Can the 1D mk3 be given the mk4 AI servo algoritham

I have been reading the white paper on the mark4 and came to this section
i quote

Now why can that algoritham not be put into the mk3 as a firmware update ??


MK4 white paper = http://www.usa.canon.c​om …-1D%20Mark%20IV%20WP1.p​df

Well assuming they could.. they wouldn't b/c it would hurt MkIV sales.

Yes, if they could, they still won't.

It would like a car manufacturer that three years later found out how to create a better fuel and ignition map on their newest offerings that share the same exact motor and similar computer as the one 3 years prior. They would not offer all consumers that ability to take their 3 year old vehicles to the shops to reflash the computer, they expect you to buy the new vehicle.

In this case, the Canons' don't even share the same processor, but that probably wouldn't matter with their revised algorithms, both could probably run them.

Pete W wrote in post #9001937
Now why can that algoritham not be put into the mk3 as a firmware update ??

Because software is always limited by the hardware it is running on. That's my best guess.

I think if they can they will. as firm ware updates keep coming out why woudn't they? they want the cameras old or new to work the best they can or it comes back on them

Can you guys in the USA question Mr Chuck Westfall as I will not get a reply from Canon UK, but Canon USA are by far the most receptive... Would be interesting to see his take on it...

How do we know that they have not? This is just marketing you know.

AI servo II double cheese with fried onions super algorithm!

They may have included a similar update in one of the Mark III updates. Who cares it works fine.
There is nothing wrong with the 1DIII now. Canon is just throwing it under the bus to gain trust.

Interesting question. I too would like to see what Mr. Westfall has to say. To that end I will submit a question to him. If he receives enough of them from us he will likely answer personally or in his monthly tech tips column.

shiro69 wrote in post #9002143
I think if they can they will. as firm ware updates keep coming out why woudn't they? they want the cameras old or new to work the best they can or it comes back on them

Because Canon very, very seldom issues firmware updates to add functionality to old cameras, firmware is usually there to address issues. Don't buy 3 year old technology expecting Canon to continually upgrade its features through firmware, it isn't going to happen. Old cameras do not break because new models are introduced, and the MKIII works fine as is. Why is this expectation out there? I can understand hoping they would, but to almost basically "demand it" is just silly.

Here is your answer:

In a word, no.

The AI Servo II algorithm was developed exclusively for the 1D Mark IV's newly designed AF sensor, so it would not be compatible with the 1D Mark III camera.

Best Regards,

Chuck Westfall
Advisor, Technical Information
CIG Professional Prods Mktg Division

FL PHOTO wrote in post #9002978
Here is your answer:

In a word, no.

The AI Servo II algorithm was developed exclusively for the 1D Mark IV's newly designed AF sensor, so it would not be compatible with the 1D Mark III camera.

Best Regards,

Chuck Westfall
Advisor, Technical Information
CIG Professional Prods Mktg Division

And even if it would work with the MKIII processor and AF sensor, the answer would have still been a resounding no.

I just love seeing Canon say in print why it is that so many people had trouble with the MkIII AF for certain subjects/uses....

It further reinforces my feelings that the Mark II still trumps the MkIII for AF in certain circumstances.

FL PHOTO wrote in post #9002978
The AI Servo II algorithm was developed exclusively for the 1D Mark IV's newly designed AF sensor...

Exclusively is to take it a bit far, since the 7D has the same algorithm.

apersson850 wrote in post #9003642
Exclusively is to take it a bit far, since the 7D has the same algorithm.

Maybe they have some configurable settings in the software and during the firmware build, they denote which platform it is for, 7D or MKIV, and the final result is then exclusive for that body.

Basically like when I create messaging software and I introduce a configurable message delay. Pay me more, the delay goes down, pay me less the delay goes up! Funny I actually have this, but we don't leverage it for revenue, but rather to emulate slow internet traffic to see if we can reproduce client issues. We joke about it though here!

apersson850 wrote in post #9003642
Exclusively is to take it a bit far, since the 7D has the same algorithm.

Exclusively for the AF sensor, not for the camera itself. If the 7D and 1Dmk4 are using the same physical sensor (or at least sensors from the same family/generation) then it is still a true statement.