Canon 1D3 focus problems

[photojournalist]

I just got my 1D3 back from cps for the autofucus fix for about 4th time. Autofocus seems to be working fine but now there's another problem. Auto focus seems not tack sharp on my viewfinder but when I open the files up on my computer, they seem to be pretty sharp. The problem is when I try to manual focus, it looks sharp according to the viewfinder but totally out of focus when I open up the files on my computer. Anyone had this problem? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

[Jim Victory]

Try adjusting the diopter on the viewfinder until it is in focus. If you meant the LCD then it may need calibration.

[photojournalist]

I wish it was that simple but it's not the diopter. I've tried adjusting it so many ways but with same results.

[KdLaneJr]

Put it on a tripod and use live view to manually focus. If you can see the image sharp on live view and when captured, yet still cannot get proper focus when manually focusing through the viewfinder, your focusing screen may need to be checked for proper installation. If the issue persists; At the very least, I'd remove and re-install the focusing screen.

[photojournalist]

I've switch out the focusing screen with two other Mark 3's and still the same problem. I was hoping I wouldn't have to send it back again.

[Dobick]

so you have tried the live view to get a sharp image, and then once you have that sharp image without moving the focus, adjusted the diopter to the sharpest image in the viewfinder possible?

Because if you leave it to the camera to produce sharp images with auto focus, yet when you try to manual focus you are coming up with problems then the problem is not an autofocus problem with the camera

[pbyd]

google Canon Mark III focus issues, you are not alone.
Wayne
Photography by Design

[ldelacruz]

Originally Posted by pbyd

google Canon Mark III focus issues, you are not alone.
Wayne
Photography by Design

User error!

[Dobick]

Originally Posted by pbyd

google Canon Mark III focus issues, you are not alone.
Wayne
Photography by Design

focus issues yes -- but this is the first time that I have heard about the fact that the camera's autofocus is working, but the user can't seem to make the image match the viewfinder.

Through 30 results on google not one mentions anything like this...

[Jim Victory]

Originally Posted by photojournalist

I've switch out the focusing screen with two other Mark 3's and still the same problem. I was hoping I wouldn't have to send it back again.

It sounds like something is misaligned and needs to be recalibrated. Sometimes when changing out focus screens you may not get them seated right which could cause a problem but if you have changed out 3 it doesn't seem to be seating problem.

It definitely sounds like a viewfinder alignment problem and your probably going to have to send it to Canon if you can't find someone locally to adjust it.

[blevey]

Which CPS location are you sending this camera to? The reason I ask is that I sent 5 Mark III's into the Virginia location that Canon had designated as the "official" location to have them fixed under the recall. SO off they go and they come back. I kept noticing at Astros games that with my 400 2.8 that I was getting unsharp images, especially in the outfield...I could be tracking the play along and all looked great. when I would go to get the image....soft!!!!

I packed up the 400mm an off to CPS to get calilbrated. Lens came back. Same issue. So I actually had a week where I was not shooting. I packed up the 5 Mark III bodies and all my lenses with strict instructions to match all my lenses to my bodies. These were sent to CPS is California.

Okay.. enough jibber jabber.....every body that was sent to Virginia for the "fix" came back from California with with the note...with something like... " Camera was "incorrecty adjusted" causing images to be ourt of focus"

These cameras are no producing images like they should...razor sharp!!! So.. all I can say is to send it again and hope to god you get a compitent technician... OH Yea...best part.... $0 to repair all cameras, they replaced the front elements on my 16-35 and 70-200 nad replaced the mount on my 400mm plus some other stuff...

Bob