Just got my Mark III. When I bought it there was some complaining about the camera on another board, but nothing I found alarming. I really wanted it for shooting football at night. Our first game is Sept. 1st at Seahawk Stadium! That's why I ordered so quickly. I wanted the Mark III in hand and some time with it b4 I have to sell my Mark IIn to help offset the Mark III purchase.

So it came on Friday. It's going to take me awhile to understand the settings and what will work for me. My dilemma? I was reading what people are saying about this camera now! Everyone is complaining about back focus problems and it goes on and on! Return policy is 7 days......

So I guess I'm wondering what you would do if you had 5 days to decide? I'm kinda kicking myself in the bum for jumping so quickly, but I thought Canon wouldn't release a new 1D that was garbage..

I also wonder if this is normal for so many people complaining about a new camera? I do not remember this with the Mark IIn.

Any thoughts?

To start with, yes this complaining is normal, but this is far more intense than anything i've seen outside of the D200 banding issue. Meaning a real- not imagined- problem.

I have a 1D mark III. I got it from the first batch to arrive at B&H on June 1st.
If I could still return it, I would, for a new one.

I believe mine *may* be defective. I had serious issues with static subject focus accuracy with my L primes, all of which were perfect on my 1V HS and on other cameras i've tested with. I sent it off to Canon after extensive testing. It came back with the line "unable to determine the cause, but camera was front-focusing. Issue Corrected."

Is it better? Much... in some situations. It seems completely spot-on. Other times I still have trouble getting accurate focus in one shot. AI servo tracking of high speed objects? Haven't had a chance to shoot sports with it yet, but shooting cars at 45mph approx. AI servo with my 300/2.8L at 10fps seems free of the issues i've seen mentioned online, which makes me hesitant to try for a replacement. I had a series of bursts- about 100 shots total- and maybe 2 were slightly soft.

I do have a hot pixel almost dead-center, and like I said I am still frustrated by the occasional lack of AF accuracy... but I wouldn't trade the Mark III for anything but another mark III.

I was considering buying a M3... but currently I dont really see any reason... I am not ready to upgrade and dont want to get locked up into the hype about having the latest and greatest... My 5D and 1D Mark II give me consistantly good results...

My main reason that I dropped off considering though was the list length and issues I am hearing on it... so instead I will wait till they have been out a year or two... and pick one up then...

I'm holding off for now, and probably putting the money into a prime telephoto.
Because I know that the price will come down eventually (no £25 or £50 ordering fee) and if there is a real problem with AF in high temperatures, I'd rather not go through that.

Thank you so much for your time Harrison. I've been able to shoot off about 1000 shots at football practice and have been doing much reading and testing. Looks like I'll be keep this bugger. ;)

Again, I appreciate your response. :)

need anyone to take that N off your hands? haha just kidding, I have 0 money after buying harrison's 300mm.

need anyone to take that N off your hands? haha just kidding, I have 0 money after buying harrison's 300mm.

In a couple of months! lol

Livin, you lucky dog. That's one heck of a lens.

it's one heck of a wallet thinner as well. :-D