I know the later ones and Canon sub mirror fixes make them work correctly now. Are there serial numbers or any type of way to know when buying used what to look for. I have heard , blue dot, yellow dot etc. What if any use is this in picking good from bad in a used body? Thanks....Rich

I bought my used and it does not have a blue dot, or yellow dot. It came with a receipt indicating it was calibrated by Canon, in addition to that it has the latest firmware. I have yet to experience any AF issue.

My understanding from what I've read, the problem has been fixed so long as the camera was sent into Canon OR its one of the more recent ones with a certain serial number. I have to say, owning a 1D series camera is unlike anything I've owned in the past. The performance, the build quality and everything else is top notch. I couldn't be happier!

That is why I am looking for one. I had my sights set on the 1DsMkII but with the price dropping on the 1dMkIII and the glowing reports from people like you I am looking for the 1DMkIII. My whole shooting revolves around great AF. I found out how much I like my 1DMkII N and I would love that and more that the 1DMkIII has.

I found my 1DIII better than my 1DIIn right from the start, despite having numerous 'fixes' applied as it went on.

I use mainly for rugby and never had a focussing issue, although I have slowed it down as a preference. Is much better all round and button layout is much better as it is consisntent with newer cameras (never really got into the old layout as I also had a 5D)

Was it actually fixed? My 7D moderately outperforms both of my 1DMarkIII's in Servo focus tracking, and yes they had all the fixes. In other aspects, the 1DMarkIII outperforms the 7D.

So I guess it depends which areas of the AF system are most important to you. And of course which lenses you use. The Servo trouble is mostly noticeable with a 300 f2.8 and 400 f2.8. If you don't own those lenses or won't use them wide open, there's probably not much to worry about and you won't notice any issues.

Canon has scrapped the focus system from the 1DMarkIII and designed a new one for the 1DMarkIV. Was that the shortest life span of any AF system in the Canon line?


Edit: spelling typo

Yea I was wondering this also. I just picked up a used mark III. It has a serial number of 571XXX. It is out side the Sub mirrow fix, and has the latest firm wear. Just wondering if I need to send it back and have it checked.
I haven't had it long enough to do any testing. I got it and left town for work. Been reading up on all the C FN to find the best setting for my style of shooting.
Thanks Fedxpress

It's more important, I believe, that the seller has all the paper work from Canon, showing that the camera, has been back to them for any "fixes or enhancements".
I have an early serial number on my MKIII, it never showed any AF issues, yet I sent it back to Canon (actually just dropped it off at Jamesburg which is only 30 minutes from where I live), to have them install all the firmware releases & for any of the "fixes". I plan to provide all of this paper work when I put the camera up for sale next month, as I plan to get the MKIV. Plus I also plan to drop the camera off this coming Friday to have them provide the "true" camera actuations, along with a Clean & Check.

My belief, being able to provide this paper work trail, is more vaulable in showing that the camera is indeed "free of any issues", rather then just looking for certain serial numbers, or white, blue or yellow dots!!, or at least, I hope so

Thanks, Bob

i wouldn't worry too much about it .. the used 1d3 i bought was repaired/fixed by canon .. but it still seem alittle off .. so i went ahead and dropped it off at jamesburg and found out it wasn't dont right the first time .. so they re-fixed any issues .. and now the AI-Servo tracking is spot on !

Is this with all 1DMkIIIs or are these posts just the few? If I buy one will I have to send it in and have it "fixed"?? Do most 1DMkIIIs work already or is the AF issue a potental problem with all of them ?

The 1D MK III is a very complex little computer!!

The available material (manuals) are not exactly what you call direct. They are about as clear as mud.

You really have a steep learning curve with this animal but, once mastered you can get wonderful results.

The CF's are totally new and different from preceding top level models.

It's all in understanding what this camera is capable of and applying the CF's for given conditions.

The paper work from Canon will only state that they did, so & so with it, you still need to just shoot it, BUT if you've been following this AF issue all along, the setting of the CF's does & will affect some shots. You have to read & learn the camera, before just going off & shooting, a lot of "bad" shots, does sometimes fall into the OE (operator error ) category

Bob

Do you mean the C.Fn's...That is true as I am reading the manual it is more complex then the 1DMkII N. I am asking about after getting the settings worked out is there a basic problem over shadowing that on the body itself or only a small portion of the overall production of the 1DMkIIIs?

Yes, we were both referring to the C.Fn's when we said CF's After the sub mirror fix & the latest Firmware update, you can check, this cured MOST of all problems with the camera, if not people would still be talking about it.

Keep searching the web, there are a lot of good tips out there, with CF settings & impacts

Bob

I bought two used 1DMIIIs. I called Canon and asked about the serial numbers of the cameras that I had just bought used. They said that they fell within the numbers that might have had a focus problem. They suggested that I send them in for a no charge checkup and calibration/adjustment if they need it. They sent me a prepaid UPS shipping label. I sent them in and they adjusted them to factory specs and overnighted them back to me. It took about 8 days total.

Rod

Rod, I'm curious, when you bought them, did the seller offer to give you any paper work that went along with the camera? Sort of like, offering all the maintenance records when you buy a used car. I know when I put my camera up for sale, I plan to do this, as I have every Canon work slip, even if I just took it in for a Clean & Check. I know people always ask for # of actuations", I know the only true check is to have Canon do the check, so I plan to show that also as part of my paper work trail. I'm hoping it's going to help take some of the anexitity out of the buyer, in knowing he's getting a "good camera"

Thanks, Bob

Good to know. Which service center did you send them to, where are you located?

You're asking a question you're going to get different answers to depending on the particular user and the time period they had the body, so good luck getting a definitive answer.

My dates may be off a month or so given I'm doing this off the top of my head. Bodies started going in for the mirror box swap in fall 2007. The bodies sold after March 2008 (mine) came fixed with the new mirror box and the latest firmware at the time. There was an additional firmware update in May or so this year, with the free hardware check at canon. After March 2008, when the camera was sold is more critical than the serial number, IMO, because it seems that there's a pretty wide range that went out fresh after then.

Some people had problems and there were enough of one that there have been several combined hardware and firmware updates. Some people have been happy from day one with the first bodies out. Some people have been happy with bodies bought later in the process (me). I was certainly gun shy when I first got it, and then really happy after a week of shooting and haven't looked back. It's definitely a more complex body than the MkII in terms of a user's ability to tweak things for a given condition. As with anything someone can customize for different situations, it's possible to get things wrong.

I think you just are going to have to check a particular body put and see whether it works to your satisfaction. It's an awesome camera when it's spot on.

I'm in Missouri, they went to New Jersey. I didn't get any paperwork from either person. I bought one in person and it looked perfect. The other I purchased after talking with the lady on the phone.
When I got them back from Canon one showed about 4600 actuations and the other showed about 4900 actuations. I didn't check them before I sent them in so I don't know if this is something Canon checked and did or not or if they can even do that.
Prices:
I paid $2400.00 for the one I picked up in person and $2450.00 shipped for the other.
The one for $2450.00 was a steal. I came with three Canon batteries and a RRS L bracket.

If anyone has any questions you can call
660-563-5648

Rod

Thanks Rod, glad you like the camera

Bob

Canon's info on the serial numbers:

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=PgComSmModDisplayAct&fcategoryid=139&modelid=14999&keycode=2112&id=39707

Mark

Mine hasn't had any focus problems. it is a fairly early model.

rprouty wrote:
I bought two used 1DMIIIs. I called Canon and asked about the serial numbers of the cameras that I had just bought used. They said that they fell within the numbers that might have had a focus problem. They suggested that I send them in for a no charge checkup and calibration/adjustment if they need it. They sent me a prepaid UPS shipping label. I sent them in and they adjusted them to factory specs and overnighted them back to me. It took about 8 days total.

Rod

This information is misleading some how !

If your Mark IIIs were not sent in for any due Canon Service Notice by the prior owner, yes, when you call Canon as the camera owner with serial info, they will be very kind to offer you a free UPS shipping label if the serial # is within the repair bracket, but if your Mark III was repaired by Canon from the prior owner, and you still not satisfied with its AF performance, if you call Canon and want to send it in for REPEAT repair for free, you mostly will have a hard time, drop it off in person for repeat service you will have no any problem for a free service..

Regarding your Mark IIIs 4600 and 4900 shutter actuations, what do you mean? Are there # from Canon or on your camera's file #? I the #s are from Canon, you had a had great deals, if not from Canon, the 4600 and 4900 actuations really mean nothing.



Cheers

I don't know what is misleading..I called Canon CPS and asked the young lady who answered the phone if she could tell me anything about the cameras by the serial numbers. She said no. Was she lying, I don't know.

I hadn't used either camera. I was told by both previous owners that they worked great and had no focus problems. When they offered to send me prepaid shipping labels and to check and repair them, if needed, for free I decided to do that.
As to the shutter count on the cameras file I didn't ask them to check. I didn't check the shutter count on the camera file before I sent them. I'm stating what the shutter count on the each camera file read when I got them back it may very well be what was on them when I sent them in.

Sorry if you felt mislead about anything.

So after your explanation it became very clear"

1) As the lady in CPS told you that there're no records in their system for any AF fix done for your Mark IIIs, so you got the free service including the free UPS labels, it's just so normal, but your original post sounds like everyone bought an used Mark III and if calling Canon you will get a free service----But for REPEAT service(you are not the owner who sent the camera in for the same Canon Service Notice)), people may have a difficult time, drop off by person is another story as my experience.

2) None Canon verified shutter actuation # really mean nothing, you can reset the file # to ZERO any time. So nothing related with how much the Mark IIIs worth in some cases.

But the most import thing is you are happy with your Mark IIIs, enjoy them , great cameras considering they only cost less than half of the new Mark I IV's.

Cheers !

looking for a pair(soon) myself ...seems like sn's after 58xxx are free of focus problems.