Blackmagic Design, maker of a range of high-end compact cinema cameras, has announced a firmware update for all of their models. Available today, the new firmware provides an entirely new code base for the Blackmagic cameras and will enable the company to roll out new features to their devices. The new update claims to provide improved performance and introduces a new user interface. Learn more
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
Amazon has officially announced its much-rumored smartphone, the Fire. Packing in six cameras in total, four of them are dedicated to enabling a new ‘Dynamic Perspective’ 3D-user interface possible, whereby the device can track a user’s face and change how content is displayed. The main 13MP rear-facing camera has an F2 aperture and optical image stabilization. As well as being used for capturing photographs is also enables a new feature called Firefly, which can scan and identify millions of items. Read more
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
[ By Steph in Design & Fixtures & Interiors. ]
Would a cute, artistically designed chameleon sculpture make you feel better about being watched? A new series of CCTV camera cases by Italian designer Eleonora Trevisanutto transforms ugly, ordinary security equipment into decorative objects that make surveillance seem a little less intimidating.
You’re still being watched, sure, but by a lizard, squirrel, grasshopper, owl or an adorable abstracted bird. It’s like a kinder, gentler Orwellian vision of the future. “The camera is no longer a ‘looming control’ means, but a decor element, an integral part of the place in which it is located.”
The need for less intimidating CCTV cameras does make sense for places like retail stores, daycares and other businesses where security is necessary, as well as private homes. The models don’t just differ visually; each animal offers its own individual functions, equipped with vision systems that can perform different operations like face recognition. That’s right – that lizard knows exactly who you are.
While many of us are so used to seeing ordinary cameras virtually everywhere we go that we don’t even notice them anymore, Parson’s ‘Animal’ series was made to be seen.
To celebrate the 110th birthday of deceased British author George Orwell, famous for his dystopian visions of the future, Front404 roamed the streets of …
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If you ever get that feeling you are being watched, well, for once it really is just your imagination – this fleet of surveillance cams is inactive but …
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There is something simply elegant about type-embossed metal – in part the association with classic high-end manual cameras, reprized in this classy logo series.
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[ By Steph in Design & Fixtures & Interiors. ]
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Lytro’s new Illum camera packs in a few tricks that will appeal to some still photographers, but its aim is really to introduce a new type of imagery. Time will tell if that medium succeeds. Technology writer Liam McCabe spoke with a few players in the light field camera industry to get a sense of where this technology is headed in the next few years and beyond. Learn more
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
DPReview is hiring! We’re looking for an editorial writer to join our growing editorial team based in Seattle, WA. Responsibilities will include testing and producing reviews of digital system cameras, compact cameras, smart phone cameras, lenses and other photographic equipment. Successful applicants will have have a store of solid practical knowledge about the theory and practice of photography, and a strong understanding of dpreview, our principles and our community. Click through for more details.
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
Does your camera have the latest firmware?
This topic is one that I often find myself explaining in more detail, and one that many people aren’t even aware that they can update their camera’s firmware, and how this may affect their digital camera. An analogy is to updating the version of software on your smart phone.
Inside your camera is a microprocessor (small computer), that uses software stored on non-removable flash memory inside your camera. This is called firmware and is the operating system of your camera which allows you to control the features and functions, with the camera’s menus and buttons. Firmware also controls autofocus, exposure, image processing, noise reduction and other important functions within your camera. Without firmware your camera would not be able to operate.
Updates generally contain fixes or feature enhancements. Firmware updates aren’t always necessary – some cameras never have updates.
When a new camera is assembled the manufacturer loads the firmware that was designed at that time. After the camera has been released to the public, people may find that there are bugs or problems with the way the camera operates. The manufacturer investigates these problems and produces fixes for them in the form of firmware updates. Some of these fixes can be minor, but some of them fix more serious issues such as autofocus problems, battery-draining issues, or the camera unexpectedly locking up.
Other reasons why firmware updates are released is to include new camera features such as added languages, or to have manually adjustable settings that were once solely automatic. Some updates are to support new optional accessories for your camera (e.g. wireless functions or GPS modules, etc.). I like to think of them as free upgrades to your camera.
I recommend checking for updates on a semi-regular basis, every few months or so, and after you purchase a new camera is also a good time to check. There will likely be fewer firmware updates for older cameras but still worthwhile checking, perhaps on an annual basis. If you have never checked your camera for a firmware update then now is a good a time to do so.
First check what version of firmware your camera is running. This information is found within one of your camera’s menu options. Finding it is different on every camera and not always obvious. Your instruction manual will help you find where to look in the menus.
You can check for the latest firmware by looking at the manufactures support and downloads section of their website for your brand and model of camera. Look for higher version numbers than the one found on your camera. If the version numbers are the same, there is no need to perform an update. Please note that some camera models never had new or updated firmware released and therefore new firmware updates may not be listed at all.
Important: You need to know the model of your camera and only use the firmware that is specific to your model.
The following links were recently current for the major camera manufacturers and may be of help when checking for releases of newer versions of firmware for your camera.
Read the instructions very carefully before updating the firmware on your camera – you don’t want to end up having a dead camera! If the battery fails during the firmware update or the update is interrupted in some manner, the risk is having a camera without usable software. Meaning you have a dead camera that you have to take to the manufacturer to fix!
Check the release notes that come with the firmware updates. Usually you will find included a list of the fixes or updates in earlier versions of the firmware too.
* Sample only – Please read your own firmware update instructions for your camera model
Some Nikon DSLR cameras may have A, B and L firmware – what are these? Nikon A-firmware is for the I/O (Input/Output) processor, B-firmware is for the Control (“Expeed”) integrated micro-controllers and L-firmware is for lens specific updates such as correction for lens distortion. You need not know why they have this scheme, just know what version is the latest for your camera model and use that to keep your camera up to date. Other camera manufacturers generally have just one firmware version to install.
Believe it or not some people wanted more from their cameras and the only option was to team up with other smart people and write their own firmware! This started back in 2009 after Canon first released the 5D mark II, a full-frame (35mm) sensor body that was also capable of recording full HD video. The users (film makers) wanted to be able to have more control over the 5D mark II for video functions. The camera was much cheaper than buying a $ 25,000 commercial video camera to do the same thing.
Since then, there have been various updates to this firmware that include support for other Canon EOS cameras while also including useful still photography features such as: an intervalometer, custom bulb timer for long exposures, motion detection, voice tags for photos, etc. This firmware runs from your CF or SD card, instead of the factory firmware inside your camera. The Magic Lantern software is only available for certain Canon EOS camera models. For a full list of supported cameras, to find out what it can do and how it works, you may like to visit Magic Lantern’s website.
Please note: running third party firmware is not supported by the manufacturer and may void your warranty. So unless you are very comfortable with what you are doing, using this firmware may not be a good idea, especially if you are new to photography or just bought a brand new camera.
Check the manufacturers instructions again, have you missed a step or misunderstood what is required?
If something is still not quite right after you have done all the troubleshooting you may like to contact an authorized service centre for your brand of camera and ask for their advice and support.
I hope that you are now much better informed about firmware for your camera. Let me know if you have enjoyed reading this article and leave any comments below.
The post Updating your Camera’s Firmware – What is it and Why it’s Important by Roy Vieth appeared first on Digital Photography School.
Designed by Lomography and manufactured in Russia by Zenit, the Russar+ is an update to the 1958 Russar MR-2 wide-angle lens. The new lens is handmade out of brass and offers a 20mm focal length. It’s compatible with L39 and M mount cameras. The lens can also be used on mirrorless systems using adapter mounts. Lomography is taking pre-orders now for $ 649.00 (~£387.) It is expected to ship in July. Learn more
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
Canon U.S.A. has recalled about 14,000 PowerShot SX50 HS digital cameras. According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, ‘A chemical used in the rubber part of the viewfinders on the camera can cause skin or eye irritation or an allergic reaction to the user’. The cameras in question have serial numbers beginning with 69, 70 or 71 and have 1 as the sixth digit of the serial number. Learn more
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
Ricoh Imaging Company has announced an advertorial feature on cnn.com called ‘Spherical Report 360’, where 360 people will be selected to receive a free Ricoh Theta spherical camera to shoot local news and events. Images taken with the Theta will then be judged for a Pentax K-3 grand prize. To be considered for a free Theta camera visit the Spherical Report 360 website for application guidelines. Applications will be accepted between March 27, 2014 through April 10, 2014. Learn more
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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