Canon EOS 5D Mark III Firmware 1.2.1 Update Available
From Canon Australia:
Firmware Version 1.2.1 incorporates the following functional improvements and fixes.
Uncompressed HDMI output is now enabled.
Enables the center AF point to autofocus when the camera is used with Canon EF lens/extender combinations whose combined maximum aperture is f/8.
Improves the speed of the camera's acquisition of focus when using a Canon Speedlite's AF-assist beam.
Fixes a phenomenon in which the LCD monitor may freeze and display Err 70 or Err 80 when a still photo is taken during Live View or in movie shooting mode.
Fixes a phenomenon that may occur when the continuous shooting priority setting is enabled for multiple exposures, such that, after the sixth image is taken, there is a slight pause before the remainder of the sequence is completed.
Fixes a phenomenon in which the viewfinder display shows incorrect information during AEB shooting.
Communication with the WFT-E7 Wireless File Transmitter has been improved.
When images have been successfully transferred with the WFT-E7 Wireless File Transmitter through the FTP protocol, an "O" will be displayed. When images have not been successfully transferred with the WFT-E7 Wireless File Transmitter through the FTP protocol, an "X" will be displayed.
Fixes a phenomenon in which the camera may not function properly when an Eye-Fi card is used.
Fixes a phenomenon in which the focal length value listed in the Exif information is not displayed correctly for images shot with the EF 24-70mm F4L IS USM lens.
Fixes a phenomenon in which the lens firmware cannot be updated properly.
Corrects errors in the Arabic language menu.
Fixes a phenomenon in which the camera changes the AF microadjustment value to -8.
Fixes a phenomenon in which the on-screen guidance cannot be fully displayed when setting the maximum limit value for the "Setting the ISO Speed Range for Auto ISO" option.
* Items No.1 through 12 have been incorporated into firmware version 1.2.0. * Items No.1 through 14 have been incorporated into firmware version 1.2.1.
Firmware Version 1.2.1 is for cameras with firmware version 1.2.0 or earlier. If the camera's firmware is already version 1.2.1, it is not necessary to update the firmware.
Notes:
Once the EOS 5D Mark III camera is updated to version 1.2.1, it cannot be restored to a previous firmware version (Version 1.0.7 through 1.1.3).
It is recommended that the latest application software*1 be used, once the EOS 5D Mark III is updated to the new firmware version 1.2.1 from older firmware (versions 1.0.7 through 1.1.3). Certain previous versions of these applications do not support functions which are added by the new firmware.
In order to use EOS Utility software with the updated EOS 5D Mark III, the EOS Utility software must be updated to the latest version.
When cameras, or images taken with cameras, have been updated to the new Firmware Version 1.2.1 (or 1.2.0), and are used with the old version application software, the following phenomena will occur.
EOS Utility
The "HDMI output" function, "HDMI output setting" or "HDMI output frame rate setting" cannot be registered to My Menu of the camera.
The lens aberration compensation data cannot be registered to the camera.
Digital Photo Professional
If the Lens Aberration Correction Window is chosen when working with a RAW image taken with a camera running Firmware Version 1.2.1 or 1.2.0, the adjustment window will automatically shut down and the adjustment (correction) cannot be made.
Due to the differences in the camera firmware versions, the following phenomena will occur.
RAW images taken with a Firmware Version 1.2.1 (or 1.2.0) camera cannot be processed on cameras with Firmware Version 1.1.3 or before.
When images taken with a camera running Firmware Version 1.2.1 (or 1.2.0), are read by a camera running Firmware Version 1.1.3 or older, Direct print is not possible.
RAW images taken with a Firmware Version 1.2.1 (or 1.2.0) camera cannot be processed on cameras with Firmware Version 1.1.3 or before. When images taken with a camera running Firmware Version 1.2.1 (or 1.2.0), are read by a camera running Firmware Version 1.1.3 or older, Direct print is not possible.
Accompanying the enhancements to the functions, the instruction manual has also been revised. Users are asked to download both the latest firmware and the instruction manual. You can download the latest instruction manual from our Web site.
This manual is for the EOS 5D Mark III installed with firmware version 1.2.0 or later. Please refer to the pages below for further information about the new functions added by firmware version 1.2.x.
Section
Page
AF when the maximum aperture is f/8
p.85
AF with group H lenses: AF point expansion (surrounding AF points: above, below, left, right)
p.84
Simultaneuous display of LCD monitor and HDMI output
p.245
HDMI frame rate settings
p.246
Time code settings for HDMI output
p.241
There are also updated versions of the following manuals available for download:
"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending April 27th, 2013.
In the news...
On Monday, Canon announced that its EOS line of interchangeable-lens digital cameras had consistently ranked number one in volume sales for the last 10 years running. Canon first gained the leading position after its introduction of the Digital Rebel a decade ago.
Also on Monday, we posted a YouTube video featuring Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield’s tips for photographing from the International Space Station. Chris’s advice? Be patient, look for lines and textures, and use the small “sun glint” angle of reflection window for striking water scenes.
On Wednesday, Sigma announced pricing and availability for its 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM lens and USB Dock. The lens will retail for $3,599.00 while the USB dock will retail for $59.00. Note: I forgot to mention - the lens is expected to be available May 15 while the dock is expected to be available May 18.
And speaking of the USB Dock, Sigma posted a demo video of its Optimization Pro software. Using the new USB Dock, the software allows you to update a compatible lens’s firmware and perform independent microfocus adjustments based on focal range and focus distance.
On Thursday, Canon announced the “Project Imaginat10n” film contest. Canon invites filmmakers of all skill-levels to create films inspired by ten crowdsourced photos and based on ten storytelling themes: Character, Mood, Goal, Backstory, Setting, Obstacle, Relationship, The Unknown, Time and Discovery.
And, for our deal of the week…
On Friday, we posted a deal from Adorama where you could get a Zoom H2N Handy Digital Audio Recorder for $50.00 off – or $129.99 with free shipping. This audio recorder should come in handy when you’re making your “Project Imaginat10n” film.
This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!"
Toshiba Announces EXCERIA PRO 1066x CompactFlash Memory Cards
From Toshiba:
World's fastest class of CF memory cards with latest Video Performance Guarantee Profile 2 (VPG-65) for high-end DSLR
TOKYO—Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO: 6502) today announced that its new line of high performance CompactFlash® (CF) memory cards1, the EXCERIA PRO™ series2, will go on sale from April 27th in the Japanese market. Sales will also follow in Asia, Europe and North America. The initial line-up of 16GB, 32GB and 64GB cards offers the world's highest level read and write speeds3 and complies with the new Video Performance Guarantee Profile 2 (VPG-65) standard.
The EXCERIA PRO™ CF cards integrate Toshiba's high performance NAND flash memory and specially developed dedicated firmware. They achieve a read speed of 160MB/s and write speed of 150MB/s4, the highest level yet reported.
The new cards are compliant with the CompactFlash Association (CFA) standard CompactFlash® Specification Revision 6.1 and compatible with the UDMA7 high speed interface, ensuring they can support high performance DSLRs to the full. The cards are also compatible with the latest "Video Performance Guarantee Profile 2" standard, VPG-65. VPG-65 secures Full HD video capture streams at a minimum write speed of 65MB/s for compatible host devices and recording media. VPG-65 enables 4K resolution (a digital movie file format with horizontal resolution of approx. 4,000 pixels and vertical resolution of approx. 2,000 pixels) movie shooting and high quality Full HD video capture at high frame rates with no dropped frames.
The market for DSLR is expected to grow by some 50% from 2012 to 2015 and demand for CF cards will grow with it. Toshiba will be developing high performance memory cards to meet those needs of the market.
Buy a PocketWizard MiniTT1 and FlexTT5, Get an AC3 ZoneController Free
From PocketWizard:
Purchase one new MiniTT1 and one new FlexTT5 OR two new FlexTT5's for Canon or Nikon in the United States of America between April 19, 2013 to July 31, 2013 and receive a FREE AC3 ZoneController by mail.
Fill out the free offer form and postmark it by August 15, 2013. Purchases must be made and delivered in the USA from an authorized PocketWizard dealer. Please see free AC3 offer form for all terms and conditions.