Firmware update for EOS 50D, EOS 450D and EOS 1000D

Canon has made new firmware updates available from it's website for the EOS 50D, 450D (Rebel XSi) and 1000D (Rebel XS). The changed functionality is listed below for each of the cameras.

EOS 50D - firmware version 1.0.6

• Reduces vertical banding noise that can appear in images shot in SRAW1 image sizes
• Adds additional details to error messages with more specific errors rather then the often generic Err 99 that people have seen
• Adds support for the focus assist beam feature of the new Speedlite 270EX that was announced with the EOS 500D earlier in March
  

EOS 50D cameras have been reported in the market with firmware version 1.0.5 direct from the factory. This now seems to have been an interim version, maybe the same as 1.06 but without the AF assist beam support for the Speedlite 270EX?? If your camera is running the older firmwares then time for an update. The banding in SRWAW1 images was also addressed for the EOS 5D Mark II earlier in firmware version 1.0.7 back in January.

EOS 450D / Rebel XSi - firmware version 1.1.0

• Adds support for the focus assist beam feature of the new Speedlite 270EX that was announced with the EOS 500D earlier in March.
  

EOS 1000D / Rebel XS - firmware version 1.0.5

• Adds support for the focus assist beam feature of the new Speedlite 270EX that was announced with the EOS 500D earlier in March.
  

Top tips for hassle free firmware update;

• use a fully charged battery in the camera
• use a small memory card to load the firmware update on
• take your lens off the camera before doing the update
  

Have you tried the new firmware and for the EOS 50D does it fix any problems you have had?

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Highlight Tone Priority - ISO range limits

Have you tried Highlight Tone Priority? You know the one, the setting that shifts your dynamic range from the shadows to the highlights giving smoother tonal gradation in the highlight areas. While it's very useful in some situations - anywhere with lots of highlights and not much shadow - it can cause issues when you get to shadow areas as that dynamic range has to come from somewhere - the shadow tones. this could cause more noise in the shadow areas, so use it sparingly. 

Anyway, this post is not about that per se, but about the limitations it puts on your ISO range. We'll show you some examples of images with and without HTP in a future post. 

This list shows you the standard ISO range (with expansion turned on) of the camera and the ISO range once Highlight Tone Priority is turned on. 

EOS-1D Mark III - STD: 50-6400, HTP:ON 200-3200

EOS-1Ds Mark III - STD: 50-3200, HTP:ON 200-1600

EOS 5D Mark II - STD: 50-25,600, HTP:ON 200-6400

EOS 50D - STD: 100-12,600, HTP:ON 200-3200

EOS 40D - STD: 100-3200, HTP:ON 200-1600

EOS 450D - STD: 100-1600, HTP:ON 200-1600

For a quick way to check if you have HTP switched on or not, looked at the information screen - either the top LCD panel for those cameras that have one, or the rear LCD for the EOS 450D. 

On the EOS-1D/1Ds Mark III, EOS 40D and EOS 450D, the ISO speed when HTP is turned on, will show with small zeros eg: 2oo rather than 200. For the EOS 5D Mark II and EOS 50D, this has been changed so that it now shows D+ on the top LCD panel. 

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Getting the correct exposure when using a remote release cable

It's another one of these what is that bit for kind of articles. EOS cameras can all be triggered using cable releases or in some cases infra-red remote releases. Usually this is done when the camera is on a tripod or located in a difficult to reach location. This odd location can cause problems since the light from the environment can enter the viewfinder from the rear - where you would normally be looking - and this can cause the exposure meter to meter erroneously. To prevent this kind of error you need to use something to block the light entering the viewfinder.

Canon has two solutions, the EOS-1D series solution with an eyepiece blind, and the other method of a piece of rubber on the camera neck strap. Since yesterday looked at EOS-1D models then today it's EOS 450D's turn. Though this also applies to the EOS 1000D, 40D, 50D and 5D Mark II. 

First up you need to remove the eyepiece rubber frame so that your camera looks similar to this one. 

The next part is to locate the rubber cover on the strap, it's always now that you realise you left that bit on the standard strap when you replaced it with an Optec one!

Here the cover is fitted over the eyepiece and will block stray light entering the viewfinder and messing up the exposure.

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