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

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

50D, 450D & 1000D Firmware Updates

50D 1.0.6
1.Supports the AF assist beam feature of the new flash, Speedlite 270 EX, which is scheduled to be released in April 2009.
2.Changes the error indications that are displayed on the camera.
3.Addresses the vertical banding noise phenomenon.

http://web.canon.jp/imaging/eosd/firm-e/eos50d/firmware.html

450D 1.1.0
1. Supports the AF assist beam features of the new flash, Speedlite 270 EX, which is scheduled to be released in April 2009.

http://web.canon.jp/imaging/eosd/firm-e/eosdigital4/firmware.html

1000D 1.0.5
1. Supports the AF assist beam features of the new flash, Speedlite 270 EX, which is scheduled to be released in April 2009.

http://web.canon.jp/imaging/eosd/firm-e/eosdigital5/firmware.html

thanks everyone that sent this

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

PowerShot SX1 IS Firmware Update – 2.0.0

SX1 IS Firmware 2.0.0

As promised
Canon has released the new firmware for the SX1 IS. This will bring the non North American cameras up to date.

Version 2.0.0.0 firmware newly incorporates a RAW image recording function.

You can download the version 2.0.0.0 firmware from next page and update the firmware of your PowerShot SX1 IS camera to add this RAW image recording function.

Download Here: http://web.canon.jp/imaging/dcp/firm-e/pssx1is/index.html

cr

1Ds Mark III & 1D Mark III AF Service & Firmware Update

Canon Canada
http://canoncanada.custhelp.com/app/…

I spoke with Canon Canada and they’ve instructed me to send the camera to the service centre in Mississauga.

Canon USA
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/…

Wow
Right out of left field.

Canon has announced a new AF fix for the EOS-1D Mark III and EOS-1Ds Mark III. This is in addition to the sub mirror fix issued earlier by Canon, and requires returning the camera to Canon for service. New firmware for the 1D Mark III and 1Ds Mark III has also been released to fix issues with live view, USB communication, and to update camera error codes. This brings the versions up to 1.2.5 and 1.1.4 respectively, and is available for download now.

Links to info
http://www.canon.co.uk/Support/Consumer_Products/products/cameras/Digital_SLR/EOS-1D_Mark_III.aspx?faqtcmuri=tcm:14-631109

http://www.canon.co.uk/Support/Consumer_Products/products/cameras/Digital_SLR/EOS-1D_Mark_III.aspx?faqtcmuri=tcm:14-631121

How to get the best out of your 1D Mark III
http://web.canon.jp/imaging/eosd/eos1dm3af/index.html

Download the firmware
1Ds Mark III 1.1.4: http://web.canon.jp/imaging/eosd/eos1dsm3/firmware-e.html

1D Mark III 1.2.5: http://web.canon.jp/imaging/eos1dm3/firmware.html

cr

Canon EOS 50D Firmware 1.0.5

Slipped through the cracks
I’m getting emails from a few people that are saying their new 50D’s are loaded with firmware 1.0.5. The current official firmware is 1.0.3.

After some searching, there is a thread at DPR about it from a while ago.

http://forums.dpreview.com/……

Why hasn’t it been released to the world yet? Perhaps Canon is updating the firmware a little bit more and we’ll see a 1.0.6 instead.

I’d love to see a picture of 1.0.5 installed on a camera.

thanks elektronkind

cr

5D Mark II Firmware

All Better
Everyone is saying the firmware has fixed the issues. I’ve only had one person comment that the banding issue has also been fixed. The sRaws have to be processed in DPP, so that was the reason for the update to that.

I still have one source saying added features could still be on the table in the next 30-60 days. Don’t hold us to that.

Jessops in Belfast
I finally got the film I wanted for my needs at Jessops in Belfast. Very nice people there. If anyone from the store reads this site, make a comment and I’ll drop a CR T-Shirt off at the store tomorrow. I leave Belfast on Sunday.

cr