Canon Issues Video Firmware Update 2.0.3 for 5D MK II

At last!  Uncle Canon has just announced a new firmware update for the Canon 5D MK II.  This update, announced on March 2nd, 2010, will be available for download very soon.  My best guess is around March 16th. 2010...

This firmware update give us the long-anticipated 24fps (29.97) and a new 30fps (29.976). But wait, there’s more!  Canon has also included Manual Control of in-camera audio - now at 48 kHz instead of the non-standard 44.1 kHz.  We also get a Live Histogram - Yippee! - and sorta useful Av and Tv auto-exposure modes.

The new Manual Sound Level Controls will allow global adjustment of both Left and Right channels by way of the rear Quick control Wheel.  Although the audio bar-graph is somewhat abbreviated, audio levels can be adjusted over a generous 64 step range.  

With a single, global Levels Adjustment for both channels, well-matched input devices will be doubly important for Single System sound shooters.  While this is great news for solo shooters, its not such great news for Beachtek, Juiced Link, Magic Lantern or anyone else involved in offering work-arounds for the MK II’s original auto-gain control.  

Live by the sword, die by the sword, I reckon...

Continuing our analysis of audio improvements, the upgrade from 44.1 kHz to 48 kHz isn’t a quantum leap by any measure.  It does, however, succeed in bringing the camera’s audio output up to the minimum required for DVD quality sound.  I consider this to be another timely and very welcome update to the day-to-day utility of the Canon 5D MK II.

I’m less interested in the two new Automatic Modes - Av and Tv - but they may be very welcome to some.  They seem to represent a variation on the existing LUTs (Look Up Table) used in the original Program Mode as they function in much the same way.  To paraphrase, in Av Mode the user sets his ideal aperture and the camera picks the ISO and a shutter-speed between 1/30th and 1/4000th.  In Tv Mode, the user selects the shutter-speed and the camera selects the ISO and aperture.  In either case, the camera runs a spectrum of ISO changes before it begrudgingly changes the aperture or shutter-speed.  When and how it determines the right time to abandon the enthusiastic changing of ISO ratings and resorts to adjusting shutter or aperture is known only to the LUT engineers at this point in time.  

If you choose to use Av or Tv Mode, be ready for constantly changing grain structure as the levels of scene illumination change.  Also watch out for additional camera noise as the micro-motors decide to adjust aperture at the worst possible moment.  Don’t say I didn’t warn you...

Better still, eschew all exposure automation and embrace personal responsibility!  Use that lovely new Live View Histogram to judge and establish a fixed exposure that will best serve the scene at hand.  I’m thrilled that this has been included in the firmware update and will welcome its utility every time I shoot.

I’m sorry to report that there have been no reductions in the minimal ISO levels at this point; Neutral Density filters are still mandated to keep an open iris in bright, daylight conditions, no matter how you manage your exposures.

All-in-all, this firmware update will be a great addition to the already spectacular 5D MK II.  I can’t wait to get mine updated!