Digital Camera News and Reviews

Nikon D700

Nikon has updated the firmware for their D700 DSLR camera. The new 1.01 version of the firmware fixes some auto focus issues, issues with Speedlight SB-800 and more.

Firmware version 1.01 for the Nikon D700 can be downloaded here.

Information from Nikon:
The following improvements have been made in version 1.01

– When Custom Setting a4 Focus tracking with lock-on was set to Off in Continuous-servo AF, the lens drive moved gradually without achieving focus. This issue has been resolved.
– When the Speedlight SB-800 was mounted on the camera with flash mode set to Distance-priority manual (GN) mode, and then the exposure meters were reactivated or the camera was turned on, the distance information displayed on the SB-800 changed. This issue has been resolved.
– When the Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10 was mounted on the camera and an EN-EL3e battery inserted in the camera but no batteries inserted in the MB-D10, and SB-900 flash mode set to TTL auto flash mode, the flash mode changed to A mode when the exposure meters turned off or were reactivated, or the camera was turned off or on. This issue has been resolved. (This issue has also been resolved with SB-900 firmware Ver. 5.02.)
– An issue that, in extremely rare cases, resulted in noticeable black dots in images captured with Long exp. NR in the shooting menu set to On has been resolved.
– Manamah, displayed in the Time zone options for the World time item in the setup menu, has been changed to Manama.

Canon EOS 40D DSLR

Canon has updated the firmware for their Canon EOS 40D DSLR camera to version 1.1.1. The new firmware fixes a malfunction that happen with the EF 85mm F1.2L II USM lens, an error that happens during direct printing and more.

You can download the firmware version 1.1.1 for the Canon EOS 40D DSLR camera here.

Information from Canon:
Firmware update Version 1.1.1 incorporates the following fixes and improvements.
1. Fixes a malfunction that in rare occurrence causes a low battery indication to be displayed when using the EF 85mm F1.2L II USM lens. Depending on the battery check timing of the camera, the battery level displayed on the camera’s LCD data panel may shows Battery will be exhausted soon or Battery must be recharged, even though the battery capacity is sufficient.
2. Fixes a malfunction that in rare occurrence causes an Err 06 Self Cleaning Sensor malfunction to appear on the camera’s LCD monitor and LCD data panel, even when the Self Cleaning Sensor Unit is operating normally. This message may appear depending on the timing of when the camera is switch to the ON position.
3. Fixes a malfunction that prevents correct colors from being printed when direct printing. RAW images captured using the camera’s custom Picture Styles (Emerald, etc.), which have been downloaded from Canon’s Web site and registered under User Def. 2 or User Def. 3.
4. Modifies the level of subject brightness that causes the AF-assist beam to fire when using an external Speedlite.
5. Enables an external flash connected to the camera’s synchro terminal to fire even when the camera’s built-in flash is popped up.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1

One of my favorite websites dpreview.com has reviewed maybe the most anticipated camera of 2008, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 Micro Four Thirds camera.

Some key features for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1:
-4/3-type 12.1-megapixel Live MOS sensor
-Electronic view finder
-First Mirco Four Thirds camera
-SSWF dust protection system
-ISO sensitivty from 100-3200

Dpreview ends up giving the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 camera a “Highly Recommended” rating due to the fact that the camera is able to produce very good pictures and that the electronic viewfinder really works.
The only downsides are that there aren’t many lenses available right now for the micro Four Thirds system, no video function and that the electronic viewfinder is hard to use when there are little light available.
The Panasonic camera seems very interesting!
Read the full review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 here.
Buy the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 from BH Photo and get free shipping.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3

Panasonic has released firmware version 1.2 for their digital camera DMC LX3. The new firmware fixes errors with the EXIF data in JPEG files, improve withe balance when used with the DMW-FL220 flash and proper setting of shutter speed on iA mode and Scene mode when OIS is turned ON.

Download firmware version 1.2 for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 camera here.

Buy the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 from BH Photo and get free shipping.