Canon EOS 5D Mark III AI Servo AF Point Annoyance Firmware Fix Coming

[Jared]

6. The abillity to use the multi controller to choose submenues and the small top wheel to scroll top menues (without
going through every single submenu.

There is already the ability to skip over menu groups. To do this, press the [Q] button!

 

[pwp]

I am kind of at a loss as to exactly how AI Servo focus confirmation would work.

Do it just like the 1-Series bodies. You don't necessarily get confirmation, but you need to see where your AF points is, especially if you are tracking a moving subject, and keeping the AF point on the subject.

Personally, I'd prefer they find a way to make the AF points more visible at all times WITHOUT them blinking red all the time. A black AF point against a dark subject should maybe turn white...or become a white box with a small dark outline so it stands out...without blinking or turning red, which would be rather distracting and more intrusive to actually tracking your subject than an otherwise static AF point.

Red has always worked fine and it's what we're used to. I can't think of a situation where the red AF point is not immediately apparent. On 1-Series bodies I choose to max the brightness of the AF display points. Maybe you'd like the simple option of dimming the points.

You know I'm wondering if the prolonged delay of the 1DX might have something to do with the black AF point issue. Sports shooters would be beta testing the 1DX and they would be blistering in their criticism of the black AF point issue.

Alternatively it may be a deliberate design decision to partially cripple the 5D3 to make the 1DX more attractive to action shooters.

Paul Wright

 

[swampler]

There is already the ability to skip over menu groups. To do this, press the [Q] button!

Thanks, I'll have to try that!

 

[Janco]

What I found most interesting (not having the 5DIII yet) was his comment about the lack of sharpness in the images. Does it imply that 5DII and other cameras apply some kind of sharpening to the raw, what would result in a loss of detail and that stronger sharpening during or of course at the end of postprocessing instead would give better results?

 

[Janco]

What I found most interesting (not having the 5DIII yet) was his comment about the lack of sharpness in the images. Does it imply that 5DII and other cameras apply some kind of sharpening to the raw, what would result in a loss of detail and that stronger sharpening during or of course at the end of postprocessing instead would give better results?

Sorry, listening to it again I realised it was only about video. But still, doesn't it apply to stills too?

 

[pedro]

"Red has always worked fine and it's what we're used to. I can't think of a situation where the red AF point is not immediately apparent. On 1-Series bodies I choose to max the brightness of the AF display points. Maybe you'd like the simple option of dimming the points.

You know I'm wondering if the prolonged delay of the 1DX might have something to do with the black AF point issue. Sports shooters would be beta testing the 1DX and they would be blistering in their criticism of the black AF point issue.

Alternatively it may be a deliberate design decision to partially cripple the 5D3 to make the 1DX more attractive to action shooters.

Paul Wright"

Waiting to upgrade from a 30D I would feel kinda strange if they'd "crippled" AF points for such a purpose on the 5D3. If they can do it in my 30D, why here ? Cheers, Pedro

 

[Viggo]

6. The abillity to use the multi controller to choose submenues and the small top wheel to scroll top menues (without
going through every single submenu.

There is already the ability to skip over menu groups. To do this, press the [Q] button!

Oh my ! I'm giving you a standing ovation!! Thank YOU!! ;D ;D ;D ;D

 

[pwp]

Alternatively it may be a deliberate design decision to partially cripple the 5D3 to make the 1DX more attractive to action shooters.

Waiting to upgrade from a 30D I would feel kinda strange if they'd "crippled" AF points for such a purpose on the 5D3. If they can do it in my 30D, why here ? Cheers, Pedro

Pedro, as it turns out the 1DX will have precisely the same black focus point feature, identical in behavior to the 5D3. Grrr.

But in the far greater scheme of things I wouldn't let it stand in the way of upgrading from your 30D. The 5D3 does almost everything extremely well and delivers great files. The black AF point thing is just one of those bewildering design/functionality/UI bombs.

Paul Wright

 

[Christian_Stella]

6. The abillity to use the multi controller to choose submenues and the small top wheel to scroll top menues (without
going through every single submenu.

There is already the ability to skip over menu groups. To do this, press the [Q] button!

I too was looking for a way to do this! What an unintuitive decision to use the Q button. With two scroll wheels, a multicontroller joystick, and a 4 way touch pad-- you press a button to skip forward in menus? Want to skip backward to the last set of menus? Simply hit the Q button 4 times! Skipping forward is better than nothing though and I am thankful for the tip.

As far as firmware updates, I think they should really expand the rating thing. I actually like the rate button, but wish there was a way to sort photos by rating on the camera. Or a way to delete all unrated photos. Or a way to move all rated photos into a new folder.

 

[facedodge]

I shot a low light event on Saturday. I don't think I mind the dark AF point. I think I'd prefer it over a bright red dot that covered my subject's face.

I was using bounce flash and didn't want to take too many shots, so timing them was important. If I had a bright red dot covering my subject's face, it would have been a crap shoot trying to get a good expression out of them.

If they add this feature, it better be optional.

 

[rumorzmonger]

If they add this feature, it better be optional.

I agree...

The current setup is a huge improvement over the old cameras - I hated the AF sensor marks that obscured the subject.

 

[Drizzt321]

2. The abillity to add "choose AF scenario" as an item on My Menu.
3. Of course the AF illumination issue.
4. Support for UHS SD cards.
5. Choose which drive modes available on selection.
6. The abillity to use the multi controller to choose submenues and the small top wheel to scroll top menues (without
going through every single submenu.
7. Exposure compensation in M mode (in auto iso mode)
8. Set the HDR/Picture Style/Multi exposure button to bracketing mode.

Definitely need 1 & 3, 4 might be a hardware thing (very silly of Canon IMHO). The rest, yea, now that you mention them, they would be quite handy!

 

[revup67]

I wrote to Canon Tech Support as suggested in the original CR post and got this response from Rodney as of 5/5/2012:

"Thank you for contacting Canon product support. We value you as a Canon customer and appreciate the opportunity to assist you. I am sorry that you are having difficulty locating information on what Canon is planning to do to address the dark AF Points in the Viewfinder display in the EOS 5D Mark III.
Unfortunately, Canon has not made any announcements or statements regarding whether a firmware upgrade is being developed to address the dark AF Points. If an announcement is made, it will be released on the Canon USA website at www.usa.canon.com."

So let's keep hammering them to get this taken care of but as an "option" aspreviously suggested. Two other points of interest is not being able to remap the zoom button as it is now on the left side of the camera vs. upper right. And also since it comes with this camera, a simple upgrade to DPP to add a "rename" feature to the right click (context) menu would be most helpful. Each time I wish to rename a unique photo I've got to jump out of DPP into Windows Explorer and perform this action. At least you can rename a folder and batch process a rename.

 

[NaturaLight]

Ok, Canon. It's been three months and this still isn't fixed. Let's get a move on!

 

[ageha]

Ok, Canon. It's been three months and this still isn't fixed. Let's get a move on!

Maybe the Mark IV is coming sooner than we think.

 

[smithy]

Yeah maybe it's not a simple fix. In that case, while they're at it, can they add AF point-linked spot metering?

 

[Drizzt321]

Yeah maybe it's not a simple fix. In that case, while they're at it, can they add AF point-linked spot metering?

I wish, but it's probably not coming for the 5d3 since it's one of the separators from the 1D line

 

[Viggo]

Yeah maybe it's not a simple fix. In that case, while they're at it, can they add AF point-linked spot metering?

I wish, but it's probably not coming for the 5d3 since it's one of the separators from the 1D line

I came to think of a thing I have never thought about, can you link the larger spot to AF point also? Or is just the smallest spot?

I have to say, the 5d3, although not linked completely, gives you WAY different exposure determined by where you focus. Try with a white wall and a lamp, and don't change composition, but only focus point with Average selected and you'll see it clearly.

 

[Drizzt321]

Yeah maybe it's not a simple fix. In that case, while they're at it, can they add AF point-linked spot metering?

I wish, but it's probably not coming for the 5d3 since it's one of the separators from the 1D line

I came to think of a thing I have never thought about, can you link the larger spot to AF point also? Or is just the smallest spot?

I have to say, the 5d3, although not linked completely, gives you WAY different exposure determined by where you focus. Try with a white wall and a lamp, and don't change composition, but only focus point with Average selected and you'll see it clearly.

Far as I know there is no linking between the AF points and the Auto Exposure functionality on the 5d3.

Hmm...something to try. Average might make somewhat of a difference since it's still a frame average. Maybe it averages in what's in focus in the frame a bit more than the rest? I dunno.

 

[Viggo]

Yeah maybe it's not a simple fix. In that case, while they're at it, can they add AF point-linked spot metering?

I wish, but it's probably not coming for the 5d3 since it's one of the separators from the 1D line

I came to think of a thing I have never thought about, can you link the larger spot to AF point also? Or is just the smallest spot?

I have to say, the 5d3, although not linked completely, gives you WAY different exposure determined by where you focus. Try with a white wall and a lamp, and don't change composition, but only focus point with Average selected and you'll see it clearly.

Far as I know there is no linking between the AF points and the Auto Exposure functionality on the 5d3.

Hmm...something to try. Average might make somewhat of a difference since it's still a frame average. Maybe it averages in what's in focus in the frame a bit more than the rest? I dunno.

Sorry about that, I meant the 1d X and only thought it and didn't write it. I meant if the larger spot can be linked to AF on the 1d x.