Canon announced that it will release a firmware update for the EOS 5D Mark II allowing users to manually control exposure when shooting video. The new firmware will be available for download from 2 June 2009 on Canon web site. Following the launch of the EOS 5D Mark II in September 2008, Canon’s Research and Development team has listened closely to customer feedback to develop additions to the camera’s movie recording functionality.

Allowing EOS 5D Mark II owners to achieve even more stunning video results with the camera, the firmware update will include the following manual controls when shooting video:

• Full aperture selection
• ISO speed: Auto, 100 – 6400 and H1
• Shutter speed: 1/30th – 1/4000th second

The EOS 5D Mark II integrates full HD movie capability into a high-end 21.1 Megapixel camera; opening a multitude of new possibilities for photojournalists and news photographers. Since its launch the camera has proved its appeal to professionals working in diverse fields, from studio and wedding to nature and travel. Now, following customer feedback, Canon has improved functionality for professional video users, further unleashing the potential of the EOS 5D Mark II for cinematographers and photographers alike.

Disappointing news is that there is no news about 24p option to record movie.

DPPreview.com has finally posted their review of Canon EOS 5D mark II . As expected, a lot of praises for 5D mark II

While there are still other cameras in its class with marginally higher resolution, marginally better high ISO performance, more advanced AF, faster performance, better weather sealing and more solid build quality – and the Sony A900’s built-in anti-shake remains unique in the full frame arena – the 5D Mark II is certainly one of the best value for money propositions on the market for image quality – especially in RAW, where you really can see the benefit of all 21 million pixels.

Here is the link
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos5Dmarkii/

Finally after waiting for nearly 2 months, Canon EOS 5D Mark II reached me today. This is from the first lot of camera to reach Indian shores. It still has Firmware 1.0.6 (I did not test for back dots nor banding which now we know can be easily resolved using firmware 1.0.7). Here is my brief review. I know the web is inundated by reviews and controversies surrounding this milestone camera. Here is my bit to that knowledgebase. Remember I just used it for less than 3 hours, so my conclusions might change.

Ok… so its new – and I have been using Canon EOS 40D till early December 2008. But after using the 5D2 I just love the 5d2 photos more – I don’t know if its the full frame and added DOF with same framing or the image quality… I cant pick it but i really do think its a bit of both… so on that note – the 5D2 really is a stunning performer.

Video
Video from this camera has stunning quality. I am not praising for it being the first dSLR to give 1080p quality video. I run the clip on my Athlon AM2 3GHz, Windows 7 Beta x64, 6GB RAM, NVIDIA 8800GT, Dual Dell 20″ Monitor + all the bells and whistles… it chugs on full HD. I have no output ability for HD so am crunching all my clips down to a measly crappy DVD Quality. I need a Monitor with HDMI now and Bluray player. I think a lot of people will be disappointed with the video for the fact its massive and they really will need new PCs if they want to make HD movies. This stuff is 6x bigger per frame than DV quality AVI’s. A 3min clip took me 30min to render (arghh 10x) (hq with 2 passes) need to have a play with my output settings. It crunches at 300 mb/min. Original Movie clip will play with complaint on Media Player Classic. But plays nicely on Windows Media Player 12 which comes with Windows 7 beta & with Apple Quicktime, provided that you have good video card.

Good

• IQ basically identical to $8000 cameras like 1Ds3 and maybe even D3X.
• Movie mode IQ insanely good in decent light.
• Movie mode usable in lower light where very few other video cameras would be.
• AF actually good IMO, provided you stick with the center point or are in decent light–don’t forget vertical- or horizontal-only points must have the proper type of detail to work, don’t blame the camera for that (I understand you’d like all cross sensors, but you don’t have it so if you just work with what you’ve got it’s actually not bad at all)
• Very solid feel.
• Menus are pretty and easy to use.
• Direct print button is no longer totally superfluous! (Activates live view.)
• High ISO performance incredible, despite what you might hear to the contrary, provided that you use DPP, and NOT Lightroom!
• Superior high ISO performance means you can stop your lenses down for even better lens performance. Or you can use faster shutter speeds to freeze action. Or get even lower noise.
• Screen is just as good as people say it is and if you zoom in all the way, the full size embedded JPEG allows you to test for sharpness at the pixel level
• Silent mode very nice to have (especially Mode 2)
• Live view allows zooming for fine adjustment manual focus–critical focus can be achieved every time in this manner
• sRAW1 indeed beautiful. Sharper than any native 10-12MP camera. (Just leave HTP off per Canon’s recent announcement regarding banding & update to firmware 1.0.7.)
• Viewfinder is amazing. Older cameras now feels like looking through a keyhole.
• Best of both FF and APS-C worlds because you get the wider field of view of FF but you have the same pixel density as many of the crop cameras (except 50D) for extra telephoto reach.

I’m sure there’s more I haven’t thought of yet, but that should get you started!
Bad

• Spot AE still can’t link to all AF points
• No built-in flash for urgent use
• Auto ISO in ‘M’ mode always set to ISO 400
• Movie mode no control of aperture, shutter speed, or ISO, but you do have +/- 2 EV of exposure compensation at least, as well as exposure lock
• Movie mode AF slow, you pretty much have to use MF
• Movie mode appears not to do much noise reduction (if any) and low-light movies would certainly look better with some chroma NR (I understand that this is probably a computational limitation, wait for Digic V perhaps?)
• Movie mode picks up all camera operation sounds, including IS, AF, MF, exposure compensation, need an external mic for serious work
• Live view AF (also applies to movies) sometimes very accurate, but sometimes totally off
• It would be nice if My Menu was scrollable allowing more than ~6 items (or however many it is)
• If you use Lightroom, you will feel like you’ve been gipped after seeing all the noise at ISO 6400 and above
• Camera seems to underexpose, perhaps to avoid blowing highlights at any cost
• No control over embedded JPEG thumbnail size in sRAW files (always 21MP) but not a big deal really
• HDMI cable not included
• Picture style button a little superfluous IMO but maybe JPEG shooters like it?
• Files huge of course (but unavoidable)

Wait and this ‘out of body’ experience is killing me!  I wish i had a genie like Aladdin to get me my 5D Mark II. I have booked 5D Mark II on 4th of December 2008 and today (9th Jan 2009) I heard from my dealer that he is sending the body via courier.  He says (I don’t know for sure) that I am one of the first four people to get 5D Mark II in India.

I am eagerly waiting. Meanwhile my 70-300mm lens sold, I purchased Canon 70-200mm f/4.0 L USM lens which i could not test without camera body. If all the fall right I should have the 5D Mark II by Monday.

The black dot and the banding issue of 5D Mark II I mentioned in the last post seems to havre solved. Canon yesterday issued a firmware update (1.0.7) for 5D Mark II which corrects this issue. Here is the press release from Canon.

We have learned that some users of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II digital SLR camera (with firmware version 1.0.6) have identified two types of image quality phenomena that appear under certain shooting conditions.

1. “Black dot” phenomenon (the right side of point light sources becomes black)
2. Vertical banding noise

Details of the phenomena and shooting conditions under which they are likely to occur (if the firmware is version 1.0.6) are as follows:

1. “Black dot” phenomenon (the right side of point light sources becomes black)
   When shooting night scenes, the right side of point light sources (such as lights from building windows) may become black. The phenomenon may become visible if the images are enlarged to 100% or above on a monitor or if extremely large prints of the images are made.
2. Vertical banding noise
   If the recording format is set to sRAW1, vertical banding noise may become visible depending on the camera settings, subject, and background.
   ▪ Vertical banding noise is not noticeable if the recording format is set to sRAW2.
   ▪ Vertical banding noise does not occur if the recording format is set to RAW or JPEG.
   ▪ Noise can be reduced if C.Fn II-3: Highlight tone priority is set to 0: Disable.

Firmware version 1.0.7. that addresses these phenomena is now available for downloading from the following Web site:

http://web.canon.jp/imaging/eosd/firm-e/eos5dmk2/firmware.html

When updating to firmware version 1.0.7, please also update the Digital Photo Professional and Picture Style Editor software. For details, please read the Firmware Q&A section on the firmware download page.

Until next time. See ya