is "disaster of epic proportions" then you must be living in a world without hunger and wars.

AI Servo (note: AI SERVO, NOT AUTO-FOCUS) in Mark III is not perfect. That is the problem. It is not perfect. It was not perfect in Mark II or 10D or D30 either as far as I'm concerned. It works differently to previous models.

Apart from some AI Servo imperfections the camera is wonderful, clearly the best EOS to date.

I totally disagree Pekka, I've have Focus problems that have nothing to do with AI-Servo, so has Rob Galbraith, so have many others. It's not just my camera, I believe it's every MKIII and it depends on the circumstances.

They have had two opportunities to fix it and NOTHING has changed.
For me it's a disaster, for Canon it's a disaster. How many more disasters do you want before you believe it?

KAC

and here we go again

JBF wrote in post #3889808
Just got my Mark III back from the NJ center. Looks like they did nothing. Cleaned sensor and tested. It said it tested normally for AF. I will be shooting this week and will test it and get back with results. I didn't really have much issues with the camera, but wanted to send it back just to see if they would do anything with it. Looks like they set all the default settings back to the way the camera came out of the box. Keep tuned and I will get back

Looking forward to it.

KAC

JBF wrote in post #3889808
Just got my Mark III back from the NJ center. Looks like they did nothing. Cleaned sensor and tested.

Not what I wanted to hear .

Mike, he did say that nothing was wrong with his camera in the first place

JBF wrote in post #3889808
Just got my Mark III back from the NJ center. Looks like they did nothing. Cleaned sensor and tested. It said it tested normally for AF. I will be shooting this week and will test it and get back with results. I didn't really have much issues with the camera, but wanted to send it back just to see if they would do anything with it. Looks like they set all the default settings back to the way the camera came out of the box. Keep tuned and I will get back

Did you send examples of the problem? If not, Canon still doesn't know how to fix the problem, that is why I havne't sent mine in. Doesn't make any sense to send a camera to them with a problem that they admit they don't know what is causing it or how to fix it.

blonde wrote in post #3889875
Mike, he did say that nothing was wrong with his camera in the first place

My oversight. I Shouldn't try to read on here and watch college football while at the same time drinking a cold beer.

Man, I'm so sorry to hear you guys having issues with AI Servo... I hope Canon sorts this problem out and you guys get some kind of a voucher or credit for all your problems.

You guys have to be encouraged that at least they are making attempts to correct the issue by releasing firmware updates, even if they are unsuccessful. I would be livid if this happened to me.

Good luck to all of you..

Canon HAS to sort this out, or they will lose significant market share. Not just a blip in market share, but a serious loss in the number of sports pros shooting Canon.