I spoke with Canon today about the issues that cropped up on my camera.
At 1st I was elated with my camera, everything was going as planned, you guessed it my camera started to miss focus.

In speaking with Canon today the customer service rep told me that any calls coming into Canon about AI issues on the MK3 have a special code attached, all of those calls are being directed to a special MK3 support team.

Now is the time, if you are unhappy call this number and complain
1-800-828-4040 they assurred me that all of the MK3 calls would get the code attached and forwarded to the mk3 team.

In speaking with the rep the topic came up why people are not sending their cameras in for repair, my reply was think about it, if there's no fix then why would Folks send them in, silence.

I aslo told them that we the owners of the MK3 are watching every forum on the internet, we know that people have sent their cameras in with less that favorable results, we know to date there is no fix, 1.10 did not fix my camera.

Please call the number 1-800-828-4040 and tell Canon your story, It might speeds things up a bit.


Steve

Sounds more like a crisis control team than support

In the end what did they tell you to do? Or what was the resolution of your call?

Way to go Steve. Great comeback, because it is true. I am not sending mine in, although I have a return authorization number, because it would do no good at this point. Duh!

Hopefully the word gets out and everyone calls. The more calls, the less likely Canon will even remotely think it is a small issue since people aren't sending their cameras in to service. Duh again Canon!

Another solution might just be to boycott the Mark 3 until the fix/and or problem are acknowledged by Canon. I am simply amazed that people continue to buy this lemon. People are even pre ordering the new 1 Ds Mark 3 even though Canon has announced that it uses the same autofocus design as the 1D Mark 3. It's just insane. Yes I know there are happy Mark 3 users, but they shoot short primes and work in dark, cool, caves.
John

Mariner wrote:
Another solution might just be to boycott the Mark 3 until the fix/and or problem are acknowledged by Canon. I am simply amazed that people continue to buy this lemon. People are even pre ordering the new 1 Ds Mark 3 even though Canon has announced that it uses the same autofocus design as the 1D Mark 3. It's just insane. Yes I know there are happy Mark 3 users, but they shoot short primes and work in dark, cool, caves.
John

I also am amazed that people still buy this camera, are those comming from a 1DMKII? Then they have see it very fast
But still there are people that will not admit they have a lemon.
Even in one shot the AF is not working as it should. And if you talk to Canon, then they give you the feeling that you are a worse photographer.
Is this the way to treat your clients Canon?

Jammy Straub wrote:
Sounds more like a crisis control team than support

In the end what did they tell you to do? Or what was the resolution of your call?

I was told to be patient and that they understand my frustration, 1.1.1 is coming but they don't know when.

I'm getting really close to becoming a Nikon guy again.

Steve

Golfman, T wrote:
Way to go Steve. Great comeback, because it is true. I am not sending mine in, although I have a return authorization number, because it would do no good at this point. Duh!

Hopefully the word gets out and everyone calls. The more calls, the less likely Canon will even remotely think it is a small issue since people aren't sending their cameras in to service. Duh again Canon!

My conversation went of for at least 20 mins, the rep was sympathetic, polite and very patient, when she told me about the special code for all AI MK3 calls I at least felt for the 1st time like someone was listening.

Steve

Sounds like a good time to buy Nikon,Canon can't live at the top of the heap for ever ! and with the new FX on the market .... !

Spoke with a Canon rep and he had a very difficult time keeping the story straight. First I was pretty much the only person with a problem which changed to lots of people have had the problem fixed by the new firmware. Intersting, if there is no problem then what exactly got fixed? Next it was the beta firmware is being tested to address the problem (which didn't exist initially) to we don't know what the beta firmware is designed to do or if it will even be released.

Asked if sending it in would do any good he said that lots of people had had their cameras "calibrated" and that they weren't having any problems (but then again, apparently they didn't have problems to begin with as there was no problem.) Pretty much blamed the whole thing on Internet hysteria and laid the blame on "one blogger".

Monique said "But still there are people that will not admit they have a lemon."

Not everyone has a lemon. Nobody knows the real number of troublesome cameras. 25%, 50%, or 75%? Definitely not 100% as I know plenty of people with working cameras and only stories from friends online about troublesome issues. There is a problem and Canon will address it (hopefully). People are still buying it with the hopes of getting a good one and if not it can be returned. Some people are using the camera in single shot mode with excellent results. The image quality is amazing and AF accurate in low light. The problem will be fixed (wishful thinking) and for us hobbyists this is ok for a short period. For pros, I imagine their patience won't be as long. Luckily I got a good one. I waited until August to get mine and have been happy with it. The only reason I would give mine up is if there was a 5D MKII w/ 6.5 fps + 18 MP + under $3000. I don't necessarily need 10 fps.

Let's not generalize that people are not admitting they have lemons. From what I see those with lemons are not being quiet.

White, Jack wrote:
Monique said "But still there are people that will not admit they have a lemon."

Not everyone has a lemon. Nobody knows the real number of troublesome cameras. 25%, 50%, or 75%? Definitely not 100% as I know plenty of people with working cameras and only stories from friends online about troublesome issues. There is a problem and Canon will address it (hopefully). People are still buying it with the hopes of getting a good one and if not it can be returned. Some people are using the camera in single shot mode with excellent results. The image quality is amazing and AF accurate in low light. The problem will be fixed (wishful thinking) and for us hobbyists this is ok for a short period. For pros, I imagine their patience won't be as long. Luckily I got a good one. I waited until August to get mine and have been happy with it. The only reason I would give mine up is if there was a 5D MKII w/ 6.5 fps + 18 MP + under $3000. I don't necessarily need 10 fps.

Let's not generalize that people are not admitting they have lemons. From what I see those with lemons are not being quiet.

Amen Jack.
I agree that not everyone is having the problems. I have one and I have not noticed one focusing issue. Not to say that others aren't having issues here.

After looking all that has gone on with this issue, it is sad to realize that there will be some folks that will never be staisfied with their cameras.

Canon has surely taken notes on this issue, but the damage is done IMO.

White, Jack wrote:
Monique said "But still there are people that will not admit they have a lemon."

Not everyone has a lemon. Nobody knows the real number of troublesome cameras. 25%, 50%, or 75%? Definitely not 100% as I know plenty of people with working cameras and only stories from friends online about troublesome issues. There is a problem and Canon will address it (hopefully). People are still buying it with the hopes of getting a good one and if not it can be returned. Some people are using the camera in single shot mode with excellent results. The image quality is amazing and AF accurate in low light. The problem will be fixed (wishful thinking) and for us hobbyists this is ok for a short period. For pros, I imagine their patience won't be as long. Luckily I got a good one. I waited until August to get mine and have been happy with it. The only reason I would give mine up is if there was a 5D MKII w/ 6.5 fps + 18 MP + under $3000. I don't necessarily need 10 fps.

Let's not generalize that people are not admitting they have lemons. From what I see those with lemons are not being quiet.

Agreed 100%. If one is so sure and unhappy about a product, there is always alternative. Go and do some shooting instead of being so negative about the camera every opportunity you have and say something that embarass yourself. Life is too short to be so unhappy and bitter all the time, especially just for a camera. Luckily we have only a handful of people like that in this forum but they sure make lots of noises .

Just to add a note to what I posted, I asked the rep that I spoke to how many cameras have ben returned, she said that she did not have that information but did note that most of the returned cameras were coming from dealers returns which has ben 1 in 10, enough to warrant Big concern from Canon.

I will not send mine in because there is no fix, that's been stated too many times by Folks that have had there camers at Canon service and why they are still working on it 1.1.1

It's going to be interesting to see what 1.1.1 has to offer, what's scary to me right now is the feedback from 1.1.1 users, does not look promising with all of the ER99 issues with 1.1.1.

I want Canon to know my displeasure, the more people that call the better off we will all be, I'm not just going to lay down and accept this, I tfeel that Canon at the least owes me a $4600 explanation.

Steve

slau wrote:

Agreed 100%. If one is so sure and unhappy about a product, there is always alternative. Go and do some shooting instead of being so negative about the camera every opportunity you have and say something that embarass yourself. Life is too short to be so unhappy and bitter all the time, especially just for a camera. Luckily we have only a handful of people like that in this forum but they sure make lots of noises .


While I agree that continually griping about a situation that has no fix yet serves no purpose, you have to understand that for many of us, the cost of a new MK III is a fairly significant investment. If this were a $500 camera, there'd probably be less complaints, more like "what do you expect for $500?" However, when you don't have access to pool gear and it's your $4300 on the line, you do expect a higher level of quality control or at least prompt resolution. On the other hand, those who purchased the Mark III since the AF problem was discovered obviously did so knowing that they were taking a chance.

Personally, I'm quite happy with my two Mark II bodies until there is admission of the problem as well as a proven fix.

Hi, I still love to shoot with my 1DMKII N, I'm very staisfied with that camera
But buying a new camera that is not working as it should be then i'm worried about it yes.
How long do you have to work to safe $5000?
Amen


Edited by Monique on Sep 27, 2007 at 04:16 PM GMT

slau wrote:
White, Jack wrote:
Monique said "But still there are people that will not admit they have a lemon."

Not everyone has a lemon. Nobody knows the real number of troublesome cameras. 25%, 50%, or 75%? Definitely not 100% as I know plenty of people with working cameras and only stories from friends online about troublesome issues. There is a problem and Canon will address it (hopefully). People are still buying it with the hopes of getting a good one and if not it can be returned. Some people are using the camera in single shot mode with excellent results. The image quality is amazing and AF accurate in low light. The problem will be fixed (wishful thinking) and for us hobbyists this is ok for a short period. For pros, I imagine their patience won't be as long. Luckily I got a good one. I waited until August to get mine and have been happy with it. The only reason I would give mine up is if there was a 5D MKII w/ 6.5 fps + 18 MP + under $3000. I don't necessarily need 10 fps.

Let's not generalize that people are not admitting they have lemons. From what I see those with lemons are not being quiet.

Agreed 100%. If one is so sure and unhappy about a product, there is always alternative. Go and do some shooting instead of being so negative about the camera every opportunity you have and say something that embarass yourself. Life is too short to be so unhappy and bitter all the time, especially just for a camera. Luckily we have only a handful of people like that in this forum but they sure make lots of noises .


Are you a rich guy, if Canon cannot fix my camera I'm stuck with it, I will not and cannot sell my camera to anyone else if does not work properly, that would be lieing wouldn't it.

I was a happy camper with my camera for 4 months until it started malfunctioning, should I accept that and just go shoot blurry pictures

My images are lifetime memories captured for all to enjoy, I want this issue fixed, collectively we might be able to make a difference, that's all.

Life is too short, I work 10-12 hrs a day, I can't afford to throw a way $4600 and I certainly can't afford to replace it right now, I'm hoping and praying that Canon gets it fixed.

White, Jack wrote:
Monique said "But still there are people that will not admit they have a lemon."

Not everyone has a lemon. Nobody knows the real number of troublesome cameras. 25%, 50%, or 75%? Definitely not 100% as I know plenty of people with working cameras and only stories from friends online about troublesome issues. There is a problem and Canon will address it (hopefully). People are still buying it with the hopes of getting a good one and if not it can be returned. Some people are using the camera in single shot mode with excellent results. The image quality is amazing and AF accurate in low light. The problem will be fixed (wishful thinking) and for us hobbyists this is ok for a short period. For pros, I imagine their patience won't be as long. Luckily I got a good one. I waited until August to get mine and have been happy with it. The only reason I would give mine up is if there was a 5D MKII w/ 6.5 fps + 18 MP + under $3000. I don't necessarily need 10 fps.

Let's not generalize that people are not admitting they have lemons. From what I see those with lemons are not being quiet.


According to the poll taken here it was about 45% of the people who own the camera. I think that number would climb to 75% if you put all the cameras into RG's hands to test.

Steve A wrote:
I was a happy camper with my camera for 4 months until it started malfunctioning, should I accept that and just go shoot blurry pictures


No, you should send it in to Canon for service. If it worked for 4 months and then started malfunctioning, something broke that can be fixed/replaced.

Monique wrote:
But still there are people that will not admit they have a lemon.
Even in one shot the AF is not working as it should. And if you talk to Canon, then they give you the feeling that you are a worse photographer.


Are you trying to claim that all Mark III's have a problem focusing in one-shot? The posters from the following thread would probably disagree with you:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/565572

If you are having problems with your camera in one-shot, send it in to Canon for repair/replacement.

Curator wrote:
Monique wrote:
But still there are people that will not admit they have a lemon.
Even in one shot the AF is not working as it should. And if you talk to Canon, then they give you the feeling that you are a worse photographer.


Are you trying to claim that all Mark III's have a problem focusing in one-shot? The posters from the following thread would probably disagree with you:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/565572

If you are having problems with your camera in one-shot, send it in to Canon for repair/replacement.




Uh, no, this poster is just another who doesn't even own the camera, but is constantly telling us all how bad ours are...

Monique wrote:
Hi, I still love to shoot with my 1DMKII N, I'm very staisfied with that camera
But buying a new camera that is not working as it should be then i'm worried about it yes.
How long do you have to work to safe $5000?
Amen

XsigmaSD wrote:
Curator wrote:
Monique wrote:
But still there are people that will not admit they have a lemon.
Even in one shot the AF is not working as it should. And if you talk to Canon, then they give you the feeling that you are a worse photographer.


Are you trying to claim that all Mark III's have a problem focusing in one-shot? The posters from the following thread would probably disagree with you:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/565572

If you are having problems with your camera in one-shot, send it in to Canon for repair/replacement.




Uh, no, this poster is just another who doesn't even own the camera, but is constantly telling us all how bad ours are...

Monique wrote:
Hi, I still love to shoot with my 1DMKII N, I'm very staisfied with that camera
But buying a new camera that is not working as it should be then i'm worried about it yes.
How long do you have to work to safe $5000?
Amen



But why would anyone take the risk of spending that much money to possibly get a defective item? Are you suggesting that the poster spend the $4500+ just so she can qualify to have an opinion? That logic is a bit off don't you think?

Steve Ickes wrote:

But why would anyone take the risk of spending that much money to possibly get a defective item? Are you suggesting that the poster spend the $4500+ just so she can qualify to have an opinion? That logic is a bit off don't you think?

No, but there's a difference between "it doesn't focus right" and "I've heard it doesn't focus right and therefore I think it doesn't focus right". To be honest, if you don't have first hand experience you shouldn't make blanket statements about problems. That's like saying "the handling on a Ferrari isn't any better than my Ford" when you've never driven a Ferrari.

Steve Ickes wrote:
[But why would anyone take the risk of spending that much money to possibly get a defective item? Are you suggesting that the poster spend the $4500+ just so she can qualify to have an opinion? That logic is a bit off don't you think?

If I had known this was going to happen, I would not have gone forward with the purchase but would have waited. I was very early and picked mine up May 30th, SN #21512074. This was before there was clear and convincing testing done out there, and becuase it was a new system, I needed to do testing of my own...which I did over time. But had I known this then, of course I would not have made the purchase. Unlike the casual user, my camera is a source of income and $4,500 is a huge amount of money. That some don't have the problem is not my concern. I would guess that there are a significant number of the people that claim to not have problems just don't know what the 1D series of cameras should do in a shooting environment that uses AF constanting and quickly...but a $4,500 professional camera should work at least as well in this critical area as the model it replaces, and the Mk3 does not.

I'm loving my old school 1D Mark II.

Magically, the pictures seem be just as colour popping and sharp as they were when the camera was first released

Folks, unlike so many others, I take few pictures in sunlight-almost every picture is taken in dim-available light. As such my Mk III (Sn#50xxx one of the first delivered in my LA) is a miracle camera which focuses so much better, in every way-compared to my 5D.

When Canon has a fix (and they will at some point) I will test in hot sunlight to see if I have to send my camera in. Until then the Mk III is the single best camera made (that means available today) for low light dance photography (sort of like a soccer match under dim stage lights).