New Settings - New Performance

Firmware Update Day, folks!

And this time it is not the Fujifilm corporation providing you with a little electronic gift - this time your benefactors are the Nikon Australia people and the Leica people.

The photographers who are currently using - or are considering - the Nikon D810 and D810A cameras will be cheered to know that there is a firmware update available now for these:

For the D810 you can progress from version 1.10 to version 1.11 while with the D810A the version goes from 1.00 to 1.01. The main issue dealt with is an improvement when the camera is attached to the Nikon WR-R10 wireless remote controller that is running firmware version 3.00. Now the cameras will respond properly.

Here is the internet information to set you on the track:

http://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/download/fw/180.html

http://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/download/fw/181.html


Now the enthusiasts and collectors using the Leica SL will also be delighted to take on board their new firmware update. It will be bringing the camera up to version 2.0.

You go to their Leica website to gain the new material, but you'll find a number of improvements: new AF points, faster focus, direct exposure compensation available on the top wheel, and an extended range of shutter speeds. Would you believe 1/16,000 second? That's nearly fast enough to catch our cat from the time it gets in the door until it gets to its food bowl...

More: further improvements to JPEG images, white balance, video, and the focus peaking function. Altogether a good thing to do.

Registered owners of this fine camera system can log into the Leica Owner's Area at:

https://owners.leica-camera.com

They can download the free firmware or take advantage of the opportunity to have the camera brought up to date with the free update service offered at Camera Electronic.

The nicest thing about free firmware updates from whichever manufacturer you follow is that they act like little electronic charges into the photographers brain, as well as the camera. New things that the cameras can do seem to drive the shooters out and into the sunshine or rain to try it all out, and new picture ideas multiply.

Nailed It! Nailed It Again! Panasonic Make The Macro Mavens Dance With Glee

Actually it looks like they are going to make a lot of people dance with joy - if the people are users of the following cameras:

Panasonic DMC-GX8
Panasonic DMC-G7 G series cameras
Panasonic DMC-FZ300 compact super zoom

What they get by updating their firmware for these cameras to v2.0 is a 'Post Focus Mode'. A second, third or fourth chance to get it right in the toughest conditions.

Macro shooting is all about precise focus. As a table-top shooter myself I know that while I can carefully tune the focus point of a shot in the studio when the camera is sitting on a massive tripod, as soon as I attempt to do that out in the field I accumulate a series of useless images - I never seem to get the exact focus point I need.

The Post Focus mechanism for the Panasonic cameras uses their ability to work with 4K video shooting. It takes a series of shots when you press the shutter release but starts the focusing forward of the actual point of focus as indicated by its own AF mechanism and then works the focus through a number of shots out the back of that AF point. You review the images later and select the ideal point of focus according to your own needs.

 There is also access to Focus Peaking and 5X magnification that further refine the image.

You can see a demonstration of the process in action at:

https://youtube/zukYhBihj80

If you wish to download the improvement the address to seek is:

http://av.jpn.support.panasonic.com/support/global/cs/dsc/index.html

People who up until now may have wondered if there was any point to 4K cameras may change their minds - it can be a very sharp point indeed.

A Firm Delight From Olympus - New Firmware Updates

Users of the Olympus OM-D E-M1 and OM-D E-M5 Mk II will be pleased to see that Olympus will release new firmware updates for their cameras.

 For the OM-D E-M1 the new version is v4.0 and will give the following:

24 and 25 fps frame rates for video recording
FOcus Stacking and Bracketing
Silent Electronic shutter mode
4K Video Time Lapse
Simulated Optical Viewfinder

The users of the OM-D E-M5 MkII will get v2.0 and will see

Flat Picture Mode for video
Video noise filter
Focus Bracketing
Synchronised sound recording with the Olympus LS-100

If you are a user of Olympus Capture you will get v1.1
and
Faster tethered data transfer speeds
Keystone compensation
Super Control Panel Interface.

There are going to be updates for all Zuiko POR and Premium lenses.

As you will know by now the process of updating firmware is a standard part of digital photography with good cameras and lenses. It's not hard to do and delivers the latest tech improvements to the gear you already own - and for free. That is a price that nearly everybody can afford...

Stop The Screens!

STOP THE SCREENS!*

News just to hand; Leica are releasing improvements for the Leica T camera ( Typ 701 ) via firmware update.

The Leica T camera system shares the same L bayonet as the upcoming Leica SL system camera - updating firmware will make it possible to operate the new SL lenses on the Leica T.

Customers wishing to bring the camera up to date can download the firmware version 1.4 from the Leica website at   www.leica-camera.com or come into a Leica Dealer and receive it as part of a complimentary service.

Note that you will shortly be tempted by a new Leica Summilux-TL 35mm f:1.4 ASPH lens in both black and silver.

A little further down the track you will also see the Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f:2.8-4 ASPH, the Leica APO-Vario_elmarit-SL 90-280mm f:2.8-4 and the Leica Summilux-SL 50mm f:1.4 ASPH.

Exciting times.

* Like STOP THE PRESSES! but updated for the digital era...

Stack It! And in A Good Way! Olympus!

News just to hand. ( I love that phrase. If we had presses I would hold them. Hold them and squeeze them and love them and call them George...but I digress.) News just to hand.

Part of the v4.0 firmware update for the Olympus E-M1 camera that will be coming in November has to to with close focusing - with the macro capability, if you will.

Macro is mightily popular with enthusiasts - every camera club has regular competitions for images shot in the macro range. It is essential for scientific work and for a number of commercial applications. People need to get close and sharp.The problem with getting close is the optical fact of life: the depth of field gets perilously shallow as you get closer. Many subjects are very difficult to portray as there is never enough DOF to render them in their entirety - something is always fuzzy.

The solution up until now has been to employ a stack of separate images that can be blended in a computer program to feature the sharp plane fore and aft -it gives what is false but what seems real. In any case the sharpness is the reality we wish for so that is what the program makes.

Only works with static subjects and the static really does have to be just that - the object and the camera cannot move about. The focus can be adjusted with the lens in some case and in others complex computer-driven racks have been employed to track the camera and lens in and out on the subject. However it is done, the idea is to present the computer with a variety of images to combine.

Well, it looks like Olympus is going to make it easier. The press release states:

" Two powerful focus stacking and focus bracketing modes assist to improve depth of field for close-up imaging."

That's pretty slim, but encouraging nevertheless. If Olympus have arranged for the camera to do the stack shooting automatically in conjunction with their AF macro lens the way is clear to a lot more better macro shots.

Note the heading mage is also a stack, but a simple three-level one to make the model cars and the background blend together. Not macro but operating on the same principle.

Make A Date With Update - Olympus In November

Don't be nervous. Update is not an online agency to that promotes infidelity. You will not have your name hacked.

Update is what you can do in November to improve the performance of your Olympus E-M1 camera and your Olympus E-M5 MkII camera. Now the performance of these cameras is superb right now, but the restless souls at Olympus have devised additional improvements:

1. The E-M1 update will be v4.0. The short press release states that it will significantly transform the camera's video-recording, macro, and stealth shooting capabilities.

2. The E- M5 MkII update will be v2.0 and will introduce video-specific enhancements for professional use.

The press release promises these updates for November but does not specify a particular date in the month.

In general, all of us that have mirror-less or DSLR systems benefit when the back room boys in our chosen maker carry on with the electronic developments to cameras we already own. This can happen quickly if some form of problem has appeared or at a later date if they are just adding extra features.

I sometimes suspect that the designers and technicians are as surprised as we are occasionally - they cut the red wire instead of the blue one and something good happens. As long as we benefit, everyone is happy.

Onward And Upward With Fujifilm Firmware!

One of the nicest things about Fujifilm X-series cameras is that they are made by Fujifilm. It's convenient too, because it means there is already a "Fujfilm" name engraved into the front of the body...

The next nice thing about them is the fact that Fujifilm constantly monitor what people want and what their cameras can do...and frequently issue updates to the firmware that operates the machinery. These updates can sometimes be minor adjustments but sometimes more extensive ones that can reset the camera's brain to produce a startling improvement.

I know - I have subjected all four of my different Fujifilm cameras to firmware updates at some stage of the game and they are very zippy instruments indeed. I don't have a Fujifilm X-T1  yet, but those of you who do can now avail yourselves of a fresh update for this camera. Fujifilm has just issues the version 4.0 for the X-T1 and it markedly changes and improves the auto-focus experience with the camera.

Faster, surer, with quick improvements to the 35mm and 60mm Fujinon lenses. Zone tracking for autofocus. Eye focus selections for autofocus. More shutter speed options. Even a clarification for the silent mode shooting button so that it spells it out for people.
There's a good report on it on a page at DP Review, here.

If you have an X-T1 you can charge your battery fully, grab a clean memory card, and do the biz yourself. Here is the link for the download.

And the exciting bit for me? What goes for the X-T1 today may very well come for the X-E2 tomorrow...

Leica Updates The M240 Firmware

Updating firmware is the sensible way for camera and computer manufacturers to make more of their basic platforms - as time goes on people want more and in many cases they can have it for the price of a little downloading and transferring. And most manufacturers who let you update the products do it for free. Yay.

Leica have just announced firmware updates directed to their flagship camera - the M240. They have released the 2.0.1.5 update and it addresses a number of things:

1. Improved lens information goes into the EXIF data record.
2. Live Vieew is available with darn near every Leica lens - even the older screw-mount ones.
3.There is a Video-Off option available that will save you from inadvertent recording.
4. There is an artificial horizon overlay for the Live View screen.
5. Exposure Simulation will also tell you what you are about to do in Live View - as opposed to what you may have done.
6.There are to be extended Auto ISO options.
7. Crop marks will be displayed in Live View to aid with composition. Double Yay!
8. Focus peaking will now be available with coloured marking to distinguish it from the background.
9.There are several bug fixes for minor inadvertencies in the menu.

All Leica M 240 users should ring and have a chat re. these changes - they are really worth pursuing on this fine instrument. Pop in store and we'll do it for you at no charge - while you wait.

Nikon Firmware Updates Today

A number of Nikon users may wish to go over to the Nikon site to get firmware updates for their cameras - there is a large list published today for users of the Nikon 1 system:

1AW1
1J1
1J2
1J3
1S1
1V1
1V2
Coolpix S 3000
Coolpix S 5200
D800
D800E

You'll find the fastest links by typing in the code:

http://nikonasia-en.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a id/8***

The ***is a series of three numbers. These updates will show with the following numbers:

200
203
206
209
215
218
221
224
227
230
236


Good luck.The updating of firmware needs a full battery in your camera and a steady eye to get the codes right.