EOS 1D MK III Focus issues

[paul linton]

Have notice how in AI Servo the EOS 1D MK III struggles to lock focus, having covered 4 games over the weekend the amount of shots that are sharp is very very low and almost to a point of been unacceptable.Most images have back focus problems or struggles to track a moving player at speed.(or even a slow one)
Just to note this camera does not fall into the focus problem of the early models.

Images below that show the problems I'm getting.

#1 can't track child running- soft image



#2 focus point is on the player in white shirt



#3 focus point on players knee's back focus on player behind



#4 back focus again



#5 Doesn't lock on to player,- soft image



Far to many images came out like this over the weekend, to many for user error not saying I'm Good but I was shocked at how many were out of focus.

Paul

[daniel-obyrne]

Re: EOS 1D MK III Focus issues

Far too many variables to be any help here unless you give the settings used for your focus and if there are a lot out of focus, this does sound more like user error or incorrect settings.. What lens were you using? None have a long enough focal length apart from the Sigma 120-300 so a zoom is not going to be best to set up with Micro focus adjustment.. None of these seem to need A1 Servo mode and you may find you get sharper shots with One Shot AF ..

[Hereford_EOS2]

Re: EOS 1D MK III Focus issues

Did I read about Canon 1D mkIII focusing issues on several sites, can't remember which ones?
Is there a firmware fix for this?
The latest firmware is version 1.04

[SamFisher]

Re: EOS 1D MK III Focus issues

Did I read about Canon 1D mkIII focusing issues on several sites, can't remember which ones?
Is there a firmware fix for this?
The latest firmware is version 1.04

There was an issue with AF when first released but Canon sorted this - not sure if it was a recall or not.
Later models have the AF fix in place.
My serial No is 58*** and I've had no problems with my 1D3

Mike

[paul linton]

Re: EOS 1D MK III Focus issues

Far too many variables to be any help here unless you give the settings used for your focus and if there are a lot out of focus, this does sound more like user error or incorrect settings.. What lens were you using? None have a long enough focal length apart from the Sigma 120-300 so a zoom is not going to be best to set up with Micro focus adjustment.. None of these seem to need A1 Servo mode and you may find you get sharper shots with One Shot AF ..

Thanks for your reply Danial.

All shots taken with the sigma 120-300 in AV mode shutter speed Approx1600/ 2000sec.
At the weekend I'll try one shot AF to see what difference it makes,The most annoying thing is when i check the AF point in DPP the focus point is on the right player yet its seems to still focus on the players behind.I've upgraded the firmware to 1.03 (26/10/11) so it will be fingers crossed this weekend.

Paul

[paul linton]

Re: EOS 1D MK III Focus issues

Did I read about Canon 1D mkIII focusing issues on several sites, can't remember which ones?
Is there a firmware fix for this?
The latest firmware is version 1.04

Hi Stephen.

Have upgraded the firmware to 1.03 didn't see the 1.04 version,I'll have another look if this weekend is no better with the 1.03 upgrade.

Paul

[MX5]

Re: EOS 1D MK III Focus issues

Paul is yours a 'Blue Dot' 1D3 ? if not I would get in touch with Canon UK as you might still be able to get it looked at for free.

Also, see this: 1D3 Product advisories.

1.03 is the latest firmware (the 1.04 is for the Wireless controller)

[paul linton]

Re: EOS 1D MK III Focus issues

Hi Mike

My serial No is 58*** and I've had no problems with my 1D3

Don't think this camera falls into the early focus problems as i think the recalls were for cameras with serial No 51**** to 54**** and mine starts 55****,But i could be wrong.

Paul

[SamFisher]

Re: EOS 1D MK III Focus issues

Is it only the one lens you are having problems with Paul?

Mike

[paul linton]

Re: EOS 1D MK III Focus issues

Paul is yours a 'Blue Dot' 1D3 ? if not I would get in touch with Canon UK as you might still be able to get it looked at for free.

Also, see this: 1D3 Product advisories.

1.03 is the latest firmware (the 1.04 is for the Wireless controller)

Many thanks for your reply MX.

There's no blue dot inside the battery compartment,
Thanks for the link, checked all the serial codes and my model should be fine and should have had the mirror problem sorted.
Hopefully the 1.03 firmware upgrade will have some effect or it will be official I'm C##P AT SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY,

Paul

[paul linton]

Re: EOS 1D MK III Focus issues

Is it only the one lens you are having problems with Paul?

Mike

Hi Mike
Its the only lens i use for my action shots,But again it might be worth giving the EF200 f2.8 a try and see if there is any difference.
I've used the 24-105 with no problems but the shots taken were just every day shots no fast action.

Paul

[paul linton]

Re: EOS 1D MK III Focus issues

Is it only the one lens you are having problems with Paul?

Hi Mike (Samfisher)

Using a different Lens did the trick
Shot two games with the EF 200mm nearly all came out as i wanted and could have no complaints.
Rang suppliers of the Sigma Lens and they are coming to collect the lens tomorrow and have sigma UK to have a look.
So many thanks for the tip as it looks like a lens problem and not a Camera problem.

Paul

[daniel-obyrne]

Re: EOS 1D MK III Focus issues

Good to hear you resolved the problem, and came back to tell us.

[SamFisher]

Re: EOS 1D MK III Focus issues

Hi Mike (Samfisher)

Using a different Lens did the trick
Shot two games with the EF 200mm nearly all came out as i wanted and could have no complaints.
Rang suppliers of the Sigma Lens and they are coming to collect the lens tomorrow and have sigma UK to have a look.
So many thanks for the tip as it looks like a lens problem and not a Camera problem.

Paul

Glad to be of service, Paul. My Bill's in the post

Hope Sigma sorts your problem lens once and for all

Mike

[paul linton]

Re: EOS 1D MK III Focus issues

Just an update to this thread.

Had a phone call from WEX Lens now fixed and will be delivered today 30/11/11.(didn't say what the problem was)
So fingers crossed it will be OK, it's been a long 4 weeks wait so I'm a little nervous though i will have to wait till the weekend to give it a proper test with fast moving subjects.

Paul