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Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Thinking Of Upgrading To Canon EOS-7D Mk II Camera


Canon announced the EOS-7D Mk II camera on September 15, 2014. I have owned this camera for about 6 months now and have given it multiple field tests from the high Arctic to the Southern Ocean and places in between.

My readers know I have picked the EOS-7D as the best APS-C camera for wildlife photography 4 years in a row. If you are thinking of upgrading to the Mk II body, take a look at the following marketing video from Canon and read my comprehensive review. The new camera is very good and a great value but I only use it when the wildlife action is far away because I am not a big fan of extenders. My main wildlife camera is still the EOS-1D X and EOS-1D Mk IV


Canon PowerShot G17 Coming Before June?



Canon announced the PowerShot G1 X II  last year and the PowerShot G16 was released in 2013. The G1X II is my favorite PowerShot camera in the lineup and now Canon may be ready to release the PowerShot G17 camera, after the 2015 NAB Show in April and perhaps before mid year.

Possible Specifications :

  •     24-168mm
  •     7x Zoom
  •     f/1.2-2.0 Lens
  •     DIGIC 6+ processor
  •     Larger 1 inch sensor
  •     3.2 inch LCD screen
  •     WiFi and GPS
  •     All magnesium body

The new camera may be slightly bigger and heavier than the G16 and the faster lens and larger sensor will be a welcome improvement in the PowerShot lineup.

Sunday, March 29, 2015

Canon EOS-5Ds vs Nikon D810 Comparison




Canon EOS-5Ds vs Nikon D810 camera comparison

In the last few years, Nikon dominated the world of 'megapixel' full frame photography with their D800 and D810 cameras. Ever since the EOS-1Ds Mk III was discontinued by Canon and followed by the EOS-5D Mk III in 2012, equipped with a 22MP full frame sensor, many photographers are wondering when Canon will respond to the challenge.

Now Canon has announced the EOS-5Ds and EOS-5Ds R 50MP full frame cameras with a delivery date of late June. On the face of it, Canon has retaken the MegaPixel crown so let us take a quick comparison of the two DSLR's main features from the stand point of a wildlife photographer.


Canon EOS-5Ds vs. Nikon D810

Sensor :   The EOS-5Ds has a 50MP sensor with a low-pass filter. D810 comes with a 36MP sensor and lacks the filter.

ISO :   EOS-5Ds has a native ISO range of 100 - 6400 while the D810 is capable of  64 - 12,800

AF Points :   61 points with 41 cross-type vs. 51 points with 15 cross-type

Speed :   5 fps vs. 5 fps and 7 fps with MB-D12 grip in crop mode

List price :   $3,699 vs. $3,000


My readers know I am not a fan of chasing megapixels. Anything over a low to mid 20MP sensor on a full frame camera is an overkill for me in wildlife photography. Shooting speed is more important for a wildlife photographer like myself. The 5fps and maximum 14 RAW file buffer on the Canon EOS-5Ds is too slow for me, even in 1.3x and 1.6x mode. The Nikon D810's speed improves to 7 fps in crop mode and maxes out with a 23 RAW file buffer, due to its lower pixel count sensor.

Lighting fast AF is crucial in capturing wildlife action. The EOS-5Ds has a newer, more robust 61 points system, with 41 more accurate cross-type points but only 1 center f/8 cross-type point. By comparison, the D810 offers less total and cross-type points, 51 and 15, but 7 more f/8 cross-type points. This comes in handy when using long lens and extenders to bring the action closer.

Low light performance is another crucial consideration in wildlife photography. Canon's EOS-5Ds comes with 1/3 increment adjustment from ISO 100 to 6400. Nikon's D810 offers better native ISO range, from 64 to 12,800, expandable to 32 - 51,200.  

The EOS-5Ds offers a more advanced metering system with a 150,000 pixel RGB/IR sensor while the D810 has a 91,000 pixel RGB system.

Battery life is another factor out in the field and the Nikon D810 has the edge here with a rated 1,200 shots in between charge while the Canon EOS-5Ds is rated at only 700 shots. The former comes with a built-in, pop up flash while the latter lacks one.

Both cameras are made of magnesium alloy, weather sealed and professional grade. The EOS-5Ds is slightly lighter at 29.8 oz and has a LCD screen with fewer pixels (1040K) while the D810 boasts a 1229K resolution LCD screen and weighs 31.1 oz.

The two cameras are pretty much evenly matched. The EOS-5Ds has the edge in AF, resolution and metering while the D810 wins in the high ISO and speed contest. Both cameras fall short compared to the Canon EOS-1D X and EOS-7D Mk II when it comes to wildlife photography. I will not be buying the EOS-5Ds but will wait for the EOS-5D Mk IV and the EOS-1D X Mk II later this year.

Friday, March 27, 2015

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II vs. Yongnuo Clone


DigitalRev compared the Chinese Yongnuo clone to the original Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens. While both lenses are made in China, the Canon model uses higher quality material and has superior design and quality control. There is more hilarity than surprise in this video clip but what's not mentioned frequently enough is, even if the clones work and may appear to be a 'good' value in the short run, they will turn out to be a bad choice in the long run, since their lack of reliability will inevitably come through with a little bit of time, perhaps right when you need the equipment to work properly.

I came back from a photo shoot in India earlier this month and my Indian friend commented to me some of the Canon models sold there are made in China and he was surprised to find the difference in the quality compared to the ones made in Japan. Moral of the story is, buy quality equipment, take care of them and they will do yoeman's work for you and retain its value when the time comes to sell them.  




Thursday, March 26, 2015

Canon USA Exhibits At 2015 NAB Show






MELVILLE, N.Y., March 26, 2015 – At the 2015 NAB Show in Las Vegas, NV, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, will showcase its full line of professional, high definition imaging equipment for motion picture, television production, video content creation, and still photography at booth C432. During the 2015 NAB Show, Canon will feature a live 4K Workflow Demonstration where visitors will have the opportunity to interact with industry-leading colorists and editors in a 4K HDR (High Dynamic Range) and DI (Digital Intermediate) suite. Visitors will also have the opportunity to demo the full range of Canon Cinema, HD Video and DSLR cameras, Cinema Lenses, including the Cine-Servo 50-1000mm T5.0-8.9 lens and Broadcast HDTV lenses, such as the new HJ24ex7.5B HD ENG lens, through various simulated shooting situations in three different shooting galleries. Canon will also feature a 4K frame-grab demonstration where professional photographers will utilize the Canon Cinema EOS-1D C camera to deliver still images from 4K video.

Live educational sessions will demonstrate the benefits of Canon’s Dual Pixel autofocus technology for various shooting scenarios. In addition, images taken with the new EOS 5DS 50.6 megapixel high resolution Digital SLR camera will be printed on site on the imagePROGRAF iPF8400 printer, and displayed as wall wraps to highlight the detailed and high quality images that can be taken with the new DSLR.

Throughout the 2015 NAB Show, Canon will host a series of unique stage presentations with renowned cinematographers, broadcast specialists, and filmmakers on the Canon Live Stage. These industry professionals will provide insight into the ever-changing field of optical and imaging technology and showcase their projects and works that were shot using Canon equipment, as well as share best practices and real-world applications for utilizing Canon technology.

Highlighting the Company’s strength and achievements in the realm of optical technologies, Canon will exhibit all 125 of its current EF, Cinema and BCTV lenses. This dedicated optics section of the booth will include technology displays to help educate visitors on the intricate systems that help make Canon lenses such powerful tools.

Show attendees are also welcome to view stunning clips of recent award-winning content shot on Canon Cinema EOS equipment in the Company’s 90-seat Theater.

Canon 4K Reference Displays will be featured throughout the booth, including a non-linear editing system demonstrating the display’s compatibility with various digital cinema camera solutions as well as ACES color grading capabilities.

Professional cinematographers in need of a fast, easy way to print images for scene continuity or to preserve highlights of a recently completed project will appreciate learning about the convenience and versatility of Canon’s high-quality imagePROGRAF and PIXMA Pro inkjet printers.

Canon’s Education Team will be hosting in-booth guest speaker seminars and workshops throughout the 2015 NAB Show. The aforementioned guest speakers have collaborated with Canon in the past to develop educational content, and will be conducting user-focused product and workflow demonstrations, as well as question and answer sessions with attendees.

For more information and updates regarding the Canon Live Learning speaker schedule please visit: http://usa.canon.com/cusa/professional/standard_display/nab2015

Canon’s Professional Services (CPS) will again be hosting the Canon Hospitality Suite. Located in Room C201, the Canon Hospitality Suite is open to all NAB tradeshow attendees with priority support for CPS Gold, Platinum, Cinema, and Enterprise members. After checking in at the CPS kiosk in the Canon Booth, visitors to the suite, located just off of the trade show floor, can experience Canon’s commitment to service and support for the professional imaging community.

Suite visitors will also be able to chat with Canon experts about Canon’s exciting developments in cinema, video and DSLR technology and Canon technical representatives will be on-hand to provide product consultations. Gold, Platinum, Cinema, and Enterprise CPS members can take advantage of the complimentary on-site Clean & Check Service (limited to two current* Canon DSLR bodies or lenses or one current* Cinema product or XF professional video camcorder registered to a member’s CPS account). Show attendees will also have the opportunity to sign up for Canon CPS membership. Product serial numbers for qualifying CPS equipment will be needed in order to process on-site membership applications. For restrictions and additional information, please visit www.cps.usa.canon.com.

The Canon Hospitality Suite hosted by CPS will be open April 13th from 10:00am to 6:00pm, April 14th through April 15th from 9:00am to 6:00pm and April 16th from 9:00am to 12:00pm.

Canon Tops For 12th Straight Year In ILC Market




TOKYO, March 26, 2015 - Canon Inc. announced today that the Company's interchangeable-lens digital cameras (digital SLR and compact-system cameras) have maintained the No.1 share worldwide in terms of volume within the interchangeable-lens digital camera market for the 12-year period spanning 2003 to 2014.1

Canon develops the key components, namely the CMOS image sensors, image processors and interchangeable lenses, employed in its interchangeable-lens cameras. The most advanced of these technologies are incorporated across the Company's entire product lineup, spanning from professional-use flagship cameras to entry-level models, enabling the Company to maintain the top global share by offering a robust product lineup that effectively responds to the needs of a wide range of users.

In 2003, the dawn of digital SLR cameras, Canon introduced its breakthrough EOS Kiss Digital (EOS Digital Rebel or EOS 300D Digital in other regions). This groundbreaking camera, which featured a compact, lightweight design and was offered at a competitive price, set the stage for growth in the digital SLR market and enabled the Company to capture the top share of the global market. Since that time, Canon has continued to launch epoch-making new products, including the EOS-1D series of digital SLR cameras targeting professional users, and the EOS 5D series, which paved the way for digital SLR video recording thanks to its full-frame sensor employing a video-capture function.

In October 2014, targeting advanced-amateur users, Canon launched the EOS 7D Mark II, which has garnered high acclaim from the market for its fast continuous shooting speed of 10 frames per second and superior autofocus performance. It is thanks to Canon's impressive camera lineup, including the EOS 7D Mark II, that the Company has maintained the No. 1 share in the market for 12 years running. Furthermore, in April 2014, Canon celebrated an impressive lens-manufacturing milestone with the production of its 100 millionth EF-series interchangeable lens for EOS cameras. The Company's extensive EF lens-series lineup, which currently comprises a total of 97 models,2 is one of Canon's biggest strengths, helping the EOS series to realize a wide spectrum of imaging possibilities and rich visual expression.

Aiming to further strengthen its wide product lineup, Canon introduced five new camera models in February of this year. The new lineup comprises the EOS 5DS and 5DS R, which achieve the world's highest pixel count among 35 mm full-frame sensor digital SLR cameras,3 the EOS 8000D (EOS Rebel T6s or 760D) and EOS Kiss X8i (EOS Rebel T6i or 750D in other regions) entry-level digital SLR cameras, and the EOS M3 digital compact-system camera, which achieves greatly enhanced AF performance.

Canon China Showed Off New 4K Camera



Canon China President, Mr. Hideki Ozawa, demonstrated a 4K camera on stage with actor Jackie Chan in China recently. The camera appears to resemble a DSLR model with a 10x optical 8.9-89mm f/2.8-5.6 zoom capability. It comes with an EVF, rear LCD screen and apparently has a 1 inch CMOS sensor plus built-in WiFi. This camera could also be Canon's first attempt to enter the nascent drone market with removable parts for mounting. We will know more about this 4K consumer camera to be announced at the NAB 2015 Show in Las Vegas soon.


Hideki Ozawa of Canon demonstrating new 4K camera in China

Hideki Ozawa with Jackie Chan demonstrating new 4K Canon camera




Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Canon Exploring EOS-1D MegaPixel Camera




Ever since the EOS-1Ds Mk III was discontinued a few years ago, many professional photographers, including yours truly longed for a 'megapixel' replacement to this venerable model. Instead Canon has been putting its higher pixel sensor development into the EOS-5D line, culminating in the latest announcement of the EOS-5Ds and EOS-5Ds R 50MP full frame bodies.

The new cameras will not be available till the end of June but speculation has once again turned to whether Canon will bring back the EOS-1Ds model with the latest generation megapixel sensors. I suppose it depends on whether there is a huge demand for the new EOS-5D models to justify the investment but personally I find the ergonomics of the EOS-1D body superior to any camera model out there. Anything over the mid 20MP for a full frame sensor is an 'overkill' for wildlife photography as far as I am concerned. I would rather have higher frame rates, superior AF and high ISO capabilities in the EOS-1D X Mk II coming later this year. 

Mirrorless Cameras Becoming Mainstream Like DSLR?



Canon announced the EOS-M3 mirrorless camera on February 6. This is their third attempt to make this line of mirrorless camera popular outside Asia. Although the EOS-M is selling well in Asia, it never caught on with the photography crowd in Europe and North America. Like the EOS-M2, the camera is not scheduled to be exported to North America but one can easily buy it through Amazon in the United Kingdom and Germany or DigitalRev in Hong Kong. Click here to see sample images taken in Japan with the pre-production camera. The Canon EOS-M3 will be available in Japan on March 26.

Saturday, March 21, 2015

Canon Grand Presentation 2015 In Osaka




The Canon Grand Presentation 2015 show is taking place in Osaka, Japan right now. The recently announced EOS-5Ds, EOS-5Ds R and EOS-M3 cameras are featured along with other Rebel DSLR models.

Canon Cinema C300 Mk II Coming To NAB 2015




Canon Cinema EOS-C300 camera and PL mount lenses




The NAB 2015 Show takes place in Las Vegas, April 2015. Canon is planning an aggressive announcement schedule. Leading the charge will be the Cinema EOS-C300 Mk II camera. It will be quite an improvement over the Mk I with a higher list price to match and should easily surpass the Sony FS7 model. In the last couple of years, Canon has invested a lot in their cinema line of cameras and lens, including opening up dedicated service centers specifically catered to the film making and video industries.

The Cinema EOS C500 Mk II camera is not ready yet and may get a product development announcement or mention at the show. Both cameras are expected to have 4K capability. In addition, Canon may announce a consumer grade 4K video camera to give Sony and Panasonic a run for their money with their respective AX100 and GH4 models. Keep checking back for the latest NAB 2015 news and development.

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Canon EOS-5Ds and EOS-5Ds R Available For Pre-order March 23


Canon officially announced the EOS-5Ds and EOS-5Ds R cameras on February 6. Click on the links below to see sample photos and videos from the two DSLRs. Camera is available for pre-order on March 23 from most dealers. Click here to see first hands-on video preview of the camera in Hong Kong.


Canon EOS-5Ds and EOS-5Ds R full frame 50MP cameras








Detailed specifications and technical information here

EOS-5Ds sample photos and videos

EOS-5Ds R sample photos and videos

Canon EOS-M3 Camera Available In Japan March 26


Canon EOS-M3 mirrorless camera with EF 11-24mm f/4L super wide angle lens

* * *  How good is the EOS-M3 camera? Find out   * * *

The Canon EOS-M3 will be available in Japan on March 26. The camera comes in 4 configurations.

  • EOS-M3 body only – around ¥56,800
  • EF-M 18-55mm IS STM Lens Kit – around ¥71,800
  • Double Lens Kit (with EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM / EF-M 22mm f/2 STM lenses) – around ¥85,800
  • Double Zoom Kit (EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM / EF-M 55-200mm f/4.5-6.5 IS STM lenses) – around ¥96,800

As of now, the EOS-M3 will be available in Europe only with the EF-M 18-55mm IS STM lens. There is no plan to export the camera to North America at this time but one can easily buy it from Asia or Europe by going through Amazon and other online shopping websites. You can see sample images and get a detailed description of the camera from Canon Professional Network Europe.

Canon announced the EOS-M3 mirrorless camera on February 6. This is their third attempt to make this line of camera popular outside Asia. Although the EOS-M is selling well in Asia, it never caught on with the photography crowd in Europe and North America. Like the EOS-M2, the camera is not scheduled to be exported to North America but one can easily buy it through Amazon in the United Kingdom and Germany or DigitalRev in Hong Kong. Click here and here to see sample images taken in Japan with the pre-production camera.





















United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, 6 February 2015 – Canon today reveals the EOS M3 – a powerful Compact System Camera created for enthusiast photographers who demand premium performance. Fusing Canon’s unrivalled image quality and DSLR-levels of control in a compact body, the EOS M3 offers the ability to capture the world around you in exceptional detail. At the heart of the EOS M3 is Canon’s first 24.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor and its most advanced image processor, DIGIC 6, delivering premium quality stills and Full HD Movies. Combined with super-fast AF performance, thanks to a new Hybrid CMOS AF III and 49-point AF System, this camera gives you the freedom to capture the beauty of movement. As an advanced photographer you’ll find everything you need at your fingertips, with intuitive DSLR-like dials and control, as well as the flexibility to change your lens, all shrunk down into a compact, ergonomic body to take with you wherever you go.

Beauty and power in the palm of your hand

From city skylines and enchanting landscapes, to urban art and eye-catching portraits, the EOS M3 delivers clarity, rich colour and distinctive detail, with every image, using the 24.2 MP sensor. As light starts to fade and dusk descends, the EOS M3 excels, with the sensor’s vast 100-12,800 ISO range providing vivid, realistic and low-noise shots in even the most challenging of light situations.

Constructed for speed, whether you’re shooting an elusive animal on safari, or street performers on a city break, the subject of your shot will be in focus, with the EOS M3’s 49-point AF system and innovative new Hybrid CMOS AF III technology delivering lightning fast performance; focusing up to 6.1x faster than the original EOS M.

Putting you in control – iconic EOS design and controls

The EOS M3 incorporates the quintessential EOS design DNA and is instantly comfortable in the palm of your hand thanks to the fluid design grip. Direct access to a range of controls, including an exposure compensation dial, main control dial and customisable buttons, let you adjust the camera’s settings to suit your shooting style.

For complete framing versatility, the large 7.5cm (3.0”) LCD touchscreen tilts up 180 degrees and down 45 degrees, to help you shoot from all angles, while also making multi-touch gestures a finger tap away. The screen also gives you access to Canon’s intuitive touch menu system found on EOS DSLRs.

The EOS M3 is a camera to make your own, with customisable controls, a hot shoe for Canon’s Speedlite flashes and optional tilt-type electronic viewfinder. Compatibility with EF-M lenses, including a choice of pancake and zoom lenses, means you can shoot any situation. Plus, with Creative Assist, the EOS M3 can be controlled from the touch screen interface, and the effects previewed in real time as you shoot. Settings such as brightness, background blur, vividness of colour, contrast, warmth and filter effects can be altered, and combinations can be saved to be called upon again when you need them, helping you shoot like a pro every time.

Movies worth remembering

Budding movie makers can shoot precious moments in Full HD quality, with a choice of 24p, 25p and 30p frame rates, and MP4, for easy sharing. You can be sure that your favourite people and places will always be in focus, with advanced Hybrid CMOS AF III providing continuous AF. For more experienced shooters, Touch AF gives you the flexibility to select AF points on the LCD even with moving subjects, and create professional-looking pull focus effects. For full control, Manual Movie puts you in the director’s seat, with complete aperture, shutter and ISO control, for stunningly creative results.

Power to control and share

With the power to capture beautiful stills, comes the flexibility to remotely control the camera and transfer images, using integrated Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity. Ideal for shooting in unusual situations and positions for unique perspectives, remote shooting via the new Camera Connect app lets you control the camera’s key functions. Dynamic NFC enables single touch image transfers to smart devices while the auto-sync functionality means you can upload all your images to Canon’s cloud storage service, irista, for instant back-up and peace of mind.

EOS M3 camera key benefits :

  •     Performance and creativity, in an EOS you can take everywhere
  •     Be spontaneous. Enjoy fast, responsive focusing
  •     Take control of your photography and watch your creativity grow
  •     Be as imaginative with movies as you are with photos
  •     Remote camera control and image sharing via Wi-Fi

    Pricing and availability

    • The EOS M3 will be available from April 2015 with a RSP of £599.99 / €769.99.

    Canon Australia and NatGeo Present Tales By Light




    Sydney, Australia – March 18, 2015 – Canon Australia and National Geographic Channel have announced their partnership to deliver Australian viewers a new television series that gives rare insight into the eyes of some of Australia’s, and the world’s best photographic storytellers. Titled Tales by Light, the series will air in six episodes premiering from 8.30pm AEST Sunday May 24 on National Geographic Channel.

    Tales By Light is the first television series produced by Canon Australia and is a natural progression for the photographic brand, explains Canon’s Director of Consumer Imaging and Executive Producer for the Series, Jason McLean :

    “We see our role in imaging as enabling people to tell their stories, and what better than inspiring a large and passionate audience through the eyes of some of the best storytellers in the world. The partnership with National Geographic Channel is a perfect fit for us given their dedication to telling powerful stories through captivating imagery.”

    Produced by emerging cinematographer and Canon Master, Abraham Joffe, Tales by Light showcases five of Australia’s, and the world’s, best photographers pushing the limits of their craft in some of the world’s most extreme and fascinating environments.

    Each a master of their respective field, the photographers give rare insight into their endless journeys as visual storytellers – their challenges, motivations, and moments of joy in capturing an elusive moment by light. Shot in 4K resolution, the series is a stunning visual spectacle to immerse and inspire viewers through new ways of viewing the world around them.

    “There is growing opportunity in strong, aligned brands partnering to amplify each other’s efforts and be innovative in media, especially,” says National Geographic Channel’s Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand Jacqui Feeney.

    “Tales By Light is cool entertainment filmed in stunning 4K that appeals to our Nat Geo viewers. Both Canon and National Geographic Channel have shared values around the power of great imagery and technology being underpinned by great storytelling and reaching audiences in new and engaging ways. TV remains a powerful medium and storytelling is in our DNA so we were delighted to work with Canon on this new TV series.”

    The Photographers

    Art Wolfe has photographed for the world’s top magazines such as National Geographic, Smithsonian and GEO. Photographing creatures of the planet has been a major portion of Art’s life’s work spanning the past five decades. In the words of Sir David Attenborough: “Art Wolfe’s photographs are a superb evocation of some of the most breathtaking spectacles in the world.”

    Darren Jew is one of the world’s leading marine photographers. He has forged an impressive career having shot for the likes of Tourism Australia, WWF (World Wildlife Fund) and the CSIRO. His knowledge of the ocean and its creatures coupled with his adventurous spirit, makes a brilliant subject to document.

    Richard I’Anson is an acclaimed travel photographer, founder of Lonely Planet Images and the author of Lonely Planet’s Guide to Travel Photography. His work can be seen all over the world with hundreds of book titles featuring his photography. As a travel photographer, Richard lives and breathes his profession and has photographed in nearly 100 countries across all 7 continents.

    Peter Eastway is an AIPP Grand Master of Photography best known for his exquisite landscape work. After learning his craft in the darkroom, he has embraced digital post-production to take a leading role in creating a new tradition of landscape photography. Peter's work continues to be published and exhibited internationally, including Qantas The Australian Way magazine.

    Krystle Wright is a pioneering extreme sports photographer, driven by a passion to capture unique perspectives and increase the visibility of the most extreme sports and athletes. On a continual quest to challenge herself and others mentally and physically, Krystle achieves remarkable images that give insight into the demanding and beautiful world of adventure photography that few people get to see.

    Canon 4K Cinema EOS Cameras and Ultra Wide Lens Coming To NAB 2015


    Canon Cinema EOS C500 camera

    Canon Cinema EOS lens lineup

    The NAB 2015 Show is just round the corner, taking place in Las Vegas, April 2015. Canon is planning an aggressive announcement schedule. In the last couple of years, they have invested a lot in their cinema line of cameras and lens, including opening up dedicated service center specifically catered to the film making and video industries.

    The Cinema EOS C300 Mk II and EOS C500 Mk II cameras may be announced before the show together with some accessories to help with stabilizing the camera during shoots. Both cameras are expected to have 4K capability. In addition, Canon may announce a consumer grade 4K video camera to give Sony and Panasonic a run for their money with their respective AX100 and GH4 models. Keep checking back for the latest NAB 2015 news and development.

    Sunday, March 15, 2015

    Canon EOS-5D Mk IV & EOS-1D X Mk II Coming Late 2015?




    I am back from my wildlife photo shoot in India. It was exhausting but a rather exhilarating trip and you can see the latest images on MichaelDanielHo.com. Catching up with a bit of the latest photography news. Canon announced the EOS-5Ds and EOS-5Ds R 50MP full frame megapixel cameras on February 5, 2015. They are scheduled to begin shipping at the end of June. Now attention is turned to the EOS-5D Mk IV and its upcoming announcement date.

    Personally, I hope Canon will release the EOS-1D X Mk II camera first before bringing out the EOS-5D Mk IV. The 5D line has been strengthened by the recently launched megapixel DSLRs so the Mk IV's announcement date will depend on the sales performance of the new cameras and Nikon's answer to the 5Ds challenge.

    In addition, Nikon is expected to announce their top-of-the-line D5 camera during the second half of 2015. Canon may be bold enough to upstage Nikon by announcing the EOS-1D X Mk II first but they usually wait till the competition shows their hand before reacting.

    As reported earlier, the EOS-5D Mk IV is rumored to have 4K video. It may come with a new sensor in the high 20 to low 30MP, an increased burst rate to perhaps 8 to 9 fps plus other significant improvements first featured in the EOS-7D Mk II. My real interest is the EOS-1D X Mk II. The current 1D X is a great camera but the 18MP sensor does not leave a lot resolution for cropping since it is a full frame camera. I am not a big user of extenders. The EOS-7D Mk II cropped frame body is good but its sensor is no match for the 1D X. I'd prefer the EOS-1D X Mk II to have a new sensor in the low to mid 20MP, burst rate of 12 fps, new AF system and Dual DIGIC 6+ processors. Nothing has been decided by Canon but that is my wish list. Keep checking back for the latest news and development.     

    Thursday, March 12, 2015

    Adobe Lightroom 6 Coming Last Week Of April?








    Adobe Lightroom 6 may be available the last week of April, 2015 for a list price of $149.99. The following is the Product Overview.

    Master your digital photography workflow : Ranking, optimization and sharing – Lightroom together in one fast, intuitive application all tools dedicated to digital photography.

    Bring out the best of each photo : Test your ideas freely with non-destructive tools – your original pictures remain intact. Lightroom lets you optimize every pixel of your photos, they were taken with a professional digital SLR camera or mobile phone.

    Key features of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 6 :

    Environment nondestructive : Unleash your creativity in a nondestructive editing environment that allows you to test your ideas freely. The originals remain intact and you can easily cancel your edits or save multiple versions of a cliché.

    Advanced conversion feature black and white : Monitor closely the tonal qualities so essential to the black and white photos. Combine precisely the information of eight color layers in the grayscale conversion.

    Development predefined settings : Save time by instantly applying the desired effect to your images. Just save develop settings as a preset and apply them to other photos in a click. If Lightroom includes dozens of presets, thousands more are offered by third parties.

    Face Recognition : Quickly find pictures of loved ones, even without metadata tags. You select a face on the photo, Lightroom and search the person it belongs to all of your other shots. Sort and group your photos by faces.

    Sophisticated Healing Brush : Get best pictures with one touch. Set the brush size and move it according to specific plots. Unwanted items and other imperfections, including irregular shapes son type, magically disappear.

    Upright (Vertically) : Straighten skewed images with a single click. The Upright tool (Vertically) analyzes the image and detects horizontal or vertical lines inclined. It can even recover images without horizon.

    Merge to HDR : Create realistic or surreal images from high-contrast scenes. By merging HDR, you can easily combine photos with different exposures into a single HDR image.

    Fusion panoramas : Import and refine your photos in record time. Lightroom leverages compatible graphics process to get you better performance, especially when you edit your images in the Develop module.

    Sophisticated video slideshows : Create stunning slideshows combining still images, movies and music, and supplement them with pan and zoom effects, for example.

    Optimized web galleries : Present your work in the most elegant web galleries, more attractive and interactive. The new models of HTML5 compatible galleries are supported by many browsers and mobile devices work stations.

    Integration of online sharing : Easily publish images on social networks and sites for such as Facebook and Flickr. On some sites, you can even view the online comments on your images directly from Lightroom Library.

    Creating photo books : Create beautiful photo books. Lightroom includes a large number of user-friendly catalog templates that you can now customize. Load them then printing a few clicks.

    Canon EOS-5Ds and EOS-5Ds R Available on June 29


    Canon EOS-5Ds and EOS-5Ds R camera road show in Hong Kong in March


    Canon EOS-5Ds and EOS-5Ds R 50MP DSLR full frame cameras

    The Canon EOS-5Ds and EOS-5Ds R announced on February 5, 2015 will be available at most camera stores at the end of June.


    * * *  First hands-on preview of the EOS-5Ds and EOS-5Ds R  * * *

    * * * Detailed specifications and technical information here * * *

    * * *  Canon EOS-5Ds and EOS-5Ds R sample images and videos  * * *



    MELVILLE, N.Y., February 5, 2015 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, is proud to introduce the Canon EOS 5DSi and Canon EOS 5DS Ri Digital SLR cameras featuring the world’s highest resolution* among 35mm format DSLRs. Providing photographers with uncompromising image quality, these new EOS models incorporate a newly designed Canon 50.6 megapixel full-frame CMOS image sensor and Dual DIGIC 6 Image Processors for superb image quality and processing speed. Perfect for commercial, studio, portrait, landscape and architectural photography, or anyone looking for an affordable alternative to medium format, the ultra-high resolution of these new models allow for large-format printing and extensive cropping capability while maintaining fantastic image quality.

    Maximizing the potential of the new 50.6 megapixel sensor – for the first time in an EOS camera the low-pass filter effect in the EOS 5DS R model is cancelled. The cancellation of the low-pass filter helps deliver sharp images, squeezing the most out of every pixel. Both models provide attractive options for medium format shooters especially when coupled with a wide array of over 70 creative Canon EF lenses to choose from.

    “Canon is always looking to deliver the absolute best in image quality and push our technology to the limits. These cameras deliver on that pledge, providing photographers with two new incredible tools that will enable them to make the most out of every shoot,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, president and COO, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “As photography becomes more specialized and more images are captured than ever before, the burden is on the photography equipment to keep up with the demands of today’s artistic talents. These new camera models will provide many photographers with new options to deliver their vision to clients, fans, and the world.”

    Built to Maximize Sharpness

    In addition to the 50.6 megapixel full-frame image sensor and Dual DIGIC 6 Image Processors, both cameras include a 61-Point High Density Reticular AF array including up to 41 cross-type AF points and EOS iTR AF for high precision autofocus. They also include the EOS Scene Detection system featuring a 150,000-pixel RGB+IR 252-zone metering sensor that provides enhanced precision and performance.

    In support of such a high-resolution imaging sensor, the EOS 5DS and EOS 5DS R cameras were designed to minimize camera shake and significantly improve stability via a reinforced chassis, baseplate and tripod lug to improve rigidity. Canon also re-designed the mirror vibration control system to help reduce mirror bounce and camera shake. To help maximize stability and minimize vibrations, Canon added a new Arbitrary Release Time Lag Setting in Mirror Lock mode in both models. In addition to the standard setting (press the shutter button once to lock the mirror, then again to release the shutter), the EOS 5DS and EOS 5DS R cameras offer new setting intervals of 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, one and two seconds, releasing the shutter after the selected preset delay, allowing potential camera vibration to dissipate before shutter release.

    A new Picture Style called “Fine Detail” has been added to enhance the sharpness of JPEGs and EOS Movies with three new settings: Strength, Fineness and Threshold. With such abundant resolution on each sensor, both models also provide two cropped shooting modes, while still delivering high-resolution images 30.5 megapixels for the 1.3x mode and 19.6 megapixels for the 1.6x mode. The available crop options are visible as a mask or an outline in the viewfinder; so shooters can know exactly where to frame their subject.

    Capturing the Action

    Like the EOS 7D Mark II, the EOS 5DS and EOS 5DS R cameras feature an advanced AE system that can detect and compensate for flickering light sources such as sodium vapor lamps that are often used in gymnasiums and natatoriums. When enabled, this anti-flicker system automatically adjusts shutter release timing to help reduce disparities in exposure and color especially during continuous shooting. And new Auto White Balance settings include Ambience Priority and White Priority (for use when shooting under tungsten lighting).

    Photographers and cinematographers will appreciate improved custom controls including a built-in intervalometer and bulb timer to enable the capture of time-lapse images and long-exposure images. These features are ideal for recording fireworks, star trails, sunrises and more.

    Both models feature Intelligent Viewfinder II providing approximately 100 percent field of view, while adding the ability to display cropped shooting frames and superimpose a customizable selection of camera settings and data such as dual-mode electronic level display and grid, as well as exposure, white balance, metering, drive, image quality and AF modes. A new Customizable Quick Control Screen, another first for EOS cameras, allows photographers to quickly change frequently used camera settings and functions.

    The EOS 5DS and EOS 5DS R cameras continue the EOS Movie tradition with the ability to shoot in 1080p Full HD up to 30p or 720p HD video up to 60p. A creative Time Lapse Movie function, a first for EOS cameras, takes a continuous series of still photographs and automatically combines them in camera into a Full HD movie file. Interval adjustments can be set from one second to 99 hours, 59 minutes and 59 seconds. The number of shots possible range from 2 to 3,600 with a maximum of two minutes and 30 seconds of playback time. In addition, high-speed continuous shooting up to five-frames-per-second (fps) at full 50 megapixel resolution allows users to capture fast action.

    The EOS 5DS and EOS 5DS R cameras feature dual card slots for CF and SD memory cards, including Ultra High Speed (UHS-1) SD cards. Built to last, the cameras also feature a shutter durability rating up to 150,000 cycles, the same as the EOS 5D Mark III.

    Availability

    The EOS 5DS and EOS 5DS R Digital SLR cameras are scheduled to be available through authorized Canon dealers in June 2015 for estimated retail prices of $3,699.00 and $3,899.00 for the body only, respectively.

    Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L II USM Lens Coming


    Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L lens

    It is no secret in the last couple of years, the Sigma ART line of lens have given Canon quite a competition with photographers looking for a high quality lens without shelling out for the price of an 'L' lens.

    Canon has been redesigning its entire line of shorter focal length prime lens. Starting with the EF 85mm f/1.2L II and the EF 50mm f/1.4 and f/1.2L II lens. The new design will include a floating element similar to the upcoming EF 85mm f/1.2L III with improved focus shift. The new lens will be lighter, faster and comes with the latest coatings and glass technology.

    The announcement date is fluid at this time since Canon may be introducing the EF 35mm f/1.4L II first. The 50mm replacement glass may come in late 2015 or 2016.

    Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens Coming Soon




    Canon has been enjoying very good press with their STM line of lens and they are planning to introduced the new EF 50mm f/1.8 STM lens in perhaps, April, 2015. It should be another winner especially when paired with the latest DSLR equipped with the Dual Pixel CMOS technology, like the EOS-70D and EOS-7D Mk II cameras.

    Monday, March 2, 2015

    Wildlife Photography in India - Day 11


    Looking for Tigers and Rhinos in Kaziranga National Park

    Smiling Asian Rhino in tall grass

    Big Tusker - Male Asian Elephant

    Asian Rhino in their prime habitat - tall grass

    A quick update on my photo shoot in India. The weather in eastern India is surprising mild and nice. I was closer to the countries of Bhutan and Burma than to New Delhi. Visited Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO site to photograph Indian Rhinos, Elephants and Tigers plus the diverse wildlife there. Came across many different species of birds endemic to the Indian sub continent.

    For those who are familiar with traveling in Indian national parks, the terrain is rough and bumpy and extremely dusty. It is very hard on the equipment but the Canon EOS-7D Mk II, EF 100-400mm Series II and EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II lens worked quite well. The only fly in the ointment is the EOS-7D Mk II camera sometimes does not AF properly when I add the 1.4x Series III extender.

    After three outings a day for a week, I am usually exhausted and have little time or energy to look at the photos. On my way to another part of India to look for Bengal tigers. Will post more updates when possible. In the mean time, follow me on Facebook and Twitter and visit my website MichaelDanielHo.com to see more photos from my other photo shoots around the globe.