Canon 7D IQ

Has anyone noticed that the image quality from there

7D got a little worse after the firmware upgrade. This

camera was praised for great low light low noise when

it first came out. I don't recall the noise being bad at ISO

1600 and certainly much better than my 40D. Since the

upgrade it is not that great. Did the new firmware make

the camera faster but dumb down the digic 4

processors perhaps over driving the amplifiers

creacting noisy shots. Has anyone taken sample before

and after shots under like lighting to compare? Was the

7D IQ purposely downgraded to get people to upgrade

again. I have not seen anyone ask this before. Is it just

me that wonders this, perhaps a case of the King has

no clothes and no one wants to admit there new 7D is

not as good as it was. Is there a place to get the original

slower firmware back to test this, or perhaps some third

party firmware that would allow turning down the ISO

gain. I am just asking as I really feel I got better IQ

before the firmware upgrade when the camera took a

little more time to process the shots. What was cut out

of the process to speed the system up? Hope to get

some fair discussion and not have everyone come at

me with torches and pitch forks. Thanks.

<p>I have a 7d and avoid all firmware upgrades as I can not see they are necessary and very probably a retrograde step. If the camera is good it should not need upgrades and I wonder why Canon issue them. Avoid at all costs unless you really know what you are doing</p>

<p>Check out this Canon link:</p>

<p>http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/support/consumer/eos_slr_camera_systems/eos_digital_slr_cameras/eos_7d#DriversAndSoftware</p>

<p>It has the last two firmware versions listed, so you should be able to go back to the previous one. Note: Canon's response was keyed to my computer and OS version, so you may need to scroll up the page and change that if yours is different.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>If the camera is good it should not need upgrades and I wonder why Canon issue them</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Opposed to this is Gates's Law, which applies to all manufactures, software/firmware:</p>

<blockquote>

<p>Never buy or install version point zero of anything.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Upgrades are necessary because in this complex world it's nearly impossible to get anything right the first time around....</p>

<p>By the way, Gates's Law also applies to upgrades -- never be the first to download and install them. ;)</p>

<p>I usually pass on firmware upgrades that apply only to camera functions I don't use, like video. If it ain't broke, don't fix it...</p>

I can't say I have noticed any difference what so ever following the upgrade.

 

Other than letting a few others try out a new upgrade I would not worry.

<p>Little things like effectively doubling the buffer sound like reasonable reasons to upgrade to me. However, if you never shoot enough to fill the buffer then you probably don't need to worry about it. <br>

<br>

I don't own a 7D, but I've got to admit that since my crops were always used primarily for fast shooting, after the FW upgrade, buying one became about twice as appealing.</p>

<p>This is the first post, or comment of concern I think I've ever seen about changes in high ISO noise on the 7D. Given that it's been what? 9 months or so since the major FW 2.0 came out, I'd think that if many users were experiencing problems as the OP described, it'd be all over the place.</p>

 

<blockquote>

<p>By the way, Gates's Law also applies to upgrades -- never be the first to download and install them. ;)</p>

</blockquote>

<p>We had a similar expression in the Air Force: "Never fly the "A" model of anything." </p>

<ul>

<li>Dave. I flew a t-28A, a low powered dog. The Navy had the good one. I flew the T-39 A. Not a dog. I have a 7D. The first thing I ask when getting a used camera is if the FW is up to date. I would like to see something empirical about FW updates degrading performance before I lend credence to it. In the 2012 7D FW update Canon increased the buffer capacity from 15 to 25, added in camera processing, and enabled the addition of a GPS unit. I have seen no degradation from that update nor from 2.05. I have a Canon M in which the FW update last August markedly increased the AF speed. </li>

</ul>

<blockquote>

<p>I have a 7d and avoid all firmware upgrades as I can not see they are necessary and very probably a retrograde step. If the camera is good it should not need upgrades and I wonder why Canon issue them.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Since I bought my house 15 years ago I've added double glazed windows, a modern central heating system, a new kitchen, an alarm system and a motorised garage door. It's definitely better than it was when I bought it.</p>

<p>By the way, I also have a Canon 5D MkII. The first firmware upgrade cured black dots in bright highlights. Subsequent updates gave me 24p video, manual control over video and cured an annoying DoF preview button problem plus other little bug cures.</p>

<p>Enjoy your 7D, but enjoy it more with up to date firmware.</p>

<p>P.S. Do you ever download updates for your computer?</p>

<p>P.S. Do you ever download updates for your computer?<br>

Thanks Jamie, but how do you do it (download to computer) and get it on to the camera.<br>

Thanks<br>

Ian</p>

<blockquote>

<p>Thanks Jamie, but how do you do it (download to computer) and get it on to the camera.<br />Thanks<br />Ian<br>

</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Hi Ian,<br>

<br>

Download the file from the Canon website <a href="http://www.canon.co.uk/Support/Consumer_Products/products/cameras/Digital_SLR/EOS_7D.aspx?type=download&page=1">(link)</a><br>

Open the zip file and the instructions are included in a pdf document. It's easy. Most firmware is installed by copying the file onto your empty memory card and then by putting the card in your camera. You then select the firmware option on your camera's menu. Simple!</p>

<p>Hi Jamie<br>

Mr firmware version is 2.0.3. Is there anyway I can connect the camera to my computer and download the firmware directly to the camera.<br>

Regards<br>

Ian</p>

<blockquote>

<p>Hi Jamie<br />Mr firmware version is 2.0.3. Is there anyway I can connect the camera to my computer and download the firmware directly to the camera.<br />Regards<br />Ian</p>

 

</blockquote>

<p>I don't believe so. Download the firmware to your computer, open up the folder and read the instructions. I am fairly certain you need to put the firmware file onto the memory card to be able to update the camera. It's simple to do.</p>

<p>The 7D was praised for it's low light performance- in 2009. It isn't 2009 anymore. Micro 4/3 cameras have better low light and dynamic range these days. A 7D is still and always will be able to take great images, but the sensor is not as good as contemporary cameras.</p>

<p>I just knew this post would be from a new user name.<br>

Draw your own conclusions from it.</p>