Canon Finds, Vows to Fix, Problems with the EOS-1D Mark III
November 2, 2007: On our last show, Canon USA’s technical guru Rudy Winston said the company was admitting focus problems with the EOS-1D Mark III and was planning on fixing them.
At the time, he didn’t know if the problem was limited to a certain batch of cameras and how Canon would make good. He said Canon would be releasing more information soon.
He was right.
According to Cameratown:
After a thorough investigation, Canon has found that some EOS-1D Mark III cameras may have an issue with the mirror mechanism, which is part of the autofocus optical system. This issue may cause inconsistent focusing accuracy or inconsistent focus tracking with moving subjects when using AI-Servo AF and continuous shooting modes, particularly in high temperatures. The EOS-1D Mark III cameras that could have this problem can be identified by serial number: If the serial number on the bottom of the camera is between 501001 and 546561, the camera might require an adjustment of its AF mirror mechanism. Please note that the issue occurs only in some EOS-1D Mark III cameras within this serial number range. If you are satisfied with the AF performance of your EOS-1D Mark III camera now, it will not be necessary to have it repaired for this issue.
If you live in the US or PR, you can call this number for more information: 1-800-828-4040 (toll free) 8:00 a.m. - Midnight, EST (M-F) 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., EST (Sat.).
If you live elsewhere, you have to find your own Customer Support Center.
Good on Canon for admitting there’s an issue and instituting a plan to fix it. And I have to give major props to Rob Galbraith who extensively documented the focusing problem on his website.Â
Rob was the first person I saw report on this, and he went to get trouble to prove this problem through repeated testing. Everyone who owns an affected camera owes him his or her thanks.
And, a question for you: If you had a camera within the specified serial number range, even if you hadn’t noticed any focusing problems, wouldn’t you have it evaluated for repair anyway? I would.
Scott
November 7th, 2007 at 4:58 am
yes, I’m not sure that my camera has that problem since I haven’t had a opportunity to test it as thorough as Rob Galbraith, but I intend to have it evaluated for repair anyway.
December 2nd, 2007 at 4:30 am
Canon’s responses to this issue have been top notch. I shoot with Nikon gear, but I have great respect for Canon’s products. Kudos to how they handled this.
Arthur