Daan B Offline Image Upload: Off
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p.1 #14 · 1Ds3 AF: learning to understand how it works | |
kdphotography wrote:
Thanks for the quick work and analysis, Daan B. I do agree with you for the most part----and in short, this has been my experience with shooting the 1DS Mark III for the past six months in a variety of conditions.
Any focus issues that I've seen have involved "contrast" situations. It is NOT a microadjustment issue with Canon lenses (at least not with mine), but rather the ability of the camera AF system to consistently lock focus where I want it to.
And to be sure, the Canon 5D is simply "easier" to use, and I liken it to a point and shoot for the pro. The 1Ds Mark III is more complex less forgiving camera, and demands that you know it well to consistently produce great images. In studio my Mark III has performed flawlessly. Only on location in difficult light "contrast" situations have I experienced issues. I won't go so far to say that some Mark III camera bodies don't have focus issues, but I will go so far to say that many oof issues can also be attributed to unfamiliarity with the characteristics of the Mark III.
I recently returned from Alaska shooting only with the 1Ds Mark III. The Mark III was subjected to many difficult light situations, particularly while shooting the brown bears in Katmai. It was a learning experience to be sure. I was troubled by "focusing issues" having only about a 50% keeper rate. But in retrospect, considering how and what I was shooting at the time, the in focus rate was probably similar to other cameras I have shot. And now knowing (and learning) subsequently how this camera handles, I am confident that my keeper rate for in-focus shots from the Mark III will climb dramatically. It remains the best DSLR I have used.
It is knowing the characteristics of a particular camera, whether advantageous or a shortcoming, that allows me to react and still produce a great image.
You can see some of my Alaska images, both 5D (2007) and 1Ds Mark III (2008) at www.houseoflandscapes.com
ken
Ken, thanks for confirming my findings. It is good to know you also experience a difference between the 5D and 1Ds3 regarding AF. I agree with you that the 1Ds3 is a though beast to tame (my own words). But IMO it is worth the effort, because the files are so nice 
Instead of bashing the mkIII AF, maybe it is time to accept its strong and weak points and learn how to deal with them. At least, this was the intention of my post. I am glad you feel the same way 
BTW Those bear images are wonderful!
Edited on Aug 14, 2008 at 09:11 PM
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