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G1 Firmware & Focus Experiment Results

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morris

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I have been questioning the focus improvements so many have posted I decided to test. Focus is much faster and also accurate on my G1.

I ran the following test.
  • Macro in wide angle on a well lit black and white page of text in macro. Focus went past sharp, moved back and stopped dead on. It used to go back and forth and miss about 50% of the time.
  • Macro in telephoto on same subject. Same results.
  • Low light poster with text wide angel. Same results.
  • Low light of same subject in telephoto. Same results.
Since the above results were so good. I decided to try another experiment:
  • High contrast background with a low contrast foreground beyond depth of field. The background was a box with text and 2 very different colors dividing the middle of the image. The foreground object was a flesh tone figurine of Piglet. The lighting was reflected sunlight indoors. With the old firmware the results would have challenged the G1 focus system and the box would be in focus. The results were a surprise. With the camera in program and no special settings the G1 could not make up it’s mind. 50% of the time the box was in focus, 50% of the time Piglet was in focus and the camera took a long time to decide. I switched to center weighted exposure and piglet snapped into focus every time.
These are wonderful improvements!

Morris
 
Thank you morris for the tests. I haven't played with the new firmware much yet, but its always nice to get unexpected improvements. Remember the discussions after firmware 1.2?

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1010&message=1193679

I think if a lot of people notice something independently, then it's probably a real fix.
morris said:
I have been questioning the focus improvements so many have posted
I decided to test. Focus is much faster and also accurate on my G1.

I ran the following test.
  • Macro in wide angle on a well lit black and white page of text in
macro. Focus went past sharp, moved back and stopped dead on. It
used to go back and forth and miss about 50% of the time.
  • Macro in telephoto on same subject. Same results.
  • Low light poster with text wide angel. Same results.
  • Low light of same subject in telephoto. Same results.
Since the above results were so good. I decided to try another
experiment:
  • High contrast background with a low contrast foreground beyond
depth of field. The background was a box with text and 2 very
different colors dividing the middle of the image. The foreground
object was a flesh tone figurine of Piglet. The lighting was
reflected sunlight indoors. With the old firmware the results
would have challenged the G1 focus system and the box would be in
focus. The results were a surprise. With the camera in program
and no special settings the G1 could not make up it’s mind. 50% of
the time the box was in focus, 50% of the time Piglet was in focus
and the camera took a long time to decide. I switched to center
weighted exposure and piglet snapped into focus every time.

These are wonderful improvements!

Morris
Click to expand...
 
Herb, I have to agree with you that if so many people are sensing this that something is up. This is why I tested and I was very surprised and happy. You may know from my work and comments that I like raiser sharp images and now there easier to get.

Morris
Hilbert said:
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1010&message=1193679

I think if a lot of people notice something independently, then
it's probably a real fix.
morris said:
I have been questioning the focus improvements so many have posted
I decided to test. Focus is much faster and also accurate on my G1.

I ran the following test.
  • Macro in wide angle on a well lit black and white page of text in
macro. Focus went past sharp, moved back and stopped dead on. It
used to go back and forth and miss about 50% of the time.
  • Macro in telephoto on same subject. Same results.
  • Low light poster with text wide angel. Same results.
  • Low light of same subject in telephoto. Same results.
Since the above results were so good. I decided to try another
experiment:
  • High contrast background with a low contrast foreground beyond
depth of field. The background was a box with text and 2 very
different colors dividing the middle of the image. The foreground
object was a flesh tone figurine of Piglet. The lighting was
reflected sunlight indoors. With the old firmware the results
would have challenged the G1 focus system and the box would be in
focus. The results were a surprise. With the camera in program
and no special settings the G1 could not make up it’s mind. 50% of
the time the box was in focus, 50% of the time Piglet was in focus
and the camera took a long time to decide. I switched to center
weighted exposure and piglet snapped into focus every time.

These are wonderful improvements!

Morris
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Some readers are assuming your results imply that their G-2 will see some enhanced capabilities as you describe. Morris, I believe that some of these areas may have been covered by previous G-1 firmware upgrades. What version of G-1 firware are you upgrading from? Note G-2 users will only see the battery charging feature since the other G-1 upgrades are already incorporated into their G-2.
Mike K
morris said:
I have been questioning the focus improvements so many have posted
I decided to test. Focus is much faster and also accurate on my G1.

I ran the following test.
  • Macro in wide angle on a well lit black and white page of text in
macro. Focus went past sharp, moved back and stopped dead on. It
used to go back and forth and miss about 50% of the time.
  • Macro in telephoto on same subject. Same results.
  • Low light poster with text wide angel. Same results.
  • Low light of same subject in telephoto. Same results.
Since the above results were so good. I decided to try another
experiment:
  • High contrast background with a low contrast foreground beyond
depth of field. The background was a box with text and 2 very
different colors dividing the middle of the image. The foreground
object was a flesh tone figurine of Piglet. The lighting was
reflected sunlight indoors. With the old firmware the results
would have challenged the G1 focus system and the box would be in
focus. The results were a surprise. With the camera in program
and no special settings the G1 could not make up it’s mind. 50% of
the time the box was in focus, 50% of the time Piglet was in focus
and the camera took a long time to decide. I switched to center
weighted exposure and piglet snapped into focus every time.

These are wonderful improvements!

Morris
Click to expand...
 
Good job morris! My AF (G1) always seemed faster than described by some on the forum. I do believe it is somewhat "quicker" now though.
morris said:
I have been questioning the focus improvements so many have posted
I decided to test. Focus is much faster and also accurate on my G1.

I ran the following test.
  • Macro in wide angle on a well lit black and white page of text in
macro. Focus went past sharp, moved back and stopped dead on. It
used to go back and forth and miss about 50% of the time.
  • Macro in telephoto on same subject. Same results.
  • Low light poster with text wide angel. Same results.
  • Low light of same subject in telephoto. Same results.
Since the above results were so good. I decided to try another
experiment:
  • High contrast background with a low contrast foreground beyond
depth of field. The background was a box with text and 2 very
different colors dividing the middle of the image. The foreground
object was a flesh tone figurine of Piglet. The lighting was
reflected sunlight indoors. With the old firmware the results
would have challenged the G1 focus system and the box would be in
focus. The results were a surprise. With the camera in program
and no special settings the G1 could not make up it’s mind. 50% of
the time the box was in focus, 50% of the time Piglet was in focus
and the camera took a long time to decide. I switched to center
weighted exposure and piglet snapped into focus every time.

These are wonderful improvements!

Morris
Click to expand...
--Blue http://www.pbase.com/image/859189
 
I must respectfully disagree with your post. I have a G2, did the upgrade, and do notice a very slight improvement in focus speed. It doesn't always find focus, but it does seem to get to either the yellow or green box slightly faster. Also, I am not the only G2 user to notice this. I am not claiming all the huge changes others are talking about, but I do notice a slight improvement.
Mike K said:
morris said:
I have been questioning the focus improvements so many have posted
I decided to test. Focus is much faster and also accurate on my G1.

I ran the following test.
  • Macro in wide angle on a well lit black and white page of text in
macro. Focus went past sharp, moved back and stopped dead on. It
used to go back and forth and miss about 50% of the time.
  • Macro in telephoto on same subject. Same results.
  • Low light poster with text wide angel. Same results.
  • Low light of same subject in telephoto. Same results.
Since the above results were so good. I decided to try another
experiment:
  • High contrast background with a low contrast foreground beyond
depth of field. The background was a box with text and 2 very
different colors dividing the middle of the image. The foreground
object was a flesh tone figurine of Piglet. The lighting was
reflected sunlight indoors. With the old firmware the results
would have challenged the G1 focus system and the box would be in
focus. The results were a surprise. With the camera in program
and no special settings the G1 could not make up it’s mind. 50% of
the time the box was in focus, 50% of the time Piglet was in focus
and the camera took a long time to decide. I switched to center
weighted exposure and piglet snapped into focus every time.

These are wonderful improvements!

Morris
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
I have a Pro90 that I purchased last June. I don't know which version of the firmware I have (i'm at the office) but I know that there have been updates for issues that have not really affected me. My question is this - are updates cumulative? In otherwords, will this new update include those before it or would I have to backtrack? I would love a faster focus on the Pro90 and it sounds like the new update provides that. Thanks

John
Blue said:
morris said:
I have been questioning the focus improvements so many have posted
I decided to test. Focus is much faster and also accurate on my G1.

I ran the following test.
  • Macro in wide angle on a well lit black and white page of text in
macro. Focus went past sharp, moved back and stopped dead on. It
used to go back and forth and miss about 50% of the time.
  • Macro in telephoto on same subject. Same results.
  • Low light poster with text wide angel. Same results.
  • Low light of same subject in telephoto. Same results.
Since the above results were so good. I decided to try another
experiment:
  • High contrast background with a low contrast foreground beyond
depth of field. The background was a box with text and 2 very
different colors dividing the middle of the image. The foreground
object was a flesh tone figurine of Piglet. The lighting was
reflected sunlight indoors. With the old firmware the results
would have challenged the G1 focus system and the box would be in
focus. The results were a surprise. With the camera in program
and no special settings the G1 could not make up it’s mind. 50% of
the time the box was in focus, 50% of the time Piglet was in focus
and the camera took a long time to decide. I switched to center
weighted exposure and piglet snapped into focus every time.

These are wonderful improvements!

Morris
Click to expand...
--
Blue
http://www.pbase.com/image/859189
Click to expand...
 
Yes, the new update includes all previous upgrades. No need to hunt down any previous ones.
J. Tuell said:
John
Blue said:
morris said:
I have been questioning the focus improvements so many have posted
I decided to test. Focus is much faster and also accurate on my G1.

I ran the following test.
  • Macro in wide angle on a well lit black and white page of text in
macro. Focus went past sharp, moved back and stopped dead on. It
used to go back and forth and miss about 50% of the time.
  • Macro in telephoto on same subject. Same results.
  • Low light poster with text wide angel. Same results.
  • Low light of same subject in telephoto. Same results.
Since the above results were so good. I decided to try another
experiment:
  • High contrast background with a low contrast foreground beyond
depth of field. The background was a box with text and 2 very
different colors dividing the middle of the image. The foreground
object was a flesh tone figurine of Piglet. The lighting was
reflected sunlight indoors. With the old firmware the results
would have challenged the G1 focus system and the box would be in
focus. The results were a surprise. With the camera in program
and no special settings the G1 could not make up it’s mind. 50% of
the time the box was in focus, 50% of the time Piglet was in focus
and the camera took a long time to decide. I switched to center
weighted exposure and piglet snapped into focus every time.

These are wonderful improvements!

Morris
Click to expand...
--
Blue
http://www.pbase.com/image/859189
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
-- pcmur
 
morris said:
I have been questioning the focus improvements so many have posted
I decided to test. Focus is much faster and also accurate on my G1.
. . .
Click to expand...
Guess I missed something . . . are you talking about the new 1.0.0.3 firmware for G1, announced yesterday (21 January)?? If so, that's good news -- always had problems with the !@#$!@# focus!!

JH
--Canon PowerShot G1LensmateKenko 2x teleHappy.
 
My G1 is out on loan, so I haven't been able to run the firmware upgrade yet. Fortunately, this provides a wonderful opportunity to perform a "before and after" analysis. This weekend, when I collect my camera, I will run some tests (1.0.0.2 vs. 1.0.0.3) and post the results.
morris said:
I have been questioning the focus improvements so many have posted
I decided to test. Focus is much faster and also accurate on my G1.

I ran the following test.
  • Macro in wide angle on a well lit black and white page of text in
macro. Focus went past sharp, moved back and stopped dead on. It
used to go back and forth and miss about 50% of the time.
  • Macro in telephoto on same subject. Same results.
  • Low light poster with text wide angel. Same results.
  • Low light of same subject in telephoto. Same results.
Since the above results were so good. I decided to try another
experiment:
  • High contrast background with a low contrast foreground beyond
depth of field. The background was a box with text and 2 very
different colors dividing the middle of the image. The foreground
object was a flesh tone figurine of Piglet. The lighting was
reflected sunlight indoors. With the old firmware the results
would have challenged the G1 focus system and the box would be in
focus. The results were a surprise. With the camera in program
and no special settings the G1 could not make up it’s mind. 50% of
the time the box was in focus, 50% of the time Piglet was in focus
and the camera took a long time to decide. I switched to center
weighted exposure and piglet snapped into focus every time.

These are wonderful improvements!

Morris
Click to expand...
 
I went from 1.0.0.2 to 1.0.0.3 and I can only report for the G1, as this is what I have. I suspect there is plenty of common code between the cameras but only canon software engineers really know what is going on.

Morris
Mike K said:
morris said:
I have been questioning the focus improvements so many have posted
I decided to test. Focus is much faster and also accurate on my G1.

I ran the following test.
  • Macro in wide angle on a well lit black and white page of text in
macro. Focus went past sharp, moved back and stopped dead on. It
used to go back and forth and miss about 50% of the time.
  • Macro in telephoto on same subject. Same results.
  • Low light poster with text wide angel. Same results.
  • Low light of same subject in telephoto. Same results.
Since the above results were so good. I decided to try another
experiment:
  • High contrast background with a low contrast foreground beyond
depth of field. The background was a box with text and 2 very
different colors dividing the middle of the image. The foreground
object was a flesh tone figurine of Piglet. The lighting was
reflected sunlight indoors. With the old firmware the results
would have challenged the G1 focus system and the box would be in
focus. The results were a surprise. With the camera in program
and no special settings the G1 could not make up it’s mind. 50% of
the time the box was in focus, 50% of the time Piglet was in focus
and the camera took a long time to decide. I switched to center
weighted exposure and piglet snapped into focus every time.

These are wonderful improvements!

Morris
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Yes, discussing 1.0.0.3 firmware.

Morris
Joshua Hadley said:
morris said:
I have been questioning the focus improvements so many have posted
I decided to test. Focus is much faster and also accurate on my G1.
. . .
Click to expand...
Guess I missed something . . . are you talking about the new
1.0.0.3 firmware for G1, announced yesterday (21 January)?? If so,
that's good news -- always had problems with the !@#$!@# focus!!

JH

--
Canon PowerShot G1
Lensmate
Kenko 2x tele
Happy.
Click to expand...
 
Great idea Adam. Try the experiments I did. If you can have someone that dose not know what is going on as a blind judge. I look forward to your test results.

Morris
Adam said:
morris said:
I have been questioning the focus improvements so many have posted
I decided to test. Focus is much faster and also accurate on my G1.

I ran the following test.
  • Macro in wide angle on a well lit black and white page of text in
macro. Focus went past sharp, moved back and stopped dead on. It
used to go back and forth and miss about 50% of the time.
  • Macro in telephoto on same subject. Same results.
  • Low light poster with text wide angel. Same results.
  • Low light of same subject in telephoto. Same results.
Since the above results were so good. I decided to try another
experiment:
  • High contrast background with a low contrast foreground beyond
depth of field. The background was a box with text and 2 very
different colors dividing the middle of the image. The foreground
object was a flesh tone figurine of Piglet. The lighting was
reflected sunlight indoors. With the old firmware the results
would have challenged the G1 focus system and the box would be in
focus. The results were a surprise. With the camera in program
and no special settings the G1 could not make up it’s mind. 50% of
the time the box was in focus, 50% of the time Piglet was in focus
and the camera took a long time to decide. I switched to center
weighted exposure and piglet snapped into focus every time.

These are wonderful improvements!

Morris
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
So where do I find this firmware upgrade? and what does this upgrade do?Thanks
morris said:
I have been questioning the focus improvements so many have posted
I decided to test. Focus is much faster and also accurate on my G1.

I ran the following test.
  • Macro in wide angle on a well lit black and white page of text in
macro. Focus went past sharp, moved back and stopped dead on. It
used to go back and forth and miss about 50% of the time.
  • Macro in telephoto on same subject. Same results.
  • Low light poster with text wide angel. Same results.
  • Low light of same subject in telephoto. Same results.
Since the above results were so good. I decided to try another
experiment:
  • High contrast background with a low contrast foreground beyond
depth of field. The background was a box with text and 2 very
different colors dividing the middle of the image. The foreground
object was a flesh tone figurine of Piglet. The lighting was
reflected sunlight indoors. With the old firmware the results
would have challenged the G1 focus system and the box would be in
focus. The results were a surprise. With the camera in program
and no special settings the G1 could not make up it’s mind. 50% of
the time the box was in focus, 50% of the time Piglet was in focus
and the camera took a long time to decide. I switched to center
weighted exposure and piglet snapped into focus every time.

These are wonderful improvements!

Morris
Click to expand...
--carrie
 
Morris -

A question on your last test. You say you switched to center-weighted metering and got good results. Does that imply you were using spot metering for the first part of the test when the G1 had problems? You said you didn't use any special settings in the first part but center-weighted metering is the default - you have to select spot metering.

Am I just confused?

Thanks,
Dave Sparks
morris said:
I have been questioning the focus improvements so many have posted
I decided to test. Focus is much faster and also accurate on my G1.

I ran the following test.
  • Macro in wide angle on a well lit black and white page of text in
macro. Focus went past sharp, moved back and stopped dead on. It
used to go back and forth and miss about 50% of the time.
  • Macro in telephoto on same subject. Same results.
  • Low light poster with text wide angel. Same results.
  • Low light of same subject in telephoto. Same results.
Since the above results were so good. I decided to try another
experiment:
  • High contrast background with a low contrast foreground beyond
depth of field. The background was a box with text and 2 very
different colors dividing the middle of the image. The foreground
object was a flesh tone figurine of Piglet. The lighting was
reflected sunlight indoors. With the old firmware the results
would have challenged the G1 focus system and the box would be in
focus. The results were a surprise. With the camera in program
and no special settings the G1 could not make up it’s mind. 50% of
the time the box was in focus, 50% of the time Piglet was in focus
and the camera took a long time to decide. I switched to center
weighted exposure and piglet snapped into focus every time.

These are wonderful improvements!

Morris
Click to expand...
 
I have the G1 and have always had probs with the focus + skin tones with on-camera flash. I have not upgraded in the past due to being nervous about the probs others have reported when upgrading - e.g. camera dieing....
Is it worth me upgrading from 1.0.0.0 to ...3?

Thanks

Marc
 
Definetely yes Marc,

The improvement of batery charging is important for the camera.

Also it seems to improve focusing(faster) and exposure measurement(at least on LCD display).

It is only 60sec procedure after the software is on CF card.

Regards,
Roumen
marcl said:
I have the G1 and have always had probs with the focus + skin tones
with on-camera flash. I have not upgraded in the past due to being
nervous about the probs others have reported when upgrading - e.g.
camera dieing....
Is it worth me upgrading from 1.0.0.0 to ...3?

Thanks

Marc
Click to expand...
 
After installing the new firmware, the first thing I noticed was that the soft focus of my G2 was gone. The images are razor sharp just like the samples I have seen from G1 cameras. The only other improvement I noticed was that the manual focus' zoomed image is sharper and thus more useable.
morris said:
Herb, I have to agree with you that if so many people are sensing
this that something is up. This is why I tested and I was very
surprised and happy. You may know from my work and comments that I
like raiser sharp images and now there easier to get.

Morris
Click to expand...
--Cliftonwww.pbase.com/klyphton
 
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