5D3 acting up in hot weather?

I thought I was having an issue with my 24-70l II on a recent road trip but a closer look at my files shows the same symptoms with my 15mm sigma FE. these were my most used lenses on the trip.

what I've noticed is a really dark frame followed by a blown out frame and then the camera then the problems disappears.

it's an intermittent issue than *seems* aggravated by hot weather -- e.g. in death valley the problem occurred more but I only shot 50 or so frames there.

I've never had this problem until this trip and many days were very hot. so I'm wondering if there are any known issues with the 5d3 and heat or has anyone have any ideas on what's going on.

If my camera is on its way out I need to get it sorted out ASAP (obviously).

thanks.

Not sure how hot "very hot" is, but Canon guarantees the 5D3 to operate between a range of 104*F and 32*F. The camera will, of course, operate beyond those temps, but Canon (and all the other manufacturers) only guarantee their operation between a more limited range.

In cold weather I try to keep my cameras warm in a parka pocket and in hot temps I try to keep the camera cool by placing it in an insulated cooler. But be careful, because this can create condensation and other issues related to fogging.

If the issue is related to extreme heat, the camera should return to normal operation when returned to temps that are within the operation specs. If the malfunction is still occurring, you have an issue that is not entirely related to the operation temps.

Jeff Donald wrote in post #16999514
Not sure how hot "very hot" is, but Canon guarantees the 5D3 to operate between a range of 104*F and 32*F. The camera will, of course, operate beyond those temps, but Canon (and all the other manufacturers) only guarantee their operation between a more limited range.

In cold weather I try to keep my cameras warm in a parka pocket and in hot temps I try to keep the camera cool by placing it in an insulated cooler. But be careful, because this can create condensation and other issues related to fogging.

If the issue is related to extreme heat, the camera should return to normal operation when returned to temps that are within the operation specs. If the malfunction is still occurring, you have an issue that is not entirely related to the operation temps.

Jeff -- it was 115 in death valley. my camera did operate but there were intermittent exposure issues. I'm fine with that because I do chimp. I'm just trying to make sure there isn't a bigger problem and trying to see if anyone else has experienced this issue.

I received my 16-35L f4 IS yesterday so i'll shoot a couple hundred frames this morning and check it out. thanks!

I've shot BQ video cameras and digital still cameras in temps from -20*F to about 111*F and all kinds of anomalies occur at the extremes. The "real" test is if the camera operates as normal when within the camera's operating specs. I hope this helps.

Jeff Donald wrote in post #16999618
I've shot BQ video cameras and digital still cameras in temps from -20*F to about 111*F and all kinds of anomalies occur at the extremes. The "real" test is if the camera operates as normal when within the camera's operating specs. I hope this helps.

I hear you Jeff. my best guess is that it does but I will be testing that notion in the days to come.

Im guessing its user error caused by a mixture of 1) very bright sunlight 2) shadows 3)matrix metering

panicatnabisco wrote in post #17000445
Im guessing its user error caused by a mixture of 1) very bright sunlight 2) shadows 3)matrix metering

Don't you think exceeding the maximum recommended operating temp is a more logical explanation?
1D rated for 45 Degrees C which is just below what Ed was shooting.

It has averaged 40c here for three months….35c for the next two.

There have been no issues identified with our 5D3 in that time.

I live near the equator all the year where some time i cannot almost touch the camera on the tripod if i let it under direct sun light (5D3 of course), the camera work just fine no issues on an easy 45ºC and/or +95% humidity
Very tough camera !

Everyone knows that anything black gets hotter in direct sunlight even on cooler days. Was your camera sitting on a tripod for an extended period in direct sunlight? It would be interesting if someone could measure a camera's body temperature when left in the sun on a 100+ degree day. I would suspect the body would exceed ambient by a large margin, maybe 10,° 20°, 30°, or more. I haven't shot in those extremes but this has got me to thinking that maybe I need to put a white towel in my kit to cover my camera if it will be left in the sun for any length of time.

my camera stayed in an air conditioned car and was never used on a tripod in the heat. when I look at my evening and morning shots I don't see the issue.

I also always had my camera on silent shutter. it was very dry heat.

if I don't see the symptoms show up under normal use I'm going to chalk the issue up to heat. all I really care about is if imminent equipment failure is looming because I have a couple more big trips coming up.

thanks for your thoughts

It's obviously a flawed camera. I'll take it.

panicatnabisco wrote in post #17000445
Im guessing its user error caused by a mixture of 1) very bright sunlight 2) shadows 3)matrix metering

When you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras.

It's too darn hot for the camera!

You sure you are not somehow enabling exposure bracketing? You might try turning it on and seeing if you get the same type of images you were seeing on your trip.

ed rader wrote in post #16999423
what I've noticed is a really dark frame followed by a blown out frame and then the camera then the problems disappears.

bsmotril wrote in post #17002248
You sure you are not somehow enabling exposure bracketing? You might try turning it on and seeing if you get the same type of images you were seeing on your trip.

Oooohh yeaaa ! look like you find the issue