Articles, reviews and tutorials about photography

Canon 1Ds Mark 3 cameraCanon 1Ds Mark III image misalignment

Viewfinder Problem fixed under warranty

I've reported the problems that I and quite a few others experienced with early Canon 1ds3 Mk3s

My own camera had a very visible 0.4 degree tilt.

I've a separate page showing how I measured that, and other people's problems with the camera.

At lunchtime, Monday 18th August I dropped off the camera at Canon UK service in Elstree...

Thursday lunchtime, 21st August 08 it's shipped back by UPS, and the camera is back with me.

I actually had a mail at end of business Tuesday, to say that the camera was fixed.

Well packed, with lots of padding.

Note - I've since heard that several people had this problem with early Mk3s, and that all were fixed under warranty.

In 2010 I'm expecting the 1Ds Mk4 - hope there are no similar issues with getting one of the early cameras ;-)

return shipping from canon Service

The Repair invoice shows that it's a warranty fix

"WARRANTY BASED ON PRODUCT LAUNCH Adjusted finder paralax"

A quick check was in order, so I pointed the camera at a straight edge (ruled focusing screen fitted)

This is the view in the finder.

Viewfinder view

The live view looks fine too (this was obviously tilted before)

liveview of VF tilt

A photo, shows that any error is less than 0.1 degree

fixed results

Given that from previous landscape work I reckon I can spot a horizon tilt of anything over 0.25 degrees in a picture, this is good enough.

This is what it was like

previous tilt

So I'll consider it fixed...

Or I should say that I consider it perfectly acceptable since there is possibly a very slight residual tilt (maybe 0.05 degree) but it's difficult to accurately measure, and to be honest it's well below my personal threshold of 'bother'. Given the delay in fixing it, you can guess that the 0.4 degree tilt was only in the minor irritation category ;-)


I've also written a page with comparisons between my 1Ds and 1Ds3, along with my thoughts and impressions about using the 1Ds Mark 3 -- Main 1Ds3 info page
Also, for the avoidance of doubt - tilt or no tilt, this is the best camera I've ever regularly used!


Oh, just one last thing...

One other item appeared on the repair note.

'Replaced DC-DC converter. Tested all functions'

canon repairs

So, a new PCB inside... presumably some part that's been replaced/redesigned since the camera launch?


The views in this article represent those of Keith Cooper. Keith is always happy to discuss matters raised in his articles. You can Email Us Email Us
Northlight Images prides itself on its independence when giving advice. We do not sell hardware or software and have no direct commercial links with any of the software or hardware vendors that may be mentioned here. See our Review Policy for more information.

Explore our site... Digital Black and White photography and printing - some of Keiths thoughts, techniques and tips for those interested in a digital approach to black and white. We've lots of original Photography Articles and Photography Reviews on the site to help anyone interested in photography. New site content appears on the What's New page.

Thanks to the visitors who've made Amazon purchases (any kinds of items whatosever ) via these links:
Amazon UK / Amazon France / Amazon Germany / Amazon USA / Amazon Canada
It won't save extra money we're afraid, but it does help in the running of the site, and we really appreciate it...

Northlight Images is based in Leicester in the UK and supplies Commercial Photography services
Visiting Leicester or wondering where it is? We have views from the Leicester traffic cameras.