Mark III owners.

I have not sent my mark III back yet for sub mirror fix.. Had it for about two months. 52XXXX serial #.

Never experience problems of focus until I pushed it in servo this last week. BIF is terrible on both 400 5.6 and 300mm 2..8 IS

I DONT really want a heated debate about this camera. Please only those who have sent theirs back and can comment on the fix. If this thread is too redundant then just link me one and ill close it.

My question(s) is of those that have sent theirs for repair:

1) Did it have problems before sending back?

>>>>>>1.A) What were the results?

2) Did anyone send back again for autofocus issues unresolved?

Thanks,
Mike

Forgot to mention I got mine second hand. I have been told that it can be sent back after warranty for the sub mirror recall for free.

In my case submirror fix did not show anything, but then again I do not shoot sports in heat. I explain my "saga" here: https://photography-on-the.net/1DmarkIII/inde​x.php#add

Unfortunately...

mikeassk wrote in post #6682354
Never experience problems of focus until I pushed it in servo this last week. BIF is terrible on both 400 5.6 and 300mm 2..8 IS

...This means nothing, if you expect to build a dialog that will drive specific actionable results/suggestions to address your problem... and much less the questions you are posing.

Sorry, but it is what it is.

I wholeheartedly suggest you to present a much better, structured description of your problem (situation, conditions, frequency, examples), the actions you have taken to remedy it (and failed), and (ultimately) what is your cam's config. (the 1D2/N is barely configurable, compared to the 1D3). A couple of pictures (small but usable) may help as well (in this way you will avoid engendering a "heated debate", as you requested). Now, If you really can not or are not willing to do so, much less you should expect others to help you out of the blues.

There are folks here that devote a good chunk of their lives chasing birds airborne, of all kinds, and a wide range of conditions, and they may be able to better help you if you provide them the necessary info. to map your experience and usage into their own.

Good luck,

PIX

Personally I had no problems before the fix and didn't notice anything different afterwards. But similar to Pekka I don't shoot sports in heat either, all it seems to do over here is rain!

The biggest advantage to me was the additional years warranty and a free CF card.

my experience will not really be helpful because i have not owned a camera before and after the fix. however, i have owned 7 (or 8) Canon mkIII in the past year or so, 2 before the fix and 6 after the fix (a few with the fix and a few blue dots). what i can tell you is that i did see improvment in the AF department between the pre/post fix models. the ones that had the sub mirror done with combination of the latest FW were much more reliable in my BIF shooting.

the 1st mkIII that i owned was the worst camera i have ever used for BIF with very erratic focus and unexplainable behavior which is why it was returned to its maker. and btw, most of us will agree that the mkIII is PERFECT in most things regardless of the fix. even before the fixes, my mkIII's have been perfect in the studio, in events, landscapes etc.. the problems always occurred in specific situations which also might explain why some shooters felt it more than others.

Thanks for the responses!

Blonde:
Thanks you for your comment.
I love my mark III. I never wanted to send it in because it is amazing. However when shooting on a sunny day last week it was dead in the water to track BIF. I am a good photographer,
no pro... but i know when a camera is acting up,


Pixmantra:
i respect your wishes to help but you ignored my request and would like you to just respond to questions only please. If you like you can pm me and ill show you very specific examples. What were your experiences with sending your camera back,
thanks

I am just wondering if I should sell it and get another or send it back to canon... So that is why I want an idea of those who have sent theirs back and their experiences.
thanks

Mine is a yellow dot...and is perfect as far as I can tell....

Love it.

^ Does that mean you sent it back?
Yellow dot?

I have an early model. Never had any major issues. Had the sub-mirror fix, didn't notice any change. I don't think mine had the sub-mirror issue, because sunny days were never a problem. However, every software update was a significant improvement in AF performance(plus the great addition of joy-stick AF-point selection).

I'd get it done. If I remember right, it was a bad batch of parts, so it could fail at some point later.

^ Thanks John!

So you couldn't recall a problem with AF in heat or backlit?

had both bodies sent in for the sub mirror fix, cant say i noticed any difference, i must admit i tried not to look for problems, i think i noticed a difference when the firmware was updated though, again i wasn't concerned with issues i just used the camera, now having had them over 12 months i notice better results and more consistent results which leads me to believe alot was user error.

mikeassk re backlit was told by CPS a few weeks back in backlit situations to dial down CFn III-2, this setting was something he was told while at the olympics and it aparently increased keepers 10 fold.

mikeassk wrote in post #6694048
So you couldn't recall a problem with AF in heat or backlit?

Correct, when many were having problems, I did my best to test in VERY hot, bright conditions, and could not repeat the problems others were having. So, IMO, there was a weak part for Canon to replace, but not all cameras were having issues(mine was on the recall list). For me, the software was the ticket, but I had them do the hardware anyway. Just incase it could fail at a later time, help my resale, and get the extra 1-year warranty(which Canon later extended to ALL mk-III's).

[QUOTE=mikeassk;669404​8]^ Thanks John!

So you couldn't recall a problem with AF in heat or backlit?[/quote]

my blue dot mark III has never had a problem. i've used the camera fairly heavily for almost a year ... sometimes in very tough lighting.

in the past year i have had problems attaining focus maybe a half dozen times in extreme backlit situations .... like say i'm taking a picture of a seagull at the beach and i'm shooting toward the water, but i've always considered this more of an idiosyncrasy than a defect .

so it's happened but very infrequently. i run my tracking speed at the halfway point but i've dialed back a notch based on the recomendation on this thread.

ed rader

I'm using a friends MKIII and I don't think there has ever been a problem with it. What do the colored dots mean and where would I find them and also is there a serial number after which certain changes were made; also what's the latest firmware.

This camera is incredibly awsome to use, I really, really love it. I don't have any need for the fast continuous shutter I just love shooting with it, the viewfinder, the focus, the bright/large focusing squares, the placement of those squares, the way it feels/balances with my 85L and the sound and feel of the shutter.

I think I'm in love!