Canon Rumors

5D Mark II Firmware Part 2

It’s coming
We know there’s a firmware update coming. I’ve been told it’ll arrive on Monday from one source, and another says the first week of January.

One interesting thing I was told is that a new functionality could be added in the update (24p). I’m not too sure about that, Canon hasn’t really been know to add features in firmware updates. Welcome to the rumors.

Official Canon Statement on the Black Dot Issue

Service Notice

EOS 5D Mark II Body support

Support & Service

Black dot phenomenon and Vertical banding noise

Posted on: December 17, 2008

To Owners of the EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR Camera :

Thank you for using Canon products.

We have learned that some users of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II digital SLR camera have indicated two types of image quality phenomena that appear under certain shooting conditions.

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

We are currently investigating ways to improve and/or mitigate these phenomena. An announcement will be made on the Canon Website when measures to address these phenomena have been decided.

The phenomena are likely to occur under the following shooting conditions.

1. “Black dot” phenomenon (the right side of point light sources becomes black) When shooting night scenes, the right side of point light sources (such as lights from building windows) may become black. The phenomenon may become visible if the images are enlarged to 100% or above on a monitor or if large prints of the images are made.
2. Vertical banding noise If the recording format is set to sRAW1, vertical banding noise may become visible depending on the camera settings, subject, and background. The following camera settings can reduce the phenomenon.

* Set the recording format to RAW or JPEG.
* Set C.Fn II-3: Highlight tone priority to 0: Disable if the recording format is set to sRAW1.
* The vertical banding noise is not noticeable if the recording format is set to sRAW2, but please set C.Fn II-3: Highlight tone priority to 0: Disable if you are concerned about noise.

Canon always strives to provide the highest quality products to our customers. We apologize for any inconvenience these phenomena may have caused. We appreciate your kind patronage and support.

cr

Rebirth of the xxD? [CR3]

Moving forward in 2009
As mentioned before, the xxD line of cameras has been moved to a 1 year product cycle. The release of the 50D in the fall cemented that.

The disappointing thing for Canon? The 50D hasn’t been very well received. It’s not moving the units Canon wants. This could partially be because of the economy, but as we’ve seen from the 5D2, people are willing to spend. The xxD line reached its peak with the release of the 20D. It was basically the first truly affordable prosumer camera. Then came the 30D, which was lamented pretty hard for its very conservative improvements over the 20D. The 40D saw a bit of a comeback in the line, the camera was a bargain when it launched and is a super bargain today. I can’t with any honesty recommend the 50D over the 40D based on their current pricing.

I’m told Canon is completely rethinking the line and needs to create some separation from the Rebels in specs. Some points made from my conversations today. Not all will happen, but it’s stuff that’s being and been talked about:

- Canon is developing an AF system for the midrange cameras. They don’t feel the 60D buyer really needs 1D AF, which I tend to agree with. The user does deserve a better performing AF system than the Rebel user.

- More AF points. There is a notion in a lot of circles that more AF points matter in image quality. I’ve heard stories from retailers that have proven to me that this is true. They won’t be flooding the line with 45 AF points, but you could see 11-13.

- It’s time for full weather sealing in the line. The cost to do it is minimal, but they’re even playing catchup to the likes of Pentax and Olympus in the area.

- They feel there is definitely a market for the APS-C sensor and will continue to develop for it. The marketing department may not get their way in the future as far as pushing more megapixels as the sole reason for an upgrade. Expect that to slow down significantly. They’re finally discovering consumers are becoming smarter than that.

- The APS-H (1.3x) sensor has no future in the xxD or 1D line.

- With the resurgence of prime lenses in the market place, there could be a chance of ef-s primes or 2nd tier primes getting upgraded. Most likely the latter. This wouldn’t happen until the 2nd half of 2010 at the earliest.

- The line will definitely see movie mode.

- As always, GPS and Wifi are being talked about. There could be a grip that does both that doesn’t cost $1000!

- The line will most likely get chipped batteries. Canon trying to maximize on lifetime value sales.

I’ve had some interesting conversations lately about the line and look forward to hearing a lot more in the near and distant future. There won’t be a 60D until the fall. It may also not be called a “60D”. Nikon has taken a lot of market, Canon is going to be very aggressive in getting it back. There’s no doubt in my mind they will be successful.

cr

Another Ad Post

Grrr
I want ads, they pay for stuff like shirts. I also have something a lot more significant planned in the spring. I don’t do this to make millions and buy Bentley’s (I already have 2).

If you say “no” to this, basically it means there wouldn’t be Amazon links in posts anymore.

Thanks for your input.

[poll id="2"]

cr

Rebel TSi/500D

Spec Update
The 500D should have the following feature that were ommited from my first post on the subject.

AF will be in Movie Mode, it will be a contrast detection that performs as well as the 5D2.

I’m also told it may have a better liveview system and an articulating screen. I still have nothing definitive on those 2 features.

Lenses
I’ve been promised some lens information tomorrow, so stay tuned for that.

Photo T-Shirt Contest
Keep sending me pictures, I’d like another few entries!

buzz@canonrumors.com

The winner will be selected Sunday night.

I must confess to an embarassing thing
I didn’t realize the 5D2 had AF in movie mode until today. I never tried to do it when I’ve used the camera.

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Canon to Delay New Digital Camera Plant

From Reuters
TOKYO (Reuters) – Canon Inc said it would delay the construction and start-up of a $196-million digital camera plant in Japan due to slow demand, becoming the latest company to modify investment plans amid the global downturn.

[Read More]

thanks George

cr

Canon LUKE Cameracorder [CR0]

Sweet

CANON’S NEW LUKE CAMERA PROVIDES GREATER CONTROL AND OPERATION FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS AND VIDEOGRAPHERS.

Enhanced Image Quality, Improved Operability, New Holographic-ability Meshes the World of Video and Photographic Together At Last.

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., December 17, 2008 – Building on the success of the XH A1 and XH G1 High Definition (HD) camcorders, as well as the new 5D Mark II. Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, has introduced the newly refined and upgraded hand-held LUKE Cameracorder. The product incorporates enhanced Raw images and improved high definition video, including greater image control and improved audio capabilities. Whether it is for corporate video production, wedding and events still or video, filmmaking or image stills, the new Canon LUKE cameracorder helps professional videographers and photographers mesh their creative vision together.

[Read More]

Thanks Davi

 cr

Canon Canada Price Increases [CR4]

Bummer
Don’t be shocked to see Canon raise lens prices come Jan/Feb 2009 to offset currency issues. There will also be normal price increases because sell through rebates end on December 31, 2008. Camera bodies should be safe, as Canon will be winding down a bunch of models outside of the 50D and 5D2.

Powershots may see a 5% increase in dealer cost.

cr

EF-S 17-85 Replacement on the Horizon? [CR2]

New highend kit zoom coming?
I’m told we could see a replacement of the EF-S 17-85 IS lens as soon as February. The new lens would be slightly longer at the telephoto end and build quality reduced to lower the price. It will run concurrent with the 17-85 until stock is gone, possibly Christmas 2009.

The source says EF-S 17-90 f/4-5.6 IS.

cr

5D Mark II w/24-105 – *UPDATED*

UPDATE
Pulled the Amazon link, it’s pointing back to the $5399 nonsense.

Still overpriced.. but…….
They have corrected the price down to $3999 from $5399. One left they say.

cr

5D Mark II Firmware Upgrade Coming Monday?[CR3]

Just received an email
After talking with a 3rd party firmware tester, the source informed me Canon has a firmware upgrade coming for the 5D2 and its processing issues tentatively on Monday.

cr

Reader Remarks – 1Ds Mark III vs 5D Mark II

From Bill Wadman
Like I’ve said in the past, I love write ups by real people. This is a good quick read.

http://www.ontakingpictures.com/2008/12/5d-mark-ii-initial-thoughts.html

Thanks Bill

Just curious…. how many people cover the “Canon” badge on their cameras?

T-Shirts
I’m going to give away one more T-Shirt. This one is simple, send me a great photo… just one. Best photo gets the T-Shirt.

Submit to: buzz@canonrumors.com

Try to keep the images under 1024px H & W. I’ll post the winning shot here with your contact info and a link to your photos if you’d like.

cr

1D Mark X [CR2]

A few things
A few places around the web are talking about an April timeframe at the earliest for the 1D replacement. A few people I spoke to said June is a possibility for an announcement with a fall launch. I still think an announcement in and around September. There will then be a good supply by the time the Vancouver 2010 games start in February.

A few things I’ve received in random emails about possible features of the 1Dx.

- Sport mode. Which will basically be an sRaw file at a very fast framerate.
- The camera will be full frame and anywhere between 15-21mp. No consensus on this.
- Internal memory. I don’t think this will ever happen.
- AF Mode in movies. 24P mode as well. I can see various modes coming for the video feature, I’m not sure what AF in movie mode would require to be useful.
- Full color top display, perhaps OLED. Why not?

I get constant emails about lenses. This is the info I currently have. It’s not much.

- 35 f/1.4L II is coming, but not until the fall 2009. A few people are talking PMA for this lens.
- 24-70 f/2.8L II IS is in the upgrade cycle, no word on when it’s coming to market.
- A new 200 f/2.8L IS Macro. Adding IS to a consumer macro would be dumb if it’ll raise the price $250, I don’t get why Nikon did it. The L however, there would be a market for that.
- The Tilt Shift lenses will get an update in two parts over the next 24 months.

With the economics of the planet right now, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Canon target niche lenses for introduction this year, and holding off on the consumer/prosumer products until 2010.

Discuss and keep the info coming.

T-Shirts
T-shirts should be shipped out to the winners on Monday. Hopefully they’ll get to you before Christmas day.

cr

Canon at PMA 2009 [CR3]

What could be coming?
There is a lot going on in Canon’s war room about what to do with PMA 2009. As we all know, the DSLR market in 2009 is expected to fall off a fair bit. The predicted rebound will be coming in 2010.

On a scale of 1-5, which cameras are likely to get a replacement at PMA.

Rebel XSi (Released Jan. 2008)
Canon had committed to a 1 year product cycle. However, that could be held off until the fall of 2009.
————————————————————————————–
Likelihood of a replacement at PMA: 3.5

Rebel XS (Released Jun. 2008)
There was a possibility of this being reduxed earlier than one year, consider that a dead rumour now. The XS will be replaced in the fall.
————————————————————————————–
Likelihood of replacement at PMA: 1

A New Rebel
There is a chance Canon could add a third Rebel to their lineup. This Rebel would add HD video, VGA LCD, 15.1mp, DIGIC IV. Sony has done well with their strategy.
————————————————————————————–
Likelihood of a new Rebel at PMA: 3

40D (Released August, 2007)
Canon had committed to this lineup being on a 1 year product cycle. The 50D proved that. Will Canon keep the 40D going beyond the new year? It’s unlikely. I will keep a close eye on 40D stocks. Could a 60D come at PMA to add HD Video to the class? No one I spoke to thinks so.
————————————————————————————–
Likelihood of a 60D at PMA: 1
Likelihood the 40D remains current beyond PMA: 2.5

A new Full Frame
The fabled EOS 3D. We talk about it every 6 months. Is it coming at PMA? Don’t bet on it. Let’s see if Canon has been able to meet the demands for the 5D Mark II.
————————————————————————————–
Likelihood of a 3D at PMA: 1.5

1D Mark IV (February, 2007)
Everyone wants a new one to showup ASAP. I’m receiving no information that Canon is about to launch a new 1D camera. I don’t think the worries of the economy would affect a model like this, anyone that can afford one will buy one. They will obviously be redoing the autofocus system and developing a new sensor. It’s tough to think that they could do that in 2 years, especially after the added development time to fix the 1D3.
————————————————————————————–
Likelihood of a 1D Mark III replacement at PMA: 3 (It’s a rating that doesn’t say much, but no one is saying much.)

Flagship P&S [CR2.5]
I am hearing rumors of a new CMOS based flagship P&S camera. Something that will be a departure from the G series. That’s really all the info I have at the moment. Think along the lines of the LX3, with industry leading noise & lens performance. It won’t be cheap.
————————————————————————————–
Likelihood of a flagship P&S at PMA: 3.5

Lenses:
There will be 2 launched at PMA [CR3]. That all but assures us a new camera body is coming.

1001 Noisy Cameras did their predictions a few days ago. Read them [here]

cr

Canon to Eliminate 1100 Contract Jobs – CNET

Canon unit shedding more than 1,100 contract jobs: officials
TOKYO (AFP) – More than 1,100 contract workers are losing their jobs at two subsidiaries of Japan’s Canon Inc. due to production cutbacks, officials said Friday.

Canon, often hailed as a success story in Japan’s recovery from a recession a decade ago, is joining other major Japanese manufacturers that are cutting output and jobs to cope with the global economic downturn.

[Read More]

Calgary & Montreal Service Centres to be closed?
I received an email from a reader that both locations would be closed in cost cutting for Canon Canada. That would leave Mississauga to fix everything. I cannot find any official word on the topic.

I’ll poke around.

cr