Sep, Oct 2006: Canon EOS News and What's New at The-Digital-Picture.com

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

ISO 12233 resolution chart sample crops and vignetting results have been added the ...

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens Review

So far, I am very impressed by the performance of this lens. Corner sharpness is especially remarkable. Make your own comparisons using the ISO 12233 tool.

Monday, October 30, 2006

My Canon EF 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens is back from receiving Canon's "Service Notice" work. And the news is good - the lens shows similar sharpness in both vertical and horizontal orientation. Thanks Canon!

I have uploaded new (and improved of course) ISO 12233 sample crops to the Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 L II USM Lens Review. I have now used 5 of these lenses - all have performed very similarly optically (very sharp wide open) - and all 5 completely miss focus occasionally for some unknown-to-me reason. All said, I still love this lens. I anxiously await its 50mm f/1.2 L counterpart.

I have also uploaded new 85mm crops to the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L USM lens Review. Apparently the prior test results were inaccurate at this focal length - and that bothers me. :)

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

New sample pictures have been added to the ...

Canon EF 100mm f/2.0 USM Lens Review

 
I love change - and yes, it was time for a new logo. Hopefully the design will say "Camera Lens" when you look at it. The red might also say "L Lens" to you.

 
There is another new logo floating around the site today - this one is orange. By popular request, I will be maintaining an RSS news feed. Click on one of the orange icons to get the feed address. Then add it to your favorite RSS reader. Give me related feedback and suggestions as I familiarize myself with feed maintenance.

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

B&H is now has the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM Lens in stock!

 
Canon has posted EOS 30D Firmware v1.0.5. This version addresses the following issues ...

"1. When making camera-direct prints, a semi-gloss paper can be newly selected in the camera settings."

"2. Corrected the phenomenon wherein the displayed number of continuous shots that can be taken increases when images that have been taken are deleted."

Monday, October 23, 2006

Some sample pictures have been added to the...

Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC Lens Review

Friday, October 20, 2006

B&H is now taking preorders for the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM Lens.

 
Some sample pictures have been added to the...

Sigma 20mm F/1.8 EX DG Lens Review

 
If you have any interest in the Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 L II USM Lens, take note - this is a great deal ... Amazon.com has lowered their price on this lens. It is now $1,806.12 shipped free. On top of that, get a $50 or $100 rebate from Canon for the purchase. And, if you don't mind signing up for a credit card, Amazon.com is giving $30 and 3% (as gift certificates to Amazon.com) for using their credit card for payment. That is a nice deal for a great lens.

Sunday, October 15, 2006

It's Canon Rebate time of the year again. And the Canon fall rebates are always the best. How about $300 or $600 back from a Canon EOS 5D? The Canon EOS 30D has a $100 or $200 rebate. To get the higher rebate value requires the purchase of at least 2 listed items. For some high value items, it makes sense to buy an additional item to get the higher amount. For filler - If you do not want any of the lenses or flashes listed - buy the cheapest item you can find and eBay it. The Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM Lens might be the best filler item. Get the rest of the details in the reviews or download the rebate form here ...

Canon Fall-Winter 2006 Rebate Form

Friday, October 13, 2006

Now online ...

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM Lens Review

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Canon 30D ISO 12233 sample crops have been added to the ...

Canon EF 35mm f/1.4 L USM Lens Review
Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM Lens Review

 
Vignetting results have been added to the upcoming ...

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM Lens Review

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

The October issue of Chuck Westfall's Tech Tips is now online.

Wednesday, October 4, 2006

ISO 12233 resolution chart samples have been added to the upcoming ...

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM Lens Review

These samples were shot with both the Canon 30D and the Canon 400D/Rebel XTi, so another resolution comparison can be seen at this link ...

30D / 400D Resolution Comparison (Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Lens)

Tuesday, October 3, 2006

Amazon.com currently has the new Canon 400D/Rebel XTi Black body priced at a low $768.99. Nice deal.

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

More new lenses announced - Sigma this time ...

Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS lens
Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC Macro Lens

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Canon announces a new product line ...

Canon Media Storage M30 and Canon Media Storage M80

These portable multimedia storage/viewer devices will compete with Epson's new P-3000 and P-5000 multimedia storage/viewers.

Monday, September 25, 2006

ISO 12233 Resolution Chart sample crops have been added the following ...

Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5 L Tilt-Shift Lens Review
Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 Lens Review
Canon EF 24mm f/1.4 L USM Lens Review (revised results)
Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro Lens Review

Friday, September 22, 2006

Now online ...

Canon EOS 400D/Digital Rebel XTi SLR Review

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Just announced is the Tamron 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II Lens.

Canon has posted the DPP v2.2 Updater. Select the Drivers/Software link from the linked-to page.

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Today's Canon 400D/Rebel XTi topic is vignetting. And the good news is that the new sensor shows less vignetting than the 30D's sensor. Use the mouseover feature on the following pages ...

30D / 400D Vignetting Comparison - EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS Lens
30D / 400D Vignetting Comparison - EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Lens

Monday, September 18, 2006

Want to see the resolution difference between the Canon 30D and the Canon 400D/Rebel XTi? I have uploaded 400D ISO 12233 test chart sample crops from the Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens (30D results were already online). Use the mouseover feature on the following page ...

30D / 400D Resolution Comparison

Thursday, September 14, 2006

Now we know that Canon's DIGIC III is real. Canon today announced several new point & shoot camera models that include the 10 megapixel Canon G7 with DIGIC III. Sorry - No digital SLR-related announcements were made.

 
Canon has posted the EOS Digital Photo Guidebook for Professionals. I have not previewed this 7.6 MB PDF file, but it looks (based on the index) like we can all learn something from the contents.

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

I'm a couple of days late (just back from a short trip), but the Canon 400D/Rebel XTi is now shipping. Check your favorite retailer (including B&H) for current stock status.

Friday, September 8, 2006

A new Tamron Rebate program is in effect through the end of this year. Twelve lenses are listed.

 
Canon USA's site now has the 400D/Rebel XTi User Manual available for downloading. Select the "Product/Software Manuals" link. This is a 5.14 MB PDF file.

 
If you have not checked Canon's Picture Styles Site recently, you might want to browse the currently available for download picture styles. New for September is the Autumn Hues style.

 
Canon has posted a warning ...

Important Notice: Fraudulent Online Offer

Please be aware that there has been a fraudulent online promotional offer suggesting that Canon digital camera products can be purchased for unreasonably low prices directly from Canon. This may include the Canon logo, company name and/or product images. This is in no way associated with Canon Inc. or any Canon Group companies.

Buy your gear from a reputeable retailer (I added this line).

 
Canon's Canon's Why We Love Football site is live - It's that time of the year already. The site includes information on Canon's "Show Us Why YOU Love Football" photo contest and features Pro Shooting Tips With Dennis Read Miller, veteran Sports Illustrated photographer.

Wednesday, September 6, 2006

Another unscheduled but requested review is now online ...

Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC Lens Review

Friday, September 1, 2006

Adorama is now taking orders for the Rebel XTi/400D ...

Black XTi with Kit Lens
Black XTi Body Only
Silver XTi with Kit Lens
Silver XTi Body Only