Mis-aligned focus point grid on Canon 5DMk3

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jradley

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John
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Hi,

I got my Canon 5D3 in February, but have only just discovered what I consider to possibly be an issue.....

The focus points grid does not appear to be perfectly aligned.

I only noticed this because last week I was on holiday at the seaside, and taking photos of the sea I was using the focus points to level the horizon, yet the photos appeared to be skewed. If I levelled the horizon with the camera's own electronic level indicator the shots were fine.

Having got back from holiday I have done some testing, using a clean straight line (piece of paper on a black background) and tripod, triggering the camera from the self timer so as not to move it in any way.

I now know categorically that the focus point grid is not quite level - it is 0.3 degrees skewed anti-clockwise. That may not sound like much, but is enough to bother me, particularly on landscape type photos where a level horizon is critical (to me).

Also, I am concerned that maybe the focus point indicators may not align exactly with where the actual focus points on the AF sensor are - that may or may not be an actual issue in the real world, it's hard to tell.

Just wondering if anyone has had a similar issue, and if you think it would warrant returning the camera for repair ? I have one concern that at the moment I have a perfectly working camera (apart from the focus grid mis-alignment) and after it's been messed with for repair it may not be so solid, or maybe they will simply return it as no fault found.

Any ideas/suggestions ?

Cheers,

John
 
I would send it back to Canon, its not a cheap bit of kit and should be perfect with something so vital for taking photo's :)
 
can I ask how you calculated .3? personly I would use the electronic level if you need to, that's what it is for . I would say the focus point indicators are just that- indicators not precise. for me that's not a fault I would send it back for
 
niko said:
can I ask how you calculated .3?
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Hi Niko,

Using my test shot of the piece of paper I loaded it into PhotoShop and had to rotate the image by 0.3 degrees to make the straight edge level across the photo.

I have just done another test, as I had forgotten I could enable a grid in the viewfinder... The grid is also mis-aligned by the same amount as the focus points. I don't know, but I guess both the grid and focus points use the same overlay screen, so it makes sense if one is skewed the other is too.

That's a real killer for me, as I think it makes sense to use the grid for aligning shots, even if using the focus points doesn't.

The camera will be going back, as I think the misalignemt should be considered out of spec.

Cheers,

John
 
jradley said:
Hi Niko,

Using my test shot of the piece of paper I loaded it into PhotoShop and had to rotate the image by 0.3 degrees to make the straight edge level across the photo.

I have just done another test, as I had forgotten I could enable a grid in the viewfinder... The grid is also mis-aligned by the same amount as the focus points. I don't know, but I guess both the grid and focus points use the same overlay screen, so it makes sense if one is skewed the other is too.

That's a real killer for me, as I think it makes sense to use the grid for aligning shots, even if using the focus points doesn't.

The camera will be going back, as I think the misalignemt should be considered out of spec.

Cheers,

John
Click to expand...
I agree with that the grid is useful get it sent back. I don't know what their tolerance is only one way to find out I guess.
I am presuming its the focus screen that's misplaced, its a shame they didn't make it user interchangeable on the mk111
 
I've spoken to Wex, where the camera was bought from. They're going to speak to Canon. I've suggested they ask what the tolerance is before telling them what I believe the mis-alignment is. I wonder if they even have a specified tolerance.

I agree that it is likely the focus screen, which although not user replaceable is probably not a big job for Canon.

Cheers,

John
 
jradley said:
I've spoken to Wex, where the camera was bought from. They're going to speak to Canon. I've suggested they ask what the tolerance is before telling them what I believe the mis-alignment is. I wonder if they even have a specified tolerance.

I agree that it is likely the focus screen, which although not user replaceable is probably not a big job for Canon.

Cheers,

John
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I suspect a dealer could do it with canons permission
 
An update...

There is good news and bad news.......

The good news is that Wex and Canon did a fantastic job in getting the camera in for service and back to me in just 8 days - really very impressive indeed.

The bad news is that Canon didn't actually fix the problem at all :rage:

On a positive note, Wex are arranging for collection of the camera once more and will lend me a used 5D3 until such time as Canon learn to distinguish their backside from their elbow. Top marks to them for that.

Cheers,

John
 
It's been a while, but this episode has now reached its conclusion so thought I'd post an update.....

The camera went back for a second repair. Whilst it was away Wex very kindly loaned me a used 5D3 for the duration (y)

My camera came back after about 2 weeks and seemingly had quite a lot done to it, including replacing the pentaprism and the lcd module which displays the grid and focus points.

Unfortunately, the problem still existed, only now the misalignment was in the other direction (n) :thumbsdow

After some discussion with Wex, they have taken back my camera and replaced it with a brand new 5D3. I have to say I am very pleased with their service - they really have been very good to me. I don't think legally they had to provide me with a loaner or indeed replace, they could have sent it for yet another repair.

I'm still in discussion with Canon as to what the tolerance is for the viewfinder grid. The only info I have so far is that there isn't one, but both the loaner and my new 5D3 have perfectly aligned grids, so I know they can get it right.

It may have taken a while, but overall I am very happy with the end result.

Cheers,

John
 
Send it back if that truly is the case, that is something you would expect to be accurate. Cameras are exactly that - precision instruments after all!
 
Well....I've been using a 5D3 for some time now. I use the viewfinder grid to set the camera level. As long as I've had it I've thought that the focus point grid was not 100% accurate. I'm convinced that it is a little bit out and I do have to use the levelling tool to correct this in PS.

My view is? So what? It's only a little bit and how the naked eye can accurately distinguish levels in a small viewfinder is beyond me. It may well be 0.3 degrees out. My hand/eye coordination is not good enough to be more accurate than that.

I've got over it and live with this major fault. Life's too short.
 
jradley said:
It's been a while, but this episode has now reached its conclusion so thought I'd post an update.....

The camera went back for a second repair. Whilst it was away Wex very kindly loaned me a used 5D3 for the duration (y)

My camera came back after about 2 weeks and seemingly had quite a lot done to it, including replacing the pentaprism and the lcd module which displays the grid and focus points.

Unfortunately, the problem still existed, only now the misalignment was in the other direction (n) :thumbsdow

After some discussion with Wex, they have taken back my camera and replaced it with a brand new 5D3. I have to say I am very pleased with their service - they really have been very good to me. I don't think legally they had to provide me with a loaner or indeed replace, they could have sent it for yet another repair.

I'm still in discussion with Canon as to what the tolerance is for the viewfinder grid. The only info I have so far is that there isn't one, but both the loaner and my new 5D3 have perfectly aligned grids, so I know they can get it right.

It may have taken a while, but overall I am very happy with the end result.

Cheers,

John
Click to expand...

Glad to read that you got this sorted out in the end.
 
thanks for the update, I find it a bit worrying canon could not fix it. and perhaps more worrying that they don't know what the tolerance should be. surly that should be on the blueprints and easily available.
 
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