Canon CPS had allotted two Mark III's for me, but after hearing Rob Galbraith wasn't convinced that his production camera autofocused much better than his test model did, I elected to pass on them.
I'm hearing lots of problems with the camera, including a pro dealer in Germany who apparently sent his entire shipment back to Canon because quite a few of his customers were demanding refunds. It amazes me how Canon seems to do this with every new camera they release...
Its important to realize that we don't know anything for sure yet. The vast majority of responses from Mark III users have been estatic and there have been a fair number of complaints. Its not unusual with a release of a new camera for the unhappy users to get more attention.
To say that Canon has done something is a bit premature. We don't know for sure if there is an issue yet. If there is one is due to firmware (apparantly there are different firmware versions on the released Mark IIIs), is just in some of the earlier released cameras, etc.
Lets sit back and see what transpires before we make any hasty conclusions.
Harry http://behret.smugmug.com/NANPA member How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
Its important to realize that we don't know anything for sure yet. The vast majority of responses from Mark III users have been estatic and there have been a fair number of complaints. Its not unusual with a release of a new camera for the unhappy users to get more attention.
To say that Canon has done something is a bit premature. We don't know for sure if there is an issue yet. If there is one is due to firmware (apparantly there are different firmware versions on the released Mark IIIs), is just in some of the earlier released cameras, etc.
Lets sit back and see what transpires before we make any hasty conclusions.
Just my opinion based on 15 years as a (former) Canon pro shooter, Harry. A lot of us have seen this movie before! :lurk
Galbraith listed the AF issues in his latest article:
Under certain conditions, the EOS-1D Mark III has difficulty acquiring focus initially. In a multi-frame burst, the camera will sometimes shoot three to five frames before a moving subject comes into focus, and occasionally a moving subject will not actually snap into focus before the burst is completed.
Under certain conditions, the camera is unable to properly track a moving subject. We've shot numerous sequences of 20+ frames where no more than five or six frames are in focus, even when the AF point has been on the subject throughout.
Focus can shift slightly but constantly at times when the subject isn't moving. Under certain conditions, the subject may not actually come into focus through a sequence of frames, even though the point of focus can be seen to be shifting throughout the sequence. This is true whether the camera is set to AI Servo and focus is active throughout the sequence, or when it's set to One Shot and focus is activated between each frame.
When tracking a subject that's moving somewhat erratically, the camera is far too quick to shift focus elsewhere - to the background or, with a field sport like soccer, to a player passing through in the foreground. With the first three problems, autofocus settings changes don't make things better or worse. With this problem, Custom Function III-2, AI Servo Tracking Sensitivity, does have an impact. But regardless of how this Custom Function is set, it's not possible to make the camera's tracking sensitivity be right. There's more on this ahead in the article.
Harry http://behret.smugmug.com/NANPA member How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
To cut to the chase, would seasoned professionals generally recommend that consumers await the Mark IIIN? A first round of firmware updates? Not wait because if the gear is set up properly it works?
To cut to the chase, would seasoned professionals generally recommend that consumers await the Mark IIIN? A first round of firmware updates? Not wait because if the gear is set up properly it works?
There is no general consensus yet. Even the pros I'm seeing posting here & elsewhere are debating the focusing thing. Some are running into the issues Galbraith outlines, others are not. Personally, if I were in line to get one, I'd grab mine and see how it works out and go from there.
Early this week I was speaking to "my" camera store guy, and was arranging a deposit on two mark III's, and a whole butt load of glass. Big decision.
Read Galbraith's article and have gone into hold pattern. I shoot lots of sports, so focus is critical. I have read way too many issues to commit, I understand that some people don't have any problems, but it is clear that just as many people do have problems with the MIII. As the poster above notes, I too would just get one if I already had all the glass, but making a big switch needs a bit more certainty that I get bodies that work.
The only thing that might stop the switch is Nikon coming out with a 10 fps body and high iso performance before Canon fixes the MIII AF issue.
Anyone wanna buy some Nikon glass? Sale subject to either
(a) New Nikon body with high iso performance
(b) Canon fix the MIII AF issues
For anyone needing a camera "now" for sports or rapid action nature, the camera I would recommend is the Canon 1D MKIIN. This is still the hands-down favorite of Sports Illustrated, and it is a known entity. It is also considerably less expensive than the MKIII.
If you have the money and want to speculate on whether the MKIII will meet your needs, there is a good chance that, in most instances, it will. The photographers having problems with the MKIII are suceeding in overcoming the problem by shooting extra images, something the MKIII is awfully good at (lots of images in a very short time).
Rod G. added an additional section to his article on the Mark III.
Basically he says that within 48 hours of his article going up up he received over 200 complaints re:the Mark III's AF.
Harry http://behret.smugmug.com/NANPA member How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
Rod G. has added new info to his Mark III article today.
Harry http://behret.smugmug.com/NANPA member How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
Rod G. has added new info to his Mark III article today.
I'm watching this closely too. Although I don't use Aiservo anyway, so it probably wouldn't be an issue for me. But the one reason why I am more successful with the center point focus rather than aiservo is that the focus doesn't jump to the wrong place or background. Much more accurate. Stange, the reason I don't use aiservo on my 20D is for the same issues the MkIII is having. birds heading towards you. It's been an issue for me and my 20D and I have solved it. And if your lenses are the least bit off on calibration, especially a long lens, the problem is exaggerated and worse.
I've never had good luck with large evaluation/or large focus point areas with BIFs.
I'm so curious to see how the MkIII does in my settings. Is there anyone who doesn't use aiservo like me?
John MuellerRegistered UsersPosts: 2,555Major grins
edited July 7, 2007
One week and almost 3000 clicks,in most situations the cam focuses rather well.I have had it go a miss with certain function settings and objects coming toward me.
The details,IQ and the low noise at high ISO blows my mind.
Perhaps another 3k clicks this week
I've been drooling over the Mark III's specs since it was announced. If Nikon didn't come out with a improved D2H model by the end of this year I was/am seriously considering a switch.
Hi Harry,
I was following the hysteria over at the DP Review forum when the M3 first came out. I have one on order and am getting very concerned.
My conclusion is that most (not all) of what you are hearing about the AF system is piling on. Most of the hysteria I read was from people that had never held the camera but were taking legitimate posts about a problem and blowing them totally out of proportion. What some people were writing was unbelieveable. I'm not talking about the Pro's comments, it's the hysteria that others were trying to cause after those posts that was concerning.
I have never put much faith in the hysteria at DPR everytime a new camera is released. I know a few Canonites who are having serious problems with their Mark IIIs. These are experienced shooters who are some of the best nature shooters I know. That coupled with RG's findings lead me to believe there is some issue. The extent of it and the seriousness of it still has to be determined, IMHO.
Its perplexing because I have seen knock out results from the camera and then some horrendous examples of misfocusing from it. If the focusing issue can be resolved (either by correction or explanation) you have a dream camera with unrivaled low llight capabilities.
I'm going to sit back and see how this plays out. :lurk
Harry http://behret.smugmug.com/NANPA member How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
I can easily dismiss most of the negative stories from DPR, but I can't dismiss the more thorough report from Rob Galbraith and company. Canon is using a new technology with the focusing, so it could easily have some tweaks needed. This, if reports are true, could delay the 5DII and the 1DsIII - but kudos to Canon if they can get it working better. Soon the sales of all three new cams will depend on their next move.
My Smugmug
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take" - Wayne Gretzky
Let's say that Canon sells 10 mkIII's. If 2 people have problems, they'll tell
everyone they know and it will spiral from there. The 8 people who didn't
say anything? Nobody knows they exist and as far as any prospective buyer
knows, mkIII's have 'serious issues'. A substantial portion of the population
have few to no problems yet all that's heard is the minority.
I know this from my own experience with the GT (motorcycle). I find myself
complaining about the two or three things that suck worst. Rarely do I say
how much I really like the bike (and the problems are of the same "want to
return it" variety).
As for RG, I respect his (their?) opinion but I want to know if he is in the
minority.
Moderator Journeys/Sports/Big Picture :: Need some help with dgrin?
As for RG, I respect his (their?) opinion but I want to know if he is in the minority.
There is that nasty hoopla effect in merely reporting an anomaly.
Rob has had 3 MkIII's; 1 pre-production where Canon mentioned everything worked except that same troubling AI servo (a known bug on the pre-production units), and then 2 full production cams. He also normally shoots with the MkIIn to compare with, so unlike others who just had their new MkIII shipped, I trust his opinion more than most any other report out there since he knows how to shoot with it.
I just read an interview with Chuck Westfall (trying to find that link again) where he was quoted saying there will be more to say about the AI focusing next month. What that means is anyone's guess.
Arthur Morris seems happy with his Mark III as he writes here.
Harry http://behret.smugmug.com/NANPA member How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
Let's say that Canon sells 10 mkIII's. If 2 people have problems, they'll tell
everyone they know and it will spiral from there. The 8 people who didn't
say anything? Nobody knows they exist and as far as any prospective buyer
knows, mkIII's have 'serious issues'. A substantial portion of the population
have few to no problems yet all that's heard is the minority.
I know this from my own experience with the GT (motorcycle). I find myself
complaining about the two or three things that suck worst. Rarely do I say
how much I really like the bike (and the problems are of the same "want to
return it" variety).
As for RG, I respect his (their?) opinion but I want to know if he is in the
minority.
I think that's a more than reasonable point of view.
What sways my opinion is detailed, analytical documentation of the issue, such as Galbraith's. It's not idle chatter if you can prove it. Like puking finals drives on BMW's, you don't need factory acknowledgement to know there's a problem.
I'm curious to see how long it will take Canon to sort it out. I don't think they'll admit there's a problem until they have a solution, maybe not even then.
I'm curious to see how long it will take Canon to sort it out. I don't think they'll admit there's a problem until they have a solution, maybe not even then.
I think they have, at least, ack'd the problem. Perhaps in not so many words.
And you're right to presume that until the problem is well understood and at
least some idea of how to resolve it, it won't be formally acknowledged. At
least that's how BMW is handling the situation
Moderator Journeys/Sports/Big Picture :: Need some help with dgrin?
0
Jim WilsonRegistered UsersPosts: 4Beginner grinner
I think they have, at least, ack'd the problem. Perhaps in not so many words.
And you're right to presume that until the problem is well understood and at
least some idea of how to resolve it, it won't be formally acknowledged. At
least that's how BMW is handling the situation
I got my MKIII last week and have shot several thousand images with it, much of that air to air and ground to air work with very fast moving subjects. I find no problem at all with the camera. My guess is that it's so fast and has so many autofocus parameters that can be custom set, new users are just victims of the learning curve. Canon has done it again!
My guess is that it's so fast and has so many autofocus parameters that can be custom set, new users are just victims of the learning curve. Canon has done it again!
Quick question. Are you using it out of the box or did you read and set the custom functions before use?
Moderator Journeys/Sports/Big Picture :: Need some help with dgrin?
I got my MKIII last week and have shot several thousand images with it, much of that air to air and ground to air work with very fast moving subjects. I find no problem at all with the camera. My guess is that it's so fast and has so many autofocus parameters that can be custom set, new users are just victims of the learning curve. Canon has done it again!
Jim Wilson
The problem is that some of the folks complaining of the issues are accomplished and very experienced shooters like Fabs and Ron G. The 200 e-mails Ron G got and the almost 50% of Mark III users on a poll at Fred Miranda's seem to indicate this may be something more than a few folks not being able to handle a new piece of equipment.
I will always remember when the Sony-717 was released and some users reported focusing problems with it. We ridiculed them and posted the fine shots we were getting from the camera until Sony recalled the camera to address the focusing problems with it.
Harry http://behret.smugmug.com/NANPA member How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
0
jeff lapointRegistered UsersPosts: 1,228Major grins
edited July 8, 2007
First off, let me just say that I don't have the camera and have never shot with it, therefore everything I'm about to write is just more conjecture and forum speculation Skip as needed
After attempting to weed through the circus show on DPR and the mostly civilized discussions on FM, naturescapes, and CPOTN, I'll
(foolishly) chime in with a few of my mostly obvious observations.
1. This whole thing has turned into one huge snowballing cluster job. There is just so much crap on the forums re: the markIII it is virtually impossible at this point to be a conscientious consumer of information. Sure this is the nature of the internet, but I feel like we're on one end of the bell curve on this one.
2. Even the information I consider reliable feels problematic. I very much respect Ron G, but what about Artie's experience? Fabs on one hand (great photographer having problems with the camera) and Alfred Forns on the other (great photographer with no problems with the camera). Shoot they even switched cameras and she felt like it "behaved better". Of course this is just my interpretation of their posts and I'm sure someone will correct me if I've misread. Doesn't this seem to indicate a design flaw is less probable and more likely an issue suggest an with QA?
3. For me the multitude of variables make the "data" impossible to interpret, especially with polls like the one on FM. No way to normalize the poll to account for the various fan boy Canon apologists and their counterpart the "I hate everything Canon" trolls. How do I know how many posters don't know how to shoot at all, but have a ton of cash and really dig their neat new toy. Weeding out the measure bater crowd complaining that their 100% crop wont print sharply to billboard size is just as daunting. I even think there is one last pair of shooters that exists. One half bought the camera and loved it until reading all the negative reports and now is convinced there is a problem. Almost an internet photography forum folie a deux. Then there are the other half that was sure there is a problem but are now certain there was just a steep learning curve that they have now sorted out.
And how about the biggest curve ball of all, inter-operator variation in performance and skill/ shooting style.
I don't have 1/10th the skill at shooting BIF's as Fabs probably has in her big toe, but I think every now and again I get some ok shots with my 1DIIn. But I would never shoot with the same settings as she does (ring of fire). I have grown to trust only my center point for fast moving small birds in flight and I never expect all the shots of a machine gun burst to be razor sharp.
4. I've decided the only way to know for sure if the camera will work for me is to try it myself. I'm not ready to do that yet financially, but when it comes time that needs to be the gold standard. At least this whole thing has pointed out to me my own over reliance on internet reviews and opinions. Sure, they can be valuable, but without me being attentive to the source of the info and the biases/limitations of those sources the information is useless.
Sorry for the long, rambling, and only partially on topic post!
Quick question. Are you using it out of the box or did you read and set the custom functions before use?
Hi Ian,
I went through and set basic parameters. I have shot the camera on AI Servo and high speed drive and one shot. I haven't found a problem yet. I love Canon gear and have 2 1Ds MKII's but I'd be the first to be vocal if a product didn't measure up. That's not to say the people having problems are imagining it. I don't have their cameras, only mine. I do notice that the auto focus is lightning fast and you better have it on the right selection for what your shooting or it'll zip in on some other facet of the composition and soften everything else. So far though with well over 1,000 shots, I'm pretty happy with the camera.
Jumping in Well said Jeff! I've been following the same threads on the same lists. I don't even have the MK2:D But if I had the $$$$, need to recoup from the 300 f2.8L, I'd buy the MK3 right now.
Like a friend of mine told me, he does have the MK3, the only way to know is get down in the dirt with it.
What ever issues there are Canon will get them taken care of. I do believe some cameras do have issues, but I also believe there are many more that don't. What is irking me more than anything is the whole chit chat has went to, if you are not having problems you don't know what your doing and if you do have problems you don't know what your doing. That is just nuts.
0
jeff lapointRegistered UsersPosts: 1,228Major grins
Jumping in Well said Jeff! I've been following the same threads on the same lists. I don't even have the MK2:D But if I had the $$$$, need to recoup from the 300 f2.8L, I'd buy the MK3 right now.
Like a friend of mine told me, he does have the MK3, the only way to know is get down in the dirt with it.
What ever issues there are Canon will get them taken care of. I do believe some cameras do have issues, but I also believe there are many more that don't. What is irking me more than anything is the whole chit chat has went to, if you are not having problems you don't know what your doing and if you do have problems you don't know what your doing. That is just nuts.
Thanks. I very much do believe some people have malfunctions that are not anywhere near their fault, its just that all the babble makes it impossible to makes a reasonable approximation as to the prevalence of the problem.
Comments
Its important to realize that we don't know anything for sure yet. The vast majority of responses from Mark III users have been estatic and there have been a fair number of complaints. Its not unusual with a release of a new camera for the unhappy users to get more attention.
To say that Canon has done something is a bit premature. We don't know for sure if there is an issue yet. If there is one is due to firmware (apparantly there are different firmware versions on the released Mark IIIs), is just in some of the earlier released cameras, etc.
Lets sit back and see what transpires before we make any hasty conclusions.
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
p.s. - here's an interesting article from Rob Galbraith: http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/content_page.asp?cid=7-8740-9006
Galbraith listed the AF issues in his latest article:
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
http://midnightblue.smugmug.com
Canon
http://www.dphotojournal.com/canon-eos-1d-mark-iii/
There is no general consensus yet. Even the pros I'm seeing posting here & elsewhere are debating the focusing thing. Some are running into the issues Galbraith outlines, others are not. Personally, if I were in line to get one, I'd grab mine and see how it works out and go from there.
http://www.chrislaudermilkphoto.com/
Early this week I was speaking to "my" camera store guy, and was arranging a deposit on two mark III's, and a whole butt load of glass. Big decision.
Read Galbraith's article and have gone into hold pattern. I shoot lots of sports, so focus is critical. I have read way too many issues to commit, I understand that some people don't have any problems, but it is clear that just as many people do have problems with the MIII. As the poster above notes, I too would just get one if I already had all the glass, but making a big switch needs a bit more certainty that I get bodies that work.
The only thing that might stop the switch is Nikon coming out with a 10 fps body and high iso performance before Canon fixes the MIII AF issue.
Anyone wanna buy some Nikon glass? Sale subject to either
(a) New Nikon body with high iso performance
(b) Canon fix the MIII AF issues
www.pnphoto.smugmug.com
__________________________________________
D200, D2Xs, 70-200 f/2.8, 300 f/2.8, 200-400 f/4, 17-55 f/2.8, 10.5 f/2.8, 105 f/2.8, 80-400// 1DMIIn, 1DMIII, 16-35 f/2.8, 24-70 f/2.8, 300 f/2.8, 100-400
http://midnightblue.smugmug.com
Canon
If you have the money and want to speculate on whether the MKIII will meet your needs, there is a good chance that, in most instances, it will. The photographers having problems with the MKIII are suceeding in overcoming the problem by shooting extra images, something the MKIII is awfully good at (lots of images in a very short time).
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
Basically he says that within 48 hours of his article going up up he received over 200 complaints re:the Mark III's AF.
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
I've never had good luck with large evaluation/or large focus point areas with BIFs.
I'm so curious to see how the MkIII does in my settings. Is there anyone who doesn't use aiservo like me?
The details,IQ and the low noise at high ISO blows my mind.
Perhaps another 3k clicks this week
Cincinnati Smug Leader
Hi Harry,
I was following the hysteria over at the DP Review forum when the M3 first came out. I have one on order and am getting very concerned.
Prescott Photog, Chris - " One Shot, One Still "
'
Canon CPS Member
SmugMug Pro User - www.PrescottOutdoors.net
NAPP Member..Click for Info
I have never put much faith in the hysteria at DPR everytime a new camera is released. I know a few Canonites who are having serious problems with their Mark IIIs. These are experienced shooters who are some of the best nature shooters I know. That coupled with RG's findings lead me to believe there is some issue. The extent of it and the seriousness of it still has to be determined, IMHO.
Its perplexing because I have seen knock out results from the camera and then some horrendous examples of misfocusing from it. If the focusing issue can be resolved (either by correction or explanation) you have a dream camera with unrivaled low llight capabilities.
I'm going to sit back and see how this plays out. :lurk
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
what is real.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take" - Wayne Gretzky
everyone they know and it will spiral from there. The 8 people who didn't
say anything? Nobody knows they exist and as far as any prospective buyer
knows, mkIII's have 'serious issues'. A substantial portion of the population
have few to no problems yet all that's heard is the minority.
I know this from my own experience with the GT (motorcycle). I find myself
complaining about the two or three things that suck worst. Rarely do I say
how much I really like the bike (and the problems are of the same "want to
return it" variety).
As for RG, I respect his (their?) opinion but I want to know if he is in the
minority.
There is that nasty hoopla effect in merely reporting an anomaly.
Rob has had 3 MkIII's; 1 pre-production where Canon mentioned everything worked except that same troubling AI servo (a known bug on the pre-production units), and then 2 full production cams. He also normally shoots with the MkIIn to compare with, so unlike others who just had their new MkIII shipped, I trust his opinion more than most any other report out there since he knows how to shoot with it.
I just read an interview with Chuck Westfall (trying to find that link again) where he was quoted saying there will be more to say about the AI focusing next month. What that means is anyone's guess.
EDIT
Found the interview.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take" - Wayne Gretzky
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
What sways my opinion is detailed, analytical documentation of the issue, such as Galbraith's. It's not idle chatter if you can prove it. Like puking finals drives on BMW's, you don't need factory acknowledgement to know there's a problem.
I'm curious to see how long it will take Canon to sort it out. I don't think they'll admit there's a problem until they have a solution, maybe not even then.
Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au
Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au
And you're right to presume that until the problem is well understood and at
least some idea of how to resolve it, it won't be formally acknowledged. At
least that's how BMW is handling the situation
I got my MKIII last week and have shot several thousand images with it, much of that air to air and ground to air work with very fast moving subjects. I find no problem at all with the camera. My guess is that it's so fast and has so many autofocus parameters that can be custom set, new users are just victims of the learning curve. Canon has done it again!
Jim Wilson
Quick question. Are you using it out of the box or did you read and set the custom functions before use?
The problem is that some of the folks complaining of the issues are accomplished and very experienced shooters like Fabs and Ron G. The 200 e-mails Ron G got and the almost 50% of Mark III users on a poll at Fred Miranda's seem to indicate this may be something more than a few folks not being able to handle a new piece of equipment.
I will always remember when the Sony-717 was released and some users reported focusing problems with it. We ridiculed them and posted the fine shots we were getting from the camera until Sony recalled the camera to address the focusing problems with it.
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
After attempting to weed through the circus show on DPR and the mostly civilized discussions on FM, naturescapes, and CPOTN, I'll
(foolishly) chime in with a few of my mostly obvious observations.
1. This whole thing has turned into one huge snowballing cluster job. There is just so much crap on the forums re: the markIII it is virtually impossible at this point to be a conscientious consumer of information. Sure this is the nature of the internet, but I feel like we're on one end of the bell curve on this one.
2. Even the information I consider reliable feels problematic. I very much respect Ron G, but what about Artie's experience? Fabs on one hand (great photographer having problems with the camera) and Alfred Forns on the other (great photographer with no problems with the camera). Shoot they even switched cameras and she felt like it "behaved better". Of course this is just my interpretation of their posts and I'm sure someone will correct me if I've misread. Doesn't this seem to indicate a design flaw is less probable and more likely an issue suggest an with QA?
3. For me the multitude of variables make the "data" impossible to interpret, especially with polls like the one on FM. No way to normalize the poll to account for the various fan boy Canon apologists and their counterpart the "I hate everything Canon" trolls. How do I know how many posters don't know how to shoot at all, but have a ton of cash and really dig their neat new toy. Weeding out the measure bater crowd complaining that their 100% crop wont print sharply to billboard size is just as daunting. I even think there is one last pair of shooters that exists. One half bought the camera and loved it until reading all the negative reports and now is convinced there is a problem. Almost an internet photography forum folie a deux. Then there are the other half that was sure there is a problem but are now certain there was just a steep learning curve that they have now sorted out.
And how about the biggest curve ball of all, inter-operator variation in performance and skill/ shooting style.
I don't have 1/10th the skill at shooting BIF's as Fabs probably has in her big toe, but I think every now and again I get some ok shots with my 1DIIn. But I would never shoot with the same settings as she does (ring of fire). I have grown to trust only my center point for fast moving small birds in flight and I never expect all the shots of a machine gun burst to be razor sharp.
4. I've decided the only way to know for sure if the camera will work for me is to try it myself. I'm not ready to do that yet financially, but when it comes time that needs to be the gold standard. At least this whole thing has pointed out to me my own over reliance on internet reviews and opinions. Sure, they can be valuable, but without me being attentive to the source of the info and the biases/limitations of those sources the information is useless.
Sorry for the long, rambling, and only partially on topic post!
-j
I went through and set basic parameters. I have shot the camera on AI Servo and high speed drive and one shot. I haven't found a problem yet. I love Canon gear and have 2 1Ds MKII's but I'd be the first to be vocal if a product didn't measure up. That's not to say the people having problems are imagining it. I don't have their cameras, only mine. I do notice that the auto focus is lightning fast and you better have it on the right selection for what your shooting or it'll zip in on some other facet of the composition and soften everything else. So far though with well over 1,000 shots, I'm pretty happy with the camera.
Jim Wilson
Like a friend of mine told me, he does have the MK3, the only way to know is get down in the dirt with it.
What ever issues there are Canon will get them taken care of. I do believe some cameras do have issues, but I also believe there are many more that don't. What is irking me more than anything is the whole chit chat has went to, if you are not having problems you don't know what your doing and if you do have problems you don't know what your doing. That is just nuts.
Thanks. I very much do believe some people have malfunctions that are not anywhere near their fault, its just that all the babble makes it impossible to makes a reasonable approximation as to the prevalence of the problem.
Enjoy that 300!
-j