canon 5d mk111 light leak - DPChallenge Forums

04/20/2012 06:51:32 AM · #1

Looks like a canon recall.

The problem affects my camera - damn! basically in dark shooting conditions if you turn on the top lcd or shine a bright light on it to view - the resulting shutter speed or aperture values are affected. see this video

Devinder

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

04/24/2012 10:42:02 PM · #2

voluntary recall Mid may pickup by canon.

honestly, you likely wont be using a metering system in pitch black (lens cap off. Still i think i want a perfect ( minus 1 dead pixel that had to be mapped) 3500$ camera

scalvert

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

04/24/2012 11:48:34 PM · #3

Official Canon response: "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."

heavyj

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4

Panasonic Lumix 20mm f1.7 ASPH

04/25/2012 04:53:55 AM · #4

From what I've read, it's a non-issue for most. How often do you actually shoot with the top lcd light on? And when off, it will meter correctly IF the lcd is actually affecting the metering. I don't believe it affects the image quality. I talked with a Canon rep in Japan and he said that Canon is working on a firmware update that will allow for proper metering with affected cameras...although he couldn't say it in an official manner and couldn't give a date. They are in stock and selling here in Japan.

THAT SAID...I hate the idea of paying top dollar for a not-so-top-dollar body. One reason not to be the first in line for the new cameras. I hope you get your camera working the way you want Alex, there's no doubt that if I were in your position I'd want Canon taking the camera back and replacing it. Let us know how it goes!

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

04/25/2012 06:25:50 AM · #5

the way I see it is that anyone who shoots night landscapes(i do) will be affected. when i am in the dark I have my camera on tripod and use the top lcd check the exposure, adjust. i paid Â£3000 for this camera and it isnt right that something is broken on it. by the way Devinder it isnt anything to do with lens cap off. that a way to quickly show or test if you have the problem.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

04/25/2012 07:49:19 AM · #6

If I were affected (I'm not, and I don't plan on upgrading to the Mk III at this time) I would not pay one bit of attention to this. And I do shoot night landscapes. So why am I not concerned? I would never shoot with the top LCD on, period. If I use the top LCD to make an adjustment, it will certainly be off by the time I hit the shutter button. What's more, I don't use the metering system to check exposure in these instances anyhow. I do a test exposure, check histogram, adjust & confirm.
Now, I do understand that some may feel differently than I do; I'm just providing another perspective. No product is perfect. Ever.

04/25/2012 09:06:45 AM · #7

the thing is is that the top lcd, even if on for one second to check will show the wrong read out in the second it is on and therefore will be wrong even once turned off.

so even when off after you checked, the result of the exposure readings will be incorrect.

scalvert

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

04/25/2012 09:30:35 AM · #8

Originally posted by AlexSaberi:

so even when off after you checked, the result of the exposure readings will be incorrect.

Apparently the difference is trivial, and you'd know after one shot to make adjustments.

Mike

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Canon Mount

04/25/2012 09:39:09 AM · #9

would you just be able to meter the image, lock the exposure, THEN check the lcd?

also from what i am reading its possible this issue has plagued ALL canon bodies with the top lcd. i cant seem to confirm that.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

04/25/2012 10:20:17 AM · #10

Originally posted by mike_311:

also from what i am reading its possible this issue has plagued ALL canon bodies with the top lcd. i cant seem to confirm that.

I'd be wary of the some of the postings claiming that previous Canon bodies had the issue. I don't believe it affects my particular 5D, for instance, but I can't state that it does not affect at least some cameras of that model.
I not sure that a lot of the folks that are testing older bodies for this are in fact testing correctly.
In the end, I wouldn't be surprised if at least some older models were susceptible. It's *so* far off in a corner that in practice it should never be an issue at all.
My personal night landscape image acquisition technique:
1.) Set up camera, select aperture and rough focus (manually)
2.) Set ISO to 1600, set exposure based on "best guess" given the particular illumination situation
3.) Look at RGB histogram, adjust exposure and re-test. Repeat until exposure @ ISO 1600 is optimized. Final adjust focus, repeating exposures as required.
4.) Set ISO to desired value & adjust exposure time accordingly. This might be base ISO if I'm not worried about the exposure time getting long, or it might be higher if I want to limit star trailing while achieving a certain exposure level. So If I initially got 5 seconds @ ISO 1600 and I wanted ISO 100, I need +4 stops, so I'd be looking at 80 seconds @ ISO 100.

In the dark, it's *far* more accurate to work with the histogram than with the camera's meter. In fact, if I have the headroom I will often expose one or more stops over what my final image will look like, so why do I care about meter accuracy? I'm going to ignore it anyway. I would like to be pulling back exposure in RAW conversion, giving me a huge advantage in noise and shadow detail.

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

04/25/2012 10:43:46 AM · #11

hey fritz, you probably are right - i just feel a little annoyed about it. but your reasoning is making me feel a bit better! still pissed off though hahaha

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

04/25/2012 11:08:31 AM · #12

I do understand how you feel, Alex. It does seem to be a real *DOH!* moment for Canon. I'm sure that they will do the right thing.
IMO, it's on the whole a good thing that the internet enables users to raise awareness of a problem with a manufacturer. In fact, the 'net has given us clout we've never really had before.

Devinder