Messages

106

Lenses / Re: Blank slate 5D3 lens lineup help

« on: April 16, 2012, 02:16:01 AM »

Depends on what you shoot really. But from what you have said, I gather you want to shoot a bit of everything.

Personally, I have:

Prime
35 1.4L
50 1.4
85 1.8
100 2.8L

Zoom
17-40 4.0L

I find this covers most of my desired range, but plan to get a 70-200 for those moments you don't have time to switch lenses or need some additional reach.

107

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS 5D Mark III Product Advisory

« on: April 16, 2012, 01:50:47 AM »

What problem is there with the eye-fi? I was thinking about getting myself one to play with.

A few users are having their cameras lock up, displaying "Err 80: Electronic control or image malfunction." These users are predominately using either Eye-Fi cards or third-party batteries. There are many possibilities for this error though and Canon has been recommending people go through a list of potentials before writing off any future use of Eye-Fi cards. You can follow the developments here: http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?topic=5358.0

It may well be worth taking your camera to your retailer and asking if you can test an Eye-Fi card for 50-100 shots in-store before buying. However, some seem to be experiencing the errors continually, while others only once in 1000 shots or so from what I recall reading on photo.net.

108

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS 5D Mark III Product Advisory

« on: April 16, 2012, 12:22:09 AM »

I think we can have every confidence that Canon will right this, the Eye-Fi problems and lens IS issues. It would be devastating to their image not to (and potentially the images of their customers ). I expect we will hear very soon their plan-of-action and I also expect a global recall for affected devices (all sold units, basically).

It is great that the customer is so critical of the products so that Canon themselves can build on what they have and will deliver in the future. Does all this talk affect sales? Of course it does. Will it affect Canon's profit margin and thus future research and development for new gear? Of course, but only to the most minor and negligible amounts. Let's face it, Nikon is also "struggling with production problems," with back-logged orders stacking to the roof, most likely to cover for their own array of fixes they have to implement before shipping the next batch.

Cameras are complex pieces of kit, let us not forget that; the odds of having something perfect out-of-the-box in such high-competition, fast-paced industry is quite low. Luckily, because of this competition, all we need to do as consumers is voice our concerns and the manufacturers will heed our calls.

In the meantime, get out shooting with your mostly-working 5D Mark III. Take photos: isn't that what photography is about?

(As for those with an inferiority complex envying the D800 mega-pixel count, you should have made a fuss about it while the 5D Mark III was still in the research and development phase. This is one thing a recall won't fix - that is, unless every 5D Mark III out there has a defective sensor - with the noise performance I am getting with my Mark III, I question anyone who could consider it the least bit defective. )

109

EOS Bodies / Re: 5D III error 80 and failure to release shutter

« on: April 15, 2012, 11:07:03 PM »

Error 80 is a rather ambiguous error that relates to "electronic control or image malfunction."

This may explain why some 5D Mark III users are experiencing the error despite using factory batteries and various, confirmed working SD/CF cards.

Thus, I would not say the response from Canon listed earlier is necessarily something that should be ignored for all users reporting this error, as your problem may indeed be related to the items the instructions refer to.

That said, there is clearly an issue with the 5D Mark III and Eye-Fi cards.  Or a couple of them, at least.

110

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS 5D Mark III Product Advisory

« on: April 14, 2012, 12:16:18 PM »

Yes, I know that, but if the camera KNOWS the backlight is on, then, assuming the defect is relatively uniform in its effect on exposure, it may be possible for the camera to compensate.

EDIT: eg. "When light = on, increase exposure by x."

111

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS 5D Mark III Product Advisory

« on: April 14, 2012, 12:13:49 PM »

is the LCD button independent of and thus mechanical, or does it communicate with the software?

The camera obviously communicates to the LCD; it should be noted that I am not suggesting the LCD speaks back, but whether the button that initiates the backlight is activated mechanically or via the camera's software.

112

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS 5D Mark III Product Advisory

« on: April 14, 2012, 11:51:20 AM »

Hi all,

This is my first post here (yes, I do expect an official welcome).

I recently acquired a 5D Mark III. Great camera; loving it. I do, however, have the described "issue."

Like almost everyone here, I too originally scoffed at the idea this could be fixed in firmware, but then I got thinking and some questions came up: is the LCD button independent of and thus mechanical, or does it communicate with the software? If the latter, is the issue uniform - that is, does the metering deviate to the same degree on each affected camera? If this is the case, could not firmware tell the camera to compensate the metering for the false readings?

I purchased from Hong Kong but am based in Australia, so would hate to have to lose the use of my camera while it carts around the world to make use of the local-only warranty.