Just received a call from my Canon rep, gave me a phone number that they set up just for the M3 focusing problems. He said that the people answering the line would ask to email sample images of the problems. I have not called them yet, he said they need the camera in hand when you call, but I'm at work, rep also said that the people on the Canon tech line could help set up the camera to function just like a Mark 2, well my response to that was "the mark 3 was sold to be a superior focusing camera why would I do that?
I've done some micro-af, but the problem seems to be focus inconsistencies rather than constant front focusing - it's just by chance that all those images show front focus, as I have a load that exhibit back focus too.
Couple that with the fact that my 24-70 is pretty much perfect with my 1D2N...
Our lenses work great with our M2's but had to be adjusted with the M3's
Seems weird to me too.
Kier wrote:
I've done some micro-af, but the problem seems to be focus inconsistencies rather than constant front focusing - it's just by chance that all those images show front focus, as I have a load that exhibit back focus too.
Couple that with the fact that my 24-70 is pretty much perfect with my 1D2N...
72chevelle454 wroterep also said that the people on the Canon tech line could help set up the camera to function just like a Mark 2, well my response to that was "the mark 3 was sold to be a superior focusing camera why would I do that?
Maybe they meant the settings for correct focusing ;-)
Seriously, it would be very interesting to get the settings which would make mk3 to act like mk2..
That does not tell how to set mk3 to act like mk2 focus wise. Remember that mk3 has more settings than mk2.
(I have doubts that there are no settings to fix the problems. I just hope Canon's AF system is programmable enough so that it can be fixed with firmware update later)
I called the number and the guy (jason) said to me that they are in the same boat as us waiting to hear from Canon Japan on the findings. He said they have tried tests on there own with the cameras but Japan is doing more detailed testing. He suggested some CF changes but none that I have not already tried and none that would have helped soft images I have gotten in one shot mode.
III 2 - Slow not half way but SLOW funny thing is Ron (brother) called and they said FAST to him.
III 4 - 1
III 5 - 1 off
III 8 - 1 or 2 experiment
One thing she said "These cameras are a lot different than the mark 2's and they need to be fine tuned" I for one feel there is still a problem with the focusing system itself.
My keeper rate is down, I know I'm getting old, but I'm not that old, I will try these setting tonight, not sure if I can find a good test or not but if anyone else can, please keep us updated if you used and or tried these settings. I didn't look to see if they are the same ones supplied in the PDF above.
Please post your experience with this call as well.
Chad
My camera seemed OK when I got it apart from minor AF tweaks for two lenses. It is however now with Canon service for a bad back-focusing error with most of my lenses that showed up some time ago. This was not the case initially, something has happened to make the AF go bad. I don't know what it can be, to my knowledge I have not even lightly bumped the camera. If it can be fixed it should be back early next week, it'll be interesting to see what they have done to it, if it's just a calibration or if something has been replaced.
I want, I am, going to get the mark III whenever they start coming back in. I am a bit put off by all the AF talk. I did recently shoot with a friend who has one. We shot some boat races on the Ohio River (madison regatta). He was getting 8 out of 10 good shots with his III. However he did have to tweak the settings. It was a bright day so Shutter speeds were high. He still had to raise the ISO from 200 to 400 and change exposure setting to +1/3. I was shooting my trusty 5D which I though would do horrible considering the 3 FPS, but I was pleasantly surprised when I got almost 100% sharp pics. The AI Servo on the 5D works like a charm. when shooting at 1/2500 I think you should get good sharp pics. Actually the 5D out performed my 30D at 5 FPS. I am optimistic that the new models coming in now should be "fixed" by this point. I'll let you know as mine should be here in a week or two.
I am looking for mine in the next few weeks, but I don't believe anything is "fixed". I believe Canon has not yet figured out exactly what the issues are, so what could they be doing differently. Right now, I think it is the luck of the draw. Good luck to us both.
My camera seemed OK when I got it apart from minor AF tweaks for two lenses. It is however now with Canon service for a bad back-focusing error with most of my lenses that showed up some time ago. This was not the case initially, something has happened to make the AF go bad. I don't know what it can be, to my knowledge I have not even lightly bumped the camera
This is exactly what happened to mine 501xxx. Sent it to Irvine and it is on its way back to me now. Called to get the repair details from a Service Rep before I get read the repair ticket they put in the box. The Rep said updated firmware, cleaned and serviced AF. HHHMMM !!!
One of two possibilities since my camera had the only firmware available when it left the factory and still no official firmware update has been announced. Either they do have a tweak that they updated my camera with...OR there is really nothing different in the firmware and the fix was in the clean and servicing of the AF. I will post an update if I see a newer version of the firmware has been installed. Either way, I will be able to tell if it has been repaired because the AF Servo went from usable to not able to track or find anything. I shot hundreds of shots when it was generally OK, and thousands of shots with it broken. So I've got a good database for comparison.
Just wanted to pass along my info.
Edited by Jeff on Jul 12, 2007 at 02:07 PM GMT (Reason: fixed quote tags for clarity)
So far it seems to work just fine in non servo mode (503xxx). I have yet to properly test servo mode with objects that move more or less at constant speed.
I just got mine back yesterday from Canon NJ for focus issues. It looks like the only thing they did was adjust it to factory specs. No firmware update. THe little testing I have done so far shows no change. I will give it a good workout this weekend and report back.
eaglewolf wrote:
Ahh, I see! Though I have to admit, I've never seen a camera as providing a "state of self-enlightenment," regardless of the brand name on it.
Is that a Mk 3 serial number? The one I was given for the unit at the local shop is 8 digits: 2152xxxx. If it's not the serial number, what did they give me?
