Which replacement camera?

[glsammy]

I'm considering replacing my 40D with something else. At the moment it's away being repaired but even when it's back there's part of its performance I'm not happy with and that's the AF, especially for moving subjects.
I've had many many shots where the subject was full in the centre of the AF area and the camera missed it completely. In fact my recent use of my 20D has shown me that it is better in this area than my 40D!!
From what I've read the 50D isn't much better either, so I'm considering getting a second hand 1D MkII. There's some good looking low shutter used ones around at the moment and the price is reasonable.
In every other respect I'm happy with the 40D, the resolution is more than enough so I'm not worried about the 1D only being an 8 mpixel camera.

If anyone here uses a 1D MKII and can give me an idea of how they find the AF performance, I'd be very grateful, or am I mad to be thinking of going in this direction?
I won't touch a 1D MKIII, I can pretend it's because of the still reported faulty AF on that, but in reality it's the price!

I'd probably keep the 40D as it makes an awesome macro camera.

[Richard G.]

What about a D300?
IGMC....
<gone>

[DavyG]

Graham, did you see this post?

Upgrade to Canon 1DMarklll

Could be of interest.

Dave

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by Richard G.

What about a D300?
IGMC....
<gone>

What about the lens to go with it..

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by DavyG

Graham, did you see this post?

Upgrade to Canon 1DMarklll

Could be of interest.

Dave

Thanks Dave. I did see it,but forgot all about it!

[momji1971]

Originally Posted by glsammy

What about the lens to go with it..

Yep, but at least then you'd have a Nikon!

regards jokingly
Stu.

[NickCantle]

Are you sure that the autofocus problem wasn't just with yours? I was using mine with a 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS at the weekend and the autofocus was absolutely astonishing. It focuses extremely fast with the bigma too, unless it's really dark.

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by NickCantle

Are you sure that the autofocus problem wasn't just with yours? I was using mine with a 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS at the weekend and the autofocus was absolutely astonishing. It focuses extremely fast with the bigma too, unless it's really dark.

Mine will be tested before it comes back so I'll see. The general auto focus is fine. It's birds in flight especially when coming towards me that causes problems. It's the same if I use the Bigma or the 300mm F4. it's very galling when you've got the bird slap bang in the middle and all you get is a blurry mess!

[Blackbrook Eye]

In your situation Graham, I would be inclined to wait for your camera to be returned from repair before making any final decision. Most camera repairs include re-calibration in the cost and it may be that this will improve the autofocus. I am using almost the identical lens set-up with my 40D i.e. Bigma and Canon 300mm f4 IS with 1.4 sigma converter and have not encountered problems regarding focus, so it could be just a set-up problem with the camera. In any case I hope it all works out well in the end.

Keith

[Ollie]

I could be wrong Graham but I'm guessing it's your camera as I have no problems with birds in flight with mmy 40D, even when as you describe they are coming towards you.

As long as I get the centre autofocus point locked on to the bird it seems to be fine.
Roger