Canon News, Nikon News and What's New (Page 20) Report News & Deals

Expired: Hot Deal: B&H has the Canon EOS 6D DSLR Camera & EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens Kit available for $2,199.00 with free shipping. Compare at $2,399.00. (thanks Mark)

Find out what I consider to be the best Canon lens bargains: Bargain Lens Recommendations
 
Then go over to our Facebook page ("Like" us while there) and let me know which lenses you think I missed!

eBay (via GetItDigital) has the Canon EOS 6D DSLR Camera available for $1,669.99 with free shipping. Compare at $1,899.00.

Use promotion code S2221112 during checkout at Adorama to get the following deals on Canon lenses:

• Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM II Lens - $1,949.00
• Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L II Lens - $1,929.00
• Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM Lens - $142.00
• Canon EOS Rebel T4i DSLR Camera w/ 18-55mm IS Lens - $599.00

All deals come with free shipping and 2% Rewards. The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM II Lens and Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L II Lens ship with a Red Giant Adorama Production Bundle for free.

It is hard to overlook the amazing scenery all around us. And capturing those amazing views is what many of us have cameras for. As with most photogrpahy pursuits, the right lens can make a significant difference in your landscape photography results.
 
Today we are looking at Landscape Lens Recommendations.

Since we were discussing the Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 L II USM Lens yesterday, I thought I would put up some fresh sample pictures for that lens. Hopefully you will find them - or one of the included tips - interesting and helpful.

B&H has the Zeiss 135mm f/2 Apo Sonnar T* ZE Lens (Canon/Nikon) available for preorder.

For a limited time, DigitalRev has the Lumiquest LQ-114 Speedlite Snoot available for $10.90. Compare at $23.95.
 
Note: From what I have read, this product ships with self-adhesive velcro tabs that enable the snoot to be affixed to your shoe-mount flash. In my opinion, that's a less-than-optimal solution. This will be a much better and more versatile tool if you already own a velcro strap for your flash - like the LumiQuest UltraStrap or, my personal favorite, the Honl Photo Speed Strap. -Sean

Adorama has The Joy Factory Tournez C-Clamp Mount with MagConnect for Apple iPad 2 & 3 available for $49.99 with free shipping. Compare at $74.95.

eBay (via BigValueInc) has the Canon EOS M Mirrorless Camera w/ 22mm STM Lens available for $399.99 with free shipping. Compare at $529.00.
 
Caveat Emptor: BigValueInc's positive feedback rating is at 98.2%. However, eBay seems to trust them enough to continue listing their auctions as "Daily Deals."

Amazon has the Nikon 1 J2 Mirrorless Camera with 10-30mm VR Lens available for $389.00. Compare at $459.00.

Best Buy has the Nikon COOLPIX P310 Digital Camera available for $149.99 with free shipping. Compare at $169.00.

Apparantly, the inventory of side-pinch lens caps is starting to dwindle. Site visitor Ian recently sent us an email noting that his recently unboxed Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II USM lens from Amazon came prepackaged with the new 77mm center-pinch lens cap.
 
B&H carries the new Canon Center-Pinch Lens Caps.

From Canon Professional Network:
 
Great travel photography can evoke a range of emotions and usually ends in that feeling of ‘itchy feet.’ CPN writer Ian Farrell applies the foot powder and talks to Canon Explorer Joel Santos about a recent trip to Patagonia with the EOS 6D DSLR…
 
The urge to travel goes hand in glove with a need to take pictures. A perfect example of this can be found in Joel Santos, a 35-year-old travel photographer from Lisbon, Portugal, who has explored dozens of locations throughout the world, in Europe, South America, and across Asia.
 
Joel, who worked as an economist before he sidestepped into the photographic industry, has enjoyed travelling from an early age. “I was fortunate that my parents loved to travel, so I had the chance to see some amazing places as a child,” he says, explaining that it wasn’t until 2003, after he had qualified with a masters degree in economics, that he thought of working in photography.
 
“I was working for a while in East Timor, near Indonesia, teaching economics at university,” he continues. “My passion for photography grew during this time, and it was only natural that it joined up with the love for travel I’d developed by living abroad.” Now Joel makes a living from his photography, splitting his time between organising workshops and tours, writing about the destinations that he visits and shooting stunning images of people places and culture.
 
See the full CPN article here.
 
B&H carries the Canon EOS 6D DSLR camera.

From Sigma:
 
SIGMA 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM & SIGMA USB DOCK
 
2013.04.12 - SIGMA 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM for Canon and SIGMA USB DOCK for Canon are scheduled to start the shipment from the end of this month.
 
B&H has the Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Lens for Canon available for preorder.

Adorama has the Sony 32GB SDHC Class 10 SD Memory Card available for $16.95 with free shipping.

I included the Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 L II Lens in my indoor action sports lens recommendation list. Some, in a politely-constructive way (always very appreciated), are questioning my logic for doing so. The big reason for this questioning is due to the 85mm f/1.2 L II's focusing speed. This is not the fastest Canon AF system.
 
So the question: "Can the EF 85mm f/1.2 L II Lens be used for sports action photography?" is one that I want to answer today.
 
The short answer is "Yes".
 
Here is a very slightly cropped sample photo I captured with a Canon 1D X:
 

 
Is it sharp? That is a good question because it is easy to make web-sized images sharp. Even with very light sharpening ("2" in DPP), the eyelashes are sharp as shown in the screen capture below. The screen capture is lower quality than DPP's RAW conversion (the sharpening is not as clean), but I want to show the active AF point placed on the jaw line:
 

 
Close and fast approaching subjects present a challenge to the autofocus systems of both cameras and lenses. This runner was very close and moving fast. She was on the inside lane of the track and I was off of the track *just* far enough to not disturb the race. It is going to be hard to get much closer to any action - and dangerous to get that close to anything faster. The 1D X has proven very impressive to me, making it a great choice for finding the limitations of the lens. This shot and a significant percentage of my other 85 f/1.2 action images are in sharp focus.
 
Adding to the challenge of capturing in-focus action sports images with this lens is the razor-thin depth of field at f/1.2. Maintaining a focus point on the same plane of focus as the in-action subject's eyes is a challenge. Do not expect an in-focus hit rate as high as with some good f/2.8 lenses - though the 85 f/1.2 L II bested some other non-Canon f/2.8 lenses I was testing at the same event.
 
You of course do not have to use a wide open aperture, but ... f/1.2 is a leading contributor to the major awesomeness of this lens. It is seldom too dark to stop action with an f/1.2 aperture as the in-action subject's ability to see becomes an issue.
 
Actually, it can be too bright to shoot sports at f/1.2 unless you have the right DSLR camera. Shooting under full sunlight as shown in the sample above? You need a DSLR with 1/8000 shutter speed capability (only higher end models have it) along with ISO 50 to keep images dark enough to avoid blown highlights in some scenarios. These were the settings used in the sample above. Alternatively, a neutral density filter can be used.
 
Returning to the autofocus speed question ... Can other Canon lenses focus faster than the 85 f/1.2 L II? Yes. But, this 85mm f/1.2 action sports sample is far from a 1-off autofocus accident. My overall focus hit rate is decent with this lens.
 
Can any other Canon lens produce the same sports image look?
 
No. I love this lens.

While some wildlife is tolerant of human presence (and some is captive), much of the world's wildlife remains elusive. It would prefer that you were in the next county. Lenses that allow you to remain far from the subject tend to rule the wildlife photography category.
 
Today I introduce the Wildlife Lens Recommendations page.

eBay (via GetItDigital) has the Canon EOS 5D Mark III DSLR Camera available for $2,839.99 with free shipping. Compare at $3,149.00.

From Tamron:
 
Two-hour educational seminars to be held at 30 select Tamron dealers
 
April 11, 2013, Commack, NY - As part of the company's Educational Series 2013, Tamron USA announced photography seminars to be conducted throughout the US at 30 select authorized dealers. The how-to seminars cover a wide variety of subject matter:

• Seeing in Black & White Photography
• Landscape, Nature & Travel Photography
• Kids Sports Photography
• Family, Friends & Kids Informal Portrait Photography
• Formal Portrait & Lighting Photography
• Close-up & Macro Photography

Attendees of the event can expect to go behind the lens and learn a multitude of useful photographic tips and insights that will improve their picture-taking abilities with their DSLR camera. The topics discussed during the seminar include understanding light, point of view, composition, and knowing your lens in order to shoot the types of pictures the DSLR user desires.
 
Participating Retailer Locations & Registration
 
Attendees can register for the seminars at www.tamron-usa.com/events/howto/.
 
Dates are continuing to be added. The current roster includes the following locations:
 
4/11- Family, Friends & Kids Informal Portraits Photography Seminar (Metairie, LA)
4/19- Kids Sports Photography Seminar (Kenmore, WA)
4/23- Family, Friends & Kids Informal Portraits Photography Seminar (Charlotte, NC)
5/4- Kids Sports Photography Seminar (Hartford, CT)
5/10- Landscape, Nature & Travel Photography Seminar (Rockford, IL)
5/16- Landscape, Nature & Travel Photography Seminar (Glen Mills, PA)
5/17- Landscape, Nature & Travel Photography Seminar (Lansdale, PA)
5/17- Formal Portrait & Lighting Photography Seminar (Lakewood, WA)
6/1- Kids Sports Photography Seminar (Louisville, KY)
6/7- Close Up & Macro Photography Seminar (Oshkosh, WI)
6/14- Seeing in Black & White Photography Seminar (Nashville, TN)
6/14- Kids Sports Photography Seminar (Brookfield, WI)
6/15- Landscape, Nature & Travel Photography Seminar (Nashville, TN)
6/21- Kids Sports Photography Seminar (Orlando, FL)
6/21- Landscape, Nature & Travel Photography Seminar (St. Louis, MO)
7/27- Kids Sports Photography Seminar (Pontiac, MI)
 
More About the Tamron Educational Series 2013
 
The 2013 Educational Series led by top Tamron photographers and instructors offer a wide variety of topics across the country. Seminar leaders strive to not only teach but inspire their attendees by creating an educational experience that promotes technique strengthening, creativity and practical application. These series offer opportunities to travel to the Nation's most awe-inspiring state parks, partaking in cutting edge Photoshop live training, college campus tours and traditional How-To photo seminars. With over eighty dates at country wide locations, all interested photographers have the opportunity experience these fantastic learning workshops and gain insight on how to become a better photographer. Most "How-To" events cost $25.00 to register.
 
B&H carries Tamron lenses.

Even though it was just announced at NAB, B&H has the Tascam DR-60D 4-Channel Linear PCM Recorder in stock with free shipping.
 
Product Features:

• Records Up to 4 Channels Simultaneously
• Screw-On DSLR Camera and Mount to Tripod
• Operates on 4 AA Batteries
• Up to 24-bit, 96 kHz PCM Recording
• Two XLR/TRS Combo Mic/Line Jacks
• Switchable 24V and 48V Phantom Power
• 3.5mm Stereo Input with Plug-in Power
• Mic Preamps for Each Input
• Records to SD or SDHC Cards

Through April 30, Think Tank Photo is offering a $50.00 mail-in rebate on their Airport 4-Sight Rolling Camera Bag - available for just $199.75 after rebate.
 
Note: Use the links from this site to get a free gift with your purchase of $50.00 or more at Think Tank Photo!

Adorama has the Canon EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens (Grey Market) available for $499.00 with free shipping and 2% Rewards. Compare at $579.00 for U.S.A. warranty item.
 
Note from Adorama: "Grey Market products purchased from Adorama, are warrantied by Adorama for the same period as the U.S. warrantied products carry, for a period of one year."

Adorama has a Used Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 L II USM Lens (Demo Condition) available for $1,789.00. Compare at $1,989.00 new.

B&H has the Nikon COOLPIX P7100 Digital Camera available for $299.00 with free shipping. Compare at $389.99.
 
Product Features:

• 10.1MP Resolution
• 3.0" Vari-Angle Monitor
• NIKKOR ED Lens 28-200mm 35mm Equiv.
• 7.1x Optical Zoom
• 720p HD Movie Capture
• 4-Way VR Image Stabilization
• 3200 ISO