New 7D Firmware vers_2 announced

[Andy Wilkinson]

"What about the option to shoot in 25p ( pal) is there a firmware update for that yet?"

Bruce, in answer to your question shooting in PAL or NTSC frame rates has been in the original 7D firmware from day 1. If you select PAL as the video format then 1080p25 and 720p50 options become available.

[Bruce S. Yarock]

Thanks, Andy. I didn't even notice. I've been shooting more with the Sony FS100, lately, and totally forgot that there was an option on the 7d!
Before getting your reply, I spoke to two "experts" at BH ( where I've spent many thousands of dollars, and neither of them knew the answer.
Thank god for dvinfo....
Bruce Yarock
Yarock Productions

[Andy Wilkinson]

No problem Bruce! The funny thing is you currently CANNOT shoot 25p on the new $15,000 EOS 1D Digital Cinema Canon SLR...weird or what!

[John Richard]

Any signs of this possibly important firmware?

[Andy Wilkinson]

Funnily enough I looked for it today on the Canon UK website but all I could find was 1.2.5 so I guess it's not out yet.

[Chris Hurd]

It's official now:

See New Firmware Enhances Functionality of Canon EOS 7D at DVInfo.net

[Per Johan Naesje]

Thanks for the official news, Chris! This will make my 7D a extended life. But I just wonder why they have to wait until August before releasing this update?

[Jon Onstot]

Originally Posted by Per Johan Naesje

Thanks for the official news, Chris! This will make my 7D a extended life. But I just wonder why they have to wait until August before releasing this update?

My guess is that they realized they had nothing to lose once the announcement had been accidentally released earlier. They also may have been encouraged by the generally supportive comments on forums such as this (and apparently ignored the legions of whiners and trolls that this topic has spawned. Good for them).

[Bill Koehler]

Originally Posted by Per Johan Naesje

Thanks for the official news, Chris! This will make my 7D a extended life. But I just wonder why they have to wait until August before releasing this update?

They may still be testing, but their confidence level is high.
They may also be preparing their server network.
They know their servers are going to get hammered when the update becomes available.

[Al Bergstein]

Fabulous news. I wonder if the gps can be used with the xf100 & 300 also? That would be sweet,

This is what being customer focused is all about. The audio nhancement is huge.

[Ron Little]

As a 7d owner I have always felt like I was cheated. I bought the 7d when it was the only real option to the 5d. It was getting rave reviews in the magazines. Just after I bought mine the t2i came out, then the hack for the 5d then the t2i. Then the news that there would be no hack for the 7d. Now I was feeling left out and thinking about selling the 7d. The 7d took good pictures so I decided to keep it for that. Since I do not take many pictures (I am a videographer) the 7d got put on the shelf and not rally used. Then the 60d came out and then the t3i and then the t4i in the back of my mind I am thinking I should sell the 7d. Now the news that the firmware update could make it more usable by giving me control of the audio and I am thinking this could make the 7d more desirable to film makers. So as soon as this firmware update is out I am going to unload this stinking dead fish!

[Chris Medico]

Originally Posted by Ron Little

As a 7d owner I have always felt like I was cheated. I bought the 7d when it was the only real option to the 5d. It was getting rave reviews in the magazines. Just after I bought mine the t2i came out, then the hack for the 5d then the t2i. Then the news that there would be no hack for the 7d. Now I was feeling left out and thinking about selling the 7d. The 7d took good pictures so I decided to keep it for that. Since I do not take many pictures (I am a videographer) the 7d got put on the shelf and not rally used. Then the 60d came out and then the t3i and then the t4i in the back of my mind I am thinking I should sell the 7d. Now the news that the firmware update could make it more usable by giving me control of the audio and I am thinking this could make the 7d more desirable to film makers. So as soon as this firmware update is out I am going to unload this stinking dead fish!

It should be a pretty simple decision. If its not the right tool for your work then it is absolutely time to sell it and move on.

[Ron Little]

Chris, you are right. I should have sold it right away but I kept hoping for the hack or update. Since I had a good video camera I was able to work without the 7d but, I am over the DSLR thing now and am looking at a Sony fs100 or 700 depending on what the budget will bear. Something I did not mention was that I kept buying accessaries trying to turn it into a movie camera. And I did make some nice video with it I just never felt comfortable enough to use it on the job. Although I have to admit that if I did not have to record separate audio that may make it more usable. I have a lot invested in lenses, follow focus, audio, rails, and external monitor. Who knows maybe I will give it one more try after the firmware update.

[Jon Fairhurst]

With the firmware update and the VAF-7D anti-aliasing filter, the 7D will soon be the most viable crop DSLR solution out there.

VAF-7D Optical Anti-Aliasing Filter

for now...

[Ron Little]

Jon, that is a very interesting filter. I think I will hold on a little longer.