Canon & Nikon News and What's New (Excluding Deals) (Page 16) Report News & Deals

From Canon:
 
First centre of its kind showcases the best of Canon photography and print imaging technology in a hands-on, experiential environment
 
CALGARY, Alberta, January 15, 2013 - Canon Canada Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions celebrating its 40th Anniversary, today announced the opening of Image Square, the Canon Experience Centre - a unique destination where visitors can interact with the latest Canon technology and benefit from the expertise of photography and business consultants.
 
Located at Eighth Avenue Place in downtown Calgary, Alberta, Canon Image Square is a ground-breaking, innovative and technologically-advanced space specifically designed to encourage exploration and discovery. Visitors will learn how Canon products and solutions can help them capture their experiences, enhance their memories, and increase their productivity, at home, at work, and at play.
 
Canon Image Square is open to the public beginning today at 12:00pm.
 
“Canon Image Square represents a true first for Canada, and it sets the standard for how our industry interacts with customers by offering an opportunity to experience first-hand our state-of-the-art products and technology,” said Kevin Ogawa, President and CEO of Canon Canada. “We are committed to providing our customers and prospective customers with the best experience with our products, and that includes allowing them to touch and try our products before they purchase.”
 
As part of the Canon Image Square vision, expert staff will direct visitors to purchase through authorized local dealers or direct from Canon.
 
Canon Image Square features dynamic displays and demonstrations that give visitors a true look at how Canon products work. This innovative approach to the consumer experience includes:

• Expert staff dedicated to answering questions, sharing tips, and finding information for visitors.
• Full-motion thematic settings and sculptural exhibits where visitors can test point-and-shoot and digital SLR cameras, a range of lenses and accessories, and a selection of printers.
• A touch screen media wall where visitors can post and interact with their own images.
• Interactive discovery tables where visitors can select an image, learn about its features, and find directions to the related product station.
• A fully-operational showroom exhibiting a range of Canon print production devices and solutions for business needs.
• A photo studio outfitted with professional Canon digital SLR cameras, Speedlight flashes, and photo production software.
• A classroom-style learning space where expert staff will conduct seminars, projector demos, presentations, and Canon College photography classes.
• Photo gallery curated by 500px, featuring the works of Alberta-based photographers who use Canon equipment to bring remarkable images to life.

Canon Image Square occupies approximately 6,600 square feet on the ground floor of Eighth Avenue Place, a pre-certified LEED Platinum building. Canon Image Square is accessible off 8th Avenue as well as through the building’s main concourse.
 
For more information, visit www.canon.ca/imagesquare.

From Canon:
 
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., January 15, 2013 - Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, has rolled out a consumer-safety initiative that will promote awareness of a consumer electronics industry-wide issue: the risks of using counterfeit accessories for digital cameras and camcorders, especially batteries and chargers. Counterfeit products are fake replicas of the real products, designed to take advantage of the superior value of the real product. These fake accessories are produced in a manner that is increasingly more difficult for average consumers to identify. Purchase of these products can lead to potentially dangerous results. Unlike genuine Canon products, counterfeit accessories may not meet government and industry safety standards and may overheat, smoke, melt, ignite and may cause bodily injury and property damage.
 
In support of this initiative, a digital campaign, with the tagline, "Play it safe. Power your Canon with Canon Power" was launched on January 8, advising consumers to avoid counterfeits by purchasing products through established retail channels. In addition, the Canon USA Website has been enlisted to educate consumers on the Canon batteries and chargers most frequently counterfeited and to provide helpful tips to spot them.
 
"Canon takes safety seriously and, as good corporate citizens, we want to inform and educate so that consumers are aware of the risks counterfeit products pose," said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A. "We will be rolling out an initiative over the next few months, encouraging consumers to help play it safe with genuine Canon power when making an investment in a camera or camcorder and its accessories, so that they may continue to enjoy the quality experience they expect from us."
 
For more information, visit www.usa.canon.com/aboutcounterfeits.

From Nikon:
 
Modifications enabled with version 2.7.1 :
 
Modifications that apply to both the Windows and Macintosh versions

• Support for the D5200, and Nikon 1 models J3 and S1 has been added.
• The following issues with movies recorded using the Nikon 1 V2 with White Balance set to Underwater have been resolved.

• Thumbnails for movies transferred with Nikon Transfer 2 using a card reader are not displayed in the thumbnail list area.
• When Metadata is selected from the Edit palette, information other than that in File Info 1 is displayed.

Modifications enabled with Ver. 2.7.0 (included):
 
Modifications that apply to both the Windows and Macintosh versions

• Support for the Nikon 1 V2 has been added.
• The AF Noise Reduction function, which reduces noise produced by auto focusing during movie recording and picked by the built-in microphone, has been added.
• The AF Noise Reduction function is available only for the following devices:

• Camera: The D3200 (released in May 2012) and later digital-SLR cameras.
• Lens:

• AF-S NIKKOR and AF-I NIKKOR lenses
• AF-S/AF-I teleconverters (AF-S/AF-I lenses are required)

• When white balance of RAW images captured with the P7700 was adjusted using Use Gray Point, specified point did not turn gray. This issue has been resolved.

Additional modifications to the Windows version

• Support for the 64bit- and 32bit- versions of Windows 8, Windows 8 Pro and Windows 8 Enterprise has been added.
• When a large number of images were transferred with Nikon Transfer 2 using a card reader, Nikon Transfer 2 quit unexpectedly on rare occasions. This issue has been resolved.

Additional modifications to the Macintosh version

• Support for IEEE 1394 connection for the D1, D1H, and D1X has been eliminated.
• The following issues with combined use of Mac OS X version 10.6 and Nikon Transfer 2 have been resolved.

• When the camera and computer are connected and the camera is turned off after Nikon Transfer 2 is launched, Nikon Transfer 2 quits unexpectedly on rare occasions.
• When a large number of images on a memory card are transferred using a card reader, the transfer is terminated unexpectedly on rare occasions.

Download update: Windows 32-bit | Windows 64-bit | Macintosh

ISO 12233 resolution chart, distortion and vignetting test results, along with specs and measurements, have been added to the Canon EF 24-70mm f/4 L IS USM Lens Review page.
 
Here are some of my initial comparative thoughts based on multiple copies tested:
 
You will see very low distortion from the 24-70 f/4 L IS relative to similar zoom lenses. Noticeably less than from the 24-105 f/4 L IS - significantly less at 24mm. Landscape photographers shooting over a flat horizon (such as water) will especially appreciate the difference at 24mm, though the 24-70 f/4 L IS still has some barrel distortion.
 
The 24-70 f/4 L IS is nearly void of CA (Chromatic Aberration) until the longer end of the focal length range where mild CA becomes apparent at 70mm. The 24-70 f/4 L IS has noticeably less CA than the 24-105 f/4 L IS at the wide end, but more at 70mm.
 
The 24-70 f/4 L IS is similar to the 24-70 f/2.8 L II in regards to both CA and distortion.
 
The 24-70 f/4 L IS has less vignetting than the 24-105 f/4 L IS at the wide end at f/4, but more at the long end. By f/5.6, the two lenses are close in this regard. The 24-70 f/2.8 L II, with its 1-stop wider aperture, has the comparable-aperture vignetting advantage until about f/8 where the two are nearly equal.
 
If you are shooting at f/11, the 24-70 f/4 L IS, 24-105 f/4 L IS and 24-70 f/2.8 L II lenses produce essentially equal sharpness. The 24-105 has the longest focal length range to its advantage in this comparison. The 24-70 f/2.8 L II lacks IS.
 
At 24mm with a wide open aperture, the 24-70 f/4 L IS bests the 24-105 L IS in sharpness by a modest amount. The 24-70 f/4 L IS gets softer (especially in the mid and peripheral image circle) by 50mm f/4 where the lens performs its worst.
 
That this lens performs its worst at a mid-focal length vs. an extremity focal length is unusual. Since most people shoot their highest percentage of images at the focal length range extremes of a lens, the 24-70 L IS weakness is perhaps well placed. Roger at LensRentals.com has confirmed the 50mm weakness in his vast stock of this lens.
 
The 24-105 L delivers a sharper image at 50mm f/4. Sharpness improvement at 70mm brings the 24-70 f/4 L IS back up to near equality with the 24-105 L. These two lenses perform more similarly at f/5.6 and at f/8, results from these two lenses are nearly comparable. Again, the results are similar at f/11.
 
The Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L II USM Lens is the sharper lens of this group - even at f/2.8 vs. f/4.
 
Overall, the Canon EF 24-70mm f/4 L IS USM Lens appears to be a great lens, but ... perhaps overpriced with the bargain-priced Canon EF 24-105 f/4 L IS Lens remaining available.

From Amateur Photographer:
 
Jessops customers who bought cameras before the chain went under last week have been told they will not receive their orders, or a refund.
 
On Friday, the chain closed all remaining 187 shops with the loss of 1,370 jobs as the 78-year-old business ceased trading, just days after falling into administration.
 
Five of the 192 shops that were trading at the end of 2012, closed after Christmas.
 
A further '150' people are expected to be made jobless at the company's head office in Leicester, according to accountants PwC who are acting as administrators.
 
A statement posted on the Jessops website warns: ‘Customers who have ordered and paid for all or part of their stock – either in store or online – will not receive their stock purchase.
 
‘Customers who have paid using credit cards should contact their credit card company to try and seek resolution to this matter.'
 
Customers who are owed money by Jessops – such as in the form of unredeemed gift cards and vouchers, or courses paid for in advance – will also lose out.
 
They have been told to register as an 'unsecured creditor' with the administrators, using the PwC website at www.pwc.co.uk/jessops
 
Administrators have set up a Jessops Group Limited helpline which can be reached on 0113 289 4422.
 
Meanwhile, Nikon has moved to reassure customers that it is ‘actively working with administrators and plans to undertake all outstanding repairs as quickly as possible'.
 
In a statement, the firm added: ‘Nikon UK can confirm that we will also be honouring any repairs under Jessops' Photo + extended warranty scheme.' For details call 0330 123 0928.
 
To read the administrators' advice to Jessops customers click HERE.

From Phase One:
 
Improves Stability, Adds Support for New Cameras
 
COPENHAGEN, January 14, 2013 — Phase One has released Capture One Pro 7.0.2 for immediate download. This service release has focused on solving bugs reported by customers, strengthening overall stability, and adding support for new models of Canon, Olympus, Fujifilm and Sony cameras, and includes new tethered support for Canon EOS 6D and Canon EOS M cameras.
 
New preliminary camera support includes:

• Fujifilm X-Pro1
• Fujifilm XE-1
• Fujifilm XF1
• Canon EOS 6D
• Canon EOS M
• Sony SLT-A57
• Sony NEX-5R
• Olympus XZ-2 iHS
• Canon EOS-1D X and EOS 5D Mark III (sRAW and mRAW)

Numerous bug fixes have improved stability, including support for Canon tethering on Apple OS X 10.8, and improved support for pen tablets on Windows 8.
 
Other changes in Capture One Pro 7.0.2 include aligning the use of image counts in the library tool: no counts for smart albums on Mac and no image counts shown for Groups and Projects on Windows.
 
Capture One Pro 7 is a raw converter and workflow software which enables photographers to reduce the time and effort required to deliver stunning ready-to-use images with excellent color and detail. Capture One Pro 7.0.2 is available as a free download for Capture One Pro 7 customers.
 
B&H carries Capture One Pro products.

From Photoshelter:
 
Mastering The Illusion of Perfection with Photo Retoucher Amy Dresser
 
Amy Dresser is one of the industry's leading photo retouchers and illustrators. Her clients have ranged from editorial (TIME, Allure) to advertising (Barbie, Pepsi, Target) to individual photographers (Jill Greenberg, Jeremy Cowart).
 
In this live webinar on Tuesday, January 15th at 4pm EDT Amy will take us behind the Photoshop layered curtain of her work, and discuss her thought process, technique, and end result.
 
Note: Only the first 1,000 registrants will be able to attend this live webinar. After that, registration will close. We will post a video recording on The PhotoShelter Blog, but sign up if you want to attend on January 15th.
 
Register here.

 
From PetaPixel:
 
In 2009, when Kodak announced that production of Kodachrome film would be coming to an end, legendary photographer Steve McCurry saw an opportunity, and asked if the company would give him the final roll. Given his reputation and the many famed photographs he’s taken on Kodachrome, it’s no surprise Kodak said yes.
 
As a tribute to this final roll, a crew from National Geographic decided to follow McCurry and document the momentous last 36 frames that would ever be shot on that film — the video above is the result.
 
The video is much more than just a chronicling of how McCurry spent that last roll of film. As with any great artist, when the NatGeo crew put McCurry on camera he inevitably managed to spout some phenomenal advice. It really makes you appreciate digital (or perhaps miss film) to see McCurry being so careful with his shots, making sure that each one did the Kodachrome roll justice.
 
In reality, the days already came and went when that roll was shot and developed; the last lab to process Kodachrome stopped at the end of 2010 and you can see the gallery of those final shots on McCurry’s website. But this documentary acts as yet another farewell to a film so loved there are plans for a movie about its demise.

From Datacolor:
 
Join us for a webinar on Exploring Photographic Composition
 
Photographic composition is a key element of photography. To master composition, one must learn the ability to see compositions as shapes, lines, forms, masses, etc., and not just as recognizable objects. You must be able to visualize how objects function as forms in space under light, and how they will relate to a two dimensional composition. This webinar gives an overview of the use of photographic composition in landscape and still life photography, drawing examples from the work of masters of photography, as well as our own Datacolor master photographers.
 
Join us, Tuesday, January 15th from 3PM-4PM EST, as Datacolor Experts David Saffir and C. David Tobie guide you through the key elements of photographic composition and how they interact to make a unified whole.
 
An interactive Q&A will take place throughout the webinar to answer any questions you may have.
 
One lucky webinar guest will win a free Spyder4PRO
 
Title: Exploring Photographic Composition: Landscape and Still Life
Date: Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM EST
 
Click here to register.

Early last year, Nikon published a letter directed at all unauthorized repair facilities stating that "...Nikon has decided that it will no longer make repair parts available for purchase by repair facilities that have not been authorized by Nikon Inc. to perform camera repairs."
 
A backlash enused as once cheap and simple repairs became much more costly for consumers who were forced to ship their cameras to one of Nikon's limited number of authorized repair facilities.
 
Nikon has since made some consessions - and is now selling a limited number of repair parts directly to the general public.
 
Parts available for puchase include (but vary depending on camera model):

• Rubber grips/covers/caps
• Battery/memory card doors
• Name plate decals

See the full list of repair parts here.

From BBC News:
 
High Street camera retailer Jessops is to shut all of its stores, resulting in the loss of about 1,370 jobs.
 
Administrator PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), appointed this week, said all 187 stores in the UK would shut at the end of trading on Friday.
 
More jobs would be lost at the head office in Leicester, it added.
 
Jessops became the first High Street casualty of 2013, after a raft of firms fell into administration in 2012, including Comet and Clinton Cards.
 
PwC was appointed administrator on Wednesday, and at the time said there might be some store closures.
 
It came after talks this week between Jessops and its lender and suppliers broke down after a poor Christmas.
 
The camera chain was founded in Leicester in 1935 by Frank Jessop.
 
In recent years, it has been hit by increasing competition from supermarkets and internet retailers.
 
Rob Hunt, joint administrator at PwC, said it was an "extremely sad day for Jessops and its employees".
 
Read the entire article here. (thanks Dean)

B&H has the Canon EOS 1D C Digital Camera in stock.

From Canon:
 
Mr. Masaya Maeda, Chief Executive, Image Communication Products Operation, Canon Inc., is proud to have Canon acknowledged along with peers, Sony, Red, and Arri in receiving a Technical Emmy award for advancements in CMOS sensor technology for film and television production.

From Canon:
 
Canon tops among Japanese companies in U.S. patent rankings for eighth consecutive year
 
TOKYO, January 11, 2013 — Canon Inc. ranked first among Japanese companies and third overall for the number of U.S. patents awarded in 2012, according to the latest ranking of preliminary patent results issued by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services on January 10, 2013.
 
Canon actively promotes the globalization of its business and places great value on obtaining patents overseas, carefully adhering to a patent-filing strategy that pursues patents in essential countries and regions while taking into consideration the business strategies and technology and product trends unique to each location. Among these, the United States, with its many high-tech companies and large market scale, represents a particularly important region in terms of business expansion and technology alliances.
 
Canon U.S. patent ranking among Japanese companies 2005 - 2012

Year	Ranking*	No. of patents
2012	1st (3rd)	3,174
2011	1st (3rd)	2,813
2010	1st (4th)	2,551
2009	1st (4th)	2,200
2008	1st (3rd)	2,107
2007	1st (3rd)	1,983
2006	1st (3rd)	2,367
2005	1st (2nd)	1,828

* Number in parenthesis represents Canon’s ranking among all companies
 
Canon prizes its corporate DNA of placing a high priority on technology. And with regard to research and development results, the company actively promotes the acquisition of patent rights in accordance with the management direction of the Canon Group and technology trends while conducting thorough pre-application searches to raise the quality of applications. Through close cooperation between Canon’s technology and intellectual property divisions, the company aims to improve its technological capabilities while further enhancing its intellectual property rights.

 
From Giottos:
 
Giotto’s launches patented brand new design for its core tripod range
 
Just when you think you’ve seen it all in the world of tripods – Giotto’s has launched a brand new range of tripods featuring a totally unique, patented design – enabling a 30% space saving while maintaining full strength, stability and weight capacity.
 
The NEW Giotto’s Silk Road YTL Series replaces the entire range of Giotto’s MTL tripods and features a new Y-shaped centre column, meaning a super slim 30% space saving when the tripod is packed down.
 
This uniquely shaped centre column brings a totally new dimension to tripod design – allowing legs to be stowed in a much more compact way, without the ‘bulk’ of tripods using traditional design.
 
Giotto’s is continually challenging the dimensions of photographic tripods – following on from the huge success of its award winning Vitruvian range – which adopted a space saving inverted design when the tripod is folded down.
 
The new Silk Road range is named after the historical network of interlinking trade routes covering East, South & Western Asia, parts of North & east Africa and Europe. New technologies were often traded along this route too – hence the inspiration for the Giotto’s Silk Road series.
 
The new Y-Tube column allows a 30% space saving vs the MTL range – while maintaining full strength, stability and weight capacity. The Silk Road Series includes a range of tripods, which support up to 5kg, 8kg and 10kg of camera equipment.
 
The unique Y-shaped column allows tripod legs to be stowed in a much more compact configuration.
 
Within the range there are 12 models with options including a 2 way column and a super versatile 3 way centre column, ideal for very low level shooting. The 3D column tripods have an included low-angle adaptor.
 
The range also includes models with 3-section and 4-section tripod legs – for additional height and compact stowage. The adjustable tripod legs have 3 ‘footprint’ settings – full height, mid height where the legs are slightly wider and an ultra wide setting for low level photography.
 
The new range also features graduated leg markings and new, patented Quick Easy Leg (QEL) Lock adjustments for fast, accurate adjustment without taking your eye off the subject.
 
On the models with 2 way centre column, there’s also a bubble spirit level built in and all models feature a swappable tripod thread – so you can easily change between 3/8” and 1/4” – meaning the Giotto’s Silk Road YTL range is compatible with any Giotto’s head and models from other manufacturers too.
 
For the ultimate grip in wet or uneven conditions, spiked feet are now available as an optional extra. The range is available in both aluminium and carbon fibre made from the finest quality components. Carbon fibre models are manufactured from the highest quality 8x multi layer carbon fibre to increase strength and reduce weight.
 
Key Features:

• Brand new patented ‘Y-Tube’ centre column – enabling a 30% space saving
• 12 models including finest quality aluminium and carbon fibre
• 3 or 4 section tripod legs
• Brand new Quick Easy Leg Lock (QEL) and graduated leg markings
• Fully compatible tripod thread – works with any Giotto’s head or other standard thread tripod heads
• Range of height settings – and optional extras including short centre column and spiked tripod feet

Guide retail pricing: from £100 for aluminium models and £220 for carbon fibre models. The Giotto’s Silk Road Series will launch at the SWPP Trade Show (11th – 13th January 2013) and ‘first look’ of the entire range will be on show at Focus on Imaging (3rd - 6th March 2013)
 
Product will be available in store & online from mid-January.
 
B&H carries the Giottos Tripods.

From Sigma:
 
01.11.2013 - SIGMA 35mm F1.4 DG HSM F/NIKON scheduled to start shipping this month.
 
The Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM for Nikon is available for preorder from B&H, Adorama, and Amazon.

B&H has the Zeiss 135mm f/2.0 APO-Sonnar T Lens (Canon | Nikon) available for preorder.

Sigma has released a beautifully produced video that shows the inner workings of their Aizu, Japan lens manufacturing facility.
 

Nikon has released a short video demonstrating how its optical glass is made.
 

 
From Canon:
 
CANON U.S.A. INTRODUCES TWO NEW CINEMA PRIME LENSES, EXPANDING THE CINEMA EOS PRIME LENS PRODUCT LINE TO FIVE MODELS
 
Designed for Film-Style Operation, Canon Cinema Prime Lenses Deliver Exceptional 4K Performance
 
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., January 10, 2013 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, announces the new CN-E14mm T3.1 L F and CN-E135mm T2.2 L F single-focal-length lenses for large-format single-sensor cameras employing Super 35mm or full frame 35mm imagers. These two new lenses join with Canon’s CN-E24mm T1.5 L F, CN-E50mm T1.3 L F, and CN-E85mm T1.3 L F primes to provide a broad line of five precision-matched, competitively priced EF-mount Cinema prime lenses that provide high optical performance levels and a choice of versatile focal lengths for a wide range of creative shooting choices. All five Canon Cinema prime lenses are part of the Canon Cinema EOS System of professional digital cinematography products, which include the EOS C500 4K/2K Digital Cinema Camera, EOS C300 Digital Cinema Camera, EOS C100 Digital Video Camera and EOS-1D C 4K DSLR Cinema Camera, and four Canon Cinema zoom lenses.
 
“Since our introduction to the film and television production industry back in November 2011, we have brought to market five Cinema prime lenses, two top-end Cinema zoom lenses, two compact Cinema zoom lenses, and four professional digital cinematography cameras all within 18 months,” stated Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A. “This is a testament to the Company’s dedication to the needs of the growing and diverse universe of professionals creating 4K, 2K, and HD moving-image content for theatrical, television, and other high-resolution digital production markets. We look forward to continuing to serve these professionals with Canon Cinema EOS products designed to help them achieve their creative imperatives and commercial aspirations.”
 
All Canon Cinema EOS lenses integrate advanced materials and coatings to meet high optical performance levels, including 4K (4096 x 2160) production standards. Each Canon Cinema lens is equipped with an odd-numbered 11-blade aperture diaphragm, which is ideally suited to achieve creative depth-of-field manipulation and pleasing “bokeh” effects of cinematographic quality. The Canon line of five Cinema prime lenses is precision-matched for consistent and solid optical performance that minimizes focus-induced changes in the angle of view. All feature a full-frame image circle in a lightweight, compact design, and they incorporate proven Canon lens elements designed to fulfill contemporary 4K production standards. All five primes also deliver color tone and balance that matches Canon’s top-end Cinema zooms and compact Cinema zooms. Canon Cinema prime lenses are also water-resistant for severe shooting conditions and deliver the operation and reliability required in professional film-style shooting environments.
 
All five Canon Cinema primes feature mechanical attributes specifically designed for motion-picture production, as opposed to still photography. These strategically integrated film-style characteristics include 300 degree rotation on the focus ring for precision focus control as well as large, highly visible engraved focus scales for convenient operation. These markings appear on the angled surfaces on both sides of the barrel, making them easy to both read and to adjust the stepless focus and/or aperture settings of the lenses from behind – or from either side – of the camera. Focus markings can be switched from standard labeling to metric, and control rings are engineered to maintain the proper amount of resistance with consistent operating torque and familiar tactile “feedback” for satisfying manual control. All Canon Cinema prime lenses also share the same uniform gear positions, diameters, and rotation angles, as well as front-lens diameters, making them compatible with matte boxes, follow focus gear, marking disks, and other third-party film-industry-standard accessories. Film crews can quickly change lenses without the need for accessory gear-position adjustments or other changes to the rig setup.
 
The new Canon CN-E14mm T3.1 and CN-E135mm T2.2 Cinema prime lenses – as well as the Canon CN-E24mm T1.5, CN-E50mm T1.3, and CN-E85mm T1.3 primes – are fully compatible with the Canon EOS C500, EOS C300, EOS C100 and EOS-1D C digital cinema cameras. The EF-mount design of all five Canon Cinema prime lenses provides communication with these cameras for such handy features as display of the f number in the electronic viewfinder, recording of focus/zoom position and f number, and Peripheral Light Compensation for more pleasing effects shots.
 
The versatility of image-capture options using Canon EOS digital cinema cameras can be further extended with Canon’s Super35mm top-end Cinema zoom lenses (the CN-E14.5-60mm T2.6 wide-angle and the CN-E30-300mm T2.95-3.7 telephoto) and compact Cinema zooms (the CN-E15.5-47mm T2.8 wide-angle and CN-E30-105mm T2.8 telephoto). All four are available in both EF- and PL-mount versions, as are the EOS C500 and EOS C300 cameras. Almost all of Canon’s EF Series photographic lenses can also be used with these Cinema EOS cameras, including Image Stabilized zooms, tilt-shift models, and macro lenses. All of these products are designed to contribute to the continued advancement of tools for visual storytelling and all express Canon’s continuing commitment to cinematic culture.
 
Pricing and Availability
The CN-E14mm T3.1 L F single-focal-length lens is expected to be available in April 2013 for an estimated retail price of $5,500. The CN-E135mm T2.2 L F single-focal-length lens is expected to be available in May 2013 for an estimated retail price of $5,200.
 
B&H carries Canon Cinema lenses.

Have you ever needed an additional photographer for an event but couldn't find one on short notice? Have you ever needed to film yourself but there was no one around to help you out?
 
Then the SOLOSHOT may be for you!
 

 
B&H carries the SOLOSHOT Camera Tripod & Wireless Transmitter (currently back-ordered).

ISO 12233 chart, flare, distortion and vignetting test results along with measurements have been added to the Nikon 70-200mm f/4G IF-ED AF-S VR Nikkor Lens Review page.
 
This lens is a really nice addition to the Nikon lineup.

From InternetRetailer.com:
 
Art.com buys photography platform provider Zenfolio
 
Zenfolio enables photographers to sell their work online.
 
Wall décor e-retailer Art.com Inc. has acquired Zenfolio Inc., which provides photographers the technology to upload, share and sell their work, Art.com announced today.
 
“Bringing Zenfolio into the Art.com family was very natural because of the synergy between the two companies in the wall decor space,” said Geoffroy Martin, CEO of Art.com. “Zenfolio provides a solution for photographers looking to sell their work online, and will allow us to capture an even larger portion of our customers’ ‘wall share.’“
 
Art.com did not disclose the financial terms of the deal, but says Art.com and Zenfolio.com will continue to operate as separate entities. The management team at Zenfolio will remain in place, and the company will continue to operate from its current location in Menlo Park, CA, for the foreseeable future, says an Art.com spokesperson.
 
Founded in 2006, Zenfolio is a subscription-based, customizable e-commerce platform service that allows amateur and professional photographers to launch and maintain their own e-commerce sites. “We are looking forward to the opportunity to leverage Art.com’s resources to accelerate our growth and expand our product offering,” says Alex Peyzner, founder and CEO of Zenfolio.
 
Art.com is No. 117 in the Internet Retailer Top 500 Guide.
 
Read the original artical here.

This technology might bode well for a future crop of DSLR LCD screens.
 
From Computerworld:
 
The toughened glass used in many smartphones and tablets is about to get tougher
 
IDG News Service - Corning has developed a new version of its Gorilla Glass for smartphones and tablets that it says will result in 40% fewer scratches and appear in devices later this year.
 
Corning makes the glass used in devices from Apple, Samsung and other top-tier vendors. It introduced Gorilla Glass 2 at the International CES in Las Vegas last year, and it's back again in 2013 with another update.
 
It's virtually impossibly to make glass completely scratch-proof, but Gorilla Glass 3 can stand three times as much force before it develops the kind of deep scratches, or trenches, that are visible to the eye, said David Velasquez, Corning's director of marketing for Gorilla Glass.
 
That extra strength should result in 40% fewer scratches, he said. And if the glass cracks, it retains more of its strength than it did previously, meaning it's less likely to shatter if it gets another knock. Corning delivered samples of the new glass last year and it will be in volume production in the next few months.
 
Read the entire news article at Computerworld.

From the BBC:
 
Troubled High Street camera retailer Jessops has gone into administration, with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) appointed as the administrator.
 
In recent years, it has been hit by increasing competition from supermarkets and internet retailers.
 
Jessops, which was founded in Leicester in 1935, has 192 stores in the UK and employs about 2,000 staff.
 
The administrators said that it was "inevitable" that some stores would have to close.
 
PwC said that while Jessops was a well-known brand with a strong reputation for service, its core marketplace had seen a significant decline in 2012, which was forecast to continue in 2013.
 
Despite additional funding being made available, Jessops had not generated the profits it had planned, PwC added.
 
In 2009, Jessops managed to avoid administration by agreeing a debt for equity swap with its lender HSBC.
 
'Yet another blow'
 
Rob Hunt, joint administrator and partner at PwC, said: "Our most pressing task is to review the company's financial position and hold discussions with its principal stakeholders to see if the business can be preserved.
 
"Trading in the stores is hoped to continue today but is critically dependent on these ongoing discussions. However, in the current economic climate it is inevitable that there will be store closures."
 
PwC added that at present Jessops would not honour customer vouchers or accept returned goods.
 
Julie Palmer, a partner at business recovery group Begbies Traynor, said Jessops' administration was "yet another blow" for the UK High Street and showed that January was a high risk month for retailers.
 
"With substantial cash outflows on the 25 December quarterly rent day combining with fierce pricing competition during the January sales, it puts significant pressure on finances.
 
"The administration of such a household name can only serve to damage consumer confidence further in the months ahead." (thanks Dean)