Here is the link directly to the relevent Canon announcement;
https://self-service.canon-europe.com/uk/pages/
Looking at the serial numbers, it's obvious that ALL of the 1DMkIII's are included.
Steve, nothing personal but I think something is wrong with the reading comprehension of a lot of people (especially on DPreview, where most of the whiners don't even have a Mark III).
As Canon states (emphasis added by me):"In the digital SLR camera, EOS-1D Mark III that was launched in May this year, Canon has found that
some cameras have an adjustment problem with the mirror for AF. The adjustment problem means
for the affected products that the focus is not stable or that the Auto Focus tracking is not right when using the AI servo continuous shooting under high temperatures in particular".
They continue with:"
Affected products: The products that
could have this problem can be identified as explained below. If the serial number on the bottom of the camera is between 501001 and 546561,
it could contain one of the AF mirrors with the adjustment problem".
I got one of the last ones just a few weeks back, number 54XXXX and even that one is included in the recall.
It's IMHO not a recall in the common sense of the word. There are people without any issues, and there are those with issues. Apparently, for some weeks already, Canon have been producing cameras with the adjusted mirror assembly and now are confident enough (after the results became available) to issue a formal service statement. The only uncertainty for recent buyers is whether the supply/stock pipeline, which was pretty empty due to demand, was flushed at the time of purchase.
Someone else I know got one that 10 days ago and it is 128 numbers inside the range, so I believe that every single 1DIII will be due for a call to Canon, even if the owners think they are fine. Better safe than sorry I suppose.
While I sympathize with current owners and I
do understand their uneasy feeling, most of the anxiety only exists 'between their ears'. What evidence is there that, "even if the owners think they are fine", they are not fine? That is not rational behavior, it's mass hysteria!
Let's keep the level of discussion at OPF well above that of DPreview (and that's not too difficult). IMHO, a much more constructive approach would be to devise a method to check whether one's unit is affected, or not.
My suggestion would be to first check focus accuracy on a flat surface, perpendicular to the optical axis.
1. Does the camera accurately and consistently/repeatedly focus (single shot focus) on a detailed subject such as a newspaper page? This can be used to check with a single focus sensor, or with multiple sensors. Just put the paper on the floor, and use a tripod to point straight down, and use a wide aperture (f/2.8 is best). One can make sure that the paper surface and focus plane are parallel, by using a mirror during setup (just center the reflection of the lens in the image). When the focus is accurate and doesn't hunt, you don't have a problem, and you are unlikely to have one in the future (according to Canon, which I'd agree has a credibility issue for now).
2. Repeat with shooting at a 45 degree (or so) angle, and using a single focus sensor. Do consider that anything covered by the focus sensor, which extends beyond the red symbol in the viewfinder, can be considered as focus point. How consistent is focus now? If it's consistent, you don't have a problem.
3. Repeat the above with AI focus, does it hunt? If it doesn't, you don't have a problem.
Vary your test conditions based on the amount of lighting, and temperature, and repeat the above. If focus is repeatedly accurate, you don't have a problem.
When you do have a problem, post a complaint with Canon because you'll have to wait for your turn and first come, first served. Serial numbers by themselves don't say a lot, because they are not necessarily issued sequentially.
You may also want to check for a date code in black ink in the battery compartment or behind the CF card door (where ever it's hidden on the Mark III). I suppose it is similarly formatted to the
lens codes.
Good luck and relax,
Bart