Photographer: Canon 1D Mark III autofocus still needs work
Canon's EOS-1D Mark III
(Credit: Canon)Hardware and firmware fixes have improved the autofocus performance of Canon's new EOS-1D Mark III camera, but it's still not up to the level of its predecessor, the photographer who first uncovered the issues in June said Monday.
Canon is offering some customers free adjustments to a mirror in the higher-end SLR and advising all customers to install updated firmware. The former improved the $4,500 camera's ability to focus on moving subjects in warm or hot conditions, and the latter helped when it's bright out, said photographer and consultant Rob Galbraith in a blog posting Monday. But problems remain, he said.
"In our view, there's more work to be done. In bright conditions, the EOS-1D Mark III still doesn't match the EOS-1D Mark II N; at times the two are close, and at other times the EOS-1D Mark III's autofocus performance is below what we consider acceptable," Galbraith said. "The culprit that continues to cramp the EOS-1D Mark III's autofocus style is bright sunlight."
Galbraith is based in Calgary, Alberta, but he made three trips to Phoenix in conjunction with Canon to test the camera in warm conditions. He's also shared innumerable photos with Canon engineers.
For all the gory details, check Galbraith's exhaustive 8,500-word piece, complete with high-resolution images and letter grades under different shooting circumstances.
Stephen Shankland writes about a wide range of technology and products, but has a particular focus on browsers and digital photography. He joined CNET News in 1998 and since then also has covered Google, Yahoo, servers, supercomputing, Linux and open-source software, and science. E-mail Stephen, or follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/stshank. 
Beside the large number of OOF shots (even wiht the flash) on mine automatic exposure shots are always over exposed..i have to manually set everything each time...so annoying..