Canon Product Advisory For Speedlite AF Assist Beam Issue on EOS 5D Mark III and EOS -1D X

Ok, Canon reacted to the problem of the auto-focus beam issue observed using Speedlite AF assist beam with a Canon EOS 5D Mark III (price & specs) or Canon EOS-1D X (price & specs). Everything started when a user posted about the problem in the Canon USA EOS forum, getting the following answer from a forum moderator (I reported about this here):

Canon has confirmed that, depending upon the shooting conditions, it may take slightly longer for the EOS 5D Mark III and EOS-1D X digital SLR cameras to acquire focus when using the Speedlite’s AF Assist Beam, compared with that of the EOS 5D Mark II and EOS-1D Mark IV digital SLR cameras using the Speedlite’s AF Assist Beam. We are developing a firmware update to enhance the focusing feature for the EOS 5D Mark III and the EOS-1D X. The schedule for release of this firmware update will be announced shortly.

Yesterday Canon USA released the following product advisory:

Thank you for using Canon products.

Affected Products

EOS 5D Mark III Digital SLR Camera

EOS-1D X Digital SLR Camera

Details

Depending upon the shooting conditions, it may take slightly longer for the EOS 5D Mark III and EOS-1D X digital SLR cameras to acquire focus when using the Speedlite’s AF Assist Beam, compared with that of the EOS 5D Mark II and EOS-1D Mark IV digital SLR cameras using the Speedlite’s AF Assist Beam.

We are developing a solution to enhance the focusing feature for the EOS 5D Mark III and EOS-1D X and plan to release a firmware update based on following estimated schedule:

EOS 5D Mark III: (estimated) Late April, 2013

EOS-1D X: (estimated) Late May, 2013

Support

This information is for residents of the United States 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.

If you have not already done so, please register your Canon EOS 5D Mark III Digital SLR Camera or your Canon EOS-1D X. Digital SLR Camera. By registering, we will be able to notify you via email about future service upgrades.

Thank you,

Customer Support Operations

Canon U.S.A., Inc.

Contact Information for Inquiries

Canon Customer Support Center

Phone: 1-855-CINE-EOS (toll free)

1-855-246-3367

TDD: 1-866-251-3752

Email: [email protected]

For additional support options: pro.usa.canon.com/support

Canon EOS 5D Mark III price check: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE Canon EOS-1D X price check: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE