Canon: It’s the Hardware AND/Or the Firmware. Maybe.
November 28, 2007:Â After numerous reports of faulty focusing on their flagship EOS 1D Mark III DSLR, Canon concluded that the issue was related to a hardware malfunction in some units. To their credit, they instituted a free repair program for cameras affected by this malfunction.
Now, according to Canon, the latest firmware version for the camera, “improves autofocus tracking” when shooting outdoors in bright environments or when shooting low-contrast subjects. Since those are the problems that some people were having with the camera, I wonder if it will make the hardware repair unnecessary in some cases. In any case, it’s kind of confusing.
It certainly would be nice if a firmware upgrade could save you from the trouble of shipping your camera back to Canon and having to wait for a repair. Even with Canon’s paying for the shipping both ways, that’s a hassle.Â
This story from CNET has more on the issue and a link to the firmware upgrade.
Scott
November 29th, 2007 at 11:06 am
“Improves” isn’t “fixes”, so I’d still ship it.
November 29th, 2007 at 5:30 pm
I will state this up front I do shoot Nikon. I suspect we will be seeing this a lot more often than in the digital with the rush to get cameras to market as fast as possible. I suspect all the companies will run into this type of issue. I give Canon credit for fixing the issue, but they were warned of the issue before the camera went on the market. Sort of reminds me of the Ford Pinto.
December 3rd, 2007 at 12:21 pm
As I have reported I loved my MK3 however I think Canon has a bigger issue on their hand then they think. I have never had an issue in the heat like others but now in the cold the AF was really slow. And with indoor sports and the latest firmware I’m getting crappy AF. Next to my MK2N the AF of the MK3 indoors is a joke. I really hope the hardware fix will resolve the issue but then again this camera made it market and took 4500.00 off my hands before they found it. This is a huge huge issue for Canon’s PR and they need to make sure this is really the fix and not just a bandage till the MK3N hits the streets. Once mine gets taken in for the Recall I will let you know if this is really the fix we all hope it is.
Bryen
December 9th, 2007 at 3:55 pm
My Mark III is performing great but I’m not taking any chances … if they are offering me a new/improved mirror mechanism, I’ll take it. It’s probably the mirror assembly that should have been in the camera when it first shipped, so I feel that I’m owed it.
And if this upgrade extends the life (and maybe the warranty) of my camera I’ll certainly take that too. I spent $4500 on this beast, it better work perfectly for a LONG time.
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