Canon doesn't want to tell what's wrong with early 5D models (serial XXXX1XXXXX)

As you can read on Canon's download page for the latest firmware of the 5D (1.0.5), there is a problem with 5D's that have a 1 as the fifth digit of the serial number. You need to send your camera to Canon if you have such a 5D.

Now, people are wondering what is wrong with those 5D's which makes it necessary to let Canon have a look at it.

On Rob Galbraith's website, there's a discussion going on about this. Canon director Chuck Westfall doesn't want to disclose what's wrong with those early 5D's.

Why is Canon being so secretive about the issue?

By the way, my 5D has a 2 as the fifth digit - fortunately...

They don't want to oerwhelm the service department so they calling back the 1's first and then the 2s. So dn't toss out those cartons just yet cause your next!!!

LOL, your going to make people paranoid or something

I think Jesper is on google seaching to see if it is true.

Your going to start mass hysteria

after reading westfalls discussion, i am convinced the 5d is going to be replaced soon.

I dont know why Westfall is so unwilling to discuss why early 5Ds cannot be fixed with firmware. He may not know the answer....

They are going to have a $300 rebate on the 5d starting april 1st so I agree with RJCONKLIN about a new camera replacing the 5d.

Probably true. The man can't know everything about Canon's cameras and lenses.

Yeah, I agree. Canon realized the 5D was a fluke and now they are going to replace it soon. By the way, the € 300 rebate (that's US$ 360 !!) has already been running for a few weeks here in Europe. I'd better sell my 5D before the 6D is introduced, so I can get a good price for it and buy the new 6D. Really!

LOL - the 6D rumor is pretty quick, but it can't touch the 40D rumors that came out on DPR the day that the 30D was announced.

Canon's been working on the next generation of sensor & processing circuitry. Obviously, the next generation isn't quite ready yet or we'd have seen the results in at least one body at PMA. With any luck, the results will be fruitful in the fall.

I think everyone is getting a little carried away here. The fact that the 5D is going to have a rebate does not indicate it will soon be replaced, the 5D has been out for about what, 6 months? It has another year left at least.
As for the 5th digit of the SN issue, it is probably just a minor hardware revision that needs to be made to prevent the issue with the 85 1.2. Sure it sucks but at lease Canon is owning up to the issue and not dodging it.
My 5D has a 5 as the 5th digit, so it's easy for me to say its no big deal. But this is a perfect example of why I never buy anything as soon as it comes out, it is just a sad reality that most hi tech hardware needs to be tweaked.

Ah, if it's on the internet, it must be true

Jesper wrote:
As you can read on Canon's download page for the latest firmware of the 5D (1.0.5), there is a problem with 5D's that have a 1 as the fifth digit of the serial number. You need to send your camera to Canon if you have such a 5D.

Now, people are wondering what is wrong with those 5D's which makes it necessary to let Canon have a look at it.

On Rob Galbraith's website, there's a discussion going on about this. Canon director Chuck Westfall doesn't want to disclose what's wrong with those early 5D's.

Why is Canon being so secretive about the issue?

By the way, my 5D has a 2 as the fifth digit - fortunately...

Mine's got a 6. Maybe I'm safe?