Jul, Aug 2007: Canon EOS News and What's New at The-Digital-Picture.com

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Jump in at the top of a just-opened 1Ds Mark III preorder list:

Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III at J&R

Monday, August 27, 2007

Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III White Paper

Saturday, August 25, 2007

Some additional pre-order opportunities ...

Canon EOS 40D Body at J&R
Canon EOS 40D + 28-135mm Lens at J&R (great deal)
Canon EOS 40D Body at OneCall.com
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III Body at OneCall.com
Canon EOS 40D Body at RitzCamera.com

Friday, August 24, 2007

I'm still digging out from an extended trip, but I've loaded the new Canon items into the database. At the following links you will find USA and UK press releases, links to Canon camera-specific web sites, images of the new gear and links for pre-ordering these items. Pre-ordering is highly recommended if you want one of the first-available new cameras or lenses (especially the cameras as it is still hard to get a Canon EOS 1D Mark III DSLR that became available about 3 months ago).

Canon EOS 40D Digital SLR Camera
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III Digital SLR Camera
Canon EF 14mm f/2.8 L II USM Lens
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Lens

I am especially excited about the new cameras as these models hit home for me. I'm currently shooting with a Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II and use a Canon EOS 30D as my second body. The new 1Ds3 appears to be nearly-identical to the Canon EOS 1D Mark III that I like so much with a couple of notable exceptions - a full frame 21 MP sensor and a slower frame rate. And the 40D appears to be a nice step forward for us 10D/20D/30D users. I'm expecting great image quality from both.

The lenses are not nearly as exciting to me. Sure, an improved 14mm L would be nice, but I can think of many new or improved lenses I'd rather have. The EF-S 18-55mm IS lens is growing on me - A 4 stop image stabilizer is going to make this lens much more valuable - at a very affordable price. It could make a nice entry level lens. I'm still waiting to learn if the EF-S 55-250mm IS lens is even going to make it to the USA shores.

I'll keep updating information as I get time (and it becomes available). I'm hoping to see some white papers released as has been the routine for new camera introductions.

Monday, August 20, 2007

Sorry, I was a little slow on this one - I'm traveling right now. I'm sitting in the lobby at Signal Mountain Lodge in the Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming, USA) catching up on the Canon announcements from earlier today ... And they are exciting ones! Here are the new cameras and lenses ...

Canon EOS 40D Digital SLR
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III Digital SLR

Canon EF 14mm f/2.8 L II USM Lens (announced in 1Ds III press release)
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens (announced in 40D press release)
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Lens (more info coming)

Tomorrow is a major travel day for me - I'll get more information online as soon as I can get to it.

Friday, August 10, 2007

A couple of backpack reviews ...

Lowepro Nature Trekker AW II Camera Backpack Review
Lowepro Photo Trekker AW II Camera Backpack Review

Both of these backpacks are very similar to the larger Lowepro Pro Trekker II AW Camera Backpack (the name similarity gave that away long ago). The different size of the packs, however, makes them suitable for very different uses.

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

Canon EF 200mm f/1.8 L USM Lens ISO 12233 Sample Crops

The ISO 12233 Resolution Chart sample crops for this DISCONTINUED lens were carefully shot twice (using AF, MF and lots of bracketing each time). The first test results were repeated in the second test. I shot the test twice because I expected this lens to be a bit sharper wide open in the center, though corner performance is very good even wide open. Extenders need at least an extra stop of aperture to produce decent results.

Monday, August 6, 2007

Gitzo GT2530 6x Mountaineer Carbon Fiber Tripod Review

 
Canon USA's Chuck Westfall shares some of his vast knowledge in the August Tech Tips (at DigitalJournalist.org).

Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Canon has released firmware v1.1.0 for the Canon EOS 1D Mark III

This firmware update incorporates the following improvements and fixes:

1. Improves the look of images when played back on the LCD monitor.

2. Fixes a problem in the operation of the dials (Main, Quick Control, Vertical-grip Main).

3. Reduces the tendency to autofocus on the background instead of the main subject when shooting in AI Servo AF under certain conditions.

4. Corrects errors in the Italian and Simplified Chinese menu screens.

5. Fixes a rare phenomenon in which the camera cannot start normally when the battery is inserted. (Version 1.0.9 only)

Monday, July 30, 2007

Canon EOS 1D Mark III Digital SLR Camera Review

Friday, July 27, 2007

Want to see a burnt Canon L lens? Read about a really bad day experienced by a Reuters crew covering the Tour De France. Sometimes they create their own news.

Friday, July 20, 2007

B&H and the others have dropped the price of the Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flash to $430. This is a much more reasonable price (in my opinion of course).

 
Some Canon 1D Mark III owners are reporting that Canon Service Centers are installing firmware v1.0.9 on their DSLRs. Following is the text of the letter that is suposedly returned with the updated cameras ...

_________________________________________________________

EOS-1D Mark III Firmware Update, Version 1.0.9

Dear Canon Customer;

We have updated the firmware in your camera to the latest version (Version 1.0.9). This firmware update incorporates the following improvements and fixes:

1. Improves the look of images when enlarged on the LCD monitor. Applies a slightly stronger sharpness setting to the LCD monitor when images are enlarged.

2. Counter measures for Main Dial response errors (Main, Quick Control, Vertical-grip Main). Fixes a rare response error in the Main Dials in which they either did not respond when rotated or would change several clicks' worth even if only clicked once.

3. Improves the consistency of AI Servo AF under certain conditions. Reduces the tendency of the camera to autofocus on high-contrast backgrounds when shooting in conditions where AF detection is difficult, such as when the main subject is not completely covered by the AF frames or if the main subject's contrast is low.

4. Corrects errors in the Italian and Simplified Chinese menu screens.

Please note that this Version 1.0.9 firmware will be made available for download from the Web at the end of July. However you will not need to take any action as your camera has already been updated.

Thank you for your understanding.

_________________________________________________________

Number 1 is desperately needed - the new LCD is really nice, but it is worthless for checking sharpness even at full zoom. More sharpening needs to be added to the displayed image - like is currently done in Live View.

Number 2 - I remember this happening to me - I just thought I was losing my mind. It is a very unusual problem, but I welcome the fix.

Number 3 is what is getting lots of attention in our community. I indeed am seeing a much lower AI Servo AF hit rate in a narrow set of situations. Looks like a lot more testing will be required to test the new behavior.

Number 4 - I'm sure a group of you will appreciate this fix.

I'm loving this camera - It is a tremendous tool. I will begin adding to the review page soon.

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Have you seen the new Canon Off Camera Shoe-Cord OC-E3? It is very nice ...

Canon Off Camera Shoe-Cord OC-E3 Review

Monday, July 16, 2007

Canon intends to double their CMOS chip manufacturing capacity. Canon has broken ground on a new manufacturing facility. Interesting is that some of these chips may be used in compact models as well as DSLRs.

Friday, July 13, 2007

Canon USA has released a set of documents describing the Canon EOS 1D Mark III custom functions. RobGalbraith.com is hosting these - the link is to the download page on this site.

 
B&H has just listed a large number of Canon refurbished ("B" stock) lenses.

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Now online ...

Canon EOS 1D Mark III Sample Picture Gallery

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Canon has released an updater for DPP v3.0.2 and for EOS Utility v2.0.2 in Windows and Mac OS.

DPP Changes from Digital Photo Professional 3.0.1 for Windows Vista/XP/2000

1-1. The following functions can now be used in Windows Vista.
- Trimming Tool
- Quick Check Tool
- Detailed settings printing
- Contact sheet printing

1-2. Improvement of image display quality.
Corrected the issue in which jaggies are noticeable in images displayed on the monitor.

1-3. The setting value of Picture Style files will be applied to images.
When a picture style is applied to images, the setting value of picture style (contrast/color tone/color depth/sharpness) will be applied.

EOS Utility changes from the previous version

1-1. Support added for Auto Power OFF (camera) during Remote Live View shooting
The Auto Power Off function can now be used during Remote Live View shooting with EOS-1D Mark III.

1-2. Corrected "From PC" in Time Setting on the Camera
It's corrected that the "From PC" in "Date/Time" of the camera setting does not function properly when a computer is working in daylight saving time.

1-3. The setting value of Picture Style files will be applied to camera.
When a picture style file is set to the camera, the parameters included in the file (contrast/color tone/color depth/sharpness) will be applied to the camera.

*** From the link, select "Drivers / Software".

Canon has released firmware v1.1.0 for the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi/400D.

"The following fixes and improvements have been incorporated."

"1. Adds support for the Media Transfer Protocol (MTP), which has greater expandability than the Picture Transfer Protocol (PTP) used for communication between the camera and the computer up to now."

"2. Corrects errors in the Simplified Chinese menu screens."

Chances are, if you are reading this, improvement #2 will have little benefit to you.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Reminder: The Canon Spring/Summer 2007 rebates are coming to an end. Monday, July 16th is the last day to take advantage of this program.

Thursday, July 5, 2007

Canon USA's Chuck Westfall shares some of his vast knowledge in the July Tech Tips (at DigitalJournalist.org).

Monday, July 2, 2007

Adorama's "Refurbished By Canon" inventory has been replenished. There are now 53 items on the list. Lots of cameras and lenses available.