Hmm, it’s going to be interesting to see how the Canon community reacts to this one. Responding to an issue with its new high-end 5D Mk III DSLR where, in extremely dark conditions, light reportedly leaks through the LCD panel affecting metering, the Japanese camera giant has posted a statement on its US website which appears to play down the problem.
Issued on Monday, the statement says the company has concluded its investigation and found the following:
“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.”
No mention of any impending recall; no firmware update to fix the issue.
It goes on to say that if you think your images are affected, the company will inspect your camera. “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,” Canon’s statement says.
The “almost all” part is interesting. Does that mean that under some shooting conditions, there is a problem? The new Mk III shooter comes with a hefty $3,499 price tag (body only) so one can well imagine that Canon’s statement on the issue may have fallen well short of the expectations of new owners of the device.
The statement also says that only the 5D Mk IIIs whose sixth digit in the serial number is 1 or 2 are affected. For example, “xxxxx1xxxxxx” or “xxxxx2xxxxxx”.
The Canon specialist site Canon Watch reported last week that it wasn’t just light from the LCD panel which was affecting metering, explaining that a flashlight firing on top of the LCD panel would also have the same effect. Furthermore, some Mk III owners were claiming that direct sunlight, or any strong light from directly above, was also affecting metering.
Canon Watch explained how Mk III owners can discover if their new shooter is leaking light: “Put the cap on the body and cover the viewfinder, then put the camera in ‘P’ mode at ISO 800 and turn on the LCD backlight. If the leak is present, the shutter speed will change after having turned on the backlight.”
If you own a Canon Mk III, are you happy with the company’s statement? Or were you expecting more? Either way, Canon seems to think a recall of the product isn’t necessary, and that shooters will never (or almost never) take a picture noticeably affected by the leaking light.
[via The Verge]
