Canon announces Dual-Pixel AF upgrade for C100

Mark Dobson · November 17th, 2013, 05:07 AM

Really snappy focus.

But you will need to actively use it with the focus lock button otherwise it shifts focus to momentary dominant shapes such as the bottle at 01.26.

I can't actually believe that they will let this 'upgrade' out in it's present form, it's too crude a tool, especially for a Cinema Eos Camera camera such as the C100.

Surely by the time this upgrade is available it will have some of the sophistication of the Dual Pixel AF on the 70D, with face recognition and the ability select a focus zone.

The present incarnation of continuous AF that came with the recent firmware upgrade ( only usable with 2 specific STM lenses ) actually looks more pleasant than this with a nice slow shift into focus but that requires optimum light and is far slower than the AF demonstrated in this clip.

Andy Wilkinson · November 17th, 2013, 05:41 AM

I fully agree with both the above comments.

When I wrote "great" I actually meant "shows exactly how it performs". Note to self, drink my morning coffee before I star typing on a Sunday morning!

OK, now I'm off to see Gravity in 3D in a Cambridge cinema :-)

Wayne Avanson · November 17th, 2013, 11:11 AM

I also agree with the above post. I thought at first it was a must have and got quite excited, but it's not. Until the focus point is moveable or face recognition is available, I'm afraid it's no use to me. Certainly not fort $500.

If they can do it in the 70D then why not the C100?

Shame.

Matt Davis · November 17th, 2013, 11:24 AM

Centre focus does seem to be a case of 'aim at foot, pull trigger'. But...

Let's turn this around - offered a choice of, let say, face tracking and 'the focus centre is the middle of your magnified image' (e.g. the new 'move your MAGN. area with the joystick, and the AF square is the middle of that), which would you go for?

I'd like both, but would rather champion 'what I have in the middle of my MAGN area is what in focus' rather than relying on face tracking. Want both MAGN and full view? Get a Ninja. It's those hairy situations with a slider and an interview that I'd love a 'magic bullet' solution.

I'd hope this solution is easier and quicker to implement while being more useful to a wider range of users.

But yes.. Face detection is cool too.

Wayne Avanson · November 18th, 2013, 05:04 AM

Good points Matt.

I think I'd go for the focus in the centre rather than face recognition. But having said that, I could really have used face recognition on a narrative piece just the other week. It would have been an absolute life saver.

Anyway, what's wrong with wanting EVERYTHING? he he. And while we're at it, give us our slow motion and our stop motion please, Mr Canon sir.

Terry Nixon · November 18th, 2013, 01:57 PM

Dan Chung at Newsshooter has posted a test video of the C100 with the Dual Pixel CMOS AF Upgrade:

https://vimeo.com/groups/canonc100/videos/79361465

Bob Ohlemann · November 19th, 2013, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Wilkinson

Bob, thanks for the reply. That all makes perfect sense, of course. But I am sure I saw a table of "supported lenses" somewhere in the last day or so and there were no EF-S lenses on the list (and a few EF lenses missing too).

Now, I sure wish I could find that web link that I had stumbled upon to check if it was a legit source!

Found Canon's list of lenses that are compatible with dual-pixel CMOS AF. Of course, these are only Canon brand lenses but so far it seems most third party lenses work except some Tamrons.

Canon U.S.A. : Dual Pixel CMOS AF

Bob

Andy Wilkinson · November 19th, 2013, 12:31 PM

Excellent! Thanks. It's not the list I originally saw when this news broke ...it's a better list... as (of course) there are EF-S lenses on this linked one :-)

Kevin O'Connor · November 22nd, 2013, 02:28 PM

Where has the cost ($500) been published for this upgrade? I didn't notice it on the Canon website.

How long would Canon have my C100 for this upgrade? I've neve used Canon services before.

Thanks,

Terry Nixon · November 22nd, 2013, 02:41 PM

The $500 upgrade cost is mentioned here:
Canon USA will perform this feature upgrade at a cost of $500, and will require that EOS C100 cameras be sent to an accredited Canon service center. Shipping and handling charges also may apply. Additional details will be provided when the upgrade becomes available.

Canon is pretty quick with the firmware upgrades. I'd say 1-2 days in service.

I'm hearing the this particular upgrade will be directly through Canon and will not be available through dealers.

Kevin O'Connor · November 22nd, 2013, 02:44 PM

Great, I'll save the original box and packaging to to ship it in.

Thanks

Terry Nixon · November 22nd, 2013, 02:45 PM

when you send in the camera, only send in the body without the grip or any accessories.

Al Bergstein · November 27th, 2013, 01:13 AM

Terry, I leased the C100 from you (and Canon actually). Can I still get the upgrade? Do I pay for it? Do I need to get Canon's permission? Is there a question I'm not asking that needs to be answered on this issue of a lease upgrade?

(by the way, I'm totally in love with the camera, and have found my 5D mkiii languishing. The C100 is outstanding).

Terry Nixon · November 27th, 2013, 08:51 AM

Hi Al,

Always happy to hear from customers that love the gear we've sold them. Makes my job a lot more fun.

Regarding the C100 upgrade, yes you'll need to pay Canon directly to perform the upgrade.

I don't think you need permission to upgrade a leased camera, but I will ask Canon Financial Services this morning for a formal response.

November 17th, 2013, 05:07 AM	#31
Mark Dobson Major Player Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Horsham / United Kingdom Posts: 328	Re: Canon announces Dual-Pixel AF upgrade for C100 Really snappy focus. But you will need to actively use it with the focus lock button otherwise it shifts focus to momentary dominant shapes such as the bottle at 01.26. I can't actually believe that they will let this 'upgrade' out in it's present form, it's too crude a tool, especially for a Cinema Eos Camera camera such as the C100. Surely by the time this upgrade is available it will have some of the sophistication of the Dual Pixel AF on the 70D, with face recognition and the ability select a focus zone. The present incarnation of continuous AF that came with the recent firmware upgrade ( only usable with 2 specific STM lenses ) actually looks more pleasant than this with a nice slow shift into focus but that requires optimum light and is far slower than the AF demonstrated in this clip.

November 17th, 2013, 05:41 AM	#32
Andy Wilkinson Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 2,853	Re: Canon announces Dual-Pixel AF upgrade for C100 I fully agree with both the above comments. When I wrote "great" I actually meant "shows exactly how it performs". Note to self, drink my morning coffee before I star typing on a Sunday morning! OK, now I'm off to see Gravity in 3D in a Cambridge cinema :-) __________________ Andy K Wilkinson - https://www.shootingimage.co.uk Cambridge (UK) Corporate Video Production

November 17th, 2013, 11:11 AM	#33
Wayne Avanson Major Player Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Lancashire UK Posts: 496	Re: Canon announces Dual-Pixel AF upgrade for C100 I also agree with the above post. I thought at first it was a must have and got quite excited, but it's not. Until the focus point is moveable or face recognition is available, I'm afraid it's no use to me. Certainly not fort $500. If they can do it in the 70D then why not the C100? Shame. __________________ Avey theactionhouse.com

November 17th, 2013, 11:24 AM	#34
Matt Davis Trustee Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Berkshire, UK Posts: 1,562	Re: Canon announces Dual-Pixel AF upgrade for C100 Centre focus does seem to be a case of 'aim at foot, pull trigger'. But... Let's turn this around - offered a choice of, let say, face tracking and 'the focus centre is the middle of your magnified image' (e.g. the new 'move your MAGN. area with the joystick, and the AF square is the middle of that), which would you go for? I'd like both, but would rather champion 'what I have in the middle of my MAGN area is what in focus' rather than relying on face tracking. Want both MAGN and full view? Get a Ninja. It's those hairy situations with a slider and an interview that I'd love a 'magic bullet' solution. I'd hope this solution is easier and quicker to implement while being more useful to a wider range of users. But yes.. Face detection is cool too. __________________ Director/Editor - MDMA Ltd: Write, Shoot, Edit, Publish - mattdavis.pro EX1 x2, C100 --> FCPX & PPro6

November 18th, 2013, 05:04 AM	#35
Wayne Avanson Major Player Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Lancashire UK Posts: 496	Re: Canon announces Dual-Pixel AF upgrade for C100 Good points Matt. I think I'd go for the focus in the centre rather than face recognition. But having said that, I could really have used face recognition on a narrative piece just the other week. It would have been an absolute life saver. Anyway, what's wrong with wanting EVERYTHING? he he. And while we're at it, give us our slow motion and our stop motion please, Mr Canon sir. __________________ Avey theactionhouse.com Last edited by Wayne Avanson; November 18th, 2013 at 05:05 AM. Reason: typo

November 18th, 2013, 01:57 PM	#36
Terry Nixon Texas Media Systems DVi Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 289	Re: Canon announces Dual-Pixel AF upgrade for C100 Dan Chung at Newsshooter has posted a test video of the C100 with the Dual Pixel CMOS AF Upgrade: https://vimeo.com/groups/canonc100/videos/79361465

November 19th, 2013, 12:31 PM	#38
Andy Wilkinson Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 2,853	Re: Canon announces Dual-Pixel AF upgrade for C100 Excellent! Thanks. It's not the list I originally saw when this news broke ...it's a better list... as (of course) there are EF-S lenses on this linked one :-) __________________ Andy K Wilkinson - https://www.shootingimage.co.uk Cambridge (UK) Corporate Video Production

November 22nd, 2013, 02:28 PM	#39
Kevin O'Connor Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Canton, MI Posts: 110	Re: Canon announces Dual-Pixel AF upgrade for C100 Where has the cost ($500) been published for this upgrade? I didn't notice it on the Canon website. How long would Canon have my C100 for this upgrade? I've neve used Canon services before. Thanks,

November 22nd, 2013, 02:41 PM	#40
Terry Nixon Texas Media Systems DVi Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 289	Re: Canon announces Dual-Pixel AF upgrade for C100 The $500 upgrade cost is mentioned here: Canon USA will perform this feature upgrade at a cost of $500, and will require that EOS C100 cameras be sent to an accredited Canon service center. Shipping and handling charges also may apply. Additional details will be provided when the upgrade becomes available. Canon is pretty quick with the firmware upgrades. I'd say 1-2 days in service. I'm hearing the this particular upgrade will be directly through Canon and will not be available through dealers.

November 22nd, 2013, 02:44 PM	#41
Kevin O'Connor Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Canton, MI Posts: 110	Re: Canon announces Dual-Pixel AF upgrade for C100 Great, I'll save the original box and packaging to to ship it in. Thanks

November 22nd, 2013, 02:45 PM	#42
Terry Nixon Texas Media Systems DVi Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 289	Re: Canon announces Dual-Pixel AF upgrade for C100 when you send in the camera, only send in the body without the grip or any accessories.

November 27th, 2013, 01:13 AM	#43
Al Bergstein Major Player Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Port Townsend, WA Posts: 456	Re: Canon announces Dual-Pixel AF upgrade for C100 Terry, I leased the C100 from you (and Canon actually). Can I still get the upgrade? Do I pay for it? Do I need to get Canon's permission? Is there a question I'm not asking that needs to be answered on this issue of a lease upgrade? (by the way, I'm totally in love with the camera, and have found my 5D mkiii languishing. The C100 is outstanding). __________________ Al Upper left hand corner of the map

November 27th, 2013, 08:51 AM	#44
Terry Nixon Texas Media Systems DVi Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 289	Re: Canon announces Dual-Pixel AF upgrade for C100 Hi Al, Always happy to hear from customers that love the gear we've sold them. Makes my job a lot more fun. Regarding the C100 upgrade, yes you'll need to pay Canon directly to perform the upgrade. I don't think you need permission to upgrade a leased camera, but I will ask Canon Financial Services this morning for a formal response.