Canon 5D Mark 3 failure, only 9-months old

EmmaDurnford

EmmaDurnford

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I have always used Canon kit and last March invested in a Canon 5D Mark 3 however it failed big time on Christmas Eve. It is still under warranty as it is only 9-months old and on Canon's advice I took it into Fixation as they are a registered repairer (I have used them before and quite happy). There were a number of symptoms and the outcome was that Fixation have identified corrosion of the 'dial assembly' replacement of which will resolve the issues. HOWEVER they say that as it is corrosion it will NOT be covered by the warranty and I will have a bill of £179.54.

The Canon brochure promotes this camera as having weatherproof sealing which "protects your equipment in harsh environments and lets you keep shooting even when conditions get tough". I use Optech rain covers although on occasion the camera has got wet in the rain but certainly not soaked (no water immersion).

Considering the high cost of the camera body and the claims in the Canon promotional literature, I would:
A) Not have expected this to happen and;
B) Have expected the warranty to cover it in the unlikely event it did happen!

I have contacted Canon and they have asked me to send it to their Elstree office for a second opinion although they warn they do not cover corrosion. I have used Canon camera bodies for over 8 years and my previous Canon 50D and my old 400D never failed me and over the years have had much more exposure to weather than my 5D Mark 3 has ever had.

Anyone have any advice or experienced the same sort of thing?

Thanks in advance.
 
:thinking:
Don't get it wet, if your 50d & 400d never had any problems i would say you were lucky and only 1d series bodies offered any sort of weather protection.
Getting a caught out in a shower is a whole lot different than having enough water to cause ingress damage, weatherproof sealing does not mean waterproof.
 
Thanks Neil - think I've learnt that!!

However although obviously not waterproof which I would not expect, the literature promotes this camera as having weatherproof sealing which "protects your equipment in harsh environments and lets you keep shooting even when conditions get tough".

I would not expect that a few raindrops (not soaking) in Bushy Park would not cause this problem. I have since found a number of similar complaints across the internet. I am interested to learn if the corrosion is in one area only as if so, this would suggest the seals in this area were 'not fit for purpose' to coin a past Home Secretary's comments. Watch this space.
 
if youv'e found similar cases around the net of 5d3's suffering corrosion i would gather each case to back up your claim for the work to be done under warranty or at least to show you are not alone with the problem
 
i sent a faulty 550D off last year, canon uk rcc sent it to canon germany for repair,odd i know, they sometimes send compacts there as well, they then sent me a letter andphotos of water damage to the pcb,i think they wanted £250-300.

I complained to canon uk rcc, they got the 550D from germany, and said it hadn't got any water damage and repaired the fault.

Ive heard a lot of stories of places saying things have water damage these days, phones, cameras, its like its an easy get out to make people pay.
 
I'd suggest to Canon that the camera isn't fit for purpose as you'd expect a weather sealed camera to cope with rain splashes and being moved from a cold environment to a warm one (will also cause condensation)

If you have used several canon cameras over the years in the same manner and no such problem has occurred it again points to the canon 5d mk3 being defective if they have all been described as weather proof.

Just tell them as a long time canon user you will be selling up and buying Nikon if they don't repair the mk3 properly and sort out the deficient weather sealing!
 
Possibly seems to be a weakness with Canon's though, remember that blog about the trip to the Antarctic during which Canon 5DII's suffered more problems than anything else?

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/essays/antarctica-2009-worked.shtml

Should add that I've taken my Canon DSLR's out in all weathers and never had an issue. My 20D in particular went out in some extreme weather and once looked completely frozen but never missed a beat.
 
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Balb0wa said:
Ive heard a lot of stories of places saying things have water damage these days, phones, cameras, its like its an easy get out to make people pay.
Click to expand...


i think it might be done to encourage you to claim off your insurance
most insurance companies will pay out for water damage and i think these warranty places know it
 
Earlier this year I was up north in Scarborough in north yorkshire, I had been hired to get pictures of stormy seas (anyone who knows the stormy seas around that part of scarborough know how huge the waves are! Anyway I had setup my 7D with 70-200 F2.8L lens and was waiting for the waves to crash in so I could get the images, after about half an hour of doing so I had a decent amount of images however I failed to notice a massive rogue wave coming in… When the wave crashed into the wall myself and the camera were then covered in about 25-30ft of salty sea water :O I got an epic picture that was later used but I tell you it REALLY did put the weatherproofing to the test! With about 30-40 people witnessing what had just happened you would think someone would help… they didn't anyway went to the cafe across the road and borrowed a dry towel, dried everything off and got all moisture out everywhere I could, It still works to this day brilliantly and passed its service 3 weeks ago with a clean bill of health. The 7D is weatherproof to the same standard as the 5D MK3 (although the 1D series I am told has a few more protective features) So after my experience with a lot of seawater I'm very surprised that they have given the excuse of corrosion, I mean unless you have been swimming in acidic water I doubt you've put your camera through that bad a weather experience. I will put the image up later of the shot after the rogue wave for those interested..James
 
Another thing is, when they get these cameras, they have been sat in a freezing cold van, warehouse, as soon as you take them in to somewhere warm, condensation will form on it. And mr repair man thinks, ooooh water damage.
 
I have a 5D III and have read several stories on line about ingress of water in to this model via the upper control dial. Sorry, I did not save details to pass on to you.

Living in the UK I always carry an Optech rain sleeve which takes up hardly any space and costs pence compared to the price of your kit. Regardless of any claims made by camera manufacturers I would not dream of going anywhere near the sea, where I take many of my pictures, or anywhere near any other source of water without one to hand. My friends who use Nikon or whatever apply the same precautions.

The 'fit for purpose' arguement works well in the UK although you must remember that, certainly during the first 12 months your claim is with the retailer and not Canon. We have just successfully pursued a claim along these lines regarding a tablet PC. There is loads of stuff on the web paricularly through the Consumer Action Group. We also copied Trading standards in to our correspondence which may add a bit of clout.

Good luck

Gerry
 
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You're not the first to suffer; I know personally of one other person whose 5d stopped working as a result of moisture ingress and Canon did nothing about it. The 5d mk3's gaskets are foam and basically a token gesture towards weather sealing in my opinion.

It's about time we had proper 'IP' ratings on camera equipment to help the professional/consumer.
 
Does Not sound good,i must admit i would be very p*** of if it happened to my camera,are you going to see what Canon have to say ?
 
Surrey Sam said:
You're not the first to suffer; I know personally of one other person whose 5d stopped working as a result of moisture ingress and Canon did nothing about it. The 5d mk3's gaskets are foam and basically a token gesture towards weather sealing in my opinion.

It's about time we had proper 'IP' ratings on camera equipment to help the professional/consumer.
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Hum not foam on my 5d mk3 especially around the battery casing. Do you have a 5d mk3?

I've worn paint off mine, been out in all weathers and it's still working. My 50d shot sports throughout 4 years of all weather

I must say to the OP I think you've been unlucky. Hopefully you get it fixed ok. Perhaps house insurance will cover?
 
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canon stuff breaks, a lot of my canon gear has broken with only light to medium heavy use. its not strong stuff.
 
I’ve never had a problem when my 5D Mark II has been out in the rain. I’m surprised that the Mk3 is like that considering that it’s supposed to be more resistant than the Mk2.
 
Sounds like a typical slopey shoulders tactic to me. Orange UK did this to me, even sending pictures of a water damaged phone. I pointed out that the motherboard they had posted couldn't not be from my phone as it was a different model and the number on the board didn't match the one I had. Keep at it as most consumers would just roll over.
 
Emma, im wondering just how many times you got your camera wet. I posted in the main 5DMKIII about my issue with rain but that was a one off.
I totally agree with your comments about the camera but was wondering, does your camera get wet regularly? Im surprised about the corrosion but maybe i read your post wrong and this has been a gradual build up.
 
this is mine regularly, still good after 20 months - pretty colours

xfe4.jpg
 
jerry12953 said:
Could you make a claim against your insurance if it came to it?
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I would have thought that if it was damaged by it being accidentally dropped in a pond then, yes, a claim would be valid. However, if it had been damaged by being exposed to rain then I imagine the insurance company would say the damage was due to negligence.
 
Ive just remembered a comment someone made over on POTN when i posted about my rain issue.
Although the top dial does have a seal, if water is sitting around the dial and the dial is moved the seal is broken and this will allow water in.
Im not sure that this is relevant to this thread but it might shed a bit more light on why some dont have issues with getting the camera wet and others do. Ive not seen any proof of this but it kind of makes sense to me.

And of course condensation can cause corrosion, not just actual water.

Still a poor show though.
 
jonneymendoza said:
So in a nutshell don't change camera settings whilst in the rain!
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i'd say just be more careful. If there is a puddle around the dial gently wipe it first. I dont think the rain will leak in, but once the seal is broken thats when the damage could occur.

IMO of course.
 
Byker28i said:
Hum not foam on my 5d mk3 especially around the battery casing. Do you have a 5d mk3?
Click to expand...

No, I was considering one at the time of launch and was talking to a Canon CPS representative about the differences against my other consideration at the time - a 1d mk4 which I ended up buying.


The representative explained that the 5d mk3 was made using a mixture of high precision joins and high density seals; this was equivalent to the standard set by the EOS 1n. Whereas the 1d mk4 had 76 rubber seals throughout its construction.


5d mk3 - Green is the precision joins and red is the high density seals


Canon-Mark-III-Weather-Sealed.jpg




1d mk4 - Red is the rubber seals


Canon1dmkivWeatherSealing2.jpg


Canon1dmkivWeatherSealing.jpg
 
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I hate threads like this, it's so bloody boring comparing a camera over another judging on it's weather seals. I've used a 30D, 50D, 7D, 5D2, 5D3, 1D4 all in the pi55ing down rain completely soaked with no problems, not once did I think oh there's a pool of water I shouldn't turn the dial? ohh nooooo. It's a camera, it's meant to work outdoors

Will people stop being such a [Staff Edit: No need, even if the sentiment is right] and get outside and use your stuff. More and more today is over-emphasised on every little details that no-one in their right mind gives a flying hoot about.

Back to OP, yes yours is probably buggered and it's worth taking it up with the shop/canon uk as it is advertised as weather sealed and not fit for purpose (regardless however much technical knowledge you've read on some forum)
 
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I did read, I think on here, a post from someone who works in a university and they lend out Canon and Nikon cameras. The students apparently are not that careful with the equipment. There is a lot of damage but the Canon's are more prone than Nikon.

Try to get your money back and maybe one of these would suit you:coat:

See this link
 
Digital rev did a video on the 7ds durability and for it to literally be f***ed they had to burn it and set it on fire. Only then it did not work
 
buckas said:
I hate threads like this, it's so bloody boring comparing a camera over another judging on it's weather seals. I've used a 30D, 50D, 7D, 5D2, 5D3, 1D4 all in the pi55ing down rain completely soaked with no problems, not once did I think oh there's a pool of water I shouldn't turn the dial? ohh nooooo. It's a camera, it's meant to work outdoors

Will people stop being such a [Staff Edit: No need, even if the sentiment is right] and get outside and use your stuff. More and more today is over-emphasised on every little details that no-one in their right mind gives a flying hoot about.

Back to OP, yes yours is probably buggered and it's worth taking it up with the shop/canon uk as it is advertised as weather sealed and not fit for purpose (regardless however much technical knowledge you've read on some forum)
Click to expand...

So what are you saying! Those that have had isseus are lying? That we shouldnt care if our gear gets ruined?
Im not sure what your point is.
 
jonneymendoza said:
Digital rev did a video on the 7ds durability and for it to literally be That'sForNaughtyPeople!!ed they had to burn it and set it on fire. Only then it did not work
Click to expand...

My 7D gave way while I was in Sweden a couple of years back during the WRC,but my 5D II was as good as gold all week.
Yet I keep reading that the 7D's weather sealing is significantly better than the 5D II.
So go figure that one... :)
 
Kiss of death to mine probably but I used mine for hours in torrential downpour, sounds like yours is faulty and Canon should fix it under warranty.
 
Just to prove a point about how much water there was when the sea decided it would drench me and my 7D this was taken as the water was raining down at the time the wave crashed against the wall covering me and the 7D...
IMG_1962_zps1fb953e0.jpg
 
If it's 9 months old why on earth have you not gone back to the retailer?

I've had my 5d2 &5d3 out in the pi55ing rain at various events with no trouble, then again I don't use the top dial as the bodies are always set on manual, if I'm using a push pull lens then I also take care not to use the action too much if it's raining, plus a good cover and micro fibre mitt in my inner pocket for backup.

Just take it back to the retailer and save yourself the worry and necessity to ask questions on here as it will only wind you up even more.
 
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