Like many of, I've been waiting for the 5D III for the last 3 years and was about to purchase one until information started flowing in regarding the light leak issue from the top LCD. Needless to say, I was somewhat concerned and called Canon tech support directly and got this information.
"Canon does not have a light leak issue with the 5D III. Any claims of such phenomenon is based on improper testing."
Canon went on to state that just by the nature of real life shooting in the field, there's already some light leaking through the view finder so there's no issue as it is within specs.
Thought this was interesting. Anyone out there know more about this issue than what Canon said?
ummm Just use your camera the way it was meant to be used. Who cares if it changes with a body cap on? The internet is NOT always a good thing. I have not seen this in real life shooting at all, in fact my meter has been more accurate from my experience than my mark II. Does this really change anything for you?
GENESYS wrote:
Like many of, I've been waiting for the 5D III for the last 3 years and was about to purchase one until information started flowing in regarding the light leak issue from the top LCD. Needless to say, I was somewhat concerned and called Canon tech support directly and got this information.
"Canon does not have a light leak issue with the 5D III. Any claims of such phenomenon is based on improper testing."
Canon went on to state that just by the nature of real life shooting in the field, there's already some light leaking through the view finder so there's no issue as it is within specs.
Thought this was interesting. Anyone out there know more about this issue than what Canon said? ...Show more →
i never looked into it much but i never looked into it much because it never sounded to me like anything to worry about at all and i remain not much worried about it at all
I would like to see the louvers on the viewfinder the way the 1-series bodies have. Even the original 5D came with a little cap attached to the neck strap. Not sure why the 5DII and 5DIII don't have a provision to block out the viewfinder. Particularly since LV shooting has increased in popularity.
However, I've never taken the time to see if it even makes a difference.
Seriously? Even if the issue exists, that page doesn't make any point to support it:
1) he doesn't cover the viewfinder during metering
2) he talks about exposure changing during time lapse or long exposures - who in their right mind would do those in other mode than manual?
Thanks all. I really think people are misinterpreting my post. I realize there are tons of links to this issue and this post isn't in any way to mushroom the topic. I've read through most of the links that were posted up until a day or two ago and I can't recall anyone stating any official word from Canon. It's all about individual tests and it goes back and forth about their own personal experiences. I was only trying to state what the official Canon statement is on this issue.
Sorry for any misunderstandings and thanks for the feedback.
Why don't you look at my profile before spouting off like a defensive little twit. Either you (and others) enjoy feeling holier than thou, or you lack even the modicum of ability to discuss a matter rationally.
Also, I can see instances when a quick exposure (2 to 4) seconds would be shot in something other than manual. And even if 100% of shots are shot in manual mode, it does not mean a photographer isn't going to use the meter to establish the baseline for his or her shot.
Now, if you want to carry on like a ranting fool, be my guest.
Todd Klassy wrote:
Why don't you look at my profile before spouting off like a defensive little twit. Either you (and others) enjoy feeling holier than thou, or you lack even the modicum of ability to discuss a matter rationally.
Also, I can see instances when a quick exposure (2 to 4) seconds would be shot in something other than manual. And even if 100% of shots are shot in manual mode, it does not mean a photographer isn't going to use the meter to establish the baseline for his or her shot.
Now, if you want to carry on like a ranting fool, be my guest....Show more →
Okay so rationally why would you have the top LCD on when metering? I've used the top LCD light maybe twice in my life and never during metering with the camera. Just to quickly check a setting but then again using the Q button and the back lcd is much easier on any newer camera anyways. Sure you might not shoot M mode all the time for shorter exposures but again you would never have the top LCD on during shooting or during metering. Would you??
In the end if this is an issue for you than I don't think you should buy a 5D3. End of story. Canon isn't going to do anything about it because if you RTFM it says the camera is only rated to meter down to +1EV and can focus to -2EV but at +1EV you already have more light leaking through the viewfinder than anything that the LCD light would contribute. Therefore, Canon is within every right to claim it is still within specs.
You have been waiting for 5D III the last three years? You make me laugh!
That was as long after I bought an existing camera (5D II) that made me more money by best IQ and highest trust in any gear I ever purchased.
And a stupid test of an stupid issue keeps you from buying it now?
Here is my stupid advice:
Just wait for another three years.
I like FredMiranda.com. But in my whole life (and I get 51 soon) I never heard/read a more stupid dicussion than that about "closed lens cap" test and pushing a not picture about 4 to six stops and crying about the horrible result. Non of the Niconian side would ever get the idea to do such a test. And I am pretty sure, the result would be the same. If you doent shoot anything, you shoot nothing. And nothing is only nothing in stupid heads. Any film camera would have shown the same result. You would not have had to expose the film. Just developing it unexposed over 200 Asa would have shown the grain. Much more than any noise of update cameras.
Sorry when I have to say this. But you lens cap guyes like the upper display whiners ... did you ever use any gear to take a picture? And if. Did you ever took one that impressed anybody else than yourselves? Do you beat your wifes and children?
Take what you get offered and do something productive with it. If it is not good enough for you, earn the money for the stuff you think it is.
Invertalon wrote:
People need to stop testing for issues that do not really exist in the real world.
+1
Todd Klassy wrote:
Why don't you look at my profile before spouting off like a defensive little twit. Either you (and others) enjoy feeling holier than thou, or you lack even the modicum of ability to discuss a matter rationally.
Now, if you want to carry on like a ranting fool, be my guest.
90% of what everyone says is correct. Why would you use anything other than manual? How often, really, would you ever use the LCD in the middle of a shot, let alone during metering? Why would you concern yourself with something seemingly quite minor. Agreed on all counts.
But there are still three items that are nagging me: (1) there are instances when I use a flash light when I'm out at night shooting to check the camera. So now I feel less inclined to do that, and perhaps it is my OCD, but that bothers me, (2) what if this issue portends to something more major, and (3) coming from a reputable company in a country where the notion of Six Sigma quality standards were born, why would Canon allow this, even if it affects no one as your purport? Seems pointless.
As for not buying the 5D3, that's not an option. Mine arrives Thursday, the 5D2 is already gone, and the 1DX won't be here for another 2 or 3 months...and I have a dozen photo shoots between now and the end May. I have no other option.
Todd Klassy wrote:
Thank you for your rational tone.
90% of what everyone says is correct. Why would you use anything other than manual? How often, really, would you ever use the LCD in the middle of a shot, let alone during metering? Why would you concern yourself with something seemingly quite minor. Agreed on all counts.
But there are still three items that are nagging me: (1) there are instances when I use a flash light when I'm out at night shooting to check the camera. So now I feel less inclined to do that, and perhaps it is my OCD, but that bothers me, (2) what if this issue portends to something more major, and (3) coming from a reputable company in a country where the notion of Six Sigma quality standards were born, why would Canon allow this, even if it affects no one as your purport? Seems pointless.
As for not buying the 5D3, that's not an option. Mine arrives Thursday, the 5D2 is already gone, and the 1DX won't be here for another 2 or 3 months...and I have a dozen photo shoots between now and the end May. I have no other option....Show more →
Todd,
It has been said now many times by myself and others: you cannot use the meter at night either in an AE mode or as a baseline for manual exposures. It doesn't work at those light levels, it's not supposed to work at those light levels and Canon, in the manual, specifically state that it won't work at those light levels. You might as well say the camera is faulty because it leaks when you try to shoot under water, or because it doesn't brew your coffee in the morning. It's simply not designed to do *any* of those things.
Todd Klassy wrote:
As for not buying the 5D3, that's not an option. Mine arrives Thursday, the 5D2 is already gone, and the 1DX won't be here for another 2 or 3 months...and I have a dozen photo shoots between now and the end May. I have no other option.
I do not know what shootings. But I would guess there are half a dozend options. I could easily get a friends 5D MK II. Or a D300, a D3s, a D700, a 1D III or IV. Cameras that did all jobs in the past. Its our brain that says "I need!" The only real problem is to go a step back. I just purchased a 40D. Great camera. I worked "pro" with a 30D over an year. But after shooting a 5D II for three years it needs really a month to be able to go down and start to "like" (great) 40Ds images again ... brain ... a pain!
chrisdee wrote:
2) he talks about exposure changing during time lapse or long exposures - who in their right mind would do those in other mode than manual?
The exposure settings are locked once you trip the shutter. The mirror is locked up, so the camera couldn't do any extra metering even if it wanted to. The only way to change the exposure in a long-exposure shot is to add or remove light from the scene, for example by waving a flashlight around.
arbitrage wrote:
In the end if this is an issue for you than I don't think you should buy a 5D3. End of story. Canon isn't going to do anything about it because if you RTFM it says the camera is only rated to meter down to +1EV and can focus to -2EV but at +1EV you already have more light leaking through the viewfinder than anything that the LCD light would contribute. Therefore, Canon is within every right to claim it is still within specs.
.