I did the up grade when it first came out.. of course worth doing.. the only reason it was offered is a DP in the UK found a hack in the F5 to enable it to record internal 4K.. despite Sony having previously insisting the F5 firmware was not able to do so.. so being caught out they came out with a new OS to stop the hack.. but offered the approved update for $1,000.. thats a real steal compared to the $15,000 price increase to the F55..
Basically the F5 was always able to record 4K internally.. but had been hobbled on purpose .. fair enough.. its cheaper to make them all the same and then limit what the camera can do.. Arri do this and call it buying licenses .. so all you are doing is buying an electric "key" to enable the functions already in there..
Its works perfectly.. Ive shot a ton of stuff in 4K and UHD.. it was all in there in the first place.. the F5 sensor is also 4K (17-9)..for $1000 it was an absolute gift.. new F5,s come with the up grade already activated .. it saved me having to buy a whole new camera.. if you never have to shoot 4K well then you dont need it.. except it would put up the second hand sale price I would think..
Alot of corp work I do is now shot on 4K.. not for delivery but so they can crop into the 4K frame for close ups.. add pans and small zooms..and stabilize shots.. a double edged sword ! but very often requested.. personally I have found the upgrade to be manna from heaven..
Edited by Robin R Probyn, 22 August 2016 - 04:58 AM.