Need advice - Canon 1D M3 "blue dot" version

<p>Someone has offered me a really good deal on a 1D Mk3 'blue dot' version and I'm tempted but still confused about what exactly that means. Are these cameras sent back to Canon to correct auto focus issues or newer versions recently off the Canon production line. Can someone clarify.<br>

Thanks!</p>

<p>Never heard of a "Blue Dot" line...is it a scam?</p>

<p>Canon Blue Dot are Mk3 that have been 'fixed' by Canon to correct the focus issue:<br>

http://www.slashgear.com/robs-update-on-the-blue-dot-eos-1d-mark-iii-autofocus-issue-108953/</p>

<p>Canon has marked different batches of 1D3, and 1Ds3, bodies with a different dot color (on the box) depending on the stage of the "AF debacle" in which the camera was released. My first pair of 1D3 had no dots but the second pair had a yellow dot and the third pair a blue dot (making the "blue dot" bodies released later and thus - most likely - having more fixes applied.) FWIW my personal 1Ds3 was marked with the green dot.<br>

Really, the color of the dot is not very important but what repairs/adjustments were performed on the body is. You may want to inquire the seller and/or contact Canon support. In any event, since the 1D3 bodies were practically recalled by Canon because of the issues with AF, Canon Service should fix any remaining AF issues free of charge. Again, you may want to contact Canon Service.</p>

<p>Michael, the seller tells me that it's the blue dot version and he has the official documentation from Canon. I'm really not sure what that means.</p>

<p>Steve,</p>

<p>Don't sweat it too much. If you read too many reports you will find any combination of pre blue dot, blue dot, yellow dot, green dot etc never having had issues or always having issues. Besides unscrupulous vendors don't have too much difficulty getting blue, yellow and green dot stickers!</p>

<p>I would not buy a 1D MkIII or a 1Ds MkIII without a money back period or a good pre purchase test. Some cameras work perfectly (I have no complaints about focus on my 1Ds MkIII) some do have issues there is no doubt. They do take a little setting up but it is not rocket science, in factory settings (reset all custom functions) then it should hold good tracking focus, if it doesn't don't buy it. If they won't let you test it, don't buy it. If you can't put the money in Escrow or get a money back guarantee, in writing, don't buy it. </p>

<p>The 1D MkIII is not a classic camera and the second hand market will work out their value very quickly next year when masses of them are dumped by unhappy owners and those that want/need the video of the 1D MkIV. I suspect that they will level out surprisingly low for a 1 Series camera.</p>

<p>Blue dot= fixes to AF applied before shippment. Sometimes there are also two small white dots inside the battery compartment if the camera's serial number falls within the affected range and the AF has been applied. Ask the seller what documentation from Canon he's got, most likely it will be a service ticket. Get the serial number and call Canon to check whether the camera's serial number falls into the affected range.<br>

As an aside: 1D3 is a wonderful, complex and complicated to use camera that got a lot of bad rap on the internet by constant reposting and rehashing of the relatively few initial reports about its AF perfomance in pretty extreme situations. Most users have never experienced any AF issues with 1D3 and a lot of whining on the internet comes from very suspect sources. I wouldn't expect price to go really low for used 1D3 in good cosmetic and mechanical/electrical condition because a lot of these cameras were literally driven into the ground by heavy professional use and most "nice looking" specimens come from the relatively small number of semi-pro/amateur/hobbyst users of 1D3. The replacement (1D4) is priced at $5K in the US, BTW, which may give a long pause to many non-pro users...</p>

<p>Scott, good advice, thanks for your input.</p>

<p>Thanks Steve you are very welcome.</p>

<p>Michael, with limited numbers of the Mk III currently on the market even good condition ones fail to make much over $2,000 http://cgi.ebay.com/Canon-EOS-1D-Mark-Mk-III-guarantee-FREE-SHIP_W0QQitemZ200396666225QQcmdZViewItemQQptZDigital_Cameras?hash=item2ea8927571 when more come on the market that figure will drop, it can't not drop, supply and demand etc. The Mk IV might list at $5,000 now but when the first people get them and the initial rush drops off the price of all this stuff usually eases. I wouldn't put any investment money into speculating the 1D MkIII values will hold. I intent to pick one up next year as a backup for my FF and also for the higher fps over my current crop camera. I think the MkIII will represent superb value for money.</p>

<p>Take care, Scott.</p>

<p>I'd buy a 1D3 if - and only if -

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The camera had had all the fixes and the seller has documentation for that. IIANM there were 3 fixes. <a href="http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=PgComSmModDisplayAct&fcategoryid=139&modelid=14999&keycode=2112&id=39707">First</a> and <a href="http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=PgComSmModDisplayAct&fcategoryid=215&modelid=13390&keycode=2112&id=40411">second</a> were relating to the AF assembly and the third was related to <a href="http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=PgComSmModDisplayAct&fcategoryid=215&modelid=13390&keycode=2112&id=57853">o</a><a href="http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=PgComSmModDisplayAct&fcategoryid=215&modelid=13390&keycode=2112&id=57853">il spots on LPF Surface</a><em>.</em> If the camera is a blue dot then the first fix was done in the factory before shipment and you only need to see documentation for the last two.

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Either the seller is a reputable one and has a reasonable return policy or I'd test it myself.

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<p dir="ltr">Happy shooting,</p>

<p dir="ltr">Yakim.</p>

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<p>Yakim,</p>

<p>That is the kind of complete over reaction that will make the value of these very good cameras artificially low. My camera went in for the oil spots, and all other fixes, it has been OK'd by Canon four times, not very effectively on any occasion it would seem. It still has oil spots, it does not affect picture quality. Indeed none of the recalls have changed the image quality or the cameras abilities.</p>

<p>Most of the cameras affected by recalls did not have issues. Many cameras that have never been back to Canon are fine.</p>

<p>The only way to buy a 1D/1Ds MkIII is to use it first or get a money back warranty, if that body works for you then get it, if you don't have the confidence to give it a good work out or realise if there are issues with it very quickly then it might not be the best camera for you anyway, or, get a friend or local camera shop to give you a hand. They are no more complex to set up than the 7D and you don't need a degree to do that.</p>

<p>Paperwork on these things proves very little, there are some lemons out there that will just not work well however many times they go back to Canon, but very few, there are some cameras that fall in the numbers that have never been "fixed" because their owners never noticed that they needed it, mainly because their cameras didn't need adjustments. It really is no different to buying a car with a reputation, give it a good test drive, get your mechanic to look at it, if you are both happy then get it.</p>

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<p dir="ltr">You call it over reaction. I call it cautiousness. Specifically with the 1D3 I think extreme cautiousness is needed. YMMV of course....</p>

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<p dir="ltr">Happy shooting,</p>

<p dir="ltr">Yakim.</p>

 

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<p>Yakim,</p>

<p>I agree that caution is needed, what I also said was all the paperwork in the world does not mean you will get a good camera. The only way to work out if a particular body will work for you is to use it. If it works get it, but don't get it if you can't use it, even if it has had every update ever and the paperwork to support it. Multiple trips to Canon do not a good 1D MkIII make, however, many many more bodies have never been in and are perfect.</p>

<p>Testing and/or money back guarantees are the only way to protect yourself, not paperwork.</p>

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<p dir="ltr">Absolutely. That's exactly why I wrote point #2.</p>

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<p dir="ltr">Happy shooting,</p>

<p dir="ltr">Yakim.</p>

 

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<p>No Yakim our positions are quite different, you state you would only get one if and only if you saw documentation for at least two recalls, I, as a 1Ds MkIII owner, am saying don't worry about the paperwork it does not tell you anything useful. Just test the camera to your satisfaction or get a money back warranty. Truth is testing it prior to buying is the only certain way to avoid any potential issues and dissatisfaction.</p>

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<p dir="ltr">Well, to each his own I guess. Let the OP decide which way is best for him.</p>

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<p dir="ltr">Happy shooting,</p>

<p dir="ltr">Yakim.</p>

 

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