-Official- 1D MK III AF Thread. Firmware? Hardware Fix Is IN!!!

Oh, I always realised that those sending the units back for fixes weren't going to have their units fixed, don't get me wrong. Call my a cynicist

As to the 1D vs 1Ds - I'm pretty sure that you'll find the two assemblies are the same. I have never owned a 1Ds unit, but there are POTN users out there, and I think you'll find that if you compare the viewfinders/AF markers, the 1Ds units AF markers do *not* go all the way out to the edges of the viewfinder like the 1D series units do. I'm very positive that the AF sensors on the 1Ds units do *not* cover the entire full frame, at least with the older 1Ds units. The new 1Ds Mark III might do so, I don't know.

Dave

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #4153643
I see your point Dave, but I'm with Kenny on this, a lot of us knew in our hearts that Canon was not yet able to fix the problem. Sending the camera in was a mix of "last resort, what else can I do" and "I need to do something to let Canon know this problem is real"

As for the 1Ds MkIII
My money would be on that it was initially going to go to production (and may have indeed done so) with the same faulty sub mirror assembly, and as the fix became evident Canon has been working overtime to both get the fix into the new 1Ds before it ships, and to get the new parts into the most recent 1D on the production line... (not to mention make another few thousand to start the ball rolling on the recalls)
Clearly the priority would be to get the new part into the new cameras, thus preventing further recalls.

One other option re: 1Ds though.. historically does the 1Ds and 1D models of the same era have the same mirror assembly? Or does the 1D have a smaller one due to crop factor? Is it at all possible that these two cameras woudl NOT be sharing the same parts here?

MaDProFF wrote in post #4156198
seems like there are opposing Canon views on what cameras are effected and what is not, I copied some info from DPreview

"Q. Are all EOS-1D Mark III cameras affected?

No, says Westfall. Canon is planning to provide a simple way for EOS-1D Mark III shooters to identify if their camera is among those affected."
direct link here:
http://www.robgalbrait​h.com ….asp?cid=7-8740-9068-9129

... and the other one provided by CNET news stating that Chuck said that Canon doesn't know how to determine which 1D3's are affected:

"Not all cameras are affected, but Canon doesn't know which are or aren't, so anyone having the problem should send the camera in to be repaired, Westfall said. Once it's ready to begin repairs, Canon will publish instructions on how what photographers should do, probably in the next two or three weeks."
direct link here:

http://www.news.com/83​01-13580_3-9799964-39.html

so two quite different quotations, aren't they? Which one is true?

Actully they aren't contradictory. The first one isn't saying Canon knows which ones are affected; just that Canon think they can provide a simple way to determine if yours is. This probably isn't as simple as a serial number, but might be a visual or functional test for a bad batch of parts or the like. The second one just says Canon doesn't know which cameras are affected, not that they don't know how to tell, and if you're having problems to sign up for the repair. Basically they're both saying that "we can't tell you whether your camera has a problem; you'll have to tell us, and we'll take care of it".

well by the time I get to use it in hot enough conditions to test the problem it will be out of warranty.

racketman wrote in post #4158947
well by the time I get to use it in hot enough conditions to test the problem it will be out of warranty.

If it's, like this, a known defect, warranty period shouldn't apply. Unless the test Canon releases requires hot and humid conditions you should be able to find out if you're affected before then anyhow.

Well, I think Canon does stipulate the operating temperature ranges on their brochures and manuals Jon - for instance, for the 1D Mark IIn, page 191 of the PDF User Guide says 0ºc to 40ºc. I'd say that if you use the camera outside that range, they'll argue that they're not responsible for any issues caused by it. That's fair enough.

Dave

If they announce a recall, and the test for that requires a certain temp. range to demonstrate the problem, they aren't very well going to use environmental conditions to weasel out of making a repair. Stipulation that a test be performed in certain conditions strongly implies that normal operation in those conditions should not demonstrate the defect being tested for; Canon would be laughed out of any court if they were to refuse to repair a defect that turned up in conditions they defined as the test for that, and they aren't that stupid or sleazy.

racketman wrote in post #4158947
well by the time I get to use it in hot enough conditions to test the problem it will be out of warranty.

Canon will let you know if your camera is affected. You will not have to test it under any conditions. No one will have to "test" their cameras to know if their's is part of the fix. They have already said they know whcih cameras are affected. They have also said nothing about serial numbers or date codes. All that talk is forum rumor, which as always, have gotten way out of hand, and way off the mark.

Hi defordphoto, I have a question for you on my Mark III which I purchased just 2 weeks here in Ontario, Canada.

I called my camera store and they said they did receive a e-mail from their head office in Toronto that Canon had a MKIII issue.

My total refund is up on Monday and I doubt they will know any more by then.

My dilema is whether I return it and wait until the store can certify what cameras are affected and re-order me one with the updated components.

or

Keep it, I have not determined any issues yet with this unit to my knowledge and if affected send it in for bench repair if my unit is affected. The camera is only 2 weeks purchased and I feel a bit uneasy about sending a brand a new cam in for bench repair being I have only had it for 2 weeks.

I know its my decision but another thought would be helpful.

Thanks

picworx wrote in post #4159387
Hi defordphoto, I have a question for you on my Mark III which I purchased just 2 weeks here in Ontario, Canada.

I called my camera store and they said they did receive a e-mail from their head office in Toronto that Canon had a MKIII issue.

My total refund is up on Monday and I doubt they will know any more by then.

My dilema is whether I return it and wait until the store can certify what cameras are affected and re-order me one with the updated components.

or

Keep it, I have not determined any issues yet with this unit to my knowledge and if affected send it in for bench repair if my unit is affected. The camera is only 2 weeks purchased and I feel a bit uneasy about sending a brand a new cam in for bench repair being I have only had it for 2 weeks.

I know its my decision but another thought would be helpful.

Thanks

I'm not defordphoto, but if you make a living with your equipment, sending it back is probably the best option...why risk it?

What I think I'm going to find a bit funny is the recall on those cameras that their owners have said are perfect.

KAC

picworx wrote in post #4159387
Hi defordphoto, I have a question for you on my Mark III which I purchased just 2 weeks here in Ontario, Canada.

I called my camera store and they said they did receive a e-mail from their head office in Toronto that Canon had a MKIII issue.

My total refund is up on Monday and I doubt they will know any more by then.

My dilema is whether I return it and wait until the store can certify what cameras are affected and re-order me one with the updated components.

or

Keep it, I have not determined any issues yet with this unit to my knowledge and if affected send it in for bench repair if my unit is affected. The camera is only 2 weeks purchased and I feel a bit uneasy about sending a brand a new cam in for bench repair being I have only had it for 2 weeks.

I know its my decision but another thought would be helpful.

Thanks

If you are not seeing problems, I guess it really depends on what you want to do, but I think if you return it on Monday, you may have a longer wait without a MKIII than you would if it were sent in for repair (assuming yours needs repair).

KAC

kenyc wrote in post #4159481
What I think I'm going to find a bit funny is the recall on those cameras that their owners have said are perfect.

I fail to see the fun in that. Just because some have not experienced problems does not mean there can't be a defect.

defordphoto wrote in post #4159352
Canon will let you know if your camera is affected. You will not have to test it under any conditions. No one will have to "test" their cameras to know if their's is part of the fix. They have already said they know whcih cameras are affected. They have also said nothing about serial numbers or date codes. All that talk is forum rumor, which as always, have gotten way out of hand, and way off the mark.

The quotes from CNet and RG, above, which are the closest I've been able to find to primary sources, strongly suggest that Canon doesn't know which cameras are affected. They know which production runs may be exhibiting the problem, but not which cameras within the run.

The quotes at both CNet and Rob Galbraith also suggest that Canon's leaving it up to the owners of 1D IIIs to determine for themselves whether they've got affected cameras; that Canon isn't going to proactively contact only people who will have the problem. Canon USA's website hasn't been updated to reflect this, although there are two service advisories affecting 1D III users (wrong power cable for the battery charger in some boxes, and file name settings in User 1 and User 2). If you've got more detailed info than what's at RG or CNet, Jim, please post it.

No I don't make a living totally with it, it helps to supplement my income though.

According to Canon there will be a way to determine whether your cam has an issue and I quote from RG's site

"Q. Are all EOS-1D Mark III cameras affected?

No, says Westfall. Canon is planning to provide a simple way for EOS-1D Mark III shooters to identify if their camera was manufactured in production runs that included a sub-mirror assembly that is either adjusted differently or contains one or more different parts than a fixed sub-mirror assembly."

Doesn't help me though I won't know this by Monday to get a full refund.

tommykjensen wrote in post #4159494
I fail to see the fun in that. Just because some have not experienced problems does not mean there can't be a defect.

True, but some have been so insistent that there is no problem, I just think it would be ironic (perhaps not funny) if their camera were on the recall list.

KAC