CanonWatchLog in

UPDATE: I’ve notified that B&H has a limited stock of the 600EX-RT

B&H now has the new Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT in stock and ready for shipping (click here) for $629.00. Here the core specifications:

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These are not rumors, but a logical analysis of the possible scenarios related to the light-leaking issue that some customer experience on their EOS 5D Mark III bodies. I reported about this issue, in short: metering gets altered by light leaking trough the top LCD panel of the camera. Canon’s official statement: In extremely dark environments, if the LCD panel illuminates, the displayed exposure value may change as a result of the AE sensor’s detection of light from the LCD panel. Unfortunately, this seems to happen with both the backlight of the LCD panel and strong direct sunlight hitting the panel. Next, we heard that some new batches of the 5D Mark III had a different top LCD panel cover than previous ones. And then there are rumors that the EOS 5D Mark III could be recalled by Canon. So, what is going on? How will Canon fix the problem? I try to outline different scenarios. Again, not new rumors I heard but my very own analysis of the issue.

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What do you do if you rent out a camera and it comes back with a loose screw inside? You probably would send it in to a service center to get the problem fixed. But if you have the necessary technical skills (and you really need this skills) you may also decide to tackle the problem by yourself and to open the camera to find that damned screw that’s rattling around inside. This is what Roger Cicala of lensrentals.com must have thought as he got such a camera body in his hands. It happened to be an EOS 5D Mark III, and he posted the report on imaging-resource.

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I still do not have any significant information (from retailers) about the rumored recall/stock delay of the EOS 5D Mark III, while it seems confirmed that new batches of the Mark III have a different top LCD cover (may it have to do with the leaking issue?). However, given the fact that Canon now officially recognizes the light-leaking issue I reported about, we should soon hear something more about. In the mean time, don’t get too much worried about these issues, at least not as long as you are not shooting with mounted lens caps . At least the problem with the EOS 5D Mark III RAW files should be resolved by a new version of DPP that is ready for download. But then: It seems that Canon is not the only company that has problems with its recent products! Nikon’s D800 is exploding, and has problems with tethering, colors and memory cards. And while we are waiting for (Canon-)news, why not have a look at the latest EOS 5D Mark III reviews…?

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A new release of Canon’s DPP (ver. 3.11.26) is available for download. Hopefully this release will solve the problems with EOS 5D RAW files. You have first to select your operating system. Click here to get the software. The download page is getting a lot of visitors, download may be slow.

Update 2: It seems that this release still does not solve the Powershot G1 X softness problem.

Update 1: the new release fixes the following problems:

• Support for the following new lenses: EF 24mm F/2.8 IS USM, EF 28mm F/2.8 IS USM, EF 24-70mm F/2.8L II USM, EF 500mm F/4L IS II USM, EF 600mm F/4L IS II USM
• Supports images taken with EOS 5D Mark III and EOS-1D X.
• Digital lens optimizer function added.
• Multiple image composition and HDR tools added.
• Fixed a phenomenon that occurred when processing RAW images (original image properties could not be obtained)
• Fixes a malfunction that occurs when using the quick check tool to check a large volume of images.

Let me first say that the much discusses light-leaking issue is nothing that would seriously affect your images. And there is no reason to return your camera or to cancel pre-orders. However, a new 5D Mark III owner wrote to Canon and got this answer:

Further to your enquiry we would like to inform you that we very recently (in April) have become aware of this and is now a known issue with the EOS 5D Mark III model. The AE sensor in the camera detects the light from the LCD panel when it is turned on and the exposure value will be altered. The change is not significant as it will be altered by approximately 1/3rd of a stop but can be noticeable. You can continue to use your 5D Mark III and the LCD screen can be turned off to receive the correct exposure.

Check the videos to learn more…

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