Personally I can't see why using the AF-ON or * would cause a problem on Henry's 1D3, if the body has a focus problem it will have a focus regardless of how AF is actually started.
Dvarnav, I like separating the focussing and exposing off to the * or AF-ON button since I find it more comfortable to shoot action stuff this way, the shutter button I use only to trigger the shutter.
I guess it is just practice and your own style of shooting. When I photograph rugby I pretty much have the AF-ON or * button depressed for most of the game. My right thumb on the AF-ON and my left hand on top of the 400mm makes it quite comfortable to turn the camera/lens quickly and accurately, track moving targets etc.,
When I first discovered it, I thought the same as you but since then have always used it, unless I am in a studio then I revert to the shutter button for everything.
Alistair:Your point is very usefull to me I will try it again and I would express the touch with that aproach.
The best way that R&D Canon should have worked should be as follows
1. Check the defective cameras that Robert G. did send them to Canon
2. Compare the shoots made from defective cameras to those that are not fixed (any fix old + new+beta firmware etc) find out what is the real trouble maker and then resume the whole situation by repeating the error.
3. Remove the temprature conditions as a troublemaker or make a real proof that how temperatures over a certain degree could make Ai focus problems.
4. Finally and after giving the final fix to VIP testers to check it for one week then make the announcement.
If that is so painfull for an one year product I have to remind to Canon that EOS1 (D-Ds) is now the flasgship product and it should be the flagship performance technology of all the Canon's product.
Red, I was referring to the original problem with the M8 involving the lack of an IR filter on the sensor. Were you not aware of that issue? The new announcement regarding the M8 is styled an "upgrade" and carries a stiff fee, when in fact it appears to be designed to eliminate vibrations caused by what might be considered a defective shutter. Would you prefer Canon's response to be, "Send in your Mark III for an expensive upgrade, and we will fix the problems with your AF?" It's hard to imagine that would be more well received than repairing the problem under warranty.
Brent Ward wrote:
That's the lamest excuse I've ever heard. People have been using the * to focus for years with no issues.
That's because there didn't use to be the AF-ON button.
I don't use * any more, I use AF-ON. I doubt it makes a difference. But were I having issues with AF, I'd certainly *try* using AF-ON instead of * just to see.
DavidP wrote:
That's because there didn't use to be the AF-ON button.
I don't use * any more, I use AF-ON. I doubt it makes a difference. But were I having issues with AF, I'd certainly *try* using AF-ON instead of * just to see.
Welllllllllllllllllll... it seems that they don't think you can use any of the back focus buttons. When I asked why they would put them there if you weren't supposed to use them, the response was "I don't have the camera I am just telling you what I have been told." It will be interesting as I have a phone appointment with the "senior tech" who came up with this brain fart tonight at 6:30 so I can't wait to hear his/her explanation.
For those who use the * for AF on older 1 Series cameras, Canon included a CF to swap the function of the AF-On and the * buttons on the MKIII. If for what ever reason, this is not working correctly, Canon should say so in some public forum. If the AF-On button can not be used for focus, that is an even bigger issue. That is like saying the shutter release can not be used to take a picture. As David pointed out, I would try to use the AF-On and the shutter release to start AF just so I could tell Canon, I have tried every way I know and the problem doesn't change.
Henry, I believe you are beating your head on a wall with this group of "techs". You need to talk to someone in the Engineering group.
dvarnav wrote:
Alistair I just cant figure how its easier to use two fingers instead one finger for a quick shot
I also started using it to keep track of focus. I would find myself lifting my finger all the way off the shutter button in a burst and that would stop focus momentarily. Then when I pushed back down it would have to re acquire lock and start shooting again. With the * pushed and firing then stop and start again it has been tracking all along.
mill4570 wrote:
For those who use the * for AF on older 1 Series cameras, Canon included a CF to swap the function of the AF-On and the * buttons on the MKIII. If for what ever reason, this is not working correctly, Canon should say so in some public forum. If the AF-On button can not be used for focus, that is an even bigger issue. That is like saying the shutter release can not be used to take a picture. As David pointed out, I would try to use the AF-On and the shutter release to start AF just so I could tell Canon, I have tried every way I know and the problem doesn't change.
Henry, I believe you are beating your head on a wall with this group of "techs". You need to talk to someone in the Engineering group.
I have experimented with all three methods on my MK III in AI Servo. *, AF on, and shutter button each one works identically to the other and there is no difference in focus acquisition or tracking. I find the back buttons much easier for Servo therefore I have it set to the * button. So In my opinion this is not the cause of any focus issues.
Bruce Sawle wrote:
I have experimented with all three methods on my MK III in AI Servo. *, AF on, and shutter button each one works identically to the other and there is no difference in focus acquisition or tracking. I find the back buttons much easier for Servo therefore I have it set to the * button. So In my opinion this is not the cause of any focus issues.
I'm sure it isn't. They're just being stupid at this point.
dvarnav wrote:
Alistair I just cant figure how its easier to use two fingers instead one finger for a quick shot
It is useful for metering with one button and focusing with the other separately. Also allows you to lock focus...let go and then press shutter when you want, instead of it always reacquiring focus every time you half press the shutter button.
BTW: Been using * and/or AF-On for years... Working fine on my MKIII.
Holy ......!!
I got my III back in mid January. It was better, but I've not been totally confident in the fix, and I thought it should have been better, yet. Never did come close to my old-I-wish-I still-owned MarkIIN!
I've seen where people use the live view and manual focus, and that works great! But at $4500, and "the best auto focus camera in the world", one shouldn't have to manually focus to get it right!!
I wonder when
Alistair Watson wrote:
Only after you have bought it and told me it is ok!
Let's try to look on the bright side here. If Canon is as slow getting out this fix as it was the sub mirror repair and they extend the warranty again, you won't have to pay for a repair until 2010.
