New Firmware Lumix S52 S52X Animal Eye

[Boojay]

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I updated my S52 to the new firmware this morning and did a few quick tests using the Sigma 70-200 2.8 and the Panasonic 70-300, just with the dogs in the field.  Charlie was really interested to get out there and test.

Charlie in listen Mode.  "Charlie there is a little box on your eye.. what do you think, shall we go out and see what it does"😀

 

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He was ready for it obviously.  

Wish I had good reports and I know I need to test more, possibly I was expecting too much.  But what I didn't expect was that this firmware had a negative impact on autofocus accuracy and keeper rate with the Sigma lens.  While the box appears around the eye the focus was almost always behind.  Tried various autofocus options, single point, zone, 1 area plus, tracking, none better than the other.  

I then swapped over to the Panasonic 70-300, some improvement here and the lens focussed much better than the Sigma with more in focus shots, a complete turnaround from old firmware.

Two shots below from start and finish of a burst mode, eight shots all reasonably focussed.  

 

 

 

Be testing more as the day goes on but just posting in the hope others have information to add.

 

 

Edited April 22, 2024 by Boojay

[Boojay]

Just to add, I have contacted Sigma UK regarding my findings this morning to see if they have any suggestions.   I have no idea what happens when a camera manufacturer updates the firmware, do they test the firmware updates with lenses of the same mount from other manufacturers?  I know we have the L mount alliance and I would expect everything to work in sync, but does it?

 

[tom0511]

I assume you are usually on the safe side if you have lens and body from the same manufacturer (in such regards like AF, electronic and firmware compability) but some risk when its a different brand/ third party.

I know when updating Leica SL bodies often this will lead to an imediate update of lenses, first time you put the lens on the body with the new firmware.

 

[jaapv]

Maybe the Sigma lens needs to be updated through the USB dock. 

[helged]

18 hours ago, Boojay said:

I updated my S52 to the new firmware this morning and did a few quick tests using the Sigma 70-200 2.8 and the Panasonic 70-300, just with the dogs in the field.  Charlie was really interested to get out there and test.

Charlie in listen Mode.  "Charlie there is a little box on your eye.. what do you think, shall we go out and see what it does"😀

 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

He was ready for it obviously.  

Wish I had good reports and I know I need to test more, possibly I was expecting too much.  But what I didn't expect was that this firmware had a negative impact on autofocus accuracy and keeper rate with the Sigma lens.  While the box appears around the eye the focus was almost always behind.  Tried various autofocus options, single point, zone, 1 area plus, tracking, none better than the other.  

I then swapped over to the Panasonic 70-300, some improvement here and the lens focussed much better than the Sigma with more in focus shots, a complete turnaround from old firmware.

Two shots below from start and finish of a burst mode, eight shots all reasonably focussed.  

 

 

 

Be testing more as the day goes on but just posting in the hope others have information to add.

 

 

Havn’t tested the new FW yet, but this wasn’t the finding I was hoping for. Anyone else with before-after findings (s5ii pre/post new FW)?

[Boojay]

7 hours ago, jaapv said:

Maybe the Sigma lens needs to be updated through the USB dock. 

I did wonder about that and when I checked the Sigma website there had been a firmware update for the lens in March, to improve operational noise during video recording, I don't do video (at all) but I went ahead and installed the update.  I just did it the regular way though I do have the dock.  I know there is an option using the dock to dial in  the focus settings, but I've yet to try that.  Then I decided to do a reset on the camera and start again with my settings.

Anyway, whatever that did, I had better success with the lens in the afternoon and I'm looking forward to seeing how it does today.  So, feeling a bit more positive.

[Boojay]

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2 hours ago, helged said:

Havn’t tested the new FW yet, but this wasn’t the finding I was hoping for. Anyone else with before-after findings (s5ii pre/post new FW)?

After a camera re-set and updating the firmware on the lens results were more positive, see my reply above.

 

 

[helged]

40 minutes ago, Boojay said:

After a camera re-set and updating the firmware on the lens results were more positive, see my reply above.

 

 

Good. Can you get hold on which FW you are on with the Sigma 70-200? I dont have the dock, but I may need to get one…

[Boojay]

21 minutes ago, helged said:

Good. Can you get hold on which FW you are on with the Sigma 70-200? I dont have the dock, but I may need to get one…

This is the firmware

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This is the link

https://www.sigma-global.com/en/support/firmware/s023_70_200_28/?mount=l-mount

 

I have the dock but you really don't need it for the firmware update, just download the file to computer and transfer to SD Card in the usual way.

 

[Boojay]

I've been waiting to see if anyone else has any thoughts or findings on this much heralded firmware update from Panasonic.  Apart from the you-tube hoo ha, that being mostly about video performance improvements and the io stuff, very little talk from stills shooters. 

While I have found the autofocus to indeed be a bit stickier, I'm not convinced it's any more accurate, and on reviewing images I often find that although the focus box has shown up on the eye when tracking (animal and human) there are still many occasions that it's way off.  So, honestly it's better but still not on par with Canon and I imagine Sony AF.   Many will find it good enough, and it probably is for me, but having used something better I just wonder why it is so difficult for Pan/Leica to get to the same level that others have offered for quite a few years now, I really would like them to succeed.  I accept that in Video mode the camera is supposedly very capable and gets lots of good reviews, especially for the IS.

As far as my OP goes, I have exchanged e-mails with Sigma, at first they hadn't tested the new firmware with the 70-200, but came back to me after testing, reply as below.

Sigma Japan have carried out test with this lens when used on the S5ii on V2.2 and V3.0 and found no clear difference in focus accuracy in the animal mode, so they have advised you send the lens to us for testing/repair.  We will contact you once we have received the lens.  

I have decided to send the lens in, just to be sure that it's all good.   I used it at another track event last night and it was just fine, beginning to think it was just my expectations of the new firmware being too high, and maybe (unlike Sigma) I was expecting to see a clear difference in focus accuracy in animal mode😀.

 

 

Edited April 26, 2024 by Boojay

[jaapv]

If the only reason to update is the AF noise during video recording I am not even going to check the version. My lens is completely silent. I have not bothered to update the camera either. 

[Boojay]

1 hour ago, jaapv said:

If the only reason to update is the AF noise during video recording I am not even going to check the version. My lens is completely silent. I have not bothered to update the camera either. 

Will be interesting to hear your thoughts on the lens Jaap, even though mine is going for a check-up I'm still very impressed by it.  Given that I think like me, you were looking forward to the new firmware and the addition of animal eye, would be good when you do decide to update the body to see if you feel or notice the improvement.

[jaapv]

Yes, I would like animal eye focus, but I am always very tardy in updating gear that works perfectly well as it is

[oculaii]

This is one of the reason I stay away from Sigma lenses, I had two DG DN lenses with focus accuracy issue wide open, the focus was everytime slightly behind the point of focus. The only way to get perfect focus was to use the Pin Point focus (very slow). Fortunatly, a firwmare solved the issue.

[helged]

Finally, FW updated on S5ii and Sigma 70-200 DG DN. Did a few hundred images with a Golden Retriever running towards me. Fairly high focus score when using the mechanical shutter; lower - but still acceptable - score when using the electronic shutter (both at max fps). As of now, I would say that the hit rate (=eye focus) is higher than before. But I need to run more tests before more firmly conclusions can be made. Looks good (but certainly not at the level of the biggy action systems out there).

[MindsEye]

On 4/26/2024 at 6:40 AM, Boojay said:

I just wonder why it is so difficult for Pan/Leica to get to the same level that others have offered for quite a few years now, I really would like them to succeed

Thanks for the testing feedback @Boojay ! I would also like them to succeed. And perhaps you may have answered your own question. That is, Pan/Leica have only just recently started using phase detect AF. And with the benefit of their competitors' experience, it's much better than others' early attempts. Sony, Canon, etc. that are renowned for their AF, have been doing it for years and perfected it. If it helps, I look at it as different purposes. There are systems out there for each of our individual priorities. And of course, no camera will be a perfect fit. I shoot full time for my living and have owned extensive Sony and Canon systems. My business has changed so flawless, lightning speed AF is not my first priority. In fact I have a Fujifilm system which is definitely not the pinnacle of AF performance but many other aspects are more important for the way I work.

I must admit that at the moment I am not the one to comment on the effectiveness of this FW update. So I'm glad you and others have weighed in. I installed it but I tend to use my S5IIx for manual focus M-mount glass. I still love the S5IIx for still photography (don't do much video.) It's a nice sized body with well laid out controls and I'm not sure I'm sold yet on the SL3, even if I could find one, due to size and weight. But never say never