Gear News and Reviews

Canon News Release

Canon today announces that it is currently developing a firmware update to the EOS 5D Mark II to enable the recording of high definition 1080p video at 24 and 25fps. The decision to develop new firmware to support these features has been taken following feedback received from cinematographers and photographers.

Introduced in September 2008, the multi award-winning EOS 5D Mark II was the first DSLR product to offer full frame 1080p HD video recording, opening up a multitude of new creative possibilities for photo journalists, news photographers and amateur filmmakers. Since then, Canon has continued to develop its groundbreaking EOS Movie functionality, firstly with the firmware update to the EOS 5D Mark II that enabled manual exposure control, and more recently by introducing a choice of video recording frame rates with the EOS 7D and EOS 1D MARK IV.

Canon Europe Press Release

According to Mr. Macleod of Canon Australia, Canon will be releasing a firmware update to enable 24p/25p recording on the Canon 5D MkII. That music to many 5D users ears.

“We understand that EOS 5D Mark II users desire additional frame rates and we’re preparing a firmware update to allow the camera to shoot at both 24P and 25P,” said Chris Macleod, Brand Manager – EOS, Canon Australia.

Canon expects the firmware update to be available in the first half of 2010 and will release more details as they become available.

My guess is that Canon could definitely speed up the the development of this firmware update and have it ready sooner, but why bother when sales of the 7D are in such high demand.  Wait until the 7D early adopters are satisfied and then give them reason to buy the 5D MkII with a ‘new & improved’ 24p full-frame sensor.  Call it the 5D MkIIn?

Read more here.

Recently I picked up Panasonic’s GH1 to accompany the 5D MkII. The 5D MkII is at the top of its game, but sometimes lugging around that body with a host of prime lenses can be a bit much. On a dedicated photography assignment it’s perfect, but when you’re out for a vacation and the priority is to think as little as possible then the GH1 fills the bill perfectly.

Just don’t expect the GH1 to replace the 5D anytime soon, because it won’t. What it will do is accompany you without weighing you down and return beautiful photos and video.

The GH1 ships with the flexible 14-140mm zoom. The lens was designed from the very beginning with video in mind. There are no aperture clicks, instead the aperture is constantly variable. More importantly the lens has a silent AF motor. Changing apertures, zooming and AF noises do not show up on the built in stereo microphones. The lens also incorporates Panasonic’s MEGA OIS to give you hand holding stability.  I’m not sure what Panasonic rates its MEGA OIS system, but from my experience so far I would guess you probably gain a 2-stop advantage.  So far so good.

More later.