Hello Folks,

I'm back in civilization after a 2 year journey with my EX1.
It still has the original firmware and has never been in for servicing.

Would anyone mind giving me a practical reason why they would have the firmwear updated and camera serviced? I was hearing something about some circuit that could be changed so that the camera didn't drain the battery? Anything else?

I don't really care about the lettering rubbing off the camera's panels... although it could be good help with resale value?

I didn't buy any extended warranty..... would I have to take a hit to have things upgraded?

Big thanks and happy to be with the fresh air and clean water! :)

I have been slack and not yet upgraded the firmware. For battery drain, I simply pop the battery to the right and tape it in place so that it is handy to slide back without having to have a big hunt for it.

Tis a pity the video cameras don't have a reversable battery arrangment like the CP16s did where you could stow the battery in its normal fitment but disconnected from the camera because the pins faced away from their sockets.

Ability to use inexpensive SDHC cards is a BIG reason to update firmware. The firmware update is somewhere between $100-$135. Original update was $100 I believe and the 2nd one can be DIY but if you haven't done the first one I'm sure they'll do the whole thing for $135 (USA). Given the price difference between SXS and SDHC, you'll profit on the first SDHC card.

Depending on where you are, they may do a firmware upgrade for free as there are some bugs in the early firmware that have been deemed "critical". You are out of warranty so the free firmware updates that some countries have issued may not be free any longer. Phone up your local Sony service center and find out would be my suggestion.

Ability to use inexpensive SDHC cards is a BIG reason to update firmware.

Agreed, but EX1 users were able to do this from Day 1 with a reliable combination of adapter and particular flash memory card.

Thanks folks,

Anyone else have anything to offer?