dcmiller,
The Canon PDF that was sent to me does have a good breakdown in lames terms on each of the 1DMK3 CF's, along with the AF Micro Adjustment "how to".
Is there a way I can post the PDF file that was sent to me by Canon for FM'ers.
or I can forward copies to who ever wants a copy with a PM email address.
What I was trying to say was focus on an object well behind your subject, then move to your subject, refocus and take the picture. Next focus on something much closer than your subject, then move to the subject, refocus and shoot. Check both pictures closely to see if you have more dof in front of, or behind the subject. You may see some differences. If you are consistantly in front or behind, then tweak a little. DC is correct about the focus distance. Don't check a 300mm lens at a focus distance of 10 feet unless you will be shooting there.
Thanks for clarifying, that sounds like good advise. I just wanted other FM'ers to have information that was put out by Canon and then take what others say and add it to their own knowledge base. Its almost always best to use manufactures advise before jumping in on the advise of others home remedies (meaning 2nd hand advise) but keeping in mind there is more than one way to skin a kitty.
The mk3 is new technology for everyone even Canon as it appears they have been ramping up with additional instructional papers after the release of the mk3 to lessen their return load and to inform new owners. I guess they didn't realize exactly what the learning curve was going to be with this camera. Also taking into consideration all the newbies to the 1d series that are stepping straight into the 1d3 model thinking they know digital slr. It's a huge step!
Thanks again for your addition to micro focus adjustment advise, it is definitely something to keep in mind.
Art Morris charges a one time fee for his 1D3 guide, updates are free and unlimited - he has already put out one major revision.
He has also just listed his 1Ds2 for sale, he already sold his 1D2 (s) when he got his 1D3 (s). I guess after shooting in Alaska, Iceland, Jamaica Bay NY, and Florida all since he got the 1D3, he's confident the camera works well enough for him he can let the 1Ds2 go now, before the 1Ds3 is available.
Personally, my 1D3 is working well, the autofocus is amazing in low light, but I now question if it is working properly on moving subjects. I voted that it was OK, and it is for the most part. I look at it this way - the AF "envelope" has not gotten larger, it has just shifted toward low light acquisition. I, too, would like to see firmware give improvements, but the camera functions well overall, it just shows a different bias on it's autofocus function.
"Also taking into consideration all the newbies to the 1d series that are stepping straight into the 1d3 model thinking they know digital slr. It's a huge step!"
I am on of these people pondering the step from a 20d. I think I know about digital shooting and I do know what I want out of a body (which the 1D offers for the most part; high iso shooting but not quite full frame though half the price of the full frame 1Ds). I admit my post processing is not up to snuff.
I would like to think if I had my hands on the body right this second I would be able to be shooting in minutes being familiar with a typical Canon Dslr. Am I missing something - other than reading up on some custom functions - that make a 1D that much more difficult to use?
522xxx, no AI Servo issues using center focus point on a sunny day shooting motorcycles during a harescramble(MX) race. Out of 1805 shots 37 were OOF. Most of those were with the rider close and going past the camera at 90 degrees not coming at the camera or going away.
yellowducky wrote:
...I would like to think if I had my hands on the body right this second I would be able to be shooting in minutes being familiar with a typical Canon Dslr. Am I missing something - other than reading up on some custom functions - that make a 1D that much more difficult to use?
There shouldn't be. I certainly had no trouble moving from a D60 to a 1D a few years back.
Nill Toulme wrote:
There shouldn't be. I certainly had no trouble moving from a D60 to a 1D a few years back.
I agree with Nill. I went from a EOS-650 film body to my first DSLR, the 1D three years ago. I didn't find the 1D difficult to use. It has more options which you have to get used to, to fully exploit it potential though.
If the MkIII requires all this careful setting up then it's the first EOS-1 camera that does so.
I've owned EOS-1 film cameras, the 1D, the 1D2 and the 1D2N and although you can improve performance in each of these cameras for specific shooting requirements with custom function changes, each of them will do a very good job with the custom functions left well alone if you choose to do that.
If Canon are now saying that certain custom function combinations turn the camera into a misfocusing chunk of c**p then something has gone seriously wrong.
Personally, I think the whole custom function setup thing that certain regional Canon companies are now pushing is a dead end. There is a serious problem with the AF on the Mark III and although one could potentially make it WORSE by setting up custom functions incorrectly, custom function configuration is not the root of the problems being reported by seasoned professionals - those who have years of experience with EOS-1 cameras.
Kier wrote:
If the MkIII requires all this careful setting up then it's the first EOS-1 camera that does so.
I've owned EOS-1 film cameras, the 1D, the 1D2 and the 1D2N and although you can improve performance in each of these cameras for specific shooting requirements with custom function changes, each of them will do a very good job with the custom functions left well alone if you choose to do that.
If Canon are now saying that certain custom function combinations turn the camera into a misfocusing chunk of c**p then something has gone seriously wrong.
Personally, I think the whole custom function setup thing that certain regional Canon companies are now pushing is a dead end. There is a serious problem with the AF on the Mark III and although one could potentially make it WORSE by setting up custom functions incorrectly, custom function configuration is not the root of the problems being reported by seasoned professionals - those who have years of experience with EOS-1 cameras....Show more →
Good to hear and thanks for the info. For me, longest lens I have is a 180mm macro and I only use it for macro. Otherwise, a 24L is likely living on the body or a 50f1.4 until the 14II comes out. Probably indicative that even if I got a 'dude' I probably wouldn't even notice. Of course, I would love to avoid dude altogether....its difficult waiting since I am now cameraless.
Reading Jeff's last post I thought I had entered a 'which lens for surfing thread' instead!
I bailed on taking my 1D3 to the rugby match over the weekend, just couldn't trust it. However I did shoot a netball practice session, indoors, and while the bursts were not fully sharp the low light focus was amazing, much better than my N. For now, I am alternating the 2 bodies for what each does best, kind of a sad reality for all us dudes and dudettes that own the Mark 3.
First, thank you Andy. For emailing me a copy of the Canon MarkIII Resouse PDF!
I was reading though it and I have found a discrepancy with the document and one of my menu functions.
PDF says the following:
C.Fn III-4: Closest Focus priority in AI Servo AF - if more than one AF point is active
4-0 Camera will try to re-focus on any subject that appears if closer that original target being tracked in AI Servo AF
4-1 The AF system will attempt to continue to track the original subject , regardless of closer subjects
My MK III menu is the following:
C. FnIII: Auto focus/drive AI Servo AF tracking method
0: Main focus point priority
1: Continuous AF tracking priority
How do you think this CF should be implemented?
I have firmware 1.1.0 in the camera. Is it possible that Canon changed the menu in thier last firmware update?
Can anyone with 1.0.8, or 1.0.9 confim this.
I guess anything is possible with the way Canon has handled this so far!
Thanks zeder. I think you missed an 'r' in the filename
Jeff said: You should be able to get decent enough results from a new camera like the 1D MkIII, without tweaking anything to do so. That being said, there is quite a bit of new information going to a 1-Series, much of which can be ignored by the photographer until a certain feature is required.
Exactly. I pro shooting field sports with a 1DII should be able to pick up a new 1DIII, set the AF point, and get a decent keeper rate. Anything less than that is Canon's problem. To me that is the 'gold standard' for this camera. Make that happen AND THEN talk to me about how I'm not using the camera properly.
If it makes you guys feel any better, both my 1D2 and my new 1Ds2 had AF tracking problems. The 1D2 was fixed. The 1Ds2 is still with Canon but it's only been a week so far.
Can you guess why I chose not to get a 1D3 or 1Ds3 in a hurry ?
