Canon 1D mkiv focus issues.

[drexyl]

Been using this camera for about 10 months now.

Was wandering if anyone else has any focus issues.
Mine seems to find initial focus instantly then while I'm tracking & focusing as the subject gets closer (which in my case are birds) the focus drive seems to just stop working.
I've tried all I can with the custom functions & read loads of info on the net about setting this body for birds in flight but its still the same.

Anyone else had any similar issues.
Apart from that I absolutely love the camera but I need to sort this issue out so I retain what little sanity I have left.

 

[Canon Bob]

Is this specifically with your 600/4, Paul or have you seen it with other lenses? What particular distance would you describe as "close".

Bob

 

[drexyl]

Is this specifically with your 600/4, Paul or have you seen it with other lenses? What particular distance would you describe as "close".

Bob

I have tried it with other lenses but I use the 600 most of the times for birding.
It locks on great at first but loses focus as it gets closer. I like to get the birds as big in the viewfinder as I can so it depends on size.
Something which is slow in the air like herons are no problem at all (as you would expect)
But smaller things like snipe, godwits little ringed plover etc are proving a real problem.
I don't thinks its my technique as I have no problems with my other bodies.
I've used all of the focus options multi point -single point but nothing makes any difference.
I'm not trying to focus inside the lenses minimum focus point or anything like that.
I use the lens with a 1.4 x tc but even when I take it off there's no difference.

Thanks for your interest though.

 

[martin73]

Hi, I read with great interest regarding your issue with 600 f4 and focus on birds in flight.
I have a 550d and purchased a 500 f4 yesterday and find the same sort of thing with birds in flight. I can initially lock on but then, usually loose focus shortly after and find it very difficult to get focus again, whereas my 100-400 zoom never lost focus on bird in flight. I know we have different camera bodys so we may have different problem but, sounds sort of what I'm like suffering with too on 500 f4.

 

[drexyl]

Although it sounds the same I don't think it is.

My problem is not related to the lens as it works fine with my other bodies.
Your issue sounds like it is lens related.
Maybe you just need to spend a bit more time with the lens. They do take a bit of getting used to. Let me know how you get on with it.

 

[martin73]

Hi, I think a bit more time with it may be an advantageous thing, we only two days old together.

Hope you find a solution, I will continue practice