I have a feeling that the blue dot is being used by one group within Canon (perhaps the QA dept that must decide what bodies can be shipped). I would guess they are not telling sales and customer service about it. They just tell those guys that if it ships now, it is good to go. It might be one that is outside the identified serial number range, or it might be fixed.
The only time I would really be worried is if I get one that is within the identified range, has an older manufacture date, AND has not blue dot.
Canon is probably being pretty sure that only "good" cameras are being shipped. If you get it from a reputable source now, I would assume it is as good as Canon can ship.
lidesun wrote:
If the fix works, nothing wrong with the 1D Mark III, why need the N model, better LCD, better to buy an iPhone.....
I got my Blue Dot from Dell yesterday, serial # 545xxx, OV1005 datecode, 100% factory fresh, and works great---and this is from someone returned six problemed 1D Mark IIIs..before the fix came out.
Good luck for all..
Why?
How bout live view where the focus works?
Auto ISO?
Just TWO important features that should have been included in the first place.
lidesun wrote:
Believe or not, most 1D Mark III buyers are not for the liveview and auto ISO
And you reach this conclusion based on what data? Have you surveyed MkIII buyers and asked this question, or are you assuming that because they're not important to you then other Mk III buyers must feel the same way?
While I wouldn't use auto ISO often, I can see times when it would be useful. And AF during live view (either the 40D implementationn or a contrast AF like Nikon is implementing) would be very handy at times.
It's not my assumption, it's the nature that how the 1D Mark III was designed.
Don't forget that the 1D Mark III is targetted for the PJ and sports shooters, right ?
The New Af syster and high ISO performance and high frame rate are the key factors, of course you can use the liveview frature when you need it.
Bob Meyer wrote:
And you reach this conclusion based on what data? Have you surveyed MkIII buyers and asked this question, or are you assuming that because they're not important to you then other Mk III buyers must feel the same way?
While I wouldn't use auto ISO often, I can see times when it would be useful. And AF during live view (either the 40D implementationn or a contrast AF like Nikon is implementing) would be very handy at times.
jgrjr777 wrote:
Here is a follow up. I sent this to Canon and got the message below back.
The canon support response is identical, word for word, for what I got when I sent them a generic request to fix my 1DIII. So they did not answer your specific question at all.
That is exactly what I meant. Canon is saying nothing about this discrepency. No matter what I think Canon says otherwise. I was joking about thier pat response. I am just amazed they could not clarify this.
I will keep the camera unless this weeks testing proves otherwise.
I would like to ask if someone can describe with more words what is ... inconsistancy AF at ONESHOT mode and at AiServo. how does the Camera behaves ? I am trying identify if finally there is a problem to mine which is into range. I havenot tested another Mark III but I have tested my old 20D which it seems just the same in the AF stability except from the double accuration of the MarkIII.
Ok, I'm going to call a spade a spade. Canon has screwed up again and it's getting a little disgusting IMO. I too have a 1D3 in transit and not knowing if it is or is not a good one, irrespective of the mysterious blue dot, is not reassuring.
Canon has not effectively communicated to either the repair centers, the customer base, the retailers, nor their phone support people that the problem exists and there is a "solution". What a cluster F this is turning out to be. The only way to handle a mess like this is to state clearly and unequivocally, what should be fixed and why, as well as what should not be fixed (those cameras with SN > xxxyyy. The notion that "some" 1D3s in the suspect SN range "might" have a problem is disingenuous if not downright deceitful.
You don't fix things like that, if SN 1 through 1,000,000 used bad part xxx, you replace all suspected bad parts that may have already failed or may fail in the future. You don't make the customer "prove" to you that he/she has a failed camera, you proactively clean up the mess and do your best to satisfy your customer base.
This confusion should NOT be our problem and is extremely easy to solve! Canon needs to do 3 things immediately, but we all know they won't because they've shown little to no willingness to deal with this issue in a straight forward manner. Assuming they really do have a fix, IMO they should
1) Communicate to all necessary Canon employees what has happened, what Canon has been done internally to solve the issue, what action they will be taking as a company to resolve the matter with customers and dealers.
2) Communicate to all external contacts, meaning retailers, customers, etc. Anyone that needs to know which cameras are affected and how to return their camera(s) to canon for replacement or repair should get the message immediately. This statement must be clear and unequivocal. You should not cause further upset, confusion, or animosity in the dealer channel or among customers.
3) Repair/replace all cameras in the SN range. Don't cherry pick which cameras you want to fix, fix them all!
To Canon - Do the right thing for a change; instead of trying to minimize and hide the problem, state openly that you will clean it up because you recognize that it's simply the RIGHT thing to do, and you also want satisfied customers......
jamesf99 wrote:
Ok, I'm going to call a spade a spade. Canon has screwed up again and it's getting a little disgusting IMO. I too have a 1D3 in transit and not knowing if it is or is not a good one, irrespective of the mysterious blue dot, is not reassuring.
Canon has not effectively communicated to either the repair centers, the customer base, the retailers, nor their phone support people that the problem exists and there is a "solution". What a cluster F this is turning out to be. The only way to handle a mess like this is to state clearly and unequivocally, what should be fixed and why, as well as what should not be fixed (those cameras with SN > xxxyyy. The notion that "some" 1D3s in the suspect SN range "might" have a problem is disingenuous if not downright deceitful.
You don't fix things like that, if SN 1 through 1,000,000 used bad part xxx, you replace all suspected bad parts that may have already failed or may fail in the future. You don't make the customer "prove" to you that he/she has a failed camera, you proactively clean up the mess and do your best to satisfy your customer base.
This confusion should NOT be our problem and is extremely easy to solve! Canon needs to do 3 things immediately, but we all know they won't because they've shown little to no willingness to deal with this issue in a straight forward manner. Assuming they really do have a fix, IMO they should
1) Communicate to all necessary Canon employees what has happened, what Canon has been done internally to solve the issue, what action they will be taking as a company to resolve the matter with customers and dealers.
2) Communicate to all external contacts, meaning retailers, customers, etc. Anyone that needs to know which cameras are affected and how to return their camera(s) to canon for replacement or repair should get the message immediately. This statement must be clear and unequivocal. You should not cause further upset, confusion, or animosity in the dealer channel or among customers.
3) Repair/replace all cameras in the SN range. Don't cherry pick which cameras you want to fix, fix them all!
To Canon - Do the right thing for a change; instead of trying to minimize and hide the problem, state openly that you will clean it up because you recognize that it's simply the RIGHT thing to do, and you also want satisfied customers...... ...Show more →
Why all the anger? If you have ordered a MIII from a reputable vendor, the camera you will receive will be either repaired or manufactured with the fix already in it. Canon recalled all cameras that they believe have a problem and explained that to eveyone. They would not then turn around and reship them to unsuspecting buyers. If you expect Canon to grace you with a personal explanation of how that occured is a bit beyond reasonable.
If the actions taken by Canon thus far are unacceptable to you...I encourage you to buy Nikon.
nathanlake wrote:
Why all the anger? If you have ordered a MIII from a reputable vendor, the camera you will receive will be either repaired or manufactured with the fix already in it. Canon recalled all cameras that they believe have a problem and explained that to eveyone. They would not then turn around and reship them to unsuspecting buyers. If you expect Canon to grace you with a personal explanation of how that occured is a bit beyond reasonable.
I don't know that he or the rest of us are "angry." Frustration is a better word. I have a 1DIII that I am hoping to get fixed. Meanwhile, I have been thinking about getting a second unit. Sitting here, I can't tell what I need to order. I am not aware of B&H web site indicating their 1DIII has a "blue dot" and even if it did, whether that is my assuance that I am getting a working unit. I am not going to want to go and get two cameras repaired.
Yes, I can wait to get the new unit but there shouldn't be a reason to do that now that the problem is known and Canon understands the precise impact on the units in transit or in stores.
I once learned a great line from a class I took taught by Nixon speech writer. His advice when nasty stuff gets public was this: "tell all, tell it now." When you sit on the stuff and/or don't disclose everything, you just make things worse, not better. Alas, most executives haven't taken the class and think that by keeping the information from people who need to know, somehow makes the situation better. It doesn't. By the way, I have managed large divisions with both engineering and marketing/PR and do a ton of press interviews in my daily life. So what I am saying here is not from a person unfamiliar with situations like this.
If the actions taken by Canon thus far are unacceptable to you...I encourage you to buy Nikon.
Well, I for one have 20-30 canon lenses which cost me more than a luxury car to say nothing of all the other things like mounts and such . If canon wants to take them all off my hands, I might consider the option! Until then, I have trust in Canon's great engineering that they will build the right product for me. I just hope that they replace whoever is giving them PR and support advice with someone who appreciates the loyalty they have built in the last two decades and not throw some of it away in some attempt to save face....
Anyway, let's hope we can get a definitive word on how we can tell a new unit is OK to buy. Our rant above is not liable to create any results....
nathanlake wrote:
Why all the anger? If you have ordered a MIII from a reputable vendor, the camera you will receive will be either repaired or manufactured with the fix already in it. Canon recalled all cameras that they believe have a problem and explained that to eveyone. They would not then turn around and reship them to unsuspecting buyers. If you expect Canon to grace you with a personal explanation of how that occured is a bit beyond reasonable.
If the actions taken by Canon thus far are unacceptable to you...I encourage you to buy Nikon.
That's not anger, that's just some frustration at watching others suffer at canons incompetence. From the sounds of it you haven't worked with customers and don't know how to manage simple problems like this though, so your confusion is understandable.
It's just such a simple problem to correct or avoid yet they seem unable to do so. Why are so many people confused by a message? Because it's not clear and leaves room for doubt. I've read the message several times and it does not match their actions.
I'm not worried about getting a bad camera and losing money, its about making the transaction painless for buyers and managing perception. I may or may not keep the camera. I bought it out of curiosity after I heard the problems were fixed and thought I'd play with it. That said, I also just purchased two more bodies yesterday so in many respects I really don't care that much about the 1D3. I'm not a sports shooter and it's only 10MP. Not really my cup of tea....
Ok then .... if we check the situation all over the world we will see that Canon is not giving the same solution globaly... In UK and some other places got back the stock and fixed or checked and fixed and then send them back (I could say that this action checked and fixed made extremely quickly). The corrected AF cameras I am not sure that is corrected since now as there was only one or two that confirmed with more that 300 shots that the camera is definately better than the old affected one. The problem is that everyone is searching for a blue dot and S/N that is out of the affected serials and then they are happy that they did not had any problem. We are talking about a mess and that caused because of the wrong records Canon made on the affected cameras and by that I mean that Canon should know each S/N camera that is affected and instead of that the know that some of the whole production line from the begining till Octomber are affected. Now t all of us we have to send them back to be fixed even if its a good camera. A non affected camera which is whithin a period of affected cameras is so easy to be affected. The Anger is not for the product and I do not think that someone with a big investment in Canon gear is going to make the change so easy but we are angry of Canon because of them mess ... We hope that they will clean up the mess till the end of month. BTW I really cannt be 100% sure that my camera is affected and the reason is that I have oneshot focus and on AiServo I have good tracking but I am not completely satisfied thats why I am asking about everyones affected camera behaviour to be described to find out the affected camera's behaviour. Canon did not recall all the cameras in fact they did not recall any selled camera and this is the second big mistake. On the other hand none asked from Canon to have a speciall personal treatment for the situation but when you pay 4500$ for a DSL camera you definately demand a product free of defects anything else is just out of the reallity.
nathanlake wrote:
Why all the anger? If you have ordered a MIII from a reputable vendor, the camera you will receive will be either repaired or manufactured with the fix already in it. Canon recalled all cameras that they believe have a problem and explained that to eveyone. They would not then turn around and reship them to unsuspecting buyers. If you expect Canon to grace you with a personal explanation of how that occured is a bit beyond reasonable.
If the actions taken by Canon thus far are unacceptable to you...I encourage you to buy Nikon.
I say again...if you order a 1DMIII, right now, from any reputable dealer, you will not get a camera that still needs to be fixed. That is the whole purpose of the recall.
If you do get one that needs to be fixed, it is the dealers problem and not Canon's. Canon has recalled all shelf stock that required fixing.
I am not sure about that Nathan, as the one I got from Dell just last Thursday was still in the SN range and no blue dot. Now they are doing as straight swap, and hopefully I will get one that has been corrected. Now here is the confusion, Dell has sent units out from the same place (TX) but some have been out side the SN and a blue dot and some inside with a BD. Mine is inside the SN, no dot and a build date of OV0803. That is why it is frustrating, hard to get a single answer from canon as to what is going on.
Wickedfn4u wrote:
I am not sure about that Nathan, as the one I got from Dell just last Thursday was still in the SN range and no blue dot. Now they are doing as straight swap, and hopefully I will get one that has been corrected. Now here is the confusion, Dell has sent units out from the same place (TX) but some have been out side the SN and a blue dot and some inside with a BD. Mine is inside the SN, no dot and a build date of OV0803. That is why it is frustrating, hard to get a single answer from canon as to what is going on....Show more →
I would not blame Canon for this. I would jump all over Dell. They are responsible for shipping you a camera that is known to be bad. That is why they are doing a simple swap...They know they screwed up.
No that is Dells policy, had something happen with notebook once. Again you are maybe assuming that Dell knows what is going on. If Canon is not giving us clear signals by releases or even their own people at CS, maybe they are not making it clear to retailers too. Dell is eating the cost on shipping so I know they would (well hope) they would not send out something that they knew was going to be kicked back.
. If canon wants to take them all off my hands, I might consider the option! Until then, I have trust in Canon's great engineering that they will build the right product for me. I just hope that they replace whoever is giving them PR and support advice with someone who appreciates the loyalty they have built in the last two decades and not throw some of it away in some attempt to save face....