Firmware

[kengreen]

I will finally be getting my E1 later this week. Having read various threads and other info, I'd like to see if I've got one thing right. Apparently some people have had problems with Oly software and XP SP2. Is it correct that all hassles are a thing of the past as long as Windows Installer 3.1 is in the machine? Are there any other potholes that I will have to avoid with firmware updating?
Ken

[admin_old]

The SP2 is the only problems that I have heard about.
Also you may have to play around on the camera to change between storage and control. (I don\'t remember which is which for the updates, but you can play around with it)
Also make sure that you attach every lens that you have to try the update with. such as 1 time with the 14-54 and 1 time with the 50-200. Its a pain, but well worth it ito get the firmware updates.
1 more thing, you will also probably have to update viewer before you can the camera. so from 1.0 to 1.3.X

T

Post edited by: tspore, at: 2005/09/18 15:10

[First Light]

Hi Ken,

I use Windows XP SP2 and I have no trouble. I'm using Olympus Studio rather than Viewer. Just be sure to install the latest updates after your initial installation. There are two parts: (1) Update the driver, (2) Update the program.

To add to what Tony said, the camera body is not the only thing with updateable firmware. Each Zuiko Digital lens has updateable firmware. And a compatible Olympus flash (like the FL-50) has updateable firmware. You'll need to update the camera body first. I recommend having nothing attached to it when you update it for the first time. After it has been updated, then you can attach your lenses one at a time and your flash (if you have one) and check for additional updates.

If you use Adobe Photoshop, also download and install the Olympus RAW Plug-In (version 2.1). It doesn't have all the features of Studio but it works very well and gives you the two important controls: White Balance and Exposure Compensation. The rest of the raw developer controls in Studio and Viewer can be better handled in Photoshop once you've "developed" the raw file. The plug-in will import raw files directly into a 16-bit/channel color space in Photoshop and it is faster than going from Studio/Viewer to Photoshop.

Finally, don't need to connect your camera to a computer to check the firmware version. You can check the firmware version of your camera body and any attached ZD lens or compatible Olympus flash with the following procedure:

With the camera off, open the memory card (CF) door.
Turn on the camera (the LCD will show a door open message).
Press both the Play (>) and "OK" buttons at the same time.This procedure can be helpful if you want to check the firmware when a computer and internet connection are not available. It's also a great way to check the firmware version of a camera that you're thinking about buying so you'll know whether it needs to be updated.

[admin_old]

I think that the Ext tube is upgradable.... Or teleconverter... I don't remember which. But one of them. (Its been a year since I did mine.
T

[kengreen]

Thank you for the answers, both complete and informative. Feel like a horse let out to graze for the first in the spring.
Have been to Olympus web site. Are the updates cumulative or do they have to installed one after the other?
Ken
Please ignore the above. Had a deeper glimpse at Oly site and answered my own question.
Post edited by: kengreen, at: 2005/09/19 13:02:blush:

Post edited by: kengreen, at: 2005/09/19 13:09

[Kansas Ron]

I have heard that Photoshop Elements causes problems with firmware upgrades too. However, I do have both PS CS2 and Elements 3 on my computer and I had no problems upgrading. Maybe it is the fact that those programs are on a second drive.

[First Light]

tspore wrote:
I think that the Ext tube is upgradable.... Or teleconverter... I don't remember which. But one of them. (Its been a year since I did mine.)
Thanks for the heads up Tony. I checked my EC-14 teleconverter and, sure enough, it does have firmware and there is a version 1.1 upgrade for it. I was able to upgrade my EC-14 today with no trouble. It never occured to me that a teleconverter would have a microprocessor with firmware but I guess it has to recognize which lens is attached and pass information between it and the camera body. As Olympus adds more lenses to its ZD line, I image that we'll see updates for the EC-14 from time to time.

I don't have an EX-25 extension tube so I couldn't check it but I'll be even more surprised if is has firmware also.

[CRHoetzl]

Here is a question to ponder.

Will Olympus continue to update firmware for out of production models, i.e. the E-300? I had a similar experience with electronic keyboards. The firmware for the ESQ-1 was updated at fairly rapid regular intervals until Ensoniq came out with a new model. Then updates for the ESQ-1 stopped. Features that were not fully developed at the ESQ-1 release, but promised in the advertising, were left undeveloped. I would like your opinion on whether Olympus will follow in the Ensoniq tradition or continue firmware updates for old models.

[tspore]

Here is a question to ponder.

Will Olympus continue to update firmware for out of production models, i.e. the E-300?

Well I would think for a while. The E-1 had a firmware update, after it was over 1 year old. So for a guess. Yes.
T

[First Light]

... Will Olympus continue to update firmware for out of production models, i.e. the E-300? ...
I think they will continue to provide firmware updates for the out-of-production cameras when they introduce new lenses that require it—they won't want to hinder lens sales. However, I don't think that they will do any more optimizations or development of features. They may not even provide support for future CF cards that require it.