Canon’s firmware update for the
EOS 1D Mark IV is available for download from Canon immediately.
What’s the update do you ask?
This firmware update (Version 1.0.6) incorporates the
following enhancement:
Firmware Version 1.0.6 enhances the AF tracking performance.*
*AF performance has been enhances[sic] for receding subjects and for subjects that are approaching at a low speed.
Right on, Canon.
© Calin Leucuta
So, who’s willing to exercise their credulity muscles this morning in favor of a change from the usual? I know I get tired of the usual stream of product recalls, firmware upgrades, and general nay-saying you’ll find about any camera made ever on your average online forum. So, I’m willing to shoot this story the benefit of belief until proven otherwise because I want to.
FM member Calin Leucuta has a story posted about his skydiver friend who’s helmet mounted video camera and Rebel XT came loose during a dive and plummeted to the earthy-face of ol’ Gaia in their own freefall. From approximately 3,000 feet. The video camera is apparently scrap, but reportedly the Canon, banged up and ugly, still, well, works.
Video evidence might be coming. Or this might be a hoax. But right now, let’s just give it the benefit of a doubt and declare that Rebel XT the proven toughest camera in the world.
Via Engadget via Canon Rumors via Fred Miranda.
During the ’70s, a producer/director friend of mine used to roam the LA punk scene with an amazing little 35mm camera, the Minox 35 GL. It was the smallest 35mm camera ever produced. Its sharp Minotar lens shot beautiful pictures and thanks to the high ISO films that were being perfected in those days, one could shoot in very low light. There has never been any digital equivalent in size and low light capabilities until now, with Canon’s introduction of the S90. With the G11 and S90 cameras, Canon has finally reversed the maddening pixel race. Pixel density on the G11 has been reduced from its predecessor’s 34MP/cm² down to 23MP/cm² and low light performance has greatly improved. The S90 uses the same sensor and its f-2 maximum aperture helps to make this the best p&s for available light shooting.
The Canon S90 is slightly larger than Canon’s Elph (3.5 x 2.2 x 0.8″ for the Canon SD940IS vs. 3.9 x 2.3 x 1.2″ for the Canon S90), but it still easily slips into the average pocket. A bit too slippery sometimes and it almost fell out of my hands before I made it a rule to use the wrist strap. Much has been made of the programmable function control ring around the lens and it is indeed wonderful…
[EDITOR'S NOTE: Hit the jump to read the rest of Carel's review and to view his large gallery of sample shots]
[UPDATED]
Sony’s consumer triplets–the A230, A330, and A380–all received notice of a new firmware today. It purportedly (that’s a good word, isn’t it? Purportedly. Makes me feel fancy.) fixes exposure lock on the focuses subject in center-weighted and spot metering modes. If that just made sense to you, you’ll appreciate this firmware.
For Windows here
For Mac here
Available for download here: is the release of Canon’s second firmware update for the EOS 7D, which started shipping in September. This update, 1.1.0, corrects the issue where fragments of the preceding frame would appear in a given frame during continuous shooting. Canon’s release indicates this only happened during incorrect exposures and was imperceptible until levels were adjusted in post-processing.
Two updates in the first 90 days of the camera’s life. Some people might say this is an issue -I figure they’re coding the updates and releasing them in a timely way and that kind of responsiveness is not bad at all.
In case you’ve been craving support for 24 and 25 FPS full HD video on your EOS 5D Mark II -Canon is on it. Anticipated in the first half of 2010, it seems the update will allow Mark II users options similar to the 7D‘s video settings.
The LX3, Panasonic’s extremely popular high-end compact, has finally had it’s firmware re-issued. Originally issued last month, they quickly pulled it for stability concerns, but now it’s back to beef up your auto focus, bracketing EV range, and a general slew of nice and welcome additions.
Go ask Panasonic nicely and I’m sure they’ll be happy to get you what you need to upgrade.
Should you be one of the few lucky enough to own a 7D already, you’ll be wanting to mosey over to Canon’s site and pickup the newly announced firmware for it, which improves AF in live view mode, some stuff in movie mode, and fixes a transient problem where sometimes the shutter release won’t work while using a flash.
For those of you not lucky enough to have one yet, we don’t know when they’ll start shipping with the new firmware and when they’ll have the old, please don’t ask, and also please do check yours when you get it and update it then if necessary. It’s a painless process, we promise.
It’s getting chilly out here in Indiana, and we all know everyone and their brother is worried about the flu, but if it’s not you but rather your Canon Rebel XS that’s feeling a bit under the weather, Canon’s ready with a mug of hot hot chocolate, fuzzy slippers, and chicken noodle soup. The newest firmware for this model promises to fix Err99 Shooting Not Possible errors, LCD, viewfinder, and shutter release issues.
Get your XS vaccinated over at Dr. Canon’s site:
Recorded October 1st, 2009, summarizing product releases and firmware announcements for the week of September 28th. Also, introducing the weekly Facebook fan shoutout!
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