Now the 1D MKIII is in stock, should i get one ?

As this is one of the 1D Mark III threads - I need to make a question:

Are these autofocus problems happening only in AI-Servo in a burst?

MIne works great, but perhaps I don't know how to make it screw up. I watched all of the comments on the focus issue and decided to just go ahead and jump in. Glad I did!

aero145 wrote in post #4101066
As this is one of the 1D Mark III threads - I need to make a question:

Are these autofocus problems happening only in AI-Servo in a burst?

No - some people are seeing this in single-shot AF. People posted in the original 1D III AF thread about that, and someone who hadn't seen, or didn't remember, that started a new thread specifically on missed focus on single shot. Please take any and all 1D III AF discussion to one of the relevant threads.
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=388108 for single-shot AF issues.
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=378126 for new and different information on the AF issue in general.

I'd hold off. I think they've fixed whatever it is in the current release cameras. However, without a clear comment or recall by Canon or firmware acknowleged to fix those cameras out there having problems you are buying a possibly great camera that will forever be a question in another purchaser's mind as to AF issues or not. If you do get it you will always question in your mind whether you adequately tested it before your time to return ran out. Given Canon's position at the moment I would consider the immediate depreciation the body would undergo when you no longer can return it. Has anyone computed that? What have those that have been so frustrated with their MkIIIs that they've sold them gotten for them?

Anyway, I'd hold off.

Stew

tommykjensen wrote in post #4100262
In my case the bird was bigger than the center focus point and the focus point was on the bird all the time but focus still switched to the background. I think it was with my 100-400.

I have exactly the same issue with my mark III but using a 70-200L 2.8 non is lense....Same results with the 24-70L also...The bird will completely cover the center focus point and the camera will focus on the background or hunt....ROF will focus on background at least 50% of the time....I have no sunlight or heat problems, used it in 118* heat in Arizona for a week with absolutely no problems...I really like the 10 fps and low light shooting with very fast focusing....I took a chance like others and bought it knowing there might be issues....Hopefully canon will pull through and correct them...

bill

Jon wrote in post #4101154
No - some people are seeing this in single-shot AF. People posted in the original 1D III AF thread about that, and someone who hadn't seen, or didn't remember, that started a new thread specifically on missed focus on single shot. Please take any and all 1D III AF discussion to one of the relevant threads.
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=388108 for single-shot AF issues.
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=378126 for new and different information on the AF issue in general.

Thanks Jon!

I was in the very same position. I had sold my 1D Mk II to part fund a step up to the Mk III and could have bought for £3000 in the first week of release. I waited for a price drop and ordered from York Cameras for £2599.

In the meantime I, like you, read on POTN and various UK magazines about the focussing problems and generally poor reviews, decided to wait and bought the 40D instead, with the thought of buying a Mk III next year when the faults have been sorted out.

I also PM'd a few UK guys who had already bought the Mk III and none of them were overly positive.

It really depends what you are going to use it for most. Me, I am primarily at motorsport events and need to use AI Servo but if that is not your bag and you will not be using AI Servo then bite the bullet even though you can see from other posts it is not exclusively a AI servo issue.

Yes, it is readily available in most cities in UK. One camera shop in Nottingham has had a Mk II on their shelves for several weeks and have reduced the price from £2998 down to now £2799 to try and shift it.

My advice is wait.......

peeps27, how you finding the 40D compared to the 1DmkII?

GBRandy wrote in post #4100553
Good for you! some others don't....your point? sheesh....

Exactly my point.

defordphoto wrote in post #4101907
Exactly my point.

Right then.... I still think there is a major problem with many of the copies released ot the market. Personally, I have passed on several since I returned mine.

Wonder why Canon is so tight lipped? Personally, if that Nikon D3 is anywhere near what it is advertised to be, my stay in Canon land could be as short as 12 months.....

I doubt you'd ever find a MKIII that would work for you at this point. I hope you enjoy your Nikon. I read their forums too and their complaints are not much different than what you read on a Canon forum.

To get back on topic, I still highly recommend the MKIII. I shoot 99.9% in AI Servo mode and have had no issues. Is every photo in focus? Nope. But, I get a better keeper rate than with my MKII. I shoot motorsports, but I also shoot BIF, landscapes, and recently shot a wedding with the MKIII.

Still, no complaints. It's an incredible camera. And I also know other semi-pro and pro shooters shooting motorsports week-in and week-out that also swear by the MKIII.

deford I just picked mine up last friday and I want to test it before I need to return it for a refund. My hope is I have a keeper, I had a 20D and now jumped into the MKIII.

There are tons of custom settings, besides going to A1 Servo and choosing the High Speed setting anthing else I should set in the custom functions like AF settings etc etc?

I plan to shoot a dog club with dogs running toward me in a field with knee high grass.

I think I am going to post my settings on a server....Give me a few minutes.

that would be awesome!

My MKIII settings are now posted at:

www.defordphoto.com/MK​IIISettings/CAMSET01.C​SD

Will it be a cure all? No way. But these are the settings I use and it works for me, my shooting style and my particular MKIII, not necessarily in that order. I will adjust AI Servo speed from time to time but mainly leave it in the middle. I use highlight tone priority only when the sun is high and never in the morning or evening.

I have been shooting the sprint boats one second, and then see a bird flying overhead and shoot that too. Bursts included. I have 17K actuations and am head over heals with this camera.