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Firmware Friday: Canon 60D, Fuji F300EXR, Nikon P7000

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Camera Firmware Update

Below you will find this week’s firmware updates.  Hit the manufacturer website links for more details and download instructions for the firmware.

Canon 60D version 1.0.8 – “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…” [Canon Website]

Fuji FinePix F300EXR version 1.01 – “Unstable volume level during movie recording is fixed.” [Fuji Website]

Nikon Coolpix P7000 version 1.1 – “Image recording time at image quality settings that include NRW (RAW) has been reduced. Lens control has been optimized to reduce the frequency with which the “Initializing lens. Cannot focus.” message is displayed. An issue that, in some rare cases, prevented zoom operation has been resolved. An issue that caused the monitor display to exhibit a loss of detail in highlights (blown highlights) when the shutter-release button was pressed halfway with Active D-Lighting enabled has been resolved.” [Nikon Website]

Ricoh GXR System Firmware Version 1.17 Update

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Ricoh GXR

Ricoh has released a new firmware update for its GXR camera system.  The new firmware provides the following enhanced functions:

  • Noise reduction performance enhancement
    The MAX setting has been added to the noise reduction settings. When MAX is specified, the image data’s noise distribution is analyzed and the optimum processing is done for each region of the image, thereby increasing image quality in low-light scenes.
  • Auto bracketing setting change
    When shooting with auto bracketing it is possible to specify exposure variations of up to 2.0 EV. In addition, the change sequence can be specified for each shot.
  • Image trimming
    An image displayed in playback can be trimmed and saved as a separate file. It is also possible to trim an image’s proportions to aspect ratio 1:1 (square).
  • Two “incandescent lamp” settings for white balance
    There used to be just the “incandescent lamp” setting for white balance, but now there are two settings: “incandescent lamp 1” and “incandescent lamp 2.” Compared to “incandescent lamp 1,” “incandescent lamp 2” gives the image a slightly more reddish cast so it is the equivalent of the old “incandescent lamp” setting.
  • Auto shutter speed shift function
    In cases where the image will be overexposed or underexposed when in shutter speed priority mode, if this setting is on, the camera automatically adjusts the shutter speed to give a suitable exposure.

Additional information, download and installation instructions are available on Ricoh’s GXR System firmware website.

Ricoh GR Digital III Firmware Version 2.10 Update

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Ricoh has released a new firmware update for its GR Digital III camera.  The new firmware provides the following enhanced functions:

  • Noise reduction performance enhancement
    The MAX setting has been added to the noise reduction settings. When MAX is specified, the image data’s noise distribution is analyzed and the optimum processing is done for each region of the image, thereby increasing image quality in low-light scenes.
  • Auto bracketing setting change
    When shooting with auto bracketing it is possible to specify exposure variations of up to 2.0 EV. In addition, the change sequence can be specified for each shot.
  • Image trimming
    An image displayed in playback can be trimmed and saved as a separate file. It is also possible to trim an image’s proportions to aspect ratio 1:1 (square).
  • Two “incandescent lamp” settings for white balance
    There used to be just the “incandescent lamp” setting for white balance, but now there are two settings: “incandescent lamp 1” and “incandescent lamp 2.” Compared to “incandescent lamp 1,” “incandescent lamp 2” gives the image a slightly more reddish cast so it is the equivalent of the old “incandescent lamp” setting.
  • Auto shutter speed shift function
    In cases where the image will be overexposed or underexposed when in shutter speed priority mode, if this setting is on, the camera automatically adjusts the shutter speed to give a suitable exposure.

Additional information, download and installation instructions are available on Ricoh’s GR Digital III firmware website.

Canon 5D Mark II Firmware Update Version 2.0.3 Available for Download

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Canon 5D Mark II

[UPDATE: Canon has posted Firmware Version 2.0.4, which is intended to address a problem with Firmware Version 2.0.3.]

The previously announced firmware update version 2.0.3 for the Canon 5D Mark II is now available for download.  The new firmware is primarily dedicated to improving the video capture options, as described in the release notes below.  [Read more…]

Pentax K-x Firmware Update ver. 1.01

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Pentax has issued a firmware update for the K-x DSLR.  The firmware update version 1.01 address the following issues:

  • Added three kinds of particular effect shooting function (Pre-set 1,2 and 3) on [Cross Processing].
  • Added assignment of Cross Processing function to the green button.
  • Improved accuracy of Battery Level Indicator under specific conditions and improved stability for general performance.

To download or learn more about the firmware update, visit Pentax’s website.

Olympus E-30 Firmware Update Ver. 1.1

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Olympus has released a firmware update (version 1.1) for the E-30 DSLR.  The firmware update addresses the following issues:

  • Reduced the sound of Image stabilizer operations when IMAGER AF and HYBRID AF are being used.
  • Resolved the issue where pressing the delete button in Close-up playback occasionally caused the Card access lamp to blink.
  • Resolved the issue where images with a changed aspect ratio played back with Index display sometimes had horizontal stripes.

You can download the update here.

Canon 5D Mark II Firmware Update Ver. 1.0.7

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Canon has updated the firmware for the EOS 5D Mark II with the specific intention of addressing the Black Dot and vertical banding problems.  See the notes from Canon below regarding Firmware Version 1.0.7.

Firmware Update Version 1.0.7 improves and mitigates the following two types of image quality phenomena that occur under certain shooting conditions.

1. “Black dot” phenomenon (the right side of point light sources become black)
2. Vertical banding noise

Firmware Version 1.0.7 is for EOS 5D Mark II cameras with firmware up to version 1.0.6. If the camera’s firmware is already version 1.0.7, it is not necessary to update the firmware.

Notes:
When updating to Firmware Version 1.0.7, please also update the Digital Photo Professional and Picture Style Editor software. Firmware Version 1.0.7 can be downloaded from the bottom of this page. Updates for Digital Photo Professional and Picture Style Editor can be downloaded from the following Web site.

You can download the updates and view further details and instructions from Canon here.

For the latest news and reviews on the 5D Mark II, be sure to stay tuned to Photography Bay’s Canon 5D Mark II Reviews and Resources.