--=EOS 1D MK III=-- The Official Release Thread

I would say Great Job Joe, but Augh! I was hoping this week would be the week B&H would start taking pre-orders.

I won't kill the messenger... but can I flick a rubber band at you?

How is this going to impact you shooting your daughters graduation?

cdesperado wrote in post #3203113
How is this going to impact you shooting your daughters graduation?

Well, the 30D doesn't disintegrate and become useless until the day after I get my M3, so looks like I will be shooting with the 30D. Nice camera as it is, but it would have been more fun learning the M3 and taking it on the trip and playing with the wireless on the laptop for all to see later at lunch. Still can do, with old fashioned USB download.

It wouldn't hurt my feeling at all if others called that number this week for Canon and see if they get the same info from different reps, who knows?

Joe

Well, maybe you'll get it with a week or so to spare... that should give you plenty of time to play.

I'm definitely rooting for ya.

Ok, I just called Canon as well. The rep told me that they do not have a firm date on whis camera will be available in stores.

I mentioned that a previous announcement said May and I asked if that was still valid. She put me on hold and when she came back, told me that she "has been advised to tell people Spring or Summer of 2007."

I asked if that meant it might be available this month (May) and she said it could be, but that all she could tell me was Spring or Summer 2007.

Since the first shipments may not be enough to satisfy immediate demand, it is entirely possible that they don't expect wide availability until this summer. However, at least she didn't give me a firm "No" on availability in May.

I could be more patient if they would just hurry up.

I too am anxiously awaiting the first shipments of the camera. This link/review which was done in late April 2007 might explain why Canon is now saying Spring or Summer: http://www.robgalbrait​h.com …_page.asp?cid=7​-8738-8908
In the review Mr. Galbraith states, "There is one cause for concern, however, and it's one to pay close attention to if you're planning on buying an EOS-1D Mark III as soon as it ships. In the preproduction body we have, the autofocus doesn't work right. When it was issued to us, Canon made it clear that the autofocus wasn't working right in this generation of preproduction camera and/or firmware and provided the assurances you'd expect about how it will be working properly by the time the new model hits the streets. And that's likely to be the case. But it's not guaranteed to be the case, so please keep that in mind before you hand over your VISA card to your pro camera dealer".

cdesperado wrote in post #3203113
IAugh! I was hoping this week would be the week B&H would start taking pre-orders.

Hmmm, I was under the impression that B&H did NOT take pre-orders, they only notify "when in stock". Can anyone clear this up for me?

wlaramie wrote in post #3204540
I too am anxiously awaiting the first shipments of the camera. This link/review which was done in late April 2007 might explain why Canon is now saying Spring or Summer: http://www.robgalbrait​h.com …_page.asp?cid=7​-8738-8908
In the review Mr. Galbraith states, "There is one cause for concern, however, and it's one to pay close attention to if you're planning on buying an EOS-1D Mark III as soon as it ships. In the preproduction body we have, the autofocus doesn't work right. When it was issued to us, Canon made it clear that the autofocus wasn't working right in this generation of preproduction camera and/or firmware and provided the assurances you'd expect about how it will be working properly by the time the new model hits the streets. And that's likely to be the case. But it's not guaranteed to be the case, so please keep that in mind before you hand over your VISA card to your pro camera dealer".

The possibly dysfunctional autofocus has been mentioned time and time again for quite a bit longer than that was published, so I'm doubting that has anything to do with it. The fact that Canon acknowledged the problem when they gave him the camera tells me that they've long been working to correct the issue and it's very likely no longer a concern.

Judging by the comments of the first known 'wild' user, it has been resolved.

The main thing to remember here is that Canon would be extremely foolish to release a 1D3 that was experiencing problems with the auto-focus. Although all cameras need reliable AF, the primary users of the 1D3 would most certainly scream bloody murder if the AF wasn't reliable.

On top of that, the non-functioning cameras would be returned en masse, followed by a flurry of Internet postings discussing the problem. Both of these situations would result in negative publicity that would cripple future sales and result in bad press.

^cause showing the camera at the CES show, with no real price and real release date, has been a press "boon" for them.

mikeivan wrote in post #3204599
Hmmm, I was under the impression that B&H did NOT take pre-orders, they only notify "when in stock". Can anyone clear this up for me?

I think that is the case but they may take orders when they know a shipment is on the way. I am not sure on this but not too long ago, I was informed on another item, that they were out of stock but taking orders.

They have taken pre-orders in the past. B&H has not confirmed they will take pre-orders for the (pending?) 1D3 shipment.

My guess is that they will initially only take orders from the people on the list.

cdesperado wrote in post #3205435
My guess is that they will initially only take orders from the people on the list.

that would be worse than a preorder, there are millions of people on that list and they didnt even have to put money down. im betting it will be first come first serve.

for those in Aust Blatronics.com.au and camerasdirect.com.au are both taking pre-orders on the MarkIII, their price is $5800-$5900 which seems even better than US prices atm, ill be putting down a deposit in the next week or two.

I spoke to a person at B&H this morning, and he said they will not accept pre-orders until they've received the first shipment. The first ones will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis (like I really believe that:rolleyes. He said they will take pre paid orders against future shipments after that.

My contact at Samy's told me it was definitely going to be early June. I don't particularly believe him, either.