I was willing to give Canon the benefit of the doubt and time to fix the focus of the 1DMkIII but I am not willing to be part of an on-going engineering effort. I bought the camera based on manufacturer claims of performance and at this point, it is obvious that they were false and misleading. Like the Meatloaf song says, "I want my money back."
The RG samples are still showing up the same kind of anomalies that have ruined any number of decent shots for me. Sure I can get great quality images from the 1DMkIII but in spending some time at the start of the cold dark winter reviewing stacks of files from the summer and fall, I was astounded by the number of potentially good shots that were wasted because they were soft or completely OOF. A whole day's worth of waterfalls were OK at 8x10 but unusable at 13x19. Considering that the location is 5 hours away, that's a huge loss for me and one that I don't care to replicate.
If by this time, Canon hasn't been able to come up with a fix that is verifiable then they owe it to their customers to offer a refund. I know that I am opening myself to some flaming but in my opinion, enough is enough. Even in this jaded world, $4500 is a lot for a camera and it is not unreasonable to want to be able to trust that it is capable of producing in focus images when you need them.
I'm with you guys, I did'nt buy an experiment, my losses are many, I'm tired of waiting.
The thing that amazes me is that so many owners are willing to just let this thing takes it's own course.
What is the next course of action, yes Canon is making the effort to fix this issue how long do we wait before we get our camera's fixed.
this camera is useless, we can't sell it, canon refuses to replace or refund our money so basically I'm out $4500, BS that's a lot of money for me.
I tend to agree in principal, I'd take the MK4 ~ so I've a death-wish, the MK3 is the real 4 anyway and it shows, yer can't hide from the mystics, adding an n to naming structure to try and fool the Gods has not worked.
Let’s see, there was the 1D, the 1DMkII and then the 1DMKIIn and now the MK3 = the 4th such camera, bad news.
So they can go an merrily call the next one the 1D4 as it really is the 1D5 so it won’t attract the wrath of the divinities.
Give me one of them free and I'll return the MK3, rather than getting money back ..
Its funny the one thing I would have thought I would have seen by now is a class action on this. I am sure it would be easy to prove but maybe I am wrong.
I love my BD M3 but it is Dec in the NW and who knows next summer?
If you purchased it, you are probably stuck with it. Unless some type of class action lawsuit is initiated, Canon is just gonna do what they've been doing and that is make them, ship them and collect money from the fools that buy them. All while pretending the problem is solved. I give it a 50/50 chance that many of the same problems affect the 1DsMKIII. Just hasn't been enough time to smoke it out yet.
Obviously, this is a nightmare for Canon and even if it is eventually completely fixed, most people will remember "that is the camera that won't focus". That will drive the price down...and drive it hard. I would expect to see the price at or below $2000 within a year.
Canon may try more firmware fixes, but in the end will hurry its replacement and probably even offer some kind of deal to those registered owners that buy the new one. They won't even call it the MIIIN. Canon will dump 1DMIII and move on to something else. This is no longer about a camera...it is about marketing.
I'm curious do any of the responders to this thread have the 1DMKIII? If you do have you had the "fix" done yet?
I would think you may want to judge whether the "fix" actually works for yourself rather than relying on someone elses evaluation. There are a number of well known wildlife photographers that have the Blue Dot and new firmware update and they all feel it performs better than the 1DMKIIn for BIF.
I have one I purchased in May 2007 and a recent Blue Dot and they both outperform my 1DMKII's and 1DMKIIn. I'm here in Texas where we are still getting Sunny 80+ days and neither heat or sun is effecting its performance.
Why not wait until you get your camera fixed and test it and see if it works. If it doesn't then rant all you want.
I whole-heartedly agree with Jim. I am happy with mine before the "fix" and I hope that I would be even happier after the "fix". Hm, I could even see an improvement in the AF responses already after I installed the 1.1.3 FW .
In addition to the 1D Mk III, PLEASE fix the 50mm f/1.2L, add a floating element, whatever it takes. This is ridiculous and disappointing that their engineering department is letting the ball drop like this.
I do have the MIII. It was manufactured after the fix was implemented by Canon. It shows some issues, but is acceptable for many things. If Canon were to offer a buy-back, I would probably take advantage of that. Otherwise, I will hold on to it, use it where I think it will be the best camea, and hope for a really good deal on the replacement which I am guessing will be hurried along by Canon.
nathanlake wrote:
[...] and hope for a really good deal on the replacement which I am guessing will be hurried along by Canon.
This is the part that confuses me. If you feel slighted that Canon sold you a $4500 camera that doesn't perform at the level their marketing had claimed and then failed to give you a refund, why on earth would you feel compelled to fork over yet more money on a future newer model?
I should add that I knew what I was getting into when I got my Mark 3 and that it performs really well for my uses. I am a little irritated that were I to try and sell it down the road, I'd probably take a bath on it now, but its only a slightly irritation since I bought my 1D3 with the intention of shooting with it, rather than as an investment.
Edited by thedigitalbean on Dec 11, 2007 at 09:18 AM GMT
I still have not decided how I feel. I have been very happy with my results since I recieved the camera back in Late May. But as of lately I have not had great results outside. I am not sure if its me the firmware or the camera. I will send it in and see how it performs once I get it back. If Canon offers a buy back i may do it just to put my mind at ease. I am sick of not having total confidence in a camera that is supose to be top of its class. The only consulation to me is I shoot alot more indoors and in not so sunny hot days than most people do, so this probably contributed to my better than most results.
Jim Victory wrote:
I'm curious do any of the responders to this thread have the 1DMKIII? If you do have you had the "fix" done yet?
I would think you may want to judge whether the "fix" actually works for yourself rather than relying on someone elses evaluation.
Jim
Jim,
There are those of us who don't have to or don't want to spend $4500 to "see" if we get lucky or not.
I am among what I imagine to be the sizable group of potential customers who have been following the 1DIII AF issue, and eagerly awaiting Rob's report. And I appreciate and value his having put so much time and care into his review efforts.
I have no professional or "job" requirements to purchase this camera NOW.
I do have, however, an expectation that if I do my part at that "perfect picture" moment,...a "professional" camera will do its part.
Not "mostly", or "sometimes", ...but every time I need it to. I know this is an unrealistic state of perfection, but I will purchase the closest thing to it that I can get, or rather that I believe the state-of-the-art makes possible.
That state of the art is moving forward rapidly. Top-of-the-line "Professional" offerings should reflect this. If the 1DIIn has superior AF in any respect, then an "improvement" on that camera should not have worse.
Nikon's resurgence puts even more pressure on canon to correct this situation, ...in a susequent model if need be, and quickly.
Till then, or until Nilkon is proven and pulls me away completely,...the +/- $30,000 I have set aside for a set-up (body, "L"lenses, etc.) ...will stay in my pocket. I.e., Canon loses a customer.
Other than the AF issue, the 3 was sufficiently advanced and "mature" to get me to jump in.
Fortunately for those with the privilege of waiting, these things are getting better, in many ways, with every iteration.
Good luck to all of us, ...present owners and hopeful "waitees' alike. ;-)
