Canon and Sony News for May 2016 (Page 2)
According to the Egami Blog, Canon has patented an EF-M 9-17mm f/3.5-5 STM optical design.
Patent Description
- Patent Publication No. 2016-85259
- Published 2016.5.19
- Submission Date 2014.10.23
- Zoom ratio 1.79
- Focus distance 9.27 13.32 16.58
- F-number 3.60 4.38 5.11
- AOV 51.83 45.17 38.94
- Overall length of the lens 85.22 79.65 81.94
- BF 14.99 16.82 15.41
The iamNikon blog has a very interesting article on the aerial photography of Dan Vojtech.
One of the most impressive shots from the article involves Vojtech using strobes placed in each plane flying in a mirror formation. The strobes are positioned to light the plane which is flying about 15 feet away (above/below). [Sean]
B&H carries the Nikon D5, NIKKOR 16mm f/2.8 Fisheye and AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED.
May 20, 2016 – TOKYO – Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce that its D5 digital SLR camera is the recipient of the Camera GP (Grand Prix) 2016 Readers Award. The Camera Grand Prix is held by the Camera Journal Press Club (C.J.P.C. / Japan).
The Readers Award is presented to the camera that is selected through voting by users. Out of the nine times the Readers Award has been presented, Nikon digital SLR cameras have been the recipients of the award a total of seven times, proving that Nikon cameras are extremely popular with, and appreciated by, a great number of camera users.
Earlier this year, the D5 was also the recipient of the TIPA Awards 2016 Best DSLR Professional/Action awards, sponsored by the Technical Image Press Association (TIPA).
Reasons the D5 was selected: A selection of comments from users
- The D5 exhibits the absolute performance and presence of a flagship model. I am especially impressed with its unparalleled performance at high sensitivities, which greatly expands the possibilities for imaging expression.
- I really like the fact that it is a still camera that offers a level of advancement never before seen with all major functions, including AF, AE, and high-sensitivity characteristics, and that it clearly expresses the direction cameras and technology will take in the future.
- With features such as support for standard sensitivities as high as ISO 102400, advanced AF, and a touch screen monitor, this model seems indicative of what we can expect of flagship models in the future. In addition, the availability of two versions of the camera, one supporting XQD cards and one CompactFlash cards, clearly shows that Nikon took both existing and new users into consideration with development.
- The excellence of this camera is something of which Japan can be extremely proud.
D5 primary features
- A new-generation, 153-point AF system capable of capturing the intended subject under a wide variety of conditions
- High-speed continuous shooting at up to approximately 12 fps with a viewfinder display that keeps the view through the lens incredibly stable for clear visibility
- Consistently superior image quality, even with shooting at high sensitivities
- Equipped with a 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) movie recording function that videographers will find very useful
- Functions and performance that respond to a variety of on-site demands and achieve a fast workflow
Yesterday, the Canon USA YouTube Channel released several videos introducing select members of their Explorers of Light program. Considering that there are currently 39 Explorers of Light, I can't help but wonder if each will be featured in a similar video in the not-so-distant future. [Sean]
Canon Explorers of Light Videos
From Adobe:
Adobe Releases Spark Web App and Updates Companion Mobile Apps
Thursday, May 19, 2016 9:00 am EDT - SAN JOSE, Calif - Adobe today announced the immediate availability of Adobe Spark, the only integrated web and mobile solution for creating and sharing impactful visual stories. Free and designed for everyday communications, Adobe Spark empowers anyone - including small businesses, social marketers and students - to create stunning visual content that engages audiences across multiple channels and looks great on any device.
“Today anyone can create content and share it via social media, but most people lack the skill, time and resources to create something that cuts through the online clutter,” said Bryan Lamkin, executive vice president and general manager, Digital Media at Adobe. “With Adobe Spark, anyone can create authentic, professional looking visual content for their project, passion, cause or business."
A new service that is part of Creative Cloud, Adobe Spark brings Adobe’s 30-plus years of technology and innovation for creative professionals to creative consumers. The Adobe Spark web app seamlessly syncs with Spark Post, Spark Page and Spark Video iOS mobile apps, allowing users to create, edit and share their story from wherever they are - regardless of their design experience.
The integrated solution consists of:
- Adobe Spark web app: a browser-based web experience for creating social posts and graphics, web stories and animated videos.
- Spark Post: an iOS mobile app that enables anyone to create stunning social posts and graphics in seconds.
- Spark Page: an iOS mobile app that helps users create beautiful web stories.
- Spark Video: an iOS mobile app that enables users to create compelling animated videos in minutes.
Helping Entrepreneurs and Businesses Succeed
As part of its focus on everyday communications, Adobe Spark is designed to help solo entrepreneurs and small businesses succeed. Adobe is collaborating with Facebook Blueprint - a new global education and certification program to help agencies and advertisers achieve their business results through marketing on Facebook and Instagram platforms. Facebook Blueprint users will benefit from Adobe’s expert guidance through tutorial content on how to successfully market themselves on the Facebook and Instagram platforms using Adobe Spark.
Adobe Spark is also partnering with Change.org, the world's largest social change platform, to co-create training materials for petitioners and change agents. Petitions with a video receive six times more signatures than those without, and Change.org petitioners will gain access to Adobe Spark resources for creating effective explainer videos for cause-based and crowdfunding campaigns that further their causes.
Learn More About Adobe Spark
Additional resources and inspirational Adobe Spark content is available at:
Adobe Spark Blog: spark.adobe.com/blog
@AdobeSpark, #SparkMade and #AdobeSpark on social: Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook
Pricing and Availability
Adobe Spark is available for free at spark.adobe.com. An Adobe ID, Google or Facebook login is required to use the apps so that projects can sync between devices. Spark Post, Spark Page and Spark Video - previously the award-winning Adobe Post, Adobe Slate and Adobe Voice - are all available worldwide as free, English-only downloads for iPad and iPhone via the Apple App Store.
Just posted: Canon EOS-1D X Mark II Review.
This is a very impressive-performing camera. The AF system is perhaps my favorite improvement, but ... there are so many other great things about this camera.
B&H has the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II available for preorder with 13 months of Canon CarePAK coverage free (upon camera registration). Get the premium kit which also offers a free CFast 2.0 card and reader.
Retailers with 1D X II Premium Kit In Stock: Canon Store | Adorama | Focus Camera
From Savage Universal:
The photography equipment manufacturer marks its nineteenth presence at the convention with an array of new product demonstrations for LED lighting, paper backgrounds and support systems
CHANDLER, AZ – MAY 18, 2016 – Savage Universal, the worldwide leader in backgrounds and photographic products, is pleased to announce that it will be returning to Photokina for the company’s nineteenth time as an exhibitor. Photokina is the world’s largest trade fair for the photographic and imaging industries and has been held in Cologne, Germany biennially since 1950.
Savage Universal will be showcasing popular studio photography backgrounds like seamless paper, collapsible backdrops, and Translum, as well as new, innovative studio equipment like LED light interview & portrait kits, auto-extending light stands and macro photography tools. The manufacturer has focused product development efforts over recent years towards expanding in the lighting and equipment spectrum, introducing items new to the market and exclusive to the brand to secure its position as the professional’s choice in studio gear.
Essential for every photography studio is proper lighting, and Savage welcomes attendees to demo the Cobra LED Light Kit at its exhibition this year. Three included 204 high-efficiency “chip on board” LED lights with an ultra-thin, lightweight design attach to the new patented Drop Stands, along with an exclusive flex arm and counterweight system. Color temperature can be adjusted anywhere from 3200K to 5600K and provides an extra-long 3 hour run time when used with included high-capacity Sony battery. Also on display this year will be the new Luminous Pro LED Shooting Tent. With LED light strips running from front to back, this shadowless light source is designed to bring out the true colors of any tabletop product being showcased.
Diving into the world of macro photography, new Macro ART Variable Auto-Extension Tubes will be featured with a special, flexible Dual Arm LED Light, designed for even lighting of macro subjects to capture fine detail at close range. The extension tubes are exclusive accessories for DSLR macro photography that combine the three most common automatic extension tubes into one integrated range.
Background stands and light stands are also among the focus this year. The new Savage Drop Stand is the most convenient and speedy light stand on the market. Its gravity-collapsible and expandable legs allow for easy repositioning of lighting when moving between groups and in tight spaces, with air-cushioned durable aluminum components. In addition, the new Universal Background Stand is comprised of 3 upright stands with a unique middle bracket to allow for a corner setup with two backdrops or 7.3m extra-wide productions.
Having recently extended its line of popular paper backgrounds in 2015, Savage is proud to present Printed Background Paper at Photokina for the first time. Printed with state-of-the-art high definition printers, realistic backgrounds that photograph beautifully are produced in patterns like wood, brick and bokeh in a convenient 1.34m x 5.5m size.
“We are proud to commemorate our history in the worldwide photographic industry with each Photokina experience and look forward to being a part of the world’s largest photo conference once again this year,” said President Syl Hank.
B&H carries Savage Universal gear.
May 17, 2016. London, UK. – Anthropics Technology today announced the launch of LandscapePro, the industry’s first intelligent landscape photo editing software, available in standalone and Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom and Elements plug-in editions. The new software radically simplifies and speeds up outdoor and nature photo retouching. It includes landscape relighting, sky replacement, 3D depth estimation, a depth of field simulator, distance controls, intelligent selection tools, and photo-adaptive controls among other powerful features. With one-click presets and targeted editing available, users can create beautiful landscapes in seconds.
LandscapePro is a new way to enhance pictures that rises to the challenges and nuances of landscape photography. It assumes no prior knowledge or technical skills, and photographers can create unique, dramatic effects quickly. The new product comes from the makers of the award-winning retouching software PortraitPro and PortraitPro Studio with a plug-in mode for Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, and Apple Aperture.
“Inspired by the success of Anthropics’s PortraitPro software, we are delighted to introduce a new product to help photographers expand their creativity and take landscape retouching to the next level,” said Andrew Berend, CEO, Anthropics. “LandscapePro offers an innovative and easy way to create stunning landscape photography, and can be used by novices or experienced photographers alike. As its intelligent controls uniquely adapt to the features of each photo, it enables photographers to do incredible things with their outdoor photos simply by using sliders.”
Key FeaturesEasily enhance landscape photos. LandscapePro contains a host of unique tools to enable anyone to create beautiful scenic photographs.
- Intelligent selection tools.
- Unique editing controls that adapt to the photo.
- Easy-to-use slider interface.
- No technical skills required.
- LandscapePro Studio handles RAW files and can be run as a Photoshop, Lightroom and Elements plug-in.
Expand your creativity. Create unique, breathtaking scenes. LandscapePro effects are specifically tailored to landscape photography.
- Landscape relighting. Lighting adjustment to fit any creative goals: change light source, temperature, time of day, or go from dawn to sunset. Note how the side lighting brings out the texture on the ground.
- Instant sky replacement with presets. The unique sky controls enable photographers to replace sky, change clouds, or cast cloud shadows. Note how the change in sky has automatically relit the ground.
- Cloud and atmosphere adjustment. Tools to manipulate skies by separately adjusting the clouds and the atmosphere behind them.
- 3D depth estimation. A unique, easy-to-use depth of field simulator respects 3D objects in the scene. As easy as using a single slider.
- Distance controls. Change colors in the image depending on the distance to the camera – make distant objects bluer, highlight the middle distance, or add fog.
- Landscape-specific tools for dealing with common issues such as selecting small patches of sky behind trees.
- Color adjustment tools targeted at common objects in landscapes, e.g. tools to make grass look lush, change the color of the sea, or to make sand golden.
- One-click presets such as wet sand, stormy water, red sunset, lush trees.
- Automatic area selection. Tag areas as sky, trees, buildings, grass, sand, rock, water and the selection will be applied instantly.
- Targeted editing. Specially designed controls for different areas, e.g. change clouds to stormy or add thunder clouds, adjust waves, or add sunrise reflection to the sea.
- Whole picture and individual object enhancements. Transform the whole photo instantly or use a new workflow where you select several objects in your scene first, before editing.
Editions
- LandscapePro Standard – dedicated landscape photo editing.
- LandscapePro Studio – handles RAW files, 48 bit per color TIFFs, supports different color spaces, and can be run as a plug-in for Photoshop, Lightroom and Elements.
Availability, Free Trial and Pricing
LandscapePro is available to purchase or for a free trial from http://www.landscapepro.pics/.
| SPECIAL LAUNCH PRICES | USD | GBP | EUR |
| LandscapePro | $39.95 | £29.95 | € 39.95 |
| LandscapePro Studio | $59.95 | £49.95 | € 69.95 |
| Edition upgrade (Standard to Studio) | $19.95 | £19.95 | € 29.95 |
To be perfectly frank, I wasn't terribly impressed with the side-cancelling sound of the MKE 440 in B&H's traffic demonstration. However, the indoor demonstration was a different story. When comparing the MKE 440 to a traditional "single barreled camera-mounted stereo shotgun mic," the difference in sound quality was definitely noticeable. The MKE 440 produced a better voice recording while allowing for a decent, pleasing balance with ambient sound. [Sean]
From the B&H YouTube channel:
We're taking a look and a listen to the Sennheiser MKE 440 camera-mounted directional stereo shotgun microphone. Designed to focus the stereo field on what's actually in the camera lens, we put it to use recording speech in the B&H Superstore and a musical performance in a traffic island on Manhattan's glorious West Side Highway.
B&H has the Sennheiser MKE 440 Shotgun Microphone available for preorder.
From Canon USA:
Canon U.S.A. supports future generations of women in the community with educational event
MELVILLE, N.Y., May 17, 2016 – Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today hosted Girls Inc., a nonprofit organization that focuses on giving confidence to girls, for “A Day at Canon” at the Company’s corporate headquarters in Melville, NY.
“We are so grateful to Canon USA, Inc. for putting together this truly inspirational event for our girls” said Neela Lockel, executive director for Girls Inc. of Long Island. “The team prepared a wonderful day that left the girls excited and thinking about their own futures.”
Approximately 30 young women ages 15-18 across Long Island attended this all-day event specially designed to bring young girls together. They were presented with opportunities to learn about Canon, be inspired by women in the workforce today and visualize their personal future career paths, perhaps one day in the technology sector with Canon.
“Canon follows a Kyosei philosophy, which means, all people, regardless of race, religion, or culture, harmoniously living and working together into the future”, said Christine Sedlacek, senior director of Digital Marketing Services Division, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “We are excited to have the opportunity to positively impact these young women and share our Kyosei philosophy in a tangible way within the local community.”
Girls Inc. guests were greeted with a Continental breakfast and received tours of the corporate showroom, showcasing some of Canon’s top product lines, such as Cinema EOS and Mixed Reality. Influential female employees of Canon U.S.A. across the IT, Product Marketing, Social Media, Legal and Finance departments met with the girls to educate them on their journey in the workforce and their experience with Canon U.S.A.
The young women of Girls Inc. participated in a series of workshops focusing on budgeting and career planning to give them tools to positively impact their career path. They also completed their own personal journey timelines outlining how far they have come to get where they are today. To close out the day, the girls printed out their journey timelines to bring home and leave by their workspace or pin to an inspiration board as an encouraging reminder.
Image quality results from the Canon EOS 5Ds R have been added to the Canon EF 180mm f/3.5L USM Macro Lens Review.
The Canon 180 L doesn't get a lot of love, but ... it has given me some great images over the years.
B&H has the Canon EF 180mm f/3.5L USM Macro Lens in stock.
As has become my routine, I recorded my initial Canon EOS-1D X Mark II configuration process upon receiving the camera. Following are the 42 steps I took to make the out-of-the-box Canon EOS-1D X Mark II ready for my use. I know, 42 is a big number. But, this camera is extremely configurable.
- Open the box, find the battery and charger and plug it in. If you have another charged Canon LP-E19 (or LP-E4N) battery available, you can continue to the battery-required steps without a wait.
- While the battery is charging, unpack the other items you want from the box. For me, this is primarily the camera, the eye cup, the neck strap and the Canon Solution Disk (still included in this box). I always take a moment to grip the camera, taking in the new-camera grippyness that is right up there with new car smell.
- Find the Canon EOS Solution Disk software (included on a DVD) and install it on your computer. Canon Digital Photo Pro (DPP), EOS Utility and Lens Registration Utility are the options I manually include in the install.
- Attach the neck strap (unless I am planning to use very large lenses)
- Record the camera's serial number and ensure that proper insurance coverage is in place.
- Important: Turn the vertical grip on (switch near top of vertical grip – why is this off by default?).
- Insert the battery (ideally, after charging completes).
- Power the camera on.
- The date and time setup screen will show at startup the first time. Use the Rear Control dial and the Set button to update this information.
- Insert one (or two) memory card(s) (format them via the tools menu option before taking pictures).
- Scroll through all of the menu tabs to configure the cameras as follows:
- Shooting Menu, Tab 1: Picture Style: Neutral with Sharpness Strength set to "1" (Note: the low contrast "Neutral" picture style provides a histogram on the back of the camera that most-accurately shows me blown highlights and blocked shadows – I usually change the Picture Style to "Standard" in DPP after capture.)
- Shooting Menu, Tab 1: White balance: AWB-W (Auto: White priority)
- Shooting Menu, Tab 1: Lens aberration correction: All disabled (though I suggest leaving CA correction enabled for most uses - all can be applied in DPP)
- Shooting Menu, Tab 2: Img type/size: Use top dial to set RAW to "RAW" and Rear Control dial to set JPEG to "-"
- Shooting Menu, Tab 2: ISO Speed Settings: ISO Speed range: L(50)-H3(409600), Auto ISO Speed range: 100-512000
- Shooting Menu, Tab 2: Auto Lighting Optimizer: Off
- Shooting Menu, Tab 2: Long exposure noise reduction: I usually have this option set to "Auto", but my choice varies for the situation.
- Shooting Menu, Tab 2: High ISO speed noise reduction: Off (noise reduction is destructive to images details – I prefer to add NR sparingly in post)
- Shooting Menu, Tab 3: Image review: 4 sec.
- Shooting Menu, Tab 3: Beep: Disable
- Shooting Menu, Tab 3: Release without card: Disable/off (I highly recommend this setting change – it should be Canon's default)
- Shooting Menu, Tab 4: Grid display: 3x3
- AF Menu, Tab 2: AI Servo 1st image priority: Focus (I want the images in focus more than I want the time-priority capture)
- AF Menu, Tab 2: AI Servo 2nd image priority: Focus +2 (same reason)
- AF Menu, Tab 4: Orientation linked AF point: Separate AF pts: Area + pt
- Playback Menu, Tab 3: Highlight alert: Enable (enable the "blinkies", flash portions of image that are overexposed during image review)
- Playback Menu, Tab 3: Playback grid: 3x3
- Playback Menu, Tab 3: Histogram disp: RGB (I want to monitor all three color channels for blown or blocked details)
- Playback Menu, Tab 3: Magnification (apx): 1X
- Tools Menu, Tab 1: Auto rotate: On/Computer only (this provides the always-largest playback image size on the camera LCD)
- Tools Menu, Tab 2: Viewfinder display: Viewfinder level: Show, VF grid display: Enable, Show/hide in viewfinder: Flicker! only
- Tools Menu, Tab 2: Info button display options: Electronic level only
- Tools Menu, Tab 4: Custom shooting mode (C1-C3): Auto update set: Enable (see also: Configuring Custom Shooting Modes)
- Tools Menu, Tab 4: Copyright information: Enter author's name: [enter name]
- Custom Functions, Tab 3: Restrict shooting modes: Enable all (adds C2 and C3)
- Custom Functions, Tab 4: Restrict drive modes: Disable: low speed continuous, Silent HS continuous, Silent LS continuous (I seldom use theses modes)
- Custom Functions, Tab 5: Rec card, img size setting: Off (I don't use this button. being able to turn it off prevents inadvertent changes)
- Custom Functions, Tab 6: Av setting without lens: On (allows me to prepare the camera for a specific, not-yet-mounted lens)
- Custom Functions, Tab 6: Custom Controls: AF-ON: One shot AI Servo; Set: Mag/Reduce; Multicontroller: Direct AF point selection; M-Fn2: One Shot/AI Servo
- Custom Functions, Tab 7: Default erase option: [Erase] selected
- My Menu: Add the first tab; Register the following options for Tab 1: Long exposure noise reduction, Mirror lockup, Anti-flicker shoot, Format card, Date/Time/Zone (great for monitoring what time it is), Sensor cleaning
To copy this configuration would mean that you intend to shoot similar to how I shoot - including shooting in RAW-only format. While my setup works great for me, your best use of this list may be for tweaking your own setup.
If you can't remember your own menu setup parameters, keeping an up-to-date list such as this one is a good idea. Anytime your camera goes in for a service visit, the camera will be returned in a reset-to-factory state (unless you request otherwise). Your list will ensure that you do not miss an important setting when putting the camera back into service.
More Information and To Order Your 1D X Mark II
From Canon:
TOKYO, May 16, 2016—Canon Inc. announced that the Company has gone live today with a renewed global website employing a web address that departs from the traditional location-specific “www.canon.com” to the new “global.canon” proprietary domain name. The launch marks Canon’s first use of the “.canon” top-level domain (TLD) since acquiring it in February 2015.
Because “.canon” can only be used by Canon Group companies and services, visitors to sites that use the new TLD can easily confirm their authenticity and be assured that the information they contain is reliable. Additionally, by leveraging the simplicity of the TLD, which is easy to remember and easy to understand, Canon aims to enhance the Company’s global brand value.
Canon begins using new “.canon” top-level domain
The TLD “.canon,” which makes use of Canon’s company name in the right-most side of the web address, is based on the new generic Top Level Domain (gTLD) Program. With the launch today of the “global.canon” website, Canon is providing information to a global audience with a new online presence.
Canon renews global website
Canon conducts business activities around the world, providing information and services over the Internet to not only the Company’s customers, business partners and shareholders, but to all stakeholders in countries and regions across the globe. In addition to the English-language version of the “global.canon” website launched today, Canon will introduce other languages to the site in the future to share brand messages and other information globally.
A wedding can be a nerve-wracking event, not only for the bride and groom, but also for the photographer. If you've shot a wedding in the past 5 years, you've probably lost more than a couple of great shots because of snap-happy smartphone photographers.
In a recent B&H Explora article – Strategies for Handling Wedding Guest Photographers – Jill Waterman explores techniques you can use to minimize the risk of missed moments because of eager guests attempting to get the same shot.
According to the Egami Blog, Canon has filed an optical design patent for an EF-M 15-50mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM.
Patent Description
- Patent Publication No. 2016-75742
- Published 2016.5.12
- Filing date 2014.10.3
- Zoom ratio 2.94
- Focal length 16.00 27.43 47.04
- F-number 3.62 4.50 5.82
- Half angle of view (degrees) 37.55 26.47 16.19
- Image height 12.30 13.66 13.66
- Overall length of the lens 78.86 74.05 77.88
- BF 20.48 27.14 37.06
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