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Canon 1D Mark III - Lack of Autofocus Problems?
Jack Howard, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Somerville | NJ | USA | Posted: 7:59 AM on 06.21.07 |
->> Just out of curiosity, how many people here are NOT having or noticing AF problems with their 1D Mark III?
I've shot close to 60GB of test shots over the past two weeks, and haven't noticed any of the weirdness described elsewhere--and you? |
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David Harpe, Photographer
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Louisville | KY | USA | Posted: 8:08 AM on 06.21.07 |
| ->> Add me to the not having problems list... |
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Walter Calahan, Photographer
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Westminster | MD | USA | Posted: 8:16 AM on 06.21.07 |
->> Glad to hear you're getting great results from your new camera!
You should outline and post how you set your camera up. Perhaps since this camera is a great advance in technology, we've encountered a little user error in coming up to speed with this camera?
Kind of like everyone is use to driving a Chevy, and then they are thrown into a Ferrari and can't understand why the Ferrari doesn't handle like the family Chevy.
Not saying that people's problems are definitely their doing. There could be a issue with a bad chip set in the early production models, and you're fortunate not to get a bad chip.
No company can test every chip. They usually randomly test one in a thousand or so. It could be the early production of the Mk III chip set needs so quality control?
It's good to hear from people not having problems. This is a great camera, and it's too bad some are having focusing issues. |
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Matthew Emmons, Photographer
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Delaware | OH | USA | Posted: 8:45 AM on 06.21.07 |
->> You can add me to that group....I've tried hard with different scenerios and can't duplicate the problem (I need to know ASAP of any problems with my camera. The NFL season will be here soon).
I've covered a PGA event with high heat and bright sunny days. You know the contrast was high with those golfers attire now-a-days.
(go away seventies, those were not good clothing options).
I'm hoping when my second body comes available it is the same as the first. |
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Robert Smith, Photographer
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Brandon | MS | USA | Posted: 9:22 AM on 06.21.07 |
| ->> No problems here.... |
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Justin Deeley, Photographer
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Noble Park | VIC | Australia | Posted: 9:10 PM on 06.21.07 |
->> Not having any problems yet but going to do some more testing today...
Love the Mk III though - a great piece of kit |
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Keith Allison, Photographer, Assistant
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Owings Mills | MD | USA | Posted: 12:10 AM on 07.01.07 |
| ->> Very happy with camera. ISO 3200 worked great at a Yankees Orioles night game this week. |
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Chuck Liddy, Photographer
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Durham | NC | USA | Posted: 12:42 AM on 07.01.07 |
| ->> shot the osprey ( a grey military plane) coming at me..had about 60 frames...all in focus...focus problem? hmmmmmmmmm....maybe operator error. I say that tounge in cheek since I have NO idea what I'm doing..8) |
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Yamil Sued, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Peoria | AZ | USA | Posted: 1:14 AM on 07.01.07 |
->> I would love to test one, I haven't been able to get my grubby little paws in one yet :( I would love to test one soon, the USPSA Nationals are almost here and I need another body.
Y |
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Adam Bird, Photographer
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Grand Rapids | Mi | United States | Posted: 9:36 AM on 07.01.07 |
| ->> I haven't had any issues yet, but I haven't done any sports yet either. For all my general assignment shooting, it's a dream. |
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Ken Shelton, Photographer
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Wyckoff | NJ | USA | Posted: 2:40 PM on 07.02.07 |
| ->> I shot 420 runners in 15K & 30K trail runs last week. At an early course shot they were coming at me at a steady pace, in bright sunlight. At the finish line they were mostly decelerating, and again in bright sunlight &, of course, it had warmed up quite a bit. My edits were no worse than the 1DMIIN and might have even been better. I'll need another race or two to make a final judgment but so far, this is one amazing machine. |
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Craig Bennett, Photographer
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Huntington Beach | CA | USA | Posted: 4:18 PM on 07.02.07 |
->> No problems for me thus far either in the bright sun shooting soccer or at night under stadium lights.
Had to tweak some settings to get it to my liking but so far so good and hopefully it stays that way... |
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Yamil Sued, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Peoria | AZ | USA | Posted: 9:49 PM on 07.02.07 |
->> Anybody in the Phoenix area willing to let me look at their MKIII??
You have my promise that I'll behave :D
Y |
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Wesley Hitt, Photographer
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North Little Rock | AR | USA | Posted: 9:55 PM on 07.02.07 |
| ->> No problem here but still testing. Beautiful file. |
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Craig Melvin, Photographer
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Olean | NY | US | Posted: 11:04 AM on 07.04.07 |
->> Hello all,
I had just come off assignment with the WWE where two other shooters have the Mark IIIs.
One of them had a soft screen so it was sent back to Canon for replacement.
The other user, David Gunn, had no problems at all. I checked his 3200 asa ice hockey shoot and it was exceptional!
As for my body, I sent it back to Canon. It appears as if the sensor plate is not on correctly. (I had a Mark II N with the same problem when it was new out of the box last November)
Glad there are working cameras out there!
Craig Melvin |
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Steve Violette, Photographer
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Gulf Breeze | FL | USA | Posted: 4:17 PM on 10.01.07 |
| ->> No problems here - keeper rate better than my MkIIn for shooting at mid-day bright sunlight. AND friday night football is now enjoyable..... |
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Chuck Liddy, Photographer
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Durham | NC | USA | Posted: 4:39 PM on 10.01.07 |
| ->> it's been three whole months and no problems in any kind focusing in any and all lighting conditions, time zones or phases of the moon. |
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Michael Thomas, Photographer
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Austin | Tx | US | Posted: 5:06 PM on 10.01.07 |
| ->> My Mark III is terrible in all conditions. Half the frames are slightly soft and the rest are soft. Rarely is one tack sharp even when someone is standing still. I did get one tack sharp photo yesterday at Cowboys game. I was shocked to see how sharp it was. Have no problem with my Mark IIs. After 10s of thousands frames I don't think it is me but maybe. One SI photographer who will remained unnamed says his are so bad he uses mark IIn on his 400 and 500 and Mark III on his shorter lenses. |
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Chris Condon, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Ponte Vedra Bch | FL | USA | Posted: 7:05 PM on 10.01.07 |
->> I just spent the week using my new Mark III's at the Presidents Cup and had no serious focusing issues. The exposure still seems a bit under, and the screen is a little fuzzy until you zoom in. IMO, not anything to be a deal-breaker.
The high iso stuff I shot available light was beautiful. 2000-3200 iso indoors really looked good.
I'm not giving them up... I am however still waiting for Canon to get a clue about that 200-400 f4 they need to make! |
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David Seelig, Photographer
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Hailey | ID | USA | Posted: 12:46 AM on 10.02.07 |
| ->> My mk 111 is fine in bad light conditions. I had problems on a hot day at baseball game sent to canon since then it seems okay. David |
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Matt Cashore, Photographer
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South Bend | IN | USA | Posted: 7:02 AM on 10.02.07 |
| ->> My Mk III is also better after a trip to Canon. The repair ticket said "check autofocus tracking" so I don't know what exactly they did, but there is a noticeable improvement. That said, I'm still holding off on buying another Mk III until Canon makes some sort of acknowledgement/recall/upgrade. |
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Jody Gomez, Photographer
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Murrieta | CA | USA | Posted: 1:31 PM on 10.02.07 |
->> Sent mine to Canon as well and it rocks now. It's now my camera of choice.
For those of you who are having problems and haven't sent your camera in - I highly recommend that you do so.
Jody |
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Tom Weis, Photographer
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Brooklyn | NY | United States | Posted: 1:41 PM on 10.02.07 |
| ->> My second 1D mkIII sample is great. The first was horrible, and it went back for a refund. |
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Ramiro Reyna, Photographer
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Katy | TX | US | Posted: 8:53 AM on 10.03.07 |
| ->> Sent mine to Canon as well, and its a rock now. It's not my camera of choice. |
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Kevin Colton, Photographer
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Geneva | NY | USA | Posted: 11:38 AM on 10.03.07 |
| ->> Mine has been great from the beginning. I would not trade it for the world. |
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Matthew OHaren, Photographer
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Harrisburg | PA | USA | Posted: 2:05 PM on 10.03.07 |
->> Well after checking multiple stores, Canon has resumed production of the Canon EOS 1D Mark III. According to a few past posts on here (within the last two months), the production of the Mark III was halted until Canon could resolve the focus issues and apparently they must have figured something out because it's back on the shelves.
My next question is, has anybody purchased a new Canon EOS 1D Mark III within the last two weeks from any of the reputable camera stores, and if so, have you noticed anything different with the autofocus? I'm just wondering if the problem has been corrected. |
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Montgomery Canfield, Photographer
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Alexandria | VA | USA | Posted: 11:34 PM on 10.03.07 |
| ->> I got mine March 30th and it has been back once, did not fix it. Going to send it back again shortly as soon as CPS sends me a loaner to use. Very frusterating. I submitted a series of images to CPS along with the request, pointing out the exact problem. We will see. Hope this gets fixed ASAP. |
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Jason Watson, Photographer
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Charlottesville | VA | USA | Posted: 11:52 AM on 10.04.07 |
->> Matthew,
I purchased a Mark III this week. Shot cross country in late afternoon with clear skies / bright sun 75-80 degrees. Garbage AF tracking -- 80%+ of my images were OOF/not sharp. Of the remaining 20%, none were very sharp. On the second time through the loop (the XC course is essentially two laps of a park) I shot with my Mark IIN with the same lens (400 f/2.8L IS), resulting in many very sharp images. I then shot a JV football game with the Mark III + 400 that evening, and the AF worked as expected (including excellent results/amazingly low noise at high ISO settings).
The Mark III on it's way to CPS with a DVD of CR2s from the XC meet. I hope I have the same luck as others who seem to have their AF issues resolved after CPS takes a look. |
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Marc Estrada, Photographer
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St. Petersburg | FL | USA | Posted: 12:07 PM on 10.04.07 |
| ->> I received my second one a week ago and am sending it back also. After spending $4500 on a camera I would like to be able to trust it will focus on all of my jobs and not just in low light situations. I was shooting a football game and when there was a break in the action I shot one group of players just standing around and I could read the smallest writing on the back of their helmets. I turned and shot the other team and nothing was in focus. |
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Bob Markey, Photographer
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Royal Palm Beach | FL | US | Posted: 4:30 PM on 10.04.07 |
->> I find it interesting that my original 1D is doing the same thing. I was serviced over the summer and I noticed the poor servo tracking when football season started.
I wonder if something they did (parts?) to my body is similar to what's in the MKIII.
Mine is due back tomorrow from CPS. Fingers are crossed. |
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Jason Watson, Photographer
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Charlottesville | VA | USA | Posted: 9:26 PM on 10.13.07 |
->> I just wanted to follow up on my previous post from Oct. 4 -- I sent my new Mark III into CPS after it was having AF problems out of the box. I sent the camera along with a disk of CR2s showing the focusing problems. I received the Mark III back today, and used it to shoot NCAA football. It was wonderful. Crisp, clear images -- even in bright/sunny conditions. The folks at CPS were great -- especially John, for making sure that it arrived via FedEx Saturday delivery in time for me to shoot my assignment.
Cheers,
-jason |
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David Seelig, Photographer
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Hailey | ID | USA | Posted: 10:28 PM on 10.13.07 |
->> Hi
Just to second John Dimauro at Canon repair in pro services is a true class act. |
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Chuck Liddy, Photographer
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Durham | NC | USA | Posted: 11:28 PM on 10.13.07 |
| ->> yo. there is NO autofocus problem. most of these complaints are OE. operator error. sorry. I was a nikon guy for 34 years.I was handed the mark lll with NO training...it work's flawlessly, give me all the inappropriates you want but my mark lll's are flawless,,,in any light, any "weather" maybe you folks who are having problems should read the instruction manual....and just so you know. this crap (message board nonsense) happened when I was using nikon D2H's. am I blessed? are the photo gods giving chuck liddy cameras that work? I THINK NOT!! I think there is a whole friggin lot of operator error out there. just because we're spending an enormous amount of money on a camera doesn't mean we can point it and shoot and get a photo. if that's what you think, "I spent a lot of money on this" then maybe you should pick up another hobby. like, hmmmmmm....hiking. |
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Jason Watson, Photographer
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Charlottesville | VA | USA | Posted: 1:01 AM on 10.14.07 |
->> Sorry Chuck, but there definitely were significant AF problems with my Mark III out of the box. After a week at CPS, it now works flawlessly, under any conditions. It's hard to believe that, at least in my case, this was OE. Especially since images shot in the *exact* same conditions with a MarkIIN were sharp vs. unsharp with the MarkIII.
FWIW, my repair sheet stated under "Service Details":
"We have examined the product according to your request, and, it was found that the adjustment of the AF assembly was incorrect the focus did not operate properly. Adjustments were carried out on the AF assembly."
Now, under similar conditions to when it didn't work, magically the Mark III's AF is outstanding and as one would expect. Hard to believe that this is operator error. |
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Luke Trottier, Photographer
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Bath | ME | US | Posted: 1:16 AM on 10.14.07 |
| ->> No problems with mine; if I did have problems I would send it back to the store not CPS. |
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Michael Troutman, Photographer
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Carmel | CA | USA | Posted: 1:27 AM on 10.14.07 |
| ->> It's not operator error; there is definitively a focus issue with a significant percentage of Mark III bodies that Canon recognizes and is servicing worldwide. Jason's experience and "Service Details" demonstrate this clearly. Your mileage may vary. |
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Chuck Liddy, Photographer
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Durham | NC | USA | Posted: 11:06 AM on 10.14.07 |
| ->> well, I'll be quiet for now (got those inappropriates I was looking for). I'm really just going to wait for the massive bitch session on the Nikon D3 when it's released. I can see the thread now...."the nikon D3 has a serious problem with it's (pick one) noise, focus, isn't ergonomic, weighs too much, weighs too little, smells funny, parts fall off, doesn't shoot photos without me, isn't a canon, made me read the instruction book, won't make me a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, blah, blah blah....continue with your sunday. 8) |
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Gerry Pieper, Photographer
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Schoengeising | BY | Germany | Posted: 2:09 PM on 10.14.07 |
| ->> I'm very glad to read so much threads of people, who don't have any AF-problems, because I still wait to get my new MK III. I've been waiting for about 3 months now and no chance to get it the next ??? months (very bad availability here in Germany) ;o( |
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Wayne McAtee, Photographer, Assistant
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Hesperia | CA | usa | Posted: 3:59 PM on 10.14.07 |
| ->> Chuck, If you are such a bad ass photo god I will be glad to pay your day rate & air fare to come out and use my Mark III and show me how to use it. I will use yours and my photos on your Mrk III will be soft etc as I'am just a wanker. Now for the catch, when the photos you take with my Mark III are not tack sharp you will shut up, repay my cost for the day and be thankfull you have a mark III that works. As that is all it is. Some of the mark III units work good and some suck. It is not that hard to use one. |
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Chuck Liddy, Photographer
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Durham | NC | USA | Posted: 4:53 PM on 10.14.07 |
| ->> wayne, you can't afford my day rate. it's $100,000/day....hmmmm...maybe that's why no one's hired me yet....8) and whoa there.....I have never said anything about being a photo god.....I am more a photo troll....or maybe a photo monkey...but god? don't think I've ever said that. and I don't give photography lessons, I'm a friggin horrible teacher. if you want to learn how to use your camera I suggest you read the manual. my oh my some of you folks get a little testy when presented with an opposing viewpoint....and yeah, I'm sure there are some defective pieces of equipment out there but for the most part for ALL the mark lll's out there the silence is actually kind of deafening on bad units. I'm just trying to point out that the camera is a little complicated and if it's not set up right it sounds like the auto-focus gets hinky. so it could be operator error...unless of course you're a photo god and perfect, which anyone who knows me also knows I am about six light years from being perfect. maybe I just set my camera up in the simplest way possibel and it works for me....what a novel concept.... simplicity |
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Alex Menendez, Photographer
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Orlando | FL | USA | Posted: 8:18 PM on 10.14.07 |
->> Chuck,
With all of your free time to read this board ....I have an Idea for you.
You could, possibly, look at the back of your camera and (gasp), fill us in on your custom settings as they seem to work for you.
Imagine that, giving away your SECRETS to help the rest of us with a crap camera.
As for the operator error idea, well, oh nevermind!!!
There is a problem, glad yours works, but think about this, when your camera does go bad, you'll probably have to wait a few weeks to get yours back as most of the older Mark III's will be on the bench ahead of yours...simple eh?
Alex Menendez |
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Wayne McAtee, Photographer, Assistant
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Hesperia | CA | usa | Posted: 10:32 PM on 10.14.07 |
->> Chuck What makes you think I can not afford your rate My affluence is not the question. Your arrogance is more of the question.
Thanks for update on your MarkIII setings when you give it.
Wayne
Best of luck to you. |
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Chuck Liddy, Photographer
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Durham | NC | USA | Posted: 11:06 PM on 10.14.07 |
| ->> cool. I'm loving this thread. two dudes are calling me arrogant and someone with too much free time on my hands. AWESOME! alex, if you think it's a "crap" camera maybe you should ask for a refund and buy something else. wayne, if you are so humor impaired maybe you shouldn't take part in message boards...just a thought. oh...sorry...I shall try and decipher my super secret settings to make it all clear the world why I am so great!! but guess what? I'm going to have to sit down with the manual and the camera to figure out what I did,,,yup...it's that complicated. last note....wayne, SWEET! show me da money!!! |
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Wayne McAtee, Photographer, Assistant
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Hesperia | CA | usa | Posted: 1:27 AM on 10.15.07 |
->> Chuck, I think most of us have sat down with the manual. The thing is I can do the same thing one day and get it spot on do the same thing the next time and get crap. I am happy that you dig your set up as well as all that get good use from the Mark III. That is what we paid for.
I know it is not all Operator error as I have used two mark III units that are 100% spot on (with me setting them up)the other users did the same with my rig and got some good some bad photos. I do not need to debate this it is a fact that some are spot on and some are not. Canon has has not told me to go back and spend time with the manual just to try the last fix they did. I hope when I pick it up this time it works.
I don't want to instigate bad blood on the board. The info from both camps is good. I wish it was as easy to fix as spending time with the manual. It gives me hope when more units work good overall......
Humor Impaired some times yes. |
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Michael Rogers, Photographer
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Kailua | Hi | USA | Posted: 1:54 AM on 10.15.07 |
| ->> Jason I had simular woes with my Mark III in regards to focus. It was sent to Canon-Irvine, They adjusted and cleaned it, reported that it was in "Spec", it improved some, but, it really wasn't corrected until after the firmware 1.1.0 was loaded. Now it works fine and the non focused shots are on me not the camera. I recently got #2 and it great right out of the box...I just had to learn how to use it for what I shoot..... |
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Alex Menendez, Photographer
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Orlando | FL | USA | Posted: 9:10 AM on 10.15.07 |
->> Hey Chuck,
You still shootin in the "P" mode?
Love,
alex |
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Chuck Liddy, Photographer
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Durham | NC | USA | Posted: 9:39 AM on 10.15.07 |
| ->> "M" |
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Jim Inverso, Photographer
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Trenton | NJ | USA | Posted: 10:53 PM on 10.15.07 |
->> screw you chuck,
I'm on my third M3 and none have performed well in auto focus. If its user error, how do you account for the comments of posters who had problems and sent camera to canon for adjustment and are now ok. Did they suddenly learn how to us the camera?
PS. your latest shots, which I assume were with the M3 are crap. Perhaps you don't know what a sharp image should look like!! |
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Chuck Liddy, Photographer
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Durham | NC | USA | Posted: 11:21 PM on 10.15.07 |
| ->> thanks for your input jim. ....so I guess I shouldn't count on you for any personal references heh? |
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Jack Kurtz, Photographer
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Phoenix | AZ | United States | Posted: 12:43 AM on 10.16.07 |
->> Chuck,
I like 'em. Especially the dog watching the pool game. :)
jack |
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