5D Mark III Electronic Level Problem

Has anyone else had a problem with a hopelessly inaccurate Electronic Level in their 5D Mark III camera?

This is what I get when I level the camera with my eyeball (through the viewfinder) and then confirm that it's level with the bubble level on my RRS BH-55 ballhead (Canon 100mm prime is the lens):

Send it back to Canon for repair and adjustment. THough it sounds like you have just come up with a new feature.

Canon, if your listening, WE WANT ELECTRONIC LEVEL MICRO ADJUSTMENT!! (ELMA)

You do know that's not a level right? It's the "angled composition app".

Send it back if you think it should be fixed.
To me ... level adjustment is an edit feature {PS}.

Scatterbrained wrote in post #15320297
You do know that's not a level right? It's the "angled composition app".

ACA.. na, need a better acronym.

Are you sure your house is not leaning over?

But seriously mine is fine.

It is rare that I would use the Electronic Level. HOWEVER, when the day comes that I would want to sell the 5D Mark III, you can be ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN that this grossly inaccurate Electronic Level will become a sticking point for someone that buys the camera. They'll want to return it or make me pay to have it fixed by Canon.

It makes far more sense to get it fixed now, while the camera only has 86 shutter actuation on it.

Now, to decide if I should contact B&H about getting an exchange replacement, or to sent it to Canon for repair. Either way, a PAIN IN THE BUTT for something that cost over $3,000!

Mark

On a more serious note, how crooked was the camera when you activated the level? I remember some people having issues with the 7D level being less accurate the more crooked the camera was when the level was turned on. Basically, if the camera was pretty close to begin with the level would be more accurate. I think that was even discussed in one of the Canon DLC videos.

Mine seems fine. You're right, get it fixed/replaced now, as you say it could so easily become a sticking point later on.

Just talked with a nice gentleman at CPS (Canon Professional Services). He explained that the acceptable margin of error on the built-in Electronic Level is +/- 6 degrees on the horizontal and +/- 4 degrees on the vertical. I pointed him to this topic and he looked at the photos. He said he can't tell from the photo whether or not the tilt is within the margin of acceptable error.

It was hard to keep from laughing. Not laughing at him, but laughing at the ridiculousness of Canon feeling a 6º margin of error is acceptable. WHY BOTHER TO INCLUDE THE FEATURE AT ALL if it is allowed to be that grossly inaccurate.

The rep told me the whole point of the Electronic Level is to "get close". Ha! I can get closer than that with both eyes closed and using just my hands to feel if things are level.

Next phone call, B&H.

Mark

Scatterbrained wrote in post #15320364
On a more serious note, how crooked was the camera when you activated the level? I remember some people having issues with the 7D level being less accurate the more crooked the camera was when the level was turned on. Basically, if the camera was pretty close to begin with the level would be more accurate. I think that was even discussed in one of the Canon DLC videos.

The camera was in the ballhead clamp and leveled by my eye and ballhead bubble level before I accessed the Electronic Level. Then I adjusted the ballhead to level the Electronic Level.

Mark

B&H is shipping me a replacement 5D Mark III via overnight shipping. I will return the "crooked" 5D Mark III in the same shipping box via the pre-paid return label B&H is providing. MUCH faster turnaround than sending the camera to Canon for repair.

Fingers crossed that the new camera doesn't have a wacky Electronic Level AND that there aren't any other issues with the new camera. My confidence in Canon has been shaken a bit.

Mark

Mark Booth wrote in post #15320430
He explained that the acceptable margin of error on the built-in Electronic Level is +/- 6 degrees on the horizontal

Wow. That's rediculous.

Mark Booth wrote in post #15320543
B&H is shipping me a replacement 5D Mark III via overnight shipping. I will return the "crooked" 5D Mark III in the same shipping box via the pre-paid return label B&H is providing. MUCH faster turnaround than sending the camera to Canon for repair.

Fingers crossed that the new camera doesn't have a wacky Electronic Level AND that there aren't any other issues with the new camera. My confidence in Canon has been shaken a bit.

Mark

Hopefully things work out with the new one. That is a high tolerance level and a disappointing approach by Canon.

I have a vertical discrepancy on my 7D that is close to their specs I think, horizontal appears to be very close. I am quite horizontally challenged with the camera so at least the level works where my need is greatest. I also have a level to double check against that I intend to use when the need arises.

Those specs could lead to a very twisted shot if the level is at the extremes.