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

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

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

In an apparently legit PDF letter floating around the web, Canon UK outlines what is essentially a recall of the Canon EOS 1D Mark III. I expect we will see additional, more official (or at least more public) news regarding this solution in the coming days or weeks.

Monday, October 29, 2007

I posted ISO 12233 Chart sample crops and vignetting results from the new Canon EF 14mm f/2.8 L II USM Lens.

My first impressions of the lens are quite good. I wasn't very excited about this new ultra-wide lens, but ... It is a noticeable improvement over its predecessor. Less vignetting, improved sharpness, less CA, less flare ... Stay tuned for the full review. Following are two direct comparison links:

14mm II vs. 14mm I ISO 12233 comparison
14mm II vs. 14mm I vignetting comparison

Friday, October 26, 2007

Canon has released Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E2/E2A Firmware Update v1.0.1. "Updating the WFT-E2/E2A firmware (to Version 1.0.1) incorporates the following fixes: The shutter cannot be released after the camera enters image transmission mode while network errors are occurring due to an unstable wireless or wired communication environment or connection. With this fix, the images taken will be stored in the recording media (CF card or SD card) even if network errors occur prior to or during image transmission."

Thursday, October 25, 2007

The new Canon EF 14mm f/2.8 L II USM Lens is currently in stock ...

Canon EF 14mm f/2.8 L II USM Lens at Onecall
Canon EF 14mm f/2.8 L II USM Lens at J&R

Monday, October 22, 2007

Adorama has a new batch of "Refurbished By Canon" cameras and lenses in stock or on its way. Includes a Canon 5D for $1,799.95.

Thursday, October 18, 2007

The Canon USA Fall/Winter 2007/2008 Rebates are here!

And the great news is that the rebates are instant - international customers can take advantage of them - and no one will have to jump through the hoops commonly presented to us by the rebate fulfillment company. The first thing I saw this morning as I walked into the PhotoPlus Expo in New York City was a sign on various Canon counters indicating this news.

These rebates are not double or triple-able, but the amounts are very nice - and do not require buying multiple lenses to get them. No camera bodies are listed (I'm surprised), but the lenses listed are very nice - many of my favorites are here. And $50 off the Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flash is especially nice.

More news from the PhotoPlus Expo ...

Canon informed me that a fix is on the way for the Canon EOS 1D Mark III autofocus issue. They say this fix not necessary for all bodies, but I'd guess most of the early ones will need it. The fix will require the body to be sent to Canon Service. Rob Galbraith queried Chuck Westfall on this issue.

Canon had the prototypes for both the Canon EF 200mm f/2 L IS USM Lens and the Canon EF 800mm f/5.6 L IS USM Lens on display (sans their hoods). The 800 was only under glass (and had no glass in it). It appears to be longer than a Canon EF 600mm f/4 L IS USM Lens, but not as wide.

One of the two 200mm lenses at the show was functional and mounted on a 1D III and a Wimberley Tripod Head. Unfortunately, Canon would not let me put my CF card in the camera nor mount my body on the lens (and the lens was very carefully watched at all times - though I would have been compliant regardless). It appears to be a bit smaller than the discontinued Canon EF 200mm f/1.8 L USM Lens. Focusing is very fast as expected.

The Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III DSLR was also on display. I was not permitted to use my CF card in this camera - it is supposedly a preproduction model. It is as I expected - very similar to the Canon EOS 1D Mark III.

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Adorama has lowered the Canon EOS 5D price to $2,199.95. As the $400 Canon Pixma Pro9000 Rebate is still in affect, you should probably get the this printer as well. It should bring hundreds of dollars on EBay if you do not need/want it. And that makes the 5D's final price very sweet.

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Now online ...

Sigma 150mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM Macro Lens Sample Pictures

Monday, October 15, 2007

In a surprise move, Canon USA has just announced two new EF lenses ...

Canon EF 200mm f/2 L IS USM Lens
Canon EF 800mm f/5.6 L IS USM Lens

Canon doesn't usually annouce new EOS-related produced at this time of the year, but we'll take them when we can get them ... Unfortunately, I don't have much additional information for you at this point. Availability is unknown. The price tags are likely very high, but also unknown. These should be two very useful lenses - the image quality they deliver should be excellent. I'll try to get more information at the PDN Photo Plus Expo next week. Here is the Press Release from Canon USA.

Now online ...

Canon EOS 40D Sample Pictures

Friday, October 12, 2007

Do you have a Canon EOS 5D on your wish list? I know many of us do.

Well, Canon is making their offer sweeter ... The price of the 5D body is now down to $2,299.95 and the kit (includes an EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS lens) is priced at $2,999.95 (a great deal).

The icing on the cake is that, starting on Oct 14th, Canon is basically giving away a very nice Canon PIXMA PRO9000 Inkjet Printer after a $400 rebate. Or get a $400 rebate on the Canon PIXMA PRO9500 Inkjet Printer.

To get started, Download the rebate and read it to insure you are able to comply with the terms (this should be your standard procedure for rebates).

Then go shopping here ...

Canon EOS 5D options at B&H

Canon EOS 5D Body at Adorama
Canon EOS 5D + 24-105 L Kit at Adorama
Canon EOS 5D Body + Pixma PRO9000 at Adorama
Canon EOS 5D + 24-105 L Kit + Pixma PRO9000 at Adorama

Canon EOS 5D at Amazon.com
Canon EOS 5D + 24-105 L Kit at Amazon.com
Canon EOS 5D at RitzCamera.com
Canon EOS 5D + 24-105 L Kit at RitzCamera.com
Canon EOS 5D at J&R

* While using the above links to Adorama, check out the sale prices on their SanDisk Extreme III and IV CompactFlash Cards.

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Canon USA's Chuck Westfall's October Tech Tips are online at DigitalJournalist.org.

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Adorama's "Refurbished By Canon" availability is up to 43 items. We haven't seen many Canon refurbs recently. Many of these items have a "[See Note]" that indicates they will soon arrive at Adorama's warehouse. Lots of nice lenses are available. The Canon Rebel XT for $369.95 is a very inexpensive entry into the DSLR world.

Monday, October 1, 2007

Selling some used gear ...

I'm trying something new here - offering you some of my gear direct (instead selling on EBay, ...). I can give you a better deal since I save the EBay fee. If it works well, I will try it more frequently.

First, these offers are available within the cUSA. And second, please do not ask me about selling anything else as I am probably not and do not have time to keep a waiting list. :) To be fair to everyone, all items will remain for sale until I receive a firm "I'll take it" under agreed-upon conditions. I will accept Paypal if shipping to the verified address. Use the email button at the top and bottom of this page to contact me.

Sold: Canon EOS 30D Body - $685 shipped
I upgraded to the 40D, no longer need this still-great body. It is in excellent condition. If you put a bright light on the LCDs, you might find some faint scratches, but they are not visible under normal lighting. Comes in original box with all original accessories.

Sold: Gitzo GT3530S Tripod - $485 shipped
Great tripod in excellent condition. You might find a few minor marks on the legs and some scuffs on the rubber feet, but in great shape overall. Comes in original box with dust case.

Sold: Gitzo G1588 Monopod - $195 shipped
Used but in excellent condition. Expect a little dust and some minor scuffs. The rubber foot will be a bit dirty and scuffed.

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Canon has released EOS Rebel XTi/400D Firmware v1.1.1. The following fixes and improvements have been incorporated.

1. Adds detailed information about three new lenses.
Adds details about EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS, and EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM. This makes the correct lens names appear in EXIF information and in printing when using PictBridge.

2. Polish has been added as a new display language in the menu screens."

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Canon EOS 40D Digital SLR Camera Review

My thoughts on a great addition to Canon's lineup. I'll be adding sample pictures in the near future.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Canon's NFL Site is ready for a new season. Check it out for sports tips, a contest, a commercial, the lineup and some trivia.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

I have several downloads for you today ...

Canon EOS 40D Digital SLR Sales Guide (11 MB PDF)
Canon EOS System Catalog - Fall 2007 (16.7 MB PDF)
Canon Speedlite 430EX Manual (2.1 MB PDF) (thanks Mike!)

Friday, September 14, 2007

Lightroom 1.2 and Camera Raw 4.2 are now available. Support for the Canon EOS 40D has been added - the Canon G9 is unofficially supported. Link is to the Lightroom Journal blog which includes both Windows and Mac download links for both products.

Thursday, September 13, 2007

One last 40D and 1D Mark III in-stock update (unless I get additional requests) ...

Canon EOS 40D Body at J&R
Canon EOS 40D Body at RitzCamera.com
(UPDATE: Sold Out) Canon EOS 1D Mark III at 17th Street

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

(UPDATE: Sold Out) OneCall has the Canon EOS 40D in stock. Free 3-Day FEDEX shipping.

The Canon EOS 1D Mark III is in stock - act fast if you want one:

1D Mark III At B&H
1D Mark III at 17th Street ("Will Ship In 3-5 Days")

17th Street is also indicating they will ship the 40D in the same 3-5 days.

Monday, September 10, 2007

The Canon EOS 40D Owner's Manual is now available for download (6.7MB .PDF).

Canon USA's Chuck Westfall is back with his September Tech Tips (at DigitalJournalist.org).

Friday, September 7, 2007

A Canon EOS 40D White Paper is now available (2.9 MB .PDF).

Thursday, September 6, 2007

A friend of the site asked me to make the hard-to-find Canon Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E1 Owners Manual (1.8 MB .PDF) available to everyone. I don't have a nice place to plug it into the site, so I'll rely on the search function to find it for you in the future.

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

UPDATE: Sold out. B&H has the Canon EOS 40D in stock at this moment. If you want one, act fast as demand is huge right now. Both body-only and kit (with lens) versions are in stock. The kit is a great deal.

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

Tamron has announced another round of lens rebates. This round will take us through the end of the year.

Monday, September 3, 2007

Updated: Canon EF 400mm f/5.6 L USM Lens ISO 12233 Chart Sample Crops.

Prior to this point, I've owned two copies of the Canon 400mm f/5.6 L Lens - Both performed similarly, but not spectacularly for a prime telephoto L lens. Site visitors were indicating that my results should be better, so I bit the bullet and purchased a third copy. I think you will find these results to be more respectable - and more representative of this lens in general.