Canon had just released a new Firmware update for their Flagship EOS dSLR – the EOS-1D X. Firmware Version 1.1.1 comes after Canon received requests from 1D X users and owners for improvements to the Autofocus system. Canon has answered that call with some key improvements thanks to the new firmware:
- AF illumination during AI Servo AF mode with three options; Non-illuminated, Illuminated (Normal) and Illuminated (Brighter)
- Cross Type AF (41-point) Support at f/8
For further details about the update, see the official release from Canon below.
CANON U.S.A. EXPANDS THE EOS-1D X DIGITAL SLR CAMERA AUTOFOCUS CAPABILITIES WITH NEW FIRMWARE UPDATE
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., October 17, 2012 – Canon U.S.A.,
Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced a new
firmware update in response to user requests which further enhances the
capabilities of Canon’s flagship EOS-1D X Digital SLR camera. The EOS-1D
X will now be capable of AF point illumination during AI Servo AF and
cross-type AF for maximum apertures as small as f/8. The new firmware
update is available now at no charge from the Canon U.S.A. website and
can be downloaded by end users or through Canon Factory Service Centers.
AF Point Illumination During AI Servo AF
To support the needs of wedding, portrait, sports, wildlife, and
theatrical performance photographers working in low light, the new
firmware allows AF points in the EOS-1D X’s viewfinder to be illuminated
in red when the shutter button is pressed halfway during AI Servo AF,
for easy viewing of the selected point. This valuable feature will
enhance the photographers’ ability to aim the camera accurately in
low-light conditions, and when photographing dark subjects. To preserve
exposure-metering accuracy, illumination is intermittent, not
continuous. Three choices will be selectable from the menu system –
Non-illuminated, Illuminated (Normal) and Illuminated (Brighter).
Cross-Type AF Support at f/8
The EOS-1D X is equipped with an innovative 61-point High Density
Reticular AF System featuring up to 41 cross-type AF points, depending
on the lens in use. The cross-type AF points recognize a wide variety of
subject matter, making them highly desirable for maximum autofocus
performance. Until now, cross-type AF on the EOS-1D X has been limited
to EF lenses and lens/extender combinations with a maximum aperture of
f/5.6 or larger. The new firmware allows cross-type autofocusing with
the center AF point even when the maximum aperture of a Canon EF
lens/extender combination becomes as small as f/8. Ideal for wildlife
photographers and others who often use EF super-telephoto lenses with
extenders, this new feature greatly expands the range of EF
lens/extender combinations that support autofocus when used with the
EOS-1D X.
If AF point expansion is selected with an f/8 maximum aperture
lens/extender combination, the four AF points surrounding the center
point will act as AF Assist points. This option effectively expands the
size of the AF detection area to enhance autofocus performance with
subjects that are small in the frame and difficult to track, such as
small animals and birds in flight. AF points above and below the center
will be sensitive to vertical contrast, while points to the left and
right will be sensitive to horizontal contrast.
Please visit the following website for complete information on the firmware update: www.usa.canon.com/
About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer,
business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions. With
approximately $ 45.6 billion in global revenue, its parent company, Canon
Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), ranks third overall in U.S. patents registered in
2011† and is one of Fortune Magazine’s World’s Most Admired Companies in
2012. In 2012, for the ninth consecutive year, Canon U.S.A. has
received the PCMag.com Readers Choice Award for Service and Reliability.
Committed to the highest level of customer satisfaction and loyalty,
Canon U.S.A. provides 100 percent U.S.-based consumer service and
support for all of the products it distributes. Canon U.S.A. is
dedicated to its Kyosei philosophy of social and environmental
responsibility. To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A.,
sign up for the Company’s RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/rss.
# # #
†Based on weekly patent counts issued by United States Patent and Trademark Office.
All referenced product names, and other marks, are trademarks of their respective owners.
