FYI: I purchased my new EOS 1V in 4/2000 (serial number 106970; my PB-E2 was purchased a month later), and soon developed a nagging concern that its One Shot AF might be slightly inaccurate. For a long time, I tried to discount this possibility, and instead tried to convince myself that I must be imagining things, or that I was not yet proficient in its use. What I seemed to notice was that when carefully scrutinizing those slides taken with my EOS 1V (using a Zeiss Triotar 5x loupe), I frequently noticed that the point of critical focus (when shooting in One Shot mode, with the central sensor) was often not as sharp when compared to the AF performance of my EOS 1N, which I now use as a 2nd camera body. For example, I noticed that the eye of a bird or a human subject (point of critical focus) was often slightly but annoyingly out-of-focus with my 1V; furthermore, I often perceived this through the viewfinder, and could often achieve better focus with slight manual touch-up. However, the degree of AF inaccuracy was subtle enough to allow my mind to invoke "contemplative doubt" and other forms of denial. In other words, my psychological defense mechanisms kicked in, and rather than admit that there might really be something wrong with this new camera (which I had long anticipated and saved-up for), I instead tried to talk myself into believing that the camera was fine, and that I must somehow be at fault. Indeed, at Photo.net, I recall that Daniel Taylor was the first to report this problem with his new EOS 1V, but my own denial continued to prevail, until recently...

After recently louping a TON of slides I shot with my EOS 1V HS in Florida, during March of this year, I could no longer continue to deny my belief that my 1V's AF was slightly inaccurate. So, I discussed my concerns not only with Canon, but also with my local dealer who sold me the camera (Cord Camera of Columbus, OH.). For the record, I spoke with not only Canon's 1-800 service bureau, but also with a rep. at Canon Factory Service; both denied any prior knowledge of complaints regarding the AF accuracy of the 1V. (I really didn't expect them to admit this with such a new camera). Subsequently (on 3/20/01) my dealer sent my camera and PB-E2 into Canon Factory Service at Hanover Park, IL, with my detailed description of the perceived problem. (This was the first time I've ever had to have any of my Canon products sent-in for servicing, and I was concerned that Canon would return my 1V HS with a note saying that they could find nothing wrong...). Well today, I received my EOS 1V HS back from Canon, and the service invoice (which was totally covered by warranty) says only the following:

"Service Details: Software adjustment. Adjusted autofocus. Checked all functions to factory specifications."

(Please note that I have not yet played with my serviced camera, nor have I yet to shoot any test rolls of film since its return. I probably won't do any shooting until Spring kicks-in here in Central OH., but I plan to post my results at this same thread).

In conclusion, I offer the following thoughts/comments: 1) It would appear that Canon Factory Service did indeed detect the problem I complained of; 2) The quick turn-around time of only ~ 14 days suggests to me that Canon is likely well-aware of this problem; that they know this problem is due to a software glitch or other "need for adjustment" issue, and they appear to have a fix readily available, this despite the fact that when I spoke with two separate areas of Canon Service, they denied the existence of any technical service bulletins regarding the 1V's AF performance; 3) If anyone else has concerns about the AF performance of their EOS 1V, it is my hope that this posting will encourage them to send their camera to Canon for adjustment. (Feel free to use this posting in support of your service claim); 4) Although I've not yet determined whether Canon actually corrected my camera's problem to my satisfaction, I'm still impressed by how swiftly and non-argumentatively Canon seems to have addressed my complaint, as well by the fact that Canon Factory Service has admitted, in writing to me, that certain adjustments to my EOS 1V were necessary, and were carried out; 5) Finally, I wish to mention that after discussing my concerns about my 1V's AF performance with my preferred sales rep. at Cord Camera (Mr. Gary Crickmore), I stated to him that I had spoken with Canon, and that Canon had given me detailed directions on how and where to ship my camera for diagnosis and repair. Well, this fine man immediately requested that I bring my camera and booster to him, so that Cord Camera could assume the cost of shipping and insurance, as well as the added benefit of their good name serving as my representative. This degree of service and care is a fine example of why I continue to be such a loyal customer of my LOCAL dealer, Cord Camera.

-- kurt heintzelman (heintzelman.1@osu.edu), April 03, 2001

Answers

I'd comment that Canon always say "Service Details: Software adjustment. Adjusted autofocus. Checked all functions to factory specifications" or words to that effect on any repair, whether the observed defect gets fixed or not. I've taken a bunch of things in for checking and adjustment and they NEVER say "It didn't need any adjustment". They always "adjust for factory specs" etc., whether or not the items comes back any different!

You're probably reading to much into the rapid turnaround. I very much doubt they "know about a problem" here. CPS repair time is typically 3 or 4 days, so they can fix things fast when they want to.

Note also that many lenses have an internal focus adjustment, so if you see differences between lenses it may be the lens, not the body that's out of adjustment.

Hope they fixed your problem. I'd check it out as soon as you can though. A couple of times I've had to send things back for a "second try"!

-- Bob Atkins (bobatkins@hotmail.com), April 03, 2001.

You should check out the adjustment ASAP. I've had both good and bad experiences with Canon repairs. The LCD died on my EOS 1N in the last week of the one year warranty. The camera returned from the Canon "Pro" repair center in California with a new LCD but was so full of dust that it looked like someone spray painted the focusing screen & pentaprism. The tech at Canon Hawaii was shocked with their workmanship and sent it back to be cleaned. It took two more tries and 3 months before they got it right. Once they returned it without doing anything!

On the other hand, my local Canon Hawaii tech fixes and returns my non- pro cameras--Elan, A2, etc--in cleaner condition than I submitted them.

-- Puppy Face (doggieface@aol.com), April 04, 2001.