Help me decide between 51XXXX 1dMkIII and 57XXXX 1dMkIII

I have narrowed my search for a 1dMkIII down to 3 choices:

A mint-bodied 51XXXX serial number for $1900 with all accessories but no box and no paperwork (called Canon and it's never been registered). The owner says it has less than 10K clicks but no verification of this. Never been to Canon for AF fixes.

A mint-bodied 56XXXX serial number for $2300 with box and all accessories, all paperwork, and 12K clicks.

A mint-bodied 57XXXX serial number for $2400 with extra Canon battery ($100), box, accessories, paperwork, and 6K clicks.

I realize the latter 2 are top dollar, but they are the cream of the crop for used and the sellers will not budge any further.

Does the later serial number bodies with the factory fix for the AF trump the need to have the early body sent in and any costs associated with that? Everything else equal, is the fix done at Canon service for the early body the same as the factory fix for the AF or is it a retrofit with the factory fix on the later models being better (anyone know?).

(To elaborate on the previous question, I am in product development and have a lot of experience with retrofit fixes and the potential differences between those and engineering fixes or re-designs for newly manufactured units, but I don't know about the extent of Canon's efforts here wrt the MKIII AF issues)

Thanks!

dog rocket wrote in post #9500807
I have narrowed my search for a 1dMkIII down to 3 choices:

A mint-bodied 51XXXX serial number for $1900 with all accessories but no box and no paperwork (called Canon and it's never been registered). The owner says it has less than 10K clicks but no verification of this. Never been to Canon for AF fixes.

A mint-bodied 56XXXX serial number for $2300 with box and all accessories, all paperwork, and 12K clicks.

A mint-bodied 57XXXX serial number for $2400 with extra Canon battery ($100), box, accessories, paperwork, and 6K clicks.

I realize the latter 2 are top dollar, but they are the cream of the crop for used and the sellers will not budge any further.

Does the later serial number bodies with the factory fix for the AF trump the need to have the early body sent in and any costs associated with that? Everything else equal, is the fix done at Canon service for the early body the same as the factory fix for the AF or is it a retrofit with the factory fix on the later models being better (anyone know?).

(To elaborate on the previous question, I am in product development and have a lot of experience with retrofit fixes and the potential differences between those and engineering fixes or re-designs for newly manufactured units, but I don't know about the extent of Canon's efforts here wrt the MKIII AF issues)

Thanks!

Your choice depends on the actual performance of the units, and not the serial numbers. And for such performance, you need to get ready to pay (because so you will perform, down the road).

Strategically speaking, if you cannot obtain proof or evidence of satisfactory performance, you best chance is to choose the option that mitigates such risk as much as possible (this applies to ANY used product, of any kind). Therefore, option #3.

On the other hand, such prices are already lower that anything I would let my own units go... so take any of them!

PIX

If you register the new body with Canon, a phone call to them will let you know what fixes (if any) have been done.

If there are any fixes not done, they will send you a UPS label so you can ship it to them at no cost. Turn around is a week or less, and will not cost you a thing.

This applies to any owner - not just the original purchaser.

If you're going big anyways, might as well get the nicest one of the bunch.

Don't worry about the serial numbers... get the one that works...

The one with the highest serial number you would assume it has had some updates. That is the one I would go for. You got some good advice up above. Register it, send it in and get the updates if it needs em.

Wasn't the particular update that the OP is really asking about, like a $500 service at the factory? It wasn't free as I recall and included a boost in burst cache as well as the fixed AF problems?

or is he referring to this one?
http://www.dpreview.co​m …0101canon1d3sta​tement.asp

$500 is a lot of cash . .as long as you can see and touch the $1900 one before you buy it why not?

All of the fixes for the auto-focus are covered under the product recall. Canon continues to perform these repairs for free. I have a 1D3 that is in the affected sub-mirror assembly range, and sent it in for repair. Free shipping both ways, free repair, extended year of warranty on the AF. Mine performs like a champ.

nureality wrote in post #9505773
Wasn't the particular update that the OP is really asking about, like a $500 service at the factory? It wasn't free as I recall and included a boost in burst cache as well as the fixed AF problems?

or is he referring to this one?
http://www.dpreview.co​m …0101canon1d3sta​tement.asp

Per my local CPS rep any recall or update is free--and if ANY MkIII user still had issues it would be taken care of.

Canon lost a lot of credibility--and customers--because of the focus issues.

i'd go for number two or three. i wouldn't but one in tht "affected range" when there are so mant good deals out there. remember that a battery costs more than $100...i think i paid $150.

ed

Brand new LP-E4 is $100 from multiple stores like beachcamera

dog rocket wrote in post #9500807
I have narrowed my search for a 1dMkIII down to 3 choices:

A mint-bodied 51XXXX serial number for $1900 with all accessories but no box and no paperwork (called Canon and it's never been registered). The owner says it has less than 10K clicks but no verification of this. Never been to Canon for AF fixes.

A mint-bodied 56XXXX serial number for $2300 with box and all accessories, all paperwork, and 12K clicks.

A mint-bodied 57XXXX serial number for $2400 with extra Canon battery ($100), box, accessories, paperwork, and 6K clicks.

I realize the latter 2 are top dollar, but they are the cream of the crop for used and the sellers will not budge any further.

Does the later serial number bodies with the factory fix for the AF trump the need to have the early body sent in and any costs associated with that? Everything else equal, is the fix done at Canon service for the early body the same as the factory fix for the AF or is it a retrofit with the factory fix on the later models being better (anyone know?).

(To elaborate on the previous question, I am in product development and have a lot of experience with retrofit fixes and the potential differences between those and engineering fixes or re-designs for newly manufactured units, but I don't know about the extent of Canon's efforts here wrt the MKIII AF issues)

Thanks!

I have one for sale that I can work on the price with you with. It has ~10000 clicks, mint body, cover on the LCD, and all Canon recalls and work done to it. Serial number #524xxx.

PM me, my asking price doesnt have to be the final price. Check the link in my sig for details.

Thanks everyone! I bought the latter: 57XXXX.