New Canon EOS-1D X Firmware Released (center cross-type AF at f/8, and more)

New Canon EOS-1D X Firmware Released

A new Canon EOS-1D X firmware (rel. 1.1.1) has been released. Among the fixes and new features, two stand out and one of them answers a diffuse user complaint:

  • Center auto-focus is cross-type down to f/8 (was f/5.6 with previous firmware)
  • AF points are now shown in red when in AI servo mode

The firmware and an updated manual can be downloaded (click here) from the EOS-1D X page. The product advisory:

Details
Firmware Version 1.1.1 incorporates the following improvements and fixes.

1. Enables the center AF point to autofocus when the camera is used with lens/extender
combinations whose combined maximum aperture is f/8 (f/5.6 without the firmware
update).
* Please see the “Lenses and Usable AF points” section of the revised instruction manual
for more details on the lens & camera combinations.
2. Displays the viewfinder information (such as the AF frames, grid, etc.) in red during
autofocusing in AI Servo AF.
* When shooting in dark environments during AI Servo AF, the AF points can be easily
confirmed.
* During AI Servo AF, the viewfinder will be lit intermittently, not continuously.
3. Corrects a phenomenon in which the metering value of the AE sensor becomes incorrect and the captured images become pitch-black depending on the timing of lens attachment and/or detachment.
4. Fixes a phenomenon in which Err 70 may occur during AEB shooting.
5. Corrects errors in the Arabic menu.
6. Fixes a phenomenon in which the firmware of the lenses cannot be updated normally.

Firmware Version 1.1.1 is for cameras with firmware up to Version 1.0.6. If the camera’s firmware is already Version 1.1.1, it is not necessary to update the firmware. The firmware update takes approximately seven minutes.

When updating the firmware of your camera, please first go over the instructions thoroughly before you download the firmware.

The instruction manual has been revised consistent with the changes outlined in items 1 and 2 listed above. Users are asked to download both the latest firmware and the instruction manual from our Web site.

Canon EOS-1D X price and availability check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA [via Canon USA]

Will Canon Announce New Lenses Next Week?

Latest rumors suggest that Canon will announce new lenses next week. CR reports that

There is some talk about lens announcements taking place early next week. Although no one is committing to which lenses will get announced. The usual suspects are an EF 35 f/1.4L II and the EF 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4x. The latter is the most likely, with the other less of a possibility.

What about camera announcements? No news about Canon's high resolution DSLR or a more pro-oriented mirrorless camera. However, the EOS-1D C will most probably become official before the end lf 2012.

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens Review

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens Review

The Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens is one of the two lenses (the other is the EF 40mm f/2.8 STM, and then there are two STM lenses for the EOS M) that have been designed to work smoothly with the Movie AF Servo mode that’s featured on the Rebel T4i/EOS 650D. In Movie AF Servo mode the camera can focus continuously while it is recording video. Moreover, the STM (Stepping Motor) AF should allow for a silent focusing (so you don’t record disturbing noise while in video mode).

The Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens sports a newly developed image stabilization system of which Canon claims it gives you 4 stops. The Canon is a good walk-around and everyday lens. It covers photographic settings from landscape (wide angle) to portrait photography. The lens will also sense if you are shooting normally or panning, and will activate the most appropriate IS mode to capture the best possible image. When shooting movies, Dynamic IS automatically engages, countering any shake caused by movement. On a crop sensor (1.6x magnification) the lens has a range of 29-216mm. The usual price tag of the Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM is $549, and it has the following specs:

  • 18-135mm Wide-Angle Zoom Lens
  • Aperture Range: f/3.5-36
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • Stepping Motor and Inner Focusing System
  • Supports Movie Servo AF Feature
  • Smooth and Quiet AF Ideal for Video
  • EF-S Mount for APS-C Format EOS Cameras
  • Compact Design

Steve’s Digicams took the lens and tested it. They used a Canon EOS 60D for the tests. In the conclusion they write:

Canon’s new 18-135mm IS STM lens is a high quality, versatile and affordable (~$550 USD) standard zoom lens. This lens can easily be used as an all-in-one lens, as it is all you need for most standard shooting situations. It is also one of just two of the STM lenses currently available (Oct. 2012), which is a must for anyone that uses their Canon dSLR regularly for shooting video. The new functions of the lens will automatically increase your video quality. As it is equipped with the new T4i kit, we recommend that you buy the kit for this lens, whether you are getting your first dSLR or upgrading from a previous Rebel. You will find yourself using this lens for all of your day to day shooting.

A more exhaustive description of the Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens follows after the break.

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA Canon Rebel T4i/EOS 650D price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA Canon EOS 60D price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

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Remains Of The Day

Photographic remains of the day

Canon EOS 60D Listed As Discontinued On Amazon Germany (EOS 70D hint?)

Canon EOS 60D Listed As Discontinued?

Canon EOS 60D Listed As Discontinued? Thanks to our reader Chris who emailed this. Not sure what is going on here. Amazon Germany lists both the EOS 60D body only and the kit with the EF-S 18-135mm IS lens as discontinued. The last line in the picture above says that the item has been discontinued by the manufacturer [Auslaufartikel (Produktion durch Hersteller eingestellt): Ja]. Click on the links above and scroll down to the paragraph titled Produktinformation.

Typo or an embarrassing error that may suggest an upcoming EOS 70D? The latest rumor we heard about the Canon EOS 70D was saying that there will not be any announcement soon. What do you think?