9 October 2016

Canon firmware updates

Canon recently released a number of firmware updates.

Canon EOS 6D (v.1.1.7), EOS 70D (v.1.1.2), EOS SL1 (v.1.0.1), EOS Rebel T5i/700D (v.1.1.5), EOS Rebel T6/1300D (v.1.0.2)

These firmware updates all fix the same problem:
  • Corrects a phenomenon in which when using the camera with the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM or EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM lens, even if lens aberration correction is set to “Enable”, correction will not be applied.
    Note: The update for the EOS 6D does not include correction for the problem with the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM as this lens is incompatible with that camera 😀.
Canon is working to fix similar problems in their EOS-1D X, EOS-1D Mark IV, EOS 5D Mark III, EOS 7D, EOS 60D, EOS Rebel T1i/500D, EOS Rebel T2i/550D, EOS Rebel T3i/600D, EOS Rebel T4i/650D, EOS Rebel T3/1100D, EOS Rebel T5/1200D, EOS M, and EOS M2 cameras.

Downloads from the Canon USA site:

Canon EOS 7D Mark II firmware v1.1.0

Firmware v1.1.0 contains the following updates:
  • Supports Wi-Fi adapter W-E1.
  • Adds a setting to enable or disable automatic storage of the lens if it is extended out when a gear-driven STM lens*1 is attached, and the power switch is turned to [OFF].
    *1 EF 40mm f/2.8 STM, EF 50mm f/1.8 STM, or EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM lenses
Download: Canon USA

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV firmware v1.0.2

Firmware v1.0.2 contains the following updates:
  • Improves communication reliability when using EOS Utility to register/update new Digital Lens Optimizer.
Download: Canon USA

Canon EOS-1D X Mark II firmware v1.1.2

Firmware v1.1.2 contains the following updates:
  • The addition of a selectable colour-tone option for the LCD monitor.
  • The addition of a function to append IPTC data.
  • The addition of a function to transfer only protected images.
  • The addition of a function to set the GPS positional data retention period.
  • An increase in the number of network connection settings that can be saved to a memory card from 20 to 40.
  • When retrying FTP transfer, extension of the minimum auto power off time to 10 minutes.
  • Improvement of wireless transmission when using Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E6.
Download: Canon USA

Nikon firmware and distortion control data updates

Nikon has recently released firmware updates for the D500 and D3400 as well as an update to the “distortion control data”.

D500 Firmware C1.10

Firmware C1.10 is a minor update, with the following changes:
  • Added support for the iOS version of SnapBridge.
  • Changed some help text.
  • Fixed the following issues:
    • Images would not display correctly if playback zoom was used during image review.
    • The focus point display would not light if the shutter-release button was pressed halfway after the standby timer had expired.
    • The camera would stop responding if a command dial was used in the CUSTOM SETTING MENU > f Controls > f1 Custom control assignment > Movie record button + menu.
    • If an option other than Off was selected for Active D-Lighting in the PHOTO SHOOTING MENU, pictures taken with an optional flash unit in auto aperture (AA), non-TTL auto (A), or distance-priority manual (GN) flash mode would be underexposed.
Download: Nikon Download Centre

D3400 Firmware C1.10

Firmware C1.10 is a minor update, with the following change:
  • Added support for the iOS version of SnapBridge.
Download: Nikon Download Centre

Distortion Control Data v2.015

The Distortion Control Data allows the camera to remove the lens distortion from the captured (JPG) image (when a compatible lens is used). For an overview of the supported cameras and lenses, please see the information at the download site.
Download: Nikon Download Centre

26 August 2016

Canon 5D Mark IV announced

Great news for all (Canon) photographers: Canon yesterday announced the new Canon EOS 5D Mark IV DSLR. Like it's predecessor, the Mark III, it is a full frame camera with very good specifications.

One of the most interesting features, for me at least, is the “Dual Pixel RAW” feature. A feature that allows one to perform some very sophisticated image microadjustments (focus), bokeh shift, and ghosting reduction – during post processing!*
*currently only possible with Canon's own DPP

While I haven't yet seen this in reality myself yet, this sounds as a really powerful feature that other camera manufacturers should have a look at implementing too!

The 5D Mark IV will be available beginning of September for around $3,499.00 / €4,129.99 (body only)

Specifications

  • 30.4MP CMOS full-frame sensor with Dual Pixel AF
  • DCI 4K 30/24p video using Motion JPEG + 4K Frame Grab
  • 61-point AF system with 41 cross-type sensors (centre point sensitive to -3 EV)
  • Dual Pixel AF (sensitive to -4EV) for continuous Servo AF in stills and video
  • ISO 100-32,000 (expandable to 102,400)
  • 7 fps continuous shooting
  • Dual Pixel Raw
  • 150,000-pixel RGB+IR metering sensor
  • 1.62M-dot 3.2" full-time touchscreen
  • Wi-Fi w/ NFC + GPS
  • Built-in bulb timer interval timers
  • Improved weather-sealing

13 July 2016

Nikon firmware updates for the Nikon D500 and D3s

Lots of firmware news today: Nikon recently released firmware updates for the D500 and D3s.

You can download the firmware updates from the Nikon site:

Fixed in D500 firmware version C1.02

  • Addressed an issue that sometimes caused errors with certain UHS-II SD memory cards. As we were able to confirm that these were read errors arising not in the camera but in the cards themselves, we addressed the issue with a work-around that switches temporarily to UHS-I mode when a card-side error occurs in UHS-II mode. The camera switches back to UHS-II mode when turned off and then on again or when the standby timer restarts. Card-side read errors may still occur after the update, albeit very infrequently.

Fixed in D3s firmware version A1.03/B1.02

  • The battery level indicator would on rare occasions flash if the camera was turned on with Clean at shutdown or Clean at startup & shutdown selected for SETUP MENU > Clean image sensor > Clean at startup/shutdown.
  • Two different pictures with the same file number would on rare occasions be recorded to both memory cards if two cards were inserted with Overflow selected for SHOOTING MENU > Slot 2.

Sigma Lens firmware updates



Sigma has released a number of firmware updates to address compatibility issues with some of the newer Canon and Nikon bodies.

Lens firmware updates will be provided free of charge, contact your nearest authorized subsidiary/distributors of SIGMA to have them perform the update. If you own a SIGMA USB DOCK and your lens is compatible, you can update the lens firmware using SIGMA Optimization Pro.

For the latest version of the Sigma software, please go to the SIGMA download page.

Lens firmware updates (Canon 1D X II related)

The lens firmware update corrects the phenomenon of some underexposure when the lenses listed below are used and either “Evaluative Metering” or “Center-weighted Average Metering” is selected in Metering Mode of the camera.
  • SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art – Canon mount
  • SIGMA 35mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art – Canon mount
  • SIGMA 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM – Canon mount

Lens firmware updates (Canon C300 II related)

The firmware updates makes the below lenses fully functional with the Canon Digital Cinema Camera EOS C300 Mark II.
  • SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art – Canon mount
  • SIGMA 24-35mm F2 DG HSM | Art – Canon mount

Lens firmware update (Nikon D500 related)

The firmware updates corrects the phenomenon that it shows some overexposure when below lenses are attached to a Nikon D500 in combination with a SIGMA TELE CONVERTER TC-1401.
  • SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Sports – Nikon mount
  • SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Contemporary - Nikon mount

Canon EOS-1D X Mark II firmware update for SanDisk CFast card errors

Canon released a firmware update for its flagship 1D X II camera. The firmware addresses an issue with SanDisk CFast memory cards corrupting images.

Note: the issue is actually a bug in SanDisk's cards, not in the camera. Canon, however, still was able to provide a solution for it.

You can download the 1.02 firmware from the Canon website.

23 June 2016

Major firmware update for the Nikon D5

Nikon just released a, long anticipated, firmware update for its D5 DSLR flagship.

As already previously announced by Nikon, the D5 can now record (4K) videos of up to 29:59 minutes. But there are a host of other important updates as well (see below for the full list).

The 1.10 firmware update can be downloaded from the Nikon download centre website.

New/improved features:
  • The camera can now record movies up to 29 minutes and 59 seconds long. Movies are recorded across up to 8 files, each up to 4GB size, which can be joined together using the ViewNX-Movie Editor option in ViewNX-i version 1.2.0 or later.
  • An Electronic VR option has been added to the MOVIE SHOOTING MENU. Note that electronic vibration reduction is not available at frame sizes of 3840×2160 or 1920×1080 crop, and that the angle of view is slightly reduced when electronic vibration reduction is in effect.
  • A Flicker reduction option has been added to the PHOTO SHOOTING MENU.
  • Dynamic-area AF (9 points) has been added to the AF-area mode options available during viewfinder photography.
  • The chief changes to viewfinder photography autofocus are:
    • Improved camera response when the button assigned Auto-area AF using Custom Setting f1 (Custom control assignment) > AF-area mode or AF-area mode + AF-ON is pressed to temporarily select auto-area AF.
    • Improved tracking when Wide is selected for Custom Setting a5 (3D-tracking watch area) and 3D-tracking is selected for AF-area mode.
  • The following changes have been made to the shooting display in the web browser when Silent photography is selected in HTTP server mode:
    • An “SL” (“silent”) icon has been added to the release mode button.
    • The “number of shots remaining” display for continuous release modes now shows the time remaining.
    • Exposure compensation can now be adjusted by up to ±3.
  • The file name (extension “.NDF”) is now displayed in HTTP server mode when Image Dust Off data are displayed in a web browser either full frame or in the image viewer.
  • The web browser displays for computers, iPads, and Android OS now identify white balance presets 1 through 6 by number when preset manual white balance is selected in HTTP server mode.
  • If movie recording is started while the camera is focusing in movie live view, the camera will now stop focusing before beginning recording.

Fixed issues:
  • The camera would sometimes record the date of recording incorrectly during leap years and the like.
  • The Save/load settings option in the SETUP MENU would only load up to 10 of the up to 20 items that could be stored in “My Menu”.
  • The camera would display the encryption key for Direct (access point) connections when searching for wireless networks using Search for wireless network with Direct (access point) selected in the SETUP MENU > Network connection wizard.
  • The device would sometimes be unable to connect to the D5 when Connect and exit wizard was chosen with Direct (access point) selected in the SETUP MENU > Network connection wizard.
  • The OS X edition of the Wireless Transmitter Utility would not function as expected when used to edit or add profiles for a camera connected via USB if Password protection was enabled for wireless or Ethernet LANs in the Network > Network settings menu.
  • The camera would sometimes not correctly display pictures created using the Trim option in the RETOUCH MENU.
  • If playback zoom was activated while the memory card access lamp was lit, the picture would sometimes not display correctly or the camera would zoom in on a point other than the active focus point if:
    • RAW Slot 1 - JPEG Slot 2 was selected for Role played by card in Slot 2 in the PHOTO SHOOTING MENU,
    • On was selected for Image review in the PLAYBACK MENU,
    • Memory cards were inserted in Slots both 1 and 2, and
    • The NEF (RAW) and JPEG images were different sizes

10 June 2016

Nikon firmware updates for D4s, D500, D7200, D810, D810A, and WR-1

Nikon recently released firmware updates for its D4s, D500, D810, D810A, and D7200 cameras as well as its Wireless Remote WR-1. Mostly the fixes are minor, but it is always a good idea to stay at the latest firmware releases.

Here are the recent firmware updates and their changes (click on the header to directly go to the download page on the Nikon website).

D4s Firmware C1.31

  • Fixed an issue that occurred with WR-R10 wireless remote controller firmware version 3.00. In rare cases, the camera would fail to display the number of exposures remaining or would take about a minute to power down when the WR-R10 was connected.

D500 Firmware C1.01

  • Fixed an issue that sometimes resulted in the options for SETUP MENU > Language not displaying correctly.

D810 Firmware C1.11 / D810A Firmware C1.01

  • Fixed an issue that sometimes caused the camera to stop responding when attached to a WR‑R10 wireless remote controller running firmware version 3.00.

D7200 Firmware C1.01

  • Selecting Firmware version in the SETUP MENU would not display “C X.XX L X.XXX”.
  • About 4 seconds of static could be heard on audio recorded with external HDMI recorders during movie live view.
  • Exposure compensation would fail to produce the desired results if a negative value was selected when NEF (RAW) images were processed using the NEF (RAW) processing option in the RETOUCH MENU.
  • February 29th would sometimes not display correctly in leap years.

WR-1 Firmware 1.01

  • The D5 and D500 ISO sensitivity displays are now supported. If you are using two WR-1 units, one as a receiver and the other as a transmitter, update both to firmware version 1.01. If you are using the WR-1 with a WR-R10, have a Nikon-authorized service representative update the WR-R10 to firmware version 3.00.
  • When used as a transmitter to change ISO sensitivity for a receiving camera, the WR-1 no longer cycles continuously through the available values.

8 June 2016

Camera Raw 9.6 and Lightroom CC 2015.6 / 6.6 updates


Adobe just made Camera Raw 9.6 (and DNG converter 9.6) and Lightroom CC 2015.6 / 6.6 available.

The most exciting update is the new guided upright functionality, allowing you to draw 2 to 4 guides to precicely control the way the image is straightened. In this video by Adobe's Julieanne Kost, Guided Upright is explained in more detail.

The updates are available via the standard application update mechanism.

DNG Converter 9.6 can be downloaded from the Adobe website: Win | Mac

Release information follows below

26 April 2016

Nikon D7200 firmware update

Nikon just released a firmware update for its D7200 camera.

You can download firmware C 1.01 from the Nikon website.

The following issues are addressed in the firmware update:
  • Selecting Firmware version in the SETUP MENU would not display “C X.XX L X.XXX”.
  • About 4 seconds of static could be heard on audio recorded with external HDMI recorders during movie live view.
  • Exposure compensation would fail to produce the desired results if a negative value was selected when NEF (RAW) images were processed using the NEF (RAW) processing option in the RETOUCH MENU.
  • February 29th would sometimes not display correctly in leap years.
Note
Updating to firmware version 1.01 resets menu settings for cameras with firmware that displays as “A X.XX”, “B X.XX”, “L X.XXX”, “D X.XX”, “L X.XX”, or the like. We recommend that you save settings before performing the update.

Saving and Loading Settings
Select Save/load settings > Save settings in the camera SETUP MENU to save settings to the memory card (note that the date and time, file number, folder name, and custom Picture Controls are not saved).
After updating to firmware version 1.01, select Save/load settings > Load settings in the SETUP MENU to reload the saved settings.

17 March 2016

Lightroom CC 2015.5 & Lightroom 6.5 now available

Adobe has just released an update for Lightroom. This new version fixes numerous bugs and adds support for additional cameras and lenses.
Use the appropriate update mechanism (e.g., the creative cloud application) to retrieve the update. A direct download is also available: Win / Mac.

Bugs Fixed in Lightroom CC 2015.5 / 6.5

Adobe Camera Raw 9.5 now available

Adobe has released an update for Camera Raw. Apart from a host of bug fixes and support for additional lenses and cameras (see below), the biggest change is the revamped GUI look. Which is now (finally) in line with the rest of Photoshop and Bridge. (image: Adobe)

Camera Raw 9.5 is only available for users of Adobe Photoshop CC or later, use the Creative Cloud update mechanism to gain access to the update. Users of older versions of Photoshop can make use of the Adobe DNG converter to add support for newer cameras to their version of Photoshop. The DNG converter can be downloaded from the Adobe website (win | mac) for free.

Bugs Fixed in Camera Raw 9.5

20 February 2016

Canon 80D announced

Canon recently announced a new APS-C camera, the Canon EOS 80D DSLR.

The new 80D will be available in March 2016 at a price of around $1,199.

Some of the more pronounced product specifications:
  • 24.2 Megapixel (APS-C) CMOS sensor
  • Maximum frame rate: 7fps.
  • 45-point all cross-type AF system
  • Viewfinder with approximately 100% viewfinder coverage
  • Dual Pixel CMOS AF for smooth, fast and accurate autofocus with video and stills
  • Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC capability
  • 1080/60p Full HD video
  • Vari-angle Touch Screen 3.0-inch Clear View LCD II monitor

2 February 2016

The new Canon EOS-1D X Mark II

Canon has just announced its new flagship camera, the EOS-1D X Mark II. Like Nikon's recently announced D5, this camera is full of exciting new and improved features.

Here are some of the more pronounced specs (with some comment as to how they compare to Nikon's D5).
  • 20.2 megapixel Full Frame sensor (similar to the 20.9 of the D5).
  • Continuous shooting speeds of up-to-14 frames per second (fps) with Auto Exposure (AE) and predictive AF for viewfinder shooting and up to 16 fps in Live View mode (faster than the Nikon D5).
  • Continuous shooting of up-to 170 consecutive RAW images at 14 fps (slightly less than the D5, but still plenty for even the most demanding action shooter).
  • Improved 61-point viewfinder AF with expanded coverage and all AF-points selectable and supported to a maximum aperture of f/8 (sure, not the 153 – all cross sensor – AF points of the D5, but these are all f/8 and 61 is still more than enough, if they're good).
  • Improved AI Servo III+ predictive AF algorithm for better accuracy.
  • Continuous red illumination of all AF points within the viewfinder (Nikon has offered this for years, quite surprised this wasn't offered on the Canons before).
  • 4K video at 60P (!) and Full HD at 120P (much better than the D5, but then Canon has usually been better at video anyway).
  • Enhanced wireless functionality with the optional Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E8 (probably similar to Nikon's).
  • Digital Lens Optimizer to help correct aberrations in-camera (you previously needed to do this in post processing, Nikon has offered this for quite some time on its cameras and works quite well).
  • Compatibility with both CF and CFast memory cards for optimal performance and versatility (so now we have two competing fast memory cards: XQD (Nikon, Sony) and CFast, not sure which which is better…).

9 January 2016

Mac users beware: bug in the latest Nikon Capture NX-D deletes files after renaming a folder

Important notice to Mac users of Capture NX-D: The latest version will delete all files in a folder (in the root) after you change its name in NX-D.

Update: Nikon has released an update to NX-D that solves this issue. You can download it from the Nikon website.

This is Nikon's official warning:
It has recently come to our attention that the following may occur with Nikon Capture NX-D RAW processing software for Macintosh.
When the user attempts to change name of a folder saved in root directory (the top-most directory in startup disk's hierarchy) on a Macintosh running a compatible version of OS X using the folder palette of Capture NX-D, all files (still images, movies, texts, etc.) saved in that folder will be deleted. Files deleted with the above operation will permanently be deleted and cannot be restored.
We are currently working to resolve this, and plan to release an updated version of Capture NX-D. Until that time, we ask that users do not use Capture NX-D's folder palette to modify name of a folder saved in root directory on a Macintosh computer. Should you need to save your image and/or movie files, save them in a home folder (Desktop, Pictures, Movies, Documents, etc.) located in the Users directory, or in an external hard disk drive.
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. Nikon remains committed to providing only the highest quality products and services, and we hope that you will continue to choose Nikon for your photographic needs.

6 January 2016

The new D500: the long awaited professional crop body from Nikon!

I nearly missed it in all the D5 news (in fact, the info I initially received from Nikon only mentioned it in a link; the news was too fresh to get included), but Nikon yesterday also announced a new professional breed DX (APS-C crop sensor) DSLR. Not the D400 everyone was hoping for, but something even better: a D500.

The specifications for this camera are quite astonishing, and truly make it a professional grade camera: 20.9 MP sensor, ISO 100 – 51,200 (extendable to 50 – 1,638,400), 4K Video, 153 AF points (same as D5), 10fps, 200 image buffer etc.

Suggested retail price: € 2369 (NL, inc. 21% VAT), $2000 (US, ex VAT)
Availability: March 2016

Here are some more specs:

5 January 2016

The New Nikon D5 DLSR: 153 AF points, up to ISO 3,280,000

The rumours where flying around already, but I just got the official announcement from Nikon Netherlands: The new Nikon D5 has been announced!

The new D5 boasts two things, previously unheard of: an all new 153 points AF system (their last top models had “only” 51 points) able to autofocus in almost absolute dark (-4 EV) and on top of that, the camera has a new record high ISO of 3,280,000. This latter is probably only usable for small prints, but at 102,400 the images are supposedly still quite clean and usable.

Suggested retail price: € 7109 (NL, inc. 21% VAT), $6500 (US, ex VAT)
Availability: March 2016

Some more specifications:
  • Sensor: 20.8 Megapixels.
  • ISO: 100 – 102,400, extendable from 50 tot 3,280,000 ISO equivalent.
  • Frame rate: 12 fps with AF/AE, 14fps with Mirror Up (no AF/AE).
  • Buffer: 200 14-bit lossless compressed RAW images.
  • AF: 153 sensor points (of which 99 are cross sensors!).
  • Video: 4K UHD, 25/30 fps.
  • Monitor: High res 2350kdots with touchscreen.
  • Storage: Double XQD 2.0 slot (I love XQD in my own D4: they're incredible fast).

Two all new Nikon AF-P 18-55 DX lenses (with and without VR)

Nikon has announced two new 18-55 DX lenses. These new lenses have a new denomination: AF-P, which indicates a new stepper motor technique allowing for fast and quiet autofocusing.

The lens comes in two flavours, one with and one without Vibration Redution (VR).

The full technical specifications of the AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f:3.5-5.6G and AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f:3.5-5.6G VR lens: