New EOS RP from Canon

Canon starts to double down on its 'R' system with the EOS RP at $1300

See the EOS RP specs and more here at DPreview
Canon/Imaging Resource interview here

Canon shows new lenses

The system quickly grows, Canon is making sure the Pro lenses are there for users that require the Pro level lenses. This is going to be very interesting. The RF 70-200 f/2.8 shows what the advantage of this system will be like. Having a 70-200 f/2.8 at that size is a great advantage in size and weight over their legacy system.

See DPreview here

Ross

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New 70-200 f/4 and f/2.8 lenses

Canon releases two new lenses that are sure to delight anyone in the system. I will be getting the f/4 version myself, I use it a lot for landscape and event work. The f/2.8 will be a super nice lens, but weight is a factor for me, if you are doing studio and or portrait work though, the f/2.8 will be a killer solution.

Canon EF 70-200 f/4 IS II

Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8 IS III 

With better optics, lens coatings and image stabilization, you can't go wrong getting either of these lenses, its just choosing which best suits your needs.

DPReview 70-200 f/2.8 here

DPReview 70-200 f/4 here

Ross 

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New Canon Lenses

This is why Canon does so well, they produce top quality lenses that we drool over. the system is what its all about, its not just a camera, or a spec. I shoot Nikon, Canon and Fuji and I prefer Canon and Fuji glass, that's why I'm vested in those systems. Nikon is not far behind and Sony has a ways to go. Its about the system.

Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM Specifications  $1599

• Lens construction: 10 groups 14 elements (1 aspherical lens)
• Coating: ASC, fluorine coating
• Number of diaphragm blades: 9 (circular diaphragm)
• Shortest shooting distance: 85 cm
• Maximum shooting magnification: 0.12 times
• Filter diameter: 77 mm
• Maximum diameter × length: φ88.6 × 105.4 mm
• Weight: Approximately 950 g
• Image stabilization effect: about 4 steps
• Ring type USM

Canon TS-E 135mm f/4L Macro Specifications $2199

• Lens construction: 7 groups 11 elements (2 UD lenses)
• Coating: SWC, fluorine coating
• Number of diaphragm blades: 9 (circular diaphragm)
• Shortest shooting distance: 48.6 cm
• Maximum magnification: 0.5 times
• Filter diameter: 82 mm
• Maximum diameter × length: φ88.5 × 139.1 mm
• Weight: Approximately 1,110 g

Canon TS-E 90mm f/2.8L Macro Specifications $2199

• Lens construction: 9 groups 9 elements (UD lens 1 piece)
• Coating: ASC, fluorine coating
• Number of diaphragm blades: 9 (circular diaphragm)
• Minimum focusing distance: 39 cm
• Maximum magnification: 0.5 times
• Filter diameter: 77 mm
• Maximum diameter × length: φ86.9 × 116.5 mm
• Weight: Approximately 915 g

Canon TS-E 50mm f/2.8L Macro Specifications $2199

• Lens construction: 9 groups 12 elements (2 UD lenses)
• Coating: SWC, ASC, fluorine coating
• Number of diaphragm blades: 9 (circular diaphragm)
• Shortest shooting distance: 27.3 cm
• Maximum magnification: 0.5 times
• Filter diameter: 77 mm
• Maximum diameter × length: φ86.9 × 114.9 mm
• Weight: Approximately 945 g

Ross

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Canon 6D Mk II announced

 

The Canon 6D Mk II

• 26.2 Megapixel Full-frame CMOS Sensor
• Optical Viewfinder with a 45-point All Cross-type AF System¹
• Dual Pixel CMOS AF with Phase-detection & Full HD 60p
• DIGIC 7 Image Processor, ISO 100-40000
• Vari-angle Touch Screen, 3.0-inch LCD
• Built-in Wi-Fi®², NFC³, Bluetooth®⁴ and GPS technology
• High-speed Continuous Shooting at up to 6.5 fps
• Dust- & Water-resistant

The long awaited 6D replacement arrives with many improvements, including the vari-angle touch screen display and all new 26mp sensor. Looks to be a very nice upgrade from the original, if it had an AF joy stick I would highly recommend it, if you can live with out that and 4K video, run out and get it, if your getting the kit, be sure to get the kit with the EF 24-105 f4 II.

First look at DPReview here

The same but different here 

Canon Video here

The Phoblographer here 

Fstoppers here

Buy it:
Body only at B and H here
Body and 24-104 f/4 II at B and H here

Ross

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Canon EF 16-35 f/2.8 L III and EF 24-105 f/4 L IS II

EF 16-35 f/2.8 L III

• EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
• Aperture Range: f/2.8 to 22
• Three Aspherical & Two UD Elements
• Subwavelength & Air Sphere Coatings
• Ring-Type Ultrasonic Motor AF System
• Internal Focus; Full-Time MF Override
• Fluorine Coating on Exposed Elements
• Dust- and Water-Resistant Construction
• Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm

 

EF 24-105 f/4 L IS II

• EF-Mount L-Series Lens/Full-Frame Format
• Aperture Range: f/4 to 22
• Four GMo Aspherical Elements
• Air Sphere Coating
• Ring-Type Ultrasonic Motor AF System
• Optical Image Stabilization
• Internal Focus; Full-Time MF Override
• Zoom Lock Switch; Fluorine Coating
• Dust- and Water-Resistant Construction
• Rounded 10-Blade Diaphragm

Almost lost in today's announcement of the 5D Mk IV, are a redo of two of Canons L series lenses, the EF 16-35 f/2.8 L III and the EF 24-105 f/4 L IS II. The 16-35 being the more interesting lens of the two. This will be Canons third attempt at this super wide formula and I'm guessing they got it right this time.

I have been very happy with my EF 16-35 f/4 L IS, but it would be nice to have better, at twice the price? hard to justify, I will wait for a price drop. It would pair nicely with my 5D Mk IV.

The 24-105 has been the 5D kit lens for a while and an improved version will sell very well, priced at $1100, thats low for an L-series lens, this will sell by the thousands. A good starter lens for the 5D.
Interestingly the 24-105 has 10 rounded aperture blades (8 in version 1) compared to nine in the 16-35, both should supply very nice sun stars.

Buy the EF 16-35 f/2.8 L III here $2200

Buy the EF 24-105 f/4 L IS II here $1100

DPReview here


Ross

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Canon 5D Mk IV announced

Canon announces the 5D Mk IV:

Key Specs:

• 30.4 mp CMOS full-frame sensor with Dual Pixel AF
• Dual Pixel Raw (image micro adjustment, bokeh shift, ghosting reduction)
• DCI 4K 30/24p video using Motion JPEG + 4K Frame Grab
• 7.0 fps
• ISO 100-32000 (expandable to 102400)
• 61 AF points with 41 cross-points
• 150,000-pixel RGB+IR metering sensor
• 1.62M-dot 3.2" full-time touchscreen
• Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC
• Built-in GPS
• CF and SD slots 
• Built-in bulb timer interval timers
• 2 stops of dynamic range above the Mk III (not official spec)
• $3499

Download the manual here

Pre order at B and H here

DPreview here
The Digital Picture here
Imaging Resource here
Lens rentals review here 
Wedding photographers point of view here
Canon site here

DxO here

Digital Photo Pro update: here

This will be Canons big seller for the next four years or so, I like what I see, I know a lot of people will be disappointed in the 4K video and the 30.4mp, but this will be just right for me, I wont have to upgrade my computer and cards and 30.4 mp (6720 x 4480) will make perfect 36 x 24 prints, that's what I have been looking for in my next camera. Once its out, everyone will forget the specs and start using what should be the best camera in its class. The 5DSR Mk II will bring the better sensor with 50mp in two years.

This version has regressed back to a stills camera, I am glad in a way, I'm not a video shooter, but occasional 4K video will be nice. The big one here for me is the extra dynamic range the Mk IV offers, now on par with Sony sensors, due to on chip analog to digital conversion, a big step for Canon and in the right direction. This will make bringing up shadows and doing black and white conversion a bit simpler. 

Until then I will have thousands of images on the Mk IV and I'm sure I will be perfectly happy with it, I have owned all 3 previous versions. The one thing Canon does well is test their cameras, I have never had an issue with a Canon camera and Ive been using them since the EOS A2E. They are an extension of my hand now, I know the camera and once you know your camera, you can forget about it and make images. After all that's what this is all about.

From Canon:

Hand Held Landscapes

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Hopi Point, Grand Canyon National Park

Image: 5D Mk III, EF 24-70 f/2.8, 33mm, f/7.1, 1/250 sec, hand held.

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Hopi Point, Grand Canyon National Park
Image: 5D Mk III, EF 70-200 f/4, 81mm, f/11, 1/20 sec, tripod.

I have found that I need to shoot at at least 1/500 of a second and use very good technique in order to get a print quality image hand held. A tripod is a must for conditions that are not very bright, even image stabilization is not enough to get a tack sharp image hand held in low light. The upper image can be printed at probably 24 inches (hand held at 1/250 sec), while the lower image can probably be printed at 36 inches (tripod at 1/20 sec).

Some times an image can be shot sharper hand held, I shot the upper image hand held and on a tripod, the wind was blowing at about 20 mph and it was obvious to me that shooting on a tripod was not working out so well, so I switched to a larger aperture, hand held and got the faster shutter speed and also took the wind blown tripod out of the equation. Later when the wind died down I was able to shoot back on my tripod and get sharp images.

Ross 

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Canon 1DX Mk II

Canon announce their flagship, the 1DS Mk II

Key features:

• Newly developed 20.2 megapixel 35mm Full Frame Canon CMOS sensor;
• Continuous shooting speeds of up-to-14 frames per second (fps) with Auto Exposure (AE) and predictive AF for viewfinder shooting and up to 16 fps¹ in Live View mode;
• Dual DIGIC 6+ Image Processors that transfer image data at extremely high speed for extended bursts during continuous shooting – up-to-170 consecutive RAW images at 14 fps. When shooting JPEG images you’re only limited by memory card capacity ²;
• Capable of shooting 4K 60P and Full HD 120P video with Dual Pixel CMOS AF;
• Enhanced wireless functionality (with the optional accessory Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E8) that supports the new high-speed IEEE 802.11ac standard and the ability to easily transfer photos and videos to compatible smartphones using Canon’s Camera Connect app*;
• Digital Lens Optimizer to help correct aberrations in-camera (a feature that previously required post-processing on an external computer);
• Improved 61-point viewfinder AF with expanded coverage and all AF-points selectable and supported to a maximum aperture of f/8;
• Improved AI Servo III+ predictive AF algorithm for better accuracy;
• Continuous red illumination of all AF points within the camera’s Intelligent Viewfinder II.
• Compatibility with both CF and CFast memory cards for optimal performance and versatility.
  
  Video:
  

  4K, 4096 x 2160 (60p, 30p, 25p, 24p, 23.98p), 1920 x 1080 (120p, 60p, 50p, 25p, 24p, 23.98p)

  MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG

Canon web site here
Andy Rouse here
Imaging Resource here
What you need to know here at DPreview

Review here at DPreview

Full specs here at DPReview

Ross

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5DS/R Info and samples from around the web

The 5DS and 5DSR are now available and people are starting to report on it from around the world.

I will start linking to them here so I have a place to refer to.

Is Medium format in trouble? probably, unless they find a way to improve and innovate faster than, Sony, Canon and Nikon are all moving quickly to high resolution sensors with Nikon at 36mp and Sony at 42mp . Even fashion photographers are going to have a hard time justifying more than 50MP cameras, I certainly will not need more than that.

At  300dpi, 8688 x 5792 will give output prints from this camera at 19 x 29 without up-scaling, so minor up-scaling will give 24 x 36 easy and prints to 60 inches should be possible.

• Imaging Resource, comprehensive review here

• A talk by Gregory Heisler

• Chris Giles wedding photographer here

• Keith Cooper here

• Photography Blog here

• The Phoblographer here

• Northrup here

• Glenn Bartley bird photography here

• Ming Thein here

• DPReview studio scenes here

• DPReview 5DS samples galley here

• Fashion at Photography Blog here

• Landscape at CPN here and here

• Fine Art here

• 5DSR vs D810 here

• 5DS at The Digital Picture review here 5DSR here

• recommended lenses via Canon at The Digital Picture here

• Martin Bailey here 

• DxO here take with a grain of salt, there is more to the equation. Then read this here

Ross

Images In Light

Canon EF 16-35 f/4 IS L

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5D MK III, EF 16-35 f/4 IS L, 29mm, f/5.6, 1/500 sec, ISO 100, hand held.

It was not that long ago that Canon users complained about the wide angle zoom offerings, because Nikon had the 14-24 f/2.8. Now Canon has surpassed Nikon with both the EF 11-24 f/4 L and the EF 16-35 f/4 IS L and I'm sure soon an f/2.8 wide angle zoom.

EF 16-35 f/4 L IS

I sold my 16-35 f/2.8 II because of the reviews I read on the new 16-35 f/4 and couldn't be more happy. I know, f/2.8 vs f/4, the age old argument, the thing is, they are for different photographers, most people can get away with f/4, f/2.8 is mostly for low light hand held captures, wide angle is not really for portrait, although I have seen a few photographers use the 2.8 version that way with good effect.

This is a landscape/architecture lens mostly, sweeping vistas and towering cityscape's, there are lots of uses but these are the standouts for me. It is sharp to the corners, it has resolution to spare (think 50mp here) excellent micro contrast, oh and did I say sharp? It is an excellent companion lens to the EF 24-70 f/2.8 L II, which has been pretty much glued to to my 5D III since I got it. Along with the 70-200 f/2.8 IS L II or 70-200 f/4 IS L, Canon now has a full series of zooms that are excellent from 11mm to 200mm and beyond if you can afford the $11K 200-400 f/4.

 Larger Image

5D MK III, EF 16-35 f/4 IS L

5D MK III, EF 16-35 f/4 IS L

5D MK III, EF 16-35 f/4 IS L

Ross

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Latest Canon software

 

Download here under the software tab

Digital Photo Professional 4.2.31, adds support for 5DS, HDR, compositing......

Ross

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Convergance: Canon XC10

Canon introduces a 4K video/Stills camera

Key specs

• 4K video
• 12mp stills
• 1" CMOS sensor
• LP-E6 battery (same as 5D and 7D)
• fixed F2.8-5.6 image stabilized lens equivalent to 27.3-273mm for videos and 24.1-241mm for stills.
• Rotating grip and tilt LCD
• MSRP of $2499

Ross

Images In Light

EF 11-24 f/4

The new EF 11-24 f/4 

• World’s widest angle ultra-wide zoom with 11-24mm focal length.
• f/4 fixed aperture, high-performance standard zoom L-series lens.
• Uses four aspherical lens elements (including the world’s largest diameter ground aspherical lens within a photographic lens) and UD and Super UD lens elements, ensuring the highest image quality.
• Canon unique SWC and new ASC anti-reflective coatings.
• Fluorine coating on the lens surfaces to prevent dirt sticking to lens elements.
• Silent, fast autofocus using a ring type USM.
• A nine-blade circular aperture creates beautiful out-of-focus highlights.
• Full-time manual focusing.
• Minimum focusing distance 0.28m (at 24mm zoom position).
• Highly resistant to dust and water allowing shooting in the harshest conditions.

About lens copy variation here

buy it here at B and H, the best place to by camera equipment

Lee filter system for the EF 11-24 here

See Bryans full review at the Digital Picture here

CPN here

DPreview here

Ross

Images In Light

Canon 5DS and 5DSR

Canon 5DSR

Update: rumors have it that the noise and DR are in fact better at base ISO with the cost of high ISO noise, if this is the case the new camera may be designed specifically for low ISO shooting, which makes total sense. This does present a problem for people that shoot on both ends of the ISO scale, you will now need two cameras, one for low ISO 50mp studio/landscape shots and one for everything else.

Can you say 50mp? Well Canon can, this should be an interesting press release, the big one here is the EF 11-24 f/4 lens, but I'm very interested to see what this new camera can do, it needs to have better shadow recovery and higher dynamic range to get my interest, especially at the rumored price of $3900.

New info at Canon Asia here

DPReview test samples here

• EOS 5DS: 50.6 Megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor with ISO 100-6400 (Lo: 50 and H1:12,800) sensitivity range.
• EOS 5DS R: 50.6 Megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor with low-pass cancellation filter and ISO 100-6400 (Lo: 50 and H1:12,800) sensitivity range.
• Dual DIGIC 6 processors for outstanding image processing speed and camera responsiveness.
• 5 frames per second (fps) with selectable burst speeds and silent shutter mode.
• 61-point wide area AF with 41 cross-type sensors with iTR, AI Servo AF III and AF Configuration tool.
• 150k pixel RGB+IR metering sensor.
• 100% magnification Intelligent Viewfinder II with electronic overlay.
• 1.3x, 1.6x and 1:1 ratio crop modes with masked viewfinder display.
• Mirror Vibration Control System to reduce mirror vibration blur.
• Fine Detail Picture Style.
• CF + SD (UHS I) dual memory card slots.
• Peripheral Illumination and Chromatic Aberration Lens Correction in-camera.
• Multiple Exposure and HDR mode.
• Customisable Quick Control screen.
• Built-in timer functionality – bulb timer and interval shooting timer.
• Time-lapse Movie function.
• Super Speed USB 3.0 for high-speed tethering and image/movie transfer.
• 150,000 shutter cycle life.
• Compatible with most EOS 5D Mark III accessories (note: for WFT-E7 new USB cables required and firmware needs to be updated).

Purchase 5DS here at B and H

Purchase 5DS R here at B and H

 Resources:

The 5DS manual is here

Always the best place for review info is The Digital Picture: review in process

Northlight here

Imaging resource here

CPN here, in the studio here

CPN interview with Mr. Tsunemasa Ohara here

DPreview preview here

Ross

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Long Exposure in bright light

5D Mk III, EF 24-70 f/2.8 L II, 35mm, 8 sec at f/16, Lee Big Stopper

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Shot mid day with the Lee Big Stopper, 10 stop neutral density filter. I was hoping for faster moving clouds to achieve the look I wanted, but this was a decent start. I will try some more in San Francisco in the next few weeks.

Its pretty cool to be able to shoot so slow on such a bright afternoon, it opens new doors and gives one a chance to try some new technique's.

The Big Stopper requires the Foundation kit to use.

Ross

Images In Light

EF 11-24mm f4L USM

A recently leaked on line image shows my dream lens, the EF 11-24mm f4L USM, yes thats f/4 constant aperture, why? size mostly, but with a super wide its main purpose in life is wide angle landscape and architecture so f/2.8 is not really needed and by keeping it at f/4 it can have an even wider field, hence the 11mm, while keeping size and weight down.

 I absolutely love the Nikon 14-24, but this one will be way better for my purpose's. I hope this is true, I will run right out and get it. Will be tough to swallow the rumored price of $2800, but it will pay itself off quickly.

Ross

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Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II

 Here is a lens a lot of people have been waiting for, I look forward to trying this one in Yellowstone.

The Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L II USM Super-Telephoto Zoom Lens is scheduled to be available in December 2014 for an estimated retail price of $2,199.00

 Order it here

DPReview here

The Digital Picture here

Review here Lens Tip

Review here Photozone.

Review here ePhotozine

Dustin Abbott here

Canon CPN

• EF Mount L-Series Lens/Full-Frame Format
• One Fluorite and One Super UD Element
• Air Sphere and Fluorine Lens Coatings
• Ring-Type USM AF Motor, Internal Focus
• Optical Image Stabilizer with 3 Modes
• Rotating Zoom Ring & Torque Adjustment
• Weather-Sealed Design
• Detachable, Rotatable Tripod Collar
• Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm

Ross

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New from Canon, 7D Mk II and Power Shot G7X

EOS 7D Mk II

At DPreview

Photography Bay here

Clark vision review here very interesting read

First impression here

The Digital Picture here

Power Shot G7X

Ross

Images In Light

Canons new EF16-35 f/4L IS

 A new wide angle for Canon shooters:

 A direct response to the Nikon Version ? It will be nice to have IS in a wide angle lens but I would still like to have an f/2.8 lens in this focal range, lets see how it performs, its 25g lighter than the EF 16-35 f/2.8L II that's a plus.

 Specifications

Focal Length & Maximum Aperture: 16–35mm 1:4.0
Lens Construction: 16 elements in 12 groups
Diagonal Angle of View: 108°10′ – 63°
Focus Adjustment: Inner focus system
Closest Focusing Distance: 0.92 ft. / 0.28m
Filter Size: 77mm diameter
Max Diameter x Length, Weight: 3.3 x 4.4 in., 21.7 oz. / 82.6 x 112.8mm, 615g

  

Ross

Images In light

Canon 70D, suprise dual pixel AF speed technology

Dual pixel AF, amazing AF speed in Live view, this is what we have been waiting for in live view auto focus.

Why you ask? well remember when you take that point and shoot camera and try to take a picture and it searches and waits and then finally takes the shot? well here is the cure.

This chip used in a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera (MILC) like the EOS M2 will be great for having a fast and small camera that uses my existing camera lenses.

Canon has been looking for this answer for a while and this could put them back on top.

Some interesting video footage from The Imaging Resource here







Hands on the 70D at Tech Radar
Hands on the 70D at DP Review

The Digital Picture review

Review at EPhotoZine 

Review at PhotographyBlog

Order it here: Canon 70D


Ross

Images In Light