Canon planning fix for EOS-1D Mark III autofocus issue
By Darren Murph 
posted October 19th 2007 8:00AM
posted October 19th 2007 8:00AM
If you're one of those folks who just refused to fork out thousands of dollars for an EOS-1D Mark III after hearing reports of a seemingly widespread autofocus issue, take heart. Apparently, Canon is fessing up to the problem and is planning a remedy, although a simple firmware update doesn't seem to be it. According to an interview with Chuck Westfall, Canon USA's Director of Media and Customer Relationship, the firm is looking to issue a hardware fix that "adjusts the sub-mirror within the body." The company doesn't seem to think that every one of these beasts are afflicted, and its supposedly gearing up to provide a "simple way for owners to identify if their camera is among those affected." As for dates, US-based owners should be hearing more details about how the process will work by "the end of this month," while buyers that reside elsewhere will likely be informed shortly thereafter. If you're thirsty for more, be sure and hit the read link for the full chat.[Via CNET]
I honestly don't know why anyone would want this camera. Of course it's phenomenal in every way, but when you factor in the cost, the Canon 5D (with a full frame) becomes so much more appealing.
Most "professionals" that I have spoken to about this camera have said it's the top, but then when you ask them for specific reasons why it's better than the Canon 5D and you listen to what they say, they just don't seem to justify the price tag.
To me it seems to be very much a "status symbol", like you cannot be a professional photographer without one. Compare the features and see the price differences for yourself:
Canon EOS-1D MARK III
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Mark-10-1MP-Digital-Camera/dp/B000NP1C5O/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3/103-5208533-2399030?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&tag=photostock-20&qid=1192799123&sr=1-3
Canon EOS 5D
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-EOS-5D-Digital-Camera/dp/B0007Y791C/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-5208533-2399030?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&tag=photostock-20&qid=1192798967&sr=8-1
This camera is aimed at an entirely different market than the 5D. The 5D is a full frame camera aimed at the portrait and landscape market. This is a 1.3x crop camera with weather sealing, 10 fps burst mode, amazing AF (if it works) and a much more rugged build.
The 5D does 3FPS - it is simply not suitable for sports photography. The full frame 5D essentially gives you less reach with your lenses. They are aimed at different markets, and obviously those professionals don't know what they are talking about.
The 1D series is aimed at sports photographers. The 40D is the cheaper, smaller version of it in most ways.
The 1Ds series is aimed at portrait and landscape photographers. The 5D is the cheaper and smaller version of it.
Jeff,
if you are shooting weddings, landscape and portraits, the 5D would be a good choice over the 1D3. But if you try to shoot sports at 2.5fps (5D), there is nothing better than the 1D3, and the more mpix won't get you anywhere. Besides, the 5D is a nearly two year old camera...
For the same reasons, Jeff, I gave you last time you made this stupid comment. Obviously you have no interest in the answer.
Jeff,
Like all ultra high end tech... you pay a premium. But you are still getting a lot more camera for that premium price. This is clearly a 'pro' model and anyone except a pro would be wasting money. The 5D is clearly a better value and it would more than sufficient but there are some pretty major differences...
21.1mp versus 12.8mp... that is a significant increase!
45 point autofocus versus 9 point... could be the difference between a cover shot and a blurry photo!
63 zone metering versus 35.
300,000 exposure durability versus 100,000... which might seem crazy... but a sports guy can easily go through more than a thousand shots at one game… especially at 5fps! I'm an amature... and I'm up to 65k on my two year old D200.
5fps verus 3fps.
Now that was all the important stuff... then you also throw in...
100% frame coverage in the viewfinder
larger LCD
Silent shooting (perfect for weddings)
Dual memory slots.. Compact flash & SD
Better high ISO performance
1/250 flash sync
Built like a tank
I'm a Nikon guy... always have been... and always will be... D300 on order... but this is one hell of a camera! It comes with a hefty price… but a pro should be able to justify it.
Just my 2 cents.
-Matt
Matt:
This is 1D MK3 at 12 mpx, NOT 1Ds MK3 at 21mpx.
Ver 1 of any complicated device is going to have issues. I just cancelled my preorder for a D300 and bought a D200 to keep me happy while the inevitable bugs are sorted out.
@Jeff Beck - if you don't understand the value of 10fps and ISO6400, then you will never understand the justification.
meh, the D3 smokes it anyway... (flame on!!)
Photojournalist here...My vote is for the Nikon d3=)
Nikon FTW!
...Still waiting for 5D mk2, seriously, my 5D is so much more discreet looking than my old 1D, I mean I actually can take full frame pictures with it with out people staring at me...
Different people with different demand.
As a professional, just thought I'd chime in. I have both the 5D and the 1D Mark III. The differences are pretty amazing. Someone said it up above. The reletively noise free high ISO is a big one. The 1D3 set at 3200 with normal sensetivity is the equivelant of the 5D at 800 ISO. 14 bit A/D converter (1D3) provides very smooth gradations, images are smooth as a babies bum. Highlight tone priority (1D3) actually works without loosing shadow detail. Dual Digic III chip set (1D3) is killer. Everything is faster, image appears on the screen before you can even get your eye away from the viewfinder, card format is superfast, write speed super fast. Also the obvious, build quality is super, seals and o-rings everywhere. When on a bracket, the feel is super solid and you feel no plastic on plastic creaking as you do with the 5, 20, 30, 40D cameras. And oh yes, a three inch LCD. For me there is no comparison, it's apples and oranges.