5D Mark III Discoloration Issue

[Octarine]

More user mark=perceived as more used and worn=lower resale value.
Two cameras, both equally used. The "prettier" looking one will fetch better resale. Hard truth.
I know I will not buy a camera in this state, even if it was still in perfect operating condition, unless it was cheap. 99% of the population will think likewise. Actually, I will not buy a used camera this worn, even if it is cheap.

It's the sad psychological state of kiasu people. People who are able to look beyond marks will notice the superficial nature and treat it as such. Regarding the article: without seeing the camera or having any neutral assessment it's nothing but the complaining of a (likely) careless person. The structure of the marks is obvious and with so many copies of 5D3 sold we should see more issues coming up if this were a general problem.

 

[Zeisser]

Since owning the 5DMKIII I too felt that the material used to wrap the body seems abit
'rubbery' and not as good as the 5DC or 5D2. But one will have to be careful in handling
it albeit intense usage. I only can say for meself but for the pro-s whose daily usage
will certainly encounter such conditions.

 

[NewbieInCS]

My point was never about the age of the camera but people who put resale value before other things. You should seriously look into taking some of those advice you dish out.

Neither was my post about the age of the camera. Perhaps I wasn't clear enough.

My point was that I agree with your post that people who could put a typical camera to such a state will not care about resale value.

However, your reply,

I think I can safely say that when people use their cameras to that extent, resale value is not on their concern anymore.

suggests that you did not read the article in the link which says that the discolouration is suspected to be NOT from typical usage. Rather, the discolouration could have been because the cameras were built cheaper. That means, the camera MIGHT show such wear and tear even if it was lightly used.

Nobody buys a digital camera hoping that it will appreciate with age. However, nobody buys a camera in hope that it will look like it went through vietnam war even if it was carefully taken care of.

 

[NewbieInCS]

It's the sad psychological state of kiasu people. People who are able to look beyond marks will notice the superficial nature and treat it as such. Regarding the article: without seeing the camera or having any neutral assessment it's nothing but the complaining of a (likely) careless person. The structure of the marks is obvious and with so many copies of 5D3 sold we should see more issues coming up if this were a general problem.

yes, sad psychological state of consumers. Then again, everyone will have such problem in one area or another.

Just like if one were to buy a used car. Will you buy one with oil stains and leaks around the engine, plus many scratch marks and dents on the body? Or will you choose one that has a clean engine with almost perfect body condition, assuming they are the same price? Most will choose the latter. Yet, it really doesn't mean the latter is a less abused car, but it is perceived as better taken care of and will fetch better resale. It is also probably easier to look for a buyer for the cleaner car too. As an example, my previous car was in such great condition when I sold it that agent thought I was staying in a house with own garage. Engine was perfectly clean on the outside with zero oil stain or leak for a old car with only 7k mileage per annum. It was easy to let go at my preferred price because it was perceived to be in great condition. Yet, in reality, the car was actually taken to red line almost every day as my work ended late and traffic was clear. Rear suspension bushing was also worn. Front drive shaft was also on the way. Engine only stopped leaking because I changed the gasket. To put it in dslr term, this is like a camera with perfect exterior body condition and very low shutter count, but actually been through some rain storm, have an intermittently bad shutter button, and shutter blade sometimes cannot close fast enough at higher shutter speed...

I am sure the car would be hard to sell if it was in perfect operating condition but had engine oil leak, lots of lobangs on the doors and had higher mileage like 15k each year.

 

[Melanmo]

It is an example of cost cutting and inferior materials used in 5D Mk3 production. That means the 5D Mk2 was built with much better materials.

Clothing rub off the paint or body finish in a few months? This should not be tolerated.

Look at the finishing of the Zeiss Ikon Super Contarex.
The rich chrome does not wear off even after many decades of use.
They don't stinge on high quality materials in the past.

I don't think there is a difference in the material of construction between 5D2 and 5D3 as I noticed so far. Discoloration or peel off is possible in both cameras and all depends on how it was used. You may have a look at the YouTube clip where you can see similar peel off in 5D2. Please watch the footage at 8 minutes 20 seconds where you can notice it.

http://youtu.be/4W9EeDCaVFM

 

[netidolweb]

Saw this article online... anyone experiencing this with their Mark 3s after months of usage?

Strange Discoloration Makes One Canon 5D Mark III Look Very Used

Sharpie pen will fix this...