Repairing Scratches - 5D MKIII

[nickdale]

Hey guys

Recently had my MKIII out on a bit of a rough shoot and have a couple of annoying small scratches that have gone through the black body - any idea where I can get these repaired?

Thanks

[PackLight]

How bad does it affect your pictures IQ?

[Phenix205]

Get more scratches, then you'll forget about them being there. I scratched my 1v on the first day. It did bother me for a couple of days, then there were more, and more...

[Pixelsign]

don't worry about them. only real photographers have scratched cameras

[jondave]

Better have it repaired, you wouldn't want people to think you're not a top-notch photog if they see the scratches on your camera.

On a technical note, the scratches might let some light through, even the smallest amount of light penetrating the body can affect exposure metering so best to have it repaired.

[Ryan708]

Better have it repaired, you wouldn't want people to think you're not a top-notch photog if they see the scratches on your camera.

On a technical note, the scratches might let some light through, even the smallest amount of light penetrating the body can affect exposure metering so best to have it repaired.

That was a joke right? scratches in the body won't affect anything and I wouldnt worry about it, and there will be no light leak issue, unless you got the only 5dmKIII made of clear plastic.

[RustyTheGeek]

I think everyone is going to agree here that light scratches on a camera are normal and can't be avoided.  You fix these scratches and there will simply be more later to replace them.  Think of it like a new car and feel relief that you can now stop worrying about the new camera finish, it's now officially scratched and ready for everyday use.  Now you don't have to park the new camera way out in the far parking spaces!   

The question is:  Why did you buy the camera?  I get comments sometimes from other adults when I am on campouts, etc about having my expensive fancy camera out in the elements where it's wet, dirty, hot, etc.  My simple answer is that is why I bought the camera, to take a LOT of images.  If I start leaving it home, I'll sell it.

Scratches only indicate normal use and wear.  Cracks, dents and serious abrasions are another issue entirely.  Pray you never have those!

It could always be worse... http://iphotonews.blogspot.com/2010/03/world-famous.html

[rpt]

don't worry about them. only real photographers have scratched cameras

LOL!

True. Like the first scratch on your new car... Like Phenix205 said - one or two more scratches and you won't worry any more

RustyTheGeek, well, what can I say, great minds...

[curtisnull]

Back in 2006 I was on a job in the Northern Territory of Australia and I scratched up the top cover of one of my 1D2's pretty bad. It was just cosmetic and didn't affect the operation or IQ of the camera at all. A couple of months later I sent it to CPS Repair for something else and they replaced the scratched up top cover for free. I guess Canon didn't want a scratched up camera out there.

[EdB]

I can only imagine how much better Elliot Erwitt would have been if his camera didn't look like this.

[CharlieB]

If you really need to, you can apply a little flat black and do a quick wipe.

FWIW, on my last two Rebel cameras, I redid the Canon logo in light yellow/golden lacquer, which came out really well.  I did a drop fill with a wipe off, and used some lacquer thinner on a paper towel to clean the edges.  The body will hold up to trace amounts of that (dont use a lot, use at your own risk, etc etc... be warned).

So, if anyone sees a Rebel out there with yellow/golden logo, it was mine, and if its a XTi, its stolen from me!

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Paint sticks (Flat black), even Sharpie pens will erase a minor scratch.

[nda]

Tamiya Paint(modellers paint) semi gloss black(X-18) don't use a brush just dab at the scratch with cotton sheet

[sanj]

Its nice that some people posted solutions to the question asked instead of giving smart comments!

[RustyTheGeek]

sanj - you have a point.  Ideas to answer the OP's question are good to see.  I think most of the answers merely wanted to point out that regardless of the solution, it is ultimately a losing battle and waste of time unless the OP is planning to sell the camera right away and wants to improve resale value.