5d Mark III AF issues... need help!

[pbfmini]

I bought this camera in march of this year and its never missed a shot. One week ago I noticed it was not focusing properly. I was in an indoor arena practicing low light so I didnt think anything of it. I have been adjusting settings all week now and CANNOT get it to focus properly.  Even resetting it to original settings did nothing for it.  I use a 70-200 f 2.8L almost always, however, last friday I experimented with both a 50mm and external flash.  I have a 2 day horse show to do this weekend, I need this this to work! has anyone experienced this or have any insight? TIA

[ebiggs1]

Do you have center spot focusing selected?  It sounds like maybe not.  Try selecting center spot and try the camera again.  Get off the AI-Servo for now, too.  Use One shot.

If you don't have center spot selected, the 5D will select what it thinks you want.  Center spot is all I use, ever.

I am correct in thinking everything else is working as it should?

[RobertTheFat]

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@ebiggs1 wrote:

Do you have center spot focusing selected?  It sounds like maybe not.  Try selecting center spot and try the camera again.  Get off the AI-Servo for now, too.  Use One shot.

If you don't have center spot selected, the 5D will select what it thinks you want.  ...

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I think that's a bit of an oversimplification. If you don't tell it not to, the camera will indeed make its own selection. But the 5D3 has a half-dozen focus modes, each of which has its own method of limiting the camera's freedom to select. (And in that it is radically different from the 50D.)

Yes, try center-spot focus and see if it works better than what you're doing. But also get out the manual and bone up on the various focussing options of your camera. You may find one that's even more suitable.

[ebiggs1]

"I think that's a bit of an oversimplification."

That is exactly what he needs right now.  You can't run before you can walk.

[pbfmini]

update! it was the 70-200mm lens that was off, not the camera! sent it back to canon and just heard back from them today. Thank you all for answering my panicked questions and sorry i never responded- i work a lot 😕 Looking forward to getting my gear back and very thankful for all the nice, helpful replies!