Firmware: Canon EOS-1D X Mark II v1.02

[Canon Rumors]

<p>Firmware Version 1.0.2 incorporates the following functional improvements and fixes.</p>
<ol>
<li>Incorporates countermeasures for a phenomenon in which the bottom part of still images recorded to SanDisk CFast cards become corrupted.</li>
<li>Enhances communication reliability between the camera and CFast cards.</li>
</ol>
<p>If you are using the affected CFast cards, after having updated the camera firmware to Firmware Version 1.0.2, please make sure to use the camera to format the CFast card.</p>
<p>The Version 1.0.2 firmware being released at this time is for cameras with Firmware Version 1.0.0. If the camera’s firmware is already Version 1.0.2, it is not necessary to update the firmware.</p>
<p>When updating the firmware of your camera, please first go over the instructions thoroughly before you download the firmware.</p>
<p>The firmware update takes approximately six minutes.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.canon.co.uk/support/consumer_products/products/cameras/digital_slr/eos-1d_x_mark_ii.aspx?type=firmware">Download firmware 1.02 for the EOS-1D X Mark II</a></strong></p>
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[Maximilian]

Compliments to Canon that they can offer a patch for an issue so fast.
No matter what on which side the cause was.
Fast solution is the key.

 

[paul_bk]

I just updated firmware to v1.02. No problems. Update went as expected. (Windows PC)

 

[Pompo]

I wonder I should update the firmware even if I haven't encountered the prob...yet

 

[Ryananthony]

I wonder I should update the firmware even if I haven't encountered the prob...yet

What is your reason not too?

 

[Ozarker]

I wonder I should update the firmware even if I haven't encountered the prob...yet

What is your reason not too?

The aliens man!

 

[dutchcorps]

Compliments to Canon that they can offer a patch for an issue so fast.
No matter what on which side the cause was.
Fast solution is the key.

CFast solution!

 

[R1-7D]

Compliments to Canon that they can offer a patch for an issue so fast.
No matter what on which side the cause was.
Fast solution is the key.

I don't think they fixed the issue that quickly. People were receiving their cameras in early May and were experiencing this issue, and it's now July 7th.

Or maybe that is fast for software development? I don't know.

 

[mrsfotografie]

If this means you can't use CFast cards formatted in the computer, this is a half-way fix IMHO.

 

[arthurbikemad]

Personally I have always formatted cards in the camera I intend to use with that card, no matter what is written, any other method is asking for problems IMO

 

[LDS]

I wonder I should update the firmware even if I haven't encountered the prob...yet

It fixes (and improves) something very critical like camera -> CFast communications. I'd wait some days, and if nobody finds any nasty issue, I'd upgrade.

 

[cinema-dslr]

If this means you can't use CFast cards formatted in the computer, this is a half-way fix IMHO.

Why on earth would you want to format on a computer?
Are you going to use it as storage on your computer?
Haven't you been reading all the explicit warnings in manuals of just about every camera created? "to always format in camera!"

As far as i know the only manufacturer who made you format with computer was blackmagic.. how stupid was that??

The camera should know what the best format structure is for that system to perform ,bloksize, etc..

 

[Maximilian]

Compliments to Canon that they can offer a patch for an issue so fast.
No matter what on which side the cause was.
Fast solution is the key.

I don't think they fixed the issue that quickly. People were receiving their cameras in early May and were experiencing this issue, and it's now July 7th.

Or maybe that is fast for software development? I don't know.

I Recognized that issue in the internet about 3 weeks ago. Surely it was there some time longer.
But how fast does your SW R&D and system test normally work?
If you're company is faster, I'd like to know where you're working

 

[Maximilian]

If this means you can't use CFast cards formatted in the computer, this is a half-way fix IMHO.

Please refer to the camera manual(s) (for almost every camera):
"If the card is new or was previously formatted by another camera or personal computer, formatting the card with the camera is recommended."

 

[SlydeR]

Did anyone notice the recommendation for using the "CFast 2.0 Full Format and Refresh Tool" from Sandisk?

 

[East Wind Photography]

I wonder I should update the firmware even if I haven't encountered the prob...yet

The reason for doing it is in case you are traveling andd need to buy a sandisk card. I would hate tobe in that position on something critical.

 

[Cthulhu]

I wonder I should update the firmware even if I haven't encountered the prob...yet

What is your reason not too?

I remember an update to the 7d mk2 and the EFS 17-55 where my camera stopped working with that lens after the update. It used to be my go to lens and I never had a problem prior to the new firmware.

 

[mrsfotografie]

If this means you can't use CFast cards formatted in the computer, this is a half-way fix IMHO.

Please refer to the camera manual(s) (for almost every camera):
"If the card is new or was previously formatted by another camera or personal computer, formatting the card with the camera is recommended."

That may be true, but if I carry two different camera bodies (5DMkII and 5DMkIII) I will mix cards with no issues.

 

[Rob Wiebe]

No issues with upgrade. Reformatted all cFast cards (Sandisk and Lexar) in camera and now we shall see.

 

[Robert Kline]

I'm a software developer and have some experience with industrial firmware. Reading Canon's notes on the firmware fix made me laugh. Both Canon and Sandisk have indicated that this is a Sandisk problem, but Canon was going to issue a firmware change that 'worked around' the issue.

The 'issue' is that the files associated with the last 5 or so megabytes of data written to the card can be corrupted when the camera is powered off. It sounds like the CFast card probably has some volatile memory in addition to the non-volatile memory. This may act as a 'cache' for performance. I speculate that it is the responsibility of the 'card' to ensure that the contents of the volatile memory are written to non-volatile memory on power-down and for some reason the Sandisk card is failing to do this.

The pre-firmware update work-around was to take enough 'junk' photos before powering off to ensure that important photos were not corrupted.

I find it humorous that the Canon firmware update appears to do EXACTLY the same 'cluge' work-around. Consider the following text from the firmware update:

Note that when using a CFast card formatted according to the above step 2, the following operations will take place.
- An "ImgSaver.bin" file of several MB in capacity will be created in the "MISC" folder on the card. Do not move or delete the folder or the file on the card.
- When opening the card slot cover, the access lamp may remain lit or blink for a longer duration.

So, Canon's workaround is to basically create a 'garbage' file on the CFast card that it will always write to at the end of any data write. This means that the 'at risk' data is no longer an image file but instead is the 'ImgSaver.bin' file. If the data in the file is corrupted, it does not matter.

So....Sandisk problem. Canon 'very primitive' work-around fix.

Just remember to format the card IN THE CAMERA or Canon's work-around will not have any effect.

Bob