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…).

Canon EOS-1D X firmware update

More firmware updates this month: Canon has released firmware 2.0.8 for its flagship EOS-1D X camera. You can download the new firmware from the Canon website.

Firmware version 2.0.8 incorporates the following fix:

• Fixes a phenomenon which occurs when the “Shutter button half-press” menu item, configured in “C.Fn5: Operation” > “Custom Controls Menu”, is set to metering start only; depending on when the shutter button is half-pressed, it may initiate AutoFocus.

Canon firmware updates for the EOS-1D X and EOS-5D Mark III

Canon just published new firmwares for two of its flagship cameras.

EOS 1D X firmware 2.0.7

Firmware version 2.0.7 incorporates the following functional improvements and fixes:

1. Improves the AF controllability when shooting in Live View mode with a wide-angle lens (fixed focal length or zoom).
2. Fixes a phenomenon in which, when shooting long exposures (several minutes), vertical lines appear on the right edge of captured images (still photos).
3. Fixes a phenomenon in which the Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB) may not perform as intended when in continuous shooting mode and where the shutter speed is longer than 1 second.
4. Improves the reliability of the control mechanism for the Picture Style Auto setting.
5. Fixes a phenomenon in which the electronic level indicator does not work correctly.
6. Fixes a phenomenon in which, when using the "Save and read camera settings" function, the color space data that is selected in "Custom shooting mode (C1-C3)" is not saved. ^*1
7. Corrects some incorrect indications on the "English" and "Russian" menu screens.

^*1 As a result of this fix, cameras with Firmware Version 2.0.7 will not be able to read the "camera settings file" created with cameras running Firmware Version 2.0.3 (or earlier). If you require the "camera settings file", please create it after updating to firmware version 2.0.7.

You can download the new firmware from the Canon website.

EOS 5D Mark III firmware 1.3.3

Firmware version 1.3.3 incorporates the following improvement and fix:

1. Improves the AF controllability when shooting in Live View mode with a wide-angle lens (fixed focal length or zoom).
2. Corrects some incorrect indications on the "English" and "Russian" menu screens.

You can download the new firmware from the Canon website.

New version of Canon Digital Photo Professional software

Canon has released a new version of its Digital Photo Professional (DPP) software. This new version contains quite a few radical changes and new features over its predecessors. Big disappointment for many will be this new 4.0 version is only compatible with the very latest Canon DSLRs; only the EOS-1D X, EOS-1D C, EOS 5D Mark III and EOS 6D are currently supported! For other models, an update of DPP (3.14) will be released (not yet available, though).

For the new camera's the software does offer some great improvements though. Designed and developed from the ground up, the new Digital Photo Professional 4.0 is much faster as it fully utilises the 64-bit architecture of the host system.

You can download DPP 4.0 (for free) from Canon Europe's support site. Select your camera - EOS-1D X, EOS-1D C, EOS 5D Mark III or EOS 6D – and select DPP 4.0 from the software options to download.
Please note that DPP 4.0 will be compatible only with 64-bit versions of Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 as well as Mac OS X 10.8 and 10.9.

New key features

• Faster, real-time adjustments.
• Improved RAW file workflow.
• Better, more approachable user interfaces.
• Compatible with 64-bit native environments.
• Colour adjustments for specific colour gamuts.
• Improved highlight recovery provides expanded tonality.
• Improved shadow recovery function.
• Support for movie playback.
• Auto Lighting Optimizer can be applied to JPEG images.
• Better integration with EOS Utility.

New colour adjustment palette

A new colour adjustment palette allows hue, saturation and luminance adjustment for eight individual colour gamuts, enabling the user to adjust one specific colour in isolation without affecting the image as a whole. This is particularly useful when adjusting background tones in portraits, where there might previously have been a risk of giving a colour cast to skin tones, for example.

Enhanced highlight function

Canon software developers have re-engineered the processing algorithms to increase the freedom in tonal rendering. By adjusting highlights, it is now possible to reproduce tones such as those in clouds and peoples’ faces that would previously have appeared washed out.

Dual display support

For those photographers with dual monitors, DPP 4.0 allows a secondary monitor to be used as the preview window on the primary display. While the main monitor can be used to perform delicate adjustments, a secondary image window for images can be used as a magnifier for closer inspection of part of an image.

Better EOS Utility integration

With the launch of DDP 4.0 comes an updated EOS Utility 3 and the two pieces of software now offer better integration. The introduction of EOS Utility 3 makes it is possible to trigger the camera direct from the DPP tool palette as well as access to all the rest of the EOS Utility remote shooting functions without the need to start a separate application, thus enabling a more streamlined and integrated workflow.

Firmware update 2.0.3 for the Canon EOS-1D X

Canon today published a new firmware for its flagship EOS-1D X DSLR camera. The new firmware comes with a host of updates and improvements (Nikon: where are you with these kind of updates for the D4?). If you have a 1D X, I would really recommend updating.

As always, you can download the update from the canon website.
Note: if your particular operating system version (e.g., Mac OS X 10.9) doesn't show the 2.0.3 update, use an earlier OS version, this should allow you to view and download it.

Updates and fixes in the 2.0.3 firmware revision:

• Auto focusing performance under low-light conditions has been enhanced when performing focusing before shooting in AI Servo AF mode. The enhancement comes from the improvement in tracking capability for the first image in the low-light conditions.
• The number of release parameters settings for the "AI Servo AF 2nd image priority" AF function has been increased to enable improved AF tracking in low light or maintain consistent high frames rates during continuous shooting.
• The number of parameters for acceleration/deceleration tracking in the AF Configuration Tool will has been increased.
• Exposure compensation can be performed when using manual exposure and ISO Auto.
• The minimum shutter speed limit for ISO Auto has been increased with shutter speeds up to 1/8000.
• A new function to keep the exposure constant by altering the ISO or shutter speed in manual exposure, when the aperture value changes when zooming or changing lenses has been added.
• A new option has been added to orientation linked AF point to enable only the AF point to switch as you change orientation rather than both AF point/ AF area settings
• A new option to continue to use the previously manually selected AF point as the initial starting AF point when switching to 61-point automatic selection has been added.
• New customization of the Exposure metering and AF controls has been added for more flexibility.
• The number of possibilities for controls to switch between one-shot AF and AI Servo AF using custom controls has been increased.
• A function has been added to allow the playback and review of protected images only.
• A phenomenon has been fixed in which the white balance may be disturbed by the timing of the shutter release when the drive mode is single shooting and a flash (E-TTL)is used.

Canon EOS 1D X and 1D C Service Notice

Canon just released a service notice for its EOS 1D X and 1D C cameras.

“Thank you for using Canon products.
This notice is to proactively inform our customers of the details of the phenomena described below along with Canon’s support actions. Because we value the trust our customers have placed in us, we are dedicated to continuously improving product quality and delivering industry-leading service and support. We offer our sincerest apologies to any customer who may be inconvenienced.

Affected Products

• EOS-1D X Digital SLR Camera
• EOS-1D C Cinema EOS Camera

Phenomena
In some units of the models listed below, there is a possibility that the following phenomena may occur due to wear caused by insufficient lubrication within the camera’s driving mechanism.

1. AF searches but does not lock in on the subject.
   (Caused by minute particles produced by wear mentioned above.)
2. The image shown in the viewfinder is “blurry” or “not steady”.
   (Occurs if wear progresses.)

Potentially Affected Products

1. EOS-1D X: If the sixth digit of the serial number is “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, “5”, “6” or “7”, the phenomena described above may occur.
2. EOS-1D C: If the sixth digit of the serial number is “1”, the phenomena described above may occur.

NOTE: If the camera’s battery compartment contains one of the markings illustrated below, the camera is NOT affected by the phenomena described above even if the sixth digit of the serial number is one of the numbers mentioned above.

Markings of UNAFFECTED cameras

An "A" mark



A black mark on the silver bracket

Support
Potentially affected cameras will be inspected and repaired free of charge. If you own one of the potentially affected cameras please contact our Customer Support Center.

This information is for residents of the United States and Puerto Rico only. If you do not reside in the USA or Puerto Rico, please contact the Canon Customer Support Center in your region.

Please register the EOS-1D X and the EOS-1D C. By registering, we will be able to notify you via email when service updates are available.

Thank you,
Customer Support Operations
Canon U.S.A., Inc

Canon EOS-1D X Digital SLR Camera
Contact Information for Inquiries
Canon Customer Support Center
Phone:	1-800-OK-CANON
	1-800-652-2666
TDD:	1-866-251-3752
Email:	carecenter@cits.canon.com
For additional support options: www.usa.canon.com/support

Canon EOS-1D C Cinema EOS Camera
Contact Information for Inquiries
Canon Customer Support Center
Phone:	1-855-CINE-EOS (toll free)
	1-855-246-3367
TDD:	1-866-251-3752
Email:	CinemaEOS@cits.canon.com
For additional support options: pro.usa.canon.com/support

Firmware update for the Canon EOS-1D X

On top of the two updates for the older 1Ds III and 1D IV, I mentioned yesterday, Canon also updated the firmware for their flagship EOS-1D X camera.

Canon EOS-1D X v1.2.4

Firmware Version 1.2.4 incorporates the following functional improvements and fixes:

1. Improves the speed of the camera's acquisition of focus when using a Canon Speedlite's AF-assist beam.
2. Reduces the time it takes to display the metering result on the LCD or Viewfinder when the meter has been activated.
3. Fixes a phenomenon in which a "Caution 02" message is unnecessarily recorded in the camera status log.
4. Fixes a phenomenon in which continuous shooting pauses when using a Canon Speedlite.
5. Fixes a phenomenon, when the Canon GP-E1 is attached, in which the GPS device settings are reset to default settings when the camera has been powered off.

Note:
* This phenomenon occurs only with firmware Version 1.2.1.
* After changing the GPS device settings, please be sure to power off the camera before removing the battery. This will ensure that the camera's GPS device settings will be saved.

Download from Canon website

Canon service advisory for EOS-1D X and 5D Mark III cameras

Canon recently put out a service advisory for their EOS-1D X and 5D Mark III DSLR cameras. I have copied the advisory as can be found on the Canon USA website below.

Affected Products

EOS 5D Mark III Digital SLR Camera
EOS-1D X Digital SLR Camera

Details

Depending upon the shooting conditions, it may take slightly longer for the EOS 5D Mark III and EOS-1D X digital SLR cameras to acquire focus when using the Speedlite's AF Assist Beam, compared with that of the EOS 5D Mark II and EOS-1D Mark IV digital SLR cameras using the Speedlite's AF Assist Beam.

We are developing a solution to enhance the focusing feature for the EOS 5D Mark III and EOS-1D X and plan to release a firmware update based on following estimated schedule:

• EOS 5D Mark III: (estimated) Late April, 2013
• EOS-1D X: (estimated) Late May, 2013

Support

This information is for residents of the United States and Puerto Rico only. If you do not reside in the USA or Puerto Rico, please contact the Canon Customer Support Center in your region.

If you have not already done so, please register your Canon EOS 5D Mark III Digital SLR Camera or your Canon EOS-1D X. Digital SLR Camera. By registering, we will be able to notify you via email about future service upgrades.

Thank you,
Customer Support Operations
Canon U.S.A., Inc.

New v1.2.1 firmware for the Canon EOS-1D X

Canon today published a firmware update for its flagship EOS-1D X camera.

From the release notes, firmware version 1.2.1 incorporates the following improvements and fixes:

• The function to disable the Image size selection button has been added.
• Please see the instruction manual "EOS-1D X Firmware Version 1.2.x Additional Function" (PDF file) included in the downloaded firmware 1.2.1 folder for information on how to intentionally disable this button, after the firmware update 1.2.1 has been installed in the camera.
• Fixes a phenomenon in which Err 70 and Err 80 may occur during certain shooting conditions.

Please note that the firmware update takes approximately seven minutes!

You can download the firmware update from the Canon website.

Canon 1D X service advisory

Canon has indicated there may be an issue with auto-focus in combination with lenses with a maximum aperture of f/8 on some Canon EOS-1D X Digital SLR Cameras with firmware Ver. 1.1.1.

Firmware v1.1.1 enabled the centre AF point to autofocus when the camera is used with lens/extender combinations whose combined maximum aperture is f/8. On some of the cameras with firmware v1.1.1, auto-focusing does not function at f/8 aperture. Funnily enough this is only the case when the camera came with the v1.1.1 firmware out of the factory, not when the user (or Canon support) updated the firmware manually!

To fix this problem, one simply re-applies the firmware (you can download the v1.1.1 firmware from the Canon website)

The problem affects Canon EOS-1D X DSLR Cameras with a 4 or 5 as sixth digit in the serial  number (except when you have a white dot in the battery compartment).

Firmware update for the Canon EOS-1D X

Canon just released a firmware update for its flagship camera, the EOS-1D X. The firmware update addresses the following two issues, making this update a “must have” for most 1D X shooters:

• AF Point Illumination During AI Servo AF
• Cross-Type AF Support at f/8

You can download the firmware from the Canon USA website. Also be sure to download the revised instruction manual there as well.

Details for firmware 1.1.1

Firmware Version 1.1.1 incorporates the following improvements and fixes.

1. Enables the centre AF point to autofocus when the camera is used with lens/extender combinations whose combined maximum aperture is f/8 (f/5.6 without the firmware update).
   ^*Please see the “Lenses and Usable AF points” section of the revised instruction manual for more detail on the lens & camera combinations.
2. Displays the viewfinder information (such as the AF frames, grid, etc.) in red during autofocusing in AI Servo AF.
   ^*When shooting in dark environments during AI Servo AF, the AF points can be easily confirmed.
   ^*During AI Servo AF, the viewfinder will be lit intermittently, not continuously.
3. Corrects a phenomenon in which the metering value of the AE sensor becomes incorrect and the captured images become pitch-black depending on the timing of lens attachment and/or detachment.
4. Fixes a phenomenon in which Err 70 may occur during AEB shooting.
5. Corrects errors in the Arabic menu.
6. Fixes a phenomenon in which the firmware of the lenses cannot be updated normally./li>
   

The instruction manual has been revised consistent with the changes outlined in items 1 and 2 listed above.

Firmware update for Canon EOS 1D-X camera

Canon today released a firmware update for their Canon EOS 1D-X camera.

The v1.06 firmware update is quite substantial (it takes about 7 minutes to apply) and contains the following fixes:

• Fixes a phenomenon in which the AF Microadjustment cannot be correctly carried out.
• Fixes a phenomenon such that when using the camera with the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM or EF200mm f/2L IS USM lens and Extender EF 1.4x III or Extender EF 2x III, the images captured become back-focused.
• Fixes a phenomenon in which, when the camera is powered on in very dark environments (including instances when the lens cap or the body cap is attached), Error 80 appears on the camera.
• Fixes the following phenomenon: if two CF cards are inserted into the camera and the "Standard" or "Auto switch card" setting is selected for the recording method for [Record func+card/folder sel.], and then one of the CF cards is removed and then reinserted into the card slot, the card selected for recording and playing back images may be switched to the other CF Card.
• Fixes a phenomenon in which the AF microadjustment value is not correctly displayed in the EXIF information of the images captured.
• Displays a "O" or "X" result to indicate whether images have been successfully transferred through the FTP protocol when using the WFT-E6 Wireless File Transmitter.

As usual, you can download the firmware update from the Canon USA website.

TIPA Awards 2012

The Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) just announced the winners of their annual awards. Each year TIPA chooses the best products of the last twelve months in 40 photography related categories.

This year Canon is the big winner with 6 awards: Best Professional DSLR (Canon EOS-1D X), Best Video SLR (Canon EOS 5D Mark III), Best Professional Videocamera (Canon EOS C300), Best Expert Compact Camera (Powershot G1 X), Best Professional DSLR Lens (Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L USM fish-eye), and Best Multi-functional Photo Printer (Canon Pixma MG8250).

Nikon and Fujifilm both won three Awards. Nikon for Best Expert DSLR (Nikon D800), Best Entry Level DSLR (Nikon D5100), and Best Professional Flash System (Nikon SB-910). Fujifilm won the awards for Best Professional Compact System Camera (Fujifilm X-Pro 1), Best Superzoom Camera (Fujifilm X-S1), and Best Photo Service (Fujifilm Fotoservice Pro).

For a complete list of this years winners, please see the TIPA website.

Canon delays shipment of EOS-1D X and new 24-70 lens

With all the exciting new product announcements by Canon, it is quite disappointing to learn that there will (again) be delays in delivery of these new goodies. Shipping delays are more prevalent these days and it looks like the recent disasters in Japan and Thailand still have not been overcome completely. But while all companies seem to have problems with timely delivery, Canon seems to suffer more, perhaps also because they announce their products quite early on.

This time it is the delivery of the new EF 24-70 f/2.8L II USM lens, which was announced in February, that is delayed by a month (delivery date now in July instead of June). The new flagship camera EOS-1D X will be delayed even more and instead of hitting the shelves this month, is now planned for mid June.