Testing Auto Focus

Spent some time today testing my Canon 1D mark II after the issues I experienced with autofocus earlier in the week. I was very disappointed with the results of Monday’s shoot as most of the shots were out of focus. This is not at all normal for this camera - normally it is spot on and I have used it successfully whilst taking pictures of birds in flight and at football games, even on a powerboat speeding up the Mersey and I have never had a problem with the focus before. It works fine with a short lens like the 50mm or even the 16-35mm but as soon as I mount the 200L or 300L it will not auto focus at all.

I systematically tested it by selecting a branch on a tree in my garden and marking a spot on the kitchen floor and then taking shots (with the door open!) with both the 5D and the 1D mark II with each lens combination at different aperture settings, noting whether or not autofocus was achieved and then comparing the results with those of the images taken. I was quite surprised at the results I got and it proved one thing - something was clearly not right with the 1D mark II.

I reset all of the Custom and Personal functions and tried again. Same results. I re-loaded by saved camera profile. Same results. Did some investigation online, read parts of the manual but still none wiser I eventually conceded (I always like to try and figure things out for myself, first) and rang Canon Technical Support. They were very helpful and seemed quite surprised at the tests I had carried out and the lengths to which I had gone to try and resolve it myself - it seems most people just don’t bother. However, they were unable to help either and said that there was clearly a problem and to send it to the repair centre. I explained I was a CPS member and that I needed the camera back quickly for a commercial job in two weeks and they promised to do what they could.

Sadly then, I am packing up the camera ready to send back to Canon’s Repair Centre on Monday. I hope it can be fixed quickly and that it won’t be too serious.