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.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

B&H Photo just got the full frame Canon EOS 5D Mark II digital camera back in stock. It is a limited batch of cameras so you might have to act quick before it is sold out again. The page at Canon EOS 5D Mark II might say that the Canon EOS 5D Mark II is back-ordered, but you can just click “add to cart” and ignore the back-ordered status.

Some key features for the Canon EOS 5D Mark II:
-21.1 Megapixel CMOS
-Full HD 1080 resolution movie recording
-3.9 frames per second continuous shooting
-ISO sensitivity 50-25,600
-UDMA card compatibility
-9 AF points + 6 Assist AF points

You can order the Canon EOS 5D Mark II camera here. B&H Photo also offer free shipping on this camera.

Canon EOS 1000D DSLR camera

DIWA Labs has tested the Canon EOS 1000D DSLR camera with the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens. This camera is cheaper DSLR from Canon for photographers on a budget or people that does not need all the functions you get from more expensive cameras.

Some key features for the Canon EOS 1000D:
-10.1 megapixel CMOS sensor
-7-point wide area auto focus system
-2.5” LCD screen
-Up to 3 frames per second
-Compact and light DSLR body

The test results from DIWA Labs of the Canon EOS 1000D shows us that the camera is pretty good, but not at the same level as the more expensive Canon EOS 450D.
Read all the tests of the Canon EOS 1000D budget DSLR camera with Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens here.
The tests done by DIWA Labs are very technical so you need to read their test guide to understand the test results.