Microsoft continued with updates--not just patches--for Windows 2000, Windows XP, Office 2000, Office 2002, Office 2003, and other programs, long after they had been replaced with new versions. Windows 2000 updates are posted regularly even now--after there have been two subsequent operating systems replacing that one. I have no hesitation about buying a Microsoft product, as I know it will be supported for as long as I need it. Indeed, I'll buy Microsoft any time that company has a product of a type I'm looking for, over a competitor's product.
You clearly missed the part where I distinguished between maintenance updates (which includes security fixes) and providing new features to defunct or obsoleted applications.
I would agree that the company has an extended obligation to make repairs to a product that does not function as it was intended to function when it was purchased. That includes bug and security fixes.
I would not agree that there is any obligation or should be any expectation that a company should provide free upgrades of capability beyond those intended when the product was purchased.
Windows provides support a couple of versions back (but certainly not forever) because they understand that conversion takes time. For instance, I once worked in software testing for a very large company that had over 20,000 in-house-developed applications.
It took fully two years to test (and if necessary, revise) their in-house applications for a new Microsoft operating system. In fact, that company was planning to move from XP to Vista in 2010, but have just decided to skip Vista because Microsoft has announced a more rapid release of its follow-on.
Inasmuch as they purchased over 120,000 workstation licenses and over 10,000 server licences, Microsoft was always willing to extend premium support beyond the normal end-of-support dates (paid support, of course, and dearly so). But not forever, even then.
Notice, though, that "goodwill" has nothing to do with it. It's a matter of easing the transition from the old product to the new product, knowing that it does require a "transition." Microsoft is not intending to enable anyone to stay permanently with the old product.
There isn't needed a "transition" of this kind to buy a new camera.
RDKirk wrote:
I'm not sure of what you think you mean by that. Are you saying that you have to copy auxilliary software to each flash card used in the Powershot? That's certainly not a satisfactory solution.
Sure it is.
It's pretty simple, takes just a few seconds to do.
It only has to be done once for each card, unless you re-format it.
The great thing about this that makes it far better than changing the firmware permanently in the camera itself, is that if the modded stuff screws up your camera (not a rare possibility), you aren't stuck. Just remove the card, turn the camera off, and turn it on again. Bingo! Factory fresh firmware!
Otherwise, what will you do? You might not be able to downgrade your firmware. I've seen equipment with modded firmware screwed up to the point where you couldn't get to the function that would enable you to do a downgrade, or further upgrade. So you send your camera to Canon, and tell them what, exactly?
And what will Canon want to do about it? They have the right to refuse to service the camera. Will they do that? I don't know, but it would be the fault of the buyer, not Canon, if they did.
Even if they serviced it, what would they charge? This is surely well out of any warrantee work. It could cost a good deal.
Is that worth missing the time spent in uploading the firmware to flash cards? I don't think so.
David Massengi wrote:
See! Now don't ya feel better?
You have no idea. I recently got rid of my medium format gear, back and 5D so I was without a pro body and had to rent. Hopefully by Monday those days are behind me. Whew!
Canon states 8Mbs cards are fast enough to capture 5DII HD video. Since a 12 min 5DII HD video is about 4GB, this equates to ~5.556 MBs. This approximate card write data rate can be verified by a few unmodified 5DII clips that exist (ie no further compression).
Unaltered clips by Vincent Laforet on Canon's site (links now dead)
MVI_0492.MOV - (59,959,511 / 12 seconds = 4,996,625.92 = 4.996 MBs
MVI_0795.MOV - (86,032,331 / 17 seconds = 5,060,725.35 = 5.061 MBs
Could you be thinking of the 38.6 Mbs data rate? This equates to 4.825 MBs. 8MBs should be more than enough for video, and the 20-45MBs data rate for Extreme III-IV cards is only needed to lower the refresh time for 'still' bursts. ...Show more →
How many times have I said that I'm NOT talking about video capture? Don't you read my posts before you respond to them?
It's been VERY clear that I'm ONLY talking about Still bursts. Even many slower flash cards will work with video. Though I'm seeing information showing that under certain circumstances, video can approach 8MBs. And even with some faster cards, I'm talking about still bursts with RAW and high quality JPG together.
I've also tried to clear up the misunderstanding about the Extreme cards. Some people bought some at very low prices. Those are the older, cheaper, MUCH slower cards. That's specifically what I'm talking about.
So while a high speed UDMA card may do about 31+MBs on RAW, and about 25-27 MBs for JPG (each), lower speed cards can be much slower.
The fast Extreme III (more expensive) card does about 23 MBs for RAW, and about 19 MBs for JPG.
The older Extreme III (old and cheap) card does about 15.5 MBs for RAW, and about 13.3 for JPG.
So, while all of these will work for video, as I keep saying, not all will allow the camera to perform to its highest specs in still full burst mode.
While the Extreme III (new) card will come pretty close, when shooting another long burst right after the first, before the buffer completely empties into this slightly too slow card, that second burst will be compromised, as you will be shooting into a partly full buffer..
Mel Gross wrote:
How many times have I said that I'm NOT talking about video capture? Don't you read my posts before you respond to them?
It's been VERY clear that I'm ONLY talking about Still bursts. Even many slower flash cards will work with video. Though I'm seeing information showing that under certain circumstances, video can approach 8MBs. And even with some faster cards, I'm talking about still bursts with RAW and high quality JPG together.
I've also tried to clear up the misunderstanding about the Extreme cards. Some people bought some at very low prices. Those are the older, cheaper, MUCH slower cards. That's specifically what I'm talking about.
So while a high speed UDMA card may do about 31+MBs on RAW, and about 25-27 MBs for JPG (each), lower speed cards can be much slower.
The fast Extreme III (more expensive) card does about 23 MBs for RAW, and about 19 MBs for JPG.
The older Extreme III (old and cheap) card does about 15.5 MBs for RAW, and about 13.3 for JPG.
So, while all of these will work for video, as I keep saying, not all will allow the camera to perform to its highest specs in still full burst mode.
While the Extreme III (new) card will come pretty close, when shooting another long burst right after the first, before the buffer completely empties into this slightly too slow card, that second burst will be compromised, as you will be shooting into a partly full buffer.....Show more →
Just to clear up some bad information. The cards 8gig cards that I bought from BH and the ones that were available from adoram for 29 - rebate are the new cards and not the old ones. Mine all say 30MB/s on them.
"In early 2008, SanDisk revamped its Extreme III CompactFlash line. The cards marked "Extreme III 30MB/s Edition" in the table feature a redesigned controller and faster flash memory than previous Extreme III. The new Extreme IIIs can be identified from older Extreme IIIs by the "30MB/s" labeling on the card and packaging of the new version."
David Massengi wrote:
I gave up on Ritz, and called around to some smaller camera shops. Mine is on the FedEx truck now and will be here tomorrow morning. Try cameralandny.com and see if you have any luck. You'll have to call them to find out.
Just called them. They should have more tomorrow or friday! Whoot !
I preordered two 5d mk2 from Houston Camera Exchange on 11/05 and I was number 6 on their list. They got two bodies and two kits last week. I guess that puts me down to number 4 currently. I called on friday and they have no idea when they are getting more of them. They said maybe sometime next week.
Anyone else ordered from them? I get my stuff from them all the time when I don't order through B&H. They are great.
zore wrote:
Just to clear up some bad information. The cards 8gig cards that I bought from BH and the ones that were available from adoram for 29 - rebate are the new cards and not the old ones. Mine all say 30MB/s on them.
"In early 2008, SanDisk revamped its Extreme III CompactFlash line. The cards marked "Extreme III 30MB/s Edition" in the table feature a redesigned controller and faster flash memory than previous Extreme III. The new Extreme IIIs can be identified from older Extreme IIIs by the "30MB/s" labeling on the card and packaging of the new version."
I'm happy you cleared that up, because when you look around, you still find mostly the older versions being offered, at great (seemingly) prices.
I finally got my hands on one today! Unfortunately not mine, but this awesome camera store near me let me wonder around the shop with it till i filled my CF card (Which took no time at all with Jpegs, Raws, and a little video on a 2GB sandisk)
Quick snap, 30mm 1.4L @ 1.4, ISO1600, 1/320th
Suffice to say this has only reinforced my want for this camera! I'm being told early January, shucks.
!