PANASONIC EXPANDS HD LENS LINE-UP WITH FIRMWARE UPDATE FOR LUMIX G SERIES INTERCHANGEABLE LENSES

MISSISSAUGA, ON (October 5, 2011) – Panasonic Canada Inc. today announced the availability of new firmware that upgrades four of its LUMIX G Series interchangeable lenses to HD. Resulting in exceptional HD video capabilities, the updated lenses excel in tracking focus in video recording while providing silent auto focus and exposure control; and offer enhanced stability of O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer).

With this upgrade, Panasonic’s LUMIX G Series of lenses now includes seven HD capable options, and all are compatible with the company’s line of Compact System Cameras, including the new 2011 models: LUMIX GF3, LUMIX GF2, LUMIX GH2 and LUMIX G3. The 1.1 firmware is accessible at http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/ and will be available mid-October in the “Support” section at Panasonic.ca. This update will enhance the following four LUMIX G Series lenses:
o LUMIX G 14mm / F2.5 ASPH. (H-H014)
o LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-FS014042)
o LUMIX G FISHEYE 8mm / F3.5 (H-F008)
o LUMIX G VARIO 100-300mm / F4.0-5.6 / MEGA O.I.S. (H-FS100300)

These lenses join three previously upgraded LUMIX G Series lenses:
o LUMIX G VARIO 7-14mm / F4.0 ASPH. (H-F007014)
o LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-FS014045)
o LUMIX G VARIO 45-200mm / F4.0-5.6 / MEGA O.I.S. (H-FS045200)

About Panasonic
Panasonic products are marketed in Canada by Panasonic Canada Inc. (PCI). PCI is an affiliate of Panasonic Corporation (PC) of Japan, one of the world’s largest producers of electronic and electric products for consumer, business, and industrial use. Consumers seeking more information on the company’s products can call Panasonic’s Customer Care Centre at 1-800-561-5505 or access Panasonic’s home page at www.panasonic.ca.

PANASONIC EXPANDS HD LENS LINE-UP WITH FIRMWARE UPDATE FOR LUMIX G SERIES INTERCHANGEABLE LENSES

SECAUCUS, NJ (September 13, 2011) – Today, Panasonic announces the availability of a new firmware that enables seven of its LUMIX G Series interchangeable lenses to be HD lenses, meaning they can shoot exceptional HD video. Specifically these HD lenses excel in tracking focus in video recording while offering silent auto focus and exposure control. In addition, there is enhanced stability of O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) in video recording.

Panasonic’s LUMIX G Series of lenses are compatible with the company’s line of Compact System Cameras, including the 2011 line-up of the LUMIX GF3, LUMIX GF2, LUMIX GH2 and LUMIX G3. The new 1.1 firmware, available at http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/, enhances the following seven LUMIX G Series lenses:

(1) LUMIX G 14mm / F2.5 ASPH. (H-H014)
(2) LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-FS014042)
(3) LUMIX G FISHEYE 8mm / F3.5 (H-F008)
(4) LUMIX G VARIO 100-300mm / F4.0-5.6 / MEGA O.I.S. (H-FS100300)
(5) LUMIX G VARIO 7-14mm / F4.0 ASPH. (H-F007014)
(6) LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-FS014045)
(7) LUMIX G VARIO 45-200mm / F4.0-5.6 / MEGA O.I.S. (H-FS045200)

About Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company
Based in Secaucus, N.J., Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company, is a Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC) and the hub of Panasonic’s U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Panasonic is pledged to practice prudent, sustainable use of the earth’s natural resources and protect our environment through the company’s Eco Ideas programs.

Photographer Dave Black uses HyperSync to put a stop to the action: Nikon D3s, F10, 1/1250 sec. © Dave Black

PocketWizard® Photo Products Launches Major ControlTL® Firmware Update

New features and upgrades available now for MiniTT1® and FlexTT5® radios,
both Canon and Nikon versions

So. Burlington, VT – September 1, 2011 – PocketWizard, the industry leader in wireless control and synchronization of cameras, flash and light meters, announces a major new update to its ControlTL firmware for both Nikon and Canon versions of its MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 radios. Available now, version 3.0 for Nikon and Version 6.0 for Canon include several new features and updates to make the system more powerful than ever including HyperSync™ Automation, SpeedCycler and Off Camera Power Control. Any current owner of the ControlTL system can install these new features and updates for free using the PocketWizard Utility.

“We’re excited about these new features for the ControlTL system and the creative potential they represent for photographers,” said Dave Schmidt, Vice President of Marketing at LPA Design, the company that manufacturers PocketWizard photo products. “Firmware upgrades such as this are a benefit for photographers who invest in PocketWizard radios. HyperSync Automation will be a game changer in that it opens up the amazing capability to use blazing fast sync speeds with flash units – creating amazing potential in sports or portrait applications.”

Continue Reading »

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

PANASONIC ANNOUNCES FIRMWARE UPDATES FOR ITS POPULAR LUMIX DMC-LX5 DIGITAL CAMERA

MISSISSAUGA, ON (August 26, 2011) – Panasonic Canada Inc. today announced a new firmware update for the LUMIX DMC-LX5 digital camera. Version 2.0 firmware will help to improve performance and enhance usability by upgrading key camera functions.

Software updates include a redesigned algorithm which will give the LUMIX LX5 extremely fast autofocus speeds. The High ISO Noise Reduction Mode is a new feature that will offer deliberate noise reduction for images shot at high ISO 1600/3200 sensitivity. There will also be a significant improvement to the performance of auto white balance adjustment in low light situations.

Continue Reading »

Leica S2

LEICA S2 FIRMWARE UPDATE FW 1.0.1.8 NOW AVAILABLE

Solms, Germany (July 28, 2011) – Leica Camera AG has released a new firmware update for the Leica S-System, FW 1.0.1.8. All Leica S2 and S2-P cameras will now be supplied with the latest firmware version. Users wishing to bring their camera up-to-date can download the firmware update from the “Owners Area” on the Leica website and take advantage of the latest improvements.

The firmware update FW 1.0.1.8 includes a revision of the setting procedure for auto-bracketing. Now, the shutter-release button must only be pressed once to activate the full bracketing sequence. This function is particularly useful for shooting bracketed exposures for HDR post-processing. Additionally, the menu-control button at the top right of the camera can now be programmed to carry out a custom function, allowing users quick access to settings. This improvement gives photographers a further opportunity to customize the Leica S2 and S2-P to meet their individual needs and demands.

For installation instructions and to download firmware update FW 1.0.1.8, please visit: https://owners.leica-camera.com.

Continue Reading »

LEICA CAMERA OFFERS NEW FIRMWARE UPDATE 2.014 FOR THE LEICA M8

Solms, Germany (June 29, 2011) – Leica Camera AG announces the latest firmware update for all versions of the Leica M8. Users wishing to benefit from the new offerings can now download firmware update Version 2.014 from the Leica Camera website and take advantage of new, improved features.

The firmware update coincides with the launch of the Leica Super-Elmar-M 21 mm f/3.4 ASPH. and supports the use of this new wide-angle lens on Leica M8 cameras. In addition to new improvements, users can expand the range of lenses for their Leica M8 system with the versatile, high-performance super-wide-angle lens. With this free service, Leica Camera AG again proves their commitment to full system compatibility and decades of enduring value of the M series.

For installation instructions and to download firmware update 2.014, please visit: http://en.leica-camera.com/service/downloads/rangefinder_cameras/m8.

Fujifilm FinePix X100

Fujifilm has delivered on its promise of over 20 firmware fixes for the Finepix X100 that should go a long way to placate many users that were won over by the camera’s image quality but irked by some of its behavior.

1. The following functions can be rocked during shooting by holding down [MENU / OK] button over 3 sec.
DRIVE / Flash / White balance / Macro (set on the Command Dial – 4 direction key)

2. “CORRECTED AF FRAME” menu is added in “SET-UP” menu (the last line on menu page 6) to display additional AF frame (corrected AF frame for reducing parallax) which can be effectively used for macro shots. (Factory default value is set to “OFF”)

3. Adjustment in1/3 step increment for shutter speed or aperture setting is enabled in Shutter-Priority AE and Aperture-Priority AE mode, on top of those in Manual Exposure mode.
Shutter-Priority AE : Adjustment is controlled by rotating the command dial
Aperture-Priority AE : Adjustment is controlled by moving left / right on the command control lever

Continue Reading »

NEW: LEICA CAMERA OFFERS FIRMWARE UPDATE 1.162 FOR THE LEICA M9

Solms, Germany (June 16, 2011) – Leica Camera AG is pleased to announce the firmware update 1.162 for the Leica M9, the world’s smallest, full-frame digital system camera. Users wishing to benefit from the new offerings can now download the firmware update from the Leica Camera website and take advantage of new, improved features.

Firmware update 1.162 features a revision of sensor homogeneity for wide-angle lenses. The additional color calibration noticeably reduces chromatic differences between the center and the corners of an image, especially in critical shooting situations. Additionally, the software processes of the Leica M9 have been optimized, significantly reducing the “red edges effect” and improving the menu’s Italian translation.

Continue Reading »