topic Re: Canon 5D MKIII - autofocusing problem in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

Canon 5D MKIII - autofocusing problem

dbamott — Sat, 11 May 2013 21:58:09 GMT

:-)It will only autofocuse in A+ and NOT in any position. I´ve tried with my 24-7mm and my 100-400 mm origianl canon lenses.

What is wrong?? The camera is brand new Comming from a 40D.. Have I missed something in the menu? and a upgrade to latest firmware didn´t fix the problem..

Does anyone has a solution?

Thank you in advance..

Re: Canon 5D MKIII - autofocusing problem

diverhank — Sun, 12 May 2013 08:21:33 GMT

Even though it's brand new, it might have been tested by Canon and left some options on by mistake. From what you described, the focus by shutter button may have been disabled. The only mode that AF will work is the green A+ as you mentioned. Try focusing using the AF-ON button. It should focus with that unless that has been changed also.

On purpose, I disable the focus by shutter button and use the AF-ON button for focusing. This gives me better control of the focus. So when I hand my camera for someone to take a picture with me in it, I would switch to the A+ mode otherwise I would be in an out of focus picture

A firmware change will not reset the custom settings. You will need to perform a reset all (the yellow wrench menu SETUP 4 of 4 (Clear all camera settings). Also try Clear All Custom Func. (C.Fn) in the Orange Camera menu.

That should do it.

Re: Canon 5D MKIII - autofocusing problem

dbamott — Sun, 12 May 2013 08:50:26 GMT

Tnx. For your answet. The af on bottom focuses but even fact. Reset will not give me normal aut. Focusing. So something is still wrong.
Where do I disable Focusing by shutter?

Re: Canon 5D MKIII - autofocusing problem

diverhank — Sun, 12 May 2013 14:57:11 GMT

To change you go to C.Fn2 menu (the 2 of 4 menu with the Orange Camera symbol) the go to "Custom Controls". The first one is the Shutter butt. half-press, choose AF On and Metering. I'm surprised that "Clearing All C.Fn" didn't work but then I never had to use it yet... :). Please let me know if this solves your problem.

Re: Canon 5D MKIII - autofocusing problem

dbamott — Sun, 12 May 2013 20:06:13 GMT

Ohhh.. thank you... You are my Hero.. It worked! ´How will the world be without the Internet and forum

Re: Canon 5D MKIII - autofocusing problem

Dpedey15 — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 02:18:11 GMT

My camera dropped today from short distances. But the eye focus was off. I could focus it with the lens and make get a clear shot with the screen. But through the eye lens it was still blurry. What should I do about this? Any suggestions?

Re: Canon 5D MKIII - autofocusing problem

RobertTheFat — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 11:44:54 GMT

@Dpedey15 wrote:
My camera dropped today from short distances. But the eye focus was off. I could focus it with the lens and make get a clear shot with the screen. But through the eye lens it was still blurry. What should I do about this? Any suggestions?

Unless your camera is so old and inexpensive that the exercise isn't worth the cost, my suggestion would be that you get it fixed.

Re: Canon 5D MKIII - autofocusing problem

Viscara — Sun, 01 Nov 2015 07:55:17 GMT

Could you tell me roughly "I know its not rock solid commited price" But a rough price of what it takes to have a camera body 60D adjusted or calibrated or even fixed if it was banged up against a solid object and the focus seems to be off a bit. I did this with my 60D at wedding and now the from left to right the focus seems to be off on one side versus the other side. I have tried several lenses 5 of them all seem to do it "Slightly" the wider lenses tend to show it more out of focuse. Much like the "Swings" or "tilt" on a 4x5 camera on the focusing plane. So if I take a photo ambient light of a wall of paintings I can focus at on the center and the right side might be in focus and the left side is slightly out of focus or vice versa. If I shoot with a smaller apeture its less apparent if I shoot a wider apeture its more apparent. So I dont know if the senser out of alignment or something along those lines. Anyone have a idea of ROUGHLY how much it would cost to get it fixed or adjusted to be correct again?

Thanks.

Re: Canon 5D MKIII - autofocusing problem

Tara_N — Sun, 01 Nov 2015 13:48:44 GMT

Hi Viscara!

Welcome to the Canon Forums! The Forums aren't intended for immediate assistance. If your question is of an urgent nature, please feel free to CONTACT US either by phone during business hours or email 24 hours a day!

Re: Canon 5D MKIII - autofocusing problem

Mykolas — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 14:42:26 GMT

Hi Viscara!

Welcome to the Canon Forum.

We are unable to provide estimates on the behalf of the Factory Service Center. However, if you send the camera to the Factory Service Center, they will provide you with a free estimate of the necessary service prior to working on it. At that time, you can choose to accept or decline based on the estimate.

To start this process, you'll need to complete a Repair Request on our website.

Re: Canon 5D MKIII - autofocusing problem

ebiggs1 — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 15:19:13 GMT

Canon Service probably has a flat fee. You will need to give it to them to find out if it fits in the flat fee range. They are very good, way better than most companies including non-camera ones! All companies should operate like Canon Service does.

The problem is the fee may be near what a used 60D is worth. Benefit you will know it is right and good to go.

Re: Canon 5D MKIII - autofocusing problem

PGunn — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 17:15:05 GMT

Thank you so much. This helpe me!

Re: Canon 5D MKIII - autofocusing problem

freddiebear — Sat, 10 Dec 2016 12:17:37 GMT

I'm having a problem with the camera not showing the red box focusing point. Is this a toggle switch? Can anyone help me?

Re: Canon 5D MKIII - autofocusing problem

bikerladykaz — Sat, 04 Mar 2017 21:11:11 GMT

Thank you so much for this invaluable information. We have now successfully reset my hubbys camera that had this exact problem and we thought it was a fault. It is now working as it should:) Thank you once again.

Re: Canon 5D MKIII - autofocusing problem

Peripheral — Sat, 20 May 2017 06:59:06 GMT

I own a 40D (good camera), and a Canon 5DM3 (also a good camera).

Hmm: I have had some disuptive actions over time. I own an A1 too. Anyway. IF you have a Canon lense (EF/LS) I guess on the 5D3, use anything but A+. Learn to use the best camera made to date. Sorry.

For example, taking pictures of stills, it is a great simple camera.

For fast action, (NASCAR/ Sports), learn angles and MANUAL settings. Old school.

In closing, if you feel your particuliar camera has a physical problem, then work with your provider.

Dr Geno

Re: Canon 5D MKIII - autofocusing problem

Vaughan2704 — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 12:13:16 GMT

Thank you so much. This has been bugging me for weeks and I was about to book an appointment with Canon. You've saved me time and money. I really appreciate your help.