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Canon has introduced a new firmware option for EOS R owners interested in high-end stop motion photography. The firmware, which has to be installed at a Canon service center, adds a number of features to make shooting stop motion easier, particularly for those using the Dragonframe animation application. A new version of the EOS R has also been released that has the firmware already installed.
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| This is a comparison of the new Live View resolution of 1920×1280 (full screen) versus the original size of 960×640 (small inset). The large preview image makes it easier for the animators to have confidence in the shot and can improve the overall quality of the scene. |
The main advantage of the new firmware for animators is the increased resolution of the live preview when the camera is tethered via USB. Without the new firmware, the camera outputs an image of 960×640 pixels, but this is increased to 1920×1280 pixels with the firmware installed. This resolution is higher than all other still cameras compatible with Dragonframe, and the extra detail makes checking the image details and focusing much easier. Output live view resolution from the Nikon Z7 and the Sony A7R IV is 1024×680 pixels, for example, while that from the Olympus OM-D E-M lll is 1280×960 pixels.
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| Seeing Focus Peaking on the full screen allows the animator to precisely capture fine detail and adjust for desired depth of field. |
The downside of the update is that HDMI output is disabled, as are display performance options. Manual focus peaking becomes an option over USB but it will no longer work in the viewfinder or on the camera’s rear screen in a number of situations:
- When an EF-S lens is used
- When [Multiple exposure] is set
- When [Cropping/aspect ratio] is set to an option other than [FULL]
- When the shooting screen is magnified
- When you keep holding down the shutter button after shooting
The new firmware costs $ 100 plus shipping to have installed on an existing EOS R camera, and the new version of the camera with the firmware pre-installed costs $ 1899 – about $ 100 more than the standard version.
For more information on the firmware see the Canon website, and for more on the animation software see the Dragonframe website.
Press release
Stop Motion Animation Firmware
Supercharge Your Stop Motion Animation
Whether pre-installed on a new EOS R or manually installed on an existing EOS R the new Stop Motion Animation upgrade for EOS R cameras increases your Live View resolution to 1920×1280 from Canon’s normal of 960×640 when connected to Dragonframe stop motion animation software. This makes it easier for animators to confirm focus and movement within every frame.
Larger Live View
Live view is critical to animators creating stop motion animation films. Animators use the remote live view of the camera to review critical details and make decisions within the Dragonframe software. Canon’s Stop Motion Animation firmware increases the Live View to 1920×1280 – helping animators see subtle movement for refined animation.
USB Manual Focus Peaking
Canon has added Manual Focus Peaking over USB to interface with Dragonframe software.
HDMI Output
Important information about EOS R Stop Motion Animation Firmware:
* HDMI output is not available on the EOS R with this firmware installed
* [Disp. performance] cannot be set
* MF peaking will not show up even if [MF peaking settings] is set to [On] under the following conditions:
- When an EF-S lens is used
- When [Multiple exposure] is set
- When [Cropping/aspect ratio] is set to an option other than [FULL]
- When the shooting screen is magnified
- When you keep holding down the shutter button after shooting
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)