EOS 5D Mark III Firmware 1.2.1 Available for Download

[GMCPhotographics]

Well, here's the funny thing...if I use my 5DIII with a 400mm f2.8, I pop a 2x mkII and a 1.4x mkIII TC's on it...it still has full AF, albeit a little slower. That's before and after updating the firmware.

 

[rpt]

After reading about some batteries not being detected correctly, I checked all mine. All ok there. It recognised all three.

 

[AlanF]

Can I attach Canon 1.4x III and 2.0x III extenders to my Canon 70-200 f/2.8 IS II USM at the same time and still get AF at 560mm f/8, or is this crazy talk?

Also I do a lot of Live View focusing for my landscape work, and always have the focus mode in the contrast detect "Live" mode (not "Quick" or "Face" modes) and it often switches inexplicably to the "Face" mode on it's own. I don't know if they are the correct mode names as I don't have the camera in front of me. It's a real "phenomenon" though - phenomenally annoying as it means I can't move the focus rectangle to where it needs to be! Anyone else get that?

-Gcon

It would be a miracle - the series III TCs cannot physically be stacked.

 

[jabbott]

So maybe there is a 1.2.2 firmware update in our near future.

Or in another six months... grumble grumble

 

[eos650]

Can I attach Canon 1.4x III and 2.0x III extenders to my Canon 70-200 f/2.8 IS II USM at the same time and still get AF at 560mm f/8, or is this crazy talk?

Also I do a lot of Live View focusing for my landscape work, and always have the focus mode in the contrast detect "Live" mode (not "Quick" or "Face" modes) and it often switches inexplicably to the "Face" mode on it's own. I don't know if they are the correct mode names as I don't have the camera in front of me. It's a real "phenomenon" though - phenomenally annoying as it means I can't move the focus rectangle to where it needs to be! Anyone else get that?

-Gcon

Do you by chance have orientation base focus set? I don't know if/how that function might effect the live view focus mode, if at all, but it's worth considering. Another thing to consider is if you are using one of the custom modes (C1, C2, C3), it could be changing you focus mode, when you switch to or from these settings.

 

[markojakatri]

I have noticed a very useful way to use Tv in low light situations. If I set Safety shift to ISO, I'm able to balance flash to available light. I can set iso as 100 and shutter speed as I want. In low light I would use big appertures anyways, so its okay if camera will set it itself. Now if that shutter speed isn't possible with maximum aperture and iso 100, camera will raise iso. That's very cool feature and I wish Av would work same way if I use minimum shutter speed in auto iso menu. It works perfectly without flash, but with flash its fixed to iso400.

Anyways, could some one test how Tv+safety shift+flash works in new firmware. Just to be sure I'm able to use this nice feature in future too.

 

[djh901]

5D MARK III 1.2.1 FIRMWARE AND BATTERY CONNECTION PROBLEMS

I noticed after the firmware install 1.2.1 that my 5D3's are now having issues with the batteries and the camera is sending out this notice--- "lost communications with the battery" it does this with 3rd party and Canon stock battery's as well. I do use the Canon Camera Grip which hold 2 batteries ---never had any problem with regular or 3rd party batteries with the original firmware in the 5D3---
anyone notice this problem. I did advise Canon Professional Services. ???

 

[jrista]

Does anyone know if the f/8 center point support works in Expansion or Zone modes? I'm curious if this f/8 AF support is as good as the 1D X, or if it is literally JUST the center point in single-point mode. Thanks!

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Does anyone know if the f/8 center point support works in Expansion or Zone modes? I'm curious if this f/8 AF support is as good as the 1D X, or if it is literally JUST the center point in single-point mode. Thanks!

The camera automatically limits you to the center point and surrounding 4 assist points either spot or non spot mode. With a TC attached, those are the only options available to you.

I'd guess that this is to prevent user issues from those who try to use points that won't work.

 

[jrista]

Does anyone know if the f/8 center point support works in Expansion or Zone modes? I'm curious if this f/8 AF support is as good as the 1D X, or if it is literally JUST the center point in single-point mode. Thanks!

The camera automatically limits you to the center point and surrounding 4 assist points either spot or non spot mode. With a TC attached, those are the only options available to you.

I'd guess that this is to prevent user issues from those who try to use points that won't work.

Ok, so its the same center-point f/8 AF with the option of using AF Expansion mode. Thanks!

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Will I lose all my custom settings when performing this upgrade?

No, but unless you do a camera reset, you might have problems crop up.


I recommend a camera reset after a new firmware installation, just to be safe. Software is carefully tested, but there are billions of combinations of settings possible, so reset the camera.

 

[bass1]

Hi,

Has anyone with Vello's BG-C9 grip tried to upgrade? Is the grip still being registered normally?

Thanks,
bass

 

[LetTheRightLensIn]

Is the CF formatting after the firmware update really necessary, or removing the firmware file is enough?

Wondering about the same thing.

It isn't strictly necessary to format the CF (or SD) card after updating the firmware; you could just as easily remove the card from the camera, insert it into your PC's card reader, and there delete the firmware update file from the card.

I think Canon stipulates this instruction, as it's the simplest, safest and most straightforward method for ensuring that the firmware update file is removed from the card, and that the card is made ready for capturing more images / video, all without needing to remove the card from the camera.

When I put one of my cards into a card reader after capturing images to it, it has two folders, one containing images and a second named CANON_MISC (or something similar). I don't know if these folders are created during the format process, or when the first image is captured; I've never taken the time to check. But if they are created during the format process, it would be another reason for following Canon's recommended procedure, rather than, say, putting the card into your PC's card reader and formatting it there.

It doesn't really matter if it is there or not anyway as far as I've ever seen. Unless you go to the update firmware menu the camera seems to ignore the file.

 

[LetTheRightLensIn]

Hi all,

I've been reading this forum for a while and finally decided to post something today... something weird :
Yesterday, right after the 1.2.1 firmware update, my 5D III set the micro adjustments to -8 (in the option for all the lenses). It was set to 0 before.
By the way, I'm not using the general MA option. I'm using specific MA per lens, which are set between +7 and +10 depending on the lens mounted on the body.

That sounded weird to me so I made a couple of tests with my 50L. And it seems that my +10 MA settings lead constantly to out of focus pictures.
I made tests with MA set to 0 and even to -8 and it appeared to be much better !

So now I'm wondering what Canon meant by "Fixes a phenomenon in which the camera changes the AF microadjustment value to -8." ?

I'm testing my other lenses today...

Thanks for reading.
Bruno

I don't think so, mine still report normal numbers. It was supposed to stop them from all getting set to -8. Maybe that bug got trigger right as you were changing firmware and then 1.2.1 simply kept the -8 in tact.

 

[LetTheRightLensIn]

HDMI won't work, Canon's HDMI out basically can't display that much detail; it's limited to 8bit, requires "debayering", 4:2:2 "sub-sampling", and needs to resize that 2K image down to 1920x1080. Once you do all that "compressing" guess what we're left with? Yep the 8bit 4:2:2 uncompressed (not RAW) image that Canon just gave us with this update.

Not so sure about that. Those DNG frames look a lot crisper don't they?

1. Those DNG are not true RAW are they?They are already de-bayered. No loss there.
2. As you say only 1920x1080 of the frame was valid info anyway. So no loss there.
3. Even if you lose the 4:4:4 and 14bits (not that canon seems to be 14bits to start though) won't we still retain all that extra crispness at least?

 

[Raoul]

I have noticed a very useful way to use Tv in low light situations. If I set Safety shift to ISO, I'm able to balance flash to available light. I can set iso as 100 and shutter speed as I want. In low light I would use big appertures anyways, so its okay if camera will set it itself. Now if that shutter speed isn't possible with maximum aperture and iso 100, camera will raise iso. That's very cool feature and I wish Av would work same way if I use minimum shutter speed in auto iso menu. It works perfectly without flash, but with flash its fixed to iso400.

Anyways, could some one test how Tv+safety shift+flash works in new firmware. Just to be sure I'm able to use this nice feature in future too.

I tested it, it works with the new firmware.
Thanks for the tip, this could make things much easier for me, I hate the fact that Auto ISO is locked at 400 with flash in AV...

 

[iP337]

HDMI won't work, Canon's HDMI out basically can't display that much detail; it's limited to 8bit, requires "debayering", 4:2:2 "sub-sampling", and needs to resize that 2K image down to 1920x1080. Once you do all that "compressing" guess what we're left with? Yep the 8bit 4:2:2 uncompressed (not RAW) image that Canon just gave us with this update.

Not so sure about that. Those DNG frames look a lot crisper don't they?

1. Those DNG are not true RAW are they?They are already de-bayered. No loss there.
2. As you say only 1920x1080 of the frame was valid info anyway. So no loss there.
3. Even if you lose the 4:4:4 and 14bits (not that canon seems to be 14bits to start though) won't we still retain all that extra crispness at least?

I am not sure what you mean but Magic Lantern's 14bit DNGs do not compete with HDMI. Yes the DNGs are sharper because they are not compressed down like the HDMI image is. The part of my post that you quoted is explaining why we can't send the 14bit DNG through the HDMI out as a 14bit RAW image (this HDMI can't handle that much detail) and that is why I think what Canon is giving us is the best its HDMI port can do.

1. DNG and CR2 are the same, both use the same lossless RAW algorithm and both are not de-bayered. The De-bayering is preformed in your computer (usually automatically) with a viewer or editor that supports De-bayering.

2. Unfortunately we can't send that 2K RAW image through HDMI and even if we could the 1920x1080 portion is offset to the upper right so without cropping and resizing the HDMI would likely keep a black bar on the left and bottom but cutoff the right and top sides of the actual image.

3. Canon starts with 14bit RAW images for video (that's the nice sharp DNGs we're getting), but reducing that down to 8bit loses about 2 stops of dynamic range and potentially causes banding in fine gradients (usually the sky). lowering the 4:4:4 to 4:2:2 will cause a 50% loss of sharpness (crispness) and 4:2:0 will cause a 75% loss.

http://diffractedmedia.blogspot.com/

 

[iP337]

I just talked to CPS Hollywood the other day and got into a conversation about what 3rd party accessories I should get, and they warned me not to use any 3rd party batteries because they might blow up in camera, I told them I've been using Canon DSLRs with only 3rd party batteries for about 10 years and not only have I never had that happen but I've also never heard about it either but the lady insisted that they have seen it...

I don't mean to be an alarmist but now with this extra warning in camera about 3rd party batteries and the fact they tweaked the camera to misread some chipped 3rd party batteries I can't help to wonder if they did something that might make this happen :/ like no longer restricting something on the higher capacity aftermarket battery. I've had batteries from other stuff blow up on me before (an Apple Macbook, an Avid portable M-Audio recorder and a few cellphones) they just bloat up and no longer work.

This is probably just some marketing trick to scare me into giving them more money but I wouldn't surprised. (who the hell is running Canon now a days anyway?)

 

[LetTheRightLensIn]

HDMI won't work, Canon's HDMI out basically can't display that much detail; it's limited to 8bit, requires "debayering", 4:2:2 "sub-sampling", and needs to resize that 2K image down to 1920x1080. Once you do all that "compressing" guess what we're left with? Yep the 8bit 4:2:2 uncompressed (not RAW) image that Canon just gave us with this update.

Not so sure about that. Those DNG frames look a lot crisper don't they?

1. Those DNG are not true RAW are they?They are already de-bayered. No loss there.
2. As you say only 1920x1080 of the frame was valid info anyway. So no loss there.
3. Even if you lose the 4:4:4 and 14bits (not that canon seems to be 14bits to start though) won't we still retain all that extra crispness at least?

I am not sure what you mean but Magic Lantern's 14bit DNGs do not compete with HDMI. Yes the DNGs are sharper because they are not compressed down like the HDMI image is. The part of my post that you quoted is explaining why we can't send the 14bit DNG through the HDMI out as a 14bit RAW image (this HDMI can't handle that much detail) and that is why I think what Canon is giving us is the best its HDMI port can do.

The HDMI port on it can do 1920x1080. What is compressed about HDMI? You can hook a computer to a TV through HDMI and the computer signal going over HDMI is not compressed at all.
14bits the HDMI probably can't handle, so the depth resolution would have to be less, down to at least 10bits I think and quite possibly 8bits, but the spatial resolution could retain the full DNG stream sharpness.

(that said the 1.2.1 actually does appear to be a bit sharper than the old firmware, either over HDMI or compressed internally, at least, which is good)

1. DNG and CR2 are the same, both use the same lossless RAW algorithm and both are not de-bayered. The De-bayering is preformed in your computer (usually automatically) with a viewer or editor that supports De-bayering.

But the Bayer sensor is 22MP and these are 2MP so unless they are just reading a non-bayered mini-block, which they aren't something sort of de-bayer must be done already. Look at sRAW and mRAW they are are not in the original complete Bayer state and they are stored in a RAW file too.

2. Unfortunately we can't send that 2K RAW image through HDMI and even if we could the 1920x1080 portion is offset to the upper right so without cropping and resizing the HDMI would likely keep a black bar on the left and bottom but cutoff the right and top sides of the actual image.

You might have to clip off the left and right side junk and send an offset address so it starts reading it below the top junk. You wouldn't even have to do that if the HDMI accepts an offset to get to each new lines address. I have no idea how it is setup, it might have something like that so no clipping is needed at all. COnsidering how many modes it can put out that might very well be the case.

3. Canon starts with 14bit RAW images for video (that's the nice sharp DNGs we're getting), but reducing that down to 8bit loses about 2 stops of dynamic range and potentially causes banding in fine gradients (usually the sky). lowering the 4:4:4 to 4:2:2 will cause a 50% loss of sharpness (crispness) and 4:2:0 will cause a 75% loss.

cutting chroma resolution doesn't hit perceived resolution nearly that hard, the luminance resolution is still full
but yeah obviously going over HDMI unless it was HDMI with 10bit support it would lose a bunch of DR

 

[Bruno97]

Hi all,

I've been reading this forum for a while and finally decided to post something today... something weird :
Yesterday, right after the 1.2.1 firmware update, my 5D III set the micro adjustments to -8 (in the option for all the lenses). It was set to 0 before.
By the way, I'm not using the general MA option. I'm using specific MA per lens, which are set between +7 and +10 depending on the lens mounted on the body.

That sounded weird to me so I made a couple of tests with my 50L. And it seems that my +10 MA settings lead constantly to out of focus pictures.
I made tests with MA set to 0 and even to -8 and it appeared to be much better !

So now I'm wondering what Canon meant by "Fixes a phenomenon in which the camera changes the AF microadjustment value to -8." ?

I'm testing my other lenses today...

Thanks for reading.
Bruno

I don't think so, mine still report normal numbers. It was supposed to stop them from all getting set to -8. Maybe that bug got trigger right as you were changing firmware and then 1.2.1 simply kept the -8 in tact.

Good point, thanks.