14 DAY TRIAL // Canon yesterday announced the availability of a new firmware update for their professional EOS 1D Mark III DSLR.
Version 1.1.3 will increase the transmission speed with high-speed SD cards and will correct some Spanish and Korean menu screens. More importantly, it will fix the issue of not being able to release the shutter. Canon explains that, depending on the timing at which the AF-ON button and shutter release button are pressed, the shutter could not be released. Last, but certainly not least, it will improve AF tracking in specific conditions. Apparently, version v.1.1.3 will improve tracking of low-contrast subjects.
Since we're talking about software, the well-know AF tracking problem many pro photographers have complained about will not be solved by v.1.1.3. You will have to send the camera for repairs, free of charge of course, at a Canon service center.
Canon Europe issued on November 2nd an official statement in which they acknowledged the autofocus issue of the professional 1D Mark III DSLR. However, not all 1D Mark III units are affected by the AF issue. Canon mentions that only those with serial numbers from 501001 and 546561 might contain one of the AF mirrors with the adjustment problem.
As we reported in a previous article, there are four major problems with the autofocus module: initial acquirement of focus in a multi-frame burst, subject tracking, focus shifting when the subject isn't moving and extremely quick focus shifting with a moving subject.
The EOS 1D Mark III was announced in late February as a replacement for the EOS 1D Mark II N. The new model offers a 10.1MP CMOS sensor, a whopping 10fps burst speed, 2 DIGIC III processors, a Live View feature, Canon's new cleaning system and a new autofocus system with micro-adjustment and adjustable focus-tracking sensitivity.
Canon EOS-1D Mark III Firmware 1.1.3 can be downloaded from Softpedia here. Be sure to read the instructions before updating!