From Canon:
UPDATE:
Please see the changes to the “Identification Procedure” section below regarding criteria for affected serial numbers. The identification method has been enhanced to include the first digit in the identification procedure in order to more precisely identify affected products.
Thank you for using Canon products.
Concerning the EOS 5D Mark III digital SLR camera, when the LCD panel illuminates in extremely dark environments, the displayed exposure value may change. Canon has concluded the investigation of this phenomenon, and this announcement informs you of our findings as described below.
Phenomenon
In extremely dark environments, if the LCD panel illuminates, the displayed exposure value may change. However, based on the results of extensive testing this change in exposure value will not noticeably affect the captured image.
Affected Product
The phenomenon described above may occur in Canon EOS 5D Mark III Digital SLR Cameras whose first and sixth digits of the serial number are as set forth below.
Identification Procedure:
Serial Number: [XnnnnNnnnnnn]
"X"="0" and "N"="1" or "2"
"n" represents any digit.
Examples of affected serial numbers are: "0nnnn1nnnnnn" or"0nnnn2nnnnnn"
Support
Under almost all shooting conditions (including dark environments) this phenomenon will not affect your captured images. However, if you would like Canon to inspect your camera, we will provide this service free of charge upon request beginning in mid-May. Please contact Canon using the information below to request service.
This information is for residents of the United States and Puerto Rico only. If you do not reside in the USA or Puerto Rico, please contact the Canon Customer Support Center in your region.
Please register the EOS 5D Mark III. By registering, we will be able to notify you via email when service updates are available. If you already registered, please ensure you are opted-in to receive the notification.
Thank you,
Customer Support Operations
Canon U.S.A., Inc
Contact Information for Inquiries
Canon Customer Support Center
Phone: 1-800-OK-CANON, 1-800-652-2666
TDD: 1-866-251-3752
Email: carecenter@cits.canon.com
For additional support options: www.usa.canon.com/support
Just posted: FocusMaker DSLR Focusing Tool Review
Want to add some dramatic focus pulls to your DSLR video? The FocusMaker might be just what you're looking for...
While this video focuses on the Canon EOS 6D, the basic information on Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB) is applicable to all of Canon DSLRs (although functionality and controls may vary).
From Canon USA:
Understand how the Auto Exposure Bracketing feature works and how to customize it for your shooting needs. For more information, click here.
B&H carries the Canon EOS 6D.
From PocketWizard:
MiniTT1 & FlexTT5 for CANON
TTL support for the 1D X, 6D, 70D – Beta Version 6.686
A major breakthrough in firmware development has enabled full TTL compatibility with modern mid- and high-end Canon cameras: the Canon EOS-1D X, 6D, and 70D are now fully supported on the ControlTL platform. Future cameras will be added *much* more quickly as a result of this breakthrough. Please help us put this firmware through its paces, and tell us what you find. Click here for Canon 6.686 release notes.
MiniTT1 & FlexTT5 for NIKON
COMING SOON! Support for the latest mid- and high-end Nikon cameras such as the D4s, D610, Df, and D7100 will be ready for public beta testing soon. Watch our Facebook and Twitter feeds for the announcement.
The current OFFICIAL firmware release for MiniTT1 & FlexTT5 for Nikon is 3.400 and instructions for downloading the firmware can be found here. Click here for Nikon 3.400 release notes.
Relevant Link: Guide for Installing Beta Firmware with the PocketWizard Utility
B&H carries the PocketWizard MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 radio triggers. (thanks Eric)
B&H has just started shipping the Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM to preorder customers. We have one en route and look forward to putting it through its paces.
Preorder the lens today ensure you get your lens ASAP.
Update: Our contact at B&H has informed us that the retailer expects to have this lens in stock and ready to ship on Tuesday (with all preorders shipped by then).
From Adobe:
Camera Raw 8.5 is now available as a final release for Photoshop CS6 and Photoshop CC. This release provides new features including new preview controls, the ability to modify graduated and radial filters, and a new visualization mask for graduated and radial filters. In addition, this release also includes bug fixes, support for new cameras and new lenses. DNG Converter 8.5 is provided for customers using versions of Photoshop older than Photoshop CS6.
As mentioned here, updates to Camera Raw 8 for Photoshop CS6 only include new camera support, lens profile support, and bug fixes. The new features listed in the release notes are only available in Photoshop CC.
Release Notes
Features:
New Camera Support in Camera Raw 8.5
New Lens Profile Support in Camera Raw 8.5
Mount | Name |
Canon | Sigma 50m F1.4 DG HSM A014 |
Canon | Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC MACRO OS HSM C014 |
Canon | Tamron 16-300mm F3.5-6.3 Dill VC PZD MACRO B0163 |
Nikon | Nikon 1 NIKKOR VR 10-30mm f3.5-5.6 PD-ZOOM |
Nikon | Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR |
Nikon | Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM A014 |
Nikon | Sigma 18-200 F3.5-6.3 DC MACRO OS HSM C014 |
Nikon | Tamron 16-300mm F3.5-6.3 Dill VC PZD MACRO B016N |
Nikon | Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 Di VC USD A011N |
Bugs Corrected in Camera Raw 8.5
Known Bug
Customers using the Sony RX100 M3 and capturing images at ISO 125 may find the default rendering in ACR and Lightroom too dark. This is a known issue and we are working to improve this in a future update.
For those in the United States, our Independence Day holiday is only 2 weeks away. This represents one of the best opportunities we have to capture an epic scene with the grandure of a fireworks display.
From the Canon Digital Learning Center:
"Fireworks are one of the most inspiring and photogenic, yet challenging subjects, to capture. And unfortunately, this is one of those shooting situations where fully automatic exposure and focusing may not help. However, with these tricks up your sleeve, a few accessories and a willingness to experiment, you'll capture amazing fireworks photos this Fourth of July!"
Check out the entire article over at the Canon Digital Learning Center.
Also be sure to check out Bryan's own Fireworks Photography Tips.
Yet Another Tip from T-D-P: Use a tripod and mulitple exposures (blended in Photoshop) to create the scene with background/sky detail.
Last year my father and I [Sean] spent Independence Day in Metropolis, IL. The town had a fireworks display right on Ohio River.
We arrived at the event location rather early. I set up a tripod-mounted EOS 7D + EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM and attached a shutter release cable for easy shooting. I took several exposures to ensure I had the framing I wanted. I also loved the color of the sky and was happy to capture a few images of it.
Unfortunately (but predictably), the event staff waited until it was completely dark to start the fireworks display. As there were very few ambient light sources around, the framing I intended was quite meaningless – the setting simply would not be visible in the exposures containing the fireworks (at the lower ISOs I was hoping to use). But then I had an epiphany...
I shot about 70-80 images of the fireworks with an exposure that left me with completely black background but with good looking fireworks bursts – f/8, 4-6 seconds, ISO 200.
After the fireworks were finished I sorted through them and picked out the best sky/background exposure and my favorite fireworks burst images. I used the Lighten blend mode for the fireworks images and layered several on top of my base image. The end result appears at the top of this post.
In hindsight, I should have captured several varying exposures of my base image so that I could have retained detail in the trees and water (through blending the various images). But otherwise, I was happy with how it turned out.
And technically speaking, you could do this in-camera using the EOS 1-series, 5D Mark III or 6D's Mulitple Exposure feature. However, I prefer the post-processing method as it reduces the complexity of capturing images during the event.
Questions or commnets? Additional tips? Leave them in the comments section below.
From the Canon USA YouTube Channel:
Understand, and learn how to customize and operate, the EOS 6D's in-camera Multiple Exposure Shooting feature. For more information, click here.
Note: Multiple exposures can be a lot of fun. I was testing out the feature on my 5D Mark III during the fall season when I created this:
If you have a camera with the multiple exposure feature and you've never used it, there's no better time than now to start exploring the creative possibilities!
B&H carries the Canon EOS 6D.
From Red Giant:
AVCHD and Canon XF Support. Faster Import. PluralEyes Integration.
June 19, 2014 – Today, Red Giant released BulletProof 1.2, an update that brings more camera support and other improvements to its footage backup and review tool.
BulletProof has been updated to support the AVCHD and Canon XF formats, two mainstays of the industry. In addition to the existing support for Canon and Nikon DSLRs and GoPro cameras, BulletProof now includes support for Panasonic and Sony DSLRs, and for the Canon C-series and XF-series cameras.
BulletProof is designed to solve several challenges that, since the DSLR revolution, have plagued shooters, both on set and right before post-production. One of those is the issue of simple, secure and reliable backup.
BulletProof, which boasts robust automated backup and verification tools, allows shooters to do what they are already doing, but with confidence. Once the camera card is in the card reader, BulletProof creates copies of your footage and verifies them to ensure a perfect duplication. In addition, while the footage is being backed up, the shooter can use BulletProof’s GPU-accelerated playback tools to review the footage and make sure they got the shots they need.
Also new to BulletProof is a highly-requested feature called “Add Mode” - a reference mode that speeds up the import process by cataloging media that has already been copied to disk.
While BulletProof's features start with back-up and review of footage on set, it also addresses the next area of pain in the shooter’s process - preparing the footage and notes for post-production. BulletProof includes powerful tools for tagging, adding metadata, notes, in and out points, and even suggested color correction to the footage - all to help bring the shooter’s intention over to the timeline. These features can be used right on set or once the shooter gets back to the edit suite.
In addition, BulletProof is now integrated with PluralEyes 3.5, Red Giant’s automated audio/video sync tool. One of the editing industry’s most popular tools, PluralEyes literally saves hours or days of audio/video syncing work, with the touch of a button. BulletProof now makes the process even more fluid by sending the footage over to PluralEyes in an organized way, so that you can sync your footage immediately. Once synced, PluralEyes sends the footage directly to the editing timeline, ready for editing.
The combination of these two products together allow the shooter to work with the confidence that comes with knowing that their footage will make it home safe, sound and in sync.
Pricing & Availability:
BulletProof 1.2 is available now for $199. It is a free upgrade for existing users of BulletProof 1.0 and 1.1..
B&H carries Red Giant BulletProof software.
From Adobe's YouTube Channel:
In this video, Julieanne takes a close look at several feature enhancements and refinements made to Photoshop CC that give you powerful tools for creating your designs and working with your images.
Features Covered
From Gura Gear:
Court Approves the Sale of Tamrac Brand and Assets to Gura Gear
OGDEN, UT (June 18, 2014) – GuraGear, LLC, makers of innovative carrying solutions for discerning creative professionals has agreed to acquire the brand and assets of Tamrac, Inc. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court approved the sale through the Chapter 11, Section 363 Sale of Assets process. Tamrac entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in early 2014 and has a 37 year history of developing affordable carrying solutions for photographers.
Gura Gear President, Gregory Schern stated, “this acquisition represents an exciting opportunity for Gura Gear to build upon a brand with a legacy of designing solutions for photographers and a dedicated customer following while leveraging worldwide distribution. We look forward to providing customers a high level of service and implementing solutions from a new perspective in a rapidly evolving industry.” Tamrac, Inc. will continue to operate normally until the acquisition is finalized in late June. Once the transaction is complete, Gura Gear will relocate Tamrac's assets and expand its Ogden, Utah facilities.
From B&H Explora:
Watch this vide to acquire the answers to everything you wanted to know about copyright and other legal issues, but were too scared to ask. There is a boatload of bad information, myths, factoids, and half-truths regarding copyright and other photo-related legal issues, such as model releases, floating around.
Photographer Jack Reznicki and lawyer Ed Greenberg demystify and illuminate the gray areas in an easy, humorous, and understandable manner that only this pairing of a photographer and lawyer with so much “real-life, in-the-trenches” experience can provide. Just like their popular "Copyright Zone" column in Photoshop User magazine, and their book, Photographer’s Survival Guide, they have a light, humorous touch bolstered by accessible explanations of this generally dry subject matter. As one past attendee to their lecture stated, it will “rock your world.”
From Adobe:
Today we’re announcing the immediate availability of Lightroom mobile on iPhone. With the addition of the iPhone, Lightroom now seamlessly connects your desktop, iPad and iPhone.
As with iPad, Lightroom mobile on iPhone extends your workflow beyond your desktop. You can now use either your iPhone or iPad to review and edit images and sync the changes back to the Lightroom catalog at home. And now with the 1.1 update for iPad, you can also apply star ratings to your images and also use the custom order that you’ve set within your collections.
Once you’ve told Lightroom a collection of pictures should be sent to Lightroom mobile, the process is handled automatically and the pictures will become available on your iPad and iPhone once it is connected to the internet.
Lightroom mobile on iPhone utilizes Smart Previews to provide raw editing functionality to your smartphone. First introduced in Lightroom 5 beta, Smart Previews are:
How to get started:
Download Lightroom 5.5
Lightroom mobile is a companion to Lightroom desktop. Lightroom 5.5 is the latest version of Lightroom desktop that includes the ability to sync images to Lightroom mobile. Please update to the latest version of Lightroom 5 using either the Creative Cloud app or by clicking on the “Help-> Check for Updates” menu option.
Sign In
Lightroom mobile utilizes cloud services to sync Smart Previews and changes between Lightroom desktop and Lightroom mobile. Lightroom mobile requires a qualifying Creative Cloud or Photoshop Photography Plan subscription:
A free 30-day trial of Lightroom mobile is available
Sync a collection
Lightroom mobile is organized around Collections. Images within Collections will be synced and be available in Lightroom mobile.
Download Lightroom mobile
Visit the App Store on your iPhone or iPad and Download Lightroom mobile. Once you login with the same Creative Cloud account, you’ll see all of your synced Collections.
Check out your photos at lightroom.adobe.com
In addition to Lightroom mobile, we’ve also launched Lightroom web, a new way to view and share your images from any web browser. Available at http://lightroom.adobe.com.
System Requirements
Lightroom mobile for iPad is available now on iPad 2 or later, and works on iOS7 or later.
Lightroom mobile for iPhone is available now on iPhone 4s or later and works on iOS7 or later.
From Adobe:
Lightroom 5.5 is now available as a final release on Adobe.com and through the update mechanism in Lightroom 5. The goal of this release is to provide support for Lightroom mobile, additional camera raw support, lens profile support and address bugs that were introduced in previous releases of Lightroom.
Release Notes
New Camera Support in Lightroom 5.5
New Lens Profile Support in Lightroom 5.5
Mount | Name |
Canon | Sigma 50m F1.4 DG HSM A014 |
Canon | Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC MACRO OS HSM C014 |
Canon | Tamron 16-300mm F3.5-6.3 Dill VC PZD MACRO B0163 |
Fujifilm | Fujifilm Tele Conversion Lens TCL-X100 |
Nikon | Nikon 1 NIKKOR VR 10-30mm f3.5-5.6 PD-ZOOM |
Nikon | Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR |
Nikon | Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM A014 |
Nikon | Sigma 18-200 F3.5-6.3 DC MACRO OS HSM C014 |
Nikon | Tamron 16-300mm F3.5-6.3 Dill VC PZD MACRO B016N |
Nikon | Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 Di VC USD A011N |
Pentax | Sigma 30mm F.14 DC HSM A013 |
Sigma | Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM A014 |
Sigma | Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC MACRO OS HSM C014 |
Sony Alpha | Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC HSM A013 |
Sony Alpha | Sony Alpha 28-75mm F2.8 SAM |
Bugs Corrected in Lightroom5.5
Download Links:
Lightroom 5.5 for Windows
Lightroom 5.5 for Macintosh
B&H carries Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.
From Tamron:
June 19, 2014,Commack, New York- Tamron USA, Inc. announced the price and delivery of the 18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 Di III[2] VC for Canon mount (Model B011). This lightweight, compact high-power zoom lens, originally released for Sony mount in 2011, is designed for mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras with APS-C sized sensors and sports a stylish design and is available in two color options. It will be available in the U.S. starting June 26, 2014 at $499.
Product Highlights
Specifications
Model | B011 |
Max Format size | APS-C (EF-M) |
Focal length | 18–200 mm |
Image stabilisation | Yes (4 stops claimed) |
Lens mount | Canon EF-M, Sony E (NEX) |
Maximum aperture | F/3.5 - F/6.3 |
Minimum aperture | F/22.0 - F/40.0 |
Aperture ring | No |
Number of diaphragm blades | 7 |
Elements / Groups | 17 / 13 |
Minimum focus | 0.50 m (19.69") |
Maximum magnification | 0.27× |
Autofocus | Yes |
Motor type | Stepper motor |
Full time manual | Yes |
Focus method | Internal |
Distance scale | No |
DoF scale | No |
Weight | 460 g (1.01 lb) |
Diameter | 68 mm (2.68") |
Length | 97 mm (3.82") |
Materials | Metal barrel, metal mount |
Colour | Black, Silver |
Zoom method | Rotary (extending) |
Zoom lock | Yes |
Filter thread | 62 mm |
Hood supplied | Yes |
Hood product code | flower shaped hood |
Tripod collar | No |
B&H has the Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III VC Lens for Canon EOS M available for preorder.