Problems with Mark II auto focus

[Ian_McLaren]

Hi Paul

Sorry if I appeared overbearing.I probably love the 1dm2 too much.

You have got me thinking.

Would you describe in more detail the conditions that you are shooting under.

If you exclude the lense it surely has to have something to do with contrast under poor light conditions.

How far away are your subjects


Ian

[RandallButler]

Is the problem with every frame or with the initial frame(s) in a sequence - i.e., is this related to focus tracking?

[Paul_Rogers]

Objects are varying distances from 5 or 6 feet to 60 or more. The focus and sharpness is no where near as accurate as the 1DsmkII and yet all settings are the same. I find it not as good as the old 1D at ISO above 400 for focus accuracy.

Can anyone confirm if the 1DsmkII should be any better or worse? I would have thought they would be the same??

[Craig_Hartley]

Just an update since I started this thread. The auto focus problem occurs with all my lenses: Canon 300 2.8, 70-200, 16-35, etc. Maybe not as bad with a 1.8 or 1.4 lens. It even happened during a test yesterday with my wife walking toward the cameras in broad daylight. I spoke with a pro sports magazine shooter who even had a problem shooting a coach standing still on the sideline.

I think there really is a problem when shooting high speed autofocus with the Mark II. I haven't had a problem shooting single frame shots. I love the Mark II for color, resolution, handling, etc., but the focus issue is a real problem for anyone shooting news, sports or other action.

The old 1D was tack sharp under even cruddy light. I think Canon needs to get serious and fix the problem.

[Peter_Galbavy]

Have you tried the obvious, and ask Canon to look at your camera ? If you have eliminated the lenses as a factor, then it may be a tolerance / adjustment to the individual camera.

[David_Powell]

I agree. I would have Canon service check it out. If you're not seeing it with your 1DsM2, it's clearly not your AF technique. And if the 1DsM2 is working fine with the same lenses, it is not likely that.

Which AF-related custom functions do you have set in your 1DM2? Do they exactly match your 1DsM2? In particular, how is CFn 20 set?

My 1DM2 has had no AF issues when shooting bursts, other than issues which are "by design" (first shot may be OOF in AI Servo). I've been shooting gymnastics (low light) and baseball lately.

[Craig_Hartley]

Asking Canon is not an option, I’m afraid. I use my two Mark II cameras daily and can't afford to lose ten days or so just to have Canon tell me nothing is wrong. Besides, the problem is identical on both my Mark II's, and discussions with other photojournalists reveal similar problems.