Canon 1DX - AFMA reset when I turn off the camera (workaround found)

[ThomasBx]

Hi !
Sorry, my english isn't very good
I have a problem with Af MA on my 1DX.
I respects the manual procedure for the MA settings but if I turn off the camera and turn on, the settings are cleared, reset to 0...
For exemple, with the EF 16-35 f2.8L II, in the first setting, the LCD screen displays [00] EF 16-35, I adjust W and T, I "wrote" the serial number (because the camera doesn't recognize the serial number) and it's OK.
I turn off the camera and turn on (lens always mounted on the camera)
And, in the first setting Af MA menu, the W and T values are 0 !
If I go in the sub menu with the INFO touch, my camera displays [01] EF 16-35...

The problem is identical with my EF 24-105 f4 L, EF 50, EF 70-200 f2.8 II and EF 40 f2.8 STM.
I specified my lens are not old. Purchased this year.
The CR2025 battery seems to work because hour/minutes/day are OK.

I have also a 5D Mark III and the Af MA works perfectly.
I have 2 friends who have a 1Dx et they don'have problem with Af MA.

I wrote to CPS today, this morning. I'm waiting a response.

Do you have same problems on your 1Dx ?
Thanks a lot for your help.

From moderator: for workaround, see THIS POST.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Re: Canon 1DX - AF Micro Adjustment reset when I turn off the camera

All I can offer is to make sure you are saving the settings. I had that issue with my 5D MK III until I remembered to save them.

 

[ThomasBx]

Re: Canon 1DX - AF Micro Adjustment reset when I turn off the camera

I don't see a "save function" for micro-adjustment...
I do the same procedure in my 5D3, I don't save anything with a save function. I go back to MENU and it's OK, the settings are saving.
In my 1DX, I also noticed that the standby camera after 1 minute, reset to 0 the Af MA, as when I turn off the camera. It's very very strange.

Nobody has found this problem on his camera ???

 

[AlbertaCanonShooter]

Re: Canon 1DX - AF Micro Adjustment reset when I turn off the camera

I'm not having that problem, mine are staying as expected.

 

[Loswr]

Re: Canon 1DX - AF Micro Adjustment reset when I turn off the camera

Nobody has found this problem on his camera?

Problems like this almost always amount to user error. Read the manual.

In fact, I'm having the same problem. I'm pretty confident in saying it's not user error. :

When When Adjust by Lens is selected, powering off then on resets the setting (or W/T settings for a zoom lens) to zero, and also clears out a manually entered lens serial number. If I set it to All by Same Amount, the setting entered is retained...but, powering off actually changes the setting to Adjust by Lens, which is zeroed out. Even setting it to Disable and power cycling results in it being set to Adjust by Lens.

The same reversions occur if the camera goes into standby mode - when it's woken up, the AFMA setting, regardless of where it was left, reverts to Adjust by Lens with the previously set value(s) zeroed out.

This occurs with several lenses (zooms and primes), and occurs in any mode (standard modes as well as the C1-C3 user settings).

I called Canon Tech Support, who had no information on the issue, but the tech rep indicated that he tried it on a 1D X and it didn't display that behavior.

I expect a forthcoming firmware update which, "Addresses an intermittent issue that..." I can't see how it can be anything but a firmware issue, and I would bet it's a bug triggered by other settings (e.g., people who enabled the C2 and C3 settings before applying AFMA see the problem, or some other odd combination.

Mine has Firmware Version 1.0.2 - I wonder if there are cameras with different firmware versions in the wild?

 

[Loswr]

Re: Canon 1DX - AF Micro Adjustment reset when I turn off the camera

I'm not having that problem, mine are staying as expected.

Can you let me know if your 1D X has the same firmware as mine (v.1.0.2). Thanks!

 

[Loswr]

Re: Canon 1DX - AF Micro Adjustment reset when I turn off the camera

Chatted with B&H on the issue. When inquiring about exchanging the camera, the response was: "Actually, it would be considered as a new order, since there are other orders in front of you, so it'd be the back of the queue...I can tell you that there are hundreds of backorders for this camera..."

On the bright side, he did indicate that, "We were also told by Canon that a firmware update should be released shortly to address this situation."

 

[nightbreath]

Re: Canon 1DX - AF Micro Adjustment reset when I turn off the camera

... On the bright side, he did indicate that, "We were also told by Canon that a firmware update should be released shortly to address this situation."

Looks like a firmware issue. Did you check AI-Servo tracking according to this reports?

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Re: Canon 1DX - AF Micro Adjustment reset when I turn off the camera

Chatted with B&H on the issue. When inquiring about exchanging the camera, the response was: "Actually, it would be considered as a new order, since there are other orders in front of you, so it'd be the back of the queue...I can tell you that there are hundreds of backorders for this camera..."

On the bright side, he did indicate that, "We were also told by Canon that a firmware update should be released shortly to address this situation."

Amazing that all of the beta testers did not find this, since the first thing many of us do is to Microadjust the lenses.

 

[ThomasBx]

Re: Canon 1DX - AF Micro Adjustment reset when I turn off the camera

Nobody has found this problem on his camera?

Problems like this almost always amount to user error. Read the manual.

In fact, I'm having the same problem. I'm pretty confident in saying it's not user error. :

When When Adjust by Lens is selected, powering off then on resets the setting (or W/T settings for a zoom lens) to zero, and also clears out a manually entered lens serial number. If I set it to All by Same Amount, the setting entered is retained...but, powering off actually changes the setting to Adjust by Lens, which is zeroed out. Even setting it to Disable and power cycling results in it being set to Adjust by Lens.

The same reversions occur if the camera goes into standby mode - when it's woken up, the AFMA setting, regardless of where it was left, reverts to Adjust by Lens with the previously set value(s) zeroed out.

This occurs with several lenses (zooms and primes), and occurs in any mode (standard modes as well as the C1-C3 user settings).

I called Canon Tech Support, who had no information on the issue, but the tech rep indicated that he tried it on a 1D X and it didn't display that behavior.

I expect a forthcoming firmware update which, "Addresses an intermittent issue that..." I can't see how it can be anything but a firmware issue, and I would bet it's a bug triggered by other settings (e.g., people who enabled the C2 and C3 settings before applying AFMA see the problem, or some other odd combination.

Mine has Firmware Version 1.0.2 - I wonder if there are cameras with different firmware versions in the wild?

Yes, I'm not alone
At the beginning, everyone here thought I was crazy ;D

Mine has firmware Version 1.0.2 too.
I spoke with CPS rep at phone : technical service deals with the problem.
He phone me at the end of the week because next week he start to London Olympics Games.

@ Neuroanatomist : it has nothing to do with the C2 and C3 settings because I have not yet set C2 and C3 but only C1.

A friend has a 1Dx with firmware 1.0.2 and its settings MA Af works perfectly and remain in memory.

 

[Loswr]

Re: Canon 1DX - AF Micro Adjustment reset when I turn off the camera

... On the bright side, he did indicate that, "We were also told by Canon that a firmware update should be released shortly to address this situation."

Looks like a firmware issue. Did you check AI-Servo tracking according to this reports?

I did, and I don't seem to be having that issue... On the whole, I'd rather have the AFMA problem than the AI Servo misfocus problem...

 

[Loswr]

Re: Canon 1DX - AF Micro Adjustment reset when I turn off the camera

Ok, the plot thickens...

When posting a screenshot in the AI Servo issue thread, showing that I apparently don't have that issue, I looked more closely at the EXIF window, and noticed it shows an AF Microadjustment of 2. Now, I know I powered the camera off and on after applying that adjustment initially, and I also know it went to standby several times...based on the above, that should have zeroed out the AFMA values.

When I first entered an AFMA in for my 40/2.8 pancake lens, I entered -2. Right now, it shows 0 as described above. If I go in and set it to +15, it shows +15 until I power it off, then 0 after powering it back on. But...when I look at the EXIF in DPP for images shot at +15 before power cycling and 0 after power cycling, they all show an adjustment of -2, the value I entered initially. The 70-200 II is doing the same thing - the values I initially entered (+3 wide and +2 tele) are applied to all the RAW images, regardless of the value showing on the camera.

So...it appears that either something changed after applying the AFMA values for the 40/2.8 and 70-200 II (the only lenses I've adjusted so far, which I did this past Friday morning), or the first AMFA value applied sticks, no matter what you do (including Clear All in the AFMA menu, which I tried earlier today).

If the latter is the case (which I can verify by mounting a lens not previuosly used with the 1D X and applying an adjustment), it seems I have a strong incentive to get it right the first time...

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Re: Canon 1DX - AF Micro Adjustment reset when I turn off the camera

Ok, the plot thickens...

When posting a screenshot in the AI Servo issue thread, showing that I apparently don't have that issue, I looked more closely at the EXIF window, and noticed it shows an AF Microadjustment of 2. Now, I know I powered the camera off and on after applying that adjustment initially, and I also know it went to standby several times...based on the above, that should have zeroed out the AFMA values.

When I first entered an AFMA in for my 40/2.8 pancake lens, I entered -2. Right now, it shows 0 as described above. If I go in and set it to +15, it shows +15 until I power it off, then 0 after powering it back on. But...when I look at the EXIF in DPP for images shot at +15 before power cycling and 0 after power cycling, they all show an adjustment of -2, the value I entered initially. The 70-200 II is doing the same thing - the values I initially entered (+3 wide and +2 tele) are applied to all the RAW images, regardless of the value showing on the camera.

So...it appears that either something changed after applying the AFMA values for the 40/2.8 and 70-200 II (the only lenses I've adjusted so far, which I did this past Friday morning), or the first AMFA value applied sticks, no matter what you do (including Clear All in the AFMA menu, which I tried earlier today).

If the latter is the case (which I can verify by mounting a lens not previuosly used with the 1D X and applying an adjustment), it seems I have a strong incentive to get it right the first time...

I'm happy that I held off on ordering one. Its certainly a great camera, but there are a few things to work out, and I have three DSLR's that work perfectly now.
I will be interested in any Canon mirrorless, and planned to order one, but I'm beginning to wonder if thats a good idea. All the camera manufacturers seem to be overwhelmed with issues in their new bodies.

 

[Loswr]

Re: Canon 1DX - AF Micro Adjustment reset when I turn off the camera

The more I think about it, the less it makes sense. On Thursday afternoon of last week, I took all of my test shots with the 40/2.8 at a range of AFMA values. Then early Friday morning, I did the same thing with the 70-200 II. After both of those sessions, I returned each lens' setting to zero, then powered off the camera. Later Friday morning, I reviewed all of those images, and only then did I dial in the adjustments that seem to have stuck and now cannot be altered.

 

[nightbreath]

Re: Canon 1DX - AF Micro Adjustment reset when I turn off the camera

The more I think about it, the less it makes sense. On Thursday afternoon of last week, I took all of my test shots with the 40/2.8 at a range of AFMA values. Then early Friday morning, I did the same thing with the 70-200 II. After both of those sessions, I returned each lens' setting to zero, then powered off the camera. Later Friday morning, I reviewed all of those images, and only then did I dial in the adjustments that seem to have stuck and now cannot be altered.

May it be shutter button half press that saves the setting?

 

[ThomasBx]

Re: Canon 1DX - AF Micro Adjustment reset when I turn off the camera


[/quote]

May it be shutter button half press that saves the setting?
[/quote]

No, I already tried... :-\

 

[ThomasBx]

Re: Canon 1DX - AF Micro Adjustment reset when I turn off the camera

The more I think about it, the less it makes sense. On Thursday afternoon of last week, I took all of my test shots with the 40/2.8 at a range of AFMA values. Then early Friday morning, I did the same thing with the 70-200 II. After both of those sessions, I returned each lens' setting to zero, then powered off the camera. Later Friday morning, I reviewed all of those images, and only then did I dial in the adjustments that seem to have stuck and now cannot be altered.

I had this problem also...
The only solution found is to pul all the settings at 0 to not do stupid things and take shots with a big back/front focus ;D

 

[ExhibitA]

Re: Canon 1DX - AF Micro Adjustment reset when I turn off the camera

This problem was driving me batty for a few days.

Canon tech support was not able to provide any helpful information during our extended email correspondence.

In frustration, I just started trying all the various settings. I tried "clear all" in "Adjust by lens", then backed out of the menu and shut the camera down. Then I went into "All by same amount" set a value, backed out of the menu and shut the camera down. Then I went into "All by same amount" hit "clear all", backed out the menu and shut the camera down. Then I tried "Disable", backed out and shut the camera down. Finally I went back to "Adjust by lens", tried a different lens first (24L II instead of 300 2.8 II) and it worked. The camera is now accepting the values I enter for various lenses. (I am entering the serial number first, then setting the value.)

Without a specific fix, I'm afraid it's not really helpful in allowing you to solve the problem. My frantic button pushing experience does show, however, that there is some way of getting the camera to accept and retain individual lens values.

 

[DJL329]

Re: Canon 1DX - AF Micro Adjustment reset when I turn off the camera

The more I think about it, the less it makes sense. On Thursday afternoon of last week, I took all of my test shots with the 40/2.8 at a range of AFMA values. Then early Friday morning, I did the same thing with the 70-200 II. After both of those sessions, I returned each lens' setting to zero, then powered off the camera. Later Friday morning, I reviewed all of those images, and only then did I dial in the adjustments that seem to have stuck and now cannot be altered.

Very strange. Only thing I can think of trying is to use the "Clear all camera settings" option. Then, without changing any other settings, set the AFMA on one lens and see if it saves it and lets you change it.

 

[Loswr]

So...I also posted this issue over at TDP, and user Trowski suggested a workaround that does the trick:

[quote author=Trowski]
Enter an AFMA for an older lens (one without the serial number on the chip, like the 70-200 II), then power off the camera. Turn it back on, and the AFMA menu should show zero and the serial number will be zeroed out (though if you take a photo I'm willing to bet it will still show the adjustment you made). Now without powering off the camera, remove the lens and put it back on (or at least turn it enough so the contacts aren't touching). Go back into the AFMA menu. I'm willing to bet you'll see your adjustment value and the serial number.
[/quote]

Trowski is a genius! It's kludgy, but it's a workaround. After doing so, it seems to persist for one power cycle, too. After doing that with my 70-200 II, I put on my 40/2.8, and it showed the previously set -2 straight off. Power cycling then zeroed it out again, but just loosening and remounting the lens with the power on brought the correct -2 back. Also, changing the AFMA then doing the workaround results in the new AFMA being applied, and restored after a repeat of the workaround, as long as you change the AFMA setting right after the lens unmount/remount, when the previous setting is visible. The new setting also shows up in the EXIF, regardless of whether or not it appears zeroed out on the menu.

Some (including Bryan at TDP) have reported this issue, others say they don't have the problem. Personally, I always power off the camera before changing lenses - I wonder...if I routinely changed lenses with the camera powered on, would I not have noticed the issue? As stated above, the value seems to be saved, and recorded in the EXIF, just not displayed on-camera until it's forced to re-recognize the lens.

Sort of a pain, but it'll do until a firmware update comes along...

Thanks again, Trowski!