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Canon 1D (Mk x) AF settings?

published by Kalle Björklid on Wed, 06/27/2007 - 5:00am

Okay, so the camera (Canon 1D mark III) is in town (based on tracking), I'll be getting it in about five hours.
The problem is that I don't have much time or opportunities to learn it before Tuska (starts on Friday). What I've read, even for those who feel that the AF system is working well, there's lots of tweaking to be done before you find the peak performance settigs. Also, there aren't many people in the world who have used the Mk3 in concerts, and even less who have shot three days worth of headbanging (read: energetic music, lots of movement). Therefore, a question for the Mk2 (and maybe even the original 1D) users: any suggestions for the settings that are "the same" in 1Dmk3?

This is what I'm thinking:
- Single focus point
- No" focus point extension" (true single focus point)
- Tracking sensitivity: high to highest (dunno, but closeups of headbanging might work best with this, maybe - except maybe the flying hair might make me tone it down)
- Servo focus (of course) combined with "thumb AF".
- The "stop lens hunting" option turned off

I might try some form of multi-focus-point focusing for close-ups of headbanging, just for kicks (it's rather hard in this case to have even the single focus point where I'd like it, so I need to get lucky in any case).

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Cameras, Lenses, Lighting, Accessories

Submitted by Rene Damkot on Sat, 06/30/2007 - 6:55am.

No personal experience, but on the focus tracking: Some comments about that were made on Rob Galbraiths test: "By comparison, to make the EOS-1D Mark III usable, or at least perform as well as it can, it's critical to turn AI Servo Tracking Sensitivity down one notch, but then at times this means you may have to pump the autofocus button when deliberately switching from one subject to another. We think it's important for Canon, in addition to sorting out the other problems we've described, to make the timings and feel of the EOS-1D Mark III's AI Servo Tracking Sensitivity match that of the EOS-1D Mark II N."

Some more comments in there that might be usefull....

Let us know how it goes & Succes!

Submitted by Valerie on Wed, 08/08/2007 - 1:40am.

Kalle,

I posted a similar question over on POTN. I'm wondering what focus modes you are using with your Mk III? I think I finally got a Mk III that I'm keeping. I have a few issues with it, but I think I may try sending it in in a few months. I really want the extra cross AF sensors and a cleaner 3200.

My main concert kit is a 35/1.4, 85/1.8 and the 135/2.0 with a 1.4x converter if I need it.

My initial feeling is to use One Shot with the 35 (and my 50/1.4), especially since this is usually for up close work. For the 85 and 135, to use AI Servo. René seemed to be in agreement. What are your thoughts on this? Any other recommendations specific to this camera?

Thanks,
Valerie