Canon acknowledges &#39;light leak&#39; in the EOS 5D Mark III

1.2 at 1/20?? what iso did you use?

Apr 30, 2012permalink

copajaus

Hi,
Thanks for your reply.
I put the camera on Auto ISO and did not record the ISO setting...

Apr 30, 2012permalink

well then it seems to me that you have no problem with your camera...:)

Apr 30, 2012permalink

copajaus

Thanks Stanley.

That what I think as well.

Cheers

Apr 30, 2012permalink

Efinirefd3s

Spoke with Canon USA and Canon Japan. According to the representives, the answer is NO. No modifications will be made to the Camera body both internal and externally for now nor in the future. Current stocks that are in the pipelines to be sent out to the retail stores will continue to have xxxxx1, xxxxx2, xxxxx3, and so on with no modications since this "PROBLEM" is not really a problem to begin with. And as Canon stated on their Website, There is no RECALL on this "issue" to be fixed.
But Canon will be more than happy to take a look at those customers who are stil paranoid beginning Mid-May.

Apr 27, 2012permalink

I know there is no problem but I wouldn't buy such expensive camera which has a issue.

Apr 27, 2012permalink

Efinirefd3s

Yes, it is an expensive investment and I thank Canon for taking steps into making countermeasures to keep the over growing bandwagon filled with haters.
If Canon and Mark III isn't the camera for you, then good luck with your search in perfect camera which takes photos on its own.

Apr 27, 2012permalink

I am Canon person. I don't want to switch to any other brand. I hope Canon will start shipping 5D MIII without light leaking issue in future. It seems like 5D MIII in Asia and Europe don't have any problem.

Apr 27, 2012*permalink

@Sarobar,
do you usually shoot outdoor at night in a very dark condition and no light at all except for moonlight, without the help of any artificial lights?

Apr 28, 2012permalink

Yes I shoot outdoor at night in very dark light. I am not worried about the leak light destroying my image but I don't want to spend 3K+ on a camera with issue.

May 2, 2012permalink

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/slr_cameras/eos_5d_mark_iii?pageKeyCode=prdAdvDetail&docId=0901e02480538fc7

Is this issue resolved on the new cameras they are going to ship? Or is it going to have same issue? I am planning to get one.

Apr 27, 2012permalink

nravindra

I placed an order for it today... No idea when Canon will start shipping the new lot.

Wish me good luck, I need one!

Apr 25, 2012permalink

Dan N

Canon has issued their findings and conclusion on this issue:

Essentially stating that it is not a real issue.

Apr 25, 2012permalink

JLJL

The light Leak DOES affect the images. The faulty metering causes some images to be underexposed. Imagine a scene on the limit between two exposure levels. The light leak will then cause the scene to be exposed at the lower level. This will happen at ALL LIGHT LEVELS! Furthermore, in some situations, the light leaking onto the meter through the LCD screen will cause the image to be underexposed several steps. For example, I recently used a 10 stop ND grad to blur the water in a waterfall on a sunny day. In that situation, the sunlight leaking in through the screen is relatively large compared to the scene (as seen through the filter). The result was an image underexposed by many steps, and the images came out completely black. So the statement from Canon indicating that the leak does not affect the captured images is NOT TRUE..

Apr 25, 2012permalink

Have you tried it??? dont say for example,... if you havent tried it on your own.....cuz I have already tried it, the metering doesnt change! the metering range for canon 5d markIII is between ev1-ev20.. read your manual again..... underexposed several step?????? you dont even know what you are talking about..... , the most under very extreme condition it goes underexpose by 2/3 of a stop... several step????????? Are you talking about your stair at home????? Step????? Sunny day is around ev 15, and you reduce it by 10 stops using ND filter its gonna become ev 5!!! at ev 5... the metering doesnt change, I tried that with 1000 watts hot light shinging on the top lcd, I believe its brighter than sunlight!!!..... again DOES NOT CHANGE!!!!! so please make sure that you have already tried it.. before making any comments

Apr 25, 2012*permalink

I didn't just theorize it, I tested it. 14.8 EV @ ISO 100, using a B+W 10 stop ND filter on the EF 24mm F/1.4L Mark II lens.

Both shaded and covering the LCD did not give me any metering errors or any exposure issues.

Apr 26, 2012permalink

BaliPeter

There are more then 250 comments posted on this light leak issue, so obviously there is a problem. All my lenses and camera's are Canon and I just bought the Mark III. What I find rediculous about it all is the way a reputable manufacturer like Canon handles an engineering fault. If Canon where a car manufacturer they would recall all related models and fix the problem. I didn't pay $3000 + for a piece of equipment to have to put duct tape on the inside of an LCD screen, as suggested by some. Canon is responsible for their mistakes and should fix it, simple.

Apr 25, 2012*permalink

What do you mean how they are handling this? Do you have inside information on how they are going to repair the issue which they have issued will happen for all users within a serial number range that they clearly identified and are going to provide free support and service over. (http://usa.canon.com/cusa/professional/products/professional_cameras/digital_slr_cameras/eos_5d_mark_iii?pageKeyCode=prdAdvDetail&docId=0901e02480538fc7)

I wasn't aware that anyone in the 250+ useful comments had made any serious suggestions of duct tape. I think black nail polish is better.

I guess it seems very irresponsible for them to act in a timely manner with the problem identified about 2 weeks ago, and now they have provided a solution to resolve this. Boo Canon!

Wow if this is what you think of Canon, I'd hate to see how you'd respond to Nikon's current issues and denials: (http://nikonrumors.com/2012/04/21/nikon-claims-that-the-greenish-d4d800-lcd-screen-is-more-accurate-than-the-d3sd700.aspx/)

Apr 25, 2012*permalink

who ask you to put a duct tape???????? yeah there are 250 comments here...but seems you dont read them carefully, and you dont even have any idea what it is considered to be faulty....what is there to be fixed???? when there is nothing wrong with it....You claimed that you have already got a copy of your mark III, why dont you try to conduct some experiments with it.... all I can say, the metering doesnt change from ev1 onwards.... but if you are shooting at ev-1 yes it changes, but who the hell shoot at ev-1????and besides it is clearly stated in the manual book that canon 5d mark III metering range is between ev1-ev20 try read page 374 on your manual.

Apr 25, 2012*permalink

By the way.. you have a very clever analogy in regards to the 250 comments......:) you are very intelligent in analyzing and reasoning!

Apr 25, 2012permalink

BaliPeter

Stanley Zheng, No body asked me to put duct tape, someone wrote that he put some duct tape on the inside of his LCD screen, which I don't want to do when I buy an expensive piece of equipment. To me it doesn't matter if the fault is small or big, a fault is a fault and Canon should fix it. 1/3, 1/2 or 3 steps or stops, which ever you prefer, is just not acceptable in my view. To your question what there is to be fixed? It is what Canon themselves call a "Light Leak", that is all, sounds like contradiction to me, photography and leaking light. Cheers and have fun anyway.

Apr 25, 2012*permalink

**Puts hand up**

I'm the guilty party suggesting to open up the camera and stick some black duct-tape underneath the LCD panel.

To be honest, I did say that slightly in a tongue-in-cheek tone. Also waaaay back then when I made comment, it was not yet apparent that the metering was *only* affected with the lens cap on (thanks to various people posting results of tests right here).

No one to my knowledge on these forums has experienced the problem with the lens cap off: daytime or nighttime exposure.

I'm a Canon user for many years and came here to find out more about this issue for when I finally decide to upgrade to the 5DIII.

Apr 26, 2012*permalink

I also read in the manual book under specification, exposure control on page 374 , it is clearly stated that the metering range from ev1 - ev20, at ev1 there is no effect whatsoever on the metering value when you turn on the lcd back light. Thus, its pretty clear that this camera is not build to meter anything below ev1 accurately, so I dont think its a defect...

Apr 23, 2012*permalink

@Kinematic Digit and others, thanks for providing the results of all your tests. Based on your findings I think we can summarize the issue as this:

(1) - There is a very minor light leak issue through the top LCD, *but* it is only evident with the lens cap on. To date, no one has been able to replicate the problem with the lens cap off... yay! :)

(2) - Daylight exposures are not affected in any way at all.

(3) - Night time exposures are also not affected. Even when exposing for a very dark subject, shining a light on the top LCD or engaging the back-light has no effect on exposure.

If my understanding is flawed, please correct me and provide details about your test.

Apr 23, 2012permalink

Ceddy

Yes. And who will shoot pictures with the lens cap on lol.
When I first got the camera, my friend told me this light leak issue. I immediately tested it, but just don't see the problem at all. As long as it doesn't affect my photos, I could care less.

Apr 23, 2012permalink

Ceddy

I can't replicate the light leak issue.
http://youtu.be/LYwALLww_60

Apr 22, 2012permalink

I dont know if this is a valid argument, but if and only if let say there is a light leaking, then if you capture the image and you see the result there will be a 1/3 stop or 2/3 difference in the final image output? I dont see there is a difference between the 2 images with the light on and with the light off, at the same EV value, isnt it the image should be 2/3 stop brighter at the same ev value????? if you turn on the light, as the lcd indicates? Where is the metering sensor located at in relation to the top LCD? and where is the cmos sensor located at, on 5d mark III?

Apr 22, 2012permalink

It is not an issue at all in normal photography work situation, the object and the surrounding has to be dark for it to affect the ae. Even at f4, at 2 seconds iso 800 does not affect the ae metering when u turn on the lcd top light! with the lens cap off and view finder being covered. Is this really an issue??? at ISO 800, f4, at 2 seconds no change! I am surprised that people are really hyped abt this. the object you are metering and the surrounding has to be really dark for it to affect the ae metering!!!. My goodness and people are really getting so fussy abt this!! and who shoots with the lens cap ON?????????

Apr 22, 2012*permalink

People love to hate. I wouldn't expect any less from those that never handled one of these cameras (and I mean both the D800 and the 5Dmk3)

I draw my opinions on both handling and owning Nikons and Canons. It's my job to know the issues as I teach beginners and pros on both systems.

After three days of trying to make this fail in real world conditions, I could not. The only time I make it fail is when I throw on a lens cap on it. Even in .01EV @ISO 100 where I could barely read the LCD screen I could not make the meter fail.

The irony is people want to b**ch about Canon's problems, and typically, barely a peep on the Nikon issues (D800: CLS flash failures, LCD colour casts, AWB issues, CF card failures) things I've seen on my unit I've tested as well (who's denying now?). Are we surprised where the haters like to hang out?

They both have issues, it will be worked out while they work great in most conditions (I love both). This is so overblown. Put another bullet into the horse.

Apr 22, 2012permalink

http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/03/hammerforum-com

It's so true too....

Apr 22, 2012permalink

yes I think you are right....

Apr 22, 2012permalink

I have tested canon eos 5 d mark III, its not a problem that people should really worry so much, because with lens cap off the metering doesnt shift under a dim light condition, but it will shift around 2/3 of a stop under extremely dim condition, and we also encounter the same problems with at least 2 canon 5d mark II as well, and the question is why people start complaining now? we also try to conduct the same test on Nikon d300s because thats the only nikon camera we have available, Nikon didnt even bother to start metering with the lens cap on, and with its view finder being covered.

Apr 22, 2012permalink

NikonFotoMatt

So....it's like a Holga! I suggest owners purchase one of those Canon-mount Holga lenses and get creative! Oh, nevermind, there's already an App for that. :~/

Apr 21, 2012permalink

Alex Akai

This is another slap in the face of Canon. Don't these guys have a testing process before they release an important update like this ? I sold all my Canon gear after my 40D (err99?) shutter just broke after only ~9000 clicks. Got myself a D7000 and couldn't be happier. Not saying Nikon cameras don't have any problems, but at least they give you more options and superior UI.

Apr 21, 2012permalink

many of the D5000 where recalled because they did not even power on..... so much about TESTING process at nikon.

about the UI.. well many prefer the UI of canon over nikons.
what you wrote falls in the same category as someone saying: BLUE is a better color then RED.

it´s just personal preference.. subjectiv.

so your whole commentar makes not much sense at all.

it´s just a nother nikon trolling about an "issue" that moves the exposure 2/3 stops. at -4 EV. no nikon or canon camera does a proper exposure at -4 EV anyway.

Apr 21, 2012*permalink

And your reply is just another canon trolling.

I think that light leak on an extremely expensive camera is a very big deal.

Apr 21, 2012permalink

yeah but you are a clueless person..

when someone is not able to understand things then he normaly repeats what others have written before. you anfd a lot of other trolls here have obviously nothing with any value to say.. but as you can read above... i have!

Apr 21, 2012*permalink

choochootrain29

I've tried this on my 5DMk3 and in my opinion it's a small hiccup.

The way I tested it was:
1. turned the 5DMk3 on, set to M (ISO 12800, f4, forgot what was the shutter speed)
2. removed the eye-hood, then put black duct tape on viewfinder to prevent light going into sensor.
3. used 24-105mm lens with lens cap on.
4. turned off the lights in the room.
5. using iPhone4 LED, shone across 5DMk3 top-LCD.

Findings: the exposure reading altered by +1/3 to 2/3 ONLY when I have the LED 1-inch away from the LCD with it shining on the centre of it. When the LED was shining on other parts of the LCD, there was no impact to the EV.

I'm not too concerned about this light leak.

I'm more concerned about amp glow (pink-purplish) glow in the bottom right corner as I crank up the ISO up to 25,600 and beyond (51200, and 102400). Does anyone else notice something similar on their 5DMk3? It's easily seen in dark/pitch-black images.

Apr 21, 2012permalink

KonstantinosK

Light leak, unimpressive DxOmark results, high price... Poor Canon...

Apr 20, 2012permalink

sorry i just tried to reach your low niveau with the above posting.. ;)

Apr 21, 2012permalink

KonstantinosK

What a stupid answer... A) My post is true, for the rich and the poor, whether you like it or not. B) It's not that expensive, we could still afford it if we wanted. It just doesn't worth the asking price. C) Stick your tax money to your b**thole.

Apr 21, 2012permalink

oh believe me the rest of europe would gladly spend their money for their own stuff.. but we have to help you guys out because your unable to make a living on your own....

i only wonder how you can speak about "poor" when canon has more money then your country... LOL

Apr 21, 2012*permalink

Why don't you just be quiet?

There is no need to take your anger out on the Greeks just because Canon made a poor quality camera.

This has nothing to do with Greece and everything to do with Canon's quality control.

Apr 21, 2012permalink

who asked for your opinion?

Apr 21, 2012permalink

KonstantinosK

Gothmoth, it's simply amazing how you react in a camera forum about a camera comment. Besides knowing nothing about politics and economy, you're obviously having issues. Go on, boy, it's Saturday night, leave your Canon alone at bed and get out and have some fun... ;)

Apr 21, 2012permalink

JojieRT

haha, too funny. you see janice, gothmoth can spew his unsolicited wisdom (opinion) all he wants but you can't.

Apr 22, 2012permalink

Been reading most of the comments on this, and what most people are not grasping is the problem has to do with *ANY* light hitting the top surface of the LCD panel (like the sun for example), not just the backlight being engaged.

Basically the more external light hitting the top LCD, the more underexposed your image will be.

The following vid demonstrates this quite clearly: an exposure variation of 1EV is a very serious problem, no matter how you look at the issue!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hh7OaF0Qh0Q

I'm a Canon user and would upgrade in an instant, but will first wait and see what Canon offers as a solution.

If no solution is forthcoming, then take the matter into your own hands, open up the camera (and void the warranty) and put some black duct tape underneath the LCD panel and you should be good to go :-)

Apr 20, 2012permalink

https://vimeo.com/40740050

No, not really.... Ev15 direct sunlight with a lens and no cap on the lens has no issues.

Apr 20, 2012permalink

he has the lens cap on... the camera does not see any light through the lens. so how many times you shoot at pitch black darkness or with a lens cap on?

i will explain it again, for nikon shooter.
if he had removed the lens cap, as a normal person would do for taking pictures (not sure about nikon user), you would see NO change in exposure.

at -4 EV you would see an change about 2/3 stops.... but then no nikon or canon does a proper exposure at -4 EV.

Apr 21, 2012*permalink

@Kinematic Digit, thanks for doing that test and going to the trouble of uploading a video.

You have proven two things:

1. There is definitely a light leak issue through the top LCD panel.

2. The light leak does not affect normal daylight exposure metering.

Now, if you're keen, I throw this challenge to you for another test involving night time exposure:

1. At night time, find a bright street lamp in your city and set up your camera directly under it.

2. Aim the camera at a very dim subject, but must be much darker than the street light you are under (lens cap off).

3. Meter the exposure as you did in your vid, using a piece of cardboard to block then unblock the street light from hitting the top LCD panel.

Myself, and most people here would be most curious to see the result of such a test :)

Apr 21, 2012*permalink

bugs14

Let’s use a bit of commonsense here I’m tired of reading about “I never take photo with cap’s on” I know nobody here is an idiot to do that., they put lens cap here to test the light leak so that no (as in nothing) will affect the light sensor but the light come from the top LCD in other words to isolate the issue. Unless you can say that your light source that comes in from the lens is constant which I doubt, so to eliminate this you have to cover it. If we don’t cover the lens you will say that the meter was affected by uneven light source came from the lens – back to square on.

So if you want to defend canon on it, defend canon in a wisely manner because by mocking the test you look/sound s….d.

Sometimes to make thing good we have to eliminate the word so call D-E-N-I-A-L.

Apr 22, 2012*permalink

Peter I did just those test. I could not video it unfortunately as you can imagine that the lighting conditions would not video well and since my best video camera is the one I was using to test the issues:

I shot a long exposure of water fountain with street lamps behind me with results of no change. I did a light meter reading 3 EV @ ISO 100. Shading or using the illumination lamp made no difference in exposure times.

Tonight I did a long exposure shots and this surprised me a little. I measured the light again, this time only the ambiant light of nautical twilight. Measured at .01 EV @ ISO 100 (Could barely read LCD screen). This about extreme as one would get. I did both Illumination light, and light of my iPhone. No change in exposure readings.

Conclusion. Two nights testing, and I'm most certain that 99.5% of the time this will not be an issue. .5% is when someone has a police spot light on you while you're shooting into a dark crowd (maybe fails).

Apr 22, 2012permalink

http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Publications/DxOMark-Reviews/Canon-5D-Mark-III-Review/Sensor-performance

some people including myself encounter the same problem on canon eos 5d mark II, we conducted the same experiment,and we encounter the same problem. But why nobody had been bitching about it????? is this a marketing war between Nikon and Canon? canon mark III is already out in the market and ready stock in most stores and in most countries, and Nikon is still struggling with their d800 inventory??

Apr 20, 2012permalink

pacogwapo

DxOMark verdict: Nikon D800 – 95, Canon 5D Mark III – 81

Apr 19, 2012*permalink

And yet, TechRadar who uses the same software and does the same testing as DxO (in fact a DxO certified lab), got different results.... http://www.techradar.com/reviews/cameras-and-camcorders/cameras/digital-slrs-hybrids/canon-eos-5d-mark-iii-1074186/review/page:5#articleContent

Apr 20, 2012permalink

@ Kinematic, hmmm I wonder y.....

Apr 21, 2012permalink

DxO is sponsored by nikon afaik.... just look at their website.

i guess it´s the same as in "independend" car print magazines.
my father worked for one back in the 90s and he told me storys you won´t believe.
you could literally buy a good review when the tester was invited to south africa or another fancy place for testing.

look at DXO website and who sponsors them.
im just saying....

i wonder too that two sites who use the same test methods come to different conclusions.

Apr 21, 2012*permalink

Give it a rest Gothmoth!

Apr 21, 2012permalink

why should i... so you and other clueless persons can live in a dreamworld?

i know that good education is expensive in america... but here you can learn something for free.

Apr 21, 2012permalink

Yeah I kinda agree with gothmoth, that's one of the possibility, according to dxomark test, even some phaseone sensor is not as good as Nikon d800 ... yeah... something is wrong.....

Apr 22, 2012permalink

abi170845

That's why I'm on the look out for a cherry, seldom used, yuppy owned low mileage 5mk2, it is already hitting around U$1200 in my country, God I remembered how it used to cost U$3000 when it first came out.

Apr 19, 2012permalink

mugupo

wtf is wrong with all the new canon camera nowday, my s100 experience focus video noise like big sensor would, canon seriously need to check their camera before release.

Apr 19, 2012permalink

nravindra

I was about to place my order... its all confusing now: should I wait for the issue to be rectified or totally go for another FF camera? Ofcourse, I am locked on to Canon as I have couple of premium lens... Any suggestion? :-(

Apr 18, 2012permalink

Photoman

Sell your lenses now and get the pain over and done with. Better to go through the pain now then later. Prevention is better than cure.

Apr 18, 2012permalink

It' a minor hic-up that doesn't affect anything significant. I use it in long exposures and never have issues not using that illumination LCD. Also there's a simple work around it by locking the exposure with the * button as you look at the screen.

You can wait for a bit and let them work out the production issues. Other FF cameras are equally dealing with issues. There are delay's still going on both for delivery and for production issues as well.

Apr 19, 2012permalink

nravindra

Thanks for your inputs. I have decided to wait and watch for next couple of months... May be, there is a cosmic reason for the delay in having FF camera in my kitty. :-)

Apr 19, 2012permalink

relaxxxxxxx, I have the same problem with canon eos 5d mark II as well, and I have been using it for about 3 years now, and the camera did just fine, ... and nobody had been bitching about it since it first came out.. only now then people start to get really fussy about it...and I just got my MKIII as well, and no, I am not too worry about it. maybe because I never shoot in the dark.....so it is not an issue for me...

Apr 20, 2012*permalink

you can shoot in the dark and the affect will be irrelevant.

but when it´s pitch black you will be off.... big deal as the automatic exposure in these cases is off anyway and you need to do manual finetuning anyway.

this whole thing is made up by nikon trolls and people who don´t have a clue what we are talking about.
they did not even notice that the lens cap is on in this infamous video that makes the round.

you can have bright sunlight but as long as the lens cap is on, a camera will not notice that light. because .. suprise... it goes not through the lens.
so yes... when no light (or -4 EV ambient light) comes through the lens then a small light leak will influence the AF sensor a bit.

Apr 21, 2012*permalink

Henry M. Hertz and Gothmoth:

And you are Canon trolls with the IQ of a raisin.

Why don't you quit while you are ahead?

Oh, by the way, the word is effect not affect.

Apr 21, 2012*permalink

so how many languages you speak?
educated by an american public school i guess only one?

i write english because normaly americans are too uneducated to speak or read any other language.

and i have yet to read anything of substance from you concerning the light leak. so who is trolling?

Apr 21, 2012*permalink

arigato_12

Great new stuff..hardly on the market and already crap..yep. F-1 was so much better.-:)

Apr 18, 2012permalink

New Guy Wanna Learn

Ok, i just watched the videos frm peta...so no need to explain. Tq

Apr 18, 2012permalink

New Guy Wanna Learn

Software can be easily written to compensate for the light leak i think. No need to send in for physical servicing..

If the noon sun is shining down on it, will it have any effect?? I dont own one..so dunno..how about strong halogen lighting shining down on it while doing indoor shooting? Wil anything happen? Tq.

Apr 18, 2012permalink

TOOBAD2

DUCK TAPE WILL FIX IT. NO MORE LIGHT . CHEEP TO.

Apr 18, 2012permalink

Jmmg

It is a "Light leak" from somewhere physically whitin the body, not a software issue...how could a firmware upgrade fix it????

Apr 18, 2012permalink

lensberg

This whole "light leak" issue is being blown way out of proportion... its really not a serious problem at all... and won't really affect the majority of users in everyday shooting conditions...

Why anyone actually needs to use that top LCD is beyond me... the optical view finder & that 3.2" beauty at the back are all that are necessary to gauge & alter AE calculations...

Apr 18, 2012permalink

It isn't being blown out of proportion.

An expensive, top of the line, camera should not have light leaks at all.

You shouldn't have to use duck tape or compensate with software.

It is a manufacturing defect and should be repaired or the camera replaced by Canon.

Apr 21, 2012permalink

strange that owners of the canon 5D MK3 do not complain. it´s the nikon trolls who seem to have the most problems with the light leak.. why.. because usually they like to troll around.

Apr 21, 2012permalink

Its amazing how many thousands of images have already been taken and posted from this camera (the one that's not selling and nobody wants). Some fantastic low light shots and an amazing view of a multiple lighting strike on the Bay Bridge. But to each his own. The people who made these shots could have stayed home, shining a flashlight at the top of the camera to see if the metering was affected.

Apr 18, 2012permalink

olyflyer

True, but never the less, an error is an error no matter what you think, and it should be fixed if possible.

I think it is good that there are people shining a flashlight at the top of the camera, but I think that this happened first after when some other people, or the same ones, discovered that switching on the LCD light caused problems. Next step was of course to check if the problem was caused internally, or even external light can effect the metering. It's a logical step. If the flash light could not effect the metering it would be easy to have a workaround, i.e. keep the top LCD light off in case you worry. The "flash light test" may sound stupid, but it is not. I can easily come up with a situation where the photographer is sitting in the dark, taking images of a theatre scene or a concert and than some strobes start shining on him. If the metering is changed his images will be destroyed.

Apr 18, 2012*permalink

http://www.focus-numerique.com/canon-confirme-probleme-fuite-lumiere-5d-mkiii-news-3228.html

They will fix it, no one ever said that they won't. At least they show corporate transparency in terms of their issues. On that note, at least one old issue has now been resolved: http://www.canon.com.hk/en/services/main/ProdNoticeDetail.do?id=184

New DPP that fixes the soft image bug when using High Quality Raw Preview setting.

Apr 18, 2012permalink

iamphil

I hope you're not relying on the metering while you're shooting in a dimly lit environment and happen to step under a spotlight.

BTW what's with people apologizing for mega corp A or mega corp B? We saw the same thing around here when the Fuji orbs were making the rounds.

Apr 18, 2012*permalink

Alejandro del Pielago

Although I think that even with "issues", Canon gear yield excellent results, I suggest you check the following link; they say that maybe even with daylight there would be light leak (sorry but it´s on French. "plein jour" means more or less "daylight"...). Sure, when I purchase my 5D3 all would be fixed.... :)

Apr 18, 2012*permalink

olyflyer

Yes, but in daylight the effects are probably not so strong.

Apr 18, 2012permalink

pc168

Firmware cannot fix that. For instance, I remember a few year ago, people had to send back their 1DMarkIII for hardware level fix.

Apr 18, 2012permalink

Frank C.

fail.

Apr 18, 2012permalink

renault5

Interesting to see a light issue polarizing opinions

Apr 18, 2012permalink

John P.

Nikon to Canon: "all your DSLR are belong to us"

Apr 18, 2012*permalink

Well said.

Apr 18, 2012permalink

Francis Carver

Canon.... are this still in the camera business? What on earth for?

Apr 17, 2012permalink

lensberg

Maybe because they make the best DSLR's and P&S cams availabe... unlike Nikon that have to hope to god that Sony has fabricated a new sensor that will eventually be pawned off as a Nikon DX or FX exclusive design...

Apr 18, 2012permalink

Josh152

Sony and Nikon have a partnership. It's not like Nikon is just getting Sony's left over scraps. If you think Nikon had no say in the development of the D800 sensor for example you are living in a fantasy world. Besides Sony is making the best DSLR sensors in the world right now so I fail to see how Canon camera's can be better with inferior sensors.

Overall Nikon has been making the better cameras for awhile now thanks in large part to Sony's class leading sensors and canon's instant, pointless, neutering of features in their mid level DSLRs in a futile attempt to get people to spend twice as much on 1D series camera's.

Apr 19, 2012permalink

lensberg

The only good sensor's Sony ever made are the 16.2 MP APS-C & the 12.1 MP full frame sensor found in the D3S... beyond that most of their existing sensors are average at best...

Canon's 22.3 MP sensor in the 5D III is definitely a cut above most of Sony-Nikon's sensors... both in terms of noise and colour reproduction...

Exactly which Nikon camera is better than its Canon counterpart...? In the cropped sensor category the 7D was all round superior compared to the D300S... including in terms of pure image quality... ISO performance... video capability... autofocus aquisition...

2½ years ago the D3S was considered better than the 1D Mark IV in low light performance... but that was only visible beyond ISO 6400... From base to I600 the ID Mark IV outresolved the Nikon hands down...

Apr 19, 2012permalink

treepop

Where is the review?

Apr 17, 2012permalink

unotisto

You people are so darn impatient.

Apr 18, 2012permalink

Alfonso Bresciani

they have also acknowledged the Viefinder Illumination fail, (aka red smear-invisible points!)

"Although the problem with the VF illumination of AF points is not listed in the advisory, Canon is aware of it and may possibly address the problem in future firmware updates. Canon actively monitors product quality and customer satisfaction with respect to its products. This monitoring includes the regular analysis of repair data and call center inquiries, active monitoring of conversations in online forums and blogs, and frequent surveys to our customer base. Please continue to check the Canon website for news an updates that pertain to your EOS 5D Mark III."

Apr 17, 2012permalink

Francis Carver

The year 2012 AD -- the year Canon finally imploded? First Kodak, and now this.

Apr 18, 2012permalink

Boldi

Fine..I remember one of my colleagues bought an EOS 450D and after a few shots we realised the pictures set to be totally horizontal were not horizontal. So either the sensor or the mirror or the penta mirror was in a bad position causing aslope/awry pictures. My colleague has to compensate every picture with a few degrees..Canon should spend less money on marketing and more on testing and quality.

Apr 17, 2012permalink

Dark Fader

**it happens with Canon too often IMO.

Apr 17, 2012permalink

tbcass

Pretty stupid if your colleague didn't return his camera for another. Every product has a few duds.

Apr 17, 2012permalink

Canon trolls have no memory at all, obviously.

Apr 21, 2012permalink

CameraLabTester

Good news!

A patch will be coming out... a real life patch that is.

It's called a Black Wire Tape. Cut about 2 inches from the roll and stick on top of the LCD as often as you like. $1.29 on most retail stores. About $59.95 on camera shops...

Then USE the back LCD like the rest of the Kiss and Rebel mortals...

Apr 17, 2012*permalink

Der Steppenwolf

And another one who can't properly read. What about that light leak from INSIDE of camera stemming from the LCD screen? But to tape it over one would need to disassemble camera..
How about a reading class?

Apr 17, 2012*permalink

CameraLabTester

Perhaps you should be the one reading further... and take a reading class.

It's when the backlight is ON will it affect the reading...
(in addition to bright light hitting the top LCD)

Read: BACKLIGHT > "ON"

Uummm... so don't turn it on? Don't use the ON button?

Anyways... lighten up, it's just a jab for sensitive peeps. :)

Apr 17, 2012*permalink

CameraLabTester

You are correct, Henry.

The rightmost button of the the top deck LCD panel is the "ON" button for the BACKLIGHT, not the camera "ON" button. It has a LIGHTBULB symbol.

You only turn ON the BACKLIGHT by pressing this button.

There is the option NOT to press this button at all, and NOT use the backlight at all.

Apr 17, 2012permalink

Why should you have to not use a camera feature because the camera is badly made?

The whole thing is that you shouldn't have to work around a flaw, it should be fixed.

If there is a light leak it will probably be a problem in any strong lighting situation.

Apr 21, 2012permalink

topstuff

I think all new cameras seem to suffer teething problems.

People here may remember the early 5D2's, where for some inexplicable reason too many of them were leaving the factory with dirt and dust inside the body. QC was not good. I had to return my first 5D2 for this reason.

Pentax had oil stains on their sensor. Nikon appear to have a few issues with D800's locking up.

Having experienced most camera brands over the past 20 years, my personal experience is that I have had more problems with Canon than Nikon with a similar number of cameras owned from each brand.

But I am just one person and therefore I am not an adequate sample !

I am sure it will get sorted out - but this is a physical problem, not something that can be fixed with a firmware upgrade ! Cameras will have to be returned, which is quite a headache.

Apr 17, 2012permalink

You should be ashamed for posting such a rational, non-childish appraisal of something most people won't even encounter and which will surely be addressed. If light leaks, you put a baffle in to block the light. And to suggest that this won't be the first or last time something as complex as a digital SLR has a problem, wow!

Apr 17, 2012permalink

jon404

It does open up new money-making opportunities. Kirlian photography, isn't it? When you look at the wedding pictures, and no, it's not a light leak over there behind the cake, it's actually the ghost of an old girlfriend...

Apr 17, 2012permalink

abi170845

meh, a mint, yuppy owned low mileage 5dmk2 in my country is already hitting u$1200!

Apr 17, 2012permalink

Sold mine for over $1900. Bought the mk III and both seller and buyer are happy. The end.

Apr 17, 2012permalink

nomiss777

Well at least Canon has the balls to acknowledge their mistakes and willing to fix it. The ones who acknowledge their mistakes first are always the bravest. I don't see Nikon acknowledging any of the problems associated with the Nikon D800.

Apr 17, 2012permalink

AnHund

Yes, Canon is the big winner here. Nikon should be ashamed not to admit all the faults with the d800. I have heard the lenses are falling of when shooting and the flash may catapult into space when opened. It also doesn't take real film only crappy digital images. Wow :-)

Apr 17, 2012permalink

D800 CLS failures is actually a far bigger problem than bad exposure of lens cap photos. A studio camera that fails on flash systems, the bread and butter of studio photographers. Been reported for weeks, yet, no advisories have been made by Nikon. I expect that they will silently implement a firmware. Nikon never admits to faults in their system. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RJ6jgKWsgo

Now bringing this back to perspective. Most professionals use RadioPoppers or PWs to trigger. but there are some that still use pure CLS. Regardless, this is a design flaw, from an early unit. It will be corrected at some point through firmware updates. No one is a winner here. Both of these cameras came out at the same time with their own set of problems.

Seems a double standard is here.... if it is Canon, it's a fail, if it is Nikon, it's not an issue? Common on you trolls, no one is winning this. They are both great cameras, and equal to each other, also equal in problems.

Apr 17, 2012*permalink

nicolaiecostel

@Kinematic: dude, who woud use CLS in the studio ? do you think your subjects will enjoy being flashed straight in the retina ? I doubt. No one uses the CLS unless they forgot their Pocket Wizards at home.

Apr 18, 2012permalink

philo123

Look. ALL manufacturers in the electronics industry make mistakes. I worked in the industry for 15 years to realise that it's very common with new models. It's the way the company deals with the issue that should be measured here. As an aside, the best time to buy something is at the end of it's model run as all issues have been ironed out by then. Now a D700 and 5DMkII will give you years of trouble free shooting, so grab a bargain. :-)

Apr 18, 2012permalink

@nicolaiecostel well Joe Mcnally for starters.... but I guess he's not a professional studio photographer.

Apr 19, 2012permalink

XmanX

Can anyone tell me where all the Nikon users hang out when they need a break from shooting epic pictures?

Apr 17, 2012permalink

Right in line after all the Canon users getting their cameras repaired.

Apr 21, 2012permalink