Camera Rumors

Firmware update for the new Fuji X10 is available for download.

Version 1.02 list of updates:

Just in the following camera procedure, aperture value was incorrectly displayed as “F2.2″ even if actual value was set to “F2.0″. This phenomenon is improved.

• (1)Mode dial is set to [A] or [M]
• (2)Aperture is set to F2.0 (open aperture).
• (3)Zoom lens position is moved from wide edge to telephoto edge, and finally to wide edge, again.

2. In the TRACKING mode, the AF hunting occurs, which you can see coming in focus and out of focus continuously in the LCD monitor. This occurs in the two cases below.

• (1)Turn on the camera to select “TRACKING” in AF mode(shooting menu) and change to shooting mode by half-pressing the shutter button.
  (If changing to shooting mode by pressing “DISP/BACK” button, this cannot occur.)
• (2)Turn off and on the camera while “TRACKING” mode.
  (If turning on and off after changing to EXR mode, this cannot occur.)

Sony just released firmware updates for their latest SLT camera , Sony A77 and A65.  Version 1.03 will add support for external macro flash, improve response time on some operation and other minor improvement. The updates can be downloaded from Sony website , available in Windows and Mac format.

1. Support flash control function for Micro Twin Flash Kit, HVL-MT24AM.
2. Improved response time of the following operation,
   - Switching the screen mode between the LCD monitor and the electronic viewfinder
   - Front and Rear control dial
   - Fn button control
3. Other functional improvement.

Download updates:

SLT-A65
Ver.1.03 (Windows) http://www.sony-asia.com/support/download/474564
Ver.1.03 (Macintosh) http://www.sony-asia.com/support/download/474599

SLT-A77
Ver.1.03 (Windows) http://www.sony-asia.com/support/download/474591
Ver.1.03 (Macintosh) http://www.sony-asia.com/support/download/474605

Fuji just released a firmware update for Fuji X100. Fuji X100 have several annoying bugs according to DPReview’s review (and others) and thankfully , Fuji listened to them and release this firmware.

The update available for free download here

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New firmware update for Canon EOS-1D Mark IV and EOS 5D Mark II. Version 1.1.0 and 2.0.9 respectively will correct some minor bugs / translation errors and also improve write/read speeds with CF cards.

EOS-1D Mark IV Changes (download here )

This firmware update (Version 1.1.0) incorporates the following improvements and fixes.

1. Improves the writing/reading speeds when using UDMA 7-compatible CF cards.
2. Fixes a phenomenon that occurs when using high-capacity (32 GB or greater) CF cards: If either a CF card with only a little available space remaining or the battery is removed and then reinserted into the camera, and then the user attempts to start shooting movies immediately, shooting may stop.
3. Corrects some mistakes in the menu screens displayed in Arabic and Portuguese.

EOS 5D Mark II Changes ( download here )

This firmware update (Version 2.0.9) incorporates the following improvements and fixes.

1. Improves the writing/reading speeds when using UDMA 7-compatible CF cards.
2. Fixes a phenomenon that occurs when custom function C.Fn III-2 is set to [5: IS start] to assign IS start to the AF stop button on the lens: When used with lenses that do not have an AF stop button, the IS function will not work.
3. Corrects some mistakes in the menu screens displayed in Arabic, Portuguese, Spanish, and Thai.

Canon 5D Mark II Body Only is currently in-stock on Amazon for $2700 ( check )

Fuji has released the firmware update for Fuji X100. This update will fix problems with Quick Start Mode:  If the images are shot with ISO Bracketing mode when “QUICK START MODE”(*1) is set to “ON” and turn off the camera,the camera cannot be turned on again even with ordinary operation.

Read the how-to and download the update at :

http://www.fujifilm.com/support/digital_cameras/software/firmware/x/finepix_x100/fupd.html

Fuji X100 is available on Amazon BUT watchout for the price. Third party sellers sell the camera for $4000 !!

Ricoh just released a firmware update for their interchangeable unit camera , the Ricoh GXR. The version 1.31 will fix several issues such as incorrect shutter speed / exposure display on several occasions, incompatibility with Eye-Fi cards , and some focus ring problem.

This update includes the firmware for : GXR body  , GR LENS A12 28mm F2.5 , GR LENS A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO , RICOH LENS S10 24-72 mm F2.5-4.4 VC , and RICOH LENS P10 28-300 mm F3.5-5.6 VC.

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Firmware update for Nikon D3100 DSLR is available for immediate download at Nikon USA . The update will fix several issues : magenta tint at high ISOs, autofocus issues at liveview mode, date recording problem and many others. Users are encourage to download and apply the update. Available in Windows and Mac format , download here

FYI, Nikon D3100 is #1 bestseller DSLR cameras at Amazon. Current price ( camera + lens kit ) is $600 !!

D3100 firmware: A/B:1.01:

• A magenta tint was present at the bottom of still images captured at high sensitivities after shooting in live view mode or recording movies for an extended length of time.  The occurrence of this magenta tint has been reduced.
• When images captured with continuous shooting in live view mode were played back, in some very rare cases, some of the images were not properly displayed.  This issue has been resolved.
• When shooting in live view mode with AF-area mode set to Subject-tracking AF, in some very rare cases, the focus point slipped off the subject with autofocusing after the intended tracking subject had been selected.  This issue has been resolved.
• When images edited using camera retouch functions were played back in calendar playback mode, they were assigned to dates based not on the date of capture, but rather the date on which they were edited.  This issue has been resolved.
• When white balance for RAW images created using the camera’s image overlay function was fine tuned with Capture NX 2 or ViewNX 2, the images acquired a magenta cast.  This issue has been resolved.
• A portion of the error message displayed when live view mode could not be initiated because the camera’s internal temperature was too high has been revised.
• When Noise reduction in the shooting menu is set to On, operation is as follows.
  Processing to reduce noise is performed at all ISO sensitivity settings.  Noise reduction is especially effective with shooting at high ISO sensitivities.
  Processing to reduce noise is performed immediately after shooting in any of the situations noted below.  While processing to reduce noise is performed, “Job nr” blinks in the viewfinder display.  Shooting is not possible until “Job nr” is no longer displayed.  The time required for noise reduction processing is roughly equal to the shutter speed used to capture the image.
  • Shooting at shutter speeds slower than approximately 8 seconds
  • Shooting at high ISO sensitivities when the internal temperature of the camera is high
• The Help information displayed for the Noise reduction item in the shooting menu has also been revised in accordance with these modifications.

Pentax just released a firmware update for their DSLR cameras : Pentax K-r and K-7. It’s the same improvement as we saw earlier from firmware update for Pentax K-5 and K-x. Version 1.11 for Pentax K-7  and version 1.02 for Pentax K-r will compatible with SDXC memory card that enable to store data up to 2 TB .

Download available for Windows and Mac users:

Firmware download for Pentax K-7

Firmware download for Pentax K-r

I’ve post about unofficial download of new Pentax K5 firmware update before but now , it’s official. Pentax just announced the latest firmware update for Pentax K-5, K-r and 645D. Unfortunately for Pentax K5, there is no fix for sensor stains problem.

List of changes:

Pentax K-5 ( version 1.02 ) and Pentax K-r ( version 1.01 ) :

• Compatible with SDXC memory card.
  * Transfer rate is not compatible with UHS speed class.
• All ISO sensitivity setting can be used on Bulb mode.
• Improved functional sequence for Contrast AF and improved total speed until in focus.

Pentax 645D ( version 1.01 ) :

• Compatible with SDXC memory card.
  * Transfer rate is not compatible with UHS speed class.

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