-=1D Mark IV Owners Thread! (it's time)

These were taken in Shutter Priority mode

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/LWpx​oG

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/M46Y​eb

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One of the kittens from my visit to the rescue yesterday

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/Mguu​p5

Yesterday afternoon the mountain next to my place caught fire and the fire-fighting water bomber helicopter appeared to sort it out, an ideal opportunity for me to use the 1D4 with my 500 MKII lens. The camera was set (I thought to single focus point) the camera would not lock onto the helicopter, the focus point was jumping around as if it was having a fit. I removed the 1.4x converter (in the correct sequence) and tried again, at this point the helicopter was even closer but it still would not lock on? So what chance of a BIF then? Talk about disappointed or what. Looks like I am going to buy a 5D3, I am fed up with this camera.

Red Dexs wrote in post #18131609
Yesterday afternoon the mountain next to my place caught fire and the fire-fighting water bomber helicopter appeared to sort it out, an ideal opportunity for me to use the 1D4 with my 500 MKII lens. The camera was set (I thought to single focus point) the camera would not lock onto the helicopter, the focus point was jumping around as if it was having a fit. I removed the 1.4x converter (in the correct sequence) and tried again, at this point the helicopter was even closer but it still would not lock on? So what chance of a BIF then? Talk about disappointed or what. Looks like I am going to buy a 5D3, I am fed up with this camera.

'the focus point was jumping around as if it was having a fit' - sounds to me like it may have been set to all 45 points by mistake, that is the only way I have ever known the focus points the move around on the 1DIV......

^^^ Yes, i think so, if i just set it to one point or at least only few point on the center it will not have that problem of jumping in focus, give it a try, i remember it happened with me on my 1D3, but then i fixed it with settings i can't remember which, also by any mean or mistake, try to check the lens distance focusing setting, sometimes i forgot to keep it on that near to few meters when i shoot sports then i can't get any shot at all or it keep out of focus on most shots, so i prefer to keep it as open or infinity so it can detect at any distance.

If with all settings and lens checked out and still happen, maybe it is time to send it for service before you buy another body, or do you really like this problem so you have an excuse/reason to buy another body?!!!

Red Dexs wrote in post #18131609
Yesterday afternoon the mountain next to my place caught fire and the fire-fighting water bomber helicopter appeared to sort it out, an ideal opportunity for me to use the 1D4 with my 500 MKII lens. The camera was set (I thought to single focus point) the camera would not lock onto the helicopter, the focus point was jumping around as if it was having a fit. I removed the 1.4x converter (in the correct sequence) and tried again, at this point the helicopter was even closer but it still would not lock on? So what chance of a BIF then? Talk about disappointed or what. Looks like I am going to buy a 5D3, I am fed up with this camera.

Yes, sounds like user error to me too. Get to know the camera first before dismissing it like that. I've shot birds with a 40D, a 5Dc, a 1DIIN and a 1DIII and the 1DIV beats them all in the AF department. Read the manual and read Canon's AF guide.

Red Dexs wrote in post #18131609
Yesterday afternoon the mountain next to my place caught fire and the fire-fighting water bomber helicopter appeared to sort it out, an ideal opportunity for me to use the 1D4 with my 500 MKII lens. The camera was set (I thought to single focus point) the camera would not lock onto the helicopter, the focus point was jumping around as if it was having a fit. I removed the 1.4x converter (in the correct sequence) and tried again, at this point the helicopter was even closer but it still would not lock on? So what chance of a BIF then? Talk about disappointed or what. Looks like I am going to buy a 5D3, I am fed up with this camera.

The 1DIV is hands-down the best auto-focus performing camera I've ever used. If you want to lock on and track a specific target, you need to know the camera. It can't read your mind. I suck at tracking erratic objects. The 1DIV bails me out when I need it. To make the camera do what I want when continuous tracking is the goal:

Custom Function III.4, choice 1. Continuous AF track priority
Custom Function III.8, choice 3. All 45 points.
I always start with the center point, but I don't think that is required on the 1DIV.

The camera will stay on your target as long as you can keep any spot in the AF oval on the target. Please note that this is COMPLETELY different than Automatic AF-point selection. The above settings will keep your focus on target as long as you can follow it. My guess is that there is nothing wrong with your camera.

If you really believe a better camera will make you a better photographer, why choose a 5DIII? Go right the 1DXII.

Funny how different people have different shooting habits. Also depends on subject no doubt. I never have C.Fn. III-8 set on 3. I have it set either on 0 (i.e. disable, so it's just a single focus point) or on 2 (with surrounding points). Still, most of my shooting is with single focus point, unless it's a fast flying bird against a clear blue sky, then I will use surrounding AF points.

Levina de Ruijter wrote in post #18131690
Funny how different people have different shooting habits. Also depends on subject no doubt. I never have C.Fn. III-8 set on 3. I have it set either on 0 (i.e. disable, so it's just a single focus point) or on 2 (with surrounding points). Still, most of my shooting is with single focus point, unless it's a fast flying bird against a clear blue sky, then I will use surrounding AF points.

Yes, interesting. Like I said, I really stink at keeping on target. Seems like you are better at keeping your chosen area on the target. I like the way the 1DIV can help me out at doing something I'm not so good at. It is worth noting that the camera only utilizes 18 points at any one time, but it moves the centered group around as your subject changes position within the frame. If I get off target with just surrounding points, the (my) camera gets confused about what I want, much like the poster we are trying to help. When I am not tracking, I use just the single point. The Left/Right and 8-surrounding points options confuse me sometimes.

^^^Yeah, user error or broken camera/lens. i used my 1D4 for shooting bif helicopters propeller planes whatever with in combo with many glasses, tamron 18-200, dustpump 100-400, 300 F2.8, even with the 1.4III or the kenko 2X, never had such problems. Change settings or go to canon service, 5D3 will be not better

I also find the 1DIV's autofocus to be very good, after many years of use. It has performed well with my 500 II and converters.