I don't think RG is wrong I am sure it has happened (the whispers that is) and Chuck is still doing damage control. Who was that Baghdad Bob, there is no forces in Baghdad as our military are rolling behind him?
This section just burned my butt:
They're saying it performs to specifications so they have the option of improving it, rather than being forced to.
"Do you think you've resolved the 1D Mark III autofocus issue?
[Westfall:] The hardware fix and firmware update has effectively brought the camera within the design specifications. Under the vast majority of study conditions, the camera is functioning exactly the way we expected it to.
So is it better at autofocus than the 1D Mark II N (the camera's predecessor)?
Westfall: Yes. The system has a lot more to it. There are improvements to the sensor, with 19 cross-type throughout the frame compared to 7 in the center. This is an area Rob Galbraith did not address. And there are a lot more customization settings to be able to tweak autofocus accuracy to the way you shoot--focus priority versus release priority for example.
That said, we are continuing to investigate. We're not disputing anything Rob wrote--he's made a fair and objective test. We have no argument except that the 1D Mark III is a lot closer (to the 1D Mark II N's autofocus performance) than his severe test and that he doesn't test the full range of conditions. There's more to it. "
There's so much weasel-wording in this it's hard to know what he thinks he's doing. It's too laughable to call it damage control, or even coherent.
The updates have "effectively" brought the MkIII within the design specs? Under the "vast majority" of conditions it's functioning the way it's supposed to? But of course, they're continuing to investigate (so there's obviously still some sort of issue.) Either the camera works as it's supposed to or it doesn't. You can't say you're selling a $4,500 product that gets you "most" of the way to where you said it would perform.
They think the MkIII's performance is "a lot closer" to the MKIIn than RG says (what, meaning that it still underperforms the MkIIn but not by as much as RG alleges?) And what's this about Galbraith's tests being "severe?" Who cares if the tests are easy or severe? The MkIII should outperform the MkIIn under whatever circumstances. Canon would be a lot better either saying nothing or getting some kind of believable, coherent message out (how about a simple "yes, there are issues and we're in the process of resolving them to our customer's satisfaction"?)
Well I would tell you to not hold your breath. The first fix did make a huge improvement over the old non BD fix/model. Still not perfect but a step in the right direction. And who knows how long canon will stroke this one out.
Man do I sound bitter? oh well guess I have a right with 9k in what they call perfect bodies. humph
Canon are in desperate trouble. Some have said the 1-series was never about profit, but prestige for the entire photographic division. Well, you can bet the profits are certainly gone at this point, now they will be frantic to restore prestige. I believe they thought they had engineered a killer stepup in autofocus for the new MarkIII series - something went horribly wrong in product testing, or perhaps quality control once production started up...
For fun, I just called the EOS tech line in Virginia, where the mirror fix is done. My 1D3 got it's AF mirror fix back in Dec. The service rep was very good, and apologetic. I really got a sense this may have been the first call regarding additional fixes this rep has gotten. There was a hesitation, then he stated Canon has not released any "official" information regarding upcoming fixes, After a few more exchanges, he wanted to declare more firmly there was no info whatsoever on even the possibility of additional fixes. It went from a "I can't talk about it" to "I don't want to give the impression I know something is in the works" type of conversation...At the end, he properly offered to have the camera shipped back for another look - I said I'd rather wait a while and see if another fix was announced, and he replied that was probably the best way to go.
That ending really boosted my confidence things are stirrin'.,..
I just received my MKIII back from VA about 30 min ago.. Turnaround exactly 1 week. So far, I am happy to say it didn't arrive DOA (sad that I have to even worry about that)... Seems to be working fine...But I need to get out and shoot some AI Servo shots with the 300 to be sure.
Interestingly, some of my custom settings were changed, but not all...My user custom menu was still set up the way I had it and most (not all) settings were set the same. Upon looking inside the battery compartment there is a white dot.
It came packaged very well...So I am hanging on to it all for the next recall.
Since I was one of the few that posted here that mine was working very well prior (and not a blue dot body), I was more than a little nervous sending it off. My first fear (DOA) has been put to rest, now I am just hoping to get as good or better performance going forward.
Besides shooting what are all of us going to do once this camera is officially fixed to everyone’s satisfaction? I may have to go back to IMing my wife.
Bruce Sawle wrote:
Besides shooting what are all of us going to do once this camera is officially fixed to everyone’s satisfaction? I may have to go back to IMing my wife.
No worries about that... It will never happen... Unfortunately.
"Do you think you've resolved the 1D Mark III autofocus issue?..."
Even though that article is dated February 6th, it could easily have been conducted prior to February 3rd, in which case Canon corporate still would have been standing on Chuck's tongue. I wouldn't speculate too much about any of this until we hear it straight from the horse's proverbial mouth (or arse, that remains to be seen ).
His comments in relation to the 5D, however, reflect the kind of corporate arrogance that we've all been talking about since before PMA. Some really poor reasoning to elect not to update a camera that could use a refresh at the very least, and now Canon finds itself in a tortoise-and-hare situation with Nikon (and potentially Sony) lumbering on past...
I might have missed something here (I am soooo tired of reading these threads), but was Chuck Westfall (my God, doesn't that name conjure up a ranch-hand from a B-movie western?) referring to the most recent "alleged" fix leaked by Galbraith, or is he referring to this stupid sub-mirror adjustment/replacement which very obviously does not fix anything?
Cannot help but think about those two goons sat around a table just after the Mk III launch discussing the great merits of the Mk III in a "question and answer" sort of session and the Canon guy saying that this camera had been redesigned from the "bottom up" (gives a whole new meaning to the word bottom, or should it be arse?).
Never, ever trust men wearing suits with white shirts and neck-ties.
Colin Key wrote:
I might have missed something here (I am soooo tired of reading these threads), but was Chuck Westfall (my God, doesn't that name conjure up a ranch-hand from a B-movie western?) referring to the most recent "alleged" fix leaked by Galbraith, or is he referring to this stupid sub-mirror adjustment/replacement which very obviously does not fix anything?
Colin
No. If interested enough, the details are above...
I too have become a bit tired of the threads...But I have a differing opinion of Canon with regards to "not fixing anything..."
[And there are a lot more customization settings to be able to tweak autofocus accuracy ]
Sorry but I'm not a pixel peeper and I don't want to adjust anything. This thing should be PERFECT out of the box for the money they charge for it!!!!!!!!!!!
I've said it before and I'll say it again, I've never like class actions and never joined in even when I could but I would in a heart beat against Canon over this. Just be freaking honest.
Edited by John P Mulgrew on Feb 06, 2008 at 06:29 PM GMT
What are the odds that a camera sent in over the course of the next week will get the final fix applied to it? I have a shipping label, and am questioning whether to send it in. I suppose nobody in this forum really knows the answer...
At this point, I think I'm going to hold off until early next week to send it in.
pranic wrote:
What are the odds that a camera sent in over the course of the next week will get the final fix applied to it? I have a shipping label, and am questioning whether to send it in. I suppose nobody in this forum really knows the answer...
At this point, I think I'm going to hold off until early next week to send it in.
I said it above and Jeff did to at east it starts the fix and I am sure does not end it. I would bet it has not even been ramped up for the Root cause and we still maybe be waiting. Remember the last announcement was in mid October and you are now just getting it.
pranic wrote:
What are the odds that a camera sent in over the course of the next week will get the final fix applied to it? I have a shipping label, and am questioning whether to send it in. I suppose nobody in this forum really knows the answer...
At this point, I think I'm going to hold off until early next week to send it in.
Sounds wise to me to wait until a Canon announcement unless you are experiencing pocket-book robbing AF issues.
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