Canon Updates 5D Mark II Firmware to Correct "Black Dot" Issue

Canon Inc. has updated the firmware for the EOS 5D Mark II digital SLR in an attempt to remedy problems with "black dots" in images with overexposed point lights and some vertical banding noise issues.

The firmware, known as Update Version  1.0.7, is available on Canon's Japanese website which you can access by clicking here.

This is a breaking story and we hope to have more information for you on the firmware update tomorrow.

According to Canon's website, Update Version 1.0.7 is designed to improve and mitigate the following quality problems which many photographers have complained about since the camera was released. (The 5D Mark II that Canon sent PDN to test is also experiencing these problems and we'll report back to you on the effectiveness of the firmware update in a follow-up story.)

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 greater on a monitor or if extremely large prints of the images are made. This firmware improves and mitigates this phenomenon.

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. The firmware improves and mitigates this phenomenon.


As part of the firmware upgrade, it is also required to update Canon's Digital Photo Professional and Picture Style Editor software. Canon explains why in the following note:

"If the existing software applications are used to display sRAW1 and sRAW2 images that were captured by a camera with Firmware Version 1.0.7, dark, low-contrast areas in the images may appear slightly magenta. If the updated software applications are used to display sRAW1 and sRAW2 images, the color of the images will appear normal, regardless of the camera firmware version."

Comments

[hans]

Hey Canon: while you're updating firmware, how about enabling 24p video? 30p is useless.