Second hand 1D IV - how best to fully test

Hi All

I have a second hand 1D IV arriving within the next day or two. Its reportedly in mint condition with very little usage, and its from a dealer I trust and have purchased equipment from in the past. I'm aware though that the 1D series when used professionally can get abused and so was wondering what would be the best way to fully test that that there are no issues with the camera when it arrives.

Many thanks, Kevin.

Make sure you reset all the custom settings back to default is a good starting place. Then I would recommend reading all the canon white papers on Auto-focus and ISO.

http://www.usa.canon.com/uploadedimages/FCK/Image/White%20Papers/EOS-1D%20Mark%20IV%20WP1.pdf

this also has some great info about the new system

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EOS-1D-Mark-IV-Digital-SLR-Camera-Review.aspx#AF

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AustinLuker.com
7D-5DMKII-1DMKIV

As a minimum I'd check the static AF accuracy (multiple lenses of course) using the equivalent of the test fixture (link below) I put together (takes about 10 minutes to put one together if you have the parts available).

http://www.pbase.com/jkurkjia/canon_30d

The second test would be acquisition and tracking of moving targets; for this I use the family car coming towards me (oh, make sure you are on good terms with your spouse before taking this on this test). The dynamic testing test must be performed using a lens that can focus quickly (e.g. 400 f/5.6) ... you want to avoid using lenses like the 85mm f/1.2 (real slow) or even the 135 f/2 (which is somewhat slow).

After assuring myself the camera has a great chance of working with real targets I check out and clean the sensor ... this is important ... you need to make sure the sensor spots are actually dust spots as versus voids in the adhesive used to attach the LPF to the sensor. Why is this important ... because "if" you have a void in the adhesive there is nothing your can do about a fix other than sending the camera to Canon.

My last test is heading out to a duck pond (maybe available at your local zoo) and shooting zig zagging targets; this is nothing but confirmation of the goodness associated with my first two tests.

A zoo with duck ponds is within 10 miles of where I live; because of this all the "things-to-do" I mentioned above are usually complete in less than one day.

Regards,

Joe Kurkjian

Galleries: http://www.pbase.com/jkurkjia

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Thanks, will get reading while I'm waiting for it to arrive.

Thanks Joe - most useful.