Canon 7D Firmware V2 Announced

Press Release
London, UK, 28 June 2012 – Canon today enhances the EOS 7D with firmware v2, adding a range of new features for enthusiasts looking to push the limits of their photography. Building on the camera’s high speed, advanced handling and creative versatility, the new firmware provides photographers with a host of new benefits including higher maximum RAW burst rate, in-camera editing functions, user-definable Auto ISO and support for Canon’s latest GPS Receiver, GP-E2.

Originally launched in 2009, the EOS 7D was carefully developed based on the feedback from thousands of photographers from across the globe. Offering the perfect combination of outstanding image quality and exceptional versatility across a range of photography styles, even today it is still considered to be one of the best APS-C cameras on the market. When developing the new firmware Canon followed a similar approach, gaining direct user feedback to bring the EOS 7D up to date with enhanced performance and a greater range of shooting capabilities and creative functionality.

Enhanced RAW performance
With an 18 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, Dual “DIGIC 4″ processors and an extended maximum ISO of 12,800, the EOS 7D offers fast, high-quality shooting at speeds of up to 8 frames per second. Thanks to the new firmware which adds powerful memory management algorithms taken from Canon’s flagship EOS-1 series, photographers will now be able to enjoy greater flexibility in continuous shooting, with the maximum RAW buffer now extended to a new high of 25 RAW files or 130 JPEGs. Combining with the camera’s high 18MP resolution and 14-bit image processing, this will allow photographers to capture the decisive moment with rich detailed images.

In-camera image editing and rating
A range of newly-added editing functions also gives photographers more control over how images look, allowing post-production to begin in-camera. Photographers can now process their RAW files and correct artefacts such as peripheral illumination, distortion and chromatic aberration. Additionally, adjustments to white balance, sharpness and Picture Style, as well as a host of other parameters, can now also be made immediately after shooting, with the results saved as new JPEG files. JPEGs can also be instantly resized, without the need for a PC or Mac.

Photographers can now easily filter large volumes of pictures on their way back from a shoot using an image rating facility. Image rating data is stored in each file’s metadata, which can be read by a range of editing applications, including Canon Digital Photo Professional, and other industry software such as Apple Aperture, Adobe Lightroom and Bridge.

Extra control in stills and movies
The EOS 7D’s new firmware provides extended versatility across both stills and movies. Newly-added control of Auto ISO enables photographers to limit the maximum ISO speed to any point within the native ISO 400-6,400 range. Offering greater control over exposure, this will enable photographers to customise the maximum automatic ISO speed to suit their personal preferences, or to adjust parameters in different situations to meet specific creative goals.

Improved audio functionality in movie mode also provides aspiring videographers with greater control while shooting videos. Users can complement the camera’s Full HD (1920x1080p) movie footage with 16-bit digital stereo sound, sampled at broadcastquality 48KHz, and new manual control of audio levels allows users to choose from 64 sound levels. A digital wind-cut filter also reduces noise made by movement of air around the microphone, ensuring sound is clear and free from peripheral interference.

Track your travels with GPS compatibility
Firmware v2 also provides added capacity for users to track the location of their images with new support for the GPS Receiver GP-E2 – Canon’s latest high-performance GPS unit. The GP-E2 is attached securely to the hotshoe, and connected to the camera via a cable, making it easy for EOS 7D photographers to geo-tag photos with longitude, latitude and altitude data as well as the direction in which the shot was taken – adding the information to the EXIF file of the image1. A GPS Logger tracks movements by downloading GPS data at regular intervals, and compatibility with Google Maps means users can easily view their route in Canon’s free Map Utility software.

Firmware v2 will roll out across the region from August 2012.

Canon EOS 7D firmware v2 – new features:

• Improved maximum burst for RAW images (up to 25)
• In-camera RAW image editing
• In-camera Image Rating
• In-camera JPEG resizing
• Maximum Auto ISO setting (ISO 400-6400)
• Manual audio level adjustment in movie recording
• GPS compatibility
• File name customisation
• Time zone settings
• Faster scrolling of magnified images
• Quick control screen during playback

Canon 1Dx Review By Martin Bailey

"Last week, on June 20, I was one of the lucky few in Japan to receive a phone call to let me know that my Canon EOS 1D X Digital SLR camera was ready to pick up, on the day of its launch. Having spent a lot of time with the camera over the last six days, today we’re going to review this amazing new flagship from Canon.

I should say straight up that because I’m not a sports shooter, you aren’t going to see test shots of athletes running towards me, as is often the case with reviews of the 1D series from Canon. I was able to do some bird photography though, which is another common use of these fast frame rate cameras, so we’ll touch on the results of a couple of bird shoots, as well as some high ISO performance tests, which is another area that I know people are anxious to hear about. First though, let’s take a look at the camera itself, and touch on some of the nice new features.

As we progress, I’ll compare the 1D X with the 5D Mark III, which I own and reviewed in March, and have been using a lot over the three months. I’ll also compare the 1D X to its predecessor the 1D Mark IV sometimes, when that seems more relevant. I sold my 1D Mark IV in part exchange for the 1D X, so I am not able to shoot any comparison shots or show the cameras side by side."

Canon 1DX Test With High ISO Samples

Shattered A Film Shot On The Canon 1DX

When you've given everything, what do you have left?

After achieving his dream summit, an elite climber finds himself empty. Broken and untethered, he searches for a fulfillment more lasting than a faraway peak.

Shot entirely on the Canon EOS 1D X
See the behind the scenes of the film here:
vimeo.com/tylerstableford/shatteredbts1
vimeo.com/tylerstableford/shatteredbts2
vimeo.com/tylerstableford/shatteredbts3

Starring: Steve House
Produced and Directed by: Tyler Stableford
Cinematography by: Tyler Stableford and Draper White
Associate Producer: Kate Rolston
Editor: Dave Wruck
Assistant Editor: Ben Thomas
Field Audio: Ben Thomas and Matthew Van Biene
Riggers: Hayden Kennedy and Matthew Van Biene
Music by: Paul Fran-zik

See more by Steve House and his award-winning book Beyond The Mountain at: www.stevehouse.net

See Tyler Stableford's portfolio at: www.tylerstableford.com

Canon Rebel T4i Video Review

See the related article at cinema5D:
http://c5d.at/650

Music licensed by musicbed:
http://c5d.at/1cc

The song used here is called "Arrows Fly" by "Afterlife Parade": http://c5d.at/1h2

Filmed & Edited by Sebastian Wöber

Quantum Announces New CoPilot Flash Transmitter

CoPilot... User-Friendly Wireless TTL
Flash Controller With Auto-Focus Assist

Photographers can now trigger and quickly set ratios for three groups of radio controlled Qflash.  Set lighting ratios on the fly, right from your  camera.  Simply turn three controls on the CoPilot to instantly adjust lighting ratios as you shoot.

Mix and match all the flashes you own.  CoPilot controls remote Qflash TRIOs or T5dRs.  And it commands any combination of non-Quantum flashes connected to a Quantum FreeXwire receiver.

The CoPilot controls 3 independent remote flash groups without a local flash, or 2 remote groups with a local Qflash connected to the CoPilot accessory socket.  Each flash group can be set to Manual or TTL.  Power and ratio settings are easily controlled by a dial for each flash group.

Good news for photographers still using their older Qflashes  (T2D,T3D T4D, T5D).  The CoPilot gives you the ability to use your old flash as a local flash while still getting the TTL ratio control of remotes offered by the newer T5dR and TRIO.

Remote flash groups consist of Quantum TRIO, Qflash T5dR, or any non-Quantum flash that can be triggered in Manual and Auto mode only, by a FreeXwire wireless receiver.  Add any number of remotes to any remote group.

• CoPilot (QF91C) for Canon & CoPilot (QF91N) for Nikon DSLR cameras
• CoPilots’ infrared Auto-Focus Assist helps your camera focus in  low light
• Mount a CoPilot in the hot shoe of your camera and set ratios of up to 3 groups of remote Qflash.
• No complicated LCD displays... Instant dial settings
• TTL control of "local" Qflash... Models T5dR, 4d, 3d, 2d ...connected to the accessory connector of CoPilot
• Reliable digital radio wireless up to 300’ (100m)
• Use any number of  flashes in each remote group
• Trigger non-Quantum flash in manual or auto mode with FreeXwire FW8R or 

Learn about the Qflash CoPilot Wireless TTL Flash Controler and Trigger. Adjust remote Qflash with just the turn of a dial.