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Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Canon 5D Mark III Firmware Update 1.1.3

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Canon 5D Mark III

Canon has issued a firmware update for the 5D Mark III.  Version 1.1.3 adds the following:

1. Supports the single focal length EF40mm f/2.8 STM lens that is to be released at the end of June, 2012.
2. Fixes a phenomenon in which an image may become underexposed when using the Auto Lighting Optimizer for continuous Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB) shooting.
3. Fixes a phenomenon in which the backlight of the LCD monitor may not turn off depending on the camera settings and timing.
4. Fixes a phenomenon in which the camera’s power may not turn on when a super-telephoto lens*1) is mounted to the camera with an extender*2).
*1) EF 300mm F2.8L IS II USM / EF 400mm F2.8L IS II USM
*2) Extender EF 1.4X III / Extender EF 2X III
5. Corrects mistakes in the Dutch, Italian, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, and Swedish menu screens.

You can download the update from Canon’s website.

 

Canon 7D Firmware Update Will Provide Better Max RAW Burst, Manual Audio Levels and Lots More

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Canon 7D

The Canon 7D will be getting a new firmware upgrade soon according to news posted on the CPN website and nabbed by Canon Rumors before it was removed.

There are lots of improvements on the still image capture side, including bumping the max RAW burst to 26 images (up from 15 consecutive images).  That’s a pretty big bump in write speed, so I’m curious to know what Canon’s doing with the 7D since it received an upgrade for UDMA Mode 7 CF card support last year.

One biggie for all the HDSLR shooters out there is the addition of manual audio level controls.  It seems a little late in the 7D’s game to add this and all the other goodies to the camera, given that it is almost 3 years old (it was announced on September 1, 2009).  So maybe Canon is pushing for a final surge in 7D sales before the camera is replaced, or maybe Canon is looking to extend the life of the camera well beyond the typical 3-year mark for pro-level cameras?

Other additions include: [Read more…]

Magic Lantern Development Underway for Canon 5D Mark III

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5D Mark III Magic Lantern

The Magic Lantern guys look to be hard at work on development of custom firmware for the Canon 5D Mark III.  A couple of days ago, one of the developers tweeted the above image of a 5D Mark III displaying a “Hello world” message to Planet5D and others.

While the 5D Mark III is quite the step up for video users when compared to the 5D Mark II, there are still some key concerns in what it is lacking.  Two of the top “missing” features are 1080/60p frame rates and clean HDMI output for external recorder capture.  No doubt if the Magic Lantern crew can get these two features cranking reliably on the 5D Mark III, there will be a lot of happy shooters out there.

Sony FS100 Firmware Version 2 Upgrade Now Available

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Sony FS100 Firmware Upgrade

The Sony FS100 firmware version 2 upgrade is now available on Sony’s website.  The new firmware adds the following features to the FS100:

  1. Added 50Hz recording system (PAL): 1920×1080 50p, 50i, 25p and 1280×720 50p.
  2. Camera Profile (camera settings can be saved to and loaded from a memory card).
  3. Additional 4x and 8x Expanded Focus magnification: (with user selectable focus area).
  4. Selectable ISO or GAIN sensitivity display.
  5. Selectable Focus indication in FEET or METERS (E-mount lens only).
  6. Selectable Shutter indication as EXPOSURE TIME or SHUTTER ANGLE.
  7. Added the following Aspect-Ratio markers: 2.35:1, 1.85:1 and 1.66:1.
  8. Display ON/OFF button enables Zebra and/or Histogram overlay onto video output.
  9. Compatible with the new A-Mount to E-Mount adaptor, model LA-EA2. One push Auto-IRIS and continuous 15-point, Phase-Detection Auto-Focus operation with most Alpha A-Mount lenses is available. Lens metadata is displayed onscreen and stored real-time to image file.

Sony NEX-FS100 Serious Firmware Upgrade on March 22

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Sony FS100

DSLR News Shooter has confirmed a firmware upgrade for the Sony NEX-FS100, which will add some long-awaited features to the camera.  Among the new features:

  1. Added 50Hz recording system (PAL): 1920×1080 50p, 50i, 25p and 1280×720 50p.
  2. Camera Profile (camera settings can be saved to and loaded from a memory card).
  3. Additional 4x and 8x Expanded Focus magnification: (with user selectable focus area).
  4. Selectable ISO or GAIN sensitivity display.
  5. Selectable Focus indication in FEET or METERS (E-mount lens only).
  6. Selectable Shutter indication as EXPOSURE TIME or SHUTTER ANGLE.
  7. Added the following Aspect-Ratio markers: 2.35:1, 1.85:1 and 1.66:1.
  8. Display ON/OFF button enables Zebra and/or Histogram overlay onto video output.
  9. Compatible with the new A-Mount to E-Mount adaptor, model LA-EA2. One push Auto-IRIS and continuous 15-point, Phase-Detection Auto-Focus operation with most Alpha A-Mount lenses is available. Lens metadata is displayed onscreen and stored real-time to image file.

I can’t express how happy I am to see that the expanded focus will get a bump from the lowly 2x that it shipped with.  Likewise, the camera profile loading from memory cards will be welcomed to those of us who hate customizing the profiles one variable at a time.  Loads of other worthwhile upgrades makes this one seem like Sony has been reading users’ wishlists.

The firmware update should hit on March 22. I’ll be sure to update as soon as I see it available.

Nikon D5100 ‘Star Wars’ Theme Firmware Available

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Nikon D5100 Star Wars Firmware

An unofficial Star Wars-themed firmware for the Nikon D5100 is now available. While the firmware gives certain menu settings new names, it serves no functional purpose.

Nikon D5100 DSLR loading custom firmware "ratSraW" - view original size for animated GIF

However, it does serve as a bit of encouragement for future enhancements via unofficial firmware upgrades.

Below is an interpretation of the StarWars beta firmware changes: [Read more…]

Firmware Friday: Leica D-Lux 5, S2, Nikon V1, J1, Ricoh GR Digital IV, Sigma SD1, Sony NEX-5, NEX-3, NEX-C3, NEX-VG10

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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. [Read more…]