Gary Petersen wrote:
It's not normal on mine. Here's one that is not supposed to work either. AI Servo on a non moving subject. All shots in the burst look like this.
Yea, I get a lot like that. But sometimes I just don't get why it screws up as bad as it does.
What are your custom settings like? Do you have it focus priority or drive priority? Also, do you have focus search on or off?
I have seen some that look like your last example (before you removed it.. ) when in drive mode or focus search turned off. It'll shutter release while either still adjusting focus or it will not find anything and just release.
Sorry I don't have an answer to your question, Will, but your issue raises a question with me. Can the overall focusing issue on the 1DmIII be evident on only a single lens? I read Rob G's latest article (because I am a dork with no vested interest) and it seemed like he could repeat the issue under specific conditions regardless of the lens used (and I willingly admit that I could have misread how he conducted his tests). But if that's true, isn't it possible the issue you're experiencing is actually related to the lens or, more specifically, to the lens when mounted on that camera?
freaklikeme wrote:
Sorry I don't have an answer to your question, Will, but your issue raises a question with me. Can the overall focusing issue on the 1DmIII be evident on only a single lens? I read Rob G's latest article (because I am a dork with no vested interest) and it seemed like he could repeat the issue under specific conditions regardless of the lens used (and I willingly admit that I could have misread how he conducted his tests). But if that's true, isn't it possible the issue you're experiencing is actually related to the lens or, more specifically, to the lens when mounted on that camera?...Show more →
I personally have seen it with all of my lenses (well at least the ones that I have tried). 300 F2.8IS, 70-200 F2.8 IS, 35L F1.4, 85F1.8, 24-105L
RGS65 wrote:
"I had the red square right in the middle, right about on the horse's lower butt, should have been easy to get focus."
#1 Why do you think this is true? (Seriously I am asking.) That would have been the last place I would have chosen to try and get a focus lock. It's pretty lacking in contrast isn't it - and there a nice nearly blown hi-light area right on the horses a$$
#2 In AI Servo mode isn't it better to use more points and let the predictive AF do its job?
#1: I'd do the same thing
#2: absolutely not. you use the ring of fire mostly when you shoot portrait, fast moving targets, also when unpredictable: basically you start tracking from the center and then "pray" that the camera will get something in focus switching points by itself. you just have to set the appropriate sensitivity (for both the ring of fire and the one-point continuous). But a good working AF engine (like the 1Ds Mark II for example) will nail the target in that OP's picture and don't let go until it dies.
to the OP:
first of all I'm sorry about your AF issue. I'd like to say to Canon to fix da damn thing already! Enough now. The many white/black posts we see on the net about the Olympics should tell you (Canon) something about this? No? I'm asking .
I read a recent interview with Canon Execs at the Olympics on a UK site. They stated the percentages of camera brands being used in Beijing this year and it was in line with the previous 2004 games. No significant gain or loss in market share. Of course, they didn't say how many were using the MKIII vs. MKII though.
I have no way of confirming this information other than it came from Canon. Whether it's true or not... who knows
Will, I will try replicating your settings with my 70-200 2.8 IS and 1D3, on some moving subjects, this weekend (weather permitting) and see if I can get the 1D3 to duplicate your error. I'll get back with you afterwards.
Samantha wrote:
just a thought, but couldn't shooting at f/4 be the cause of this?
Not in my opinion. Most all the pics at this link were taken with my MKIII and were shot @ F4 with my 70-200 F2.8 IS @ F4 during the July 4 Libertyfest Parade in AI Servo. Out of 300 pics, only 4 or 5 were really OOF, probably due to user error or low contrast subjects. My MKIII (second copy) is the most consistently accurate focusing DSLR I have owned.
Has Will sent you all the Custom Settings he is using? Those undoubtedly come into the equation I would think.
I am interested to see your results as well. It's funny (well not so much) that I can have days where the camera is a dream, then other days where it randomly misses sequences without explanation. It is not enough to make me want to get rid of it...but I do tend to chimp and over shoot more than I used to.. I have posted about my ordeal a time or two here. But basically, mine worked great when I got it in July 07...It wasn't until I sent it for the submirror recall in Jan 08 that I started having problems. A trip back to Canon (Irvine this time) made things better, but still annoying... Then firmware 1.2.3 seemed to help even more. I still think things should be better though. It's the complete randomness that is most bothersome. Luckily, it is a much lower percentage of the time now than a few months ago.
Here is a gallery that I shot last night at the Texas Motor Speedway. Concert by the Gin Blossoms. Shot in very harsh light, ISO 3200 mostly with MK3 and 70-200F2.8 IS. Single AF point (various points selected throughout show) and AF Servo. This was a good night for the body...and I love the ISO 3200 performance.
apdieb wrote:
Here is a gallery that I shot last night at the Texas Motor Speedway. Concert by the Gin Blossoms. Shot in very harsh light, ISO 3200 mostly with MK3 and 70-200F2.8 IS. Single AF point (various points selected throughout show) and AF Servo. This was a good night for the body...and I love the ISO 3200 performance.
nice shots but we're actually discussing tracking, one-point servo in the case of the OP
your (nice, again) gallery doesn't show any "critical" AF moment
I need to remind the behavior of (for example) the good old 1Ds Mark II in servo, target locked on the eyes under medium sensitivity (you shoot concerts and you know how the mike and the hand holding it can easily fool the software in charge of the tracking system if you leave the sensitivity too high)
this shot gives a pretty clear example, 70-200 close to the MFD (I was very close at that moment), 75mm , subject moving pretty fast, but the AF engine in servo didn't miss it.
That's how a camera should work in servo. No excuses 'cause in a situation like that and the artist moving like crazy there is no chance to get the focus right if you don't get some help from the gear.
In any case I did try the 1Ds Mark III and I DID NOT get the feeling of a camera capable of giving me the same confidence that I have with the 1DsII and 1DsI
Looks like the focus problems I had with the Edsel before I ditched Canon for N. Red dot was on something it should have been able to focus on; instead, it preferred the grass behind the subject.
markle wrote:
nice shots but we're actually discussing tracking, one-point servo in the case of the OP
your (nice, again) gallery doesn't show any "critical" AF moment
I need to remind the behavior of (for example) the good old 1Ds Mark II in servo, target locked on the eyes under medium sensitivity (you shoot concerts and you know how the mike and the hand holding it can easily fool the software in charge of the tracking system if you leave the sensitivity too high)
this shot gives a pretty clear example, 70-200 close to the MFD (I was very close at that moment), 75mm , subject moving pretty fast, but the AF engine in servo didn't miss it.
That's how a camera should work in servo. No excuses 'cause in a situation like that and the artist moving like crazy there is no chance to get the focus right if you don't get some help from the gear.
In any case I did try the 1Ds Mark III and I DID NOT get the feeling of a camera capable of giving me the same confidence that I have with the 1DsII and 1DsI
Dunno.. I consider a musician jumping around semi-critical movement. L O L !
I was using single point servo tracking. Regardless, it was just an example of a gallery that I just finished shooting. I appreciate the kind words too..
Here is another... Shot with a 300 F2.8 IS on my MK3. Perhaps this shows more "critical" AF movement.
) when in drive mode or focus search turned off. It'll shutter release while either still adjusting focus or it will not find anything and just release. 
That would have been the last place I would have chosen to try and get a focus lock. It's pretty lacking in contrast isn't it - and there a nice nearly blown hi-light area right on the horses a$$ 
