Canon EOS 5D Mark II update with manual video exposure controls now available

We'd heard it was coming and now it's here -- the just-released EOS 5D Mark II 1.1.0 firmware update adds a much-longed-for manual exposure control to the video mode. That ought to warm some budding filmmaker hearts our there -- and the rest of us can enjoy a few other minor enhancements. Fun for the whole family!

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

[Rekit @ Jun 1st 2009 10:36PM]

booyah!

[Little a @ Jun 1st 2009 10:37PM]

Cool . Come On Give It A Try .

[Mitch @ Jun 1st 2009 10:50PM]

We've got a bunch of additional information including a 'how to guide' for installing the upgrade as well as instructions on how to use the new features over on our blog - http://blog.planet5d.com/2009/06/start-your-downloads-the-new-canon-eos-5d-mark-ii-firmware-is-available/

[iKurt 5D @ Jun 1st 2009 10:53PM]

Just another reason why professionals trust Canon for their photographic needs.

[versa5glen @ Jun 1st 2009 10:56PM]

when 50d support hd video……

[Eugenia Loli-Queru @ Jun 1st 2009 11:18PM]

Now all we need is:
1. 24p support (and maybe 25p for the PAL people).
2. Zebra support.
3. Maintain the exposure compensation between takes.

Then the world would be perfect. :-)
I assume the PC/Mac app for the 5D let's you create custom looks, e.g. saturation, contrast, color, etc. that you can later upload them to the camera. Adding all that, that's a great camera for $3k.

[Silverfrog @ Jun 2nd 2009 8:49AM]

Yes, it would be great if the camera had those features, but maybe you're forgetting this is not a professional videocamera. This is like asking why point-and-shoot cameras don't perform 24-zone metering.

[k4ffy @ Jun 2nd 2009 9:25AM]

i don't think canon wants to cannibalize its professional video camera market by implementing these features since surely there's nothing technically stopping them from doing so.

[Guy @ Jun 1st 2009 11:19PM]

Still pretty much a fat lot of useless for the rest of the world in PAL regions who need 25p
Are you really listening Canon?

[Maximillian @ Jun 1st 2009 11:20PM]

Awesome! Can't wait to load this up.

[Michael @ Jun 1st 2009 11:20PM]

Anything about 24p?

[Tom @ Jun 1st 2009 11:37PM]

Just installed it... works just as advertised! Thanks Cannon, can't wait for 24/25fps!

[Grant @ Jun 1st 2009 11:38PM]

I'm having issues with the firmware already. I took a quick movie (manual mode obv.) at 1/50th , 1600ISO - and I'm getting weird 'scan lines' - happens on any mode. Lines are darker/more prevalent on higher shutter speeds.

Manual Mode

f/4.0
1/50th Sec
1600 ISO
B&W Image Style

http://vimeo.com/4956143

[Ming Han Chung @ Jun 2nd 2009 10:48AM]

Nothing to do with the firmware. Your computer screen is the main source of like and its the refreshing of it that causes scan lines. Have you never video'd a screen before?

[Ming Han Chung @ Jun 2nd 2009 12:20AM]

And I need to learn how to spell Light

[Bill Ody @ Jun 7th 2009 8:15PM]

You really expect a Mac user to know technical stuff like that?

:-P

[Tom @ Jun 2nd 2009 1:37AM]

If you look, it also happens when he's shooting the keyboard of the laptop. Definitely some kind of issue there, though it'd be better to try a sample video in a brighter environment.

[Billy Fiul @ Jun 2nd 2009 4:59AM]

You're certainly quick to jump to conclusions... I would have tried a few more tests with different light sources before posting a video. How long did it take you to make the video, upload it, write a description, and post on Engadget... how much research did you do in the process? You're not very smart, are you?

[Ming Han Chung @ Jun 2nd 2009 10:49AM]

It's happening when he's shooting the keyboard because the only light in the scene is coming from the laptop.....

[KEROLiUKAS @ Jun 2nd 2009 12:04AM]

Do want..well do want the DSLR first, then the firmware.

[Sisyphus @ Jun 2nd 2009 12:40AM]

Thanks, Canon.

[jonny @ Jun 2nd 2009 1:48AM]

Here's a semi-auto exposure:

put it at the aperture you want, set the shutter to 1/30 or 1/60 or whatever you like. Then, set it at Auto-ISO. You really don't want a shutter speed changing all the time anyway.

[zulusafari @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:27AM]

Jonny,

Unless you want some potentially horrible quality video with tons of grain, it would be best to manually set your ISO and leave either your aperture or shutter at auto. The effect is the same as 'aperture' or 'shutter priority'. The whole point of the exercise of getting manual control is to not set anything on 'auto'.

The problem now is that the camera is set once you're recording, unless this has changed with the firmware update.

[MrLegend @ Jun 2nd 2009 2:32AM]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaand....done!

[superhobo @ Jun 2nd 2009 6:14AM]

Wasn't this posted a few days ago.

[zulusafari @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:27AM]

@guy

U must be confused. We're talking about HD media (1080p, 720p, 1080i). Frame rate is a non-issue, technically speaking. Before HD there was NTSC 720x480 @ 29.97fps and PAL @ 25fps (don't recall exact pixel count). With HD we go to large pixel counts and usually 30p or 60i and for the arts folk 24p.

PAL is an SD only standard for broadcast.

Just like with NTSC, PAL is going out. You can take HD content and down res it to the appropriate resolution and change the frame rate if you really want to (not advised if not broadcast).

[siriusproductions @ Jun 2nd 2009 10:01PM]

You are seriously WRoNG! There is still a difference in FRAME RATE between PAL AND NTSC HD.
http://hometheater.about.com/od/televisionbasics/qt/ntscpalframes.htm

[hattie's daddy @ Jul 8th 2009 7:07PM]

have you guys seen this yet - www.imagemechanicsexpo.com - looks like a couple of days devoted to talking about shooting video with the 5D. It could be pretty cool. Wish I lived in LA :-(