New firmware for Canon 40D and Nikon D3, D700

The top two SLR makers have released relatively minor firmware revisions for three cameras, Nikon's higher-end full-frame D3 and D700 and Canon's prosumer-grade EOS 40D.

The fixes generally address rare and unusual problems. One notable fix for the D3 and D700 is for a problem which, as Nikon describes it, "in extremely rare cases, resulted in noticeable black dots in images captured with Long exp. NR (long exposure noise reduction) in the shooting menu set to On." Canon fixed a black-dot issue of its own with the EOS 5D Mark II earlier this month, but Nikon's issue sounds rarer.

Forthwith, the release notes:

Canon 40D firmware 1.1.1

Firmware update Version 1.1.1 incorporates the following fixes and improvements.

1. Fixes a malfunction that in rare occurrence causes a low battery indication to be displayed when using the EF 85mm F1.2L II USM lens. Depending on the battery check timing of the camera, the battery level displayed on the camera's LCD data panel may show Battery will be exhausted soon or Battery must be recharged, even though the battery capacity is sufficient.

2. Fixes a malfunction that in rare occurrence causes an Err 06 Self Cleaning Sensor malfunction to appear on the camera's LCD monitor and LCD data panel, even when the Self Cleaning Sensor Unit is operating normally. This message may appear depending on the timing of when the camera is switch to the ON position.

3. Fixes a malfunction that prevents correct colors from being printed when direct printing. RAW images captured using the camera's custom Picture Styles (Emerald, etc.), which have been downloaded from Canon's Web site and registered under User Def. 2 or User Def. 3.

4. Modifies the level of subject brightness that causes the AF-assist beam to fire when using an external Speedlite.

5. Enables an external flash connected to the camera's synchro terminal to fire even when the camera's built-in flash is popped up.

Version 1.1.1 firmware is for EOS 40D cameras with firmware up to Version 1.1.0. If the camera's firmware is already Version 1.1.1, it is not necessary to update the firmware.

Nikon D700 firmware 1.01

Modifications enabled with A and B firmware Ver. 1.01 (Windows and Mac OS X)

• When Custom Setting a4 Focus tracking with lock-on was set to Off in Continuous-servo AF, the lens drive moved gradually without achieving focus. This issue has been resolved.

• When the Speedlight SB-800 was mounted on the camera with flash mode set to Distance-priority manual (GN) mode, and then the exposure meters were reactivated or the camera was turned on, the distance information displayed on the SB-800 changed. This issue has been resolved.

• When the Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10 was mounted on the camera and an EN-EL3e battery inserted in the camera but no batteries inserted in the MB-D10, and SB-900 flash mode set to TTL auto flash mode, the flash mode changed to A mode when the exposure meters turned off or were reactivated, or the camera was turned off or on. This issue has been resolved.(This issue has also been resolved with SB-900 firmware Ver. 5.02.)

• An issue that, in extremely rare cases, resulted in noticeable black dots in images captured with Long exp. NR in the shooting menu set to On has been resolved.

• Manamah, displayed in the Time zone options for the World time item in the setup menu, has been changed to Manama.

Nikon D3 firmware 2.01

Modifications enabled with upgrade of A and B firmware to v.2.01 (Windows and Mac OS X)

• Geodetic information is now displayed in ViewNX 1.2.0 or later and Capture NX 2 2.1.0 or later shooting information for images captured with the GPS Unit GP-1 mounted on the camera.

• Autofocus-response performance in focus mode C (Continuous-servo AF mode) with relatively dark subjects has been increased.

• When the AF-ON button is pressed, the monitor turns off and a focus point can now be selected using the multi selector.

• Photo information displayed in full-frame playback has been modified as follows: --HI-, LO- has been changed to Hi, Lo --WARM TONE has been changed to WARM FILTER --COLOR CUSTOM has been changed to COLOR BALANCE

• Manamah, displayed in the Time zone options for the World time item in the setup menu, has been changed to Manama.

• An issue that, in extremely rare cases, resulted in noticeable black dots in images captured with Long exp. NR in the shooting menu set to On has been resolved.

• When the Speedlight SB-800 was mounted on the camera with flash mode set to Distance-priority manual (GN) mode, and then the exposure meters were reactivated or the camera was turned on, the distance information displayed on the SB-800 changed. This issue has been resolved.

• An issue that, in some rare cases, caused images captured with the following lenses to be under-exposed, has been resolved. --AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED --AF VR Zoom-Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED (5.0x)

(Via DPReview and Rob Galbraith)

[Elroy Jr]

"When Custom Setting a4 Focus tracking with lock-on was set to Off in Continuous-servo AF, the lens drive moved gradually without achieving focus. This issue has been resolved."

I'm having a similar problem with my D300. Where is my update?