As a 5D Mark III owner and a long-time loyal Canon customer, I think the "flaw" doesn't affect my photographing but it DOES bother me. Who else would want a product at this sticker price to be flawed.. apparently?
I called Canon USA three days ago, and the gentleman said "Canon is working on it... by end of April they'll have a resolution for this issue". I advised him I have until end of the month to return it back to the store.
This flaw has nothing to do with top LCD "light". It's the sealing of the body frame surrounding the top LCD panel that leaks light onto the AE sensor. All of my pictures when taken under bright sunlight came out 1/3 to 2/3-stop underexposed, but they could be adjusted using Lightroom. This problem is so obvious that I have observed since first day of use.
Could it be fixed with a firmware update? I doubt it. It's apparently a hardware design defect. Firmware wouldn't be able to tell whether the excessive light is from the lens or leaked through the top LCD sealing.
Is it a *non-issue* with only when the lens cap is on? Read my lips, it has nothing to do with lens cap!! You would be able to observe the auto exposure change by flashing a mini flashlight on top (while having the eyecap stuffed and lens intake not affected by the flashlight) or by switching on and off the top LCD light.
It IS an issue/defect. I want my unit replaced with a new hardware. I wouldn't accept it only refurbished or serviced. And Canon must replace existing owners before selling the refreshed hardware to new customers.
If it is not an issue at all, fine for Canon, but I am sure they have to fix it. To much is public now and in the most europeen countrys we have this customer protection, 2 years warranty and refund by dealer and company.
I think Canon will do a recall or a fix by firmware. That‘s normally not a to big deal for them. Better to fix it,
better reputation. S___ happens ;-).
But most buyers and owners are so angry and looking for a faulty camera, is the price they paid for. 3299,00€ for an update is something. No question the EOS 5D Mark III is a great camera, with an superherb AF- System, but for so much money they expected a flawlessly camera.
I am sure Canon didn‘t expect that Nikon come up with 36MP in an D800 :-)fo 2899,00€, but that's good for us Canon 5D MarkIII Buyers. That's put a bit more pressure to Canon to fix the Camera.
Have a nice Weekend
Most buyers and owners? U are talking out the side of your head. Most owners aren't bitching about this non-issue. I am one of many.
Sorry... I got one since March 26, 2012, just yesterday had again a shooting with, as I said it is a great camera with some "minor" flaws and glitches. I like the 5D mark III to work with. but....
Yes the lightleak is a minor problem run outside the spec, but if you have a company how you would decide? with such a publicity and comment on your own website.
http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/support/consumer?pageKeyCode=prdAdvDetail&docId=0901e02480538fc7
or here news.....
http://www.nzz.ch/nachrichten/digital/canon-eos-5d-mark-iii-ist-nicht-lichtdicht_1.16503457.html