Canon's BeBit web site has posted firmware v1.2.1 for the EOS-1D Mark II and firmware v1.1.1 for the EOS-1Ds Mark II.

Both firmware updates fix a communication quirk specific to Transcend-brand CompactFlash cards, says Chuck Westfall, Director of Media and Customer Relationship at Canon USA.

Three new languages are also added to the menus of both cameras: Russian, Traditional Chinese and Korean.

In addition, a problem that prevented the establishment of a FireWire link between the EOS-1D Mark II and certain Macs with OS X 10.3.4 or later loaded has been addressed. A conflict with an Apple security update that emerged at about the same time as this operating system version has been resolved in firmware v1.2.1. The EOS-1Ds Mark II wasn't affected, says Westfall.

And finally, in initial testing to see if there is any change to in-camera write speed brought about by the firmware, we've seen a huge boost in throughput to Lexar 40X CompactFlash cards in particular, in both camera models. As of this writing this testing is very much incomplete, and there may well be other brands and models whose performance is impacted by the new firmware releases.

Firmware v1.2.1 for the EOS-1D Mark II and firmware v1.1.1 for the EOS-1Ds Mark II are downloadable for free, though a valid camera serial number is required.

Revision History

March 30, 2005: The story has been amended to correct an error in describing which camera models were affected by the Transcend communication and FireWire link problems.