Canon News: EOS 5D MkII Firmware v. 2.0.3 released

***19th March 2010 - Problem (manual sound recording in C1/2/3 modes) resolved - latest version of firmware is 2.0.4***

***18th March 2010 - sounds like Canon have found a problem with the firmware - don't upgrade yet. Please refer to the external link below for an update***

Canon have released the much anticipated firmware upgrade for its popular full-frame 5D Mk II EOS DSLR, hoping to please the growing community who are exploring the video possibilities of the camera.

Version 2.0.3/2.04 includes the following enhancements:

1. Adds or changes the following movie frame rates.
NTSC:
• 1920×1080 : 30 fps (changed - actual 29.97 fps)
• 1920×1080 : 24 fps (added - actual 23.976 fps)
• 640×480 : 30 fps (changed - actual 29.97 fps)
PAL:
• 1920×1080 : 25 fps (added - actual 25.0 fps)
• 1920×1080 : 24 fps (added - actual 23.976 fps)
• 640×480 : 25 fps (added - actual 25.0 fps)


2. Adds a function for manually adjusting the sound recording level (64 levels).
3. Adds a histogram display (brightness or RGB) for shooting movies in manual exposure.
4. Adds shutter-priority AE mode (Tv) and aperture-priority AE (Av) mode to the exposure modes for shooting movies.
5. Changes the audio sampling frequency from 44.1 KHz to 48 KHz.
6. Fixes a phenomenon where communication between the camera and the attached lens is sometimes interrupted after manual sensor cleaning. (This phenomenon only affects units with Firmware Version 1.2.4.)

Update is available from Canon's Japan site here.

Tamron News: 70-300 f/4-5.6 USD VC

Tamron have launched a new 70-300 zoom lens. It's got vibration compensation (VC) and uses their new ultra-sonic silent drive (USD), as well as as an extra-low dispersion (XLD) element. Full name is SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC USD (Model A005)


Initally launched with a Nikon mount, Canon and Sony to follow.

More details here.

Panasonic News: New Micro Four Thirds launches

Panasonic have continued to innovate in the relatively new 'micro four thirds' format (between a true SLR and a compact) with three new products:

Lumix G Vario 14-42mm (28-84mm equiv) F3.5-5.6 ASPH Mega O.I.S (H-FS014042)



Panasonic Lumix DMC-G10





Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2

Microstock News: Bigstock site relaunch

Bigstock Photo have relaunched their website, with improved features. More details are available here*.

Sigma News: New lenses and DSLR

Whilst I was away in Cuba with my camera, it was PMA 2010 in California. Sigma took the opporuntity to launch five new lenses, a DSLR (SD15) and a couple of compacts (DP1x, DP2s). The detailed press release is available to view here.

The lenses are:

• 8-16mm F4.5-5.6 DC HSM
• 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM
• APO 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM
• APO 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM
• 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM