Michael Daniel Ho - The Wildlife Ho-tographer: January 2017

Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Canon EOS-1D X Mark II Camera AF Setting Guidebook

Canon EOS-1D X Mark II full frame DSLR camera

I came back last week from a rather successful East Africa Wildlife Photo Tour. This was my first photo safari of 2017 and this will be another busy season for me. The equipment I brought with me worked well. I used the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II, EOS-5Ds cameras, EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II, EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II and EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II lens.

You can follow my travels on Facebook and Twitter. See my equipment bag and works on MichaelDanielHo.com

The EOS-1D X Mark II camera was announced in February 2016. My readers know I have picked the EOS-1D X as the best full frame camera for sports and wildlife photography four years in a row. I have owned the Mark II model for about a year now and have taken it on photo shoots from the high Arctic to Southern Africa and many places in between.

The new camera has won many great reviews, including yours truly and now Canon Digital Learning Center has produced a downloadable AF settings Guidebook :

This downloadable .PDF guidebook from Canon’s engineers will clarify many of the details about the incredible AF system in the EOS-1D X Mark II camera. Information about the effect of different AF Cases, and various other menu settings, is spelled-out to help you make the most effective use of this camera and its powerful AF capabilities.

Keep in mind — the vast majority of these apply to the 61-point AF system in Canon’s EOS 5D Mark IV camera (which uses the exact same AF sensor), so most of this will be useful information to owners of the Mark IV camera as well. We’re confident having access to this file, on your computer or in a mobile device, will answer many of the questions which may arise as you use either of these cameras.

in addition to a handy downloadable AF Setting Guidebook for smartphone and tablets :

The 148-page guidebook explains in detail the technical elements of the AF system and highlights other key functionalities that photographers need to know and understand in order to get the very best from Canon’s pro-series flagship, such as Movie Servo AF, using Auto ISO and much more.

In the guidebook are detailed overviews and explanations of the new AF algorithm and AI Servo AF III+ along with a list of the AF Configuration Tool and Presets, with comprehensive explanations on how each Case Setting works and when to choose them.

The guidebook is divided into six parts, consisting of two chapters on the AF Configuration Tool (Presets and Parameters), as well as chapters on AF area selection modes, 61-point reticular AF cross-type points, release property settings and anti-flicker shooting plus utilising the AF and Movie Servo AF and other useful functions.

EOS-1D X Mark II AF Setting Guidebook : Computer, Smartphone & Tablet versions

It’s a fascinating read for anyone wanting to get under the skin of their EOS-1D X Mark II and will appeal to professionals who want a handy guide which can be stored on phone or tablet. Included in the book is a lens guide which lists every major EF lens and the number and placement of cross-type points that can be used with them.

There are many useful shortcuts explained in the guide, such as using the M-Fn button to assign shooting functions and various other customisable options. As you read through the guide, it becomes very clear that this camera can be set up precisely as you need it.

To download the new Canon EOS-1D X Mark II AF Setting Guidebook for your computer and laptop, click here or for your smartphones and tablets just click here.

Monday, January 30, 2017

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II and EF 50mm f/1.4 II Lens Coming

Two of Canon's most popular and venerable lenses are in for an upgrade. The EF 50mm f/1.4 and EF 70-200mm f/4L IS glass were announced back in 1993 and 2006 respectively.

The new lens will feature the latest coatings, fluorite elements and technologies but the 50mm will not have IS. I expect the announcement dates to be very late 2017 or early 2018. Canon has its hands full this year with new product announcements. See what new camera gear to expect from them this year. Keep checking back for the latest info on the expected replacements.

Saturday, January 28, 2017

Adobe Photoshop CS6 and Other Software Available Only In Creative Cloud

From Adobe :

Looking for Creative Suite 6? The latest versions of all your favorite apps like Photoshop and Illustrator are only available with a Creative Cloud membership. You’ll also get hundreds of step-by-step tutorials, built-in design templates, your own portfolio website, and more.

As of January 9, 2017 Creative Suite is no longer available for purchase.

Friday, January 27, 2017

Canon Projects 10% Rise In Operating Profits in 2017

Nikkei Asian Review reports Canon Inc. is projecting a 10% rise in profits for the year 2017 after a two year earnings drop. It is no surprise to any observer of photographic equipment manufacturers that the industry is facing less than stellar times.

Recent data from CIPA points to continuing decline in camera sales and large format manufacturers like Phase One and Hasselblad are in particular trouble. The latter may be in the process of being acquired by DJI.

The following is an excerpt from Nikkei Asian Review :

TOKYO -- Canon's group operating profit is seen topping 250 billion yen ($2.17 billion) for the fiscal year ending December 2017, roughly 10% over the expected figure for 2016, with two years of decline reversing on strong earnings from recent acquisitions.

Sales for the Japanese electronics company are seen growing nearly 20% to 4 trillion yen -- a height last seen in fiscal 2008. Toshiba Medical Systems, acquired late last year, will likely contribute some 400 billion yen in income. Canon uses American accounting standards.

As the market for such mainstays as cameras and printers matures, recent acquisitions should support the upswing in operating profit. New businesses will likely contribute a quarter of the group's total sales, up about 10 percentage points on the year.

Canon bought Dutch commercial printing powerhouse Oce in 2010 and Swedish surveillance camera maker Axis Communications in 2015. Both will likely see demand grow from Western corporations. Another Canon arm produces metal deposition equipment -- crucial for producing OLED screens -- for which demand is growing rapidly.

The company is investing actively in China and sees improvement for its production equipment for semiconductors and liquid crystal panels. Earnings from such mainstay products as cameras and printers will likely bottom out.

Canon is assuming an exchange rate of roughly 110 yen to the dollar for the fiscal year -- weaker than last year's 108 but seen as stronger than the actual figure. Further depreciation by the Japanese currency would make profit grow even more. The company also intends to continue promoting sales and cutting costs on such high-margin offerings as mirrorless cameras.

Fiscal 2016 earnings are due out Tuesday. Operating profit likely fell 35% on the year to 230 billion yen, slightly under Canon's projection of 235 billion yen.

Canon Demonstrates imagePROGRAF Printers' Quality With Sample Photos

Canon imagePROGRAF Pro 1000 printer

MELVILLE, N.Y., January 26, 2017 – Demonstrating the quality of its large-format output, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, has announced that customers will have the opportunity to receive fine art and photo media samples printed on imagePROGRAF PRO Series large-format printers with images taken by Canon’s Explorers of Light. With an opportunity to view finished output firsthand, those interested will be able to see with their own eyes the gallery quality of images printed on the PRO Series using its 11-color plus Chroma Optimizer ink system on six different media types.

By visiting www.usa.canon.com/imagePROGRAFprintsample, those interested can request samples printed on the imagePROGRAF PRO-1000, imagePROGRAF PRO-2000 and imagePROGRAF PRO-4000 devices using the following Canon media types*: Photo Paper Pro Premium Matte, Premium Fine Art Bright White, Premium Fine Art Smooth, Premium Polished Rag, Photo Paper Pro Premium Platinum and Photo Paper Pro Luster. In addition to displaying the quality of Canon’s large-format output, this program is designed to help consumers make a more educated decision when shopping for printers and media types.

Canon’s Explorers of Light program is comprised of influential photographers and cinematographers from across the globe, each who focuses on their own creative specialty. Appearing at seminars, gallery showings and special events throughout the United States, the Explorers of Light share their photography and technical expertise with audiences of photo professionals, hobbyists, and enthusiasts. Customers who request samples will receive photographs shot using Canon EOS DSLR cameras from the following Explorers of Light: Michele Celentano, Darrell Gulin, Adam Jones, George Lepp, Ken Sklute and Jennifer Wu.

For more information on Canon’s large format devices and solutions, as well as media types, please visit www.usa.canon.com.

Thursday, January 26, 2017

How Does Canon's Image Stabilization Technology Work?

Young African lion with a zebra kill on the East African plains

I am back after a rather successful East Africa Wildlife Photo Tour. It will take me a little time to get back into my daily routine and update my readers on the latest Canon rumors, and photography news in general.

This was my first photo safari of 2017 and this will be another busy season for me. The equipment I brought with me worked well. I used the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II, EOS-5Ds cameras, EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II, EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II and EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II lens.

You can follow my travels on Facebook and Twitter. See my equipment bag and works on MichaelDanielHo.com

One of the biggest challenges in wildlife photography is camera shake, especially when one is in a bouncy jeep, zodiac or small boat, trying to take pictures of animals. In recent years, one of the most useful advancement in digital photography is Image Stabilization (IS). Some manufacturers put that in the camera body but Canon has chosen to put it in their EF lens.

Actually this is a misnomer in terminology. There is no way to stabilize an image, say a hummingbird bird in flight or a breaching whale. The animal is going to do whatever it wants to do. The only thing technology can offer the wildlife photographer is to help stabilize the camera and lens. It is more accurately to describe the technology as Camera Stabilization (CS).

Below is an excerpt from Canon describing how their IS technology works. It makes interesting reading since almost all Canon photographers these days have at least one lens with built in IS :

Camera shake is the thief of sharpness. If you are hand-holding a camera and lens, they will move as you press the shutter release. Movement during exposure blurs the image. Much of the time, you will not notice the effects of camera shake. If you are shooting with a fast shutter speed or a wide-angle lens, the blurring may not be significant− but it will still be there, and might appear if you have a big enlargement made from the image.

The only way to overcome camera shake is to eliminate the movement of the camera and lens during the exposure. The obvious way to do this is by taking the camera out of your hands and fixing it to something that will not move, such as a photographic tripod. However a tripod is only effective if it is sturdy, which usually means heavy.

Fortunately, Canon offers another method of reducing, if not eliminating, the effects of camera shake. Image stabilised lenses, first seen in 1995, approach the problem laterally. Rather than trying to stop the movement of a hand-held camera, they seek to introduce an opposing movement within the lens. The aim is to keep the image static on the sensor or film, despite the movement of the camera.

How image stabilisation works

Image stabilisation was available for camcorders long before it was introduced in EF lenses. Both electronic and optical systems were available, but size or weight constraints meant that neither was suitable for EOS cameras. So Canon went back to the drawing board and took a fresh look at the problem.

Its solution is a group of elements inside the lens that moves perpendicular to the lens axis. The movement of this special lens group is controlled by an on-board microcomputer and counteracts the shaking of the camera.

The following sequence of events takes place when the camera shutter release button is partially depressed :

The special stabilisation lens group, which is locked in a central position when not active, is released.
Two gyro sensors start up and detect the speed and angle of any camera movement.
The sensor data is passed to a microcomputer in the lens that analyses it and prepares an instruction for the special stabilisation lens group.
This instruction is transmitted to the stabilisation lens group that moves at a speed and direction to counteract the camera movement.

This complete sequence is repeated continuously so that there is an instant reaction to any change in the amount or direction of the camera shake.

When the first EF lens with IS was introduced, it was the first time that a high speed 16-bit microcomputer had been incorporated in a lens. The computer simultaneously controls the Image Stabilizer, Ultrasonic Motor (for focusing the lens) and the electromagnetic diaphragm (for setting the lens aperture).

This is the IS unit that moves the floating lens element inside an image stabilised lens to keep the image steady on the surface of the sensor or film.

Image stabilisation is effective with movement from 0.5Hz to 20Hz (1Hz is one movement cycle per second). This will cope not only with situations from simple camera shake (0.5Hz to 3Hz), but also the engine vibrations encountered when shooting from a moving vehicle or helicopter (10Hz to 20Hz).

There is no reduction in the optical performance of the lens

Power for image stabilisation lenses comes from the camera battery, so there will be fewer exposures per battery charge when an image stabilisation lens is attached to the camera and switched on.
Camera shake is detected by two gyro sensors in the lens; one for yaw and one for pitch. The sensors detect both the angle and speed of the movement.

When the camera is static, the rays of light pass through the lens and form an image on the film or digital sensor.

When the camera moves, the rays of light from the subject are bent relative to the optical axis and the image shifts slightly on the film or digital sensor. You can see this effect in the camera viewfinder if you gently shake the camera while viewing a subject.

With an IS lens, the gyro sensors detect the camera movement and pass the data to a microcomputer in the lens. This instructs a special group of lens elements to move at right angles to the lens axis. The amount and direction of this movement is just enough to counteract the amount and direction of the camera shake. The result is that the paths of rays of light passing through the lens are adjusted so that the image remains stationary, relative to the film or digital sensor.

An enlarged section of the main image shows significant blurring from camera shake when image stabilisation is not used. The image taken with the Image Stabilizer switched on is much sharper.

Image Stabilizer modes

One problem with the first two EF lenses with IS produced is that the system regards panning as camera shake, and tries to overcome it. This causes the viewfinder image to jump about, making it difficult to see and frame the subject accurately.

On the later lenses, you have the option of two IS modes. Mode 1 is the same as before and is used when you are shooting static subjects.

Mode 2 can be set when following a moving subject with the camera (panning). The lens detects the sweeping movement and switches off the IS correction in that direction (horizontal or vertical). IS correction in the direction perpendicular to the panning movement continues as normal to help give a sharper image.

When panning the camera to follow a moving subject, use Mode 2, if available. This switches off the Image Stabilizer in the direction of camera movement to avoid confusing the image stabilisation system. Image stabilisation for movement at right angles to the direction of panning is not affected.

IS Mode 3

IS Mode 3 was announced with the EF-300mm f/2.8L IS II USM and EF-400mm f/2.8L IS II USM lenses, and is also in the EF-400mm f/4 DO IS II USM, EF-500mm f/4L IS II USM and EF-600mm f/4L IS II USM telephoto lenses. The EF-100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM and EF-200-400mm f/4L IS USM EXTENDER 1.4x telephoto zoom lenses also feature Mode 3. IS Mode 3 takes the benefits of standard IS (effective for both horizontal and vertical camera motion) but, instead of it being active all the time, it only activates when you fully press the shutter button to take an image. It is especially useful for sports photography where you are likely to be moving between subjects quickly.

In IS Mode 1 this can create a bump or jump within the viewfinder as the IS motor races to keep up with extensive lens movements. Instead, by not activating until the shutter button is fully pressed it saves the system trying to compensate for random, rapid lens motion and only compensates at the point you are taking an image.

Hybrid IS

Introduced with the EF-100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens, Hybrid IS takes the image stabilisation concept and applies to it to macro photography. When using longer lenses or for general purpose shooting, any camera shake appears to be rotational - i.e. an up and down or side-to-side movement around a point - that point being the camera. This is effectively corrected by the IS motors contained in the lenses. However, when you move in close for macro photography the camera shake motion appears to be less rotational and more shift based - as if the whole frame is shifting up and down or side-to-side parallel to the subject. This is what Shift IS, found in the Hybrid IS system of the EF-100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens, aims to correct.

How effective is image stabilisation?

The earliest IS lenses give a gain of about two shutter speed steps. This means, for example, if you shoot with a shutter speed of 1/60th of a second with IS, it will be the equivalent of 1/250th of a second if you shoot without the Image Stabilizer switched on. Or if you can obtain a sharp image without image stabilisation at a shutter speed of 1/60th of a second, you will produce results of similar sharpness at 1/15th of a second with image stabilisation, other factors staying the same.

One of these factors is focal length. Increasing focal length not only magnifies the subject − it also magnifies the effects of camera shake. A useful guide is that you should use a shutter speed at least equal to the reciprocal of the focal length when holding the camera and lens by hand. So if the focal length of the lens is 200mm, the shutter speed should be at least 1/200th of a second.

More recent IS lenses have improved their effectiveness, giving a three-step, four-step or a five-step gain (a five-step gain is found in the EF-200mm f/2L IS USM lens). A four-step gain means that shooting with a shutter speed of 1/15th of a second with image stabilisation gives the same image sharpness as shooting at 1/250th of a second without image stabilisation.

Recent lenses also have the IS system up and running within 0.5 second of partial pressure on the shutter button, rather than the 1 second delay with earlier lenses.

Keep in mind that image stabilisation only reduces the effect of camera shake − it has no effect on subject movement.

Camera compatibility

IS lenses work with all EOS cameras, regardless of when they were introduced. The IS system − gyros, microcomputer and special lens group − is part of the lens, not the camera. However, there is some communication with the camera and there are some operational differences between the EOS SLR models.

If you are using the EOS 10, 1000-series, 600, 620, 650 or RT, you will see the viewfinder image shake a little immediately after an exposure. This does not affect the sharpness of the exposed image.
If you are using the built-in flash of early EOS models (EOS 10, 100, 1000-series, 700, 750), you will see the viewfinder image shake while the flash is recycling. This will not affect the sharpness of an exposed image.

There is some shaking of the viewfinder image after exposures in the DEP mode with the EOS-1, 1N, 10, 100, 5, 600, 650 and RT. This does not affect the sharpness of the exposed image.

When an extender is attached to the lens, image stabilisation does not operate with the EOS 1, 10, 100, 1000-series, 5, 600, 620, 650, 700, 750, 850 and RT cameras.

During a bulb (B) exposure, image stabilisation does not operate with most EOS models. It continues with the EOS 1000-series, 5, 500 and 700. It stops immediately after the exposure starts with the EOS 1, 10, 100, 600, 620, 650 and RT. In all cases, image stabilisation is unlikely to be effective with long exposures. Canon recommends that the Image Stabilizer is switched off for bulb exposures.

With the EOS 3, 50, 50E, IX and IX7, image stabilisation does not work when the self-timer is used.
With the EOS 10, 5, 600 and RT set to AI Servo, and with the film advance mode set to continuous, autofocusing will not resume after the AF Stop button has been used until partial pressure is reapplied to the camera shutter button. This also applies to the EOS 5 and 10 set to Sports mode.

We do not have full data for every IS lens/EOS camera combination. Before taking a picture, look through the viewfinder to check that the IS system is operating correctly (remember to allow up to 1 second for the system to start up after the shutter button is partially depressed). If there does not appear to be any increase in the steadiness of the image, or the image is jumping around in the viewfinder, there is probably an incompatibility. Movement of the image in the viewfinder immediately after an exposure is not usually a problem and will not affect the sharpness of the exposed image.

Accessories for IS lenses

IS lenses work well when used with accessories. Add an EF extender and you can increase the effective focal length of the lens by 1.4x or 2x. Increased focal length means that the effects of camera shake are also magnified, so the image stabilisation is very useful. EF extenders are compatible with L-series and DO lenses of focal length 135mm and greater, and a small number of wide-aperture telephoto zoom lenses.

Image stabilisation also remains effective when extension tubes or close-up lenses are used.
An extender can be used with many IS lenses. Image stabilisation remains effective with most recent EOS camera models.

Keep a tripod

Although an IS lens gives more opportunities for hand-held shots, there will still be times when the support of a tripod is needed − with exposure times of several seconds, for example, or when working with heavy EF 500mm or EF 600mm lenses.

With some of the earlier lenses, you need to switch the IS off when using a tripod. The lack of movement confuses the system and the image starts to jump around the viewfinder. However, using a tripod in high wind or with super telephoto lenses, often results in some camera movement, and the IS system can be invaluable. Later IS models are able to sense the use of a tripod and automatically disable the IS, if necessary.

You should also leave the Image Stabilizer on when using a monopod, as it is unlikely you will be able to keep this type of support perfectly still.

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV Tutorial Videos From Canon

Canon announced the EOS-5D Mark IV in August 2016. While this is a very fine camera, I am not buying this model since I already have the EOS-1D X Mark II and EOS-5Ds cameras. For those who are still deciding whether to buy or upgrade to this DSLR, the following Canon videos may shed some light on your decision.

This Lens Safe Gadget May Make Theft A Bit Harder

The Wildlife Ho-tographer's first photo tour of 2017. We will drink to that.

Available for free download as a 3MB ZIP file, the current deisgn can be made with minimal cost on a 3D printer. The trick is having access to a 3D printer or find some place to have it printed out for you.

Canon USA to Demonstrate Large Format Solutions for Fine Art Photography

MELVILLE, N.Y., January 23, 2017 – Demonstrating the high quality of its capture-to-print solution, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, has announced that it will be in attendance for the 18th Annual West Coast Art and Frame Expo and National Conference, held at the Paris Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada from Monday, January 23rd to Wednesday, January 25th. Attendees visiting the Canon booth (#625) will have the opportunity to interact with the Company’s input-to-output solution, including the imagePROGRAF PRO-1000 and imagePROGRAF PRO-2000 printers, as well as an array of Canon cameras and lenses, with technical representatives available to provide a hands-on experience. In the booth, Canon representatives will be on-hand to educate photographers on how to get the most out of their camera and printer. Finished framed photography will be exhibited in the booth, demonstrating the quality of Canon’s capture-to-print solution.

Guests are invited to attend the “Fine Art Success with Canon” class, at no additional charge, on Monday, January 23rd from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, hosted by Canon U.S.A. Attendees will be walked through the process of digitizing artwork and printing captured images to both help improve their own skills and possibly expand their business offerings. The class will review technical aspects integral to the workflow of camera set-up to image capture and then techniques for color correction. In addition to the class, Canon representatives will be on-site in the booth to help provide hands-on assistance to booth visitors on the process of capture-to-print.

To learn more about Canon’s large format offerings for fine art photography, visit www.cusa.canon.com.

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Canon Plans To Upgrade Their Super Telephoto Lens Lineup Between 2018 - 2020

Seeing Double on the Masai Mara, Kenya

Monday, January 23, 2017

Canon Again Ranks First and Third in Patents Awarded Among Japanese and US Companies

Elephant calf trumpeting on the Masai Mara, Kenya

Year Rank # of patents
2016 1st (3rd) 3,665
2015 1st (3rd) 4,127
2014 1st (3rd) 4,048
2013 1st (3rd) 3,820
2012 1st (3rd) 3,173
2011 1st (3rd) 2,818
2010 1st (4th) 2,551
2009 1st (4th) 2,200
2008 1st (3rd) 2,107
2007 1st (3rd) 1,983
2006 1st (3rd) 2,366
2005 1st (2nd) 1,829

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II Lens - $1,599 With Free Shipping

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

Canon Ranked First Again Among Manufacturing Companies In Nikkei Environmental Study

African lion with its kill - A baby Hippo

I am back home after a rather successful East Africa Wildlife Photo Tour. It will take me a little time to get back in my daily routine and updating my readers on the latest Canon rumors, and photography news in general.

This was my first photo safari of 2017 and this will be another busy season for me. The equipment I brought with me worked well. I used the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II, EOS-5Ds cameras, EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II, EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II and EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II lens.

My next trip is coming up soon and it will be a whale photography tour. Please check back often as I post my new photos after I get back to my regular chores. You can follow my travels on Facebook and Twitter. See my equipment bag and works on MichaelDanielHo.com

TOKYO, January 23, 2017 - Canon Inc. announced today that the Company has ranked first for the third time among manufacturing companies in Nikkei Inc.’s 20th Environmental Management Survey, receiving high ratings for each criterion, including perfect scores for promotion of environmental management structure, resource recycling and measures against global warming.

Started in 1997 by Nikkei Inc., the Environmental Management Survey is an annual survey that assesses businesses’ endeavors to improve environmental measures and management efficiency. This year’s survey was based on a questionnaire sent to 1,733 companies that was answered by 396 companies.

In the manufacturing category, each company’s level of environmental management was assessed based on five criteria: promotion of environmental management structure, pollution and biodiversity-related measures, resource recycling, environmental product policy and measures against global warming, and ranked based on their total score.

In this year’s survey, Canon achieved perfect scores for promotion of environmental management structure, resource recycling and measures against global warming for such highly rated activities as the Company’s carbon offset program that reduces CO2 emissions equivalent to those produced by such products as office multifunction devices and some production printers to zero and the establishment of an automatic toner and ink cartridge recycling system. Additionally, the Company also scored highly for other criteria, achieving a total score of 496 (out of a possible 500), placing first in the manufacturing category.

Under its Action for Green environmental vision, introduced in 2008, Canon set a goal of annually reducing lifecycle CO2 emissions for each product by 3%, and is proactively making efforts through such initiatives as energy-saving activities at manufacturing bases, a modal shift in distribution, reduced energy consumption during product use, product remanufacturing,* reusing parts and recycling consumable goods. As a result, in 2015, lifecycle CO2 emissions per product were approximately 30% of those in 2008—successfully achieving an average reduction of approximately 5% a year.

Canon’s Action for Green environmental vision aims to realize a society that promotes both enriched lifestyles and the global environment through technological innovation and improved management efficiency. Throughout the entire product lifecycle—Produce, Use, Recycle—Canon continues to expand activities with its customers and business partners to reduce environmental burden in pursuit of this environmental vision.

Sunday, January 22, 2017

Canon Maintains Lead Over Competitors in Camera Sales In 2016

Close your eyes and count till Ten, mom - Lion cub in Masai Mara, Kenya

I am on my way home after an East African Wildlife Tour. The wildlife sightings were very good and my equipment performed quite well. Accompanying me on this trip are the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II, EOS-5Ds cameras, EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II, EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II and EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II lens.

You can follow my travels on Facebook and Twitter. See my equipment bag and works on MichaelDanielHo.com

Nikon started their 100th anniversary celebration at the CES 2017 earlier this month. To the causal observer, one might think they are the dominant camera manufacturer in the world. In fact, they are much smaller than Canon and Sony provides most of their sensors that go into Nikon's cameras.

BCN has recently released the 2016 sales figures for major camera manufacturers. Canon has continue to maintain the lead over its competitors. 2017 will promise to be another robust year for them with exciting new products on the horizon.

Full Year 2016 DSLR Camera Market Share (Japan)

Canon 63.3% (vs 56.2% in 2015)
Nikon 31.6%
Ricoh 4.8%

Full Year 2016 Mirrorless Camera Market Share (Japan)

Olympus 26.8
Canon 18.5% (vs 13.6% in 2015)
Sony 17.9%

Full Year 2016 Fixed Lens Camera Market Share (Japan)

Canon 27.3% (vs 30.5% in 2015)
Nikon 22.1%
Casio 19.3%

Full Year 2016 Lens Market Share (Japan)

Canon 24% (vs 24.1% in 2015)
Sigma 14.3%
Nikon 12.5%

Full Year Photo Printer Market Share (Japan)

Canon 53.1% (vs 56% in 2015)
Casio 25.0%
FujiFilm 18.0%

Saturday, January 21, 2017

Latest Possible Specs for Canon EOS-6D Mark II Camera

Not even three months old Lion cub in Masai Mara, Kenya

I am on my way home after a rather successful East Africa Wildlife Photo Tour. Just a quick note to share with my readers on the upcoming Canon EOS-6D Mark II camera.

As reported earlier, the EOS-6D Mark II full frame camera is expected to be announced around NAB in April, 2017 or at the latest, in late Q2 or early Q3. Keep checking back for the latest news as I receive them.

You can follow my travels on Facebook and Twitter. See my equipment bag and works on MichaelDanielHo.com

Possible specs for Canon EOS-6D Mark II camera

All new 28MP sensor
Dual SD slots
Tilting LCD with touchscreen capabilities
Larger and more vivid viewfinder
Single DIGIC 7 processor
DPAF
Some 4K video capability but not full 4K performance
WiFi, NFC & Wireless charging
New AF system with more cross-type points
Suggested list price of $1,999 in the U.S.

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Wildlife Photography - East Africa Photo Tour, Day Fifteen

So far so good. Weather is excellent, Goldilocks delight - not too hot in the day, not too cold in the early morning. Wildlife sighting is good but not spectacular. Hope to improve on it as the days go by.

Equipment working well. I have the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II, EOS-5Ds cameras, EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II, EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II and EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II lens.

Little time to look over and process the photos. Only have a small laptop to process a few pics. You can follow my travels on Facebook and Twitter. See my equipment bag and works on MichaelDanielHo.com

Dueling Zebra Stallions

Critically endangered Black Rhino and Calf

Hippo See, Hippo Do

The Wildlife Ho-tographer is having a great tour. Let's drink to that.

Reticulated Giraffe feeding in front of Mount Kenya's peak, peeking over the hills

Sunrise on Mount Kilimanjaro, Kenya

Sunday, January 8, 2017

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV Camera Tutorial Videos

Big Hole in the ground - Grand Canyon from 8 miles high

* * * More EOS-5D Mark IV tutorial videos from Canon * * *

I am in on a wildlife photography tour in East Africa. I brought with me the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II and EOS-5Ds cameras plus the EF 100-400mm f/4,5-5,6L IS II, EF 400mm f/4L IS II and EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II lenses. You can see my equipment bag and works on MichaelDanielHo.com

Will have little time to connect and post photos. You can follow my travels on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Canon Digital Learning Center has put out a series of short videos on how to get the most out of the EOS-5D Mark IV camera. Click on the link below to view it.

http://www.learn.usa.canon.com/galleries/galleries/tutorials/eos_5d_markiv_tutorials.shtml

Thursday, January 5, 2017

Hasselblad May Be Acquired By DJI?

Is it in the works? DJI, the Chinese maker of the aerial drones, may be in the process of acquiring financially troubled Hasselblad, maker of medium format cameras, based in Sweden. Together, they announced a strategic partnership back in November 2015.

It is hardly a secret the few medium format camera manufacturers are on shaky ground. While sales in DSLR cameras are slipping in the last few years, medium format sales are suffering even worse.

This is hardly unprecedented. Chinese carmaker Geely acquired Swedish car manufacturer Volvo in 2010. Keep checking back for the latest info.

Canon Celebrates 30th Anniversary Of The EOS System

Happy Anniversary, Canon. My readers know I am The Wildlife Ho-tographer using Canon EOS equipment for almost 30 years. You can see my equipment bag and works on MichaelDanielHo.com

TOKYO, January 5, 2017 - Canon Inc. will celebrate in March the 30th anniversary of the launch of the Company’s EOS System, which includes EOS-series interchangeable-lens cameras and a diverse range of system accessories, beginning with interchangeable EF lenses.

Canon’s EOS System made its debut in March 1987 with the launch of the EOS 650 single-lens reflex (SLR) camera and EF lenses.¹ An acronym of “Electro Optical System” while also carrying the name of the Greek goddess of the dawn, the EOS series saw first light in 1987 as the world’s first fully electronic mount system, representing a new generation of AF SLR cameras.

With all the digital camera key devices—the CMOS sensor, image processor and interchangeable lenses—utilized by the EOS System developed in-house, a strong product lineup began to take shape as the basic performance of each product steadily increased. Playing to this strength, Canon released the first entry-level DSLR in September 2003, the EOS Kiss Digital (EOS Digital Rebel or EOS 300D in other regions), ushering in a new digital era. With the Kiss Digital highly praised for its compact, lightweight design, user-friendliness and competitive price, Canon seized an overwhelming portion of the interchangeable-lens camera market that year, taking the No.1 share, which it has held for 13 consecutive years through 2015. What’s more, thanks to long-term support from customers, in November 2015, cumulative production of EOS-series cameras reached 80 million units, and in August 2016, the total number of EF lenses produced surpassed the 120 million-unit mark.

Since its debut in 1987, the EOS System has consistently aimed to expand the boundaries of photographic expression, and with Canon’s optical technology at its core, the Company continues to refine its imaging technology and strengthen and expand the EOS System. In 2008, the Company released the EOS 5D Mark II, the world’s first digital SLR camera equipped with a Full HD video function, facilitating the widespread adoption of digital SLR cameras as a tool for capturing video, and in 2012, that video technology was transformed for the B-to-B sphere in the form of the Cinema EOS System, introduced to the world in Hollywood, California. Now, the EOS System, including the Cinema EOS System, comprises 24 models² with a selection of 97 EF lens models.³ With this rich product lineup, the EOS System meets the various needs of different users.

Canon will continue to refine its diverse imaging technologies based on its core optical technology, combining still-image, video and network capabilities to expand and create an even stronger EOS System that meets the needs of increasingly diverse users to promote the spread of photo and video culture. What’s more, thanks to advances in imaging technology, Canon is opening up new expressive avenues, where texture, three-dimensionality and a sense of realism can be recreated in both still images and videos, to support appealing imaging experiences.

The EF 35-70mm f/3.5-4.5, EF 35-105mm f/3.5-4.5 and EF 50mm f/1.8 were released alongside the EOS 650.
Includes digital cinema cameras, compact-system cameras and film cameras.
Includes two EF lens extenders and two models not available in Japan. As of December 28, 2016

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

How To Pick The Right High-End PowerShot Camera For Your Photography

Canon PowerShot G9X Mark II camera

Canon has just announced the PowerShot G9X Mark II camera. For those trying to decide which model of G series PowerShot camera to buy, the following excerpt from Canon Digital Learning Center may help.

The five models in the premium, high-end PowerShot series for 2017 include :

• PowerShot G1 X Mark II

The flagship model, with unique 1.5-inch CMOS sensor (largest in the PowerShot series), and wide-aperture, 5x (24–120mm equivalent) zoom lens for available-light shooting

• PowerShot G3 X

The long-zoom model, with two important fundamental features: a large, 1-inch, 20 million pixel CMOS sensor, and an excellent 25x zoom lens (24–600mm equivalent)

• PowerShot G5 X

The advanced camera with electronic eye-level viewfinder (only EVF among current G-series models). Fast f/1.8~2.8, 4.2x zoom lens (24–100mm equivalent); full array of features and user control.

• PowerShot G7 X Mark II
20 million pixels, on a large 1-inch CMOS sensor, but a flat, compact form-factor better suited to many travelers and casual users. Again, a fast, f/1.8~2.8, 4.2x zoom lens.

The most compact model in the premium G-series. An expert’s compact camera, with numerous user controls, but in a pocketable size and form-factor. 3x (28–84mm equivalent) zoom lens; still has the large 1-inch sensor size, for superior low-light imagery (compared to majority of slim, compact digital cameras).

The new G9 X Mark II features

If you know the previous Canon PowerShot G9 X, you know the fundamentals of the new-for-2017 G9 X Mark II model. The same lens, same 20.2 million pixel resolution, the same super-compact form factor, and controls highlighted by a large Control Ring surrounding the base of the lens. But there are numerous refinements and additions to the Mark II camera.

Enhanced Wi-Fi® connectivity — Bluetooth, “always-on” technology

New for 2017 is the addition of Bluetooth technology, to help in providing and maintaining wireless connection between the G9 X Mark II and mobile devices like smartphones. Unlike previous systems, which exclusively relied on more power-consuming Wi-Fi technology, the new Bluetooth connectivity aims to have a low-power method of initially connecting and then maintaining consistent connection to your device. Any time you actually connect and are transferring image files, the system switches seamlessly to traditional Wi-Fi, which has greater bandwidth and is better able to work with original still image or video files.

The enhanced wireless and Bluetooth capability also means your smartphone (or tablet) can be an easily accessible remote controller, using the updated Canon v.2 Camera Connect app (for compatible Android and iOS devices). This includes remote Live View shooting, as well as remote playback of images on the camera’s memory card and viewing them on the mobile device’s screen.

Control Ring operation

New with the G9 X Mark II is easy, user-defined command over what the Control Ring adjusts. Combining the elegant touchscreen interface with this innovative ring, users now only have to touch a small Control Ring icon on the LCD panel to toggle between different user adjustments via this ring.

For instance, in a shooting mode like Aperture-priority (Av mode), touching the icon toggles the ring through adjusting the lens aperture, the ISO, and Exposure Compensation. It’s easy and quick to touch the icon to tell the system what you want to control, and then turn the Control Ring to make the changes you want. This change alone makes the Mark II even better-suited to the expert photographer that wants a super-compact camera, but doesn’t want to sacrifice the type of control he or she may be used to with their larger interchangeable-lens cameras.

New DIGIC 7 processor

You won’t see this feature when you look at the camera, but its benefits show in a number of important ways. With more robust and faster processing capabilities, the G9 X Mark II now gives about one stop better high-ISO image quality (digital noise levels at ISO 1600, for instance, are about the same as the previous model’s when it was shot at ISO 800). AF tracking of moving subjects around the picture area is noticeably more responsive. New features like in-camera RAW image processing, Time Lapse video, and even faster initial start-up times are now possible, with this added processing power. In short, this is an important upgrade, with multiple benefits that photographers of many different levels will come to appreciate.

Higher performance

Significantly faster shooting speeds, for longer continuous bursts, with the G9 X Mark II :

• Full-resolution JPEGs: up to 8.1 shots per second; burst rate 38 continuous shots

• RAW images: up to 8.2 shots per second; burst rate 21 consecutive shots

Drive speeds slow somewhat when the camera’s continuous, Servo AF is active, but even here, up to 5.3 frames per second is possible with full-res JPEG images. Any way you slice it, this is a brisk-performing compact camera, and this will surely please many experienced shooters looking for responsiveness in a compact camera.

Dual Sensing Image Stabilization

Canon has enhanced in-camera optical stabilization, by now using two sources to detect shake and camera movement. Traditionally, Canon has relied on gyro sensors, within the lens or camera body, to detect any such movement. In the G9 X Mark II, Canon adds to this the ability to detect shake off the imaging sensor, giving an important source of added information for shake-correction. Armed with this Dual Sensing IS system, the G9 X Mark II provides up to 3.5 stops of shake-correction with its (equivalent) 28–84mm lens. Please note: This new Dual Sensing capability means that only detection of camera shake and movement is done at the imaging sensor… the G9 X Mark II uses this added info to provide enhanced optical stabilization — only — within the lens.

Summary

An already great PowerShot G9 X design has been refined, and the newest Mark II version is arguably even a better fit for its target audiences. The new ability to instantly change what the Control Ring adjusts, by simply touching an icon on the LCD monitor, is a huge enhancement for any user who wants to go beyond the simplest full-auto shooting. And, the advent of Bluetooth with its Wi-Fi features means this is a camera that can more easily shoot and share, which many of today’s users want.

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