Canon EOS 5D Mark III Product Advisory

[marekjoz]

Ok, Enough is enough....

stop talking about what IF, IF IF and start to write all over the net to put pressure on canon to tell what is going to be the action. I don't want to be waiting 2 or 3 weeks.

Canon - I write this to put a pressure on you. Nobody wants to wait 2 or 3 weeks.

[zim]

canon - I won't be able to afford this camera until after Christmas so chill have a few days off

see what I did there I just cancelled you out hehehe 

[Renato]

Canon - You should let these members decide if you cant.

[BDD]

I did a little more reading on this LCD light changing the exposure issue. Turns out it's related to the LCD on the top of the camera. If it's dark and you illuminate...that's when it happens. I didn't think any one actually used that feature (illuminating the LCD display on tops of cameras). I never do. So this is a non-issue. All the same this should still be addressed by Canon. For those that like to shoot in the dark and illuminate the top display.

[LetTheRightLensIn]

Anybody ever tried taking a normal in sunlight shot and another one while covering the LCD to verify this under-exposure issue?

Oddly enough, this is the one test that I didn't see anybody carry out even though it is the only test that would even matter. Take a shot with camera under direct noon sun shooting into deep shadows, if it doesn't affect that then the whole thing would seem to be much ado about nothing. Where it does affect things in the deep, dark district 12 mine I don't see why you would be expecting to use the meter or not using liveview anyway. Perhaps there are some legit circumstances since Canon have made a big deal about it but it seems hard to think of. Honestly I'd look into getting a sharp 1.6x crop video mode and some zebra stripes and focusing peaking in there for video and removing the /250th max min shutter speed in AutoISO and fixing up EyeFi card usage before wasting time and money on this exposure thing which might possibly not be an actual practical issue. Although I guess they do get props for listening to forums.

[cschmeer]

Canon Europe has posted the same message

http://www.canon.co.uk/Support/Consumer_Products/products/cameras/Digital_SLR/EOS_5D_Mark_III.aspx?faqtcmuri=tcm:14-924822&page=1&type=important

Waiting for a fix! Love the camera, but what I don't like so much about the Mark III is that the buttons feel kind of cheap when you press them in comparison to the Mark II and the large thumbwheel makes variating rattling noises when you turn it (the Mark II had a rock solid clicking thumbwheel). Maybe it's just my 5D Mark III that has this rattling thumbwheel?

[BDD]

Lot of reviews i've come across say the 5D3 reminds them very much of a 7D. Don't know how much of a truth there is in that. Still, I'd think the 7D is a fairly well put together camera. As are all Canon EOS cameras. maybe you should check other 5D3's at the local shop. Assuming they have any not already spoken for and on display.

i think my next DSLR will still be the 5D3. I don't see a need for the 1D-X unless you're a working photographer shooting mostly sports or some kind of movement. i'm sure a lot of working pros will love the 5D3 as they did the 5D2 and it's joke of a AF system. Though for studio work it was well suited.

[swrightgfx]

I really hope Canon don't offer a fix for this, since seeing more test results.

It seems that this issue is only an issue at 0 or -1EV, which falls outside of the designed 2-20EV range of the meter. At these light levels, you should not be using the in-built meter anyway, so Canon does not have to act on something that does not fall within of the design specifications of this product.

I hope Canon reads this, as I'd rather not have to send my camera away and not be able to shoot with it based on something that will not affect anyone under normal circumstances and is within the design limits of the device, but would feel obligated to repair for possible impact on future resale sale should they recall.

[esi32]

I really hope Canon don't offer a fix for this, since seeing more test results.

It seems that this issue is only an issue at 0 or -1EV, which falls outside of the designed 2-20EV range of the meter. At these light levels, you should not be using the in-built meter anyway, so Canon does not have to act on something that does not fall within of the design specifications of this product.

I find myself in something of the same boat. Based on the growing body of testing I've been doing the meter appears to function properly in the specified range—and even some what below it—with pretty much anything lens you can throw at it without getting into teleconverters. And I seriously don't care for the precedent that recalling and "fixing" something that behaves correctly over the operating range it's supposed to work over sets. I honestly think the most appropriate solution would be similar to what they did with the 1D/s mk. 3 and Canon USA service notice dated 03-02-09; provide free service to those who believe their meter is functioning incorrectly.

I'm still writing up a report on this for my site, and I'll be sure to drop a link to the final version, but for the moment this is what my preliminary results look like.

The backlight becomes an issue when the light reaching the meter though the lens hits -6.5EV including transmission looses for the lens. In more practical terms for photographers it plays out something like this.

Lens	Min Light Level	Example exposure settings
24-70/2.8L or 70-200/2.8L IS II	-3	30s f/2.8 ISO 200
24-104/4L IS	- 1-2/3	25s f/4 ISO 100
70-300/4-5.6L IS @ 300mm	0	30s f/5.6 ISO 100
85/1.2L II	-5	1.6s f/1.2 ISO 3200

As for leaking from a light shining on the top LCD instead of the backlight. I'm coming up with about 0.001% transmittance or something like 16-2/3 stops. So as long as you don't have some clown shining the equivalent of the sun at noon on your camera in the dark that shouldn't be a problem either. A light source that will light a surface 5mm away to 35K lx generates only a 1/3rd stop error when the meter sees ~ -4.67Ev from the scene (in my case that worked out to a scene lit to ~ -1-1/3Ev with an 24-70/2.8L lens on the camera).

[swrightgfx]

I'm still writing up a report on this for my site, and I'll be sure to drop a link to the final version, but for the moment this is what my preliminary results look like.

Excellent work esi32! Appreciate the time you are putting into this (especially given I only had time to test with a 17-40 pointing into a black sheet at night (which, by the way, only caused 1/3 stop shift within 5mm or less of the fabric surface).

I'll be kicking myself for these comments when I find myself in that decisive Manchester/bedware macro shooting moment. Maybe a product shot of "thread count" at 104k ISO?

[esi32]

I'll be kicking myself for these comments when I find myself in that decisive Manchester/bedware macro shooting moment. Maybe a product shot of "thread count" at 104k ISO?

I believe we're heralding in a new age of photography, for the first time in history people will truly be able to experience the many shades of black that are present in the world of complete darkness.

[cschmeer]

I got a response from Canon Europe:

"Further to your enquiry, I can confirm that what you are experiencing has been recognized by Canon as a known issue and we would like to draw your attention to the following information.  We very recently (in April) became aware of this phenomenon in the EOS 5D Mark III model which means that the AE sensor in the camera detects the light from the LCD panel when it is turned on and the exposure value is altered. The change is not significant as it is only altered by approximately 1/3rd of a stop but this can be noticeable. You can continue to use your 5D Mark III and the LCD screen can be turned off to receive the correct exposure.

Canon is now examining the countermeasures and once the countermeasures are finalized we will post the information on our website. Until then please accept our apologies for the inconvenience caused."

[Etienne]

I really hope Canon don't offer a fix for this, since seeing more test results.

It seems that this issue is only an issue at 0 or -1EV, which falls outside of the designed 2-20EV range of the meter. At these light levels, you should not be using the in-built meter anyway, so Canon does not have to act on something that does not fall within of the design specifications of this product.

I hope Canon reads this, as I'd rather not have to send my camera away and not be able to shoot with it based on something that will not affect anyone under normal circumstances and is within the design limits of the device, but would feel obligated to repair for possible impact on future resale sale should they recall.

Brilliant. Canon should ignore an issue that they have determined is real.
Well that ought to drive product improvement.

It is attention to detail that makes a product, or an artist, great.

A known issue that might cause an error of 1/3 stop exposure is significant.
Fix it ... it's that simple.

[swrightgfx]

Brilliant. Canon should ignore an issue that they have determined is real.
Well that ought to drive product improvement.

It is attention to detail that makes a product, or an artist, great.

A known issue that might cause an error of 1/3 stop exposure is significant.
Fix it ... it's that simple.

I'm sorry, but I disagree. The equipment an artist uses has little to do with their greatness. You can have the best, faultless equipment available and still have little to no creativity or skill.

In terms of practice and the way an artist uses their equipment, we as photographers should use our camera meters within their optimum range - outside of that and we are jeopardising and risking our artworks. The amount of light where this issue is present is well out of that range. In these cases, the meter should not be used. It isn't a fault if it is something that affects a characteristic of the camera that is not a part of how it was designed to be used.

It is not like there are water leaks in the LCD or something (though this itself may need testing).

This isn't an issue and Canon have no obligation to fix it. We should instead be out shooting, not debating things that have no effect on it.

[madmailman]

Maybe a firmware update that turns off the LCD backlight when the shutter button is half pressed and before metering starts could solve this issue for most people? No?