For what it's worth, I spoke with a Canon rep about 2 weeks ago and was told that once they identfied the problem and the fix, they made a strong effort to get every Mark III that hadn't been delivered to a retail customer back to Japan for the repair. So based on what I was told, it's my understanding that a body you took delivery of recently, that's within the "problem" serial number range, and that has a blue dot on the UPC sticker, is a body that has been repaired by Canon.
Anything with OV1005 production code has the fix applied on the assembly run. Not bench fixed. What has happened here is Canon checked their serial numbers and gave out a range where their highest number was last produced in a non-fixed production run. Hence they come up with 546561. As most of us know for some odd reason Canon doesn't do serial numbers sequentially. There are bodies produced in Aug that have serial numbers in the 503XXX range, that were also produced in May. They are still assembling bodies after 546561 with serial numbers below 546561. Hence the reason some under 54651 have the same production code as bodies over 546561. I'd love to find out the reason Canon can't keep bodies in sequential order.
BuLLets wrote:
Anything with OV1005 production code has the fix applied on the assembly run. Not bench fixed. What has happened here is Canon checked their serial numbers and gave out a range where their highest number was last produced in a non-fixed production run. Hence they come up with 546561. As most of us know for some odd reason Canon doesn't do serial numbers sequentially. There are bodies produced in Aug that have serial numbers in the 503XXX range, that were also produced in May. They are still assembling bodies after 546561 with serial numbers below 546561. Hence the reason some under 54651 have the same production code as bodies over 546561. I'd love to find out the reason Canon can't keep bodies in sequential order....Show more →
This is merely an assumption by you and unless you have some definitive proof to back it up from Canon , or someone who actually knows for sure, it means nothing. Just another guess about what is going on and not supported by any definitive documentation.
Just opened my MIII from Dell. It # 546986 which is supposed to be outside the affected bodies. Maybe the blue dot means good...regardless of whether it is a bench fix or original.
nathanlake wrote:
Just opened my MIII from Dell. It # 546986 which is supposed to be outside the affected bodies. Maybe the blue dot means good...regardless of whether it is a bench fix or original.
OK, the serial # outside the bracket is still BLUE DOTted, how's the manufacture datecode, OV1005 as well ? If so, we are all confused by Canon,,,,,,,
lidesun wrote:
OK, the serial # outside the bracket is still BLUE DOTted, how's the manufacture datecode, OV1005 as well ? If so, we are all confused by Canon,,,,,,,
I don't recall any official announcement from Canon mentioning anything about BLUE DOT. Or, did I miss the Canon announcement? If Canon has never made the announcement of BLUE DOT and what does it mean, where is the confusion come form?
Yes, you are right, Canon never offically announced BLUE DOT thing, but from R.G's site you can get the info. as following, and for me what R.G. said does mean somthing from Canon:
-------------------------------------------------
Here's a quote from R.G site
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Repaired cameras are likely to be marked in some way to indicate the sub-mirror fix has been done, says Chuck Westfall, Director of Media and Customer Relationship at Canon USA.
In the USA, and perhaps elsewhere, the box containing a fixed EOS-1D Mark III will have a round blue sticker on the UPC code label.
So serial # within the bracket has the BLUE DOT, and serial # outside the bracket still has the BLUE DOT, i am not sure if you are not confused
slau wrote:
I don't recall any official announcement from Canon mentioning anything about BLUE DOT. Or, did I miss the Canon announcement? If Canon has never made the announcement of BLUE DOT and what does it mean, where is the confusion come form?
lidesun wrote:
OK, the serial # outside the bracket is still BLUE DOTted, how's the manufacture datecode, OV1005 as well ? If so, we are all confused by Canon,,,,,,,
nathanlake wrote:
Just opened my MIII from Dell. It # 546986 which is supposed to be outside the affected bodies. Maybe the blue dot means good...regardless of whether it is a bench fix or original.
This is the internet, most everything is an assumption. Now based on what people have recently gotten here, what I personally have gotten, what I've been told by my Canon dealer, what I have read elsewhere, it's an educated 'assumption' on my part. You're not going to get some internal Canon documents out of me, sorry. I don't work for them. And I'm sure you won't get those documents from someone else either. So, you have your opinion, I have mine. I also have at this point 2 Mark III's, one in the effected serial number range with a blue dot on it's upc sticker. And now another above the cutoff with a blue sticker on the upc sticker. Plus, they both have the same production code of 0V1005. Facts, not assumptions. It's not too hard to figure out, and I've grown tired of trying to explain it to you. So, let's just agree to disagree. You send back that Dell blue dot special you get if it's under the cut off serial number if it makes you feel better. Instead of testing out the body, and making a proper decision about whether or not it's fixed or not.
Jim Victory wrote:
This is merely an assumption by you and unless you have some definitive proof to back it up from Canon , or someone who actually knows for sure, it means nothing. Just another guess about what is going on and not supported by any definitive documentation.
Yes, blue dot means good to go. Also, you're above the cut off, now you get two stars! Be happy and go shoot some pics. I have been testing out mine all weekend, and I'm *very* happy!
nathanlake wrote:
Just opened my MIII from Dell. It # 546986 which is supposed to be outside the affected bodies. Maybe the blue dot means good...regardless of whether it is a bench fix or original.
BuLLets wrote:
Instead of testing out the body, and making a proper decision about whether or not it's fixed or not.
I have one from the first batch so I don't care to test one that is in that series again. If it isn't over the reported cutoff it will go back and I'll wait until the first of the year to add another 1DMKIII to my bag.
If you got a total of 30% off like some of the guys here did, and didn't have to pay a state sales tax, I'll take it off your hands, if it's a blue dot special with a date code of OV1005
For what you paid Dell! A $32XX.00 Mark III would be SWEET!
Doug
Jim Victory wrote:
I have one from the first batch so I don't care to test one that is in that series again. If it isn't over the reported cutoff it will go back and I'll wait until the first of the year to add another 1DMKIII to my bag.
Here is a follow up. I sent this to Canon and got the message below back. I still think what I said in my previous post is probably correct. These Blue Dot cameras within the range are post fix production. However twice now Canon will not accept my assumption. Ha Ha Ha! What they say below is exactly what repair told me last week on the phone.
INQUIRY: I have just purchased a 1DMIII from Dell with the following
information.
Serial#545XXX
Build info in Bat. compartment OV1005
Blue dot on the box.
This serial number is within the period of concern yet the Box has the
blue dot.
Is this a body that is in or out of the area for concern?
Dear XXXXXXXXX
Thank you for writing to us regarding your EOS-1D Mark III. We value
you as a Canon customer and appreciate the opportunity to assist you.
After thorough research Canon has found that some EOS-1D Mark III
cameras have an issue with the mirror mechanism which is part of the
autofocus optical system. This issue may cause inconsistent focusing
accuracy or inconsistent focus tracking with moving subjects when using
AI-Servo AF and continuous shooting modes, particularly in high
temperatures.
The EOS-1D Mark III cameras that could have this problem can be
identified by serial number: If the serial number on the bottom of the
camera is between 501001 and 546561, the camera might require an
adjustment of its AF mirror mechanism.
Please note that the issue occurs only in some EOS-1D Mark III cameras
within this serial number range.
If you are satisfied with the AF performance of your EOS-1D Mark III
camera now, it will not be necessary to have it repaired for this issue.
If you are experiencing this issue, please be advised that, starting in
late November Canon will offer repairs to affected cameras free of
charge. You will be contacted once the Repair program is in place.
Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance with your
EOS-1D Mark III.
Thank you for choosing Canon.
Sincerely,
Michael
Technical Support Representative
Special Note: Certain issues are very difficult to resolve via email.
If your question remains unanswered after you have received this email,
you may call our special toll-free number for email customers with
unresolved issues and speak to a technician by dialing 1-866-261-9362,
Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 midnight ET, and Saturday 10:00 a.m. -
8:00 p.m. ET (excluding holidays).
If you prefer to continue to communicate via email, reply to this
message and we will respond as quickly as possible.
I see no any info that supports your assumption from the email you got from Canon, it's only your guess.
Also if your assumption is true, how do you explan the Mark III with serial # outside the bracket, Datecode OV1005 and still with a BLUE DOT on the UPC lable.
