I hope the new firmware doesn't clean up the camera's noise profile too much at ISOs 400 and 800. I like the noise at those speeds! Think I'll wait for more feedback on this before updating (or not).

-Dave-

Philip M wrote:
Understand this procedure, however whats the upload method if you dont have a reader??

Thanks.

Use the USB camera cable that came with the 10D and load directly to the CF card while in the camera. Make sure that you also turn the "Auto Off" power to "OFF" - you do not want the camera powering down while downloading the software. Also important, use the AC power cord that came with the camera instead of relying on in camera BP511 battery.


Carl

Philip M wrote:
Understand this procedure, however whats the upload method if you dont have a reader??

Thanks.

< EOS 10D Firmware Update Installation Instructions Firmware version 1.0.1 >>

Precautions

* Use the fully charged Battery Pack BP-511/BP-512 or the dedicated
AC Adapter kit (Additional) ACK-E2 for firmware update.
* Do not shut off the power during the firmware writing operation.
A power failure during the firmware writing operation may disable the camera.
* Do not open the CF card slot cover or press any camera buttons during the firmware
writing operation.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

EOS 10D firmware update procedures


(1) Copy the "10DV101.fir" file to the formatted CF card.

If you do not have any of the card reading devices,

1. Insert the CF card into the EOS 10D, and connect it to the PC
with Interface Cable IFC-200PCU.
2. Double-click the "UploadFirmware" in the decompressed folder,
and follow the instructions so that the "10DV101.fir" file
can be copied onto the CF card in the EOS 10D.

When you attempt to transfer the data to the CF card in the EOS 10D with
the "UploadFirmware", do not open the CF card slot cover, turn the Main Switch
or turn the power off until the data transfer is completed. Any of the above
operations during data transfer will disable the firmware update.


(2) Insert he CF card with the firmware into the camera and turn the Main Switch on.

The following message will appear on the LCD after the
firmware update program activates.

When using the "UploadFirmware" utility, please be sure that data transfer
is completed and open the CF card slot cover. The firmware update program
also starts as soon as closing the CF card lot cover and the same message
will appear on the LCD.

Execute Upgrade
[10DV101.fir]
[OK] [Cancel]


(3) Select [OK] with Quick Control dial of the camera and press the "SET" button.

If you select [Cancel] and press the "SET" button, the firmware update
is cancelled.
If the message of "Execute Upgrade" does not appear, please return to
Procedure (1) as the firmware is not copied correctly.

To start checking the installed firmware.

A message of [Checking Firmware] appears and the firmware currently
installed is being checked. This step will take approximately 6 seconds.
An indicator (%) and a progress bar will appear during this step.
Do not press the shutter button during this step. Checking firmware will
be cancelled by pressing the shutter button.

After checking the current firmware, both the current and the replaced
versions will be displayed on the LCD as follows.

Replace Firmware
From [ 1.00 ]
To [ 1.01 ]
[OK] [Cancel]


(4) Execute the firmware update after confirming the version to be installed,
by selecting [OK] with Quick Control dial and press the "SET" button.

If you select [Cancel] and press the "SET" button, the firmware update
is cancelled.

The following message will appear during firmware updating.

Re-writing Firmware
xx% Completed

The update will take approximately 2 minutes.

Do not turn the power off during the firmware writing operation.
Do not open the CF card slot cover or press any camera button during
the firmware writing operation.

When the update is completed, the following message will appear on the LCD.

Firmware Replaced
Successfully
[OK]


(5) Complete the firmware update by pressing the "SET" button.

The firmware update is now completed. Format the CF card before it can be used.


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Verifying the firmware update

If firmware version is "1.0.1", updating is completed properly. To confirm the firmware version,
turn the Main Switch ON, and press the MENU button to display the menu. Turn the Quick
Control Dial, and you see "Firmware Ver. 1.0.x" at the end of the settings shown in yellow,
which is the currently installed firmware version number. For more details, please refer
to the instruction manual on pages 32, 33 and 144.


------------------------------------------------------------------------

If the ERROR message appears during the firmware update

In case the following message appears during the firmware update,
please press the "SET" button and return to the beginning of the procedure.
If you still have a problem, please contact Canon Service Center in your region.

Replace Firmware
=== ERROR ! ===
Retry Upgrade
[OK]

Did my ruler focus test.

I used to have some focus issues with the 20-35 mm lens, and now they seems to be way better (used to be off at the closest focusing distance).

50 mm F1.8 is still slightly OOF (but closer to the center) @ F1.8, at F2.2 it's fine.

70-200mm L -- slightly off at 70 mm and dead on at 200 mm at closest focus distance, wide open aperature.

Anyway, it seems to be able to lock and hit the right places better. I think it's becuase they probably tweaked the autofocus algorithm (i.e. IMPROVED feedback, so it kills the motor faster in the search for the focal plane).

Haven't messed with the exposure yet... but it seems to be better on the line test for focus. I didn't really havea ny issues with the focusing problem before, so this is an improvement still, and thus, i am happy :-)

Hope it fix the higlights issue.... will test it later.

Does anyone know what issues Canon claims the firmwear upgrade addresses? Many of the claims I've seen here today are a bit crazy. The easiest one to test was the faster start-up claim--there is no difference with the stopwatch measured time I got before and after the upgrade.

Most firmwear upgrades address obscure issues and I'm guessing this is the case for this upgrade.

lziering wrote:
Many of the claims I've seen here today are a bit crazy.

Could it been the the D-60 firmware upgrade rumors again? Like low light autofocus was improved with the D-60 but Canon would never admit to it, that was claimed by people. After that the rumor got a life of it own.

I will let the experts and Canon tell me what is real or not. Let the others so call experts think what they want. In the end they only have egg on their face!

Bill

lou wrote:

If the only file to used is the 10DV101.fir, then what are the other files, other than the text files.?

CmSelDlg.dll and Pscl2STI.dll are used by Canon's remote capture app and TWAIN support.

PSCLE119.dll, PSCLE121.dll, and PSCLE124.dll are unknown to me.

They might be related to issues with Linear conversion, EXIF data, etc. Heck, I've waited this long. I think I can wait until tomorrow to find out...

Thanks, people. Didn't know about the firmware upgrade. Thanks to you I was able to download and install it this evening.

Shrug, all i can tell you is that the previous run of the focus test I did, i got worse results. (i have written it down)

Larry Mowry wrote:

Well, it shows it can be done Simon...
LM

I'm almost on the verge of a whole package sale - everything Canon - gone now I may think twice

Thanks all again.

Simon

That's not true. Canon publish waht issues are fixed in every firmware revision. Just as an example, from the last firmwareupdate to the 1Ds:

"
What's new?

EOS-1Ds Firmware Update Version 1.0.2 resolves the following issues:

1. White balance setting at P. Fn-Personal Function-No.25 "Sets the default setting when the CLEAR (QUALITY+WB) button is ON".
2. JPEG image (Small/Fine)
3. Wrong display when used with RemoteCapture application




This firmware Version 1.0.2 supports the camera with Version 1.0.1 firmware. If the camera already loads the firmware Version 1.0.2, you do not need to update it.
"

Regards

http://web.canon.jp/Imaging/EOS10D/10D_firmware-e.html

Nothing nearly as earth shattering as some had imagined

1. It increases the reliability of USB communication when used with the camera direct print.
2. It corrects wrong simplified Chinese letters on MENU.

Joe

Hey I' m getting 6 frames per sec................ahhhh just one more!

before the upgrade I got 5...........

http://www.pbase.com/image/17336997

Here are Canon's official statements on improvements in the firmware:

1. It increases the reliability of USB communication when used with the camera direct print.
2. It corrects wrong simplified Chinese letters on MENU.

That is good news for our Chinese members and all of us who use the Canon Cardprinters ...

Peter

Peter...if Canon is telling the truth then why am I suddenly getting perfectly clear images at ISO 400 where before the update it was total crap and I decided to totally avoid iSO 400?

I remember the 1D firmware changes...huge changes in image quality...plus color cast of yellow vanished...but no mentiuon of it. Obviously, Canon does not want to mention that they put a camera on the market that was inferior in any way...so be it...they made it right...good for them...now, if they can do the same for the 1Ds it surely will make a lot of 1Ds owners much happier.
LM

I can't answer for Canon.

You could be right, I am sure you have studied more on comparisons between the 10d before and after the upgrade. I am still curious and look forward to pictures of comparisons. I have no 10D available until saturday, so I guess I'll have to wait to find out myself.

Thanks for sharing your quick first impressions with us!

Peter

It's real on my camera Peter...Now the results at ISO 800 are exactly what I used to get at ISO 400, so now I just avoid ISO 800 as a useless setting. Also, at ISO 100 I am having to meter and use exposure comp and then go into layer masking to balance out the photo where before ISO 100 shots were pretty easy to handle (more blown highlights at ISO 100 now).

The reason I know is because ISO 400 shots were deemed useless to me so it was the first place I looked for to note any changes. What a nice suprise.

Canon isn't going to spill the beans...I love Canon products, but they have been in denial since the 10D came out.
LM

Canon has no problem owning up to problems in their cameras... at least with the consumer cameras like the G3 and the A40 and such.

When it comes to SLR's and dealing with "higher end" consumers and professionals that big Japanese corporate mentality may come into play. If they say they fixed something, that is the same as admitting it was broken...

Still, if they had improved the ISO noise over what it had been (which was already considered excellent), you'd think they would be touting that like NIVIDIA touts their latest video card drivers that squeeze an extra 1.2% of performance out of a card.

But then again, this is Canon. Who knows what they really think

Joe

I went ahead and installed the update last night and then went outside & took some nighttime shots at ISOs 400–3200. Comparing photos of the same subject matter taken a few weeks ago with the post-update photos I don't see any differences in noise quantity or character. Which is fine with me...I like the textural qualities of the 10D's noise at higher ISOs.

-Dave-

I have had some complications with my 10D firmware update, so went searching for a Canon source page with info + download for the update. Check out

http://www.canon.co.jp/Imaging/EOS10D/10D_firmware-e.html

I just knew those Chinese letters weren't quite right!

david
in london