Why No Manual Video Control?

Canon Rumors
1 Min Read

5D Mark II

I’ve just received insider information from Canon.
Someone I know, who had to make a video clip for a well known music star in Switzerland, spoke to a higher-up from Canon.

They told him that the release of the 5D Mark II was actually not planned for October but rather for Sping 2009.
But since Nikon released a video DSLR (D90) they were forced to also release one.
Originally full manual control was planned but they couldn’t finish it by the time of the release.
This of course explaines also the low suply from Canon.

Well if this is true we have a good chance to see a firmware update soon.

From: FixMy5D

This goes with our information that a firmware update is coming for the 5D Mark II in April. I think the first week is a bit early, but I do believe it’s coming.

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25 Comments
  • cool!

    maybe this convinces the 5D II bashing people.

    After the announcement of the TS-E17 and TS-E24 it is very obvious that Canon is doing the right things at the right time.

    I like the 5D II already now – with some more video capabilities it might even convince more people.

  • I’m not sure about that either. I think Photokina was the right show. However, I am of the believe the video didn’t get done they way they wanted it to.

  • sounds quite literally like ” i know a guy who talked with a guy who knows this thing…”

    i won’t hold my breath on my 5D2 getting better video controls. whatev, though.

  • I’ve heard other comments from Canon “Makers of Light” hinting that we might see something like that this spring, so this report is right in line with that. It takes a lot of testing by many people to get bugs out of software, and I’m sure budgets are tight, and that the next generation of DSLR’s is using much of the available resources, so this spring would be great.

  • it’s just that manual video control is so trivial it seems a little hard to believe. Granted on a fixed deadline, even a trivial thing can be the few hours or day that doesnt make it, but they had no exact deadline and it surely can’t tke this long to program it. Maybe they are adding more than just Av video mode though. If they add all sorts of other things the hardware can do video and audio wise then it might take some time.

    perhaps 24p would be a little more involved and require more testing or maybe not, hard to say without knowing more about internal details and if they added voice annotation of stills and so on.

  • I wonder what would happen if they asked for $100 for the upgrade. Nice cash cow for them…

  • This is BS just like 90% of the rumors are… Canon could have made manual control as simple as switch of a software node in the programing. Aperture-shutter-iso are easily switched in the firmware/software that runs the camera. It’s no accident. So this dreaming is a waste of time. Canon has been doing these tricks with all their products. There not stupid and don’t get rushed or rush products out. I work with Canon Irvine Ca from time to time and they are not stupid like you suggest….. Everything is planned and double checked when a product gets it’s golden pass to be put into production….

    So lets cut the hopeless dreaming……

    PS: The only possible chance is aperture control, since they want to sell more lenses and not have nikon on on the 5d. This is even a stretch for me…………….

    Also putting out hopeless rumors to to hook desperate people looking for any crazy rumor to sell google add space is cheap of you….. Just stick to good founded canon news..

    Hank B

  • Seriously – if you want video, buy a camera that is made for video, not one designed to make photos. I’m sick of people bitching about the 5D lacking various video features.

    “Oh, but there’s no 24fps.”
    “Why doesn’t my DSLR have manual video control.”
    “My fingers hurt…”

    If you are going to whine about something at least make it something that the camera lacks as an SLR (you remember, the cameras primary function), like the AF system, but just shut up about the flipping movie mode and go buy a camera designed to make video…

  • Yeah, I don’t get why anyone thinks manual video control is anything more than utterly the most trivial of programming jobs and how ridiculously easily and surely it could be tested and certified as working. Heck, pop on a Nikon lens and it handles that fine even without a new code.

    If this gave canon even the slightest trouble they would be the most incompetent software engineering team in the entire world, with no exaggeration. How in the world could they have done the rest of the firmware, if this little, trivial thing was so tricky and so prone to needing massive bug testing and quality assurance. LOL.

  • <<>>>>>>

    Exactly
    Exactly
    Exactly
    Exactly
    Exactly
    Exactly
    Exactly
    Exactly
    Exactly
    Exactly………. Genious!

    Everyone acts like this is some ” OH MY GOD THE DIFFICULTY CANON MUST GO THROUGH TO SWITCH ON MANUAL CONTROL”

    It’s pathetic….Canon knew what they were doing before they committed to doing it. In this case NOT doing the right thing was their choice.

  • Funny how Panasonic is doing what Canon can’t. ( full manual controls in video )

    “”Dave Etchells talks to Chris Rice from Panasonic about the newly announced GH1 micro four thirds digital SLR. It captures video at 1080p/24fps and 720p/60fps while haveing the option to have full manual controls as you shoot.””

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beHVnyvF0fI

  • I could see Canon releasing manual control firmware. You could also argue that Canon should have put video recording in the 40D, 50D, etc. So why didn’t they? People are doing it with custom firmware already. If Canon gives you all the features at once, then what are they going to use as selling points with their next camera update?

    You’re right Hank, Canon isn’t stupid. This is why they are “watering-down” the features and capabilities of some of their cameras. They may however be forced to add a manual feature like Panasonics camera has, just to stay in the competitive circle.

  • When it comes to video in DSLR’s, Canon will probably continue to just ‘react’ to the competition. After all, to go ahead and make a better product than their own video camcorders doesn’t make marketing sense to them. Your best chance to see improvements in video in the 5D (and later) cameras is if Nikon or someone else comes out with a better product. It is marketing and business! They don’t release cameras because they like us, you know!!

  • wake up.
    video dslrs are a fact now
    nikon, canon, panasonic

    you claim them to be separate industries as big corporations brainwashed the society to believe, but they are really one. its a breakthrough to be able to record video using this full frame sensor and common sense simple manual control over it is expected and nothing extravagant to ask.

    dont like to record video – dont use that mode.

    no one is bashing anything. people want simple control over simple feature, which has been restricted due to corporate scheming and not tech limitations

  • I relly need the 24fps. I can get Manual Control From Nikon Lens with aperture ring. I really feel betrayed by Canon. they only will publish the Firmware if Nikon do it with d90 first or if Panasonic Launch the GH1 sooner than expeted.

  • It’s an ugly hack, but I made a quick program for my HTC mobile phone (Windows Mobile based) that will display different shades of gray. Using a manual lense (fixed aperture), I select the appropriate shade of gray, put the phone in front of the lense to force the appropriate exposure settings (say 1/60s @ ISO 100 for a 180° shutter), press exposure lock and shoot away. That way, I can do exactly the same thing before every shot and be sure I’m always using the same exposure. If I want to move up or down, I just make the image lighter or darker. Again, it’s an ugly hack, and shame on Canon for forcing us to do this kind of BS, but it’s the quickest way I’ve found *personally*.

    http://cinema5d.com/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=1016

    Use this software at your own risk. I wrote it in about 30 minutes as a proof of concept, tested it once on my phone, and make NO WARRANTY that it won’t make your phone explode or melt your 5D with cosmic death rays. I just wanted to see if it would work well enough for me. It seems it does. Lets hope Canon get their sh*t together, though, and saves me from having to wave my phone around in front of a lens like a madman every time I want to film something!

  • WHat to say. I feel like ditched by Canon and looking forward for the new firmware upgrade with Video manual controls. Since I am planning to shoot a short feature film with this camera I am planning to buy couple of Nikon lenses. Will wait for some more days. I have already shot two TVCs with this camera and the result is amazing, Check this link to see the TVC http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6tqhzkHaPk

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