Canon 1D IV viewfinder problem. (1 Viewer)

So I was out and about yesterday and there were a few occasions where I thought my 1DIV couldn't lock focus and I put it down to the dull day and misty air.

However playing around in my back garden this morning I've found this…

I can adjust the diopter to focus the viewfinder with the screen information and then both my eye and the camera agree on the lens AF subsequently produced - all good.

But if I then turn the camera upwards to about 30 degrees or so about 50% of the time the viewfinder suddenly goes completely out of focus, but the AF is still spot on if I take a picture.(So obviously nothing to do with the lens, a 400 5.6) I then have to lower the camera to horizontal and push the focus button a couple of times to bring the viewfinder back into focus. Very strange.

I've tried pushing/jiggling the diopter adjustment dial but cannot reproduce the problem that way, and it is the same with the eyepiece on or off, makes no difference.
It's not my eye moving or eyelashes touching the eyepiece or anything stupid like that.

Any thoughts?

Sounds to me as if something has worked loose in the focus system and it is allowing the viewing system to go in and out of alignment. I would stop using the camera and get it in to be checked out by a repairer. If a screw has dropped out it could cause havoc roaming around inside the body, shorting out circuit boards and even jamming the shutter. Expensive!

Had a similar problem with my 1DIV - but with a rattle when shaken. Turned out to be a loose screen due to it falling over at some point. Fixed by Canon Borehamwood for £120 including full service.

Michael.

Thanks guys - I found a couple of other references to the focussing screen online too so I guess that's the most likely.

Hospital job then :-(

Keebs said:

Thanks guys - I found a couple of other references to the focussing screen online too so I guess that's the most likely.

Hospital job then :-(

Click to expand...

As you're near to London,i'd pop into fixationuk.

Steve.B

I'm actually nearer Colchester (10 mins away!) so it's going to Colchester Camera Repair Service, they're an official Canon service centre and seem to have good reviews around and about.

Thanks for the tip though. :t:

(Profile location now updated too!)

Let us know how much when fixed. Just interested

The preliminary examination is pointing towards the viewfinder unit being loose, which is £38 + labour to replace.


I will update this when the repair is completed.

That would be a "cheap" fix if that's all it is. Well done!

M.

Picked up the repaired (and serviced) camera this afternoon, it was indeed the viewfinder unit that was the problem.

£38.65 + VAT for the replacement part, and £150 + VAT for labour and full service.
Could have been a lot worse I guess so lucky me!

It appears to be working fine now, happy days, now where's that sunshine gone?...