Sony FS7 V3.0 Firmware Released
 

I see via my twitter feed that this has now been released (currently just on the Sony Japan site) but it must surely hit the EU and USA sites very soon.

http://www.sony.jp/xdcam/support/upd...e_pxw-fs7.html

Re: Sony FS7 V3.0 Firmware Released
 

A good day for you FS7 shooters as it's now on the Sony UK site.

https://www.sony.co.uk/pro/support/s...ET_BPE-SS-1238

1.) Focus Magnification function is improved.
- Support for magnification area position adjustment
- Magnification resolution improvement
2.) Support for “2K Full”, “2K Center” setting in Image Scan Mode
3.) Support for Interval Recording function
4.) Expand lowest value of Zebra level to 0%
5.) Support for Noise Suppression setting in Cine EI mode
6.) Video Signal Monitor usability is improved.
7.) The operability of “Iris setting” using the “Iris dial” and the “assignable dial” is improved.
8.) FS-RAW image quality and operation stability improvement
9.) Overall stability and operability of the camera is improved

Usual warnings...don't upgrade in the middle of a shoot/important project etc. - just in case there are (yet more) bugs ;-)

Re: Sony FS7 V3.0 Firmware Released
 

But is it safe..?

Re: Sony FS7 V3.0 Firmware Released
 

I upgraded my FS7 without a hitch.

Re: Sony FS7 V3.0 Firmware Released
 

Hi,

Biggest question from my side: is the FS7 finally compatible with the new LEXAR XQD 2.0 cards (rated 2933x)? Shouldn't be a big problem for SONY to switch back to XQD 1.0 if the card doesn't match their interpretation of "XQD 2.0". The older cards (1333x) from LEXAR are sufficient even for UHD, 10bit, 4:22 at 600MBit (tested by Alister Chapman, thanks for that!). Unfortunately they are not available at 128GB sizes...

Cheers,
Alex

Re: Sony FS7 V3.0 Firmware Released
 

I did the upgrade, took about 30 minutes and it appears all is safe.

Re: Sony FS7 V3.0 Firmware Released
 

I upgraded my FS7 Firmware last night. Went smoothly. Seems to be working but more testing needed. Have to read the manual to find all the new features.

Re: Sony FS7 V3.0 Firmware Released
 

Did my FW upgrade yesterday.

Connected to a UPS and the AC power supply, just in case.

I did not erase the SD card first, just used the one in my FS7. I left the Private folder alone and just put the bin file on the root level of the card. This is done in my MBP.

The upgrade went fine about 30 minutes, one restart. And the fan went on very loud for the second part.

So far everything seems OK. I will be testing my files later today. I actually loaded in some of the V2 files and they seem fine.

I am leaving the SD card in the FS7 with the .bin file. And I will make some more files and see if this all works with the old ones in camera and on the SD card as well.

I have read some warning that you should rebuild all your files with the new FW. But at this point I don't see any bad results from leaving them in place. The "all file" is one I would not try. I will create a new one when I know everything is running smoothly.

Please post if you had any problems with V2 files...

Re: Sony FS7 V3.0 Firmware Released
 

I need reports about the menu responsiveness. Has it improved or has it not changed? In particular the "execute" dialogs.

Re: Sony FS7 V3.0 Firmware Released
 

And my question - if I go for this camera, and get some with an old (suppose even 1..0) firmware from some Polish dealer: is it safe to update straight to v. 3.0, or do I have to install all in-between versions first?

Piotr

Re: Sony FS7 V3.0 Firmware Released
 

Anyone, please?

Re: Sony FS7 V3.0 Firmware Released
 

You should always read the upgrade notes Piotr. The procedure will be in there. It is very important to have good power supply for anything you update FW on. I use a UPS on the AC power supply and a full battery in the camera. And I have never had a problem.

I think you can go straight up to 3 from 1. But read all the release notes and instructions.

If you are buying from a dealer have them do the update for you. They should be happy to do this.

Re: Sony FS7 V3.0 Firmware Released
 

I did read the "manual" accompanying the v. 3.0 binaries - and apart from the instruction to first check what version the camera is on before update attempt, there is not a single word whether v. 3.0 is cumulative or not, Olof. That's why I'm asking here :)

Cheers

Piotr

Re: Sony FS7 V3.0 Firmware Released
 

So - is it?

I can't believe noone knows the answer to such a simple question

Re: Sony FS7 V3.0 Firmware Released
 

I would have two GUESSES --

1 - If the ReadMe file that comes with the firmware doesn't specifically say to upgrade from a particular earlier firmware, then it is probably fine to upgrade to v3 from either v1 or v2. I remember with my EX1 that the ReadMe files would specify firmware jumps that should NOT be made -- therefore I would logically think that they would include similar warnings if necessary.

2 - Since firmware upgrades are not something most of us do every day for a specific camera (and do only once per camera per upgrade), and particularly since each firmware update for the FS7 has brought valuable new features, most owners would be upgrading from v2 to v3 since they would already have upgraded from v1 to v2. You are asking a specific question that most users would not have experienced. If you need to do the firmware upgrade and you're worried, then simply do it in two steps...

Re: Sony FS7 V3.0 Firmware Released
 

Call Sony and ask.

The reason I don't know is because I did the updates as they came out. I thought the manual or FW release docs would tell you if it is necessary to do FW updates in sequence.

Most FW for the electronics I own, can just load the latest skipping earlier versions. But I would not give advice that risks a bricking event of some ones camera.

And you should always be careful taking advice from a non manufacturer opinion on something that important. What if someone here says it is OK and then you brick the cam?

If you can't find the info officially from Sony. Then contact a Sony Service Center, or find out from the dealer.

Re: Sony FS7 V3.0 Firmware Released
 

OK, thanks guys for the sound advise. Since I don't particularly trust the technical knowledge of the particular local dealer, I'll probably just call he Sony service, as Olof implies.

Piotr

Re: Sony FS7 V3.0 Firmware Released
 

OK - so as I supposed, the FS7K camera I can get here is made in 2015, so I will have to do a couple of fw levels update. And - like I thought - the dealer is unable to answer my questions about whether the latest one - v.3.00 - is a cumulative upgrade or not.

But could anyone here at least assure no hardware changes have been made between the early models, and the ones sold currently?

Piotr

PS. Also, has there been any upgrade to the kit 28-135 lens in the meantime - and if so, where can I get it?

Re: Sony FS7 V3.0 Firmware Released
 

I'm bumping this, because I really urgently need an answer to my question whether it's wise to buy an FS7 camera whose dealer cannot tell me when it was produced. All he seems to know is that he's getting it from the Sony warehouse, where it's been since 2015...

Please understand the turn-around of this class of cameras is still relatively poor in Poland, and even though his price is quite good, I wouldn't like to end up with an old unit..

TIA,

Piotr

Re: Sony FS7 V3.0 Firmware Released
 

Why, exactly, do you think the Sony FS7 is less than a year old?

Re: Sony FS7 V3.0 Firmware Released
 

Well, my impression has been it debuted over a year ago (please correct me if I'm wrong) - so if the dealer only knows mine would be "made in 2015", it might be quite an old item. This is what I'm worrying about - if unnecessarily, please encourage me :)

Piotr

Re: Sony FS7 V3.0 Firmware Released
 

I personally wouldn't worry about the 'manufacturing date' of the camera. The two FS7's that I primarily use were bought early, and other than the added features that the firmware updates have brought I haven't noticed any real design changes to newer units.
Other than that (and the fact that any batteries sitting in the box are a bit older) I'd just recommend taking a good look to make sure that there hasn't been a humidity issue with the lens (if you get one) -- make sure it's clean and clear. But you knew that... It's not as though you're buying a 2006 auto that's been sitting in an outdoor lot for 10 years.
Also -- realistically speaking -- the FS7 has been pretty popular -- so my guess is that whatever has been sitting in the warehouse hasn't been doing so for that long!

Re: Sony FS7 V3.0 Firmware Released
 

Reality is that electronics are produced in batches that are then warehoused. There is no constant production line of these items. One week they make FS7's, the next another camera. More get made when they are required.

Anyone who watches EEV blog or enjoys tearing down old electronics knows when you delve inside you unearth all the real dates. When the chips were made etc. I have a Western Digital hard disk controller on my desk with chips on it with date codes between week 30 and 40 of 1989, but one chip on the top corner is dated week 34 1987! Yet the board itself was made week 49, 1989. The machine it was in probably didn't hit the UK shores until March 1990. Go figure.

The most important thing is your Sony warranty.