Help With EOS-3

<p>I recently switched my SLR shooting to AF. I was using T90 and now I have EOS-3. I've put about 5 rolls through it since getting it early this week. I only have a 50mm f/1.8 right now, as other lenses are on the way. As best I can tell, the body and lens are in perfect working order.</p>

<p>The problem I am having is focus confirmation. I have eye control OFF. I have the AF set to One Shot. And Mode doesn't seem to matter, but lets say I am in Av. About 90% of the time, the instant I press the shutter half way, I get the AF grid lighting up immediately, and I am ready to shoot. But, about 10% of the time, the AF grid doesn't light up. I then have to press, re-press, press, re-press until it lights up and fixes on the subject. It might take one repress, or up to say five, before the AF lights up. Pressing and repressing inevitably leads to falsely pressing down too hard and taking a picture when the AF hasn't locked in.</p>

<p>Comments? I have another EOS-3 and an EOS-1V on the way. I generally like the camera and I am hoping this is pilot error.</p>

<p>This may not be the tidy solution you're looking for, but you can use the CF-4 on Setting 1 to set the focus mechanism to be the AE Lock button, rather than pressing the shutter button halfway down. Using this setting, pressing the shutter button halfway down will then function as your AE lock. This is how I set all of my Canons.</p>

<p>Also, I have a PDF copy of the EOS 3 manual; if you'd like a copy, just shoot me an email.</p>

<p>Jeremy Richter,<br>

That's a potential workaround, and would solve the accidental shutter release. Thank you for that. I didn't think of that when I read the manual. It doesn't though explain why the AF doesn't light?</p>

<p>I think I might like that setup and I am going to try it today.</p>

<p>Yeah, I can't help you with the non-responsive AF; it's not a problem I've encountered. Perhaps the more experienced folk than myself will be able to chime in on that.</p>

<p>I am glad to hear you haven't encountered. That means it probably isn't a failure in the design of the camera! Thanks.</p>

<p>I'd start by clearing all older Custom functions</p>

<blockquote>

<p>To reset all Custom Functions (except<br /> CF-0) to 0, open the side door and<br /> press the CF button. Then press the<br /> <CLEAR> button.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>There is a time-span for the camera to go to sleep. I think this can be reset to a longer time, but for the life of me, I can't find "sleep" or anything similar in the manual<br>

Also check the setting on CF-10.<br>

Another one to look at for alternate keys for AF is CF-4.</p>

<p>Still other custom functions determine how the AF system works.</p>

<p>I used CF4 to move the AF function to the AE button, and I shot one roll so far this way. The action was much improved and there were no delays when pressing the button. This leads me to believe that the "action" of pressing the shutter "half way" - is perhaps an imprecise mechanical condition. e.g. does the switch come <strong>on</strong> at 40% of stroke? Or only 50%? How about 48%? etc. Whereas, when using the AE lock button, you simply press it to the wall each time. More "sure."</p>

<p>Thanks to the experts here for solid suggestions.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>... pressing the shutter "half way" - is perhaps an imprecise mechanical condition.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>I haven't run into this problem frankly. Perhaps the shutter button contacts are a bit dirty?</p>

<p>By the way, the ECF is really worth trying. I shoot mostly impromptu portraiture and things are usually moving pretty fast. The combination of ECF and continuous AF makes for incredibly fast, fluid, and repeatable shooting.</p>

<p>Frame the composition as you would and simultaneously use the ECF to pick a focus patch. If the patch isn't already on top of the desired focus point, only a small adjustment of camera positioning lines it up. I find this way of working better than letting the camera choose the AF points; I'm never sure what it's going to be focusing on.</p>

<p>Robert Lee - -<br>

Thanks. I just received my EOS-1V this morning. I will be comparing that to the EOS-3 and the EOS-7E II bodies I already have. Just in playing around in the back yard this morning, the 1V seems to lock focus much, much faster than the 3 does. I am hoping that its not my imagination because I really like the instantaneous feel of the 1V.</p>

<p>I plan to mount my 50mm 1.4 on the EOS-1V, and mount a less frequently called on 85mm 1.8 on the EOS-3. That would be my normal 1-2 for SLR photography. The 7E I bought just to have a look at it, and maybe use it as a zooming knock-around if I go somewhere risky - like the beach.</p>

<p>Although I like the EOS functions (so far) I was really disappointed that even the 1V can't hold a candle to the T90 construction and finish. I am going to miss that big titanium beast for sure.</p>