I blew the dust off my Mk3 and loaded the new firmware last week and went to test it on Saturday. I was trying to photograph Reed Warblers at close quarters from a hide using a 600/f4 + 1.4 extender + 25mm extension tube. The Mk3 would not autofocus at all; no movement whatsoever. In order to get the autofocus (AI-Servo mode) to work, I was having to manually focus the lens to get into "the ballpark" and then it would pick up. For subjects further out >10m, the AF would operate.
I would be interested to know if anyone using the 1DMk3, or 1DsMk3 with the new firmware installed has:
1. Used their camera in similar circumstances and encountered the same problem.
2. Used their camera in similar circumstances and not encountered the same problem.
I know that the AF system will not focus right down to the minimum focus distance but in this case, the subject was at a greater distance, and the AI-Servo AF in my 1DsMk2 had no difficulty whatsoever.
It sounds like the problem i was having last year but that was because i had CF111-5-1 on, I loaded the firmware the day it came out and in 3 days took 2200 images(see last few posts) mostly with a 500+2x or 1.4x and i must admit that most were pin sharp and those that were out were either my fault or the shutter speed was too low to freeze the movement-overall it seems an improvement but i will hold judgement until i shoot more subjects that i need to track
Not quite your combination Phil, but I have used the 500mm + 1.4x or 2x with the 12mm tube before and after the 1.2.3 firmware release and not had any issues, at least with static portrait type shots. I've not tried tracking anything with that lot on board, but the 500mm solo with 1.2.3 seems OK so far.
Discussion
4 repliesI would be interested to know if anyone using the 1DMk3, or 1DsMk3 with the new firmware installed has:
1. Used their camera in similar circumstances and encountered the same problem.
2. Used their camera in similar circumstances and not encountered the same problem.
I know that the AF system will not focus right down to the minimum focus distance but in this case, the subject was at a greater distance, and the AI-Servo AF in my 1DsMk2 had no difficulty whatsoever.
Will set up the same rig when I get home next week and will let you know the outcome.
It sounds like the problem i was having last year but that was because i had CF111-5-1 on, I loaded the firmware the day it came out and in 3 days took 2200 images(see last few posts) mostly with a 500+2x or 1.4x and i must admit that most were pin sharp and those that were out were either my fault or the shutter speed was too low to freeze the movement-overall it seems an improvement but i will hold judgement until i shoot more subjects that i need to track
Dave
Steve
Dave