http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1032&message=27730486

Somebody else confirms it in the thread, as well. (Not sure why the *navy* would know first, but the confirmation is from Italy). Also, a few days ago, somebody posted a rumor from a spanish site saying about the same thing.

There has been some talk of it on Naturescapes as well.

I hope, they will enable the joystick to choose the AF point with the new FW. Now, that would be really sweet! What AF issues do they have to fix anyway ?

DavidP wrote:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1032&message=27730486

Somebody else confirms it in the thread, as well. (Not sure why the *navy* would know first, but the confirmation is from Italy). Also, a few days ago, somebody posted a rumor from a spanish site saying about the same thing.

It probably sets the AF at infinity for naval purposes.

EB

AGeoJO wrote:
What AF issues do they have to fix anyway ?

I'm not sure.

I finally got to try mine in bright sunlight (though not that warm) a few weekends ago.

Didn't notice the camera being any worse than the 1D-2, really (which doesn't mean that it didn't miss shots, for sure).

About the only real difference I noticed was that the 1D-3 seemed to have a lot harder time ACHIEVING focus with a busy background in AI-Servo when tracking. But if I'd already acquired focus before the bird flew into a busy background, it did OK maintaining focus. As long as I could keep the camera on the bird, that is.

Here's one I'm particularly proud of (500/4 IS + 1.4x TC) . . . 100% crop.

www.neonlightsimaging.com/images/Spoonbill_Glide.jpg

Crossing fingers.

I have just spoken to my Canon Pro Dealer in the U.K. who said he had received this email from Canon U.K. today (apologies for "copy & paste", I could not attache the Wordpad document):




Canon (UK) Ltd
Woodhatch
Reigate
Surrey
RH2 8BF

29 April, 2008


Dear Business Partner,

RE: New firmware update for EOS-1D Mark III and EOS-1Ds Mark III



On 30 April, Canon Europe N.V. will release a firmware update which further improves the AF performance of the EOS-1D Mark III and EOS-1Ds Mark III under certain shooting conditions and adds new features for custom functions. Top professional photographers, working in extremely challenging conditions gave us the feedback that led to these improvements.

New shipping information with regards to the cameras including the new firmware update is expected to be available to you shortly. The boxes will include a leaflet providing information on the firmware update plus new features for custom functions.

Please be informed that users, as always, easily have access to the firmware update via the technical support site on the Canon website or via HYPERLINK "http://www.canon.com/eos-d/index.html" http://www.canon.com/eos-d/index.html.

Canon will continue to listen to feedback from our customers and spares no effort to give its products the highest possible performance.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate in contacting your Canon Account Manager.

Thank you for your cooperation and support.


Yours sincerely,


Canon Consumer Imaging





This is GENUINE,

Colin

Great shot, David!

Colin Key wrote:
I have just spoken to my Canon Pro Dealer in the U.K. who said he had received this email from Canon U.K. today (apologies for "copy & paste", I could not attache the Wordpad document):




Canon (UK) Ltd
Woodhatch
Reigate
Surrey
RH2 8BF

29 April, 2008


Dear Business Partner,

RE: New firmware update for EOS-1D Mark III and EOS-1Ds Mark III



On 30 April, Canon Europe N.V. will release a firmware update which further improves the AF performance of the EOS-1D Mark III and EOS-1Ds Mark III under certain shooting conditions and adds new features for custom functions. Top professional photographers, working in extremely challenging conditions gave us the feedback that led to these improvements.

New shipping information with regards to the cameras including the new firmware update is expected to be available to you shortly. The boxes will include a leaflet providing information on the firmware update plus new features for custom functions.

Please be informed that users, as always, easily have access to the firmware update via the technical support site on the Canon website or via HYPERLINK "http://www.canon.com/eos-d/index.html" http://www.canon.com/eos-d/index.html.

Canon will continue to listen to feedback from our customers and spares no effort to give its products the highest possible performance.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate in contacting your Canon Account Manager.

Thank you for your cooperation and support.


Yours sincerely,


Canon Consumer Imaging





This is GENUINE,

Colin

That's a great news for sure...
Thanks

AGeoJO wrote:
I hope, they will enable the joystick to choose the AF point with the new FW. Now, that would be really sweet! What AF issues do they have to fix anyway ?


Joshua, I hope they disable the AF as well, it can choose between 45 and single, only problem is when held it try's to focus as well. we don't need that

Good news, I hope

Edited by 72chevelle454 on Apr 29, 2008 at 11:38 AM GMT

DavidP wrote:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1032&message=27730486

Somebody else confirms it in the thread, as well. (Not sure why the *navy* would know first, but the confirmation is from Italy). Also, a few days ago, somebody posted a rumor from a spanish site saying about the same thing.


Here is my post a few days ago from a Spanish website.



http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.quesabesde.com%2Fnoticias%2Fcanon-eos-1d-mark-iii-firmware-problemas-autofoco%2C1_4254&langpair=es%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF8

Anyone see this yet? 1.2.3 version it looks to be..

http://www.quesabesde.com/noticias/canon-eos-1d-mark-iii-firmware-1.2.3-enfoque,1_4261

To English

http://www.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.quesabesde.com%2Fnoticias%2Fcanon-eos-1d-mark-iii-firmware-1.2.3-enfoque%2C1_4261&langpair=es%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF8

From the link above "the renewed firmware also allows you to select the point of focus with the joystick back"

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

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

This could be a holdover from pre-internet days. In the "dark ages", companies often tested products in small, somewhat isolated markets. If the test went bad, nobody else would hear about it. Face it, if it were not for the internet, we would not be aware of this story.

Today, you can't get away with that. The internet is everywhere and move stories like this much faster. That is why many things are labeled as rumor. They pop up so fast, even the company invovled is not able to stay ahead of it. An interesting social phenomenon.

Canon might still not understand how quickly this information travels.

I pray this is true. Normally a new firmware version is no big deal, but I really need this to work.

nathanlake wrote:
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

Face it, if it were not for the internet, we would not be aware of this story.



Oh yes we would. I got this information from my dealer by telephone at lunchtime today (while I was making a telephone order and confirming my CC details) and he volountairily said that he had received the email from Canon UK about the new firmware for the 1D Mk III and 1DsMkIII and, while we were speaking on the phone, sent me a copy via email.

I just wonder why this Spanish outfit has the info and people like Chuck "dooh-dah" (Canon USA) has said nothing.

Canon "Global" seems to be in a total "effing" mess.

Colin

DavidP wrote:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1032&message=27730486

Somebody else confirms it in the thread, as well. (Not sure why the *navy* would know first, but the confirmation is from Italy). Also, a few days ago, somebody posted a rumor from a spanish site saying about the same thing.

I would guess that any organization that bought a lot of 1DMIII bodies would be informed of this release. It just so happens that someone in the Navy talked about it.

Colin Key wrote:
nathanlake wrote:
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

Face it, if it were not for the internet, we would not be aware of this story.



Oh yes we would. I got this information from my dealer by telephone at lunchtime today (while I was making a telephone order and confirming my CC details) and he volountairily said that he had received the email from Canon UK about the new firmware for the 1D Mk III and 1DsMkIII and, while we were speaking on the phone, sent me a copy via email.

I just wonder why this Spanish outfit has the info and people like Chuck "dooh-dah" (Canon USA) has said nothing.

Canon "Global" seems to be in a total "effing" mess.

Colin



The dealer was informed via EMAIL? I rest my case. As for Chuck. He might not be authorzed to talk about it yet. That is what happens when you get just so close to the source.

nathanlake wrote:

The dealer was informed via EMAIL? I rest my case. As for Chuck. He might not be authorzed to talk about it yet. That is what happens when you get just so close to the source.

Sorry, forgot that you are still using "carrier pigeons" over there. As to Chuck, I think his problem is that he is too close to the sauce.

Colin

Well, I don't beleive we can firmware update the AF selection via the joystick.

Interesting.
I should get my body back from repairs tomorrow. Got ERR 99, mirror died.

Letīs see if it has this new FW installed...

gbee wrote:
Well, I don't beleive we can firmware update the AF selection via the joystick.

Must admit that that was my first thought - let us wait and see!!

Colin

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.