![[News] Canon Investigation of Light Leak Over](https://cdn.fstoppers.com/styles/large-16-9/s3/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/canon5dmkiii_5_jpg.webp)
Hey Canon fans, corporate has issued their statement regarding light leak issue on the new 5D which Fstoppers reported on April 7. Their official statement has allowed them to resume shipping the hot-selling camera. In their words "this phenomenon will not affect your captured images."
Official statement from Canon:
Phenomenon
In extremely dark environments, if the LCD panel illuminates, the displayed exposure value may change. However, based on the results of extensive testing this change in exposure value will not noticeably affect the captured image.
Affected Product
Canon EOS 5D Mark III Digital SLR Camera
*Products whose sixth digit in the serial number is 1 or 2 are affected.
For example, “xxxxx1xxxxxx” or “xxxxx2xxxxxx” ([x] represents any optional number.)
Support
Under almost all shooting conditions (including dark environments) this phenomenon will not affect your captured images. However, if you would like Canon to inspect your camera, we will provide this service free of charge upon request beginning in mid-May. Please contact Canon using the information below to request service.
This information is for residents of the United States and Puerto Rico only. If you do not reside in the USA or Puerto Rico, please contact the Canon Customer Support Center in your region.
Please register the EOS 5D Mark III. By registering, we will be able to notify you via email when service updates are available. If you already registered, please ensure you are opted-in to receive the notification.
What do you think? Is their statement enough to make up for their metering issue?
Via: CanonRumors.com
![[News] It's Official: Canon 5DMkIII's Backlight Affects Exposure](https://cdn.fstoppers.com/styles/small-16-9/s3/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/canon-5d-mk-iii-large.jpg)
![[News] Canon's 5D Mark III Has Issues](https://cdn.fstoppers.com/styles/small-16-9/s3/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/5d3.jpg)
Here is the thing: I think they are right. Every sample I saw said that this is very minor and will not affect any images in any real way.
However... A $3,000 camera body should not have a light leak issue of any kind!!!!! It is outrageous for Canon to have missed this problem in QA testing, and even more so that they just dump it on the customer.
Doesn't effect the image.? What if you are shooting in something like aperture priority.? Surely the metering is being effected so if you're taking the picture when this problem is happening it will effect your final image.
How are you taking an image with the light on?..... and in Aperture Priority once the light goes off its going to get the correct exposure anyway. The only way I can think is if you are in live view mode. Otherwise you can get the correct exposure by looking through the viewfinder. This light leak issue is absolutely irrelevant to shooting. The only way I can think is in a really dark environment on a tripod. But if that is the case. You are looking at the difference between 10 seconds and 6 seconds.....If you get your photo right at the first shot anyway then you are a genius..
There is a demonstrable change in exposure when the light is on, and you only use the light when you're checking the exposure because its too dark to see the top LCD. So almost any time you use the top LCD light, it is as Canon calls it, an "
extremely dark environment". They act like shooting in the dark is still something rare, but that is probably the #1 reason why most people are buying this ultra-low light capable camera. Of course you can compensate in a controlled situation, but what about when you are in a complex lighting situation at night? Or in a club? Or passing between light and dark frequently and constantly checking your exposure?
I think Canon's callous attitude toward this problem is going to leave a bad taste in people's mouths. Rarely does Canon release a product that has only a single flaw that needs fixing, so we'll see how they handle the next one. At least for me, my enthusiasm to upgrade has been diminished.
Shooting in a club environment as I do frequently, wouldn't be affected by this phenomenon.
Agree with Gary, even if it doesn't really matter it is a $3k camera, not a $500. I think if Canon is really serious about perfection, they must address this issue anyway.
I think the Canon must fall the price for this camera.
sell it cheaper !
Does that mean they are reshipping the product without fixing the issue? That sucks if it is true.
They just said they would fix the camera if it is being affected. You just have to send it in.
Canon didn't say they would fix it... just that they would inspect it if you wanted.
It appears it doesn't affect all 5D Mk IIIs, just ones where the sixth digit is a 1 or 2? Otherwise why specifiy a difference?
Maybe because now they have fixed the problem in production and now they are producing “xxxxx3xxxxxx”...
I guess they figured it was too expensive to fix the problem. They've got bigger a problem at the moment - to deal with the headache of making a new camera and capture the market back from Nikon after their D800 release
Nikon can't even ship enough D800's right now, so I don't think Canon has to worry about 'capturing the market back' from Nikon.
Because they're always sold out is a bad thing? Doesn't this make the D800 even more popular? I'm confused by your logic that because they can't ship enough, they don't have to worry about it. AND I'm a canon owner. Lol
Companies do this all the time to make a product look more successful. Prime example the Xbox360 and PS3 release: Sony made sure there was enough stock so they wouldn't sell out where as Microsoft released limited stock, the media reported that the PS3 was a flop and not selling because stores had piles of them but the Xbox was a massive success because it was hard to get one. Apple do exactly the same thing and I would expect Nikon and Canon are following suit.
Neither company has produced a camera that's going to get the masses to switch systems. If you've invested £10,000-£30,000 on lenses are you really going to jump ship because of what is essentially a non issue (under 99.999% of shooting circumstances). The Nikon D800 is an amazing camera but there's no way the majority of canon shooters are going to sell all their kit and move to Nikon. The same goes for Canon.
I have to stay though Canon need to be VERY careful they are currently pushing the video on their bodies too much and really p*ssing off their core photographer base. The need to redeem themselves by bringing out a new body that doesn't focus so much on video.
I suspect because they listed the 6th digit serial numbers affected means this issue is not a design flaw but a manufacturing flaw. This is much easier to correct than a design flaw since all they need to do is correct their manufacturing process. Most people forget that these cameras are hand built by people which means they are not all created equal.
Simple rule is working - do not be the first buying new products. It´s not about that it doesn´t affect the picture. Its about 3000$. Would be better if canon called that problem - a new feature.
Ohhh how true this is! Lol
This problem is no different than any other "early adoption" issue.
They acknowledged that certain serialed bodies may be affected and are offering an action plan to potentially fix it. I genuinely doubt a problem this "big" would have been overlooked by Canon engineers. They most likely knew it was happening and deemed it a non-issue. Just like the "antenna bridging" on the iPhone 4. Nothing really wrong with the devices... the company just acknowledged that under certain circumstances you could definitely notice something happening.
I have to agree with
Rafal Jurczak - gotta have'rs are always guinea pigs !!
This is why I'm waiting for the later models. Probably in late 2012, They'll have this fixed by then...and $3500 will be well worth the money. Unless I win it from fstoppers, then i'll have one for my self
This is unacceptable, how can be possible that a US $ 3000 product it´s already bad out of the box ? who is going to pay the time and effort to send your ¨brand new Camera" to be fix, OMG !! this has to stop, we costumers can´t accept a scam like this, they should send you a new perfect version of the model plus pay you for the time that your not going to be able to work or on their marketing put Canon 5D Mark III whith a light like hahaha. I live in Chile, the Camera price here is 50 % more, the time to send it from here to USA will be one month. On next model, there are going to tell you to put a pice of duck tape to fix a new problem ? I´m a Canon man thinking on Nikon now. Sorry for my english.
I will not send it for service. I will keep this camera and I will always be telling this story years after years.