Hi All

I read in many places that Canon EOS 3 camera had an underexposing problem in the beginning when it got introduced to the market. Then later some where I could find out that Canon came up with a software patch for this problem. I also found that this problem still persists with slow lenses and people using fast lenses (especially those L series) never had this problem at all. I understand that this Camera was released in Late 98. And those produced in first few batches were having this problem and got rectified in later batches, it seems. Read a lot about Canon not accepting this problem. What is the real fact? Can I get a suggestion from the real user of this Camera who has both slow and fast lenses?

Another problem that I was told about this camera is that it did not like 550EX, and I heard that some one had to correct their meter with Canon service. But Canon suggests 550EX for this camera. I have a 420EX which I am using with my current camera. I know that this is compatible with EOS3. I do not use any kind of wireless flash features for time being. Apart from that what are the other features that I miss out if I use 420EX in EOS3 instead of 550EX?

Thanks in Advance George

-- George Mathew (george_mathew2k@yahoo.com), January 14, 2002

Answers

what are the other features that I miss out if I use 420EX in EOS3 instead of 550EX? see my web page for a comparison: http://www.kjsl.com/~dave/speedlites.html

-- Dave Herzstein (dherzstein@juno.com), January 14, 2002.

i have used my EOS 3 with L and non L lenses, with slow zooms and fast zooms, with fixed lenses, etc...i have also used a 550EX for every flash shot I have ever taken on this camera...

The only thing that has ever underexposed has been my judgment in metering the scene. The camera and flash have worked flawlessly and the exposures have been right on.

-- Roger S. (rashrader@hotmail.com), January 14, 2002.

No underexposure problems on my EOS 3, alone or with 550 speedlight. I use fast lenses and shoot all sorts of things in a variety of conditions and have never had a problem with exposure.

-- Preston Merchant (merchant@speakeasy.org), January 14, 2002.

My EOS 3 was made early in 2000 all has no exposure problems. I mainly shoot chromes and use 3 L series lenses with consistent and excellent exposures.

I heard some late 1998 batches had problems at EV 6 or lower. Canon flashed the ROM for free if you brought it in.

-- Puppy Face (doggieface@aol.com), January 14, 2002.

how would one know if a used eos 3 has had this problem fixed?

-- Jeff Nakayama (moonduck22@hotmail.com), January 14, 2002.

First, you would need to check the production date. If the EOS 3 was made after the production date when Canon switched to the new software version, there should be no problem. I think that it was the first 200 bodies that had this problem. If the camera was made prior to the production date, you would need to see which software version is on the camera. All of the information for production numbers and how to read them is somewhere on the internet...I am just feeling to lazy to find them.

-- Roger S. (rashrader@hotmail.com), January 14, 2002.

Here is the manufacture date after which all EOS 3 cameras come with the newer firmware 1.6 (or higher): ON 03 08. The production date can be found in the film chamber.

-- Roger S. (rashrader@hotmail.com), January 14, 2002.

Everything Roger S. says in his first post is also true about my experience with this gear. I bought my EOS 3 late in 1999, and my 550EXs much later - I have been very impressed with the performance of each. Lenses used: Sigma 28-300 (didn't like that lens at all, but the camera did fine), 50mm 1.4, 100mm 2.0, 200mm 2.8L.

-- Derrick Morin (dmorin@oasisol.com), January 14, 2002.

yes, but how would you know if the camera was a bad one that had been upgraded? do they mark it somehow?

-- Jeff Nakayama (moonduck22@hotmail.com), January 14, 2002.

"If the camera was made prior to the production date, you would need to see which software version is on the camera."

-- Roger S. (rashrader@hotmail.com), January 14, 2002.

how would you "see" which software version is in the camera?

-- Jeff Nakayama (moonduck22@hotmail.com), January 15, 2002.

Jeff asks, "how would you "see" which software version is in the camera?"

You take it to a Canon service center and they place a do-dad on the flash shoe to read the software version. They can flash the ROM with the upgrade, download info about shutter cycles, etc. I saw the flash shoe reader at a Canon Days here in Honolulu (they were doing free cleaning and checkups).

-- Puppy Face (doggieface@aol.com), January 15, 2002.

thanks P. Face. finnally someone who understands me!

-- Jeff Nakayama (moonduck22@hotmail.com), January 15, 2002.

Hi All

Thank you all for your responses. I got the answer what I was looking for. I have to make sure that the product is made very recently and not from any of the beginning batches. I doubt I can find such an old camera in any of the shops, unless untill I go and buy a used one.

One question still there unanswered, that is about using 420EX with EOS3 instead of 550EX. Please some one repond on this.

Thanks in advance

-- George Mathew (george_mathew2k@yahoo.com), January 15, 2002.

Sorry Jeff, I understood you, but I did not realize that you did not understand me. Peace...

-- Roger S. (rashrader@hotmail.com), January 15, 2002.

You are correct; the 420EX is fully compatable with the EOS 3. I have used the 420EX and 550EX, and the differences that come to mind are: 420EX has less power, no wireless Master capability, no diffuser for 17mm lens, smaller/lighter, no nifty little read-out that gives the effective flash range, no FEC, and I don't think it has a manual zoom (the flash 'reads' the lens and zooms accordingly). I think there are other differences - perhaps someone else can fill them in. What's good about it: can be used as a wireless slave if you buy the 550EX or ST-E2 transmitter, full tilt/swivel for bounce or indirect flash just like the 550EX, smaller/lighter (easier to pack), power output is pretty good - really depends on what you want to do with it, much more affordable than the 550EX - especially if you already have one! I don't remember if the 420EX will give you a modeling flash with the DOF button - maybe someone elas knows. I like them both for what they are, but only use the 420EX as a slave, the 550EX stays on the camera.

-- Derrick Morin (dmorin@oasisol.com), January 15, 2002.