Yes, Ray, I am sure that Canon knows exactly where the limitations lie in this camera/lens combination. However, this is basically the AF system that comes in a $400 film body, and both Canon and Nikon have two levels of AF systems and this is the lesser of the two. For me, AF is nice for some shots, but in reality, most of the photos I take do not require AF and I like to choose exactly the plane of focus as a creative option.
And like others, my eyesight is not what it used to be, and it would be nice to have the option to turn over to the camera this responsibility, especially given the smaller than normal screen and no focus aids like the split prism, etc. But, alas, maybe that can only be true with the 1Ds which is way outside my budget. Careful diopter adjustment and/or an auxillary diopter lens, plus large aperture lenses for a brighter screen can at least help to make the most of the situation.
I just made the switch from Nikon MF to Canon, and this is my first lens, so I have nothing to compare with yet. And truth be told, the camera nails it 90% of the time to my satisfaction. However, as I mentioned in a previous post, it has many times jumped to ALMOST perfect focus without making that last little nudge, and locked me out of an action shot in good light that was gone before I could react. And it has also locked on a completely out of focus image a few times, so a trip to Canon seems in order. They can check this front/rear thing while they have it. Otherwise I am thrilled with all the other aspects of the 10d and consider myself a lucky man indeed to have such a fine photographic tool.