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.

rprouty wrote:
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.

CPS does not have access to the service records by serial number. That said the service department is able to pull up the complete service history by serial number for any camera which was previously sent in to them. They provided me a complete printout for both of my 1Ds3's when I recently sold them so I could provide them infor to the new owners. Also provided me with a printout for both of my 1D3's which I recently purchased used. They have always been most cooperate with my requests, them specifically being the New Jersey service center.

Dave

Did you guys see that question in the interview with Canon? Hilarious. I'd wait for the Mark IV if I were you.


Q:After the reported problems with the autofocus tracking on the 1D Mark III, how have you improved AI Servo reliability with the Mark IV?

A: We built a new AF sensor and algorithm – these are completely new, therefore we believe we have solved this issue.
We don’t say our 1D Mark III had an ‘issue’.

Garylv wrote:
Did you guys see that question in the interview with Canon? Hilarious. I'd wait for the Mark IV if I were you.


Q:After the reported problems with the autofocus tracking on the 1D Mark III, how have you improved AI Servo reliability with the Mark IV?

A: We built a new AF sensor and algorithm – these are completely new, therefore we believe we have solved this issue.
We don’t say our 1D Mark III had an ‘issue’.