New Canon Patent - EF-S 18-200mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Lens

The current EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens is almost ten years old. Canon has patented a new version of this versatile zoom lens for APS-C camera. It aims to improve the image quality and add STM to the new model. Just in time for the announcement of the EOS-7D Mark III camera some time in Q2 of 2018.

2017 is rapidly coming to an end. Thanks for your interest and support. All the best to my readers for 2018. It will be another eventful new year for photography and especially Canon. I will be starting my wildlife photo tours in early January with another year of global trips ahead. You can follow my travels on Facebook  and Twitter , see my equipment bag and works on MichaelDanielHo.com


Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/4-5.6 Patent

• Zoom magnification 10.38 times 
• Focal length 18.60 (wide angle) 49.08 (intermediate) 193.00 (telephoto) 
• F value 3.59 4.89 5.88 
• Half angle of view 36.29 15.55 4.05 
• Image height 13.66 13.66 13.66 
• Total length 145.05 172.07 200.21 
• Back focus 38.23 59.69 74.12　

Canon Encourages Every Business to See the Impossible Through Innovation

MELVILLE, N.Y., December 27, 2017 – Continuing its innovative path this year, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, is proud to welcome visionaries back to its booth at the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, NV (Booth #16206). This year, the booth welcomes back visionary FoxTales. An experiential marketing technology company that works with brands to create immersive shareable moments, FoxTales has created a “face painting in the dark” experience with Canon’s ME20F-SH Multi-Purpose camera to showcase its low-light video capabilities. Joining FoxTales this year will be a myriad of new visionaries focusing on manufacturing, retail, sports and entertainment. Each visionary will showcase how they leverage Canon’s rich heritage of sensor and optics technologies, innovations and manufacturing to help shape their vision.

“CES 2018 marks our persistent trajectory of redefining the boundaries of innovation and creating business solutions for more imaging related products,” said Eliott Peck, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies and Communications Group, Canon U.S.A., Inc. and chairman & CEO, Canon Information Technology Services, Inc. “We learned, we listened, and we look forward to continuing on this journey as we introduce new visionaries that are leveraging Canon technologies in ways that inspire new concepts of imaging.”

The visionaries to be highlighted by Canon at CES 2018 include:

Fellow Robots, helping revolutionize the retail industry one robot at a time through machine learning and shelf analytics that simplify the inventory process, will display two robots to engage in real-time inventory scanning demonstrations using Canon cameras and sensors.

Highlighting the manufacturing world, Cablevey Conveyors, a clean and gentle way to move materials around production facilities, will demonstrate how Canon cameras are used to help cable conveyors systems operate.

Those interested in technology driven marketing & advertising in sports and entertainment verticals can remote control a simulated stadium camera offering easy breezy in-seat fan engagement experience. Brizi, the company behind BriziCam, will provide attendees the opportunity to test camera zoom capabilities of Canon cameras from a “field” away.

Anyone looking to examine their backswing or work on their short game can tee off with a golf simulation experience from About Golf leveraging Canon projectors.

Also appearing in the booth will be Silhouette, which creates 3D educational models utilizing 2D prints from a Canon inkjet printer, The Crowley Company, a leader in digital imaging technologies for the archival preservation and records management industries, and Tome, which develops AI enterprise software for connected products and mobility solutions.

Further expanding its focus on innovation, Canon hosted their first-ever Code Canon hackathon. Focusing on the possibilities of imaging and creating unique trail-blazing solutions, more than 80 developers, engineers, designers, entrepreneurs, startup and fresh code teams gathered in New York City for two days to work on exciting solutions in imaging for commercial applications. Visitors to the booth can learn more by watching the Code Canon hackathon video.

New to the booth this year, Canon will showcase its lineup of inkjet card printers, thermal re-transfer ID card printers and label printers offering convenient on-demand printing that yields professional quality output. This new lineup empowers customers in a variety of markets to create print materials in-house, such as security credential cards, encrypted ID cards, product labels and business cards on demand that meet their everyday business printing needs.

Additionally, Canon will show its impressive lineup of consumer and professional imaging products including cameras and printers such as the PowerShot G1 X Mark III, Canon’s first point-and-shoot camera to feature a APS-C sensor and the latest lineup of PIXMA series printers as well as displays showcasing the Company’s world-class technologies, optics, sensors and processors. Canon will also display its wide range of service and support capabilities at the booth.

Please visit Canon at the 2018 CES Show at Booth #16206 in the Central Hall and follow Canon throughout the show on Instagram at @CanonUSA and Twitter at @CanonUSAimaging. Use #CanonCES to join the conversation and visit our website at www.usa.canon.com.

Recent Canon Patents On Super Telephoto Lens

As reported earlier, Canon has been working to improve its Super Telephoto lens in the past couple of years. The emphasis is on weight reduction and enhancing image quality with superior coatings and optics. Some time in 2018, the EF 600mm f/4 DO BR lens is expected to be announced.

Below are a few new patents Canon has applied for in the Super Telephoto lineup. The 2018 Winter Olympics and World Cup are coming, followed by the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Canon is determined to make a showcase of their products in these worldwide, headlines-grabbing events.

Japan Patent Application 2017-215495

This patent appears to be two fold, lightweight (relatively here!) with a good correction of aberrations such as axis chromatic and chromatic aberrations of due to magnification.  This element design most likely has IS, it's simply not labelled by Canon.

400mm f/2.8
300mm f/2.8
500mm f/4.0

Japan Patent Application 2017-215494

Reduction of chromatic abberrations and secondary spectra (specific type of chromatic aberrations) are reduced in this patent. This element design most likely has IS, it's simply not labelled by Canon.

400mm f/2.8
500mm f/4.0
600mm f/4.0
800mm f/5.6

Japan Patent Application 2017-215493

DIfferent technique to reduce aberrations such as axis chromatic and chromatic aberrations of due to magnification.  This element design most likely has IS, it's simply not labelled by Canon.

300mm f/2.8
400mm f/2.8
500mm f/4.0
600mm f/4.0
800mm f/5.6

Japan Patent Application 2017-215492

DIfferent technique to reduce aberrations such as axis chromatic and chromatic aberrations of due to magnification.  This element design most likely has IS, it's simply not labelled by Canon.

300mm f/2.8
400mm f/2.8
500mm f/4.0
600mm f/4.0
800mm f/5.6

Japan Patent Application 2017-215491

This application changes the element location for focus to reduce weight, and also to reduct chromatic aberrations.  This element design does not have IS, which probably makes it exploritory or defensive in nature.

400mm f/2.8
800mm f/5.6
200mm f/2.0

Recent Canon Patents Involving Mirrorless and DSLR Cameras

Below are a few recent Canon patents involving Mirrorless and DSLR cameras. My readers know from my previous posts Canon is ranked one of the top companies in patents filings.

Hybrid SLR pellicle mirror (Patent #2017-161671)

An imaging device includes: a semi-transmissive mirror that can turn between a first position where subject light is separated to an image pick-up element and a finder and a second position retreating from an imaging optical axis; a light block member that is present at a position not blocking the semi-transmissive mirror when the semi-transmissive mirror (13) is present at the first position, and is configured so as to block the semi-transmissive mirror from an imaging optical axis side when the semi-transmissive mirror is present at the second position; and eyepiece detection means that detects whether a photographer looks into an eyepiece part of the finder. When it is detected by the eyepiece detection means that the photographer does not look into the eyepiece part, the imaging device is configured to move the semi-transmissive mirror and the light block member to the second position.

Anti-reflection lens coating (Patent #2017-167271)

A manufacturing method for an optical member includes: a step of applying dispersion liquid containing particles and dispersant on a base material; a step of, after applying the dispersion liquid, applying a solution containing a binder forming component and causing the solution to enter the space between the particles included in the dispersion liquid applied previously, so as to form a single layer having the binder filling the space between the particles; and a step of drying the layer to form an anti-reflection film. The solution contains a silane alkoxy condensate with an average particle diameter of 8 nm or more and 60 nm or less. The solution contains 70 mass% or more of a solvent whose water solubility is 10 wt% or less.

Improved dual ramp ADC sensor design (Patent #2017-175565)

The present invention relates to a solid-state imaging apparatus comprising: a pixel part; a signal generating part for generating a first ramp signal of which the signal value is changed by a first amount of change per unit time and a second ramp signal of which the signal value is changed by a second amount of charge greater than the first amount of change; and a conversion part which uses the ramp signal from the signal generation part to perform analog/digital conversion on a signal from the pixel part. The signal generation part includes a capacitor part, a current supply part and a charge emission part. The current supply part is connected to the capacitor part and charge is accumulated in the capacitor part, thereby generating the first ramp signal and the second ramp signal. The capacitor part and the charge emission part are connected, thereby emitting the charge accumulated in the capacitor part to the charge emission part. A resistance value of an electrical path between the capacitor part and the charge emission part in generating the second ramp signal is smaller in relative to that in generating the first ramp signal.

17-35 4.0-5.6 IS (Patent #2017-161568)

The zoom lens includes, successively arranged from an object side to an image side, a first lens group having a negative refractive power and a rear group having at least one lens group and having a positive refractive power as a whole. The first lens group is composed of an 11th lens element having a negative refractive power, a 12th lens element having a negative refractive power, and a 13th lens element having a positive refractive power. A focal length fw of the whole system at a wide angle end, a back focus skw at the wide angle end, and a focal length of the 12th lens element are each appropriately set.

Improved heat sinks for mirrorless cameras (Patent #2017-169176)

An imaging apparatus comprises: an imaging element; an element substrate on which the imaging element is mounted on a subject side becoming a front side and an electronic component is mounted on a back side; an element holder positioned and fixed to the imaging element; a base member to which the element holder is fixed by a spring member; and heat radiation members and which have heat absorption parts and, are brought into contact with at least a back of the element substrate and fixed to the base member by the spring member with the element holder. The heat absorption parts and are arranged so that they do not protrude to the back side in an optical axis direction from the electronic component.

DXO Plans To Release New NIK Software Collection In 2018

DXO purchased the Nik Collection from Google a few months ago and is planning to re-release the software collection in 2018.

Dear Nik Collection users,

We at DxO are very pleased to welcome the Nik community! We wish you a very happy holiday season and a healthy and prosperous New Year: may you be inspired to take spectacular photos in 2018!

Like you, we are passionate about photography and image quality. That’s why we view this opportunity with Nik as a commitment to ensure that you — that all of us who enjoy taking photos — are guaranteed to have the very best solutions at our disposal.

You’ll be happy to know that our developers are enthusiastically working on a new version of the Nik Collection to be released in 2018!

New Canon Patent - EF 17-35mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Lens

I am not sure how many photographers will be interested in buying a new, non 'L' zoom lenses for their full frame camera but Canon has patented the EF 17-35mm f/4-5.6 IS STM design. It appears to be slow and may be more appropriate for the APS-C sensor cameras.

Canon EF 17-35mm f/4-5.6 IS STM USM lens

• Focal distance: 17.50  25.12  34.09
• F number: 4.00 4.85   5.88
• A half field angle (degree): 51.03  40.73  32.40
• Image height: 21.64  21.64  21.64
• Whole length of the lens: 130.88 128.52 134.05
• BF: 37.60  49.75  64.06
• Japan patent application 2017-161568

Canon EOS-7D Mark III Camera Coming By Middle of 2018

My readers know me as The Wildlife Ho-tographer. I have been using Canon equipment for almost three decades. Through the years, I have owned and used almost all of Canon professional and consumer grade gear and have tested many of them on global wildlife photo tours.

As you know, I have picked the EOS-7D as the best APS-C camera on the market for action and wildlife photography fours years in a row after it was announced in 2009. The Mark II model came out in 2014 followed by the Nikon D500 in January, 2016.

Read my comprehensive review of the Mark II model. For those interested in comparing the EOS-7D Mark II to the EOS-80D, read my earlier post. You can follow my travels on Facebook  and Twitter , see my equipment bag and works on MichaelDanielHo.com

Although the Mark II camera is a dramatic improvement over the earlier model, the Nikon D500 gave the Canon camera a real challenge and of course, the EOS-7D Mark III is just 'around the corner'. The test cameras are already out of the labs and into the wild for beta testing.

There are crazy rumors flying around saying the new camera will have a 30MP sensor and burst rate of 12+ fps, etc. Frankly, that is a lot of photography noise so early in the guessing game. The trend in the past few years has been to speed up the replacement cycle of higher end cameras.

Since the EOS-7D has always been the leader in Canon's APS-C camera lineup, it is very logical the Mark III will again come with a new generation of APS-C sensor. Many photographers are clamoring for everything under the sun and a list price of $1,499. One has to be more realistic about the business of manufacturing photography equipment.

Canon is a conservative and deliberative company. They rarely try to be the first in new features but there are some tried and true features like illuminated buttons that have appeared on other manufacturers' cameras for years. A recent patent from Canon shows they have finally made that 'leap'. My personal opinion is the Mark II is already a very good camera but a few improvements will make it an even better prosumer DSLR body. I expect the Mark III model to arrive some time by the middle of 2018.

Here is my wish list for the EOS-7D Mark III :

• A slight increase in megapixels, low to mid 20s for the sensor.
• 10 fps is adequate but if technologically feasible, 12 fps is welcome
• 4K video is unnecessary for my needs but its de rigueur these days for any camera
• GPS and WiFi are also unnecessary for my needs but probably will be included
• Additional AF points to below 100 is critical with more cross-type points
• Increase in high ISO and Dynamic Range performance is critical
• Addition of illuminated buttons on the back panel is welcome

Canon May Announce EOS C900 6K Camera In 2018

Sony announced their CineAlta VENICE 6K camera in September. Canon will most likely announce a 6K camera some time in the first half of 2018. The new camera may be known as the C900 and comes with a new, slightly larger than 35mm, 6K image sensor.

The NAB Show is in April and Canon may announce the new C900 camera around the same time. My readers will recall Canon showcased their 8K camera back in 2015 during the Canon Expo Show in NYC. They may be ready to showcase the camera and technology again in the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea in February. 

Canon Updates C100, C300, C300 Mark II and ME200S-SH Camera Firmware

From Canon USA:

Canon Cinema EOS C100 & EOS C300 

Cinema EOS C100 (with the Dual Pixel CMOS AF Feature Upgrade applied) Firmware Version 2.0.9.1.00 and EOS C300 (with the Dual Pixel CMOS AF Feature Upgrade applied) Firmware Version 2.1.9.1.00 incorporates the following corrections:

When CN-E70-200mm T4.4 L IS KAS S is attached the following features are enabled:

• Autofocus using the Dual Pixel CMOS AF function
• The joystick on the camera's grip unit can be set to operate the zoom.
• Manual control of the iris with Camera's Control dial.
• Control of focus, zoom and iris using the separately-sold Remote Controller RC-V100.
• Automatic aperture and push auto iris functions.
• Start/stop recording on the separately-sold lens grip ZSG-C10.
• Retrieval of Lens metadata, such as the model name and the focal distance will display on the camera.

When the camera is turned off the IS mechanical lock will be active regardless of the position of the switch.

Adds peripheral illumination correction for the following lenses:

• CN-E70-200mm T4.4 L IS KAS S
• EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM
• EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM
• EF-S 18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM
• EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM
• EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM

Download:

Canon Cinema EOS C100 (with the Dual Pixel CMOS AF Feature Upgrade applied) Firmware Version 2.0.9.1.00
Canon EOS C300 (with the Dual Pixel CMOS AF Feature Upgrade applied) Firmware Version 2.1.9.1.00 


Canon EOS C300 Mark II 

Canon Digital Cinema Camera EOS C300 Mark II / EOS C300 Mark II PL Firmware Version 1.1.0.1.00 incorporates the following fixes and enhancements:

• Support for LCD monitor LM-V1*1,2 (separately sold) has been added.

Peripheral illumination/chromatic aberration correction has been added for the following lenses:

• EF-S 18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM
• EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM
• EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM

Download: Canon Digital Cinema Camera EOS C300 Mark II Firmware Version 1.1.0.1.00 

Canon ME200S-SH 

Canon ME200S-SH Firmware Version 1.0.2.1.00 incorporates the following enhancements:
The following features are enabled for the CN-E70-200mm T4.4 L IS KAS S:
Autofocus using the Dual Pixel CMOS AF function.
Displaying the model name of the lens when attached.
Support for Peripheral illumination correction.
Manual control of the iris with camera's joystick.
Control of focus, zoom and iris using the separately-sold Remote Controller RC-V100.
Automatic aperture and push auto iris functions.
Start/stop recording on the separately-sold lens grip ZSG-C10.

Adds Peripheral Illumination Correction for the following lenses:

• EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM
• EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM
• EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM
• EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM

Adds [NU protocol] to the other functions setting:

[Other Functions] > [REMOTE B Term.] > [NU Protocol]

When the camera is turned off the IS mechanical lock will be active regardless of the position of the switch.

Download: Canon ME200S-SH Firmware Version 1.0.2.1.00 

Adobe Lightroom 6.14 Released - Last Update For Perpetual Licenses

From Adobe:

The goal of this release is to provide perpetual customers additional camera raw support, lens profile support and address bugs that were introduced in previous releases of Lightroom. You should only update to Lightroom 6.14 if you are currently holding a license to our perpetual product.

Please note, there will be no additional updates after 6.14 for the perpetual, standalone version of Lightroom. You can check out this blog post for more information when this was announced earlier.

As always, new cameras are supported for legacy versions of Lightroom, Photoshop, Bridge, After Effects, and Photoshop Elements through the free Adobe DNG Converter.

For native camera raw support and ongoing updates with new features try out Lightroom Classic or Lightroom CC. These features include color and luminance range masking and the new auto. This along with other future imaging and performance enhancements are automatically included with a membership.

Find the latest available downloads of Lightroom 6 here. If you have a Creative Cloud plan of any type, you do not need to purchase Lightroom 6.

You can also find the new cameras and lens profiles that are now supported with 6.14.

Thanks!

Download: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 6.14

How Does A Modern DSLR Camera Phase Detection Auto Focus Works?

There is nothing more annoying than an image out of focus. The video below explains how modern day DSLR handles auto focusing. If you haven't noticed, brands like Nikon and Sony like to brag about how many hundreds of AF points they have on their cameras.

The important metric is not how many but what type of AF points and what aperture can the points can focus down to. I just came back from a wildlife photo shoot in India. Went there to photograph the Bengal tigers and Asiatic lions. 

I brought along the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II and EOS-5Ds cameras on the trip. You can follow my travels on Facebook  and Twitter , see my equipment bag and works on MichaelDanielHo.com

Adobe Announces Their December Update To Photoshop Lightroom Classic CC

From the Lightroom Journal:

Today we’re proud to release updates to the entire Lightroom CC ecosystem, including for Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, and the web, as well as updates to Lightroom Classic CC and Adobe Camera Raw. We’ve added support for new cameras and lenses, and added some great new features.
Please note that we are moving to a new blog home.  Check it out here

New Auto Settings, powered by Adobe Sensei

Auto has been completely reworked to create better results, every time. Using an advanced neural network powered by Adobe Sensei, our artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning platform, the new Auto Settings creates a better photo by analyzing your photo and comparing to tens of thousands of professionally edited photos to create a beautiful, pleasing image.  The new Auto is available ecosystem wide, including in Lightroom CC, Lightroom CC for iOS, Lightroom CC for Android, Lightroom CC on the web, Lightroom Classic, and Adobe Camera Raw (ACR).

The December update includes other great features across the ecosystem:

Lightroom CC on Desktop

Tone Curve

The Tone Curve is one of the most popular tools used by photographers for advanced control over the tonality, contrast, and color balance of an image. You can use either the Parametric Curve or the Point Curve modes to tune the tonality and contrast of the image, and the Red, Green, and Blue modes to adjust the color balance and stylize your image. The Tone Curve lives next to the Auto button in the Light panel — check it out and let us know what you think.

Split Toning

Split Toning allows you to stylize your photo through color tints in the highlights and shadows of your image. You can use the Split Toning tool to simulate traditional black and white tints and toners like sepia or selenium toners, simulate printing on colored paper, or create a modern stylization on color images. Split Toning lives in the Effects panel.

Change Capture Time

Lightroom CC now enables you to adjust the capture time, for both single photos as well as a set of photos, providing relief for those times that you forgot to change your camera’s time or time zone settings. Select a photo (or series of photos) and use the pencil icon in the Info panel to change capture time. Lightroom CC will update the capture date and make sure that your photos show up on the right day and time in the organize view, making it easier to find your photos when you need them.
View your photos in full screen by using either the F key or by navigating to View-> Detail Full Screen.

Android

In addition to the new Auto described above, we added the following to Lightroom CC on Android:

• App Shortcuts — For Android Nougat and later devices, tap and hold on the app icon to quickly launch the app into popular modes.
• More control for managing storage.
• Resolved an issue that prevented some Huawei customers from importing images.
• Resolved an issue that caused a crash for some Pixel 2 customers on export.
• Resolved a problem that prevented some Samsung customers from installing the previous version.
• Bug fixes and speed improvements.

iOS

In addition to the new Auto described above, we added the following to Lightroom CC on iOS:

• Watermarking on export — Create and customize a text based watermark for use when exporting your image from Lightroom CC on iOS.
• Improved quality to HDR capturing.
• Bug fixes and speed improvements.

Lightroom Classic and Adobe Camera Raw

In addition to the new Auto described above, we’ve made a refinement to the Color Range Masking tool.  Based on your feedback, we’ve made it easier to remove individual sample points. You can do this by holding down the Alt (Win) or Option (Mac) key while using your mouse to select the sample point.

Lightroom Classic CC also now supports tethered capture with the Nikon D850 camera.
An update to Lightroom 6 for perpetual licensed customers for new camera support will be available on December 19th.

We are excited about the December update, and can’t wait to hear your thoughts and feedback.