Canon Rumors

The Future of EOS HD [CR2]

24p omission explained?
This source explains why there’s no 24p at the moment. I’m trusting the information is legit, I personally lack the technical knowledge of HD video in the 5D2.

“The 5D MarkII will have 24p, it is already in a firmware running in testing.  It was not released due to time but it was planned to be released with the manual control.  This is not as easy as some people tend to believe. The codec data rate has 6 frames of spare bandwidth and the file size was still the same as the 30p in the cam I tested. They have to re-code the compression routine in order to run at full speed and not waste file size. This has introduced some problems in stability because the chip can only handle 30p natively and this is basically a hack. No Audio control planned or in the firmware as of yet.

Nikon is adding most of the same features soon in their cameras, Canon just wanted to release and get the claim of being first.”

cr

Canon Announces Firmware Update For 5D Mark II

It’s here

LONDON, UK, 27th May 2009:  Canon announced today it will release a firmware update for the EOS 5D Mark II allowing users to manually control exposure when shooting video.  The new firmware will be available for download from 2 June 2009 on Canon Europe’s support web site.
Following the launch of the EOS 5D Mark II in September 2008, Canon’s Research and Development team has listened closely to customer feedback to develop additions to the camera’s movie recording functionality.

Allowing EOS 5D Mark II owners to achieve even more stunning video results with the camera, the firmware update will include the following manual controls when shooting video:

* Full aperture selection
* ISO speed: Auto, 100 – 6400 and H1
* Shutter speed: 1/30th – 1/4000th second

The EOS 5D Mark II integrates full HD movie capability into a high-end 21.1 Megapixel camera; opening a multitude of new possibilities for photojournalists and news photographers.   Since its launch the camera has proved its appeal to professionals working in diverse fields, from studio and wedding to nature and travel.  Now, following customer feedback, Canon has improved functionality for professional video users, further unleashing the potential of the EOS 5D Mark II for cinematographers and photographers alike.

CR’s Take
Great work Canon, you listened and it looks like you have delivered.

Still no 24p it looks like.

Download (June 2, 2009): http://web.canon.jp/imaging/eosd/firm-e/eos5dmk2/firmware.html

cr

H.264 Realtime Editing Coming? [CR1]

Native 5D Mark II Video
“Folks. I think I have been sitting on this news long enough. As you all know, one of the most frustration thing about video editing in HD is that you can never work directly with the original clips without some serious performance hit and frame skipping.

Well, it is time to rejoice because very soon all of these issues are going to be history! I have learned that the next version of Quicktime (coming with Snow Leopard) is going to allow real time editing of the Canon 5DMrkII H.264 clips!”

Read More: http://www.canon5dtips.com/2009/05/h264-realtime-editing-in-fcp-rumor/

cr

5D Mark “Free”

Onscreen Audio Meters
“It isn’t perfect by a long shot, but we’re making very swift progress this holiday weekend. I found the VRAM and was able to write a small task that monitors the audio levels at 30 Hz and draws a very simple level meter on the top of the screen. It is calibrated with 5 dB tick marks, but the ballistics are bad and it isn’t synced with the redraw period (causing it to flicker), but we’re running real code doing real work on the camera!”

From Cinema5D

cr

Hack This – LCD Screenshot

A little eye candy

Modified Firmware Version

From: Cinema5D

thanks Mik

cr

Hack This! – 5D Mark II Audio Control Gain Disabled!

From Cinema5D

Hax0red!

If Canon isn’t going to do this stuff, others appear very motivated to do so.

“As an early goal, I have disabled the AGC for on the AK4646 audio chip that the 5D uses by overriding the sound_dev_task() at 0xFF856E60 to call audio_set_alc_off() at 0xFF856B14. The level is much too hot due to the wrong levels selected (it defaults to max gain?) but there is no shift in quiet scenes anymore. This is an easy first step that provides a proof-of-concept modification for the 1.0.7 firmware.

I can also log the audio levels as they are being sampled, which will make it possible to do on-screen level meters at some point in the future. My next step is figuring out how to add menus for the AGC disabling, then tackling the MVR_start_record() and LVAE_* functions.”

Read Here: http://www.cinema5d.com/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=2477

Hack in progress

cr

Harry Potter & The 5D Mark II

From Planet5D
“the crew working on the next Harry Potter movie has 2 Canon EOS 5D Mark II cameras on set for filming. And, they’re using Panavision lenses on the 5D2s.”

Read more here: http://blog.planet5d.com/…

That’s Iron Man 2 and Harry Potter apparently using the 5D Mark II’s. It’s safe to assume updated firmware is being used.

thanks mitch

cr

EF Lenses for Movies? [CR1]

From the world of interesting concepts
I received an email from someone claiming Canon has video dslr lenses on the horizon. How many? They didn’t say.

The concept is this; the lenses will have the manual controls a lot of videographers want… i.e. an aperture ring.

CR’s Take
Other than being a cash grab, I’m not sure why Canon would do it this way over a firmware update. Perhaps an adaptor with an aperture ring? A nice $200 accessory Canon can bilk you for!

I’m filing this under “unlikely”.

This IS a rumors site. I’m going to give you most of the information I get. With the new ratings system, it’s up to you to decide how viable it is.

cr

5D Mark II Firmware Update [CR1]

On the set
I’ve received informormation from a few folks that the new 5D Mark II firmware is on location on the Iron Man 2 set. Apparently the cameras are in Morocco at the moment.

cr

5D Mark II Firmware Update in the Wild?

Manual Control?

Firmware Coming?

I’ve been told that Canon lent 4 5D Mark II’s to a certain company with a firmware version not currently available.

The firmware is geared towards video. No word on whether or not some manual controls have been added.

I’ve been asked not to mention the industry or the project, so I won’t.

cr

5D Mark II Firmware

Bad news from one source

Firmware Coming?

I’ve been told we may not be getting a firmware update this month like reported a little while ago. It is claimed Canon is working on one, it’s just not coming in the immediate future.

It’s still guesswork as to whether or not the movie mode will get some manual love. I’m getting conflicting stories.

I’m waiting to hear from someone in particular that will give me a better idea.

cr

5D Mark II – Digital Camera of the Year

Engadget Awards
Oh joy. Even after all the hate this camera has received it has won the coveted Engadget Digital Camera of the year award!

Woooooooo!

True, there was some Nikon fanboy vote splitting with the D90 and D700, but who cares… we win!

Seriously…. I nominated the Panasonic G1 as camera of the year and I stand by that. It’s nice to see some real innovation.

Speaking of which; Olympus? Where’s my micro 4/3 camera? I want that orange thing with the 20 f/1.7. It’d be like a new age digital Canonet QL17 GIII!

Read about all the gadget winners: http://www.engadget.com/…

Overlooked (Thanks for pointing it out)
The fine folks at Engadget chose the Nikon D90 as the digital camera of the year!

cr

New Video Camera?

From an email

Canon is working on a pro video camera that has a 1x APS-C CMOS sensor able to capture up to 120hz or full frames a sec. Fab specs show 12.1MP. The body will be similar to that of the XL H1 with an EOS mount fully manual controls. Canon is working on 2 lenses for the system launch that have quick video AF motors and be compatible with Instant AF like their current video line. One will be a wide starting at 16mm and the other will be a tele zoom starting at 70mm.

While I can’t directly comment on the dSLR video modes being restricted, I believe they are lowering the options for this system to be launched sometime in 2010.  Other specs on the firmware of the camera are: 720p 60,30 1080p, 24, 30 and 60. EF and EF-S lens compatibility including Teleconverters. Will not work with Sigma as the mount communication protocol is somewhat changed, those lenses will have to be sent in for an updated firmware. Tamrons seem to be unaffected or at least not mentioned.  The video format will be a flavor of MPEG 4 with a roof at 56Mbits/sec. Work is being done on a video RAW format that will be 12bit only, and will need a special IO module separate from the default package.

While no pricing has been set, they target under 8k for the base system with the 16mm WIde and 4k or more for the IO module with uncompressed SDI Out and USB 3.

Storage system will be based on the CFast Spec! One Slot Only.

More info available as things progress.

Don’t expect EOS vDSLRs to get any better at recording exotic frame rates or get manual control.

Specs may change but I’ll keep you updated.

cr

5D Mark II Price Increase – Canada

Wooo
Canon Canada is raising the price of the 5D Mark II on May 1, 2009.

$3299.99 Body
$4149.99 w/24-105 f/4L IS Kit $4149.99

So buy it now!

cr