Well, I just got My Mark IV upgraded to the latest firmware 1.0.6 form 1.0.4 and I’ve noticed a serious problem. After extensive use on Sunday I can say camera will not focus the way it did before the upgrade…..not even close

We had three Mark IV on the deck yesterday shooting Bald Eagles, all three with the same lens (EF500 f/4) *, and all with new firmware. Camera will not focus fast enough, in most cases won’t even lock on the subject and most of the shots with achieved focus are out of focus…something is seriously wrong. There is always a possibility that all this could have been due to an “user error” but having three identical setups operated by three different guys I really doubt it.
Now I need to find somewhere the old firmware and put it back


* Just to clarify, there were three cameras 1D Mark IV and three Lenses EF 500 f/4

An isolated problem or...

Not really sure but I’m very disappointed

Spider wrote:
Well, I just got My Mark IV upgraded to the latest firmware 1.0.6 form 1.0.4 and I’ve noticed a serious problem. After extensive use on Sunday I can say camera will not focus the way it did before the upgrade…..not even close

We had three Mark IV on the deck yesterday shooting Bald Eagles, all three with the same lens (EF500 f/4) and all with new firmware. Camera will not focus fast enough, in most cases won’t even lock on the subject and most of the shots with achieved focus are out of focus…something is seriously wrong. There is always a possibility that all this could have been due to an “user error” but having three identical setups operated by three different guys I really doubt it.
Now I need to find somewhere the old firmware and put it back


Just to make double-darn sure I'm reading/interpreting your sentence correctly ... you used "one" 500 f/4 on three bodies with upgraded firmware and wound up with unacceptable AF results, right? "If" my interpretation is correct why do you think the AF problem is due to three camera bodies (as versus the one lens)?

One more question ... are you talking about static, dynamic, or both types of targets, thanks?

Regards,

Joe Kurkjian

jkurkjia wrote:
Spider wrote:
Well, I just got My Mark IV upgraded to the latest firmware 1.0.6 form 1.0.4 and I’ve noticed a serious problem. After extensive use on Sunday I can say camera will not focus the way it did before the upgrade…..not even close

We had three Mark IV on the deck yesterday shooting Bald Eagles, all three with the same lens (EF500 f/4) and all with new firmware. Camera will not focus fast enough, in most cases won’t even lock on the subject and most of the shots with achieved focus are out of focus…something is seriously wrong. There is always a possibility that all this could have been due to an “user error” but having three identical setups operated by three different guys I really doubt it.
Now I need to find somewhere the old firmware and put it back


Just to make double-darn sure I'm reading/interpreting your sentence correctly ... you used "one" 500 f/4 on three bodies with upgraded firmware and wound up with unacceptable AF results, right? "If" my interpretation is correct why do you think the AF problem is due to three camera bodies (as versus the one lens)?

One more question ... are you talking about static, dynamic, or both types of targets, thanks?

Regards,

Joe Kurkjian




Joe,
No, we used three bodies with upgraded firmware and "three" (not "one") lenses and the subjects were dynamic

Spider wrote:
No, we used three bodies with upgraded firmware and "three" (not "one") lenses and the subjects were dynamic


Okay, I now understand your concern. Thanks for the clarification; it's much appreciated.

Regards,

Joe

Have you looked at your CF settings are all 3 mk4's set up identical. Try resetting the camera.

Andy

ifxbonz wrote:
Have you looked at your CF settings are all 3 mk4's set up identical. Try resetting the camera.

Andy


Well, We’ve tried everything.....same setting, different setting and nothing worked like it did before

That's certainly bad news...

fraga wrote:
That's certainly bad news...
I know...... i don't want to start anything but this isn't working for me

Can't you get and install the former firmware again?

fraga wrote:
Can't you get and install the former firmware again?

I just got off the phone with Canon and I was told NO. They want me to send the camera in....

Maybe before you send it back, you could try to reinstall the new firmware. Maybe there was an error in your download or the upload to your camera. Worth a shot as it will only take a minute or two.

i don't want to start anything but this isn't working for me

I know it's only real early on 2010 but that's gotta be the understatement of the year so far

Best of luck resolving this !

Understatement or not, if the firmware is indeed the culprit then I would say the man has every right to be upset.

I would say the man has every right to be upset

I'm not suggesting he shouldn't be - I hope he sorts it out !

I don't shoot BIF, but my AF worked magically at the wedding I shot Saturday. AIservo performed much better than my markIII, which wasn't bad.

I have the latest 1.0.6 installed. I haven't shot any sports since the upgrade, so I hope this is an isolated case. Keep us posted on your findings...

Oh just send it in and now you are without a camera for about 7 days when the damn thing should be perfect for the price they charge!

I hesitate to post because I know that I'm inviting an attack for attempting to stop an internet panic. But I'll point out a few things anyway.

First, according to the report that I got from someone who was there with you guys is that there were two of you there who were saying that you had problems with the 1D Mark IV and the new firmware, not 3.

Next, my guess is that, throughout the country yesterday, there were people shooting NBA games, NHL games, and all kinds of sports and other action with their 1D Mark IVs and the new firmware, and I'd guess that, with the internet being what it is, there would already be a firestorm on the internet if there was a genuine problem with the firmware.

I'd also guess that, after going through the 1D Mark III ordeal, Canon would be testing any new firmware especially thoroughly before releasing it.

Additionally, my 1D Mark IV is focusing superbly with 1.0.6, and that includes servo action.

So, putting all of this together, I suggest that there is the possibility that something else is going on other than a problem with the firmware.

Les Zigurski

Yes keep us posted! I do shoot BIF and use AI Servo allot. Havenot shot since latest firmware upgrade though.
Good luck! Best send it in to be safe. It is under warranty and I know it is a royal pain, been there done that, but for $5k let them woryy.
Again, good luck and keeps us all posted!
Dan

ADDENDUM: The above poster, Les, is a premier BIF shooter. Take his words to heart!
We miss him here on FM for his wonderful images and his expertise!