I can say proudly that the first of my two mk3 bodies that I tried out at a wedding two weeks ago, does not suffer from the soft LCD images that some have reported on the various forums. The display was quite sharp.  I know because I had lots of opportunity to study it closely during the wedding reception …

Yup.  Within about 200 frames into that first shoot with this fresh-out-of-the-box camera, it died on me with chronic error 99 lock-ups.  The camera would lock up on every alternate time the shutter was tripped.

To Canon USA’s credit, they repaired the camera in a super-fast turn-around time of 24 hours.

Other than that, I absolutely love this camera. No, seriously.  It is a fantastic machine.

I had an email enquiry asking how easy it is to fix a hotshoe that is loose on a Canon 1D series camera.

Somehow the 4 little screws that hold the hotshoe to the camera body can wriggle loose over time, causing the flashgun to wobble.  This can even lead to poor contact between the flashgun and the camera.

Fortunately, it’s a very easy fix.  All you need is a set of jeweller’s screwdrivers.
This image should explain it all … 

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Since the 580EX has a plastic foot, it is very easy to snap it off in the camera’s hotshoe.
The repair is simple, and the cost of the part from Canon’s Service Center.
The part nr is: CY2-1227-000

This is typical of the damage sustained …

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With my Nikons I use the Nikon SD-8A battery pack, and simply fold the flap of the battery pack’s pouch, over my camera strap. I use NiMH rechargables with these.

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With my Canons I use the Canon CP-E4 battery pack, and I clip this onto the camera strap as well. Alternately, with the flash bracket that I use, I can screw the battery pack onto the vertical stem of the flash bracket. I also use NiMH rechargables with these battery packs.

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If I want more juice than that, or need to fire the strobe faster than those battery packs can deliver, I use the Quantum 2×2 Turbo battery pack clipped onto my belt.  Check this page for details about the specific connector cable for either the Nikon or the Canon speedlights.

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The advantage of the Nikon SD-8A and Canon CP-E3 over the Turbo, is that by clipping the much lighter battery pack to the camera strap, it leaves the camera bodies independent of me. That makes the cameras easier to set down, or switch them to the other shoulder.

Another advantage over the smaller battery packs by Nikon and Canon, is that they won’t damage your speedlight when you rapidly fire your flash.  The Quantum has the potential of doing that if you’re not careful.