canon_eos1dc_rightWe knew the firmware update was probably going to come after NAB, but I'm not sure how many people expected it to come almost two months after the show. Though much of the Canon news lately has been on the Magic Lantern RAW video hacks for the lower-end DSLRs, the company has finally decided to offer an upgrade to 4K 25p on the 1D C. If you were expecting to upgrade right away, however, you might be slightly disappointed.

Thanks to Canon Rumors, here's Canon USA on the update:

Firmware version 1.2.0 incorporates the following improvements and fixes: 

  1. Provides support for 25.00p (fps) video recording frame rate (PAL settings) at the camera’s maximum 4K resolution.
  2. A function to disable the image size selection button has been added.
  3. Fixes a phenomenon in which a difference in exposure appears on every other shot when shooting continuously and the auto-lighting optimizer is turned on (on weak, standard or strong).
  4. Fixes a phenomenon in which video recorded onto an external recorder sometimes becomes two-layered if it has been recorded through HDMI output.
  5. The video frame rate now displays two additional decimal places, e.g. 24p -> 23.98p (fps).
  6. Fixes a phenomenon in which the on-screen guidance cannot be fully displayed when setting the maximum limit value for the “Auto ISO Range” option.
  7. Corrects errors in the Portuguese language menu. This cannot be displayed on units for Japan.

And here's the extra hoop you'll have to jump through to get it:

Support
Canon USA will perform firmware updates on affected cameras free of charge. Please contact our Customer Support Center.

So while it's great that Canon has essentially made this a world camera for 4K, it looks like you'll have to bring it in or send it to Canon in order to get the update. This isn't the first time I've seen firmware updates only available through a qualified service center, but one has to wonder if there is some other reason why Canon wouldn't just make it available for download. Is there something additional the service center must do to the camera? If you get the update performed on your 1D C, feel free to let us know the process in the comments, and if Canon is doing anything extra beyond a software update.

You can find more information at the Canon Europe and Canon USA sites using the links below.

Links:

  • Canon 1D C 1.2.0 Firmware Update -- Canon USA
  • Canon 1D C 1.2.0 Firmware Update -- Canon Europe

[via Canon Rumors]

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Cinematography & Cameras