Yes, firmware 1.03 has been released. The Mighty PRB is finally vanquished.
Except that the before and after images (few of which are competently shot because people forget to fix the ISO) all seem to show that there is virtually no difference. On a few of the comparisons, you get the sense that the edges have been softened a bit. But not on all of them.
Wow … the ORB has won. I would not have predicted that. It does, however, answer the question as to whether it was a hardware issue. Most of us already believed that it was, so this is just final confirmation.
The XS-1 has a difference lens that throws really nice star effects around its ORBs, but they are also definitely there. *sigh* …
So … the final word on ORB mitigation, for those who really cannot process all the information that has existed now for almost 2 months. This comes from a post I made on DPReview …
As we all know, the only mitigation is reduction of actual exposure (total amount of light.)
So, a proper night exposure reduces the meter's preference by -1EV or -2EV to start with. Raising ISO further reduces the total amount of light at the sensor by 4EV (1600ISO) or 5EV (3200ISO), which is of course compensated by amplification at the sensor. The former also makes a much better night image, since the lights are not blown sky high.
So the total reduction at 3200 ISO is either 6EV or 7EV if you know what you are doing and don't mind all the extra noise to tame the mighty ORB ...
Unfortunately, that technique does not really work during the day. So you’re on your own there …
