Archive 2007 · ['NEW Fix' UPDATE!] - MkIII AF still broken
Red Grainger Offline • • [X]
p.27 #1 · ['NEW Fix' UPDATE!] - MkIII AF still broken
Thanks for the clarification. I must say I agree with you to some extent. One problem is that there is no universal standard for below average, average, or above average autofocus. In other words what is the standard to which we can evaluate autofocus. Seems like an opportunity for someone.
Red
p.27 #2 · ['NEW Fix' UPDATE!] - MkIII AF still broken
Jeff wrote: The main thing that I want to know right know is whether 'fixed' units are somehow different than 'Blue Dot' units. I've spent a fair amount of time browsing around SportsShooter.com lately, and its clear that many feel their cameras work well, while many don't (many of whom have been able to dump their problematic MkIIIs, some of which are now testing D3s).
Sports shooters testing the 1DsIII? Love to know if the speed of the buffer locks there jaw or not?
My instincts say Canon got it right with the 1Ds III and if a careful sports shooter can live with one shot exposures of selected action I'm in.
p.27 #3 · ['NEW Fix' UPDATE!] - MkIII AF still broken
I believe what Jeff meant was Nikon D3 and not Canon 1Ds MarkIII...... The small "s" at the end indicates plurality rather than 1Ds. Correct me if I am wrong, Jeff.
p.27 #5 · ['NEW Fix' UPDATE!] - MkIII AF still broken
Yes, I was indeed referring to the Nikon D3. It sounds like the ones who have used it are quite impressed with it, albeit with a few quirks to work around. I get the impression that 'someone' is making them available to test...
p.27 #6 · ['NEW Fix' UPDATE!] - MkIII AF still broken
timbop wrote:
Nice analysis Jeff. I have a feeling that 2007 will be remembered as the year canon laid 3 eggs*. Oddly enough, it seems that the 40d will probably be the best of the 3 new cams, and it is woefully outclassed by the d300. It's a shame, but canon got complacent in the midrange and suffered from an engineering mistake in the high end.
The good news is that 2008 will (hopefully) see the resurgence of innovation and putting everything into each product.
* OK, the 40D will prove to be a great midlevel camera so it doesn't actually qualify as an "egg"....Show more →
although i could swear that most of the stuff said abotu mkiii seems awfully similar to what i see with my 40D....
p.27 #7 · ['NEW Fix' UPDATE!] - MkIII AF still broken
bcaslis wrote:
I've had a blue dot 1D3 and a non-fixed/fixed 1D3. Maybe I'm unlucky, but I will say that AI Servo on both of them always seemed twitchy to me. It's never completely still, it always seems to hunt a little. People have commented on the test of focusing on a static target and the camera focus never completely settles down. While I agree that it's questionable if this is a valid test, I think it's interesting comparing to other cameras. I don't have my 1D2 or 5D anymore so I couldn't try them. But I did compare to "another" camera last night and it's continuous focus locks completely solid on a static object. I took a bunch of bursts on both and the 1D3 focus can be seen to wiggle in and out of focus. The other camera had completely solid focus on every shot. There's a lot to love about the 1D3 but I think the AF redesign isn't as successful as Canon thinks it is.
I'm curious whether you've had a chance to look at the 1DsMkIII (or is that the camera you're referring to as "another" camera? ) In his latest newsletter Arthur Morris (who just started using it) says the AF is "less jumpy" and "seems to be a bit more consistently accurate" than the AF on the 1DMkIII.
p.27 #9 · ['NEW Fix' UPDATE!] - MkIII AF still broken
happy to report my 1D Mk3 and 1Ds Mk3 both had a 95 +% focus rate yesterday at Mavericks--not bad considering a 20 year old 300 2.8 on the 1D and shooting off a pitching boat in large seas (see pics over on sports forum) ! my 1D was shipped direct from japan recently with all upgrades. (single focus point, tracking one off middle toward slow, expansion sides, back button focus switched to star)
p.27 #11 · ['NEW Fix' UPDATE!] - MkIII AF still broken
Red Grainger wrote:
Thanks for the clarification. I must say I agree with you to some extent. One problem is that there is no universal standard for below average, average, or above average autofocus. In other words what is the standard to which we can evaluate autofocus. Seems like an opportunity for someone.
Red
"Every model should be at least as good as the model before it". How about this for a baseline/standard?
When you compare two models than the new one should either perform the same or perform better than the model before it. That is a general statement that should be applicable to every aspect of the camera. In amateur models this may not be that critical but in pro models I think it should.
p.27 #12 · ['NEW Fix' UPDATE!] - MkIII AF still broken
Got a chance to shoot some MX practice today. Shot with Mark III and 300 F2.8 IS... Mainly at F5.6 (ish) due to subject matter... It was about 60F degrees and was shooting in bright sun around 1pm today. It was my first time to shoot motorsports, but was reasonably happy with the results using AI Servo, Center Point, 10FPS, no expansion points.
p.27 #15 · ['NEW Fix' UPDATE!] - MkIII AF still broken
Update #505...
Finally spoke with the actual manager at Customer Relations, and after several people telling me that the submirror work was repeated during this second repair trip, he acknowledged that it was not, and that the camera had tested to factory specs (whatever those are!). He asked about the lens(es) I was using, and said that I might need to send it in. I assured him that the lens was focusing properly on the 30D and 1Ds, and had various test images using a focus target to 'remove' it from the equation. I had to reiterate for the umpteenth time that my camera has secondary issues that cannot possibly be related to the submirror, and he is going to get with the Senior Technician that worked on my camera and reviewed the images to see what the next step is (if any?). The gentleman is trying hard to be helpful and responsive, so we'll see...
However, this is becoming increasingly convoluted and non-productive, and it seems that despite how many times (and to how many different people) I convey the secondary information to, it essentially becomes neglected, maybe even ignored.
Sigh...
Jan 14, 2008 at 03:51 PM
Red Grainger Offline • • [X]
p.27 #16 · ['NEW Fix' UPDATE!] - MkIII AF still broken
Jeff,
Your patience will become legend.
Red
Jan 14, 2008 at 04:24 PM
Red Grainger Offline • • [X]
p.27 #17 · ['NEW Fix' UPDATE!] - MkIII AF still broken
Yakim,
I understand what you are saying but I think by reference to an earlier model you mean that it should be the benchmark with which to compare the new model to. I agree with that but my point is that we need to assign real values to autofocus ability in order to compare different bodies.
Cheers-Red
p.27 #18 · ['NEW Fix' UPDATE!] - MkIII AF still broken
Damn.
Just Damn.
Seems like we can't get anywhere, getting nothing but deadends. . . . "He asked about the lens(es) I was using, and said that I might need to send it in. I assured him that the lens was focusing properly. . . " adintinfitum.
Makes me wish we could ship ourselves along with our cameras, so that we can actually have some interaction with the individuals, some relationship.
So that we know that they know what we know, and we know what they know, and don't know, you know? . . . "had to reiterate for the umpteenth time that my camera has secondary issues that cannot possibly be related to the submirror". . .
On the up side, really good that you FINALLY have contact with someone who is hopefully in the right position, and frame of mind, to get to the REAL Bottom of some of these issues WITH you.
To bad your new connection is not a Vice Pres of something, someone that can take the ball and run with it to the endzone. At this point we (Canon) really needs to find some way to pull off a touchdown. NOT Just make another model in 6 months, or whatever, that I have to ftry and findout how to afford, again.
Maybe you can get the manager at Customer Relations email so you can send him a link to this page, and the other countless sites / posts that are trying pretty much in vane, to get some attention directed towards these "imaginary" issues. Maybe just tell him over the phone the web adresses, in hopes that he can read up, then maybe experiment some himself, and as a best case senerio, take it up with the "Powers that be".
Sure would be nice if Canon could take notice, offically. Rob G. started the ball rolling, but can someone Pleeze say Follow-Through. . . .
Well Jeff, thanks 4 the updates. Keep them coming. Best of luck man. Keeping them crossed 4 you. . . . . STILL! !
Bob
p.27 #19 · ['NEW Fix' UPDATE!] - MkIII AF still broken
Jeff wrote:
Update #505...
Finally spoke with the actual manager at Customer Relations, and after several people telling me that the submirror work was repeated during this second repair trip, he acknowledged that it was not, and that the camera had tested to factory specs (whatever those are!). He asked about the lens(es) I was using, and said that I might need to send it in. I assured him that the lens was focusing properly on the 30D and 1Ds, and had various test images using a focus target to 'remove' it from the equation. I had to reiterate for the umpteenth time that my camera has secondary issues that cannot possibly be related to the submirror, and he is going to get with the Senior Technician that worked on my camera and reviewed the images to see what the next step is (if any?). The gentleman is trying hard to be helpful and responsive, so we'll see...
However, this is becoming increasingly convoluted and non-productive, and it seems that despite how many times (and to how many different people) I convey the secondary information to, it essentially becomes neglected, maybe even ignored.
If I was Canon's CEO I'd order all faulty MK III to be replaced by a new blue dot one. Sadly I am not….
BTW, we had a similar issue here in Israel a few years back. One of the major cellular companies had a major problem in one of their Motorola handsets. To regain public confidence they opened up a major store in a very central place and simply replaced them with new ones. You wanted a better handset as a compensation? You got it. Free of charge! And the CEO was there in person! to supervise all is going well.
I must say I simply can't understand why Canon is behaving this way.
p.27 #20 · ['NEW Fix' UPDATE!] - MkIII AF still broken
Jeff wrote:
Update #505...
Finally spoke with the actual manager at Customer Relations, and after several people telling me that the submirror work was repeated during this second repair trip, he acknowledged that it was not, and that the camera had tested to factory specs (whatever those are!). He asked about the lens(es) I was using, and said that I might need to send it in. I assured him that the lens was focusing properly on the 30D and 1Ds, and had various test images using a focus target to 'remove' it from the equation. I had to reiterate for the umpteenth time that my camera has secondary issues that cannot possibly be related to the submirror, and he is going to get with the Senior Technician that worked on my camera and reviewed the images to see what the next step is (if any?). The gentleman is trying hard to be helpful and responsive, so we'll see...
Jeff,
Did you discuss with him the "ghosting" or secondary image problem? If I remember, there are two problems with your camera; "ghosting", and a "focus plane" issue. The reason I ask, I shot some soccer this weekend, and experienced the ghosting at f5.0 (300f2.8). The dof seems to be on the player, if you look at the ground, and the shutter speed is Ok at 1/3200. This may happen on two frames out of a five frame burst, maybe one out of every twenty burst. This doesn't look like the camera missed the focus, just parts of the frame have this ghost image that makes it look soft.
) In his latest newsletter Arthur Morris (who just started using it) says the AF is "less jumpy" and "seems to be a bit more consistently accurate" than the AF on the 1DMkIII. 
