I'm really impressed that Rob did publish this critical report at the expense of possibly ruffling some feathers at Canon. His report saved me $4495+. I've been holding off on purchasing the new MkIII until I could find an unbiased opinion like his that confirmed my fears. I'll be sticking to my 1DMkI which does an excellent job.
Rob put the consumer ahead of the manufacturer, and I really respect him for that.
Hopefully Canon can address the issues Rob addressed. Until they do, I'm certainly not spending $4495 on the premier sports shooting camera that cant autofocus worth a darn. LIke I'm going to buy the MarkIII for stills and portraits. That's why I have a pair of 5Ds.
I'm really impressed that Rob did publish this critical report at the expense of possibly ruffling some feathers at Canon. His report saved me $4495+. I've been holding off on purchasing the new MkIII until I could find an unbiased opinion like his that confirmed my fears. I'll be sticking to my 1DMkI which does an excellent job.
Oh, ouch. Glad circumstances are forcing me to wait on this purchase already.
The ONE BIG reason I was considering the DIII WAS it's better focusability, makes me hesitant to laying out the cash for a new camera.
Thanks for the report Gary!
I trust Canon will solve new technology issues every time for the good news.
There comments on the Auto focusing abilities of the MK III all sounded positive. They all mentioned that the AF seemed much better than the MK II and IIn. My belief is if there is an issue hopefully Canon will be able to fix it with a firm ware upgrade. My initial observation is that like anything new it may take us awhile to dial in the proper settings each of us will need to be effective in what were shooting. The AF is very sensitive and everyone may need to spend a little more time dialing in there custom functions and practicing with the new focusing system.
I personally have not had any issues with the AF although I have not shot in high heat or overly bright sun as of yet. I will test this when I am in NY this week.
I hope Canon fixes these issues within the next month or so. Mine is off at Canon right now because with over half a dozen lenses I could barely get a single static subject in focus, at focal lengths of 16mm all the way to 300mm.
Man I just used mine for a soccer tournament this weekend with my D2 as my second and it was night and day difference. This thing is fast... Once I get it dialed in, shutter speed, focus grab and a few others it will be sweet.
Mine is 'Out for Delivery' maybe I should refuse it. NOT!!
Even if it has issues and I have to send it back for repair, this is still the camera I want ,so no point in waiting longer!. Hurry up BIg Brown truck!!
Wickedfn4u wrote:
My thought is.. there are those standing on the sideline waiting and worrying and those on the sideline taking pictures. I am glad I am the latter
Wickedfn4u wrote:
My thought is.. there are those standing on the sideline waiting and worrying and those on the sideline taking pictures. I am glad I am the latter
I don't have a MKIII and I am not on the sideline. I use my MKII every weekend to shoot equestrian events and it does a great job. For me to spend $4495 to upgrade to a camera that may or may not be able to focus as well as my MKII is just plain stupid.
Just as you are glad, I am sure Canon is just as glad that there are consumers out there willing to gamble $4495 on camera that may or may not be able to autofocus in bright sunlight.
Edited by Todd_Brown on Jun 19, 2007 at 10:52 PM GMT
Now this is getting ridiculous as if Canon's going to leave there reputation to us and leave a new model with such unfixable flaw that's part hear say.
But if no one gambled, all of those cameras, along with the MkIIN, MkII, 1D, etc. would still be sitting on the shelves.
Anyway- all this made me think about something.
Rob's article mentioned the variation of the serial #: But, the camera has TONS of parts, which are not made at the same time, and probably not in the same place.
The AF uses it's own CMOS sensor. It is not the same as the IIn's sensor. Maybe there were a bad batch of the AF sensors. Granted, that's not good, but it can be fixed easily but via hardware. And the bodies could have serial #s all over the place because the sensor chips are probably built at another plant and who knows - maybe they're producing more for the 1DsMkIII - and so this bad batch got sent in various levels of serial #s.
PrecisionPhoto wrote:
Now this is getting ridiculous as if Canon's going to leave there reputation to us and leave a new model with such unfixable flaw that's part hear say.
Well, Canon certainly knew about the problem in the preproduction models and certainly knows about it now. If and when they choose to do anything about it (i.e. acknowledge that there is a problem), is anybody's guess. The below was taken from the Galbraith article:
"Q. Have you talked to Canon about this?
We've been in touch with both Canon USA and Canon Canada to pass on a shorter version of what you're reading here. We've also shipped to Canon a large batch of EOS-1D Mark III and EOS-1D Mark II N files that demonstrate everything described in this article.
Will Canon fix the problems? Can Canon fix the problems?
We can't speak for Canon and don't want to speculate about whether or if they can fix what we think isn't right about EOS-1D Mark III autofocus. Here's what we can say: The EOS-1D Mark III's designers obviously developed it with the sincere belief that its autofocus system was as good or better than anything they've done before, and the EOS-1D Mark III has only been in the hands of paying customers for a few weeks as this is being written. Therefore, if there is to be a solution to these autofocus problems, the only thing that's certain is that these are the early days of that process. Whether the end result is an EOS-1D Mark III hardware revamp, firmware update or no change at all, we don't know.
It is not a gamble, it is a purchase. If there was no warranty or service that would be different. I would guess you have taken a car in for service or warranty repair and something failing on a car can be far more dangerous than an oof picture. If you had no intention to upgrade that comment was not for you, it was more for the hand ringers. Buy the camera if you want or need and if there is a problem canon will stand behind it.
I certainly agree that Canon will address the issue if and when they acknowledge it. The only part that worries me a little is if they can be convinced it exists. Rob G makes a great case for it.
I don't have a MKIII and I am not on the sideline. I use my MKII every weekend to shoot equestrian events and it does a great job. For me to spend $4495 to upgrade to a camera that may or may not be able to focus as well as my MKII is just plain stupid. 
