Canon and Sony News for May 2015 (Page 4)
Image quality results have been added to the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens review page.
Here are some comparisons that you might find interesting:
Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary Lens vs. Sigma 150-600mm Sports Lens
Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary Lens vs. Sigma 150-600mm Sports Lens (Sample 2)
Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary Lens vs. Tamron 150-600mm VC Lens
Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary Lens vs. Sigma 150-500mm OS Lens
Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary Lens vs. Canon 100-400mm L IS II Lens
Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary Lens vs. Canon 600mm L IS II Lens
B&H has the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens in Canon mount in stock. Nikon and Sigma mount versions can be preordered.
From Benro:
May 13, 2015 – North White Plains, NY – Benro announces the addition of SystemMove, which includes camera movement tools such as a travel jib and camera sliders.
Benro’s lightweight travel jib, known as the MoveUp4, features a folding design making it compact and well suited for traveling. It can support up to 8.8 lb and has a vertical reach of 6 feet making it ideal for HDSLR as well as mid-size professional cameras.
The family of camera sliders ranges from an entry-level single rail option up to the fully featured carbon fiber rail MoveOver12, which can support just above 26 lb.
“Its no secret that adding camera movement increases your production value and we’ve made it our priority to make the tools to do so more accessible. Having a jib and slider in your toolkit is a must these days, especially when aiming for that cinematic look,” said Brian Hynes, Benro’s brand manager for marketing.
MoveUp4 Jib features:
- Folding Design – The MoveUp4 Travel Jib folds up into a small, portable package making this ideal for filmmakers who need travel friendly gear. Its compact design pairs nicely with smaller tripods and lightweight cameras, therefore reducing the overall amount of equipment required to enhance your production value.
- Vertical reach – With a vertical reach of just over 6 feet, the MoveUp4 Travel Jib can achieve sweeping shots for that cinematic look.
- Accessory Mounting – Threaded mounting points allow you to attach a monitor arm to view your shot live while operating from the back of the jib.
- Carrying Case – Each MoveUp4 Travel Jib comes with its own carrying case for easy transportation and protection.
MoveOver4 Slider features:
- 4 Bearing Carriage – The carriage operates using 4 bearings that run along two stainless steel embedded rods providing smooth movement for your shot.
- Center mountable – Center mounting the slider is made easy using the included cheese plate.
- Supports up to 8.8 lb (4 kg) – Supports the weight of HDSLRs and small video cameras as well as a flat base head.
- Vertical mounting – The threaded end blocks (1/4"-20 & 3/8"-16) make it easy to mount your slider vertically, which helps provide more diverse movements.
- Articulating rubber feet – Easily adjust and level your slider with the articulating rubber feet.
MoveOver8 Slider features:
- Carbon Fiber Rails – Ideal for strength and lightweight support, the MoveOver8 includes two 100% 18mm carbon fiber rails.
- 4 Bearing Carriage – The carriage operates using 4 quiet operation bearings that run along two carbon fiber rods providing smooth movement for your shot.
- Center mountable – Center mounting the slider is made easy using the included cheese plate.
- Supports up to 17.6 lb (8 kg) – Supports the weight of HDSLRs and HD video cameras as well as a flat base head.
- Stand Adapters – Each end block includes a 3/8"-16 female adapter that when removed becomes a 5/8" port for mounting on C-stands and light stands.
- All-Terrain Legs – Conquer any terrain and level your slider with the articulating all-terrain legs with adjustable rubber feet.
- Carrying Case – Deluxe carrying case included for easy transport and protection.
MoveOver12 Slider features:
- Carbon Fiber Rails – Ideal for strength and lightweight support, the MoveOver12 includes two 100% 22mm carbon fiber rails.
- Flywheel with Belt Drive – Precise control flywheel with rubber track belt drive.
- 4 Bearing Carriage – The carriage operates using 4 quiet operation bearings that run along two carbon fiber rods providing smooth movement for your shot.
- Center mountable – Center mounting the slider is made easy using the included cheese plate.
- Supports up to 26.5 lb (12 kg) – Supports the weight of HDSLRs and heavier HD video cameras as well as a flat base head.
- Stand Adapters – Each end block includes a 3/8"-16 female adapter that when removed becomes a 5/8" port for mounting on C-stands and light stands.
- All-Terrain Legs – Conquer any terrain and level your slider with the articulating all-terrain legs with adjustable rubber feet.
- Carrying Case – Deluxe carrying case included for easy transport and protection.
- Available in 600mm and 900mm lengths.
The MoveOver12 is also available in a kit, which comes equipped with two Travel Flat tripods, two Leveling Bases, one S8 flat base video head, one carbon fiber slider, a flywheel with belt drive control and a deluxe rolling case.
B&H carries the Benro MoveUp4 and MoveOver Slider lineup.
From CreativeLive:
Follow your dream of becoming a wildly successful wedding photographer! Tune in today at 9 AM Pacific for the live kickoff of The Complete Wedding Photographer Experience.
In this six-week class, Jasmine Star will cover every aspect of both the business and creative sides of wedding photography. Watch Now and tune in every weekday throughout the series for a new lesson.
Nikon has posted their financial results for the year ending March 31, 2015. As usual, the presentation material is our preferred method for obtaining easy-to-understand information.
Note about Imaging Products Business:
"Sales and income declined 15% and 12% respectively, year on year due to delayed market recovery in China and Europe. Operating income ratio posted 9.7%, exceeding the previous year ratio (9.4%) and the revised forecast (9.0%). "
The Year ended March 2015 [May 14, 2015]
Financial Results (PDF:693KB)
Financial and Business Data (PDF:94KB)
Presentation Material (PDF:812KB)
- Financial Results for the Year Ended March 31, 2015 (PDF:571KB)
- Estimation for the Year Ending March 31, 2016 (PDF:286KB)
- Reference Data (PDF:256KB)
For a limited time, you can save up to $300.00 on select Zeiss Lenses at B&H.
Zeiss lenses are not discounted very often; we are unsure how long this sale will last. Be sure to take advantage of the savings while you can.
Update: We just received more information regarding this sale. Apparently, this is a Zeiss 125th Anniversary Promotion and runs from 5/18/2015 through 7/31/2015.
Discounted Zeiss Lenses
| Item | Instant Savings |
| Zeiss Distagon T* 15mm f/2.8 | $300.00 |
| Zeiss Distagon T* 18mm f/3.5 | $200.00 |
| Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm f/2.8 | $300.00 |
| Zeiss Distagon T* 25mm f/2.0 | $200.00 |
| Zeiss Distagon T* 28mm f/2.0 | $200.00 |
| Zeiss 35mm F/1.4 Distagon T* | $300.00 |
| Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* | $100.00 |
| Zeiss 50mm f/2.0 Makro-Planar | $200.00 |
| Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* | $200.00 |
| Zeiss Makro-Planar T* 100mm f/2 | $300.00 |
| Zeiss 135mm f/2 Apo Sonnar T* | $300.00 |
Check out Bryan's Zeiss Lens Reviews for more information on these high-quality, finely crafted manual lenses.
CPS regularly updates their Tips & Tricks section with new, relevant items. The latest additions may prove useful for those who will soon be receiving their preordered EOS 5Ds / 5Ds R cameras.
EOS 5DS R: using the interval timer
The EOS 5DS and EOS 5DS R both feature a built-in interval timer to allow you to shoot timelapse sequences without needing a separate intervalometer. If you plan to use the Interval timer, first make sure you are not in Live View mode. In Live View the intervalometer options will be greyed out so you can’t select them. Equally, if you set the interval timer to ‘On’ and then go into Live View, the timer will be cancelled. To avoid this, you should set up your camera position with Live View first and then stop Live View, before going to the menu and setting the interval timer options.
EOS 5DS and 5DSR: capturing an image during timelapse
When shooting with the EOS 5DS and 5DS R cameras interval timer function, you will still be able to manually capture an image during the sequence simply by pressing the shutter button. If you try to capture an image manually, but the camera does not actually take the picture, check when the next interval image is due to be taken. The camera will prepare itself for the next interval 5 seconds before it is due to be captured. During this time, you will be unable to shoot any other images or access the camera menu.
EOS 5DS and 5DSR: ending a timelapse sequence
During an interval timer shooting session, if you have set the number of images to 0 so the camera captures continuously until you decide to stop, you may be wondering how exactly to stop the interval shooting. If you have an interval frequency of greater than 5 seconds between images you may be able to access the menu and select ‘disable’ to end the interval shooting. However, if you are shooting images every 3 seconds, for example, you should simply turn the camera off to end the interval. This will not corrupt any images or risk losing the last image provided you wait until all image writing has been completed before opening the card slot door.
EOS 5DS R: interval timer image review
Using the interval timer built into the menu of the EOS 5DS and EOS 5DS R makes it simple to capture timelapse sequences without needing any additional accessories. When using the timelapse function you will find that the shooting frequency is quicker than once every five seconds, so there is no image review between shots, even if image review is turned on in the menu. This can make it tricky to judge your exposure and ensure the light levels are not changing enough that you need to adjust the exposure. If you do need to keep an eye on the exposure, look instead at the exposure scale on the top plate of the camera – if you make a note of where it was when you started the timelapse, you will be able to see if the exposure has gone up or done and therefore decide if it needs adjusting between frames.
Be sure to check out the rest of CPS's Tips & Tricks for even more information covering a wide variety of camera functions.
B&H has the Canon EOS 5Ds / 5Ds R available for preorder.
From the Profoto YouTube Channel:
In this episode we get to join Andrea at The Palm in Dubai on sunny shoot for Cadillac cars. To match and even overpower the strong sunlight, Andrea uses Profoto flashes and Profoto Off-Camera Flashes. The light is controlled and shaped with softboxes and Hard Reflectors. And the result is stunning.
Gear Used:
From the B&H YouTube Channel:
In this Wedding Tips Episode, videographer Adrian Toto touches base on wedding videography for photographers interested in expanding their skill sets.
Need some gear to fill out your wedding photography kit? B&H has you covered.
From Photoshelter:
Get assignments from your dream clients.
Having a career in editorial photography today might seem like a pipe dream - but there are ways to get your foot in the door and begin shooting for clients that are on your dream list.
In this guide, we talk to successful editorial photographers about how to carve a space for yourself within the industry, how to land those dream clients, and how to go about negotiating even with tight editorial budgets. Inside, also get answers straight from the award-winning photo editors at publications including Texas Monthly and National Geographic about how they find talent, what they look for when hiring a new photographer, and more.
Inside the Guide you’ll find:
- How to prep for portfolio reviews
- Which marketing tools you should invest in
- The best way to get a photo editor’s attention
- How to build solid relationships with photo editors
- How to monetize your images after the shoot
From Sigma:
We are pleased to announce the availability of TRIPOD SOCKET TS-81 that is the optional lens foot which can be attached to the SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Sports. It is compatible with the Arca Swiss quick release plate and the clamp. The deliberately designed length of its rail provides the flexibility to adjust the center of gravity making it balance perfectly, even while zooming or using accessories, such as a tele converter and battery pack. Consideration has been given to the portability and transportation of the lens when Tripod Socket TS-81 is attached. The lens hood can still be reversed and the lens stored in its original padded case, even with the Tripod Socket TS-81 attached. Incorporated into the Tripod Socket are safety stopper screws to prevent the lens from falling. There are 2 sizes of screw holes, 1/4 and 3/8, making it compatible with tripods other than Arca Swiss, too. When it is compared to the supplied tripod socket, it offers more space between the lens and device, and the change of grip has improved the usage as a handle for carrying.
That last line addresses what I think is a significant design problem with the supplied tripod foot on this lens. While the standard foot is robust and low profile, the second joints of my medium-sized fingers do not fit through the low clearance foot, making it very difficult to carry this lens via the tripod foot. For the same reason, it is also difficult to control the lens by the foot while using a monopod or tripod. While I have not yet used the TS-81, I really like the concept. I previously asked for such a foot as a standard feature.
Note that this is not the announcement of a new product; the TS-81 was already announced. Sigma is saying that it is now available. However, we are not finding it available at retailers, even for preorder. We'll let you know when it shows up.
Cookbooks are filled with successful recipes and successful bird photography is similarly not limited to a single recipe, but here is a recipe that works every time.
1. Start with a great camera and lens.
The Canon EOS 7D Mark II and Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens are excellent choices.
2. Find a beautiful bird properly posed against a clean background.
A snowy egret in breeding plumage easily qualifies for this main ingredient. A practically uninterrupted clear blue sky background frame keeps the viewer's eye on the main subject.
3. Time the bird meetup with an early or late day sun at your back.
Lighting is one of the most important ingredients to any photo. Early and late day direct sunlight, generally warm in color and slightly diffused in hardness, is a highly desired source of light. The 5:50 PM light was so warm in this case that I decided to cool the 7D II's AWB (Auto White Balance) choice very noticeably in post processing. Because the sunlight was directing my shadow toward the bird, subject shadows are very minimal.
4. Cue a side or tail wind to ruffle the bird's feathers.
Birds like to face the wind, keeping their feathers in line. When a side or tail wind presents itself, I like to take advantage of it. The ruffled feathers add a character to the image and in this case, the wind pushed the breeding plumage into better view.
5. Carefully time the shutter release
Birds are often constantly moving and timing the shutter release, in conjunction with balanced framing and accurate AF, is a challenge. With the 7D II's wide-set AF points, I was able to select a point that covered the bird's head without recomposing needed. When the bird turned its head to the side, I quickly pressed the shutter release and the 7D II's short shutter lag did not get in the way.
Compared to the effort required for many of my photos, this was a very easy photo to capture. Being at the right place at the right time to apply the recipe was all that was needed.
A larger version of this image is available on Flickr, Google+, 500px and Facebook. Also, if reading from a news feed reader, click through to see the framed image.
ISO 100
3648 x 5472px
As the number of lenses with test results available in our database increases, the amount of scrolling necessary to navigate the drop-down list boxes also increases, especially for brands sorting lower in the alphabet. To speed up the lens selection process, after opening the drop-down list, simply press the first letter of the brand name you want to select using the keyboard. The first-sorted option that starts with the typed letter will immediately be selected.
For example, to get to the Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4 Lens in a drop-down list box, click the list box's down arrow to show the list of all lenses tested, then press "z" and finish scrolling to find and select this lens.
Since I know in advance that Zeiss lenses will be at the end of the list, I could also have pressed the "End" key to quickly scroll to this lens. If a Zeiss lens is already selected and a high-in-the-list Canon lens is the selection target, the "Home" or "c" keys will take you there fast.
Try this tip now using the image quality tool.
Image quality results from a second lens copy have been added to the Sigma 150-600mm OS Sports Lens review page (full review coming soon).
The first link shared in this post compares the latest-tested lens ("2") to the prior-tested lens ("1").
B&H has the Sigma 150-600mm OS Sports Lens available for preorder.
Addressing an FAQ: Will the Sigma 150-600mm OS Contemporary Lens Be Tested?
Absolutely. At just over half the price of the Sports model and at about the same price as the Tamron 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD Lens, the Contemporary lens holds a lot of interest. A great feature is that it can be found in stock.
A retail copy of the Sigma 150-600mm OS Contemporary Lens is scheduled to arrive today. Test results should be available in the near future.
Canon USA has posted a firmware update for the Canon EOS 7D Mark II:
Details
Firmware Version 1.0.4 incorporates the following fixes:
- Fixes a phenomenon in which the camera’s AF function may not operate properly at a focal length of approximately 100mm when used with the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens.
- Fixes a phenomenon in which, in rare instances, the reduction of the flicker effect cannot be achieved when in AI servo AF mode, despite the “Anti-flicker shoot” function being set to “Enable”.
- Fixes a phenomenon in which the Picture Style settings may not be applied to the captured image when the camera is set to custom shooting mode C1, C2 or C3.
- Fixes a phenomenon in which, in very rare cases, the first still image captured in live view mode may not record the correct date and time.
- Fixes a phenomenon in which, in very rare cases, image noise may appear in JPEG images when brightness or contrast is corrected by the Auto Lighting Optimizer function.
Firmware Version 1.0.4 is for cameras with Firmware Version 1.0.2 or earlier. If the camera's firmware is already Version 1.0.4, it is not necessary to update the firmware.
Download
Firmware version 1.0.4 can be downloaded here.
Canon USA has made new software versions available for download. Details on the update are as follows:
Digital Photo Professional 4.2.31
- Supports EOS 5DS, EOS 5DS R.
- Supports the camera's Auto: White priority function in the "White balance" setting.
- Supports the new picture style "Fine Detail" (With the exception of EOS M3, this can be applied to images captured by all the supported models.)
- Adds a Compositing Tool (Only for the 64-bit OS version.)
- Adds an HDR Tool (Only for the 64-bit OS version.)
EOS Utility 3.2.20
- Supports EOS 5DS, EOS 5DS R
EOS Utility 3.2.20
- Supports EOS 5DS, EOS 5DS R.
- Supports the camera's Auto: White priority function in the "White balance" setting.
- Adds [Fine Detail] to [Base Picture Style]. (Only images shot on cameras with [Fine Detail] preset as a Picture Style.)
- The maximum/minimum tone curve output can now be changed freely.
Download
DPP 4.2.31, EOS Utility 3.2.20 & Picture Style Editor 1.15.20
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