Canon and Sony News, Deals, What's New

From Sony Electronics:

Now Available: Sony Electronics’ Custom Grid Line License

Gives Alpha Users Creative Consistency

SAN DIEGO – Apr. 18, 2024 – Sony Electronics is addressing one of the most common challenges for professional content creators – maintaining consistency and quality when capturing multiple images – with its new Custom Grid Line license. It is now available in the United States and Canada for Alpha 1, Alpha 7S III, Alpha 7 IV, Alpha 9 III, and other mirrorless camera bodies.

The license upgrade, built for volume photography and video production professionals, lets creators import up to four customized original grid lines. These can be displayed on the camera’s electronic viewfinder (EVF) and rear LCD monitor, or on an external monitor using an HDMI® output, to ensure consistent results during long shooting sessions.

Custom grid lines alleviate the burden of volume photographers working at schools, photo studios, theme parks, cruise ships or malls who often need to take similar shots repeatedly, sometimes thousands in one day. The ability to clearly see pre-set customized grid lines, especially when working quickly or in challenging lighting conditions, provides unprecedented peace of mind knowing that each shot will be framed perfectly.

Additionally, sports photographers can apply one set of gridlines for full team photos and another for individual player shots, enabling uniformity. They can also create gridlines customized for specific sports to follow the action and player movements more precisely. ?

Additionally, videographers can benefit from Sony’s Custom Grid Line license. It lets creatives capture videos looking at the aspect ratio they need, allowing users to frame content that can easily be repurposed for social media or other specific uses.

The combination of Custom Grid Lines with Alpha camera features, such as Face AF and Eye AF, make it easy to line up standard family and couple photos, as well as capture dynamic activity shots.

Users can create the grid lines as PNG files – which can also contain characters, logos, and other graphic elements – and replace them as needed. They can also choose grid line colors, for example, to avoid blending with subjects’ clothing color or backgrounds.

Information about the license and how to purchase it can be found on Sony’s camera upgrade website: https://pro.sony/digital-imaging/ or at https://youtu.be/gH3X_vn2DNw. It is available for $149 USD/$202 CAD, per permanent camera license, through Sony’s Upgrade and License Management Suite at https://ulms.sony.net. Learn how to set up the license at https://youtu.be/J4pkJ8pjRsk.

While currently supported cameras include the A1, A7S III, A7 IV, and A9 III, the Custom Grid Line license will be available for other Alpha camera bodies with future compatible models announced through the web site: https://pro.sony/digital-imaging/.

Sony Alpha 9 III firmware update version 2.00 is available for download (Canon USA).

Firmware Version 2.00 incorporates the following fixes and enhancements:

Shooting & playback functions:

• Allows you to turn the camera on/off remotely from a computer using a wired connection to the internet (LAN) (Note: Remote Camera Tool Ver. 4.1.00 is required to activate this function.)
• Adds a function that automatically creates still images with Shot Marks from movie frames after recordings (Note: You can add a Shot Mark while shooting or playing a movie and use it as a mark for selecting, transferring, or editing the movie.)
• Allows the use of shutter speeds up to a maximum of 1/80000 seconds in all drive modes and the NR Shooting setting (long-exposure noise reduction) when the aperture value is F1.8 or higher
• Adds support for the Relay Playback function
• Adds the Sync Release function that releases the shutters of multiple sub-cameras in conjunction with the main camera's shutter timing (Note: Remote Camera Tool Ver. 4.1.00 is required to activate this function.)
• Adds a function that displays the focus frame on the Remote Camera Tool app screen when the monitor and viewfinder are turned off (Note: Remote Camera Tool Ver. 4.1.00 is required to activate this function.)
• The maximum number of images that can be recorded in one folder has been increased to 9,999
• Enables display of the Wi-Fi signal strength
• Adds support for C2PA format (The license availability date is undecided) (C2PA = Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity)
• Adds support for Custom Grid Line (Note: Custom Grid Line is available as a paid license. Availability depends on the country and region.)

FTP transfer & network functions:

• Allows you to upload camera images directly to the Creators' Cloud app (Note: Creators’ App Ver. 2.3.1 or later is necessary. Settings must be made in the Creators' App in advance. For more information, please visit the Creators' App support website. Service may not be available in some countries or regions. Please refer to this support page.)
• You can now automatically schedule FTP transfer of protected movies and still images
• Movies/still images transferred via FTP transfer can now be automatically protected
• Adds a function to prioritize specific images via FTP transfer
• Adds support for SFTP (SFTP = Secure File Transfer Protocol)

Others:

• Fixes an issue where the camera would occasionally become unstable during continuous shooting
• Fixes an issue where the color of a JPEG image may change when cropped in the camera
• Fixes an issue where images may not be transferred properly during FTP transfer
• Fixes an issue where the folder name setting for still images may switch from the set value to the default value (MSDCF) when the battery is removed
• Fixes an issue where the camera may not be able to connect to the network
• Fixes an issue where the timecode wasn’t always retained after a power restart
• Improves the functionality and operational stability of the camera

Get the Sony Alpha 9 III at B&H.

Sony Alpha 1 firmware update version 2.01 is available for download (Canon USA).

Firmware Version 2.01 incorporates the following fixes and enhancements:

1. Fixes an issue where the camera may not be able to connect to the network after installing the system software update for Ver. 2.00. We apologize for the inconvenience.
2. This update also includes the benefits from the Ver. 2.00 update.

Notes from Sony:

Make a note of your settings (in case of updating from Ver. 1.32 or lower). After updating to this version, the camera settings will reset to the default values. Since this update adds functions and major specification changes, the camera settings will be initialized as part of the update process. We recommend you make a note of all the camera settings before proceeding. Even if you have saved the settings using the various save features available (such as Save/Load settings and Save/Load FTP settings) the settings before Ver. 1.32 cannot be applied after the update.

Switching from Imaging Edge Mobile to Creators' App: If you’re using the Imaging Edge Mobile app, please be aware that updated cameras will no longer be able to connect to this app. After updating your camera, install the Creators' App. Please make sure the Imaging Edge Mobile app is Ver. 7.7.2 or later in order to pair the camera with the Creators' App. If the Imaging Edge Mobile app is not Ver. 7.7.2 or later, update it before trying to pair the camera with the Creators' App.

Get the Sony Alpha 1 at B&H.

Canon has added first quarter financial results to the Investor Relations page.

Presentation Material
Results
Supplementary Data
Presentation Material and Speech Summary

Net sales for cameras were down 7.1% from Q1 2023, but Canon is still predicting +3.6% for the full year.

Buy your Canon cameras, lens, and accessories at B&H.

Tamron is in the Canon RF mount game with an APS-C lens:

TAMRON announces development of first CANON RF mount lens

The compact, lightweight, fast-aperture F2.8 ultra wide-angle zoom

April 23, 2024, 12AM ET / April 22, 2024, 9PM PT, Commack, NY – Tamron Co., Ltd. (President & CEO: Shogo Sakuraba; Headquarters: Saitama City, Japan; “TAMRON”), a leading manufacturer of optics for diverse applications, announces the development of TAMRON’s first CANON RF mount lens, 11-20mm F/2.8 Di III-A[1] RXD (Model B060), an ultra wide-angle zoom lens for APS-C mirrorless cameras. The lens is expected to launch within 2024.

TAMRON’s lenses for mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras are highly regarded for their combination of superior optical performance and compact, lightweight designs. After receiving many requests from customers to offer lenses compatible with the CANON RF mount, TAMRON made the decision to develop a lens for the CANON RF mount under a license agreement.

The 11-20mm F2.8 is a fast-aperture zoom lens covering a focal length range from ultra wide-angle 11mm to 20mm[2], with a maximum aperture of F2.8 across its full range of focal lengths. With a surprisingly compact and lightweight design for a fast, ultra wide-angle zoom lens, the lens feels well balanced when attached to a compact APS-C mirrorless camera body, making it ideal for regular use. Despite its small, lightweight design, it also delivers high-level imaging power with an uncompromising optical design. Wide macro shooting is possible at 11mm with an MOD (Minimum Object Distance) of 0.15m (5.9”) and maximum magnification ratio of 1:4, and its stunning close-range shooting performance enables creative use of perspective at the wide end. The lens also incorporates an AF drive system with an RXD (Rapid-eXtra-silent stepping Drive) stepping motor unit that is remarkably quiet. The lens accurately captures not only still images but also video. It is also highly practical, with Moisture-Resistant Construction, Fluorine Coating, and other features designed for outdoor shooting, enabling users to easily enjoy the high image quality of this ultra wide-angle large-aperture F2.8 lens under a range of conditions.

Product Features

1. Fast-aperture ultra wide-angle zoom lens
2. Compact and light weight
3. Outstanding optical performance
4. MOD of 0.15m (5.9”) and maximum magnification ratio of 1:4
5. High performance autofocus RXD stepping motor for both still and video use

[1] Di III-A: For APS-C format mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras
[2] The full-frame equivalent of 17.6-32mm.

Specifications, appearance, functionality, etc. are subject to change without prior notice. This product is developed, manufactured, and sold under license from Canon Inc.

Get your Tamron lens at B&H.

Sigma Corporation has announced Canon RF mount compatibility (for a limited number of APS-C lenses):

SIGMA launches interchangeable lenses for Canon RF Mount system

SIGMA Corporation (CEO: Kazuto Yamaki) is pleased to announce the upcoming launch of interchangeable lenses for Canon RF Mount system. This addition allows users to enjoy high performance, and high quality SIGMA lenses in native mount on their Canon RF Mount system.

[Lineup]

For detailed product information, please refer to the link below.

< Launch in July, 2024 >

SIGMA 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary
Petal Type Lens Hood (LH582-02) supplied

< Launch in fall of 2024 and onwards >

SIGMA 10-18mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary
Push-on Petal Type Lens Hood (LH706-02) supplied

SIGMA 16mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary
Petal Type Lens Hood (LH716-01) supplied

SIGMA 23mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary
Petal Type Lens Hood (LH554-01) supplied

SIGMA 30mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary
Lens Hood (LH586-01) supplied

SIGMA 56mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary
Lens Hood (LH582-01) supplied

* These products are developed, manufactured and sold under license from Canon Inc.

[Main specifications and features]

Control algorithm including AF drive and communication speed optimization has been developed specifically for Canon RF Mount interchangeable lenses. In addition to realizing high-speed AF, the lens also supports AF-C (Continuous AF), in-camera aberration correction* and in-camera image stabilization. The mount is rubber-sealed to cater for use in a variety of environments.

* Available on supported cameras only.

Get your Sigma lens at B&H.

Sigma 60-600mm F4.5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports Lens firmware update version 02 is available for download (Sigma Global).

Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports Lens firmware update version 04 is available for download (Sigma Global).

These firmware update incorporates the following fixes and enhancements:

1. An issue where autofocus occasionally fails to focus when digital zoom is enabled.
2. Compatibility with continuous shooting of up to approximately 120 frames per second has been added for the focus modes (AF-S/DMF/MF) on Sony a9 III cameras.

Get the Sigma 60-600mm F4.5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports Lens and Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports Lens at B&H.

Hot deals – don't miss this: The refurbished camera and refurbished lens and binocular inventory at Canon USA has been restocked and many items are on sale.

Outstanding deals are available. For example:

EOS R3 – Only $4,319.00
EOS R5 – Only $2,399.00
EOS R5 C – Only $3,199.00
EOS R6 II – Only $1,799.00
EOS R8 – Only $1,099.00
EOS R100 Kit – Only $299.00
RF 24-105 F4 – Only $799.00
RF 28-70 F2 – Only $2,299.00
RF 50 F1.2 – Only $1,599.00
RF 100 F2.8 – Only $799.00
More!

Expect Canon USA refurbished gear to be like new with an as-new warranty and a great price.

From B&H:

B&H will be closed for Passover from Mon, Apr 22, through Tue, Apr 30. Place your order now to avoid delays.

You can add items to your cart anytime, however checkout is only available during the following intervals.

Closed: Mon Apr 22, 7:30pm – Wed Apr 24, 9:00pm

Open: Wed Apr 24, 9:00pm - Fri Apr 26, 7:45pm

Closed: Fri Apr 26, 7:45pm - Sat Apr 27, 9:15pm

Open: Sat Apr 27, 9:15pm - Sun Apr 28, 7:45pm

Closed: Sun Apr 28, 7:45pm - Tue Apr 30, 9:15pm

Shipping will resume beginning May 1st:

Highlighting some recent-arriving gear in the B&H Used Department. Be the first to check out when B&H opens tonight at 9:00 PM EDT.

Image quality, vignetting, and distortion test results, along with specs, measurements, and standard product images, are now available on the Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G Lens page.

I've wanted to put this lens in the lab for a long time, and the Sigma 18-50 was the lens I wanted to compare it to.

Compared to the Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens

Support this site by ordering the Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G Lens (or anything else) from B&H | Sony | Adorama | Amazon (all available countries) | WEX | Camera Canada

Rent the Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G Lens from Lensrentals.

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A "Power 500" model and solar panel were also announced.

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See today's full list of B&H Deal Zone Deals.