Firmware upgrade suggestions for all bodies, (sensible ones).

[Valvebounce]

Hi Folks.
Following on from a suggestion on the 1DxII firmware update thread I thought I would start the ball rolling.
Please don't ask to make your Rebel have all the functions of a 1DxII, that is not what this is for, your Rebel has hardware limitations that prevent it ever being a 1DxII.

Dear Canon please could we have a firmware update:-
That enables a third option on the GPS menu on the 7DII where the GPS is off when the camera is off so that I don't have to go through and disable / enable it (or forget to enable it) so that the battery doesn't go flat in the bag.

It has got so bad with me forgetting to enable GPS that I have a note to place on top of the camera in the bag to remind me to turn GPS on when I get the camera out, and then it is several steps to get to it in the menu, and it is at the top of the first page of my menu!

Cheers, Graham.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Re: Firmware upgrade suggestions (sensible ones).

That seems so obvious, it should have been on every camera with GPS.

I see a post from a user who has his G battery running down, likely the same issue.

 

[Paul W. H]

Re: Firmware upgrade suggestions (sensible ones).

I agree that this makes sense, however my issue with this is that the GPS "Lock-On" times for my and the wife's 7DII's can take up to 10 minutes (here in the UK) so could be a pain in the %^&£.

With our 5DIII's and GP-E2 GPS Receivers attached the GPS "Lock-On" is normally under a minute.

In summary if they can vastly improve GPS "Lock-On" times implement this idea, maybe from the "Q" Menu.

We have not had any battery issues even when the cameras have been on all day, this is obviously related to shutter pushes.

 

[Paul W. H]

Re: Firmware upgrade suggestions (sensible ones).

Should have also mentioned that Battery Life can be affected by the GPS "Position Update Interval" we use "Every 10 seconds"

 

[Deleted member 91053]

Re: Firmware upgrade suggestions (sensible ones).

I wonder if Canon could do a Firmware update that would permanently disable all GPS, Video etc etc functions? We all know that they will not stop putting all this twoddle in our cameras as people want it - really?!? I have yet to meet one! + they will continue to charge us for it too. So could they, at least, help photographers delete this junk from their cameras and let us get on with capturing (hopefully) nice images?

I know many/most here will disagree but a few months ago I found out that there was hardly anyone in my Camera Club who even knew how to turn video on with their DSLR, let alone GPS??? None of them use either. Personally I have only owned my 1DX since Nov 2013 so I haven't yet found the time to find out if it shoots video, have no idea if it has GPS, WiFi etc - I bought it to take pictures.

So, please Canon, a nice simple little firmware update to get this crap (sorry these functions) off our cameras? It is not going to happen but I can hope can't I?

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Re: Firmware upgrade suggestions (sensible ones).

I wonder if Canon could do a Firmware update that would permanently disable all GPS, Video etc etc functions? We all know that they will not stop putting all this twoddle in our cameras as people want it - really?!? I have yet to meet one! + they will continue to charge us for it too. So could they, at least, help photographers delete this junk from their cameras and let us get on with capturing (hopefully) nice images?

I know many/most here will disagree but a few months ago I found out that there was hardly anyone in my Camera Club who even knew how to turn video on with their DSLR, let alone GPS??? None of them use either. Personally I have only owned my 1DX since Nov 2013 so I haven't yet found the time to find out if it shoots video, have no idea if it has GPS, WiFi etc - I bought it to take pictures.

So, please Canon, a nice simple little firmware update to get this crap (sorry these functions) off our cameras? It is not going to happen but I can hope can't I?

You are not forced to use video, and it does not do anything to your camera unless you turn it on. I think the firmware update belongs behind the camera

 

[Valvebounce]

Hi Folks.
Come on guys and gals, what happened to all the people wanting firmware upgrades or changes for their 1DxII that prompted this thread?

Cheers, Graham.

 

[Don Haines]

Re: Firmware upgrade suggestions (sensible ones).

I wonder if Canon could do a Firmware update that would permanently disable all GPS, Video etc etc functions? We all know that they will not stop putting all this twoddle in our cameras as people want it - really?!? I have yet to meet one! + they will continue to charge us for it too. So could they, at least, help photographers delete this junk from their cameras and let us get on with capturing (hopefully) nice images?

I know many/most here will disagree but a few months ago I found out that there was hardly anyone in my Camera Club who even knew how to turn video on with their DSLR, let alone GPS??? None of them use either. Personally I have only owned my 1DX since Nov 2013 so I haven't yet found the time to find out if it shoots video, have no idea if it has GPS, WiFi etc - I bought it to take pictures.

So, please Canon, a nice simple little firmware update to get this crap (sorry these functions) off our cameras? It is not going to happen but I can hope can't I?

You have obviously not been sent out to do site surveys......

 

[LordofTackle]

Same touch functionality for the 1DXII as for the 5DIV!

-Sebastian

 

[bhf3737]

I know video capability is not or radar for everyone, but it would be nice to have the followings:
1. Clean 4K HDMI out on 5D4 (and/or 1DX2). Two years old Canon XC-10 already has it. It would be economical to record video on relatively cheaper SSD drives externally. Canon added clean HDMI out to 5D3 via firmware update, hopefully it could be done here, too.
2. Allow selecting between MJPEG and a more efficient codec for internal video recording.

 

[KeithBreazeal]

Increase the fps to 10 in the 5D mark IV.

 

[Hillsilly]

I only have two on my wishlist: -

1. You shouldn't need an extra accessory just to set a shutter speed longer than 30s.
2. You should be able to enter some parameters to enable subtle focusing shifts for macro image stacking.

 

[Viggo]

1dx mk2 firmware suggestions:

Turn the IS off/on via Menu function or same button , as in still mode, in video mode and auto turn off IS when in menu or play mode.

Recall shooting functions, enable bringing up fps and One Shot/Ai servo, and enable different shutter speeds.
Enable recalling the C-functions from the recall option.

I would like to see an option where the camera does not release the shutter unless the focus is locked when using manual focus lens. So that I can hold down the shutter button and af-on and just turn the focusing ring and release the shutter exactly when focus is locked on my given point, then it would be impossible to overshoot focus.

 

[Deleted member 91053]

Re: Firmware upgrade suggestions (sensible ones).

I wonder if Canon could do a Firmware update that would permanently disable all GPS, Video etc etc functions? We all know that they will not stop putting all this twoddle in our cameras as people want it - really?!? I have yet to meet one! + they will continue to charge us for it too. So could they, at least, help photographers delete this junk from their cameras and let us get on with capturing (hopefully) nice images?

I know many/most here will disagree but a few months ago I found out that there was hardly anyone in my Camera Club who even knew how to turn video on with their DSLR, let alone GPS??? None of them use either. Personally I have only owned my 1DX since Nov 2013 so I haven't yet found the time to find out if it shoots video, have no idea if it has GPS, WiFi etc - I bought it to take pictures.

So, please Canon, a nice simple little firmware update to get this crap (sorry these functions) off our cameras? It is not going to happen but I can hope can't I?

You are not forced to use video, and it does not do anything to your camera unless you turn it on. I think the firmware update belongs behind the camera

Thanks for your suggestion but the camera's anterior firmware is just fine! By deleting these functions (and perhaps a few others) the menus can be cleared up considerably. More importantly if the hardware/firmware were not included in the first place then there would be some production cost savings and major savings in R&D = all good IMO.

Now if lots of people use these functions the fine put them in, I am just not meeting them! I do know one guy with a 5D2 who shoots occasional video and another 160 miles away who has used the video on his 7D2 once or twice then lost interest. Please remember that I am only acquainted/familiar with a bit over 100 serious photographers - so not quite a global view! However I would have thought that a couple more would have known how to turn video on and the mention of GPS just gets me puzzled glances. Perhaps the Welsh know where they are?

Including functions and extra hardware in cameras costs money - our money! I would just like the option of disabling it to clear/simplify menus or not include them in the first place to reduce cost. After all 98% (at a guess) of the serious photographers that I know don't use them or want them. Remember these are photographers who are out there shooting with gear costing thousands and some of them do it for a living - not internet experts (I am not putting you in that classification).

Are we just weird or are we the vast majority? I suspect the latter.................

 

[Don Haines]

I only have two on my wishlist: -

1. You shouldn't need an extra accessory just to set a shutter speed longer than 30s.
2. You should be able to enter some parameters to enable subtle focusing shifts for macro image stacking.

Yes for longer exposures, yes for focus stacking, and yes for an intervalometer.....

 

[Jack Douglas]

"I think the firmware update belongs behind the camera " I was thinking more along the lines of a firmware and hardware update to this aging body; a new processor would be a good place to start.

Graham, good on you for you attempting what I now imagine is impossible, that is, to get serious constructive feedback on what is needed via fw updates.

At best a thread like this could be gleaned by a dedicated individual and used to assist in formulating some feedback to Canon but even just for one camera model that would be a very challenging task. I'm guessing for most folk it's more like a topic that's fun for idle chit-chat over coffee.

Now, assuming it is indeed possible to achieve this goal, I think:

1) It would be best if a poster were to state the problem so that everyone can clearly understand it. After all when it comes to programming of buttons and so forth many don't even know how to use the options let alone what is lacking. This takes effort but it would be educational for some of us at least. Then:

2) A specific suggested fix could be recommended. If this were done with just one fw update stated per post, then presenting the information to Canon might be possible after refining it.

Are we collectively motivated enough to make this happen by keeping such a thread active and focused??

Jack

 

[Jack Douglas]

Hi Folks.
Following on from a suggestion on the 1DxII firmware update thread I thought I would start the ball rolling.
Please don't ask to make your Rebel have all the functions of a 1DxII, that is not what this is for, your Rebel has hardware limitations that prevent it ever being a 1DxII.

Dear Canon please could we have a firmware update:-
That enables a third option on the GPS menu on the 7DII where the GPS is off when the camera is off so that I don't have to go through and disable / enable it (or forget to enable it) so that the battery doesn't go flat in the bag.

It has got so bad with me forgetting to enable GPS that I have a note to place on top of the camera in the bag to remind me to turn GPS on when I get the camera out, and then it is several steps to get to it in the menu, and it is at the top of the first page of my menu!

Cheers, Graham.

So far I haven't used it since I think I know where my own back yard is. However, in going through the 1DX2 manual I believe GPS can be placed as an easily accessed menu item (also in the Q menu). The 1DX2 has "my menu's" that allow one to incorporate about 6 selections per each "my menu" that you most dearly need to access. When you press the menu button it takes you to these in sequence and only after more pushes do you end up going through the full Canon menu. I am enjoying this feature!

Jack

 

[Valvebounce]

Hi Jack.
I'm only hopeful that someone who is competent to proceed will take the useful info that might end up here and present it in a manner which might get some response from Canon.
If there is some light hearted banter all well and good, but at least one response had been quite acerbic and unnecessary.
As far as starting the thread, I thought that the idea proposed on the other thread was good and as no one else had started it by the time I thought to do it I went ahead hoping I wasn't stepping on anyone's toes.
A good suggestion on a format for suggestions there, that might make it easier for someone to harvest the information.
Let's hope that we are collectively motivated to make this happen by keeping this thread active and focused please.
If this pays off it might have some benefits for some of us though I doubt we will see all of our requests answered.

Cheers, Graham.

"I think the firmware update belongs behind the camera " I was thinking more along the lines of a firmware and hardware update to this aging body; a new processor would be a good place to start.

Graham, good on you for you attempting what I now imagine is impossible, that is, to get serious constructive feedback on what is needed via fw updates.

At best a thread like this could be gleaned by a dedicated individual and used to assist in formulating some feedback to Canon but even just for one camera model that would be a very challenging task. I'm guessing for most folk it's more like a topic that's fun for idle chit-chat over coffee.

Now, assuming it is indeed possible to achieve this goal, I think:

1) It would be best if a poster were to state the problem so that everyone can clearly understand it. After all when it comes to programming of buttons and so forth many don't even know how to use the options let alone what is lacking. This takes effort but it would be educational for some of us at least. Then:

2) A specific suggested fix could be recommended. If this were done with just one fw update stated per post, then presenting the information to Canon might be possible after refining it.

Are we collectively motivated enough to make this happen by keeping such a thread active and focused??

Jack

 

[Valvebounce]

Hi Jack.
I believe that the menu options are fairly similar on both of our cameras (and in fact lots of the more recent bodies). I do have the GPS set on the top of first My Menu page and set the menu button to open to my menu, it still needs a click, a roll of the back wheel and another click to change the state off to on / on to off.
I thought I had heard that one of the cameras has an option to have the GPS off when camera is off, but I can't find that documented anywhere! This setting would be a select and forget option, GPS stays on when the camera sleeps but goes off when we power the camera down with the on / off switch.

Cheers, Graham.

Hi Folks.
Following on from a suggestion on the 1DxII firmware update thread I thought I would start the ball rolling.
Please don't ask to make your Rebel have all the functions of a 1DxII, that is not what this is for, your Rebel has hardware limitations that prevent it ever being a 1DxII.

Dear Canon please could we have a firmware update:-
That enables a third option on the GPS menu on the 7DII where the GPS is off when the camera is off so that I don't have to go through and disable / enable it (or forget to enable it) so that the battery doesn't go flat in the bag.

It has got so bad with me forgetting to enable GPS that I have a note to place on top of the camera in the bag to remind me to turn GPS on when I get the camera out, and then it is several steps to get to it in the menu, and it is at the top of the first page of my menu!

Cheers, Graham.

So far I haven't used it since I think I know where my own back yard is. However, in going through the 1DX2 manual I believe GPS can be placed as an easily accessed menu item (also in the Q menu). The 1DX2 has "my menu's" that allow one to incorporate about 6 selections per each "my menu" that you most dearly need to access. When you press the menu button it takes you to these in sequence and only after more pushes do you end up going through the full Canon menu. I am enjoying this feature!

Jack

 

[Viggo]

I forgot to mention one thing;

Touch focus doesn't work if AF is removed from the shutter button.