Canon 1D Mark III sub mirror fix

Looks like my Canon EOS 1D Mark III is one of the affected bodies that will need the sub mirror fix. As I have mainly used manual focus with the 1D Mark III (Zeiss ZF lenses), I have not been too bothered, but I have found that the 1DM3 focuses inaccurately with a variety of lenses under conditions that should have resulted in perfect focus (fixed subjects, not ones in motion).

I haven’t done a scientific A/B test to verify that the 1DM3 focus is in fact worse than other cameras, though it seems so. Read my Focus Accuracy article for insights into focusing as a general issue. Not described there (yet) is the fact that recent tests with a dozen Canon EF lenses using the Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II showed not-quite-right focus with fully half the lenses (not wildly off, but enough that a slight manual tweak showed better contrast and slightly better resolution). Still, the 1DM3 does seem worse than any other brand/body I’ve used, but not under all circumstances.

One can complain about Nikon taking a long time to release newer technologies such as full-frame (see Goodbye Nikon?), but in the past few years it seems that Canon bodies have needed more firmware updates, and now an actual hardware modification in a professional caliber body. Was it rushed to market to beat Nikon?

Such things, along with the failure to support the (formerly) US$3500 EOS 5D adequately are a barometer of Canon’s commitments to its customers [see yesterday's entry on the failure to support the 5D with some lenses in DPP, and note that 16GB Compact Flash cards still won't format to 16GB in my 5D—and no word from Canon on when (if ever) this will be addressed].

What working pro wants to send in the 1DM3 for service for an unspecified number of days/weeks with no loaner body? (Rent one at $150/day for two weeks?) And given that the serial number range covers 45,000 cameras, the time required and the quality of the repair is certainly a concern. Yes, one expects warranty coverage, but that’s the bare minimum to expect, especially after a four month denial by Canon of any problem. No one buys an EOS 1D Mark III as a casual camera—customers deserve a substantial and tangible acknowledgement of the inconvenience and expense. Doubling the warranty to two years instead of one year would seem appropriate.