I have a Mark III that is suffering the AIServo problemo Early serial number that falls within the numbers specified by Canon as possibly problematic and needing repair.
I didn't send my Mark III for the software updates d/t wanting to wait for a PROVEN fix.Glad I waited as that wasn't the real deal. I am now waiting to see others post either SUCCESS/FAILURE reports from sending in their Mark III's for repair. I keep seeing success from the purchase of a new Blue Dot version............... But has anyone sent in their III for repair and received it back yet??
Nov 20, 2007 at 06:08 PM
anthony whitmo Offline • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
I sent mine to New Jersey and they sent the "accepted" notice on November 13th. Haven't heard a thing since, but will advise when it gets back.
anthony whitmo wrote:
I have a Mark III that is suffering the AIServo problemo Early serial number that falls within the numbers specified by Canon as possibly problematic and needing repair.
I didn't send my Mark III for the software updates d/t wanting to wait for a PROVEN fix.Glad I waited as that wasn't the real deal. I am now waiting to see others post either SUCCESS/FAILURE reports from sending in their Mark III's for repair. I keep seeing success from the purchase of a new Blue Dot version............... But has anyone sent in their III for repair and received it back yet??...Show more →
Nov 20, 2007 at 06:40 PM
anthony whitmo Offline • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
Thanks Dean If you have a chance shoot me an email or PM or I'll keep checkin all the posts here. You may not have > But have you heard any reports from others that received their III's back yet?
The AF issue is related to a rubber seal that holds the sub mirror.
From what I've seen of Canon's assembly plant, cameras are assembled in multiple "pods" in the assembly hall rather than a single assembly line. There are a number of cameras being assembled at the same time, with each pod having a supply of the components needed (for the day, perhaps).
Rubber seals would not be "numbered" components--they may not even be identified individually by lots or batches. They would have been formulated according to specification and perhaps batch tested. They would be distributed to the pods on a "just in time" basis.
But if one batch or lot was below specifications, it would be difficult to know when each pod received the bad batch, and as the (bad) seals were simply dropped into the seal bin with the previous good batch--and was then gradually replaced by the next good batch, it would be difficult to determine exactly which cameras received them.
The only things I've heard are in here, from new blue dot recipients, with mixed reviews, mostly good. I didn't even think Canon would be accepting repairs yet, but somehow I got mine in. Hope it doesn't take too long, with basketball season in full swing and all...
I'll let you know.
anthony whitmo wrote:
Thanks Dean If you have a chance shoot me an email or PM or I'll keep checkin all the posts here. You may not have > But have you heard any reports from others that received their III's back yet?
Dean Gillette wrote:
The only things I've heard are in here, from new blue dot recipients, with mixed reviews, mostly good. I didn't even think Canon would be accepting repairs yet, but somehow I got mine in. Hope it doesn't take too long, with basketball season in full swing and all...
I'll let you know.
Is that the only thing you sent it in for? I sent mine in last week for err99 and they said they wouldn't address the mirror until later this month.
Yeah, that was my only issue. Maybe I'm a guinea pig? That would make twice, I guess. I received my M3 the end of April, when everybody else was hoping to get one by June. Serial number is in the very early 502's.
Never had any err99 issues, and everything else worked great. I've shot all summer, but the focus was never super, so I just worked with it until they announced a fix. I do love that camera though. Shooting with the backup 20d feels a little lame after using that beast for a few months!
Are they going to hold yours until the mirror fix, or will they send it back for you to use until they're ready for it?
Is that the only thing you sent it in for? I sent mine in last week for err99 and they said they wouldn't address the mirror until later this month.
In my original post I restated Galbraith's notice that he would report on the Mark III autofocus issue in the scond half of the week (November 19th). He delayed that report and indicated it would appear this week. O.K., Rob where is your report??
It seems quite a few people here have received blue dot boxes though I can recall a few who say it is no better but very few people who have said it is better or have even said anything!
I can imagine as soon as RGs positive results are published this place will be full of 'yippee' the blue dot 1D3 I bought a month earlier is working!
On a positive note, I have had confirmation my replacement 1D3 will arrive next week! Only 7 months with 2 x 1D3 bodies with problems then!
Alistair Watson wrote:
On a positive note, I have had confirmation my replacement 1D3 will arrive next week! Only 7 months with 2 x 1D3 bodies with problems then!
I'm so glad I'm always a late adopter. I was worried about the 1D III even before it was on sale. Still can't decide if I'll get one even they are fixed. I might get the 5D II and wait for the 1D IV which if rumours are true could be out in less than a year?
Alistair Watson wrote:
I can imagine as soon as RGs positive results are published this place will be full of 'yippee' the blue dot 1D3 I bought a month earlier is working!
lol Yes it seems strangely quiet. I would guess nobody wants to post the blue dot cameras are "working great!", for fear RG will report they still don't work right. Or vice versa.
With Rob's last notice including the photo and caption "Sharpen Up", it leads me to believe they're working fine. The latest firmware probably finished the job after the corrected sub-mirror assembly was in place.
Garylv wrote:
lol Yes it seems strangely quiet. I would guess nobody wants to post the blue dot cameras are "working great!", for fear RG will report they still don't work right. Or vice versa.
Then I don't see the point in all this useless discussion about 1D3 AF when few people are prepared to stand up and express their opinion!
Alistair Watson wrote:
Then I don't see the point in all this useless discussion about 1D3 AF when few people are prepared to stand up and express their opinion!
I have, and will... mine worked the day I got it, and it still works. But of course no one wants to hear that. Apparently I should have bought a lottery ticket on the way home from the dealer that day too...
Alistair, my AF works fine in Seattle weather and it eventually will get the fix. I just downloaded the firmware update. I hope it doesn't change things for the worse. Called Canon techies and got on the list.
It now seems certain that the "fix" dosen't work. If RG is wrong on this his reputation is shot so he is giving Canon every opportunity to get the fix right. He would be foolish to risk his reputation on anything short of the compete and unbiased report that we all expect.
Just my two cents of course but I am no longer optomistic.
Why is it certain? I really doubt giving Canon another week is going to change whether it works or not. Look how long it took to identify the problem and do a fix. Another week isn't going to matter. Even if the fix works, people are going to "demand" proof otherwise they will claim that RG sold out to Canon. I have no idea what the delay is, but it's clear he will likely have to write something pretty extensive. Maybe it's just taking time.
Early serial number that falls within the numbers specified by Canon as possibly problematic and needing repair. 
