Canon Lens firmware updates with 6D?

szymon

szymon

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Simon
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Hi,

I've just picked up an ER 40mm f/2.8 STM IS, and it looks like I need to update the firmware. The first time I tried it, I thought I'd been sold a dud as the lens refused to focus! Turns out it just reacted to my taking the filter off the lens, and this is a known problem -- as the Canon Website says,

1. If pressure is applied to the lens barrel while the lens is mounted to the camera (pressure can be applied even while attaching the lens cap or while carrying the camera with the lens attached in a bag), the autofocusing function of the lens may stop working.
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This is from https://www.canon.co.uk/Support/Con...?type=firmware&firmwaredetailid=tcm:14-960505

So, I have a bug and there's a fix...but the Canon Website also says:

A supported camera* is required for the firmware update.
Cameras that can be used for the firmware update: Canon EOS-1D X(*1), Canon EOS 5D Mark III(*1,*2), or Canon EOS Kiss X6i/REBEL T4i/650D
[...] Customers who do not own any of the cameras listed above, but wish to have the firmware of their lenses updated, are asked to contact our service centers.
Click to expand...

Now, my 6D seems to have the ability to update firmware. The lens is definitely affected by the problem (third digit of serial number is a 0), and the camera shows that the lens has 1.1.0 currently. So my question is -- can I update this firmware on my 6D? If I try and fail, is it likely to do damage? Or should I pay Canon to do it for me?

Thanks,

-simon
 
If you download the latest firmware from the Canon site, it tells you how to install it. It's really straight forward, so you shouldn't have any problems. Just unzip the file, place in the route directory on the memory card, upgrade firmware and off it goes (read the instructions on the site to make sure you follow it correctly).

As for the lens, if there's a known issue, that post suggests contacting them to send the lens in to be corrected, as you can't update a lens' firmware, or correct issues, that will have to be done by Canon CS.
 
You misunderstand. The lens *is* field upgradeable. However the documentation says that in order to field upgrade it, you must use one of those three cameras. My camera isn't on that list, but I think it's newer than the technote.

So, does anyone know if a 6D can be used to field upgrade an EF 40mm f/2.8 STM IS?
 
szymon said:
Now, my 6D seems to have the ability to update firmware.
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I don't know why you're saying that. The Canon support site clearly says that only 3 models of camera can be used to update the lens firmware, and the 6D isn't among them.
 
StewartR said:
I don't know why you're saying that. The Canon support site clearly says that only 3 models of camera can be used to update the lens firmware, and the 6D isn't among them.
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Because in the "firmware" menu on the camera it shows the lens firmware and has an "upgrade" option. So the camera clearly *can* upgrade lens firmware - just not sure whether it can do this particular lens, because as you point out the documentation is pretty specific! That's why I'm asking.
 
Seems odd that the older bodies can but the newer 6D can't. A little short sighted of Canon perhaps.
If canon do the firmware FOC then just send it in. If they charge then best bet is to put out a plea for any TP members within your locale who have one of said bodies to do it for you. Failing that send it to me and I will update it on my 650D and send it back to you.
I am assuming the lens firmware is independent of the body used to do it.
 
Why not just try it and see? If it does it then it does it, if not then no worries?
 
That Canon support page is two years old!
 
admirable said:
That Canon support page is two years old!
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Hmmm...does it predate the 6D release? When was that?

The reason I don't want to just try it is I don't want to break the lens or camera...eg.there are reports on the internet of people updating with the wrong firmware installed on their 5D and the lens going dead!
 
Where did you buy the lens from - if it was new, why not return it to the shop and ask if they'll upgrade the software for you ?

If it's 2nd hand, then if your not happy about trying it (you could phone / email Canon to check if your body will do the upgrade for you) you've already an offer in an above post to do it for you ...
 
Update worked perfectly! Canon really ought to update their documentation to include the 6D...
 
StewartR said:
I don't know why you're saying that. The Canon support site clearly says that only 3 models of camera can be used to update the lens firmware, and the 6D isn't among them.
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Because the 6d can upgrade lens firmware.

Edit - I see that issues been sorted!
 
i'm confused
the firmware is for the EF 40mm F2.8 STM your post says ER 40mm F2.8 STM IS does such a lens exist or is it a typo :)

just had a look at the serial no on mine and it falls within the serial numbers that need the firmware update have you seen any improvement with the update ?
 
cosmicma said:
i'm confused
the firmware is for the EF 40mm F2.8 STM your post says ER 40mm F2.8 STM IS does such a lens exist or is it a typo :)

just had a look at the serial no on mine and it falls within the serial numbers that need the firmware update have you seen any improvement with the update ?
Click to expand...

ER stands for Canon's new series of Extended Range lenses. They are EF mount compatible, but include a built-in teleconvertor to enable fast swapping of range. In prime lenses, they are used to achieve the flexibility of a zoom (which is usually used at one of its two extremes anyway) without the compromise in image quality. There are also long ER zoom lenses where they add extra range (for example the new ER 200-400 f/4L IS USM, which has a built in 1.4x). The ER40mm has a 2xTC so that you get a nice sharp "normal" lens at F/2.8 along with a nice sharp 80mm portrait lens at f/5.6. If you still have the old EF40mm, I'd strongly suggest you look at an upgrade; having the flexibility is really superb.
 
szymon said:
ER stands for Canon's new series of Extended Range lenses. They are EF mount compatible, but include a built-in teleconvertor to enable fast swapping of range. In prime lenses, they are used to achieve the flexibility of a zoom (which is usually used at one of its two extremes anyway) without the compromise in image quality. There are also long ER zoom lenses where they add extra range (for example the new ER 200-400 f/4L IS USM, which has a built in 1.4x). The ER40mm has a 2xTC so that you get a nice sharp "normal" lens at F/2.8 along with a nice sharp 80mm portrait lens at f/5.6. If you still have the old EF40mm, I'd strongly suggest you look at an upgrade; having the flexibility is really superb.
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thats something i didn't know cheers for that :)

i wouldn't say the 40mm 2.8 pancake lens is old i only bought it last june ( 2013 ) and was only announced by canon june 2012 it's seems to have been very quickly superseded


EDIT...
just had a quick search and the only 40mm STM pancake lens canon list is the one i already have what am i missing ?
 
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szymon said:
ER stands for Canon's new series of Extended Range lenses. They are EF mount compatible, but include a built-in teleconvertor to enable fast swapping of range. In prime lenses, they are used to achieve the flexibility of a zoom (which is usually used at one of its two extremes anyway) without the compromise in image quality. There are also long ER zoom lenses where they add extra range (for example the new ER 200-400 f/4L IS USM, which has a built in 1.4x). The ER40mm has a 2xTC so that you get a nice sharp "normal" lens at F/2.8 along with a nice sharp 80mm portrait lens at f/5.6. If you still have the old EF40mm, I'd strongly suggest you look at an upgrade; having the flexibility is really superb.
Click to expand...
cosmicma said:
thats something i didn't know cheers for that :)

i wouldn't say the 40mm 2.8 pancake lens is old i only bought it last june ( 2013 ) and was only announced by canon june 2012 it's seems to have been very quickly superseded


EDIT...
just had a quick search and the only 40mm STM pancake lens canon list is the one i already have what am i missing ?
Click to expand...

I think someone's maybe being mischievous :)
 
Of course, it could be that "ER" was just an obvious typo for "EF", but you didn't seem to like that explanation when it occurred to you ;-)
 
szymon said:
Of course, it could be that "ER" was just an obvious typo for "EF", but you didn't seem to like that explanation when it occurred to you ;-)
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you forgot the IS bit on the end
the 40mm f2.8 stm pancake lens is not image stabilized as you description implies or have a built in teleconverter which you later talk about
when you put all that together to come up with a ER 40mm f2.8 STM IS pancake lens with a built in teleconverter it sounds like your talking about a completely different lens altogether although the canon firmware site you linked to was for the lens i know and own

i'm sure you can see where the confusion comes from even if i disregard the typo which i did when i did a search for it
 
Whoops, that was a typo for 'STM'.

But wouldn't it be lovely?

By the way, the firmware upgrade has made a difference -- I've not had the lens stick once since it was installed :-)
 
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