Installing custom firmware on your DSLR is becoming more and more standard. Like jailbreaking an iPhone, the new firmware often offers much more customization and features you couldn’t otherwise have. Magic Lantern in particular has been on a rampage lately, unlocking RAW video in cameras as cheap as $500.
But before you jump on the bandwagon and install Magic Lantern on your Canon or Nikon Hacker on your Nikon, it would probably be a good idea to get in touch with those companies and find out if installing third party firmware voids your warranty. Thankfully, Udi over at DIY Photography did it for you. Read more…
Camera companies are doing their part to help victims of Hurricane Sandy get back on their feet. Here’s something that might be great news to some photographers on the East Coast: Sigma is extending its warranty to cover damage caused by the hurricane.
Read more…
Canon recently announced that some owners of the Canon PowerShot S100 compact camera could be eligible for a free repair. The S100 lens is prone to getting stuck when extended — an error that Canon says is due to a part getting disconnected within the lens. Humidity and heat can exacerbate the problem.
Owners of the product within the serial number range:”29xxxxxxxxxx”, “30xxxxxxxxxx”…”41xxxxxxxxxx” are eligible for free repair, regardless of warranty status, if they exhibit the problem. The Verge also reports that Canon is offering refunds to anyone who paid for a repair for the lens error.
Canon Product Advisory (via The Verge)
If you’re one of the many frustrated Sony NEX-5N owners who are experiencing a mysterious clicking noise when moving the camera around, hope for click-free video recording has finally arrived. Sony updated its support site yesterday acknowledging the issue:
We have received reports of a “clicking” sound which may be heard in the audio playback of movies recorded by the NEX-5N camera. This phenomenon occurs if the camera undergoes sudden motion while recording; motion generally inconsistent with smooth video recording. [...] an adjustment has been developed to reduce the clicking sound resulting from sudden motion during movie recording.
Sony will offer this performance improvement to NEX-5N end users during the period of its limited warranty accompanying the product. Please call 888-868-7392 to arrange for this improvement.
So basically, if you insist on doing motions “inconsistent with smooth video recording”, just give Sony a call and they’ll give your camera the repair performance improvement it needs.
Performance Improvement for Video Capture (via Engadget)
Image credit: camera repair by zzkt
