Minolta updates DiMAGE firmware

Consumer activism pays off! Much to my surprise, I received a CD from Minolta this week with updated firmware for the DiMAGE 5. We owners had been asking for it for months, but were told it would not be made available. It appears that the efforts of Paul Lisi and those of us who signed the petitionmay have proven effective.

I have loaded the new firmware, and my initial impression is that things are remarkably improved (not as fast as my Canon Elan IIe, but much faster focusing than before, with less hunting around.) The firmware may also be downloaded from the Minolta.com site, at

http://www.minoltausa.com/ ... ... CPG/CPG_SupportCenter/SoftwareResults

I do not know if this version is compatible with DiMAGE 5 models from Europe; the designation in the firmware seems to imply it is only for U.S. cameras.

For those planning to install: the directions are spotty, and do not highlight two key points: 1. After downloading the A2v056u folder to your hard drive, it is necessary to open it, revealing two files. Each of these must be copied separately to the compact flash card. 2. The support tech with whom I spoke recommended removing and replacing the batteries (just open the door to the compartment for a moment and reclose) before inserting the flash card and loading the firmware. (Make sure the camera is turned off when doing this!!!) (Replacing the batteries has to be done again after the data is loaded - again, after turning off the camera.)

Let us all know how it works for you!
Dave Myrow
--
dave@theraplace

--
dave@theraplace

David Myrow said:

Consumer activism pays off! Much to my surprise, I received a CD
from Minolta this week with updated firmware for the DiMAGE 5. We
owners had been asking for it for months, but were told it would
not be made available. It appears that the efforts of Paul Lisi and
those of us who signed the petitionmay have proven effective.

Click to expand...

Sorry to burst your bubble dude, but the Dimage 5 A2v056u firmware update has BEEN available for what, 6 months now and doesn't have ANYTHING to do with Lisi or ANYONE who signed ANY petition.

As has been EXPLAINED MANY TIMES, and recently in a new thread here, the A2v056u update was initially for the PCT-100 flash adapter, while a few have stated they "THINK" it "MIGHT" have improved the AF speed on the D5, I and MANY, MANY OTHERS have repoted it to have done NOTHING for the AF speed, sorry.

BassBonePhotog said:

I have loaded the new firmware, and my initial impression is that
things are remarkably improved...

Click to expand...

Glad you think so, now maybe we'll get some peace and quiet about the non existent D5 upgrade (ala the D7 feature upgrade) Minolta has stated they WILL NOT be putting out.

• Ivan

Ivan Good said:

David Myrow said:

Consumer activism pays off! Much to my surprise, I received a CD
from Minolta this week with updated firmware for the DiMAGE 5. We
owners had been asking for it for months, but were told it would
not be made available. It appears that the efforts of Paul Lisi and
those of us who signed the petitionmay have proven effective.

Click to expand...

Sorry to burst your bubble dude, but the Dimage 5 A2v056u firmware
update has BEEN available for what, 6 months now and doesn't have
ANYTHING to do with Lisi or ANYONE who signed ANY petition.

As has been EXPLAINED MANY TIMES, and recently in a new thread
here, the A2v056u update was initially for the PCT-100 flash
adapter, while a few have stated they "THINK" it "MIGHT" have
improved the AF speed on the D5, I and MANY, MANY OTHERS have
repoted it to have done NOTHING for the AF speed, sorry.

Ivan Good said:

I have loaded the new firmware, and my initial impression is that
things are remarkably improved...

Click to expand...

Glad you think so, now maybe we'll get some peace and quiet about
the non existent D5 upgrade (ala the D7 feature upgrade) Minolta
has stated they WILL NOT be putting out.

• Ivan

Click to expand...

--Ivan,

I don't remember seeing this before. Furthermore, the tech at Minolta told me last week that what I received was just released last week. (It is possible that she meant that the CD was first sent out last week. However, I don't believe that the download was on the Minolta site prior.)
DM
dave@theraplace

BassBonePhotog said:

I don't remember seeing this before. Furthermore, the tech at
Minolta told me last week that what I received was just released
last week. (It is possible that she meant that the CD was first
sent out last week. However, I don't believe that the download was
on the Minolta site prior.)

Click to expand...

Belive it or not, the PCT-100 adapter has been available for about 6 months, and the Dimage 5 A2v056u firmware has been on the US Minolta web site for about 3 months, sorry, its neither new, nor a fix for anything.

Check the forums archives, I'm sure you'll find all kinds of posts about the A2v056u firmware....

But I'm glad you are now happy with your D5

• Ivan

Hello dudes, I'm back. Bet you're glad.

Anyway, my name is not Lisi, it's Mr Lisi, or Paul will suffice. No need for ignorance.

As for activism getting results, it can and frequently will if handled right. No shouting, just persistance in the proper way. I'm not saying that what I (or others) have done so far has achieved anything at all. But we do try our best.

And in all the time I was trying to get a response from Minolta about an upgrade, there was never a mention of a downloadable upgrade for the d5. So to all intents and purposes (for the vast majority of d5 owners) it is new. A blind man can see that on a galloping horse. Just remember that those who subscribe to this forum make up only a small portion of actual users. If most did not know about this upgrade, blame Minolta for their lack of publicising it and not the poor sods who bought it.
Curtesy costs nothing.

lisi said:

As for activism getting results, it can and frequently will if
handled right. No shouting, just persistance in the proper way. I'm
not saying that what I (or others) have done so far has achieved
anything at all. But we do try our best.

Click to expand...

So since you have achieved nothing in regard to the D5 firmware upgrade (ala your petition), we can assume you haven't handled it right?

paul lisi said:

And in all the time I was trying to get a response from Minolta
about an upgrade, there was never a mention of a downloadable
upgrade for the d5. So to all intents and purposes (for the vast
majority of d5 owners) it is new. A blind man can see that

Click to expand...

Sorry Lisi, just because someone hasn't heard about a product or a firmware upgrade doesn't make it a new product or a new upgrade, a blind man AND HIS DOG can see that!

Talk about displaying YOUR ignorance.

The Dimage 5 PCT-100 firmware upgrade is NOT new (and has been available to users who purchased a PCT-100 for about 6 months) and has been (to the best of my knowledge) available on a Minolta web site for 3 or more months, and I will repeat that it DID NOT FIX ANYTHING, as has been reported by many many D5 users who installed it.

• Ivan

Ivan Good said:

lisi said:

As for activism getting results, it can and frequently will if
handled right. No shouting, just persistance in the proper way. I'm
not saying that what I (or others) have done so far has achieved
anything at all. But we do try our best.

Click to expand...

So since you have achieved nothing in regard to the D5 firmware
upgrade (ala your petition), we can assume you haven't handled it
right?

Ivan Good said:

And in all the time I was trying to get a response from Minolta
about an upgrade, there was never a mention of a downloadable
upgrade for the d5. So to all intents and purposes (for the vast
majority of d5 owners) it is new. A blind man can see that

Click to expand...

Sorry Lisi, just because someone hasn't heard about a product or a
firmware upgrade doesn't make it a new product or a new upgrade, a
blind man AND HIS DOG can see that!

Talk about displaying YOUR ignorance.

The Dimage 5 PCT-100 firmware upgrade is NOT new (and has been
available to users who purchased a PCT-100 for about 6 months) and
has been (to the best of my knowledge) available on a Minolta web
site for 3 or more months, and I will repeat that it DID NOT FIX
ANYTHING, as has been reported by many many D5 users who installed
it.

• Ivan

Click to expand...

Hello Paul Lisi,

Where are you?

Ivan is strongly objecting against your achivements with Minolta!!!

Please show us (DiMAGE5 owners) that you are an able man to do for our interest and try to prove that Ivan is wrong and you are right!!!

Don't let us down at half way to success!!

Or is the long march over?

Desparately awaiting any news and developments through this thread.

Best wishes to all buddies concerned.

Ferenc.

http://www.pbase.com/mogorf

Ferenc MOGOR said:

Ivan Good said:

lisi said:

As for activism getting results, it can and frequently will if
handled right. No shouting, just persistance in the proper way. I'm
not saying that what I (or others) have done so far has achieved
anything at all. But we do try our best.

Click to expand...

So since you have achieved nothing in regard to the D5 firmware
upgrade (ala your petition), we can assume you haven't handled it
right?

Ferenc MOGOR said:

And in all the time I was trying to get a response from Minolta
about an upgrade, there was never a mention of a downloadable
upgrade for the d5. So to all intents and purposes (for the vast
majority of d5 owners) it is new. A blind man can see that

Click to expand...

Sorry Lisi, just because someone hasn't heard about a product or a
firmware upgrade doesn't make it a new product or a new upgrade, a
blind man AND HIS DOG can see that!

Talk about displaying YOUR ignorance.

The Dimage 5 PCT-100 firmware upgrade is NOT new (and has been
available to users who purchased a PCT-100 for about 6 months) and
has been (to the best of my knowledge) available on a Minolta web
site for 3 or more months, and I will repeat that it DID NOT FIX
ANYTHING, as has been reported by many many D5 users who installed
it.

• Ivan

Click to expand...

Hello Paul Lisi,

Where are you?

Ivan is strongly objecting against your achivements with Minolta!!!

Please show us (DiMAGE5 owners) that you are an able man to do for
our interest and try to prove that Ivan is wrong and you are
right!!!

Don't let us down at half way to success!!

Or is the long march over?

Desparately awaiting any news and developments through this thread.

Best wishes to all buddies concerned.

Ferenc.

http://www.pbase.com/mogorf

Click to expand...

Hi Paul again,

Actually I have also downloaded this upgrade to my camera after quite a long hesitation whether to do or not.

My camera's factory setup showed that I have the original version of A2v055e, and after loading it to my PC from minoltaeurope, I ran a complete anti-virus check-up b4 transferring to my D5, coz I sad to myself: it's still better to have a camera with a factory installed software as it is, than a camera body with a dead software inside. :-((

Meantime, I can not report to you any noticable changes in overall performance, especially nothing for the substantial improvement of the AF speed and accuracy that I was anticipating.

Just wanted to let you know my case with this upgraded firmware.

Ferenc.

Thanks for your responses good and bad.

Unfortunately, I have to point out to some that my name is Paul, not Lisi. OK Good. A bit of common curtesy goes a long way.

No, I've not given up or sent the petition in yet. Dr Dave and myself are communicating to formulate the best plan of action to get minolta to take notice. We think that a multi point attack is better than one suicidal maniac going it alone and are communicating regularly to decide how best to do it. He'll go from over the water, and I'll go from here (England). Might also invite someone else to do the same.

So if you want to call me a fool, a maniac, or whatever, just remember to call me Paul. Not much to ask is it. And if you want to complain to the site owners about me again, just remember to make sure they read your own insulting threads first.
Cheers to all (including you know who).

Hi Paul,

How are you?

First of all I really feel sorry and please take my apologies if my words came out to you as an insult. I confess i didn't have that intention. As an owner of a D5 (which is a nice camera anyway), it is of course also my concern to have the AF fixed by Minolta by all means (in the same manner as for d7 owners).

Nevetheless, I can see that you are now changing to the fast lane with reinforcment from Dr.Dave and just about to start carpet bombing of Minolta Corporation and won't give up till the final result comes out.

Hope I could have contributed a little to launching this with my humble comments.

Wish you good luck and bring success for the D5 community.

Best personal wishes, Ferenc

P.S. I also signed the petition under No. 142. )

paul lisi said:

Thanks for your responses good and bad.
Unfortunately, I have to point out to some that my name is Paul,
not Lisi. OK Good. A bit of common curtesy goes a long way.
No, I've not given up or sent the petition in yet. Dr Dave and
myself are communicating to formulate the best plan of action to
get minolta to take notice. We think that a multi point attack is
better than one suicidal maniac going it alone and are
communicating regularly to decide how best to do it. He'll go from
over the water, and I'll go from here (England). Might also invite
someone else to do the same.
So if you want to call me a fool, a maniac, or whatever, just
remember to call me Paul. Not much to ask is it. And if you want to
complain to the site owners about me again, just remember to make
sure they read your own insulting threads first.
Cheers to all (including you know who).

Click to expand...

YOu should never shoot the messenger. Rule of thumb. Paul is trying to help everyone and maybe he will not suceed but to never have tried is even worse. I applaud paul and everyone else should too. I think if minolta would take the time to upgrade their great cameras and show some support to the people in the trenches who buy their product then they will be more successful themselves. Brand loyalty sells. ask volvo and lexus. Also in this day and age of outrageous corporate greed they could be the shining star if they play it right. It would be a win win for both sides. after all they have upgrades already for the D7 so why not just retweak it for the D5. Oh well i do not have a D5 but i can still applaud the persistance of paul and others in helping others to enjoy a good camera even more. Who knows what good lurks in the mind of minolta.... as the shadow said, hehehe.

rikster said:

I think if minolta would take the time to upgrade their great
cameras and show some support to the people in the trenches who buy
their product then they will be more successful themselves.
It would be a win win for both sides. after all
they have upgrades already for the D7 so why not just retweak it
for the D5.

Click to expand...

While there have been a few D5 users whining and complaining about the D5s AF, if you look carefully in these forums, you'll see the EXACT same complaints (tho not nearly as vocal or whiny) from a few D7i and even D7hi users who are getting fuzzy and soft and out of focus pictures, and remember THESE cameras have the IMPROVED AF!

Its my expert opinion (I've had a D5 for a year now) the D5 DOESN'T NEED its firmware updated! My D5 works just fine, there is nothing wrong with the autofocus, AND (you don't have to take my word for it) I have the pictures to prove it

See my on-line gallery at - http://www.pbase.com/ivang

The people that purchased the D5 did so because they didn't want all the features of the higher priced D7 (except lisi, who bought a D5, then whined and demanded Minolta give him the 4X magnification in a free firmware upgrade), which of course Minolta didn't do (so much for activism!).

Minolta has OFFICIALLY stated there will be NO feature upgrade for the D5 (ala the D7).

I'm sure Minolta figures that those D5 users who want more features will buy one of the 3 (D7, D7i, D7hi) higher priced and feature packed cameras (just ask lisi (he did), he dumped his D5 (so much for activism!) and bought a D7 ;-)

So you might as well consider a D5 feature firmware upgrade a dead issue!

However, if some of you still want to beat your heads against the wall, please feel free to continue to whine and complain.

Me, I figure life is too short AND photography too much fun to waste my time on a dead issue, so I'm out every day taking the best photographs I can, but you don't have to take my word for it....

...you can see my on-line gallery at - http://www.pbase.com/ivang

• Ivan

Thanks to all for their support.

I'm not prepared to lower myself to the childish blubberings that some spout, call myself an expert (despite my college time on photography, and 25 odd years at it) or claim anything similar. I'm just a simple dude who spent quite a bit on a faulty camera and wasn't happy about it. The change to the 7i was mainly for the extra resolution, and the opportunity of returning the 5 as faulty was too good to miss, (can you sell your 5 for the price you paid for it after 6 months).

I liked the 5, but it was faulty. Others (including the staff and manager of jessops, Coopes who borrowed it, and more) wholly agreed with this GOOD, so whats the problem with taking it back and upgrading. Nothing IMO.

The idea behind the petition (pay attention here) is to get ongoing support. As an example here, I have a psion 5mx which is not to be improved on, or being made much longer. Psion have (without asking) agreed to support the thing until at least 2004 or beyond, as needed. The decent thing to do.

So whats wrong with asking minolta to do the same. Should I forget my experiences with the 5, no I don't think so. I should learn from them and carry on in the hope of ensuring the support we deserve. Digital or not, I expect several years of use from my 7i for the price.

Mr Good does not have to carry on attacking us in the manner he is, or read these threads if he doesn't agree. His continued attack must be for self satisfaction because (IMO) he's missing something in his life. If he doesn't agree fine, he doesn't have to. Just like we don't have to agree with him. Still no need for name calling or insults, or am I wrong here.