New firmware for 5D mk2 claims to fix black dot and sRAW1 banding problems

<p>http://www.dpreview.com/news/0901/090108025d2firmware.asp</p>

<p>Has anyone seen a review of the new fix yet? I'm curious to know how effictive it is.</p>

<p>As I understand the new firmware applies some correction to the RAW files (the camera electronic operation remains unchanged) so you also have to upgrade DPP and Picture style as well in order to be able to read the RAW files from 5DII with firmware 1.0.7 correctly. It may take a while before third party converters such as ACR can support the new firmware...but who cares as long as everything is fixed.<br /> http://web.canon.jp/imaging/eosd/firm-e/eos5dmk2/firmware.html<br /> "<strong>Note: </strong><br>

<strong>When updating to Firmware Version 1.0.7, please also update the Digital Photo Professional and Picture Style Editor software, which can be downloaded from Drivers/Software Selection.</strong> <br /> <strong> The reason for the Note above is explained later in the process: <br /> <br /> </strong><br>

<strong>Why is it required to update the Digital Photo Professional and Picture Style Editor software?</strong><br>

<strong>If the existing software applications are used to display sRAW1 and sRAW2 images that were captured by a camera with Firmware Version 1.0.7, dark, low-contrast areas in the images may appear slightly magenta. If the updated software applications are used to display sRAW1 and sRAW2 images, the color of the images will appear normal, regardless of the camera firmware version.</strong> "</p>

<p>Preliminary tests show that the black dots are completely gone!<br /> http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1032&message=30602734</p>

<p>Here is another:<br /> http://www.andrewyip.com/blog/2009/01/07/firmware-update-fixes-5d-mark-ii-black-dots-problem</p>

<p>Hi guys,</p>

<p>would Adobe Lightroom read the RAW files from the new firmware? Or should we wait for a Lightroom update?</p>

 

<p>What I think you will find is that black dots are no longer a problem irrespective of the raw convertor. This is the result been reported elsewhere.<br>

But if you use sRaw then you will have magenta colour cast problems with ACR etc that are fixed in DPP. So if you use sRaw and LR / CS4 then you may want to wait before applying the Firmware fix.</p>

<p>I've installed the update and both Lightroom 2.2 and CS4 read the new raw files just fine. No problems.</p>