Sunday, July 22, 2007

Canon Issues Press Release on Mark III

Canon USA has issued a press release partially addressing some of the concerns over Auto Focus reliability and other glitches in the new EOS 1Ds Mark III. They will release a firmware update ( Version 1.0.9 ) at the end of July to resolve some of the known problems with Auto Focus, LCD viewing and other minor software issues.

Press Release from Canon USA July 20 2007:

Canon EOS-1D Mark III Firmware Update, Version 1.0.9

In the interests of better customer support, Canon has developed new Version 1.0.9 firmware for the EOS-1D Mark III Digital SLR camera. This firmware update incorporates the following improvements and fixes:

  • Improves the look of images when enlarged on the LCD monitor
    Applies a slightly stronger sharpness setting to the LCD monitor when images are enlarged.
  • Improves the consistency of AI Servo AF under certain conditions
    Reduces the tendency of the camera to autofocus on high-contrast backgrounds when shooting in conditions where AF detection is difficult, such as when the main subject is not completely covered by the AF frames or if the main subject's contrast is low.
  • Provides countermeasures for Main Dial response errors (Main, Quick Control, Vertical-grip Main)
    Fixes a rare response error in the Main Dials in which they either did not respond when rotated or would change several clicks worth even if only clicked once.
  • Corrects errors in the Italian and Simplified Chinese menu screens.

Please note that Version 1.0.9 firmware is currently scheduled to be made available for download from the Web at the end of July. It is NOT currently available for download. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. However, Canon U.S.A. Factory Service Centers in Jamesburg, NJ and Irvine, CA can install the updated firmware as of now. EOS-1D Mark III customers who wish to send their cameras into a Canon Factory Service Center for this upgrade are welcome to do so at their own expense. (Customer pays shipping to the Factory Service Center; Canon installs the firmware update and ships the camera back to the customer at no charge.) On the other hand, if the customer prefers, he or she can wait until version 1.0.9 is available for download at no charge from Canon's web site. If a customer sends his or her camera into the service department now, and firmware is upgraded by the service department, the soon-to-be-available download will not add any additional functionality to the camera -- there will be no need to perform a further firmware update when version 1.0.9 is made available for download on Canon's web site.

U.S. residents are kindly directed to contact the Canon Customer Support Center for further assistance at 1-800-828-4040. Support hours are Monday thru Friday - 8:00 AM to 12:00 midnight; and Saturday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM (all times EST). Alternatively, if electronic support is preferred, please send your email to carecenter@cits.canon.com

This information is for residents of the United States of America 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.

We appreciate your understanding in this matter. Thank you for your support and patronage of Canon products.

--- End Press Release.

Anyone interested in reading the full story on the Auto Focus problems with the EOS 1Ds Mark III can follow this link to Rob Galbraith's site to read his detailed report on the camera.
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