Canon EOS-7D Mk II Firmware 1.0.4 Available

Canon EOS-7D Mk II APS-C camera

* * *  Tips and tricks from Canon for the EOS-7D Mk II camera   * * *

As reported earlier, Canon USA has released a new firmware, Version 1.0.4 for the EOS-7D Mk II camera. The new firmware should hopefully fix the AF 'problems' I have encountered with the camera bought back in November 2014.

Firmware Version 1.0.4 incorporates the following fixes :

• Fixes a phenomenon in which the camera’s AF function may not operate properly at a focal length of approximately 100mm when used with the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens.
• Fixes a phenomenon in which, in rare instances, the reduction of the flicker effect cannot be achieved when in AI servo AF mode, despite the “Anti-flicker shoot” function being set to “Enable”.
• Fixes a phenomenon in which the Picture Style settings may not be applied to the captured image when the camera is set to custom shooting mode C1, C2 or C3.
• Fixes a phenomenon in which, in very rare cases, the first still image captured in live view mode may not record the correct date and time.
• Fixes a phenomenon in which, in very rare cases, image noise may appear in JPEG images when brightness or contrast is corrected by the Auto Lighting Optimizer function.

Download Firmware 1.04 via Canon USA

Canon Working On Possible EOS-7D Mk II AF Issue

* * *   Tips and tricks from Canon for EOS-7D Mk II camera   * * *

* * *  Canon EOS-7D Mk II new firmware Version 1.0.4 is here   * * *

My readers know I like the Canon EOS-7D Mk II camera a lot, especially for wildlife photography when the action is a bit further away because I am not a big fan of extenders and my Canon EOS-1D X has 'only' 18MP to work with when it comes time to crop. Thankfully, the EOS-1D X Mk II, rumored to be announced late this year, may have a new sensor in the mid 20MP and perhaps solve my 'problem'.

I am not without reservation with the EOS-7D Mk II camera. In November of 2014, I pointed out the problem is the AF system is not up to par at times, especially when it come to AF @ f/8. Read my review of the production camera and get the whole story. When I was on a photo shoot in Costa Rica last month, the AF on the EOS-7D Mk II can be slow and sometimes even cannot focus under less than ideal lighting conditions in the rain and cloud forests.

Apparently, Canon is aware of the situation and is trying to determine the extent of the 'problem' and may address the AF system with a new firmware update. I do not want to speculate any further but will keep you informed of the latest development as I receive them. The current firmware version on the camera is 1.0.2 but as you can see, there are apparently cameras out there with version 1.0.4
This is nothing unusual, new cameras do get firmware 'tweaks' or a product recall once in a while to get all the 'kinks' out and a case in point may be the Canon Rebel T6i and Rebel T6s sensor issue I reported last month.