Firmware Update For Canon EOS C300/C300 PL

Canon yesterday released a firmware update for the Canon EOS C300 and C300/PL (B&H | Adorama), click here to download the firmware.

Changes:

Firmware Version 1.0.8.1.00 incorporates the following fixes and improvements:

1. Some of the EF lens products that can be mounted on the camera can be controlled more reliably.

2. Corrections to the Spanish and German language texts in the View Assistance function [View Assist.].

3. Efforts to correct image color fringing when a subject is of high contrast have been made.

Note: Firmware version 1.0.7.1.00 incorporates items 2 and 3 above. Firmware Version 1.0.8.1.00 is for EOS C300/EOS C300 PL cameras with Firmware Version 1.0.2.1.00 through 1.0.7.1.00. If the camera’s firmware is already Version 1.0.8.1.00, it is not necessary to update the firmware. Once the camera is updated to the latest version, it cannot be restored to a previous version.

[via filmtools]

Is Your Canon EOS 5D Mark III Freezing And Losing Files?

EOS 5D Mark III Freezing

It appears that the Canon EOS 5D Mark III (price & specs) has a problem with freezing after having captured a video clip up to a given time limit. The issue may be related to certain CF cards, independently of the card speed. Users report that the camera locked up and lost footage when it reached the 30 minutes limit for clips. Users started a petition to move Canon to release a fix. The letter says:

Hello,

You have probably heard of many customers globally having problems with Canon 5Dmk3 camera freeze and lost files, both video and stills. If not, this is just one of quite a few forums discussing this for your reference – http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?topic=8732.0

We need to draw your attention to us needing you to get it fixed ASAP.
As simple as that – admit it exists and find a solution, please.
We can’t afford losing our files any longer and using the gear that have a problem that is intermittent.

Canon’s answer to one of the users (source: nofilmschool):

We are not aware that there is an issue with these Sandisk cards within the camera. If you suspect it to be the cards, I would recommend trying a different brand and or size to see if the issues persist. We are not aware in advance when new firmware and or changes are coming to the camera. Anything like this would be announced on the Canon EOS web site. I would say that if another card causes the same issue you would want to send the camera in for service. Currently we are not able to recommend one specific brand of cards over another. We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause you at this time.

It seems to be an intermittent problem, difficult to replicate. The discussion started in this forum.

Have you experienced the issue, is your EOS 5D Mark III freezing?

[via nofilmschool]

Canon EOS 5D Mark III price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

A Little Bit Of Everything

Canon Ranks Among Top Five U.S. Patent Holders For Over 25 Years

Press release:

Canon Reaches a New Record With More Than 3,000 Patents Issued

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., February 14, 2013 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, has announced that for the 27th consecutive year its parent company, Canon Inc., has ranked among the top five United States patent holders. Topping the 2011 figure of 2,813 patents, Canon reached a new high for 2012, obtaining 3,174 patents. In addition, Canon Inc. ranked first among Japanese companies and third overall in the United States for patents granted according to the latest ranking of preliminary patent results issued by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services.

Maintaining a dedication to research and development has enabled Canon to remain a leader in patents held, year after year. These patents have allowed the Company to expand into new product categories while continually improving on core technologies.

“The patents registered today will help lead to the innovations of tomorrow,” said Seymour Liebman, executive vice president, chief administrative officer and general counsel, Canon U.S.A. “Making research and development a top priority has enabled us to continually provide customers around the globe with advanced products spanning various technology segments.”

Canon puts great emphasis on providing advanced technology that is ever-changing. Through close cooperation between Canon's technology and intellectual property divisions, the Company aims to improve its technological capabilities while further enhancing its intellectual property rights.

Canon EF-S 18-200mm F/3.5-5.6 IS For $440

Another very good deal by Top Rated Plus eBay seller getitdigital (99.6% positive ratings): Canon EF-S 18-200mm F/3.5-5.6 IS for , that’s at least $130 less than usual.

The Canon 18-200mm IS Lens is a compact, lightweight and wide magnification range lens. This zoom lens features a wide focal length range from normal to telephoto (equivalent to 29-320mm in the 35mm format) making it an ideal choice as a general-purpose zoom lens. It features an Optical Image Stabilizer for up to 4-stops of effective correction even at full zoom. And the circular aperture can give beautiful background blur effects.

Key Features
Image Stabilizer – 4 stop Image Stabilizer (IS) extends low light options to previously unavailable levels. Photographers normally shooting handheld at 1/250 sec can switch on IS to obtain a similarly steady and blur-free result with a shutter speed of just 1/15 second.
Superior Image Quality – Two UD (Ultra-low Dispersion) elements and several aspherical elements are used to suppress the effects of secondary chromatic aberrations, to obtain crisp, sharp, high-contrast images without fringing throughout the zoom range.
Super Spectra Coatings – Optimized Super Spectra lens coatings and lens element shaping, suppress flare and ghosting – more prone to occur with digital cameras due to reflection of the image sensor. Coatings also help achieve true color balance and increase contrast for vivid hi-fidelity images.