New firmware for Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM makes Auto-Focus up to 50% faster

Canon 200-600mm
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Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM (B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA) at a glance:

  • Canon EF Lens/Full Frame
  • Aperture Range: f/5-6.3 to 22
  • Two FLD and Three SLD Elements
  • Hyper Sonic Motor AF System
  • Optical Stabilizer with Accelerometer
  • Zoom Lock & Manual Override Switches
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 102.4″
  • Splash and Dust Proof Mount
  • Lens Hood & Rotatable Tripod Collar
  • Compatible with Sigma USB Dock

Sigma released a new firmware for their Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM lens (both Sports and Contemporary versions). Sigma claims the new firmware makes AF on the Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM up to 50% faster. The firmware can be downloaded here.

Sigma press release (via DPReview):

SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Sports / Contemporary
Firmware update for Canon and Nikon mount

We would like to announce the availability of a new firmware update for the SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Sports in Canon and Nikon mount, and the SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Contemporary in Canon and Nikon mount. This firmware update can be installed using SIGMA Optimization Pro, the dedicated software for the SIGMA USB DOCK.

Benefit of this firmware update
The latest firmware update improves the AF algorithm of 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM lenses and further enhances AF speed by optimizing HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) drive control. Depending on shooting conditions, it is expected to increase autofocus speed by approximately 20%, to a maximum of 50%, during normal shooting as well as when using “Speed Priority” set through SIGMA Optimization Pro.

For customers who own the SIGMA USB DOCK and applicable products listed below, please update the firmware using SIGMA Optimization Pro. Please ensure SIGMA Optimization Pro is updated to Version 1.2 before updating the lens firmware.

For customers who do not own a SIGMA USB DOCK, please contact Sigma Imaging (UK) Ltd for details about updating the firmware free of charge.

SIGMA Optimization Pro Download page
http://www.sigma-global.com/download/en

We appreciate your continued support for our company and products.

Canon EOS M3 firmware 1.0.1 update available (since July)

Eos M3
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Apologies for having missed this. As a true EOS M3 fan I shouldn’t have. Canon released EOS M3 firmware 1.0.1 back in July 2015. The firmware solves AF issues with the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM lens.

Firmware Version 1.0.1 (Windows | Mac OS X) incorporates the following enhancement:

1. Improves the autofocus speed of an EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM attached to the EOS M3 (to mount the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM to the EOS M3, the mount adapter EF-EOS M is required. The enhancement in the autofocus speed only applies when the lens is used with the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM)

Firmware Version 1.0.1 is for cameras with firmware Version 1.0.0. If the camera’s firmware is already Version 1.0.1, it is not necessary to update the firmware.

When updating the firmware of the camera, please review the instructions thoroughly before you download the firmware.

Identification procedure:
If the 6th digit in the serial number of your camera is either 0, 1, or 2, then it is equipped with firmware Version 1.0.0 e.g.

xxxxx0xxxxxx, xxxxx1xxxxxx, xxxxx2xxxxxx

Cameras with serial numbers other than those listed above are equipped with firmware Version 1.0.1 or later.

Canon EOS M3: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

EOS M3
Canon EOS M3

Magic Lantern Works On The Canon EOS 7D (Alpha Release available for download)

After months of hard hacking Magic Lantern works on the Canon EOS 7D. An alpha release (ver. 2.0.3) of the firmware is available. For those not confident with programming and coding concepts: an alpha release of a software (and a firmware is a software) means a very early state of development, a work in progress that achieved first results but still is on the road to get fully tested and reliable. Hence, take note of what follows

  • it was primarily tested on one 7D, and a few days on three other 7D’s;
  • during those tests we took 1000 photos and gigabytes of videos;
  • there were no crashes or strange behaviors during our tests;
  • this release will not alter any data in your camera’s permanent memory;
  • this release will not directly alter any so-called “properties” (persistent camera settings);
  • this means, some functions like HDR photos, HDR videos, bulb ramping etc will not work yet;
  • it is not a firmware upgrade, despite the camera saying “Firmware update program”;
  • we have disabled all features that are not yet working perfectly;
  • please don’t beg for adding feature XYZ, it will be added as soon as it works without issues.

It took long to add support for the Canon EOS 7D because it is a dual DIGIC camera (two CPUs). It is important to be aware that if you use Magic Lantern on your EOS 7D you are doing it on your own risk. Magic Lantern works on the Canon EOS 7D, but it is an early release of the firmware. So far the following feature have been implemented:

  • Audio meters while recording
  • Zebras
  • Focus peaking
  • Magic Zooom (via half-shutter, or focus ring)
  • Cropmarks, Ghost image
  • Spotmeter
  • False color
  • Histogram, Waveform
  • Vectorscope
  • Movie logging
  • Movie auto stop
  • Trap focus
  • LiveView settings (brightness, contrast…)
  • Level indicator
  • Image review tweaks (quick zoom)
  • and a lot more

For known issues and more relevant information about how Magic Lantern works on the Canon EOS 7D, and to download the firmware, visit Magic Lantern page here. Installing the firmware on Canon’s EOS 7D is done in a few easy steps. Instructions are provided on the page.

Canon EOS 7D price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Don’t Call It Hack: Magic Lantern 2.3 Released (5D2, 60D, 50D, T1i/500D, T2i/550D, T3i/600D Supported)

Magic Lantern 2.3 has been released. Magic Lantern is a firmware replacement for Canon DSLRs, specifically for the EOS 5D Mark II (get it refurbished at the Canon Store for 1,759.20), EOS 60D, EOS 50D, Rebel T3i/600D, Rebel T2i and Rebel T1i. New and improved features: customizable menus, shortcuts, automatic HDR bracketing, timelapse, advanced fps and ISO control, contrast and adjustment in liveview, image analysis, fast playback.

Magic Lantern v2.3 represents an important milestone – professionals from all around the world are already trusting it for their paid work. We can safely say it’s no longer a hack, but it’s strongly heading towards a solid piece of engineering that you can trust.

Magic Lantern is not a new kid on the block, it has been around for a while and gained maturity with every release. Keep in mind that this firmware replacement adds lots of features that Canon didn’t want you to have on your DSLR, even if your DSLR is perfectly able to manage it. See it as a sort of jailbreak for Canon DSLRs. Magic Lantern will be free for all starting August 13, until then you can get it after a $10 (or more) donation. Click here to go directly to the download page.

[via photographybay]

[Firmware] Next EOS 7D Firmware Upgrade Gives You (Almost) A New Camera

A firmware update for the EOS 7D was rumored, now it is official. Canon dedicated a page to this (major) update. Let’s see what it is about with the “next evolution”. The update brings some new features, enhances others.

The next evolution of the EOS 7D has arrived! Firmware Version 2.0.X brings the EOS 7D up to speed with the best technologies Canon has to offer, delivering performance and features befitting the flagship APS-C EOS DSLR. Firmware Version 2.0.X keeps the EOS 7D on the cutting edge of technological innovation by adding user-requested innovations developed for Canon’s high-end EOS cameras: A higher maximum burst rate for continuous shooting, definable maximum limit for ISO Auto, compatibility with the Canon GPS Receiver GP-E2, and manual audio level adjustment during video shooting and during review. Additional enhanced features include faster scrolling of magnified images, quick control during playback, in-camera RAW image processing, JPEG image resizing and ratings, plus customization of file names and time zone settings. A significant upgrade, Firmware Version 2.0.X raises the performance on one of the most popular Canon EOS DSLRs ever created. Prepare to experience the power of the EOS 7D on a whole new level.

Maximum burst rate was raised to 25 (instead of 15), max ISO Auto has been expanded up to ISO 6400 and now there are 64 manual audio level adjustments. The firmware update will be available in August. See more details, including a video, on Canon’s homepage.

EOS 7D price check: [shopcountry 337]

eBay live ticker for EOS 7D deals:

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Canon Releases Firmware Update For EOS 60D and 60Da

Canon released a firmware update for both the EOS 60D and the EOS 60Da (the “a” stands for astrophotography). The new firmware (1.1.1) corrects some glitches affecting the previous firmware release (see below). To download the firmware click here (you have select your operating system before you can download).

Changes

Firmware Version 1.1.1 incorporates the following fixes.

1. Fixes a phenomenon where the camera’s serial number that is displayed in the shooting information of the image does not display the correct serial number. *1)

2. Corrects errors in the Greek, Italian, and Portuguese menu screens.

*1) If the camera’s serial number is 2147483648 or higher and the camera firmware is Version 1.1.0 or earlier, the images captured with the camera will be affected by the phenomenon listed in 1. above. This phenomenon only affects the EOS 60D, and does not affect the EOS 60Da. Both of these cameras are equipped with the same firmware. To obtain the serial number correctly in the shooting information of images that are already captured using the old firmware, we are preparing updates for Digital Photo Professional and ZoomBrowser EX / ImageBrowser applications. Once the software updates are ready, we will make an announcement on our Web site.

EOS 60D price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA EOS 60Da price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA


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