so just picked up a used 1ds mark III...care to share your AF settings?

Great camera and build...tons of menu options actually and I'm working through them now. Other owners care to share their AF customization settings?

I shoot primarily my family and my kid running around.

I'm afraid I did not read up too much on the AF system of the 1ds prior to buying; the camera was offered to me at a could-not-pass-up price, so had to move fast.

thanks.

damn you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! congrats... wish i had the dough~ how much did you pay for it and where did you buy it from?

sorry to switch topics, but how does it compare to the 5d2?

Congrats on the camera. The Mark III AF is lightyears above the prosumer models. It's a huge difference to any xxD/xD series camera. It's like driving a Ferrari after a Fiat Punto...

First of all, you should do a factory reset to make sure all the settings are at default positions. The previous user might have used custom settings that are not suitable for you. So reset the camera and start from there. The good news is that (unlike the 7D, it seems) the default AF settings of the 1DsM3 work just fine. In my opinion there's no need to make any radical changes to custom settings. You might want to tweak some settings based on your personal preferences and particular shooting situations but the default settings are a nice starting point.

Here's a good read to get you started:

http://www.lensprotogo​.com/media/EOS1D_1DsMa​rk_III.pdf

If you want to play with the AF settings, change only one setting at a time and test before making more changes. Otherwise you just make everything worse, trust me

Also make sure you have the latest firmware installed (v.1.2.0).

I just did the same thing(almost). I just purchased a 1D Mark III refurbished. It hasn't arrived yet, I can't wait. I bought it to replace my 30D, to be my fast action body(I have a 5DC too). The Mark III thread on this site heavily influenced my decision to buy this body, I was very very impressed by the images posted there. The body being a couple of years old, I am still blown away by the photos that body takes.

I plan on keeping my 5DC until the Mark III proves itself. I may look into a 1Ds Mark III to replace my 5DC too. I have a feeling I just might fall in love with the AF and handling of this body. Sorry I don't have any tips for you yet. Congrats on the new body though!

I havent rung through the 1ds yet, at least havent taken any good pics to really evaluate. I'm finding the AF is obviously superior in the outer points, center point is about same for 5d2 and 1ds. 1ds focus points snap very fast into focus

I love the 5d2...it has produced SUPERB pics for me. But at f1.2 or 1.4 it is difficult to use outer focus points in low light and grab focus, more likely from lack of technique. Focus/recompose is more miss than hit when shooting that wide open.

I will still keep the 5d2 as a light body to carry around and also video.

I got the 1ds locally as part of a combo with a lens and other accessories....I would guess sub 3k for the body without the other items I picked up; not a steal, but a good deal IMO.

casaaviocar wrote in post #10388965
I just did the same thing(almost). I just purchased a 1D Mark III refurbished. It hasn't arrived yet, I can't wait. I bought it to replace my 30D, to be my fast action body(I have a 5DC too). The Mark III thread on this site heavily influenced my decision to buy this body, I was very very impressed by the images posted there. The body being a couple of years old, I am still blown away by the photos that body takes.

I plan on keeping my 5DC until the Mark III proves itself. I may look into a 1Ds Mark III to replace my 5DC too. I have a feeling I just might fall in love with the AF and handling of this body. Sorry I don't have any tips for you yet. Congrats on the new body though!

Congrats on your purchase You will LOVE the AF of the mark III.

^ I have to agree with Petri on using default AF settings for the 1Ds III. You can shoot this camera right out of the box w/o adjusting it.

40dbaby wrote in post #10390681
I havent rung through the 1ds yet, at least havent taken any good pics to really evaluate. I'm finding the AF is obviously superior in the outer points, center point is about same for 5d2 and 1ds. 1ds focus points snap very fast into focus

I love the 5d2...it has produced SUPERB pics for me. But at f1.2 or 1.4 it is difficult to use outer focus points in low light and grab focus, more likely from lack of technique. Focus/recompose is more miss than hit when shooting that wide open.

I will still keep the 5d2 as a light body to carry around and also video.

I got the 1ds locally as part of a combo with a lens and other accessories....I would guess sub 3k for the body without the other items I picked up; not a steal, but a good deal IMO.

This statement just proves my point that the outer points on the 5D2 is weak. I used to own the 5DC and the AF is the same. Anyways, the 1Ds MK III will not fail when you need AF response. Congrats and enjoy the new camera.