Firmwares

We may have to group them since the firmware updates sometimes happen nearly at the same time. The latest ones are:

• 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

These last days, plenty of photo camera manufacturers announced updated and corrections to the firmware of their photo cameras. Uncanny…

• 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.

A few news for Pentax. The Pentax K-7 is receiving a new firmware. the most visible change is the introduction of a customizable behavior for the 4-way controller in order to allow people not to use the OK button so often.

• 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)

I usually do not comment about firmware upgrades for photo cameras. What about today?

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.

Canon has released firmware v1.1.0 for the EOS 5D Mark II. It enables manual control of ISO, aperture and shutter speed while the camera is set to capture video.

Canon EOS 5D Mk II video 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

Nikon D40

I hear that Nikon is discontinuing its the Nikon D40: 6.1 millions of pixels since November 2006, that’s quite a success.

While stoppping its manufacturing, Nikon officializes firmware updates for the Nikon D40 and D40x.

Nikon D40

Download firmware v1.12 (Windows)

Download firmware v1.12 (Mac)

Nikon D40x

Download firmware v1.01 (Windows)

Download firmware v1.01 (Mac)

Now, in Nikon photo camera range, there’s an entry point made out of the only two Nikon D60 and Nikon D5000. Both are good cameras that are more than able to attract customers at the lowest cost.

For a few days already, the launch of the Canon EOS 5D MkII has been troubled by the relatively repeated observation (I say relatively because there are still very few of these cameras available on the market) of an unusual and unpleasant phenomenon: Black dots appearing on the right of every white zones.

The origin is still quite difficult to determine, but the fact that this is visible on the sRAW1 images suggests a hardware source. But it is still very hard to say, for now.

It took only a few days of Internet forum exchanges before Canon reacted. Today, in a press release that you will find hereafter, Canon admits the issue and tells us that they are working on it.

This is good news for several reasons:

• On the opposite of cases we will not repeat here again, Canon had a sane reaction and did not wait in strong denial state.
• The Canon EOS 5D MkII is not rendered useless, only a bit limited.
• The solution could appear quickly in the form of a firmware upgrade.

We still have to wait and be patient to see Canon’s next moves (supposing that you have a 5D MkII, of course).

(more…)

It is a bit unusual, but there comes a large update to the firmware of the Nikon D300 SLR camera.

You can go and download it from Nikon.

A long list of modifications enabled with upgrade to v.1.10 firmware

The improvements brought by this all-new firmware for the Sony Alpha 700:

• The choice to select auto exposure bracketing (single & continuous) with 3 shots in 2 EV steps has been added
• The choice to turn [Off] the High ISO NR feature has been added
• Improvement of the image quality in high ISO setting
• Improvement of the auto white balance and D-Range Optimizer performance
• Improvement of reliability for communication between camera body and vertical grip

Donwload the new firmware on the Sony Europe web site.