40D AF Disappointment

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Archive 2007 · 40D AF Disappointment

geniousc
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p.3 #1 · 40D AF Disappointment

Interesting, this being discussed in a few posts at Dpreview also.
Myself, experiencing this in distant birds in flight. It's very sensitive, and I do get more keepers with my 20D.

As far as I know everyone with 20D's was complaining about the dreadful focusing accuracy and was asking for better focusing in the next model. The obvious way to get it is cross sensors and more gain. The next step would be to buy an available 1D3 or used 2. Canon gave us exactly what we asked
for :-). I am extremely pleased with the focusing accuracy of my body on static shots but have not used it for BIF. Next week I'll give it a go, if I like my 1D2 better, that's what it will be. You can't have everything, I think there is a learning curve to this camera like anything else either that or operate it on almost dead batteries possibly :-).

Oct 06, 2007 at 06:27 PM

monochrome
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p.3 #2 · 40D AF Disappointment

Alan321 wrote:

So far they have had my 40D for almost 3 weeks and my 1Ds2 for just over 5 weeks. Neither is ready yet but my dealer is trying to speed things up for me. My 1D2 took two months plus a week and my 100-400 lens took three months less a week. Both of those work far better after the service than they did before, so I know the problems were not just my imagination or my technique. The 1Ds2 had exactly the same symptoms as the 1D2 had so at least I'm confident that it can be fixed. Previously I had a 28-135 serviced and it took about three months but that was by a local repair centre and not Canon proper. Still, my average Canon turn-around time over the past year is two and half months for pro-grade gear, and four weeks plus for the uncompleted jobs. I suspect they need a few more technicians

I also suspect that there are too many CPS members jumping the service queue. My gear cost just as much but is not as important.

- Alan

Wow, I feel for you, I can't imagine having to wait that long.

Oct 06, 2007 at 07:02 PM

geniousc
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p.3 #3 · 40D AF Disappointment

I'll suggest trying the following...
Disable AF button. Shoot AF center point, AF Servo, * button for AF, and it'll track
just fine w/wo TC's.

CF IV-1-2 may be a better choice for BIF although I haven't tried it

. All CF IV-2 does is switch position of the * button and focus on buttons, nothing more. The AF focus on button is already there and functional for that purpose. I don't see much advantage in switching the buttons unless you have short thumbs maybe

.

gene

Oct 06, 2007 at 07:53 PM

trenchmonkey
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p.3 #4 · 40D AF Disappointment

geniousc wrote:
I'll suggest trying the following...
Disable AF button. Shoot AF center point, AF Servo, * button for AF, and it'll track
just fine w/wo TC's.

CF IV-1-2 may be a better choice for BIF although I haven't tried it

.

gene
Well.....the 'monkey does have opposable thumbs (big and fat as they may be)
and I like ALL the body's I shoot with to feel the same. The AF ON button's a freakin' joke,
if Canon wanted to really do something trick it would be a dedicated MLU. The
proof's in the BIF keepers, I'll shoot what works for me thank you very much!

Oct 06, 2007 at 11:15 PM

Liscia
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p.3 #5 · 40D AF Disappointment

I've switched mine too Trenchmonkey - feels just like my
30D now. I had to keep hunting for the AF On Button in it's
little fingerwell and it would slow me up but not anymore.
I'm glad Canon included AF On Button but they should have
made it the same size as the other two if not larger but swapping
them solves the problem.

Lucio I'm sorry for your troubles and maybe you should send
it in to Canon if you're sure it's nothing to do with possible
mis-setting of those myriad menu/function variations.

Oct 07, 2007 at 12:24 AM

geniousc
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p.3 #6 · 40D AF Disappointment

if Canon wanted to really do something trick it would be a dedicated MLU

They have already done it. Just make all of the settings that you want to use for MLU and assign it to C3. Switch to C3 and you're ready to go with MLU instantly. I assigned MLU setting to C3 and Live view settings to C2, try it!

I don't consider the focus button a joke, I have mine set to go from single shot AF to Servo mode when depressed. I also assigned the button to push button AF in live view mode, a worthwhile add on in my book

. A nice feature in fact!

Oct 07, 2007 at 12:37 AM

aladyforty
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p.3 #7 · 40D AF Disappointment

geniousc wrote:
Sure sounds like a troll to me!!!

Why is it that if anyone criticises a canon camera they are accused of being a troll on these forums? Is this the same with the Nikon thread? I would hate to buy the 40D as an upgrade to my 30D and have a genuine problem and look for info in here. However it is nice to see that there are people who are prepared to read and help with issues

Oct 07, 2007 at 02:12 AM

geniousc
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p.3 #8 · 40D AF Disappointment

aladyforty wrote:
geniousc wrote:
Sure sounds like a troll to me!!!

Why is it that if anyone criticises a canon camera they are accused of being a troll on these forums? Is this the same with the Nikon thread? I would hate to buy the 40D as an upgrade to my 30D and have a genuine problem and look for info in here. However it is nice to see that there are people who are prepared to read and help with issues

FYI, I have apologized for this remark in the thread and in a PM. You may want to read the reply below

.

After checking the OP's website, I have to eat some crow. He is a skilled photographer who is well qualified to complain about his camera.

Oct 07, 2007 at 02:29 AM

aladyforty
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p.3 #9 · 40D AF Disappointment

geniousc wrote:
aladyforty wrote:
geniousc wrote:
Sure sounds like a troll to me!!!

Why is it that if anyone criticises a canon camera they are accused of being a troll on these forums? Is this the same with the Nikon thread? I would hate to buy the 40D as an upgrade to my 30D and have a genuine problem and look for info in here. However it is nice to see that there are people who are prepared to read and help with issues

FYI, I have apologized for this remark in the thread and in a PM. You may want to read the thread

.

fair enough, i must have missed it. I have noticed this trend though over the last few weeks in some threads. Im not sure if there are people who just put in complaints about various cameras just for a stir or not. I would like to think Im right in thinking that maybe no-one does this but I guess I am wrong. my attitude is why would anyone bother to complain about a camera just to make it look bad? whats in it for them?

Oct 07, 2007 at 02:37 AM

therock
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p.3 #10 · 40D AF Disappointment

I had a problem with purple today it drove me nuts as the matte black top on my bird feeder looked bluish purple. I reset all camera settings to factory. Deleted the three picture styles I got from Canon and it went away. I then reset it up the way I had it and it did not return.

I love this the 40D over the 20D I had though.

Oct 07, 2007 at 02:38 AM

elader
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p.3 #11 · 40D AF Disappointment

I wasn't around when the 20D was introduced. Did it have the same distribution of people with/without problems??

I shot a whole bunch of crappy marching band pictures tonight, but they were with the 70-200IS f/4 and 1.4X converter at ISO 800-3200, so I cant honestly say it was the cameras fault at f/5.6 in dim light. it seemed to focus fine, but the combo of the converter and sio 3200 is not great for pixel peeping.

Oct 07, 2007 at 02:45 AM

AJay
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p.3 #12 · 40D AF Disappointment

I have had great success using the 40D with the Canon 400mm f/5.6, 500 f/4 IS and the 600mm f/4 IS lenses for birds-in-flight. I had a Mark III and after my second one began getting ERROR 99's, I returned it and bought two 40D's.

I have written a comparison of both cameras for birds-in-flight photography. Here is a link to my article:

http://iwishicouldfly.com/iwishicouldfly/journal/html/093007.html

My only negative comments regarding the AI Servo mode on the 40D has to do with the smaller focus points and that the tracking sensitivity isn't adjustable as on the Mark III. Other than that, I'm very glad I returned the Mark III.

Alan

Oct 12, 2007 at 11:16 AM

Sam_S
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p.3 #13 · 40D AF Disappointment

I shot military jets yesterday and I had an great keeper rate. The keeper rate was up there with the 1DII. Those that were out of focus was due to user error. I wouldn't be complaining.

Though I noticed that the white balance likes to varie...

Oct 12, 2007 at 11:36 AM

DLP
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p.3 #14 · 40D AF Disappointment

trenchmonkey wrote:
Locks on like a 'monkey on a cupcake.

Oct 12, 2007 at 12:03 PM

george malamis
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p.3 #15 · 40D AF Disappointment

I have to say that I have been really impressed with my 40D's auto focus so far,

Oct 12, 2007 at 12:06 PM

Alistair Watson
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p.3 #16 · 40D AF Disappointment

monochrome wrote:
Wow, I feel for you, I can't imagine having to wait that long.

Wow, Canon down under mustn't be very good! I drove 9 lenses and 2 bodies down to Canon UK this Monday morning, the tech started work on Tuesday morning and finished doing a service, clean and calibration on each bit of kit by end of Wednesday. The gear is on it's way back to me now... actually come to think of it where the hell is that damn brown van?!!!

I guess CPS does have some benefits.....

Oct 12, 2007 at 12:14 PM

Yohan Pamudji
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p.3 #17 · 40D AF Disappointment

AJay wrote:My only negative comments regarding the AI Servo mode on the 40D has to do with the smaller focus points... as on the Mark III.

In case you didn't know, on the 40D the actual AF sensors extend well beyond the boxes shown in the viewfinder. Whether the AF sensors are bigger or smaller than the ones on the 1DIII I have no idea, but they're not tiny. In fact, some have speculated that the bigger AF sensors (compared to viewfinder size) of the xxD series contribute to many of the AF problems reported for these cameras. I have seen nothing that suggests that the 40D AF sensors have gotten any smaller, but that's not conclusive.

Oct 12, 2007 at 04:52 PM

akovacsi
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p.3 #18 · 40D AF Disappointment

redman wrote:
Lucio Gomes wrote:

I totally understand that a 40D is not a MkIIn; but all the talk about the "greatly improved AF"
was what enticed me to buy this camera. That, along with the higher frame rate, made me think that I could "replace" the MkIIn with the 40D, and save my money to get the new "6D" to finally have a full-frame camera.
Maybe I am a little sloppy in my technique, having had the benefit of AF tracking sensitivity
and focusing point expansion of the 1D series I don't need to be ON the subject all the time.

Not to be rude, but......

You said it yourself in this quote, The 40D IS NOT a MKIIN AF-Wise or any other 1 series camera for that matter. I read this over and over on this forum. 1 series bodies have a superior AF and you have to pony up for it.

Well, not to be rude, but I totally disagree with this.

Does it mean that a Canon non-1 series should not or cannot have a great AF system? I mean, at $1200 or so US, why should not the 40D have an outstanding AF? Nikon's middle of the road D300 for example will have an AF which will be years ahead of Canon's comparable bodies...

I really hate the way Canon gives just a little improvement in their bodies over time. They should give it all their best! Damn it!

Oct 12, 2007 at 05:01 PM

Rune Soerensen
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p.3 #19 · 40D AF Disappointment

As has been said: The 40D is NOT a 1D, if you need your camera for demanding and precision work, then the 1D is what you need, not the prosumer models. Well, in my opinion anyway.

Second, you just got the 40D - give it time, get used to it. All new equimpment, even another copy of the same model, will behave diffrently than what you are used to in my experience.

And welcome.

Oct 12, 2007 at 05:07 PM

Rune Soerensen
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p.3 #20 · 40D AF Disappointment

Oct 12, 2007 at 05:07 PM

Alan321
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p.3 #21 · 40D AF Disappointment

Previously in this thread I had mentioned that my 1Ds2 was being serviced. I got it back from Canon this week after about 5 1/2 weeks. That makes it the quickest service experience I have had so far with Canon. I've been too busy to test it thoroughly but will do so and report back in a new thread next week. No sign of my 40D yet.

- Alan

Oct 12, 2007 at 05:28 PM

therock
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p.3 #22 · 40D AF Disappointment

5 & 1/2 Weeks?!

I've sent a 20D, 17-55 2.8 IS, 70-200 2.8 IS, all of which they claim needed work and got them back in 10 days. Mercy!

Your scaring me. They have my 40D right now.

Oct 12, 2007 at 05:40 PM

ragna
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p.3 #23 · 40D AF Disappointment

AJAY just read your write up of the Mk3 and 40D very informative.Thanks Graham.

Oct 12, 2007 at 10:09 PM

timbop
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p.3 #24 · 40D AF Disappointment

geniousc wrote:
I don't consider the focus button a joke, I have mine set to go from single shot AF to Servo mode when depressed. I also assigned the button to push button AF in live view mode, a worthwhile add on in my book

. A nice feature in fact!

That's fantastic; exactly what I have been looking for. What is the custom function for this?

Oct 13, 2007 at 01:22 AM

AJay
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p.3 #25 · 40D AF Disappointment

Yohan,

That has not been my experience. I tested this as soon as I had the camera in my hands. I panned the camera away from a focused object and as soon as the camera moved off of the center focus point, the focus shifted.

It's an easy test to perform. I will try it again, but my experience has shown that the focus area is not at all much bigger than the red square found in the viewfinder.

Alan

Yohan Pamudji wrote:
AJay wrote:My only negative comments regarding the AI Servo mode on the 40D has to do with the smaller focus points... as on the Mark III.

In case you didn't know, on the 40D the actual AF sensors extend well beyond the boxes shown in the viewfinder. Whether the AF sensors are bigger or smaller than the ones on the 1DIII I have no idea, but they're not tiny. In fact, some have speculated that the bigger AF sensors (compared to viewfinder size) of the xxD series contribute to many of the AF problems reported for these cameras. I have seen nothing that suggests that the 40D AF sensors have gotten any smaller, but that's not conclusive.

Oct 13, 2007 at 01:40 AM


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