5D Mark III Mode Dial Replacement

Can anyone possibly tell me where I can order a new mode dial for my 5D MK III? Mine is still fully functional but is scratched up and I prefer to keep my gear in mint condition to maintain future resale value. Is it something I can replace myself or do I need to take it to a shop? If service is required, can anyone possibly recommend a good Canon authorized repair shop in the NYC area?

Thank you.

I believe either the front or back cover and the entire top of the camera have to come off and be partially diassassembled to replace the mode dial. Are you up to doing that yourself? I make minor repairs on vintage camera equipment, but I wouldn't tackle this, personally.

Canon Service center in Jamesburg NJ is the closest factory repair facility to you. There are likely some independent authorized repairers right in NYC... Contact Canon and ask, check local directories, contact big stores like B&H and Adorama to see who they recommend. Local pro photographers are also usually a good source of info about repairers.

Personally I wouldn't bother if it's just cosmetic scratches. I'd wait until I was ready to sell, then get it fixed... if it still seems worth it.

looking at the parts catalog, the dial itself isn't listed as a seperate part, which means Canon don't stock just that as a repair part.
CG2-3197-000 is the part number for top cover assembly with dial etc.

I wouldn't reccomend a DIY attempt...

Here's a place where you might be able to buy the parts: http://www.uscamera.co​m/5dmkIII.htm

I would not do this yourself. TOO much involved. Send it in if you want it replaced. Honestly though... I would not worry about scratches. If you go to sell it, then you can see about replacing it. What happens if you replace it now.... and then scratch it again?

Agree with the above poster that you should wait until ready to sell. If you replace it now who knows what may happen between now and when you come to sell it. The backplate or the dial may get scratched again. Better to do any repairs just prior to selling.

Ratjack wrote in post #15980585
I would not do this yourself. TOO much involved. Send it in if you want it replaced. Honestly though... I would not worry about scratches. If you go to sell it, then you can see about replacing it. What happens if you replace it now.... and then scratch it again?

Exactly, plus it proably cost a lot more to get it fixed than what you might or might not lose when selling.

Yeah - don't let scratches bother you. My dial inserts have popped out a few times and Canon has to replace the whole top. One of mine currently needs to be replaced (happened again a few weeks ago - common problem and it happened to another photographer I was with that same night as well) and I'm just living with it. I'll send it to Canon eventually before the warranty expires, but I shoot in just manual and one of the custom modes so it isn't too difficult for me to figure out what mode I'm in. It's a camera, not a piece of jewelry. Scratches are OK.

Why in gods name did you remove the camera from it's original packaging? Even a noob knows a camera loses 20% of it's resale vaalue after the first shutter click.

Just to buck the trend (a little) -

Personally I wouldn't try taking apart a 5D3 but that's because of the value of the body and not because of the complexity of the task. There is always the risk of damaging something if you are clumsy but to change the top cover it's only a matter of removing various screws (about a dozen) and disconnecting some (2 on the back, three or so on the top) ribbon connectors. Between 1-2 hours work including coffee breaks

Everything is fiddly but if you are happy with doing both of those ^ and are willing to accept the risk that you will end up with a bigger bill if things go wrong then make sure you have a good set of precision screwdrivers and a pair of tweezers and get stuck in

As a few people have posted - better to wait until you are selling before fixing any cosmetic issues. Personally I quite like some scratches on my kit - makes me look more like a pro...

it's like that first door ding.....you'll get over it soon .