Mine is 5036xx, and I've had no AF issues in any modes or shooting conditions. I have, however, had several long sequences where I noticed the keeper rate seems to be better than with the II and IIN models I had. I don't just mean a little better either, so it would seem the sensitivity and speed are proving advantageous for me.
Hammerli wrote:
Mine is 5036xx, and I've had no AF issues in any modes or shooting conditions. I have, however, had several long sequences where I noticed the keeper rate seems to be better than with the II and IIN models I had. I don't just mean a little better either, so it would seem the sensitivity and speed are proving advantageous for me.
Couple of questions...
What subjects are you shooting?
What tracking Custom Function sensitivity are you using? That is for Cf III-2.
I was not implying that all cameras with serial number smaller than 505XXX have problems. Nor was he. On the contrary. This and the former poll suggest that "only" about half of the users have AF problems.
He just said that cameras with serial number greater than 505XXX have no problems.
What tracking Custom Function sensitivity are you using? That is for Cf III-2.
Also, what are you using for Cf III-3?
Subjects have mostly been equestrian events (jumping, carting, western), canine events (agility, obedience), and nature shots (birds, foxes, zoo, etc.)
Sensitivity is at the default; I've experimented with other setting on the II and II N bodies I had, but found for the subjects I most shoot (similar to above), the default yields the best accuracy.
CF III-3 is at 0 (AF Priority/Tracking Priority). My most used lens is the 70-200 2.8 IS, and I use center focus point with no expansion. With that mix I don't seem to have any issues with hesitation on the part of the camera, and I don't seem to miss shots during the sequence, so I've elected not to switch to drive priority or release priority.
He said "Software incompatibility". Don't ask me what it is. I don't know and neither is he. Understandably, they were not keen to add too many details. He also said that the ones with problematic cameras got a replacement. That is why a shortage is due in the next months.
Hammerli wrote:
Subjects have mostly been equestrian events (jumping, carting, western), canine events (agility, obedience), and nature shots (birds, foxes, zoo, etc.)
Sensitivity is at the default; I've experimented with other setting on the II and II N bodies I had, but found for the subjects I most shoot (similar to above), the default yields the best accuracy.
CF III-3 is at 0 (AF Priority/Tracking Priority). My most used lens is the 70-200 2.8 IS, and I use center focus point with no expansion. With that mix I don't seem to have any issues with hesitation on the part of the camera, and I don't seem to miss shots during the sequence, so I've elected not to switch to drive priority or release priority. ...Show more →
Thanks much, headed out now to shoot a game and will try the defaults.
So they are aware & working on it. With 3 million SLR's sold annually (http://www.reuters.com/article/companyNewsAndPR/idUST14022720070715), they'll be addressing this with warranty work. Trouble is, as usual, they don't offer a replacement while it's being worked on. Are they offering a $$$ Off Coupon for a non-warranty repair as an apologetic gesture?
BTW the link speaks to CMOS production plant being built, even for SLR's so there reliance on CCD technology is beginning to spread thin. Probably cost reductions.
Paul B wrote:
FYI, according to Charles Glatzer (posting over on NSN), who says he can't say anything more, there's a firmware release scheduled for the 18th (p. 48 of that long thread on MKIII focusing issues.)
OK, Wanted to close the loop on this as I promised I would. Tested the returned camera extensively this weekend and the AF AI Servo is working fine with the CF-III default settings in the camera (hot, humid and bright sporting field event. Yes, it is different from my MIIN and not every one in a 10fps burst is spot on, but my keeper rate is similar between the two cameras. Neither my MIIN, or my DSMII track 100% of the time in similar situations. So, I called CPS Irvine and asked for more info than was on the fix ticked. (The telephone service rep did not know anything.) The CPS guy said they re-loaded the firmware. No hardware was replaced but it was checked to spec after the reload. I asked if it was the same as was installed at the factory. He was very dodgey and said that it shows up on the menu as the same official version number, but that's he could officially say at this time. All I can say is my 501xxx AI Servo is much better now than when it went in to the shop and I no longer can blame the camera for me missing a shot. And I am in love with whatever they did with the reload. Go figure.
I will be testing it out when I get mine this winter in full sun and snow up on the mountains... I'm pretty sure you can't get much more natural brightness than that...
It seems, from what I have read, that the auto focus problems only arise in abnormally bright conditions (Full Sun Sand/Snow)
I'm glad there seems to be a fix because after nearly two weeks of flawless performance mine has up and decided that it doesn't have an f'ing clue as to what to focus on. Started with some erratic behavior while shooting polo on Saturday (posted in an another thread) followed by some very soft images at a party yesterday.
After a comment there, I decided to do some more thorough testing to see if I had developed a back focus issue. It wasn't, but the same tripod based shot of my license plate was significantly sharper in One Shot than in Servo. This led to a couple of hours worth of testing. Over that period of time I have just seen whacky stuff and it seems to be getting worse.
I acknowledge that it could be me but I have been shooting for over 30 years, including 15 professionally and I am using a $4500 camera with a $1600 lens on an $800 tripod set-up and can't get a constantly sharp picture of a friggin license plate on a car that isn't moving. If it was the same problem each time I could correct or figure out what the problem is but it keeps changing from super sharp to really funky with the only differences being refocusing, reformatting the card and switching between One Shot and Servo and Single and 10FPS.
What's the shutter speed for those AI SERVO shots on tripod ?
also the camera shaking on tripod when shooiting at AI SERVO 10 frames/second is a quite big factor for you to consider for the none-sharp images....
What's the shutter speed for those AI SERVO shots on tripod ?
also the camera shaking on tripod when shooiting at AI SERVO 10 frames/second is a quite big factor for you to consider for the none-sharp images....
Lide
1/250 with IS ON. I know what you mean about the potential impact of vibrations as I exprerienced it with my 300mm F4. Just watching the VF shake around after making a single exposure is enough to make one wonder.
about half of the users have AF problems.