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Installing Firmware!
May 26, 2023 11:05:14   #
Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York
 
I had received an e-mail from Canon USA to install updated firmware to my Canon 5D Mark IV. Someone once told me to 'R-T-F-M.' I searched and found "Firmware" on Page 550 of the Manual. It turned out that the manual did not offer Jack. Fortunately, the download included instructions in several languages. Thank you, CANON USA. I fail to understand why the manual didn't print out more than 1 tiny paragraph. I read the 7 page instruction sheet. I found an unused SD Card. Before I formatted the card, I checked to make sure it was blank. I formatted the card in the camera. I went to the email and downloaded the Zip File to my computer. I opened the file and downloaded the unzipped Firmware 1.3.3 to the newly formatted SD Card. I opened up the firmware folder on the rear screen and pressed OK to "UPDATE FIRMWARE." In a few short minutes and after following the instruction sheets the file was uploaded to my camera. It doesn't feel any different or behave unlike what I have done before. So, I guess this is a rant. I am a little annoyed that a major camera company cannot print a few extra pages for the manual. My advice is to contact Canon USA for your firmware update if you need it. Print out the Instruction Sheets and after downloading your firmware, label and save the card.

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May 26, 2023 11:43:04   #
burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC
 
Scruples wrote:
I had received an e-mail from Canon USA to install updated firmware to my Canon 5D Mark IV. Someone once told me to 'R-T-F-M.' I searched and found "Firmware" on Page 550 of the Manual. It turned out that the manual did not offer Jack. Fortunately, the download included instructions in several languages. Thank you, CANON USA. I fail to understand why the manual didn't print out more than 1 tiny paragraph. I read the 7 page instruction sheet. I found an unused SD Card. I formatted the card in the camera. I went to the email and downloaded the Zip File to my computer. I opened the file and downloaded the unzipped Firmware 1.3.3 to the newly formatted SD Card. I opened up the firmware folder on the rear screen and pressed OK to "UPDATE FIRMWARE." In a few short minutes and after following the instruction sheets the file was uploaded to my camera. It doesn't feel any different or behave unlike what I have done before. So, I guess this is a rant. I am a little annoyed that a major camera company cannot print a few extra pages for the manual. My advice is to contact Canon USA for your firmware update if you need it. Print out the Instruction Sheets and after downloading your firmware, label and save the card.
I had received an e-mail from Canon USA to install... (show quote)


The reason they do that is that "firmware" is just software installed on an erasable, programmable, read-only memory chip in the camera, and as software, it can be changed. Procedures for installing that firmware can change due to changes in the firmware! So the instructions download accompanies the download of the firmware itself. You may have to download both from the same page, or even from separate pages.

One reason most camera companies no longer include paper manuals in the box is that they sell the same camera in many different regions. They don't want to print several language versions of the 800 to 1200 page manual and have the bulk and weight of that added to the shipping weight of the camera. So they create searchable, indexed PDFs of each manual and post them on the Downloads or Support pages of their websites. They may put a simple IKEA-style graphic "quick start" manual in the box, but you're lucky if you get that.

I have all the manuals for my technology in the Books app on my iPhone. I'm never without my phone, so I always have my manuals with me. Sounds crazy to people who don't have a smartphone, but once you get used to pinch-and-spread magnification technique and the search functions, you'll never want a paper manual again!

As for firmware "not changing anything," most Canon and Nikon dSLR firmware updates are issued to fix bugs or improve existing features or add lens compatibility. Manufacturers like Panasonic Lumix actually add new features to existing cameras for several years after the camera is released. Sometimes those features are major additions. Mostly, they are little refinements.

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May 26, 2023 11:59:55   #
PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA
 
when I last updated the firmware in my camera, the downloaded file was a zipped file of both the instructions and the firmware.

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May 26, 2023 12:52:29   #
Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York
 
Dear Mr Burkholder and Mr Rubin: Thank you! I am so old school that my books were carved in stone.
I am aware of downloading the manual to my iPhone. It makes it easier on two counts. First, I always have the manual in my pocket. I actually have several manuals for different cameras and flashes on my phone. The other reason, I chose not to put the manual in my camera bag. If someone decided to steal my camera bag, why should I make it easier for them to learn how to use the camera? I didn’t realize that firmware installation may differ from version to version. As for the extra weight a manual might add I’m sure the company could enclose a down load postcard or CD. (PS I looked at the manual for the R3, Holy Smokes you need a PhD in Engineering.). By The Way, I was hoping for a snappy comeback fro Mr Sager!

Thank you very much!

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May 26, 2023 15:31:14   #
CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City
 
Scruples wrote:
Dear Mr Burkholder and Mr Rubin: Thank you! I am so old school that my books were carved in stone.
I am aware of downloading the manual to my iPhone. It makes it easier on two counts. First, I always have the manual in my pocket. I actually have several manuals for different cameras and flashes on my phone. The other reason, I chose not to put the manual in my camera bag. If someone decided to steal my camera bag, why should I make it easier for them to learn how to use the camera? I didn’t realize that firmware installation may differ from version to version. As for the extra weight a manual might add I’m sure the company could enclose a down load postcard or CD. (PS I looked at the manual for the R3, Holy Smokes you need a PhD in Engineering.). By The Way, I was hoping for a snappy comeback fro Mr Sager!

Thank you very much!
Dear Mr Burkholder and Mr Rubin: Thank you! I am... (show quote)


The snappy comeback is to visit the site / source of the firmware file and read the instructions there on the website on how to install. Sometimes, the step by steps are there. Other times, the ZIP file (or self-extracting EXE) of the firmware update includes both the firmware software and a TEXT file explaining the install process. Once the contents of the file are downloaded and extracted, the explanation is there to read and follow.

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May 26, 2023 17:24:08   #
Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York
 
CHG_CANON wrote:
The snappy comeback is to visit the site….


Thanks Mr Sager: I thought you might make a comeback about being a dinosaur 🦖 from Brooklyn. After all, not all of us are hipsters such as yourself.

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May 27, 2023 11:29:21   #
JimRPhoto Loc: Raleigh NC
 
There are two different chains on this subject today. Here is a question I just posed on the other one, only because it was higher on the list of topics in today’s UHH:
Do we really need this update - that is, other than the features Canon specifically mentions in their notification, are there other features that provide additional security, or faster cycle time, or anything like that? I for one do not use the specific new features that Canon mentions in their notice. If anyone has information on this aspect it will be appreciated. Thank you. JimR

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May 27, 2023 12:50:50   #
Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York
 
JimRPhoto wrote:
There are two different [threads] on this subject today……


When I received the email I wondered to myself if I should do the download. But I remembered that firmware is designed to fix issues with the onboard program. I also remembered the issue of ransomware downloads but it really doesn’t apply to me. Personally, it may be a waste of time to download but I had a few minutes to kill.

I probably could have enjoyed an ice cold milkshake on a hot day like today!

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May 27, 2023 18:56:17   #
MrPhotog
 
Scruples wrote:
Thanks Mr Sager: I thought you might make a comeback about being a dinosaur 🦖 from Brooklyn. After all, not all of us are hipsters such as yourself.


Those hipsters are not using digital cameras.

When they do a ‘Firmware’ update they are just loading a new roll of film. 😎

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May 27, 2023 21:05:56   #
Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York
 
Yeah!! But I sure miss Kodak BW400CN film. Please don’t tell me that Ilford film does a close and good enough job. It doesn’t. But then again, I’m a film snob. Sorry!

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Jun 3, 2023 18:25:58   #
lukevaliant Loc: gloucester city,n. j.
 
CHG_CANON wrote:
The snappy comeback is to visit the site / source of the firmware file and read the instructions there on the website on how to install. Sometimes, the step by steps are there. Other times, the ZIP file (or self-extracting EXE) of the firmware update includes both the firmware software and a TEXT file explaining the install process. Once the contents of the file are downloaded and extracted, the explanation is there to read and follow.



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