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.
MELVILLE, N.Y., June 7, 2016 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, is launching Canon Online Learning, a new program of immersive digital courses designed to help photo and video enthusiasts of all levels develop their skills at their own pace. The program, which expands upon Canon’s robust mix of existing free and paid educational offerings, looks to educate parents, travelers, imaging hobbyists and working professionals with proven techniques from recognizable industry talents.
Available now are these initial seven courses, suitable for all skill levels :
Understanding EOS Camera Operations
Photo 101 : How to Take Great Pictures
Printing Basics & Beyond
Great Landscapes Made Easy
Child’s Play : Simple Tips for Photographing Children
Getting Started with Flash Photography
Canon Insider Guide : EOS Rebel Series
These first seven courses, and subsequent classes to follow, will include video guides unique to each course with the option to download or print PDF materials. With the exception of Canon Insider Guide: EOS Rebel Series, courses will also include complementary resources such as bonus video content, lighting/shooting diagrams, shot lists, resource guides and interviews with course instructors. Additional interactive materials may include quizzes, assignments, interactive images and diagrams.
“Canon has always provided industry leading educational resources for our customers. Over the years, we have expanded our offerings to include live workshops, one-on-one in-person sessions and countless free lectures across the country. Now, for those passionate customers looking to take a deeper dive into photography or videography, we have developed a curriculum of content that addresses the various ways our customers use our products today, and it’s available at their convenience online, day or night,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, president and COO, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “This new program also helps familiarize the imaging community with our wide range of educational tools, allowing them to learn valuable tips from our technical experts, as well as our Explorers of Light professional photographers.”
Keel-billed Toucan 'frozen in mid air' in Costa Rican rainforest
Alright, I know the videos put out by DigitalRev are more entertaining than enlightening but once in a while one must have some levity in life. If you want to try some of the tricks with your camera, it helps to use the Nikon D5 or Canon EOS-1D X Mark II, which can shoot 4K videos and still shots at 12 fps and 14 fps speeds respectively to capture almost anything in motion. You can see my works on MichaelDanielHo.com
Canon USA put out a video series named “How to Film Films with Filmmaking with Ryan Connolly”. The first episode illustrates how to choose the right camera for your job. Episodes two, three and four deal with Pre-production and Shot Composition, Lighting and Sound, respectively.
Canon announced the EOS Speedlite 430EX-III RT flash a few days ago. Now the Canon Digital Learning Center posted a Mobile Guide to EOS Speedlites Custom and Personal Functions.
One can refer to this cheat sheet without consulting or carrying a full manual. Click here to download your copy and carry it in your camera bag for quick reference. It offers step-by-step guidance on specific features and techniques for numerous Speedlite models.
The My Menu option is one of my favorite features built into Canon cameras. Over the years, I have used or owned every one of their SLR and DSLR bodies. The following article is written by Michael Sheras from Canon Digital Learning Center. It talks about the advantages and ease of using My Menu.
Did you know that, instead of scrolling through a ton of menu options, you could personalize it with your favorite commands? In your EOS camera, go to “MY MENU SETTINGS,” hit “REGISTER TO MY MENU,” and select the settings you want. Then exit and press the “SET” button to quickly access your new custom menu. It's as simple as that!" What to set : Now that I have explained how to create a “MY MENU” screen, I would like to give you my suggestions for what to put in your “My Menu” screen. Here are my six favorite items that I believe are most important. I will list them in the order I would place them in the “MY MENU” list. Please remember that these are my suggestions and you can use ANY six items you want in any order you wish. That is what makes the “MY MENU” feature so useful. – it’s user customizable. Format Card : The original idea for “MY MENU” was conceived as a quick and easy way to reformat a memory card when you first put it in your camera. If you place it first on your list, leave the green highlight box around it, and set “ENABLE” in the “Display from my menu” option in the “My Menu” setting screen, you will create a quick and easy way to reformat a new memory card when you insert it in your camera. All you will need to do is insert the card, push the “Menu” button once and the “SET” button twice and your new card will be quickly and easily reformatted for use. Battery Info : [All cameras that use an LP-E6 or LP-E4 battery] All the current EOS cameras, except the Rebel series, have a “Battery Info” item in the menu list that will show the amount of battery charge as a percentage from 1 to 100. This is a good thing to be able to monitor so you should keep it easily available on your “MY MENU” screen. Record func+card/folder sel. : [All cameras with two memory card slots] This is also an item you will want to have at your fingertips. It allows you to select which of the memory cards is playing back in your camera. It also allows you to choose whether you want to record separate resolutions on the two cards or want to double record your images on both cards simultaneously for back-up purposes. It also allows you to create new folders for your images in case you want to place them in separate folders when you first shoot them. If your camera has only one memory card, then the menu item is called “Select folder.” It is still valuable because it gives you the ability to place your images in separate folders, even if you only have one memory card. Custom Controls : Another valuable option. This item allows you to assign different functions to most of the buttons on your camera. All of the buttons that have assignable features are listed in this item. In addition to being able to assign functions to each button, this feature is also useful so you can easily check what you assigned to each button, in case you forget. It is an option you will tend to use a lot and, therefore, should have a place in your “MY MENU.” NOTE : The Rebel series cameras do not have a “CUSTOM CONTROLS” item in the menu. Instead, they have two items listed in the “Custom Functions” area. Because Rebels do not have a “Battery Info” tab, you can add both the items that relate to the customizable buttons to your “MY MENU” [See Figure 5]. Highlight Tone Priority : This is an example of a menu item that you would want to use sometimes, but not all of the time. Because you will be turning it “on” or “off” while you are in the middle of shooting, it would be very convenient to put it in “My Menu” for easy access. Highlight Tone Priority expands the dynamic range of an image from 18% gray to bright highlights and makes the gradations smoother. It is very useful for bright items, such as a bride’s dress against a white background. However, it could result in increased noise in some shadow areas and limits the ISO range to 200-3200, so you do not want to use it all the time. That is why it is useful to put it in the “MY MENU” area so you can switch it “on” or “off” more easily. External Speedlite Control/Flash Control : This item gives you easy access to the controls of your Canon external Speedlite by transferring the controls to the rear LCD of the camera for easier setting. If your camera has a built-in flash, it is called “Flash Control.” If your camera does not have a built-in flash, it’s called “External Speedlite Control.” Either way, it always works with an attached Canon Speedlite (Speedlite 580 EX II or newer). It also allows you the ability to have more control over your built-in flash (if equipped) and is an item you would always want to be easily accessible when using flash. NOTE : Because the EOS 7D Mark II has a special button to bring up the Speedlite menu, it need not be included in “MY MENU.” Additional "My Menu" features on EOS-7D Mk II & EOS-5Ds and EOS-5DsR cameras There is one new additional feature added to the “MY MENU” function on the new EOS 7D Mark II and EOS 5DS and 5DS R cameras. Instead of there just being one “MY MENU” screen with six possible items on it, you can expand the green tap up to five “MY MENU” screens, giving you up to 30 possible items in five “MY MENU” screens. There is an additional screen available which gives you the option of adding between 1-5 “MY MENU” screens and naming each one separately. Figure 6 shows how I would configure the “MY MENU” screen if there were only one, while Figure 7 shows the additional menu screen available to set up more “MY MENU” screens, if you want them. I hope I have convinced you that using the “MY MENU” tab on your EOS DSLR will make your camera easier to operate and therefore enhance your photographic experience.
They have also announced a series of EF lens equipped with STM technology. These lens are especially adept in taking video when mated to cameras equipped with the Dual Pixel CMOS AF feature. Below are 4 Canon videos explaining the ease and pleasure of shooting HD videos and short movies.
Canon announced the EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II lens on September 11. This is one of my favorite Canon lenses and I placed my order right after the announcement and have received the new model. This glass is about 13 years in the making. The original model was introduced in 2001 and it had one of the earlier version of Image Stabilization with a 2 stop advantage.
You can read my review of the new lens. I will be taking it out very soon on a real world overseas photo shoot for an extensive test. The Canon video below explains the Diffractive Optics technology, Fluorite Elements and more.
Canon announced the Cinema EOS C100 MkII camera on October 21. The new model will be shipping at the end of December to early January at a list price of $5,499. They have also put out two videos explaining the features and functions of the new camera.
