http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consum...EOS7D_firmware

Manual audio level setting, longer bursts, more control over auto ISO among other things.

Who needs a 7dII with FREE firmware like that??!?!? This is the first time I've seen this many significant feature enhancements (rather than bug-fixes) in a firmware package - is this the way of the future?!?!?!?

Originally Posted by divamum Who needs a 7dII with FREE firmware like that??!?!? This is the first time I've seen this many significant feature enhancements (rather than bug-fixes) in a firmware package - is this the way of the future?!?!?!?

I think that this is a signal from Canon that the existing Canon 7D is going to stay a while longer (i.e., probably no replacement high-end Canon APS-C body for a while).

Many of these features have been requested for quite some time. It's nice to see Canon this responsive to its constituents.

They should hire a new Japanese-to-English translator. "Higher Maximum Burst Rate"?? Since when is 8 > 8?

I don't see what the big deal is. I can count on one hand in 2 years with my 7D how many times 25 vs 15 shot buffer would have benefited me.

Originally Posted by jmphotocraft I don't see what the big deal is. I can count on one hand in 2 years with my 7D how many times 25 vs 15 shot buffer would have benefited me.

so a larger shot buffer was in there all the time, it just needed new firmware. makes you wonder if more cameras have a larger buffer that's just not available

Originally Posted by Brett1000 so a larger shot buffer was in there all the time, it just needed new firmware. makes you wonder if more cameras have a larger buffer that's just not available

no, I'm sure they are just making more efficient use of the buffer now. like with a better lossless compression algorithm, or more efficient processing.

Originally Posted by jmphotocraft no, I'm sure they are just making more efficient use of the buffer now. like with a better lossless compression algorithm, or more efficient processing.

That would be my guess as well, along with better utilization of fast memory cards (which accounts for 1-2 frames of the count improvement).

Is the firmware available yet? The link just seems to be informative, but without a download link.

Just an announcement, not available yet.

Originally Posted by pathfinder Is the firmware available yet? The link just seems to be informative, but without a download link.

Originally Posted by Dan7312 Just an announcement, not available yet.

Originally Posted by pathfinder Is the firmware available yet? The link just seems to be informative, but without a download link.

I think it's kind of strange to announce a firmware upgrade, but not have it available.
It must be tough to set up the download area, and announce it at the same time.

I sold my 7D a year and a half ago, so these upgrades don't mean anything to me.
For Raw shooters, the increase from 15 to 25 may be helpful, but when I did own the 7D,
I don't ever remember taking a burst of more than 12 shots.

I think it's to bad that the firmwares on the DSLR's don't have some of "stuff" that camera
makers put into their point and shoots.

Sweep panorama, in camera (and handheld) HDR, selective colors.
These are all things that most of us try at one point or another when out playing with our cameras.

Another thing that isn't there, an intervalometer.
I had one on my 2004 Canon S1 IS, you'd think by now they could have it built into a DSLR.

I'm starting to believe that I can be more creative with a point and shoot, than I can be with a DSLR.

I actually ran up against the burst limitation earlier this year at the Rolex Kentucky 3 Day Event -- there was a jump into water, a jump in the middle of the water and then a "bounding" exit. I would take a burst as the horse went over the first jump, pause for a very short of time, then midway as I followed the horse and rider over the second jump, suddenly my "clickclickclick" became "click....click....click".

I ended up just being picker on when I tripped the shutter on the second jump to work around the issue.

Though in all honesty this is the only time I've encountered the issue -- two different events that can utilize the 7Ds high frame rate separated by a very short time. Most of the time I find the high speed rate to fast and use the lower rate instead.

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yes, UDMA cards will help in conjunction with the added max burst rate. however, most likely the buffer will still get full just as fast, and slow down the 7D anyways.

I am more excited about the manual controls for audio levels than anything. As a photographer transitioning into video, this will be a lifesaver.

Originally Posted by jason Krasnov I am more excited about the manual controls for audio levels than anything. As a photographer transitioning into video, this will be a lifesaver.

yes, leaving that out didn't make any sense

I still cannot find the upgrade on the Canon website.

Why would they announce it before it is available?

Originally Posted by pathfinder I still cannot find the upgrade on the Canon website. Why would they announce it before it is available?

Jim, according to this press release, the new firmware won't be available till next month, August 2012.

Cuong

Originally Posted by Cuong Jim, according to this press release, the new firmware won't be available till next month, August 2012. Cuong

The Canon USA statement:

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/about_...01e024805a4473

"Availability
The new firmware upgrade for the EOS 7D Digital SLR camera together with installation instructions will be available in early August at no charge through Canon U.S.A.'s website. For more information please visit the following link to view an online video about the new EOS 7D firmware features, www.usa.canon.com/eos7dfirmwareupgrade"

Thanks for finding that date of availability guys.

I think the GPS receiver - the GP-E2 - will be appreciated as well.

It is strange that an intervalometer is not built into modern DSLRs.

Originally Posted by pathfinder It is strange that an intervalometer is not built into modern DSLRs.

Well, unless you use a Nikon, they have them built in. Just like their lower end non-flagship cams have voice annotation and where are we in the Canon world? Just the 1D gets that feature which is my BIGGEST pet peeve EVER with Canon.

Originally Posted by pathfinder It is strange that an intervalometer is not built into modern DSLRs.

If you own a 5DII or the other cams supported. The new version of Magic Lantern supports a built in intervalometer as well as built in HDR bracketing. A LOT of cool features that Canon should have in the 5DII and others are now in this add-on firmware. I'm going to play more with it today, just installed it last night.. but damn does it look good!

Originally Posted by JimKarczewski If you own a 5DII or the other cams supported. The new version of Magic Lantern supports a built in intervalometer as well as built in HDR bracketing. A LOT of cool features that Canon should have in the 5DII and others are now in this add-on firmware. I'm going to play more with it today, just installed it last night.. but damn does it look good!

Just be aware that this firmware overlay is not supported by Canon, is still betaware, and really can cause damage to the host camera. While it's true that there are no documented cases of camera damage, it can happen.

The biggest problem is that occasionally, and it's not known why, some cameras go into a runaway loop, generally after camera shutdown. If, after an hour or so after running a version of Magic Lantern, your camera feels warm or hot, or if you can smell the circuits of the camera, pull the main battery immediately.

If the camera ever runs down the battery overnight, you may wish to discontinue running Magic Lantern.

Many folks pull the main battery after every shoot when they used Magic Lantern.

In short, if you run Magic Lantern, you accept the risk and the possibility of permanent damage to your camera.

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All that said, I have played with Magic Lantern and took the precaution of removing the main battery after every test and my 5D MKII seems fine. I have not tested this latest version, however.

Another thing I would remind people is that if you use Magic Lantern, and if you like it, please consider donating to the developers. The developers are using donations to purchase camera bodies on which to test and develop new versions of Magic Lantern.

Magic Lantern has tons of utility for video applications of the applicable cameras. See our "Action!" forum for more information.