OK, so here’s the score... I have a semi-dead Canon 1D MkIII sitting around the studio - I want to have some fun with it... So what should I do to it?
THE HISTORY...
I have this 1D MkIII that got a scratch on the sensor when I cleaning it with a Delkin cleaning kit. They say I used it incorrectly and decided not to take any responsibility - bless them. Given that the cover and filter over the sensor on the 1D MkIII is actually bonded to the sensor and the accompanying logic board - You can only get a replacement as a job lot. This is roughly half the cost of the camera again to have done.
From a professionals point of view, where this piece of kit is my bread winner. This renders the camera an instant write-off. Time with Canon to repair is about three to four weeks. So in rental terms for a replacement body to keep on winning that bread, we are already at about £2000 - Slap on the £1200 to get it fixed and the insurance peeps are simply going to say forget it... Get a new one.
[ It’s pretty much the same in dollars & Euros these days, so not really worth converting it ]
So one lesson I would like to share is that if you are going to get down in that space and have a go at cleaning your 1D’s sensor: One, make sure you have backup and two, make sure that the product you are using has a cover policy for damage that’s worth the paper it’s written on.
Anyways... Now I have got that off my chest - Here is my question.
“What shall/can I do to pimp my 1D MkIII?”
I am open to ideas - strange, mad and foolish. It can still be used up to f4 just fine really. But beyond that it’s useless and most definitely no good for use as a work tool. So here I have an opportunity to really have a play with it. Pimp it up, convert it, whatever...
So give me your ideas - There are bound to be more unfortunate snappers out there that go through this - So if we can give them something to search for in terms of ideas, it’ll possibly help them out too.
There is of course the obvious ‘convert it to IR’ - and I may very do that - But I’d love to know if there are any other things I can do with it to give it a second lease of life, rather than just slapping it on eBay and letting some techy buy it, restore it and then just sell it on.
Updates, news and ideas I have been given after the jump...
[UPDATE] 1255 Fri 19th Feb
This is the result of Hasselblad, in their conservative way doing a little pimping a while back. We love this camera and the images it takes are simply stunning!
I actually wouldn't mind trying to make it match - What do you think?
Here's a quick and dirty visualization of it...
And I really do mean quick and dirty... If you can do a better job and want to show off some photoshop skills, feel free to have a go and email your attempt.
It's so nice to have you do all of the research for us. It makes our decision making so much easier!! Thanks.
Posted by: MBT Sandals | July 16, 2011 at 01:09 PM