Well, this certainly explains why there's no new Mark IV series. Canon is still working on products they developed and started selling over 2 years ago...
Baring any unforeseen difficulties, I'm sure they'll have this worked out by 2011 or 2012.
I actually had a problem similar to this last weekend. I was using the top focus point for portraits in servo and my camra focused at the center instead. I dont blame the camera. It was my fault for not being in one shot mode. The camera focused on the basketball the kids were holding instead of their eyes. Switched to one shot and was fine.my mark 3 focus is awesome for sports. I usually always use center point only though.
Yikes... For users in Japan, they say they'll start the free checks on March 10. I'm tempted to go down to my Canon service center and take some pictures if there's much of a crowd. Or just get the free check if there's no crowd. I haven't had much trouble, but then again, I only use the center AF point and one-shot mode because that has been the most reliable for what I've been shooting (baseball). This is disappointing.
I mainly use the center points on the 1DsMk3 so I wouldn't have noticed any problem. This must relate to the latest production since the majority of cameras seem to be nailing the focus after the last round fooling around with adjustments. It would seem that Canon needs to go back to some of their old film cameras like the A2E and pull the darn eye control focus unit that actually worked. This is more than hard to believe.
Alistair Watson wrote:
Anyway, I am done with Canon and the Mark 3. Just awaiting delivery information for my D3x, D3 and lenses and then no more Canon gear.
But you have a working copy of the 1D Mk III. Why go to Nikon?
"Last week I sent my 1Ds3 and 24-105 into Irvine for a cleaning and lens calibration since it was still under warranty. I got them back today and the repair on the camera says--
"We have examined the product according to your request and it was found that the AF assembly was inoperative causing soft focus. Electrical adjustments were carried out on the AF assembly. Other electrical adjustments and inspection and cleaning were carried out."
The funny thing is, i never really noticed any AF problems over the last few months.Although I have been using MF lenses primarily.
The lens report said the mechanical chassis was incorrect causing rear focus.
Never noticed a problem with the lens either,, guess ignorance is bliss "
Oh, man!!! I just had mine in for service in January. I wonder if they addressed this then? I'd hate to have to send it in again! Being in the middle of the US, it's so not convenient and is always gone for 3-4 weeks!
I use mainly center point, or all points, and single shot, for landscape photography, so it may not be needed. But, still, another black mark, and adds temptation to move to Nikon.
Sweet.........a dedicated manual for MkIII AF Servo function.
Hold on, where is the One shot AF manual ?
While it is commendable that Canon is still trying to work out MkIII series design bugs and glitches, there is one concern here: the Mk IV may not be out for a while, and even when it does come out, it may take a long time until sufficient operating feedback is accumulated.
Oh well, there is still a good supply of used 1DMkIIN's out there, and their prices have been declining, which is very fortunate because it doesn't look I'll be buying a new 1 series camera any time soon.
Oh the sweet irony of it all. We've been bashed and bashed and bashed by people suggesting we don't know how to use our cameras and in comes this...
Well, the good thing is: finally the 1D3 might become the camera it always was supposed to be. That would certainly be nice to say the least. Now the only question is: should I wait for just a bit until they have the updating process all sorted out or should I wait for a few weeks. I'm tempted to opt for the latter - I'm not too fond of being first in line with Canon anymore
Alistair, sad to see you leave to the 'dark side'! You're not the first I'm afraid... Keep in touch!
Alistair Watson wrote:
Anyway, I am done with Canon and the Mark 3. Just awaiting delivery information for my D3x, D3 and lenses and then no more Canon gear.
Yakim Peled wrote:
But you have a working copy of the 1D Mk III. Why go to Nikon?
Happy shooting,
Yakim.
Yakim, sure mine works but I still get a huge amount of wasted frames when shooting bursts, frames that should be in focus in my opinion.
Anyway, a failed shutter and damaged sensor in my old and last 1D2N which is uneconomical to repair caused me to look for a new second body, which needs to be a 1D series. I don't really want another 1D3 as I never trusted it like my 1D2Ns, though it does have many advantages. There is no sign of a 1D4 and even if there were I would be loathe to be first in line for one given my experience on the bleeding edge with the 1D3, which puts my upgrade path at 9 months +.
Borrowed and tested both the D3 and D3x and really liked the results. AF tracking is simply superb. While I had never considered a move to Nikon before, primarily for financial reasons, the huge increase in Canon new prices in the UK have also resulted in quite a dramatic increase in used white lens prices.
So in conclusion, I really like the Nikon and also the price is right.
I just had mine in for service in January. I wonder if they addressed this then? I'd hate to have to send it in again! Being in the middle of the US, it's so not convenient and is always gone for 3-4 weeks! 
