New D70 ver 2.0 Firmware

[gooseberry]

Get the update here

[leek]

So who's going to be the guinea pig???

The release notes don't mention the encryption of WB data...
Surely Nikon wouldn't try to hide that would they???

[gooseberry]

I haven't loaded the new firmware yet, but about 20 guys in a singapore forum already have.

Some of them have said that they've already tried loading a RAW image with the new firmware into Photoshop CS and don't seem to have a problem with the WB, but I'm I'll have to wait to confirm it.

[sirhc55]

Loaded and ready to test

[Hlop]

Loaded and ready to test

That's our hero!

[sirhc55]

Now shows 178 pics on a 1Gb CF in RAW

[leek]

Loaded and ready to test

You brave, brave man!!!

What about the WB?

[Glen]

Seems quicker here and my 2GB card went from 188 to 356 in Nef, menu went to black and white, iso menu gives you the options

[sirhc55]

Straight out of the camera - kit lens - into Bridge - into ACR3.1 (left at auto settings) - into PSCS2 - resized - smart sharpening applied - saved as jpeg - and uploaded.

This is exactly what the scene looked like (boring) - no WB problems at all.

[birddog114]

Seems quicker here and my 2GB card went from 188 to 356 in Nef, menu went to black and white, iso menu gives you the options

Glen,

So, it tells you can shoot in B&W without changing the B&W CF card Can you find the ISO 10 there?

[birddog114]

sirhc55
Where are all the girls in those windows last night?

[Glen]

No change to iso but B&W free of charge. Seems good

[sirhc55]

sirhc55
Where are all the girls in those windows last night?

They pull the curtains when they see me - with camera or without

[leek]

Straight out of the camera - kit lens - into Bridge - into ACR3.1 (left at auto settings) - into PSCS2 - resized - smart sharpening applied - saved as jpeg - and uploaded.

This is exactly what the scene looked like (boring) - no WB problems at all.

Auto WB? or As-Shot WB?

Can you take something under fluorescent lights or something and see if it keeps the setting chosen by Auto-WB in the camera???

[sirhc55]

Auto John - will try fluoro now

[Glen]

Chris, the plant is growing well on the wall

[leek]

Auto John - will try fluoro now

Not that I don't trust Nikon or anything...

[gstark]

Chris, the plant is growing well on the wall

That's Chris's good friend Robert.

What we need to see is whether PS can deal with a manually set in-camera WB.

[sirhc55]

Auto WB - handheld - kit lens - cocoon - bowens trilites - opened in Bridge - then ACR3.1 - left all auto settings as is - used WB dropper on cocoon - opened in PSCS2 - resized - applied smart sharpening - saved as jpeg and uploaded.

No problems at all with WB

[Glen]

Just set WB to cloudy, took a shot then opened in PCSC with ACR 2.4? (the old one) and when opened it said WB- Cloudy, so definitely recognises WB. No problems at all.

[Glen]

The capicitor next to the fuse looks a little soft compared to the capicitor up the back, is the software no good

[pippin88]

Glen, in the other (now closed thread) you mentioned slower manual focus? I don't understand what you mean / how this could be?

Seems all good so far (going from reports here) - AF speed improved and no WB encryption.

[xerubus]

loaded and no problems yet. opened raw... processed in usual way... no problems at this stage.

cheers

[Geoff]

I just tried to do the upgrade and it's only upgraded B to Version 2 , anyone know why it hasn't had a go at A? I did copy both files across to the memory card!?
A is still on V1.01

[Hlop]

Glen, in the other (now closed thread) you mentioned slower manual focus? I don't understand what you mean / how this could be?

It depends on user's driver and hardware version of the user If user is slow, then manual focus is slow as well

[Bruno]

Geoff you need to do them one at a time, delete the b version from your card and go through the process again and it will update a.

cheers

[Geoff]

Thanx bruno

[pippin88]

Is it necessary to update both? I thought the two bank was to allow for using an older version if there was a problem?

[mickwhit]

I'm all upgraded.

I know there was an AF element in this upgrade but I honestly believe the AF captures faster, much to my liking

My Sandisk 1G card is now advertised as being able to take 178 NEF's. Previously, I was only able to take 94.

As I mentioned in one of my earlier posts, WB encryption never really fazed me as I use NC first then import into CS2 so I for one welcome (and like) the upgrade. Thanks Nikon

And if it does die sometime in the near future, then that only hastens my purchase of my D2x from Birddog.

Hope the feed back is helpful to those who are not sure.

Cheers,

Mick.

[leek]

Thanks guys...

We're way ahead in our testing here compared to dpreview... most of them are still debating whether the Asian software will run OK on the US & European D70s

I'll install later... I'm much to busy playing with my new copy of Creative Suite 2... Secured for the bargain price of $568 this arvo...

[gstark]

Is it necessary to update both? I thought the two bank was to allow for using an older version if there was a problem?

My understanding is yes.

They're a pigeon pair.

look out for pigeon droppings.

Chris, I agree with Glen that the cap on the RH side looks soft, as does the fuse, truth be told. I suspect that your focal point was further back.

[sirhc55]

You are right Gary - it was a very quick grab, at f/3.5 just to test. Normally I would be a lot more carefull

[xerubus]

You are right Gary - it was a very quick grab, at f/3.5 just to test. Normally I would be a lot more carefull

no excuse chris!!! you of all people!!!!

[MATT]

Well all updated here , hmmm.. not to sure I like the LOOK of the B&W menu, but as I read here somewhere before , Its about the Pictures, not how the camera looks.

Any improvemnets are good, Its good the RAW picture count works now . How coul nikon let it out how it was before.

I hope stuff like camera dont go the way of PC software(games in particular) where you get some hastily prepare product and a heap of updates to fix all the bugs.

Anyway Alls good


MATT

[Onyx]

(Edit: nothing addressed to Geoff in particular)

Could someone be diligent enough to save an intact copy of this initial release? I have a feeling Nikon might pull it down again or sneak in an updated version that DOES have WB encryption without telling us, and the majority might be stuck with the encrypted version.

[owen]

I was just thinking that same thing Onyx. Something doesn't seem right

[leek]

Perhaps they've seen the error of their ways...

I will keep this version intact and I also have the previous version just in case...

[Greg B]

Done. Thanks Chris et al for taking the step and effectively removing any uncertainty from my day.

[gooseberry]

I'll have to wait until I get back home tonight to update, but interesting to hear from you guys that the AF seems to be faster for AF-S lenses

In the release notes, it says the performance of AF is improved for the Dynamic Area and Closest Subject AF modes. Were these the modes you were using and noticed the difference ?

Good upgrade...

[Glen]

Gooseberry, single and dynamic for me

[mickwhit]

I'll have to wait until I get back home tonight to update, but interesting to hear from you guys that the AF seems to be faster for AF-S lenses

In the release notes, it says the performance of AF is improved for the Dynamic Area and Closest Subject AF modes. Were these the modes you were using and noticed the difference ?

Good upgrade...

Hi Gooseberry (and all)

I trialled the new upgrade with my 17-55DX lens in AF-S with Dynamic Area using weighted spot metering.

Good Upgrade??? Great for me!

Hope that answers your questions.

Cheers,

Mick.

[Onyx]

Yeah from reading the release I came to understand that they merely fiddled with the algorithms for predictive focus in dynamic and closest AF modes. If people are reporting faster overall AF acquisition - I'd firstly question whether it was merely perceived or real difference.

[Glen]

Chi, could easily be perceived in my case, no stopwatch used. Can definitivley say it isn't any slower

[mudder]

G'day,
Saw this thread and immediately downloaded and installed.

Was a bit surprised when only the B firmware loaded but then recopied the A firmware to the card and then installed that OK, seemed to default to updating the B first when both files were on the card...

Haven't had a play yet, menu's a bit "different" but haven't had a chance to try it out yet (wish I loaded it this morning, just got back from the zoo)...

Cheers.

[MCWB]

The lack of WB encryption is the most awesome thing about this firmware IMO. I might leave mine with the older firmware, then we can do a side-by-side comparision of AF performance at the mini-meet on Saturday? Unless someone with two D70 bodies wants to do it in the meantime!

[stubbsy]

Thanks Gooseberry

Have dld and installed. No WB encryption - I agree with Trent woohoo

I must say I prefer the new menu colours as I find them easier to read. This is something I liked when I first saw them on the D70s.

[MATT]

One other thing, I have noticed a great in prove in the Auto focus of my 70-300G. It used to hunt a fair bit in low light .

Know it seems to hit the focus point a lot quicker.

Much better

MATT

[sheepie]

One other thing, I have noticed a great in prove in the Auto focus of my 70-300G. It used to hunt a fair bit in low light .

I think I agree - I just bit the bullet and upgraded, focus on the 70-300 seems to be a bit more direct. I guess only time will tell.

[johndec]

Just got home and noticed this very encouraging thread and seeing as all you "Beta" testers have given it the thumbs up looks like I've got a little job tonight!!

[Neeper]

It looks good to me as well.