Mar, Apr 2008: Canon EOS News and What's New at The-Digital-Picture.com

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Addressing the Canon EOS 5D replacement question ...

I'm getting a lot of email asking when a 5D replacement will be available, so I'm guessing many more of you are wondering as well.

Unfortunately, the answer is - I don't know.

I avoid posting unsubstantiated rumors here - and I have heard a lot of these regarding the 5D replacement. I think most are complete guesses (though some are realistic-sounding guesses). Canon is very good at keeping new product information confidential until (or close to) their formal announcements. The next time Canon historically announces new products is in August.

I expected a 5D replacement to be on the list in January, but obviously it was not there. So, August is my next best guess for the announcement of a 5D replacement with availability in 1-3 months (another guess) for those pre-ordering immediately (demand is going to be very high) after the announcement. Keep an eye on this page - I'll immediately post any Canon-related information I get.

All that said, the 5D is still an excellent body at an excellent price - I expect a replacement to cost considerably more than the current 5D price (I'm still guessing of course).

 
Canon has released Canon EOS 1D Mark III firmware v1.2.3 and Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III firmware v1.1.2.

"This firmware update (Version 1.2.3) incorporates the following improvements.

1. Includes the following new features that were frequently requested by customers to the new firmware.

Direct selection of AF points by the Multi-controller is added to C.Fn III-9.

Alternate access to Exposure compensation is added to C.Fn IV-3.

[1D Mark III only] With the camera’s External Speedlite control menu, Flash function settings can be used to set the Wireless setting and Zoom.

2. Improves the stability of AF accuracy in AI servo AF when shooting extremely low-contrast subjects."

Monday, April 28, 2008

Did you register your camera? Canon 5D and 1-Series camera body owners registering and completing a short survey at Canon USA receive the following:

$100.00 Voucher for Repair Service (2 yr expiration)
3 Day Turnaround Time for Repairs, and a 20% Discount on Service and Parts
Priority Telephone Support
Exclusive Email Support Address

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Canon USA is issuing a lens and accessory price increase effective May 1st. Rumors of this increase have been confirmed in a letter obtained by Rob Galbraith which states that the dealer cost will increase 3-5% on these items. How this increase affects the retail price of these items remains to be seen, but I expect prices to increase. Our friends in Canada are going to see a similar increase on May 5th.

So, do you buy your lens or accessory before the price increase, or do you wait to see if Canon announces a rebate program for the Spring? That is a tough question. If the item you want typically has a rebate, it could be better to wait. If your item is not usually on the rebate list, it is probably going to be more cost effective to buy now. You can download previous Canon rebates here.

 
Once again, HP Home has a $200 instant rebate on the HP Photosmart 8750 Professional Photo Printer. Click on the "Save up to 44%" banner and navigate to this printer which is now only $299 (regularly $499).

Friday, April 25, 2008

I have added a high ISO noise comparison section to the end of the not-completed Canon EOS Rebel XSi/450D Review. Shown is the high ISO noise performance of 4 EOS SLR camera bodies and the PowerShot G9 in a mouse-over comparison.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Canon Celebrates Production of 40 millionth EF lens.

And they have provided a drool-inducing high resolution image of their 2008 EF Lens Collection to go with the press release.

The production date of the 40,000,000th EF lens is just over two years since the 30,000,000th EF Lens was manufactured and just over 1 year since the 30,000,000th EOS camera body was produced.

Friday, April 18, 2008

The Adorama "Refurbished By Canon" inventory has been refreshed. Lots of great cameras, lenses and flashes are available. You should expect like-new gear at nicely reduced prices.

 
OneCall.com has the Canon EOS 40D on sale ...

Canon EOS 40D Body - $1,039.99  ($140 off)
Canon EOS 40D w/ 28-135mm IS Lens - $1,273.99  ($150 off)

Thursday, April 17, 2008

ISO 12233 Resolution Chart sample crops and sound clips have been added to the Canon EOS Rebel XSi/450D Review. Comparisons to many of Canon's other bodies are available.

Friday, April 11, 2008

The current Canon DSLR and printer rebates are coming to an end ...

From the Feb 14th post first announcing these rebates:

First is the Canon PIXMA® MP970, Pro9000, or Pro9500 Photo Printer and Canon EOS 1D Mark III, EOS 1Ds Mark III, EOS 40D, or EOS 5D Digital SLR Camera $200 Mail-In Rebate.

And second is the Canon PIXMA® MP970 Photo Printer $100 Mail-In Rebate.

As with the 5D + printer rebates in the fall, these appear to be stackable rebates - the printer-only rebate requests the secondary UPC code. Basically, you get paid to buy the printer - which enterprising buyers can then sell on EBay for somewhere in the $200 range.

These rebates are not showing on Canon USA's web site. Use the Canon Digital SLR Reviews page to select your camera and navigate to your favorite retailer's web site to get the details - the rebate forms are specific to the larger retailers. Here is the link to the 40D at B&H.

 
Adobe has once again released Camera Raw v4.4 and Photoshop Lightroom v1.4. Included is support for the Canon EOS Rebel XSi/450D

Camera Raw v4.4 - Windows (includes DNG Converter v4.4)
Camera Raw v4.4 - Mac (includes DNG Converter v4.4)
Photoshop Lightroom v1.4 - Windows
Photoshop Lightroom v1.4 - Mac

Thursday, April 10, 2008

The Canon EOS Rebel XSi/450D DSLR is now shipping in the USA. B&H (sold out), 17th Street and J&R have them in stock.

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Another round of SanDisk Rebates have been released. Once again, multiple purchases can increase the per-item rebate amounts - which are very nice to begin with. This is a 2.3 MB PDF file. Try B&H and Adorama for the best deals.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Canon EOS 40D Firmware v1.0.8 is now available.

"This firmware update (Version 1.0.8) incorporates the following improvements and fixes.

1. Fixes a phenomenon in which Image Stabilization operation emits a sound when certain buttons are pressed, with the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS lens attached to the camera.

2. Fixes a phenomenon in which the Image Stabilization operation emits a sound from the lens when IS lenses are attached to the camera.

3. Fixes a phenomenon in which a part of the image looks unnatural when reviewed on the LCD.

4. Corrects errors in the Spanish and Norwegian menu screens."

Monday, April 7, 2008

Need a good printer? HP Home has a $200 instant rebate on the HP Photosmart 8750 Professional Photo Printer through 4/12/2008. Looks like an excellent deal to me.

 
Chuck Westfall's April Tech Tips are online at DigitalJournalist.org.

Friday, April 4, 2008

The Canon EOS Rebel XSi 450D Digital SLR Camera Owners Manual is now available for download (13.6 MB PDF File).

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Sigma 150mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM Macro Lens Review

Monday, March 31, 2008

Today only - Amazon.com has 40% off 3 Lowepro Backpacks ...

Lowepro Nature Trekker AW II Camera Backpack
Lowepro CompuTrekker AW Camera Backpack
Lowepro DryZone 200 Camera Backpack

Friday, March 28, 2008

Adorama added more "Refurbished By Canon" camera bodies to their inventory - including a Canon 1D Mark III for $3,499 (back in stock) and a Canon 5D for only $1,629.95 (Great deal). Many other models are available as well.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Gitzo GM5540 6x Carbon Fiber Monopod Review

Monday, March 24, 2008

Adorama has refreshed their inventory of "Refurbished By Canon" cameras, lenses and flashes. There are currently 59 items listed - including a Canon 1D Mark III for $3,499. Expect like-new equipment at nicely reduced prices.

 
I was asked the question, so I had to find out for myself. The Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens mounted on a Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III ...

With the help of a 12mm Extension Tube, you can physically mount this EF-S lens on a full frame body. But you probably will not want to. The image above shows the image circle as seen through this combination by a Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III. In addition to the heavy vignetting, AF does not work and the aperture information does not report to the camera. Even in MF mode, more hurdles remain - at 55mm, the 17-55 will not focus any farther away than about 7" or so in front of the lens. This distance rapidly decreases as the focal length is widened until the subject is against the glass and beyond this point no subject can be in-focus. It was a fun exercise at least - and now we know.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Sigma announces the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Lens.

 
Now available: Canon EOS 5D Firmware v1.1.1

"This firmware update (Version 1.1.1) incorporates the following fixes and improvements:

1. It now supports high-capacity CF cards.

2. It allows the latest lens names to be recorded in the Exif information of images taken.

3. It adds lenses that are compatible with the Digital Photo Professional 3.2 lens aberration correction function."

 
Now available: Canon EOS 30D Firmware v1.0.6

"This firmware update (Version 1.0.6) incorporates the following fixes and improvements:

1. It allows the latest lens names to be recorded in the Exif information of images taken.

2. It adds lenses that are compatible with the Digital Photo Professional 3.2 lens aberration correction function."

Monday, March 17, 2008

Adobe issues a warning regarding Camera Raw v4.4 and Photoshop Lightroom v1.4. Read the details at PhotoshopNews.com.

Friday, March 14, 2008

Stuff for sale ... These offers are available within the cUSA. 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 any website page to contact me.

Really Right Stuff (RRS) B57-L L-plate - $149.00 shipped
Fits all 1D series bodies except the Mark IIIs. In excellent condition - no scratches.

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 IS USM Lens - $429 shipped
Like new with manual and caps - missing box.

Sold: Gitzo G-1518 Mk2 Carbon Fiber Rapid Column - $99 shipped
I used this in a Gitzo G1548 tripod. In great shape but shows typical slide-marks.

Sold: Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II - $3,699.00 shipped (PayPal eCheck only)
In excellent condition cosmetically and functionally. Scratch-free - If there is a scratch on the LCDs, you are going to have to look very hard to find it. Slight brassing is visible on the hotshoe as usual. The battery was purchased new on 1/31/2007. Includes box and all original accessories.

Sold: Canon NP-E3 Battery - $89 shipped
Purchased new 6/8/2007. In excellent conditions.

Sold: Gitzo GM3550 6x Carbon Fiber Monopod - $239 shipped
Great monopod. Like new with very lightly dirty foot.

Sold: Lowepro Vertex 200 AW Backpack - $159 shipped
Like new with a little dust.

 
Adobe has released Camera Raw v4.4 and Photoshop Lightroom v1.4. Included is support for the Canon EOS Rebel XSi/450D

Camera Raw v4.4 - Windows (includes DNG Converter v4.4)
Camera Raw v4.4 - Mac (includes DNG Converter v4.4)
Photoshop Lightroom v1.4 - Windows
Photoshop Lightroom v1.4 - Mac

Thursday, March 13, 2008

The Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III is now in stock ...

Amazon.com
OneCall

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Sold out: B&H has the Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III in stock.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

New: "New to the Site" Gallery

I posted a bunch of new sample pictures for various lenses and cameras. The new gallery will make viewing them as a group easy.

Monday, March 10, 2008

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens Sample Pictures
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Lens Sample Pictures

 
Chuck Westfall's March Tech Tips are online at DigitalJournalist.org.

Friday, March 7, 2008

Lens Filter Wrench Review

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Canon USA has updated the Canon EOS 1D Mark III Service Notice.

"March 5, 2008
Updated Information

After the AF mirror Adjustment, including the updated firmware version 1.1.3, the EOS-1D Mark III AF function performed better in our tests than all previous EOS camera models.

Canon strives at all times to continuously improve our products in order to provide our customers with the best performance and value.

We are aware that some customers have raised questions about the performance of the EOS-1D Mark III AF system under certain conditions. We will continue to investigate, and look for opportunities to improve, the performance of the AF system to ensure the satisfaction of all of our customers"

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Lowepro Vertex 200 AW Camera Backpack Review

 
Adorama has over 20 Domke cases on special for at least 50% off. These are listed in Adorama's "Specials" section (use link at the top of the Adorama Home Page). Go to the bottom of page 5 to get to the start of the Domke gear. These are while supplies last - don't hesitate if there is something you want.

Monday, March 3, 2008

Yellowstone National Park Gallery

All images were shot with the Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II DSLR along with a small set of lenses including the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens, Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM Lens and Canon EF 500mm f/4 L IS USM Lens.

 
RitzCamera.com is offering 10% off in-stock orders when you use PayPal Checkout. Free shipping on most photo items over $100. Click on the link at the top of the home page for details and a few restrictions.

 
J&R has the Canon EOS Rebel XSi / 450D available for preorder ...

Black Body
Silver Body
Black Body w/ EF-S 18-55mm Lens
Silver Body w/ EF-S 18-55mm Lens

Saturday, March 1, 2008

OneCall has the Canon 1D Mark III on sale for $3,868.77 shipped.

 
$15 off $100 at Calumet Photographic plus free shipping over $75. The discount will not show in your shopping cart but will show in your confirmation email - PayPal users will be credited the next day. There is no code to enter - simply using this link generates the discount.