Canon Service Notice: The EF200 f/2L IS USM & EF800mm f/5.6L IS USM Lenses with the Canon EOS 5D Mark III DSLR Camera

Canon has just issued a Service Notice that makes 5D Mark III users aware of “abnormal noise” when using 2 specific Canon lenses but that the camera does not need to be repaired as a result:

To Users of the EF200mm f/2L IS USM and EF800mm f/5.6L IS USM Lenses with the Canon EOS 5D Mark III Digital SLR Camera.

Thank you for using Canon products.

We have confirmed that when the EF200mm f/2L IS USM and some units of the EF800mm f/5.6L IS USM lenses are used with the Canon EOS 5D Mark III Digital SLR Camera, the Lenses may emit an abnormal noise.

The Canon EOS 5D Mark III Digital SLR Camera does not need to be repaired as a result of this phenomenon.

The support measures for this phenomenon have been decided and they are as described below.

Phenomenon
If either of the Lenses is attached to the camera with the Image Stabilizer switch on the Lenses set to ON, the Image Stabilizer will synchronize with the autofocusing (AF) function and an abnormal noise may occur. This abnormal noise does not affect captured images.
This phenomenon only occurs when the camera is used with either of the Lenses, and does not occur when the camera is used with other lenses.

Affected Products
EF200mm f/2L IS USM Lens
EF800mm f/5.6L IS USM Lens

*This phenomenon does not occur with cameras other than the EOS 5D Mark III.

*If the fifth and sixth digit of the six-digit alphanumeric number that is imprinted on the lens mount of the above EF lenses is of any of the following numbers, the lens is affected.

EF200mm f/2L IS USM: If the fifth and sixth digit is 00, 01, or 02.
EF800mm f/5.6L IS USM:If the fifth and sixth digit is 00, 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, or 06.

How to Identify Affected Products:
Please check the six-digit alphanumeric number as indicated in the image below.


Support
The Canon Lenses affected by this phenomenon will be inspected and repaired free of charge starting from May 21, 2012.  If you own one of the affected lenses, please contact our Customer Support Center.

This information is for residents of the United States and Puerto Rico only. If you do not reside in the USA or Puerto Rico, please contact the Canon Customer Support Center in your region.

Thank you,
Customer Support Operations
Canon U.S.A., Inc

Contact Information for Inquiries

Canon Customer Support Center

Phone:

1-800-OK-CANON

1-800-652-2666

TDD:

1-866-251-3752

Email:

carecenter@cits.canon.com

For additional support options: www.usa.canon.com/support

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Canon EOS 5D Mark II & EOS 7D DSLR Cameras of Choice for Stunts / Action Work on Set of “Marvel’s The Avengers”

1920 x 1080 HD Recording And 24p Frame Rate Enable Gripping Point-Of-View Shots for Theatrical Filmmaking

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., May 9, 2012 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, is proud to announce that its EOS 5D Mark II and 7D Digital SLR cameras have been used on the set of Marvel’s latest movie, “Marvel’s The Avengers,” to capture thrilling point-of-view (POV) action shots that can be seamlessly intercut with footage from the film’s principal 35mm and digital cinematography cameras to heighten the film’s visual impact. “Marvel’s The Avengers” shows an epic confrontation between nightmarish super villains attacking the Earth and the super-heroic team of Iron Man, Captain America, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Hawkeye, and Black Widow. Directed by Joss Whedon, the film is the latest and most extraordinary Marvel Studios Super Hero movie to date.

With intense action and visual effects captured by the Canon cameras, “Marvel’s The Avengers” required close-quarter action work with unrepeatable stunts. “The 5D Mark II and the 7D digital SLR cameras produce excellent, cinema-worthy images. They are great for shooting additional angles that give film editors more options for creating powerfully immersive and kaleidoscopic views of action scenes,” explained the film’s cinematographer, Seamus McGarvey.

Creative stunt cam rig utilizing a modified gear case mounted to a c-stand

On the set of “Marvel’s The Avengers,” McGarvey and his crew used five Canon 5D Mark II cameras and two 7D models. Using multiple cameras limited the need to re-shoot complex action scenes, and the affordability and compact size of the cameras enabled the crew to obtain ample coverage by strategically angling them from various vantage points throughout the set. “The cameras’ small size was a major advantage to us. We were able to place them in tight locations that were really close to the big stunts, which would be too risky to do with bigger cameras that would require an operator and two assistants,” McGarvey said. He was able to slide one of the Canon cameras into a sewer grating, while placing another under a pile of debris for a key shot of a car hurtling toward the lens, flipping through the air on fire.

“We are thrilled that the EOS 5D Mark II and 7D Digital SLR cameras were called to action on the set of ‘Marvel’s The Avengers.’ We designed these cameras with versatility and flexibility in mind, and their ability to record beautiful 1920 x 1080 HD video, coupled with their compact size, make them an ideal fit for filmmakers looking to capture tight action shots,” stated Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies and Communications Group, Canon U.S.A.

Compact, lightweight, and compatible with Canon’s wide selection of EF Series lenses, the Canon 5D Mark II and EOS 7D digital SLR cameras are equipped with large Canon CMOS sensors and Canon DIGIC 4 image processors that enable them to record exceptional full 1920 x 1080 HD video at the user-selectable frame rate of 24p (23.976 fps), which is the standard for today’s high-end filmmaking. Additionally, the cameras’ low-light capabilities were of major importance on the set of “Marvel’s the Avengers,” as many of the film’s scenes were shot at night.

About the Movie

Marvel Studios presents “Marvel’s The Avengers”-the Super Hero team up of a lifetime, featuring iconic Marvel Super Heroes Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow. When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, Director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins.

Starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner and Tom Hiddleston, with Stellan Skarsg†rd and Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, directed by Joss Whedon, from a story by Zak Penn and Joss Whedon with screenplay by Joss Whedon, “Marvel’s The Avengers” is based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series “The Avengers,” first published in 1963 and a comics institution ever since. Prepare yourself for an exciting event movie, packed with action and spectacular special effects, when “Marvel’s The Avengers” assemble in summer 2012.

“Marvel’s The Avengers” is presented by Marvel Studios in association with Paramount Pictures. The film is being produced by Marvel Studios’ President Kevin Feige and executive produced by Alan Fine, Jon Favreau, Stan Lee, Louis D’Esposito, Patricia Whitcher, Victoria Alonso and Jeremy Latcham. The film releases May 4, 2012, and is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

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All referenced product names, and other marks, are trademarks of their respective owners.

Availability and specifications of all products are subject to change without notice.

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Video: Teenie Weenie Grip Gear – PART 4: Ultimate Camera Car Mount Timelapse & Reference

In the final installment of our four part series on Teenie Weenie Grip Gear and how to utilize it in the best way to engineer a solid, steady car mount, Stan and Nick go all out constructing a monster rig on the front of the car for a shot of the car’s emblem and license plate.  Though most car mount applications require less complex configurations than this, we thought it would be fun to just go nuts and see how far we could take 3/8″ Teenie Weenie Grip Gear. At the end of this timelapse is an on-screen reference of the various pieces of Teenie Weenie grip gear with part numbers so you can easily find and purchase them a la carte from Filmtools to build your own custom creation.

Also see: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3

About Teenie Weenie

In the past, the film industry standard, as far as rigging goes, has often been 5/8″ piping and numerous connectors and accessories that work with it. But as filmmaking equipment has gotten gradually smaller – the cameras, the lights, etc – we now have the ability to use light weight aluminum rods.

This is where Teenie Weenie Grip Gear comes in. A treasure trove of modular pieces, all designed to interact with the 3/8″ standard. There are mini grip heads, rods, receivers, and adapters, both threaded and non-threaded. The threads are 3/8″-16, same as the larger of the two industry standard tripod thread sizes.

Get all of your Filmtools Teenie Weenie Grip Gear here

Subscribe to our YouTube channel & Vimeo Channel, become a fan on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, to stay up to date on all Filmtools news!

Make sure to check us out online at www.Filmtools.com or stop by our brick and mortar location in Burbank, CA for all of your expendables and film equipment needs!

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Video: Teenie Weenie Grip Gear – PART 3: Building a Hostess Tray Car Mount

The third installment in a four part series from Filmtools on Teenie Weenie Grip Gear and how to utilize it in the best way to engineer a solid, steady car mount. Part three covers the fundamentals of building a Hostess Tray Mount and triangulating the camera for a shot free of harmonic vibration. Stay tuned for our fourth video covering a large, custom creation and part numbers so you can build your own rig by purchasing 3/8″ Teenie Weenie Grip Gear a la carte.

About Teenie Weenie

In the past, the film industry standard, as far as rigging goes, has often been 5/8″ piping and numerous connectors and accessories that work with it. But as filmmaking equipment has gotten gradually smaller – the cameras, the lights, etc – we now have the ability to use light weight aluminum rods.

This is where Teenie Weenie Grip Gear comes in.  A treasure trove of modular pieces, all designed to interact with the 3/8″ standard. There are mini grip heads, rods, receivers, and adapters, both threaded and non-threaded. The threads are 3/8″-16, same as the larger of the two industry standard tripod thread sizes.

Get all of your Filmtools Teenie Weenie Grip Gear here

Subscribe to our YouTube channel & Vimeo Channel,  become a fan on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, to stay up to date on all Filmtools news!

Make sure to check us out online at www.Filmtools.com or stop by our brick and mortar location in Burbank, CA for all of your expendables and film equipment needs!

Posted in Camera Department, camera mounts, Filmmaking Products, Hands-On, How-To, iPhone, Video | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Video: Teenie Weenie Grip Gear – PART 2: Building a Hood Mount

The second installment in a four part series from Filmtools on Teenie Weenie Grip Gear and how to utilize it in the best way to engineer a solid, steady car mount. Part two covers the fundamentals of building a Hood Mount and triangulating the camera for a shot free of harmonic vibration. Stay tuned for features on how to build a hostess tray, basics of teenie weenie gear and more!

About Teenie Weenie

In the past, the film industry standard, as far as rigging goes, has often been 5/8″ piping and numerous connectors and accessories that work with it. But as filmmaking equipment has gotten gradually smaller – the cameras, the lights, etc – we now have the ability to use light weight aluminum rods.

This is where Teenie Weenie Grip Gear comes in.  A treasure trove of modular pieces, all designed to interact with the 3/8″ standard. There are mini grip heads, rods, receivers, and adapters, both threaded and non-threaded. The threads are 3/8″-16, same as the larger of the two industry standard tripod thread sizes.

Get all of your Filmtools Teenie Weenie Grip Gear here

Subscribe to our YouTube channel & Vimeo Channel,  become a fan on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, to stay up to date on all Filmtools news!

Make sure to check us out online at www.Filmtools.com or stop by our brick and mortar location in Burbank, CA for all of your expendables and film equipment needs!

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Video: Teenie Weenie Grip Gear – PART 1: Components to Build Your Rig

It’s Teenie Weenie Grip Gear Week! In this video (Part 1 of 4), Filmtools President, Stan McClain, gives us a basic introduction to Filmtools’ own brand of 3/8″ grip rigging gear called “Teenie Weenie”.  Tomorrow we’ll be launching PART 2: Building A Hood Mount, and stay tuned all week as we’re covering a variety of Teenie Weenie car mount rigging options.

About Teenie Weenie

In the past, the film industry standard, as far as rigging goes, has often been 5/8″ piping and numerous connectors and accessories that work with it. But as filmmaking equipment has gotten gradually smaller – the cameras, the lights, etc – we now have the ability to use light weight aluminum rods.

This is where Teenie Weenie Grip Gear comes in.  A treasure trove of modular pieces, all designed to interact with the 3/8″ standard. There are mini grip heads, rods, receivers, and adapters, both threaded and non-threaded. The threads are 3/8″-16, same as the larger of the two industry standard tripod thread sizes.

Get all of your Filmtools Teenie Weenie Grip Gear here

Subscribe to our YouTube channel, become a fan on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, to stay up to date on all Filmtools news!

Make sure to check us out online at www.Filmtools.com or stop by our brick and mortar location in Burbank, CA for all of your expendables and film equipment needs!

Posted in Camera Department, camera mounts, Filmmaking Products, Hands-On, How-To, iPhone, Lighting, Reviews, Video | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment