Canon 5D Mark III Light Leak Resolution (Canon USA)

[ratnev]

This is from canon-europe...

FAQ: EOS 5D Mark III - Quality Issue Announcement
Issue

Concerning the EOS 5D Mark III digital SLR camera, when the LCD panel illuminates in extremely dark environments, the displayed exposure value may change. Canon has decided on our service policy to address this phenomenon, so we would like to inform you of the details as described below.

Affected Products
EOS 5D Mark III Digital SLR Camera whose sixth digit in the serial number is 1 or 2.

For example,　“xxxxx1xxxxxx”　or “xxxxx2xxxxxx” (x represents any optional number)

Cause
In extremely dark environments*, if the LCD panel illuminates, the displayed exposure value may change. However, when shooting with a lens attached, this change in exposure value will not significantly affect the shooting results.

* Some examples of a dark environment are as follows:

1. When the body cap is attached

2. When the lens cap is attached

Answer :

The products affected by this issue will be inspected and repaired free of charge after 10 May 2012 therefore you are kindly requested to contact one of our authorised service facilities.

If you have any further enquiries, please contact us using the e-mail support or telephone support option.

We offer our sincere apologies to customers who have been inconvenienced by this. Canon strives to provide the highest quality products to our customers, and we spare no effort in our quality management to make sure our customers use our products with confidence. We hope our efforts will earn your understanding.

 

[ramon123]

that was posted earlier, I think more than once, there's a special topic specifically for the wording of the Canon Europe press release.

 

[mrjimmy]

Canon UK is going to fix it. not just inspect it. The products affected by this issue will be inspected and repaired free of charge after 10 May 2012 therefore you are kindly requested to contact one of our authorised service facilities. So It seems Canon UAS will do the same and fix it.

 

[mrmarks]

Mid of May onwards because Canon need to train their technicians on the repair procedures, not because they hope users will forget.

 

[alberto]

I was going to buy a 5D3 straight up, but now I think I'll let it mature a bit with firmware and also for the hardware fix for this issue to flow through as I don't want a “xxxxx1xxxxxx” or “xxxxx2xxxxxx” serial number body.

I'll keep an eye on the forums for when stocks of newer bodies show up in shops and then order then. I've got a massive month of shooting in August, so will look to buy in mid August. 3 months will hopefully be enough time to flush out these "non-issue light leak" bodies.

We will need tons of "non-issue" believers to continue buying the "defective" units so that the "issue" believers could get their hands on the good ones soon. Is it fair to the customers? Canon should recall the units that have not been sold intead of keeping shipping them. Shame on Canon! This issue will definitely affect resale value.

For those who received their units after Canon's response, please post your series number.

I agree, you 100 %

such an flimsy answer from Canon, this could not belivabale I am waiting for a clear answer or action.

Exp.

1. Yes, we are sorry but this is a real issue or fault in our camera---bring it in for repair we fix it or we will change your body.

2. Yes, we tested the body/camera in our labs but the camera didn‘t show any abnormally in all conditions.

-----------------------------------------------

We have to be very straight with them in the meantime they ask also for a lot of Money, for the products they sell and an "normal Photographer prof. " has to work a lot to pay his hardware. We are not all Ran..

Have a nice day

 

[zim]

This is from canon-europe...

* Some examples of a dark environment are as follows:

1. When the body cap is attached

2. When the lens cap is attached

Ya gotta laugh, no sarcasm there at all

 

[rambarra]

BTW my 5D2 is affected as well. Can I send that back?

 

[alberto]

ok. if you have a 5D2

But the answer from Canon Europe is ridiculous or........?

They didn‘t take the customers serious. POINT

Is this the way, what they think about customers from them they take the money, ok they treat them as sheeps like the politicians.

If this didn‘t take your attention...oh boy and people don‘t understand what they mean with.......mmmmm

 

[Chewy734]

What they should've done was allow early-adopters to trade in their "defective" cameras for the "new" batch of cameras when they arrive at our local AD.

 

[dstppy]

BTW my 5D2 is affected as well. Can I send that back?

Me too! I feel ripped off. All of my lens-cap photos were garbage. I thought I was just bad at taking pictures.

 

[frisk]

I wonder how many 5D3 owners will actually send their cameras in.

I am most certainly not going to bother - the disadvantage to losing my camera, even if it is only for a day or two far outweighs any conceivable benefit of "fixing" what is a complete non-issue to me.

I do occasionally take photos in a very dark environments - example http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4136/4798974366_4761573c37_b.jpg, where this "issue" would arise.

However, (a) under those circumstances, I do not leave the LCD light on, as reflected light from that could possibly ruin the photo and (b) I do not rely on auto exposure anyhow.

I just cannot imagine any realistic real-world scenario where this "issue" would affect the quality of my potos, so I am just going to happily ignore it and continue enjoying my new camera.

 

[Lasseby]

I wonder how many 5D3 owners will actually send their cameras in.

I have my 5D III since April 3rd.

I have testet all realistic and non-realistic szenario togethher with the ligth-leak.

My conclusion:

Its an articifal problemized Non-Problem.

there is no need for me to send it anywhere. I just keep taking photos.

 

[Dylan777]

I wonder how many 5D3 owners will actually send their cameras in.

I am most certainly not going to bother - the disadvantage to losing my camera, even if it is only for a day or two far outweighs any conceivable benefit of "fixing" what is a complete non-issue to me.

I do occasionally take photos in a very dark environments - example http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4136/4798974366_4761573c37_b.jpg, where this "issue" would arise.

However, (a) under those circumstances, I do not leave the LCD light on, as reflected light from that could possibly ruin the photo and (b) I do not rely on auto exposure anyhow.

I just cannot imagine any realistic real-world scenario where this "issue" would affect the quality of my potos, so I am just going to happily ignore it and continue enjoying my new camera.

I'm 15mins away from Canon Service Center, Irvine CA.

I have no issues with "LIGHT LEAK ISSUE" - So...no issue no service.

 

[javier]

did canon fix the problem and will be implementing this change on all new units produced in the factories from now on?
eg. are the new models xxxxx3xxxx onwards going to have the light leak fixed?

what actually happened over here?

In my opinion yes, they will fix the design but they will not tell you.
Like I said people, stand up, return your cameras and send a clear message to canon saying we are not ignorant fix your defective design.

 

[mrmarks]

5D Mark ii light leak in top LCD

5D Mark II leaking light throuth the top lcd.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II (LCD Light Test)

This "issue" is also seen in 5D Mark ii, not just the Mark iii. I was using the Mark ii for years without any real problems though.

 

[llcanon]

I am returning my two 5D3's today.

BTW, I started a new thread.

http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?topic=5990.0

 

[iso79]

Re: 5D Mark ii light leak in top LCD

Nikons and other camera companies have this as well.

 

[alberto]

did canon fix the problem and will be implementing this change on all new units produced in the factories from now on?
eg. are the new models xxxxx3xxxx onwards going to have the light leak fixed?

what actually happened over here?

In my opinion yes, they will fix the design but they will not tell you.
Like I said people, stand up, return your cameras and send a clear message to canon saying we are not ignorant fix your defective design.

Canon Europe will prepare a "Fix-Kit" for all defective Cameras starting mid may. The Service Center will have work 2h on each camera.

So there is a real issue

 

[mrmarks]

did canon fix the problem and will be implementing this change on all new units produced in the factories from now on?
eg. are the new models xxxxx3xxxx onwards going to have the light leak fixed?

what actually happened over here?

In my opinion yes, they will fix the design but they will not tell you.
Like I said people, stand up, return your cameras and send a clear message to canon saying we are not ignorant fix your defective design.

Canon Europe will prepare a "Fix-Kit" for all defective Cameras starting mid may. The Service Center will have work 2h on each camera.

So there is a real issue

Black electrical tape?

 

[TexAg]

I am a noobie on this forum but have been following this issue, as I own one of the affected 5D iii's. From what I can tell on reading up on this issue and reading the forums, I too am in the camp that this is a non-issue and will not affect my photos. However, it is still disappointing to spend 3.5K on a camera and then have this happen. This was my jump from crop factor to full frame, and I trusted Canon. Not saying I don't any more, but I still don't understand it all.

So a technical question, and likely a dumb one - does the leaked light just hit the light meter, or does it also hit the sensor?