1DX - Ai Servo Issue - Low light focus failure! Final Update 05/09/12

[Viggo]

Any new updates here?

I tried with my 1d X, and where the One Shot still locks, both the 12 fps (H) and the 3-10 fps (L) I tried stops working. That isn't a problem, and fully understandable.

Where the 3 fps lovked, the 12 fps locked. It seemed very much like it to me that the framerate didn't make a difference and that Ai Servo gave up no matter the framerate, but the One Shot kept going.

Ai Servo locked with very little light and contrast at f1,4, 1/60s at iso 16k.

*update* Tried on my grey couch and at 12 fps (H) it locks, at 8 fps (L) it doesn't

*UDPATE 2* I just realized my battery was at 31% (still two dots) and Canon states:

"EOS-1D X maximum continuous shooting speed is restricted to 10 fps when the battery charge is less than 50%, or when the ISO speed is above 32,000. If the camera's internal temperature is low and ISO speed above 20,000, maximum continuous shooting speed is restricted to 10 fps"

So I guess my tests tonight isn't useable, I'll charge up and try again.

[Viggo]

Charged the battery and tried again with the 35 L and the results; exactly the same as before. 12 fps H and 8 fps L locked at exactly the same thing equally quick and they both lost their ability to lock at the same amount contrast and light. One shot still worked until too dark to see and beyond.

In 12 fps H mode it locked on the black zipper of my black Induro tripod bag with f1,4 @ 1/60s 6400 iso. I think that's pretty crazy... Shot with center point, no expansion.

My serial number is: 053011xxxxxx

[Sycotek]

Charged the battery and tried again with the 35 L and the results; exactly the same as before. 12 fps H and 8 fps L locked at exactly the same thing equally quick and they both lost their ability to lock at the same amount contrast and light. One shot still worked until too dark to see and beyond.

In 12 fps H mode it locked on the black zipper of my black Induro tripod bag with f1,4 @ 1/60s 6400 iso. I think that's pretty crazy... Shot with center point, no expansion.

My serial number is: 053011xxxxxx

Remembering that my main issue wasn't even in remotely low light - it is a strange issue with seems to effect a fair few bodies. I can make it fail in daylight - i can just about predict where it will fail at 12 fps.

However:

I spat the dummy with mine - I have had it die on my twice in one wedding shooting in broad daylight - two days ago, one shot - 70-200 f2.8 II with 600ex rt on board (fill flash) - iso 100 1/600 at f4 - lens locks up and refuses to rack, had to turn it off and on again to start working.

Canon are replacing it tomorrow when I get back to Australia from overseas, however after not hearing back from them for 4 weeks I had to threaten to dump my Canon gear to get their attention.

The most annoying thing is even the head of Canon Australian and CPS Australia won't comment on the findings. They are basically ignoring the issue... it's disheartening.

I'm not sure if you have noticed there was a report of olympic shooters having issues during the games where canon reported 5-6 months to fix the af issues...

---

On a side note - we were in a reception with 5D2, 5D3, 1D4, 1Ds3, 1DX and 7D. The 5D3 and 1DX consistently had issues locking onto dark skin (not so good if you are working in asia). 5D2 actually had very little issues. on the 1DX I had to actually manual focus to get any shots which to me is rather stupid.

Using the 600EX for af assist did help (and didn't lock up when using at EF 50 f1.4)

---

I will have to redo all my tests with the new body tomorrow.

[neuroanatomist]

The 5D3 and 1DX consistently had issues locking onto dark skin...

I haven't noticed this with the 1D X, neither on One Shot nor in AI Servo with iTR enabled.


EOS 1D X, EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM @ 200mm, 1/250 s, f/2.8, ISO 4000


EOS 1D X, EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM @ 200mm, 1/320 s, f/2.8, ISO 4000

[Sycotek]

The 5D3 and 1DX consistently had issues locking onto dark skin...

I haven't noticed this with the 1D X, neither on One Shot nor in AI Servo with iTR enabled.

You light is excellent there f2.8 1/320 iso4K - The conditions we were in need flash if we could lock on - it was iso 25K territory f2.0 1/125.

Still noted

[Sycotek]

Picked up the new body and ran a simple test: finding's added to initial post.

[Sycotek]

Final update on main post

Finally

[Viggo]

Thanks for the update. Glad the switch worked for you also.

[neuroanatomist]

Anyway - since I hadn't heard from Canon, chasing it up every day I actually switched over to a D4 setup...

Just curious...what lenses are you routinely using with the D4, and are you pleased with the Nikon counterparts to the Canon lenses you used previously?  Or by D4 did you mean 1D Mark IV?

[Sycotek]

Anyway - since I hadn't heard from Canon, chasing it up every day I actually switched over to a D4 setup...

Just curious...what lenses are you routinely using with the D4, and are you pleased with the Nikon counterparts to the Canon lenses you used previously?  Or by D4 did you mean 1D Mark IV?

Nikon D4 - I have only replaced my core lenses: 24-70 f2.8, 70-200 f2.8 VR II and the 50 1.4G (which frankly is superb). Build wise the nikkor glass on the face value seems to be built better and nice little touches such as the front element on the workhorse glass has a visible rubber gasket. The tripod collar on the 70-200 on a probody acts as a stand in landscape mode. All lenses I have purchased so far have come with bags/pouches and hoods.

Majority of their lenses are sealed and have rear rubber gaskets (G's anyway) including the 50mm 1.4.

IS to me seems better then VR II however that may just be because VR II is quieter and *feels* like it isnt doing much - no more then 1/3 stop at best if anything.

70-200 2.8 II vs 70-200 VR II - I'd probably give it to canon in terms of wide open sharpness (let's face it, it's a killer lens) 24-70 Nikkor hands down (the two ef 24-70's I owned were horrible) and the 50 easily the nikkor - fast quiet accurate - and doesnt hunt. Actual drive speed of the lenses on a probody feels to be as quick as the L grade ef ultrasonics, if not a little quicker (again that could be the fact they are quieter and the af on the d4 (in my experience) is just quicker overall)

[runninghead]

Well, it's glad to hear I'm not the only one with this AI servo issues. Loaded your camera config and magically the focus was spot on! I still have issues with AI servo failed to focus even on midday, the AF just stayed there like it was off, but the indicator says the AF is still on. Tried to track a person walking away from the camera (in mid-day, lots of lights and contrast) and it fails to track! I just can't believe it... The AF settings were "Case 1", AF points were automatic, and left everything else default. The AF engaged when I pressed the shutter button, and it took 1st frame spot on focus, but the rest of my burst were all OOF. I'm guessing there's a problem with the AUTO AF, it worked out fine with ASSIGNED AF points though. Quite a shocking discovery that day. Btw I'm using a 24-70 f/2.8L lens.

[Sh1n1ng Forc3]

Anyway - since I hadn't heard from Canon, chasing it up every day I actually switched over to a D4 setup...

Just curious...what lenses are you routinely using with the D4, and are you pleased with the Nikon counterparts to the Canon lenses you used previously?  Or by D4 did you mean 1D Mark IV?

Actual drive speed of the lenses on a probody feels to be as quick as the L grade ef ultrasonics, if not a little quicker (again that could be the fact they are quieter and the af on the d4 (in my experience) is just quicker overall)

This seems odd to me as every major head-to-head comparison between the 1DX and D4 reach the exact opposite conclusion that the 1DX is much faster in focusing etc.  Not trying to accuse you of anything just curious if this has to do more with the lenses you primarily shoot with.  Also as someone who used to shoot with Nikon pro bodies myself I can say that the Nikon 24-70 is simply amazing.  Can't wait to try out the new Canon 24-70.

[Sycotek]

Anyway - since I hadn't heard from Canon, chasing it up every day I actually switched over to a D4 setup...

Just curious...what lenses are you routinely using with the D4, and are you pleased with the Nikon counterparts to the Canon lenses you used previously?  Or by D4 did you mean 1D Mark IV?

Actual drive speed of the lenses on a probody feels to be as quick as the L grade ef ultrasonics, if not a little quicker (again that could be the fact they are quieter and the af on the d4 (in my experience) is just quicker overall)

This seems odd to me as every major head-to-head comparison between the 1DX and D4 reach the exact opposite conclusion that the 1DX is much faster in focusing etc.  Not trying to accuse you of anything just curious if this has to do more with the lenses you primarily shoot with.  Also as someone who used to shoot with Nikon pro bodies myself I can say that the Nikon 24-70 is simply amazing.  Can't wait to try out the new Canon 24-70.

Don't get Me wrong - in good light the 1DX/5D3 AF (esp AI Servo) is sensational - in the conditions i shoot - eg receptions halls, the 1DX/5D3 struggles where the D4 just works. The fact i could make it fail in broad daylight by focusing a grey object in single shot together with the other issue of 3sec af lock when using a flash mounted was the final nail.

For the record - we originally isolated my set of lenses when I sat with canon cps and we were trading bodies and lenses with nil effect.

Not saying the switch over has been smooth - nikon have their own set of problems - but nothing i cant live with.

I can't for the life of me understand why the camera is rated to -2ev though?! if canon themselves tell me its -0.5 ev at 10fps. The issue isn't the 10fps its the modification to the focusing system, ie. it wont focus - when 12 fps is engaged as accurately or as fast as when 10 fps is enabled. I'm very surprised this was kept quiet through the Olympics - i don't see how the shooters there weren't affected.

[xtralight]

Thanks for the info! I uploaded the settings and my 1Dx focus accuracy is very good now in Servo when shooting in low light. Much less hunting in Servo. My D800E performed much better before but now it is on par. My focusing issue was a nightmare since I shoot a lot in low light. I am using the new Canon 24-70mm f2.8II.

[bdunbar79]

Odd.  I routinely shoot in low light sports, no slower than 1/800s with a pair of 1D X's and have had no AF problems that I've noticed.  ISO typically up to 10,000.  I shoot only in AI Servo mode.