I usually take most internet rumors with a grain of salt, however as I said a few weeks ago I think a MKIII firmware update is close.
Two weeks prior to the new firmware for the 40D Canon USA updated the posting date on the old firmware for the 40D. Two weeks later we had a new firmware update. The same thing happened with the MKIII. A few weeks ago they updated the posting date for the old firmware, "why I have no idea", but all the same I think we are getting ready to see something.
As for features and improvements, Canon usually does not add additional functions with a firmware update but on the other hand it is possible to do! It could very well be that they have found some other AF issue which could help all of those owners that are still having problems with their camera as well as give us a couple of bonus features as a way of trying to ask for forgiveness for all of the problems in the first place.
Face it, we all use our cameras for different reasons and shooting requirements so given the fact that I have had no problems does not mean that another person shooting with my camera body in a different situtation would get the same results. Lets just hope that somehow this will close this chapter in the MKIII autofocus issues for everyone and for once everyone will enjoy their cameras!
gbee wrote:
Well, I don't beleive we can firmware update the AF selection via the joystick.
Don't see why not. It's not like it's a mechanical thing anymore with wires attached to the joystick. As everything's electronics and controlled by a CPU that gets its "thinking" through firmware, Canon should be able to do just that. You should check what Nikon is adding to its cameras in terms of functionality through firmware upgrades... radical. Let's hope Canon can pull that off too.
I would not call the joystick/AF a bonus feature. I call it something they forgot when they released the camea. Backtracking on features from one camera to the next rarely makes customers happy.
bbudman wrote:
Lets just hope that somehow this will close this chapter in the MKIII autofocus issues for everyone and for once everyone will enjoy their cameras!
My sentiments exactly. Let's hope. In some conditions my camera seems to work well, in other conditions it really struggles to obtain and maintain focus in Servo mode. It's surprisingly poor at times.
I'm hoping it doesn't need another trip to the service center. Maybe the new firmware will make a noticeable improvement.
72chevelle454 wrote:
One question... Who is going to load the new firmware first Then report back here with their results, so the rest of us can give it a try
Colin Key wrote:
I wonder why this Spanish website seems to be privileged with this information and everyone else is saying nothing - seems very odd to me.
Colin
Hey, it's about time the spaniards got some good news; I mean having to put up with fat pasty Brits pouring into their country for so long they've had a rough trot.
JackCnd wrote:
I would have like to have seen auto iso improved
allowing setting min and max apertures and shutter speeds.
Maybe I misunderstand your point but this feature does exist. Set ISO safety shift, use CFN 1-12 to set min and max shutter speeds and 1-3 for setting min and max aperture.
This allows me to meter correctly for say a dark side of a sports pitch say using ISO 1600 but setting the max shutter speed to say 1/2000s use the auto ISO feature to limit my shutter speed and reduce the ISO to say 400 for the bright side.
Anyway, must say I am looking forward to seeing what new features the new firmware brings. Having the joystick control for AF point selection would certainly be better.
AGeoJO wrote:
I will download and install the FW as soon as it becomes available, too. No fear here
Ok ok... I'm just a little gun shy, since the last update (1.1.3) broke the joystick tap from single point to 45 now it activates focus as soon as you tap to switch, It never used to activate the focus Let me know if this is fixed.
I just got my MK3 back on Friday from a broken mirror as well. (Camera fed me the ERR99 error) I had under 5,000 actuations on it.
As an electronics nut, I'm more than happy to try it out. However, I won't get to use it for any real-world conditions until after I graduate next week. Wahoo!
Then report back here with their results, so the rest of us can give it a try 
Let me know if this is fixed. 