New EOS-1D Mark III Firmwares & Hardware recall/fix

kmb wrote in post #7492801
Mine "micro-hunts" alot in low light/low contrast situations (concerts) with for instance the 50/1.2. It's like a hyper-active squirrel high on caffeine. This is before the fix (haven't sent it for the fix yet). With the 2.8 zooms, it has never felt especially solid, either.

Get yours sent in. Mine did this before ANY of the mirror fixes. Even if you load up new firmware (back then it was 1.2.3), it would microhunt. After the mirror fix it was very stable.

Best lens to test with the AF would be the 200 /2. Probably THE most sensitive of the entire Canon lineup.

PM01 wrote in post #7494051
Get yours sent in. Mine did this before ANY of the mirror fixes. Even if you load up new firmware (back then it was 1.2.3), it would microhunt. After the mirror fix it was very stable.

Best lens to test with the AF would be the 200 /2. Probably THE most sensitive of the entire Canon lineup.

Thanks for the info. Just to clarify, I've sent it for the submirror fix, and it is supposedly fixed (although I can't say I've noticed too much of a difference). I'll be sending it in for this second fix.

I purchased my MK3 through Amazon Dec 28, 2008 and I've already shot 8k pics. All of them were in AI Servo and 80% were Off-Center focus point (I shoot basketball) and haven't had any err99's, Soft Shots etc.

I'm very happy with my MK3 and I still havent decided if I should upgrade to the IV if it comes out this year.

spxxxx wrote in post #7494000
Well after another two calls to Canon UK - I have been basically told that the only way I can have mine done is have them picked up and be without the bodies for a total of 5 days or 7 days if it runs over a weekend.

They basically said it didn't matter if I needed them for paying jobs and that I wasn't allowed to arrange a day at their convenience - and deliver / collect the same day.

I got agreement from them that basically being a CPS member and working pro counted for nothing in this case.

So mine are booked for collection Friday - I miss a paying job Monday - and they don't want to know.

Not really what I was expecting - oh well I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

Ummmmm....send them in one at a time? Rent a body? Borrow a body?

Why the hell would you have to miss a paid gig?

IT'S BACK!

I dropped off my Mark III at the UPS store on the evening of March 3. They shipped to to Canon in Virginia, Canon made the update/repair, they shipped it back, and it arrived in Wichita, Kansas at 11am today, March 10.

That is service!

My camera has about 20k shutter activations (blue dot purchased November 2007), has never given me an error99, and has always focused very well in demanding sports photography (night football, track and basketball). I seldom use anything but the center focus point. I don't doubt those who have problems with their camera and with customer service but my experience with Canon and the 1D Mark III has been excellent.

PM01,
Which mirror fix are you talking about?
The Sub-mirror fix or the mirror box assembly?

PM01 wrote in post #7494051
Get yours sent in. Mine did this before ANY of the mirror fixes. Even if you load up new firmware (back then it was 1.2.3), it would microhunt. After the mirror fix it was very stable.

Best lens to test with the AF would be the 200 /2. Probably THE most sensitive of the entire Canon lineup.

Zivnuska. You notice any improvement or difference in handling?

drPheta wrote in post #7494868
Zivnuska. You notice any improvement or difference in handling?

Just got it back an hour ago. I won't know anything till the weekend.

Phil Zivnuska

I wrote to Canon and inquired if "new" units on the shelves have already received this fix and if there is a serial number range that would indicate that the units that have been manufactured with/after this latest fix. The relevant answer to my question was:

"There are no new cameras on the market that are affected by this issue."

He did not give any serial number answers and the phrase sounds slightly suspicious. So, you can take that however you want to. Just thought I'd share - and sorry if this was addressed already somewhere in the thread.

Zivnuska wrote in post #7494708
IT'S BACK!

I dropped off my Mark III at the UPS store on the evening of March 3. They shipped to to Canon in Virginia, Canon made the update/repair, they shipped it back, and it arrived in Wichita, Kansas at 11am today, March 10.

That is service!

My camera has about 20k shutter activations (blue dot purchased November 2007), has never given me an error99, and has always focused very well in demanding sports photography (night football, track and basketball). I seldom use anything but the center focus point. I don't doubt those who have problems with their camera and with customer service but my experience with Canon and the 1D Mark III has been excellent.

bah
well thats useless info hehehehe

what we need is someone who has HAD problems still and then AFTEr this recent "fix" , is not seeing a problem .. someone like... GBRandy hehehe

i've only had a small handful of err99 issues but its not
reproducible for me, so after this fix, if it doesnt happen in say
6 months, then i assume its all fixed. as for the focus issues,
the only thing i complain about for my usages, is that sometimes,
static subjects refuse to focus unless i wind my focus ring to the
opposite direction. i always thought this was because of low
contrast surfaces but it even happens on cereal boxes with lots of
contrasting shapes. it doesnt look like anyone here has this
weird "phenomenon" (as canon would call it)

Still wondering what canon is doing to the camera, and what exactly they fix, not sending mine in till my shoot on the 28th.

There have been several complaints about how long the recall may take and how long people are going to be without their cameras. I wanted to share my experience with Canon service and how quickly the work was done. Door to door in 1 week is outstanding. That may be useful to know for those concerned about being without their camera(s).

I'm sorry if that information is useless to you.

Yes, I've been pleased with the camera. That information needs to be disclosed. In response to a question, I said it's too early for me to tell any difference. I've not taken any photos yet! After I have a chance to shoot moving targets, I will give my observations on whether or not I can detect a difference. I hope many owners, satisfied and not, post their observations. Together, we may be able to draw valid conclusions.

I'm thinking that the quick service for some people may be due to the fact that either Canon has not done anything to your camera (except maybe checked to make sure you have the latest firmware), or the "fix" is so minor, that it really doesn't do anything (say changes the default of CFN III-2 AF Sensitivity) .

I guess I'm just a pessimist, but I am hoping for the best.

Zivnuska wrote in post #7496016
I'm sorry if that information is useless to you.

i wasnt being negative man. more like jealous that it was so fast for ya. hope you dont take it the wrong way

So is Canon just doing this for show? I mean, how many people have actually had the problems described? I certainly haven't, nor have I heard reports of them...my AF is a little twitchy but the outer points are accurate as hell and I've never gotten an error99.