Lahaina - The Humpback whale capital of the world

Throughout the years, I have enjoyed my stay in the town of Lahaina in Maui and have taken so many indelible Humpback whale Ho-tography. The historic town is gone now and will be rebuilt but never forgotten in my fondest memories. 

Back from my wildlife photo tour of the Pantanal, Brazil

Back from my wildlife tour of the Pantanal in Brazil over the weekend. The wild fires that devastated parts of the Pantanal were not as bad as I had feared.

It was very hot down there and very few photographers. After all, Brazil has been designated as a Level 4 (Do Not Travel there) country by the US State Department due to the Covid 19 pandemic. I felt very safe down there and almost everyone wears masks and take precautions to avoid spreading the virus further. 

I brought the EOS-1D X Mark III as my primary body and the EOS-1D X Mark II and EOS-1D Mark IV as my backup cameras. You can follow my travels on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, see my equipment bag and more of my works on MichaelDanielHo.com

The Wildlife Ho-tographer's Goodbye to 2019 and Hello to 2020

My readers know me as The Wildlife Ho-tographer. I have used Canon equipment for over 30 years and have embarked on many worldwide photo tours testing numerous pieces of Canon equipment. 

Below are a few photos from my 2019 tours to Africa, India, Alaska, Galapagos Islands, the Arctic and places in between. I will use the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III on more tours in 2020 once the camera is announced in February and hopefully take delivery in April. You can follow my travels on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and see my equipment bag and works on MichaelDanielHo.com

African Elephant calf in Amboselli NP

Saying hi to NatGeoWild film crew on loaction

Oryx and calf at Tsavo East NP

Serval cat in Maasai Mara NP

Zebra foal crossing Mara River

Bengal tiger at Ranthambore NP

Bengal tiger and cub, Corbett NP

A head turning Blue-footed Booby

Red-footed Booby on tree

Atlantic puffin gone fishing

Grey seal spy hopping

Humpback whale diving in SE Alaska

  

Brown bear fishing in Katmai NP

Polar bear cub gone fishing

A walk on the wild side

Pacific Sea otter and pup

Northern elephant seal and newborn pup

International Polar Bear Day highlights the conservation status of the Polar Bear

From Existence to Extinction is but a few steps. On this International Polar Bear Day, please help to preserve the Polar bear for future generations because Climate Change is real and the damages it cause is affecting both humans, wildlife and the environment.

There are 19 sub population of Polar bears in the world. They are the largest living land carnivore, with adult males growing to over 8 feet in length and some weighing close to one ton. The largest polar bear on record, reportedly weighing 1,002 kg (2,209 lb), was a male shot at Kotzebue Sound in northwestern Alaska in 1960. The dead bear, when mounted, stood 3.39 m (11 ft 1 in) tall on its hindlegs. There is also evidence the largest Kodiak Brown bears in Alaska can grow to about the same weight.

The Polar bear is immediately recognizable from the distinctive white color of its thick fur. The only parts of the body not covered by fur are the foot pads and the tip of its nose, which are black, revealing the dark color of the skin underneath the pelt. The neck of the Polar bear is longer than in other species of bears, and the elongated head has small ears.

Polar bears have large strong limbs and huge front paws which are used as paddles for swimming. The toes are not webbed, but are excellent for walking on snow as they bear non-retractable claws which dig into the snow like ice-picks.

Females are about half the size of males, although a pregnant female with stored fat can exceed 1,000 pounds in weight. Polar bear cubs weigh about 2 lbs at birth. They look similar in appearance to adults, though they have much thinner fur.

Polar bears are found throughout the circumpolar Arctic on ice-covered waters, from Alaska to Canada, Greenland, Norway and Russia. The furthest south the Polar bears occur all year round is James Bay in Canada, which is about the same latitude as London. During the winter, when the ice extends further south, Polar bears move as far south as Newfoundland and into the northern Bering Sea.

You can follow my travels on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and see my equipment bag and works on MichaelDanielHo.com.

Canon EOS-1D X Mark II vs Sony A7R III Camera Comparison

My readers know me as The Wildlife Ho-tographer and I have used Canon equipment for almost three decades. Throughout the years, I have embarked on many worldwide photo shoots, and have taken the Canon EOS-1D X and EOS-1D X Mark II cameras on tour, from the high Arctic to Antarctica, and many places in between. The EOS-1 series cameras have been my workhorse for decades.

The two videos below may be interesting to those who may be considering upgrading to a new high end DSLR or mirrorless camera. You can follow my travels on Facebook and Twitter. See my equipment bag and works on MichaelDanielHo.com

Canon EOS-1D X Mark II Camera Disassembled

I am currently on a Wildlife Photo Tour in East Africa. I have owned the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II for about 2 years and have taken it all over the world on photo trips. It has gone to both ends of our planet and many places in between. It has performed flawlessly and admirably.

You can follow my travels on Facebook  and Twitter , see my equipment bag and works on MichaelDanielHo.com. Below is a fascinating video on what the camera looks like disassembled.

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 Patents Rear Screen Concept For DSLR Camera

I am back from my Wildlife Photography tour of the Pantanal, Brazil. It was quite a successful trip and the equipment functioned perfectly. I brought the EOS-1D X Mark II, EOS-1D Mark IV, EF 200-400mm f/4L IS with 1.4x extender and the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS II lens.

Below are a few pics from my trip. You can follow my travels on Facebook  and Twitter , see my equipment bag and works on MichaelDanielHo.com

Jaguar drinking from the river bank in the Pantanal

Toco Toucan in flight over the Pantanal

Capybara mom feeding pups on river bank

Tequila Sunrise in the Pantanal

An interesting patent has emerged from Canon Japan. It involves a new rear screen design. Many of us are used to the high resolution OLED screens found on high end smartphones.

It is logical that high end DSLR cameras eventually may go that way as well. The new patent also cover some kind of pivoting mechanism for the LCD screen. Apparently some of the buttons found on the rear panel of today's DSLRs may be built into the screen instead.

If so, and depending on which button may disappear, I may not be a fan of that. Canon is a conservative company and I suspect they will not introduce something that 'radical' on their top of the line models, like the EOS-1. Instead, it may come as a 'special' model in the EOS-5 line. Notice how Canon always introduce their latest processors in the lower end PowerShot cameras first before putting them on the high end models.

Wildlife Photography Tour in The Pantanal, Brazil, Day 9

Jaguar drinking from the Cuiaba river in the Pantanal, Brazil

I am still in the Pantanal, Brazil on a wildlife photography tour. The wildlife sightings, especially Jaguars are very good this year.  You can follow my travels on Facebook  and Twitter , see my equipment bag and works on MichaelDanielHo.com

Just a quick note to let my readers know Canon has upgraded the CPS Platinum membership to offer a one day turn around for service and repairs. Gold membership will enjoy a two day turn around time.

MELVILLE, N.Y., October 19, 2017 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, continues its mission to deliver industry-leading speed and quality of service offered through Canon Professional Services (CPS), its award-winning service and support program for professional photographers. CPS Platinum members will now enjoy next-day service, with equipment serviced and shipped the business day after an estimate is approved. For repairs that will take longer, Canon will offer next-day loaner equipment. In addition, CPS Gold members’ benefits will now be enhanced with two-day service turnaround.

“For professional photographers, sending equipment in for service can mean lost income while their gear is being repaired, and we are committed to do everything in our power to minimize their downtime,” noted Yuichi Ishizuka, president and COO, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “Canon has long been delivering fast, high-quality service and customer satisfaction, and this bold new level of performance sends a clear message to photographers that we remain dedicated to providing professional-level service and support.”

This next-day service will officially launch at PhotoPlus Expo 2017 in the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City, Oct. 26-28, 2017, where Canon U.S.A. is showcasing its latest in digital imaging products for photographers of all skill levels, in addition to hosting educational seminars from booth #121. At the Expo, Canon Professional Services will once again host its always-popular CPS Lounge where Platinum, Gold, and Cinema CPS members can have their Canon equipment (up-to-two current Professional DSLR bodies or lenses)2 cleaned and checked during Expo hours from Thursday, Oct. 26, through Saturday, Oct. 28, in Room 2D12.

CPS Lounge Hours during PhotoPlus Expo 2017:

• Oct. 26: 9:00 AM-6:00 PM
• Oct. 27: 9:00 AM-6:00 PM
• Oct. 28: 10:00 AM-2:00 PM (equipment pickup only, no new items accepted)

In the Canon booth, attendees can observe factory-trained technicians performing Canon maintenance service, highlighting Canon’s commitment to providing world-class service and support for professionals. For more information on the Canon CPS program, including the new service times, please visit the CPS web page at: www.cps.usa.canon.com. For more information on Canon maintenance service, including a list of eligible products, visit usa.canon.com/maintenance.

Canon Products at the PhotoPlus EXPO

Also at the booth, will be the tradeshow debut of the brand-new Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III, Canon’s first PowerShot Digital Camera to feature an APS-C CMOS Sensor and Canon’s revolutionary Dual-Pixel CMOS Auto Focus. As always, PhotoPlus Expo attendees will have the opportunity to touch and try Canon’s wide array of digital imaging solutions, including the recently announced EOS 6D Mark II DSLR Camera, EOS M100 Digital Camera and EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM lens. The booth will also feature the full line of Canon EOS and PowerShot Digital Cameras, EF Lenses, imagePROGRAF PRO, PIXMA PRO, PIXMA and SELPHY printers and REALiS projectors.

Officially Licensed Merchandise from Canon

Canon will also showcase its line of “Canon Gear,” available for purchase to visitors of the Canon booth. This line will feature a collection of officially licensed Canon merchandise, including miniature Canon model cameras, Canon-branded thermal water bottles and backpacks, collectible photographer teddy bears and much more. The full line of Canon Gear is scheduled to be available for purchase on October 26 at shop.usa.canon.com.

Enjoy a taste of the Canon Live Learning experience with free 45-minute sessions on the show floor. The sessions will have something for everyone—including portraits, lighting, macro, action and more. Each session features hands-on training by a pro photographer, inspiring subjects to capture, sample gear to try, a free print and a tote full of Canon swag. Space is limited to eight students per session; register here: learn.usa.canon.com/resources/articles/2017/cll_photoplus_workshops.shtml.

The booth will also feature a curated gallery of photographs by Explorers of Light, showcasing the skill and talent that earned them a place in this elite program. Included is a special collection of images from a campaign for the Too Young to Wed organization with Canon Explorer of Light Stephanie Sinclair telling the true story of young women across the globe—many still children—who are forced into marriage.

Follow Canon throughout the PhotoPlus Expo show @CanonUSApro. To see the full details of Canon’s presence at PhotoPlus Expo, please visit: usa.canon.com/photoplus2017.

Blue Planet II Preview From BBC Earth & David Attenborough

I am back from my High Arctic Wildlife Photo Tour. It was an enjoyable trip, albeit a bit light on the wildlife but I knew that in advance due to the late summer schedule of the tour. Nevertheless, I came across Polar bears, herds of Musk Oxen and Walruses, Arctic hares and foxes, a pod of Fin whales, seals, stunning sea ice and massive icebergs and glaciers as far as the eye can see.

BBC Earth released an awesome video for its upcoming natural history TV series Blue Planet II. I have all the BBC David Attenborough series dating back to the 1970s.

Sir David is one of my most beloved naturalists. The only thing better than watching these videos is by actually being there and I am trying to visit and photograph as many places and wildlife that interest me as possible.

You can follow my travels on Facebook and Twitter and see my works on MichaelDanielHo.com.

Canon Announced Development Of Free Viewpoint Virtual Camera System

Massive iceberg in fjord, Geenland

Musk oxen with calf in Greenland

I am back from my High Arctic Wildlife Photo Tour. It was an enjoyable trip, albeit a bit light on the wildlife but I knew that in advance due to the late summer schedule of the tour. Nevertheless, I came across Polar bears, herds of Musk Oxen and Walruses, Arctic hares and foxes, a pod of Fin whales, seals, stunning sea ice and massive icebergs and glaciers as far as the eye can see.

You can follow my travels on Facebook and Twitter and see my works on MichaelDanielHo.com.

MELVILLE, N.Y., September 21, 2017 – Canon Inc. announced today the development of the Free Viewpoint Video System, a new visual solution that incorporates the optical and sensor technologies cultivated by the Company over many years. Using this technology, Canon aims to provide a high-value-added imaging solution for a wide range of applications including sporting events.

Various types of video production are employed at sporting events to convey a passion for sports and the thrill of competition. With the development of its Free Viewpoint Video System—which creates a realistic, immersive experience that gives the user a sense that they are really there—Canon has achieved a video experience that can be viewed from various angles and viewpoints, expanding the boundaries of visual expression and contributing to the development of video culture.

The system comprises several high-resolution cameras set up around the stadium, which are connected to a network and controlled via software to simultaneously capture the game from multiple viewpoints. Afterward, image processing technology renders the videos as high-resolution 3-D spatial data where users can freely move a virtual camera around the 3-D space, resulting in video that can be viewed from various different angles and viewpoints.

The Free Viewpoint Video System offers a completely new, totally immersive visual experience that enables viewers to operate a virtual camera in 3-D space to move freely around the stadium and even experience the simulated physical sensation of being among players on the field during a game. Along with providing a new way to enjoy sporting events, Canon plans to explore such potential applications for this system as training teams and athletes.

Canon will showcase the Free Viewpoint Video System at the Canon booth during Inter BEE 2017, held from November 15 to 17 at the Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan.