Firmware v1.1.0 new features/changes:

1. Supports WiFi adapter W-E1.
2. Adds a setting to enable or disable automatic storage of the lens, if it is extended out when a gear-driven STM lens is attached, and the power switch is turned to OFF.

Download the latest Canon EOS 7D Mark II firmware.

PDN found a problem with the Nikon D4 and D800 while testing these. It seems that there are situations where the camera will lock up when the camera is used with either Highlights or histogram display.

Simply disabling these features will avoid this ugly lock-up (even if it is easy to restore normal operation by removal of the battery for a couple of seconds).

Nikon is looking for a correction. Most probably a firmware upgrade.

This is starting to look like a bring refrain, in these recent weeks: The most recent photo cameras seem to have been launched before all the bugs could be detected and wiped out. As a simple reminder, I would list the following cases:

• The Canon EOS 5D MkIII files are not handled perfectly well in DPP v3.11.10 (the exact nature of the issue is not clear: Something to do with the details and micro-contrast in digital noise management).
• FStoppers seems to have found a light leaks or an exposure algorithm sensitivity to charge conditions of the battery of the Canon EOS 5D MkIII.
• Sometimes, the Nikon D800 does not switch itself OFF.

Canon and Nikon will certainly update soon either the camera firmware or the picture software program. But this is confirming once again that we no longer purchase photo cameras in the most traditional sense (marvelously fine-tuned mechanical systems) but computers (with all its software and… bugs).

We could well ask ourselves if we are not on the verge of waiting several weeks (or months?) before reviewing or even purchasing a new camera. We already knew that a camera firmware could exist as pre-production version (some preliminary tests and reviews are grossly wrong because of this) and that some brands (Sony, for the A77 and the A700?) sometimes take several months before producing a firmware worth describing as final.

Dear camera manufacturers, be more cautious: You will soon see customers become much less faithful, much more troubled. Your brand value could erode quickly if you do not stay faithful to the image the photographic industry had all along the XXth Century. This image could be lost easily…

• Improved response times (no more “processing” message while waiting for display of pictures, faster power-off, faster dial response times)
• Shading and aberration compensation now available on the following lenses:
  • SAL-24F20Z (Carl Zeiss)
  • SAL-85F14Z (Carl Zeiss)
  • SAL-135F18Z (Carl Zeiss)
  • SAL-70300G (G Lens)
  • SAL-35F18
  • SAL-50F18
• Faster and more precise AF

All details from Sony.

• A77 firmware (for PC)
• A77 firmware (for MAC)
• A65 firmware (for PC)
• A65 firmware (for MAC)

But this is a very difficult exercise. All the more difficult because nobody has final production cameras to test and review (they will only exist at the end of September and won’t be sold before next October). Imaging Resource demonstrates this with good test pictures (or is it sample images?) shot in very good conditions (As a matter of fact, others like Luminous Landscape, chose not to show any image) but they create some doubt about the exact quality that can be expected from these photo cameras (The Alpha 77 is tested, but everybody understands that the Alpha 65 will certainly provide nearly identical images from the same digital sensor).

I want to believe that today’s tests will be done again by the same bloggers with production cameras (and mostly with the final firmware). Nevertheless, the owners of the early Alpha 700 will probably remember that Sony is sometimes capable of waiting months after the start of production to provide “the right firmware” for a DSLR photo camera.

Sources:

• FotoMagazin: Good quality images showing the great pixel resolution, nice ISO 400 pics, well balanced ISO 800 pics, ISO 1600 are cleaned soft and then accentuated too much to compensate, ISO 3200 pics are astonishingly good for this level of sensitivity even if they should be rated medium/OK only.
• Imaging Resource: Nice resolution, a bit too accentuated up to 400 ISO (ISO 800 JPEG files are not too bad, though), JPEG files are seriously deteriorated by too much smoothing at ISO 1600 (viewed at 100% it looks a bit cartoon-like), violent smoothing a ISO 3200; ISO 6400 files are really too far out to be used as anything other than “holiday souvenirs” in low resolution (smoothed, accentuated, with too many artifacts to be pleasantly viewable at 100%).
• ePhotozine: Pictures hinting at too much accentuation at ISO 1600, but the shooting was not good enough to judge anything seriously.
• QueSabesDe.com: Nice pictures from Sony not allowing quality judgments (more spectacular splash than test fodder)

See also sony sample pictures:

• for the Sony Alpha SLT-A77
• for the Sony Alpha SLT-A65

Sony is also announcing that some of the new features of the Sony Alpha 35 will be made available for the older Sony Alpha 33 and Sony Alpha 55.

• Support for the ‘Picture Effect’ function featured on the new α35
• High-Speed Synch is supported during wireless operation with a compatible external flash (α55 only)
• Revised menus and a new mode that lets users switch shooting parameters overlaid on-screen for clear, uncluttered composition
• The a33 and a55camera’s Digital Level Gauge can also be displayed when shooting via the optional CLM-V55 external LCD monitor
• Frequently used features can now be custom-assigned to the D-RANGE button for rapid, menu-free access

To be downloaded as early as June 20 from http://www.esupport.sony.com.

photo credit: yellowcloud

Pentax has announced a tsunami of firmware updates for its SLR photo cameras:

• Pentax K-5 firmware v1.02
• Pentax K-r firmware v1.01
• Pentax 645D firmware v1.01

Canon offers a new firmware (v1.0.8) for the Canon EOS 60D.

It fixes a phenomenon in which captured images may become overexposed when using the camera’s built-in flash or an external Speedlite in combination with the lenses listed below:

a) EF300/4 L IS USM
b) EF28-135/3.5-5.6 IS USM
c) EF75-300/4-5.6 IS USM
d) EF100-400/4.5-5.6 L IS USM

Download freely from Canon.

photo © 2010 yellowcloud | more info (via: Wylio)

Update: This is now confirmed and the firmware can be downloaded freely.

According to SonyAlphaRumors.com, Sony will present tomorrow a new version of the firmware for the Sony Alpha 850 and 900 SLR Full Frame photo cameras. It should bring:

• Faster Autofocus
• Maximum exposure compensation range: Increased from ±3EV to ±5EV
• Increased exposure bracketing range for HDR: from a maximum of 4.0EV (three shots at -2EV, 0EV, +2EV) to a maximum of 6.0EV (-3EV, 0EV, +3EV).
• Shutter release, even when the camera body doesn’t detect an attached lens.

Download the new (free) firmware from Sony. As soon as it is available. Right now!

The direct link: http://support.sony-europe.com/dime/downloads/downloads.aspx?site=odw_fr_FR&f=FW_DSLR_A850_A900_V2_WIN_MAC&m=DSLR-A850

Canon EOS 7D Firmware Update Version 1.2.3

• Fixes a phenomenon in which the settings of the Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2 revert to the default settings when both the camera and the ST-E2 are set to auto power off.
• Fixes a phenomenon in which the Macro Ring Lite (MR-14EX, MT24-EX) and slave flashes do not sync while shooting wirelessly.

Download Firmware Update Version 1.2.3

Canon EOS Rebel T2i / 550D Firmware Update Version 1.0.9

• Fixes a phenomenon in which tone jumps become noticeable in some images, depending on the shooting scene, when shooting with the Auto Lighting Optimizer settings (Low / Standard / Strong).

Download Firmware Update Version 1.0.9

• Increased number of maximum pictures taken in continuous shooting in RAW, throughout the sensitivity range. For instance, in RAW, this firmware increases the number of pictures from a maximum of approx 8 frames to approx 20 frames
• Improved stability for general performance

Download the firmware v1.01 for Pentax K-5

Availability: Somewhere in November 2010.

Source : QueSabesDe.com

A firmware update (version 2.0.8) for the Canon EOS 5D Mk II.

• Fix for not using the user mode (C1, C2, C3) in video capture
• Fix for not releasing the shutter when Auto Power is set to “on”
• Fix for an over-exposure in LiveView mode when ISO setting is on L
• Fix for resetting the Speedlite transmitter ST-E2 when the camera and the transmiter are both set to Auto Power “off”
• Fix for a wireless sync bug when using Macro Ring Lite (MR-14EX, MT-24EX)

Download freely right now: http://web.canon.jp/imaging/eosd/firm-e/eos5dmk2/firmware.html

• The lower key (advices) will allow:
  • Exposure modes
  • Guide/advices
  • Digital Zoom
  • Sensitivity (ISO)
  • White Balance
  • Metering Mode
  • Flash Correction
  • DRO / HDR
  • Creative Modes
  • MF guide
• The central key in the middle of the control ring will allow:
  • AF zone
  • Sensitivity (ISO)
  • White Balance
  • Metering Mode
  • Flash Correction
  • DRO / HDR
  • Creative Modes

Then, during video capture, it will become possible to change the aperture. This was a feature relatively easy to add and requested by many (some were very vocal about it).

Beware: You will have to wait 3 or 4 weeks to be able to download this v3 version. But I’m sure that the users of the NEX-3 or NEX-5 will be patient, since some people feared that these features would only arrive in a future NEX-7 (not disclosed at the Photokina) and they come to the existing models.

On top of this, the Alpha SAM or SSM lenses (equipped with an AF motor that the NEX bodies do not have) will become fully usable on the NEX via an adapter ring which will transmit the needed AF electronic data.

Finally, we learn that Sony is preparing 4 lenses for NEX, but they are short on details (I even feel cheated on this):

• A wide-angle Zeiss
• A tele-zoom
• A macro lens
• A lens for portraiture

We’ll talk about them later when we have something to discuss. For the time being, let’s appreciate the neat improvements that will come in a few days with this NEX firmware v3.

It is quite possible that Sony already is working on updates to the Sony NEX camera firmware to bring more controls in video capture mode (which is still quite limited). According to slashcam.de, this comes from Ichiro Takagi (Deputy President of the Imaging Business Group of Sony).

We would have to wait until the opening of the Photokina, but the specific feature set of this new firmware are still totally unknown up to now.

Download firmware for Pentax K-7, from Pentax Japan web site.

Features:

• Added Movie editing function on playback mode palette. You can divide a movie into multiple segments and erase unwanted segments from the movie.
• Added Electronic Level indication on the Monitor.
• When Mode dial is set M or X and Electronic Level is set to display, exposure meter is indicated both of them in the LCD panel and in the Viewfinder.
• Added [Reversal Film] mode on Custom Image function [PENTAX Digital Camera Utility 4] have been updated.
• When using Live View, auto focus activate by pressing shutter release button halfway.
• Improved focus speed.

Download updater for Windows.

Download updater for Mac OSX.

Main features:

• Fixes a phenomenon in which the set aperture moves when shooting movies in manual exposure mode using some Canon lenses (such as macro lenses).
• Fixes the AF point-selection behavior of the C.Fn III-7 (Manual AF pt. selec. pattern) custom function when set to [1].
• Fixes the AF point display for the viewfinder electronic level when shooting in the vertical position.
• Corrects misspellings in the Spanish and Thai menus for applicable products.

Firmware Downloads from the Canon (Japan) web site: Canon EOS 7D firmware.

• Instructions in Japanese
• Instructions in English

photo credit: eirikso

Canon launches two new firmwares (surprisingly, both hold the same version number v1.0.8, but they are really two different firmwares split at birth for two different cameras).

For the Canon EOS 1D Mk-IV, this is the correction of a bug around the aperture management in video mode.
For the Canon EOS 550D, menus have to be corrected/updated.

As usual, the downloads will take place from the Canon Japanese web site:

• Download Firmware Update 1.0.8 pour Canon EOS 550D
• Download Firmware Update 1.0.8 pour Canon EOS 1D Mk-IV

Firmware v2.0.4

Canon is not much more precise than that yet (some users are speaking about sound issues, though). But if you did not already rush to get this specific (and important) firmware version, I’d suggest you think a little more and wait for some more news and a possible update.

• Sony Alpha series (A380, A330 & A230): Mac, Windows (Sony Europe)
• Canon EOS 7D v1.1.0 (to correct an issue where a previous image may partly superimpose itself on the next, in continuous shooting): Instructions and download link

• Pentax K-7 : site Pentax UK
• Canon EOS 7D : Canon web site
• Canon EOS Rebel XS/1000D : Canon web site

And we are told that Canon prépares a big firmware update to bring full HD video to the Canon EOS 5D MkII in 2010.

• For Windows (Download zip from www.pentaximaging.com, 9.2MB)
• For Mac (Download zip from www.pentaximaging.com, 9.17MB)

At the same time, I can indicate that I identified the availability of the Pentax K-7 user manual (ready for a free download).

• Download Pentax K-7 User Manual in English (PDF – 6.8MB)
• Download Pentax K-7 User Manual in Spanish (PDF – 6.8MB)
• Update: Télécharger le mode d’emploi du Pentax K-7 en français (PDF)

After quite some time waiting for announcements from Fuji, we were starting to think that, maybe, Fuji was no longer serious about its involvement in SLR photo camera development. This appears not to be the case from what we learned today: Fujitsu and Nikon are partnering even further on SLR firmware development by creating a joint-venture named “Nikon Imaging Systems Inc.” which will be solely responsible for the firmware development in Nikon digital cameras.

Fairly enough, we could assume one of two things:

1. Fuji will move a few people from their internal team to a common shared structure while they no longer intend to use this resource that will be re-used by Nikon only. [the end of Fuji Nikon-based cameras]
2. Fuji wants to participate more deeply in the photo platform they buy from Nikon and their involvement is becoming more visible. [extension of the Fuji-Nikon cooperation]

Even if there is no clear evidence in the Press Release to support any of those directions, I would assume that the second option is the right one and is more credible. Fujitsu no longer has a choice in what technology they use for their SLR cameras. So, they embed themselves even more deeply. Possibly, Nikon even asked them to pay the technology partly with a technical involvement and some financial participation into the key technology that firmware is.

Actually, this firmware is not from Canon. The Magic Lantern firmware has been designed by Trammell Hudson but it is usable on your Canon EOS 5D MkII.

I don’t know how he did that. I am sure that it voids your camera warranty. But, it brings impressive features, which are exactly what is missing from the Canon firmware and what serious film-makers needs from their camera.

• On-screen audio meters
• Disabled Automatic Gain Control (AGC)
• Manual gain control
• Zebra stripes (for over-exposed zones)
• Crop marks for 16:9, 2.35:1 and 4:3

Source : Magic Lantern firmware.

More information

• Links to download firmware v1.10
• PDF manual about how to use the new features in English/French/Spanish
• PDF manual about how to use the new features in Japanese/English/Chinese