EOS-1D X & EOS-1D C Cold Weather Autofocus Issues

[traveller]

This is one of the "joys" of the internet age; whereas in previous years, not many outside of the select few would have know of this issue (or noticed it), now it will be splashed all over the web with accompanying howls of derision. Or perhaps it is leading to companies being more open with service notices: Canon seem to be getting better after being badly burnt by the whole 1D MkIII AF episode; Nikon are learning the lesson the hard way! Was Six Sigma always a myth?

 

[chanceslost]

Was Six Sigma always a myth?

I thought it used to take six Sigmas to get a good one, but their QA is getting better.

 

[Jon]

I just finished a trip in early March across Baffin Island in the high Canadian Arctic, our daytime/nighttime temps were ~
-35/-40C and we camped the entire time, so the gear was subject to cold the entire time.. I was using a 5D3 and 1Dx (loaner from CPS) Not sure if it had had the modification described, but I experienced no problems with either. My discussions with Canon prior to the trip about the cold and also the two C100 video cameras was the temp rating listed in specs is mostly the battery specs.. I kept batteries for both camera in a vest in between layers, and thus was able to swap warm batteries when needed, (about once a day) The C100's experienced issues with the LCD screen going black from the cold.. We did not try it but I think hand warmers, judiciously placed/taped would have solved that problem.

 

[East Wind Photography]

I just finished a trip in early March across Baffin Island in the high Canadian Arctic, our daytime/nighttime temps were ~
-35/-40C and we camped the entire time, so the gear was subject to cold the entire time.. I was using a 5D3 and 1Dx (loaner from CPS) Not sure if it had had the modification described, but I experienced no problems with either. My discussions with Canon prior to the trip about the cold and also the two C100 video cameras was the temp rating listed in specs is mostly the battery specs.. I kept batteries for both camera in a vest in between layers, and thus was able to swap warm batteries when needed, (about once a day) The C100's experienced issues with the LCD screen going black from the cold.. We did not try it but I think hand warmers, judiciously placed/taped would have solved that problem.

Its camera specs that are published, not battery specs. I was advised by canon to avoid operating at less than spec but it could take it for a short period of time if left on as the internal components generate heat. Canon recommended no more than 30 minutes below temp but could be extended if precautions were made for supplemental heat.

Ive used battery powered handwarmers in a cooler which work well. The chemical handwarmers generate too much condensation.

 

[JimB]

If you have the info please release... Particularly about the lenses. I have thousands invested in L lenses and if there are problems I would like to know. If there are lens problems with models I currently do not own as yet it would be very useful to avoid when planning future purchases.

 

[Loswr]

My 1D X was a pre-release pre-order, and although I haven't used it extensively in sub-freezing temps, I have been out shooting eagles on a couple of occasions for a few <32 °F hours, and for several shorter periods when my kids were out playing in the snow. I experienced no AF issues on those occasions.

 

[cpagility]

I have one of the early 1dx models and I had it in Yellowstone for a week in Feb 2013 and Feb 2014 with temperatures ranging to -35 below zero (-45 with the wind chill). I didn't have any problems with it at all.

I sent it in for a clean and check a couple of weeks ago and got a notice back that they were replacing the Mirror Assembly at no charge.

I got it back and the first time I used it on my 500 f4 (which was also just back from a clean and check) it wouldn't focus at all. I went put on my 1div and shot with that then tried my 70-200 back on the 1dx and it was focusing. I tried the 500 f4 again and it was working. I had mounted and removed the lens a couple of times as well as turning the camera off and on the first time I put that lens on and it didn't work. It now seems to be working fine but I'm not feeling very confident that the problem happened the first time I used it after Canon's mirror assembly replacement.

 

[East Wind Photography]

I have one of the early 1dx models and I had it in Yellowstone for a week in Feb 2013 and Feb 2014 with temperatures ranging to -35 below zero (-45 with the wind chill). I didn't have any problems with it at all.

I sent it in for a clean and check a couple of weeks ago and got a notice back that they were replacing the Mirror Assembly at no charge.

I got it back and the first time I used it on my 500 f4 (which was also just back from a clean and check) it wouldn't focus at all. I went put on my 1div and shot with that then tried my 70-200 back on the 1dx and it was focusing. I tried the 500 f4 again and it was working. I had mounted and removed the lens a couple of times as well as turning the camera off and on the first time I put that lens on and it didn't work. It now seems to be working fine but I'm not feeling very confident that the problem happened the first time I used it after Canon's mirror assembly replacement.

May have been a coincidence. Ive had it happen to me on other bodies and usually just unlocking the lens and relocking gets it going again. I now routinely clean the lens contacts with high grade contact cleaner and a qtip and the issues are less seldom. Maybe once per year. If it recurs you may want to have them check it out again.