Canon and Sony News for Jun 2008

 Sunday, June 1, 2008

Friday, June 27, 2008

ISO 12233 chart sample crops and vignetting results have been added to the Sigma 18-125mm f/3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM Lens Review page.

Thursday, June 26, 2008

ISO 12233 chart sample crops and vignetting results have been added to the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX HSM II Macro Lens Review page. The full review has been delayed due to yet another very severely front-focusing lens - I am awaiting a replacement for this one as well.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

ISO 12233 chart sample crops and vignetting results have been added to the Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 II EX DC HSM Lens Review page. The full review has been delayed due to a severely front-focusing lens - I am awaiting a replacement.

 
B&H has the Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM Lens in stock. The lens promises to be awesome, but that price is still painful to look at.

 
Multi-Spot Metering with Canon EOS Mark III Cameras

An article at the Canon Digital Learning Center takes a look at this very useful Mark III capability.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

A "What's Going On" Update:

Having too much to do is better than not having enough to do, but I seem to have mastered the former. In a quest to be more efficient, I have made some major behind-the-scenes changes in how I work. The biggest change comes after 14 months of planning and construction - I am now working out of a new lab/studio designed especially for lens and camera testing.

A perfectly level, specially painted, 6" (152mm) thick concrete floor allows faster setup while multiple lasers shoot across the lab to assure perfect target alignment. The larger space allows me to utilize a newly available ISO 12233 test chart that is 2x as large in both dimensions. Lenses up to about 330mm (full frame equivalent) will be tested using the larger target while longer focal lengths will be tested on a new copy of the original (still large) target size - including lenses I could not test prior due to space limitations in my old studio.

This was a huge project - and there have been many setbacks and challenges along the way - for example, how do you mount a 60" (1524mm) square, 150 lb (68kg) piece of glass so that it is movable and adjustable for square-ness? The glass didn't sound as big and heavy as is really is - extremely awkward (and kinda dangerous but I'll leave that story for another day). That problem is solved, but I've got plenty of challenges ahead. I still have a lot of work to do - and I am anxious to bring some planned new features to the site.

Thank you for the support you've shown me thus far - I've increased my commitment to keep the reviews and information coming - I look forward to a long photographic future together with you!

 
The Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 Di Macro Lens Review - Round 1

Sorry - this is going to be a multi-round review as my first lens exhibited a serious problem. I show the problem and provide ISO 12233 chart and vignetting test results at this time. This lens shows a lot of potential from the image quality side.

Monday, June 23, 2008

Two more Canon EOS Rebel XSi / 450D DSLR Deals:

Dell Small Business has the XSi Body for $719.99 shipped (plus sales tax in most states).

OneCall has the XSi Body for $744.77 shipped.

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Ritz Camera has the Canon EOS Rebel XSi / 450D DSLR Kit w/ 18-55mm IS Lens on sale for $799.99 shipped from June 21 through June 28. That is a nice deal.

 
Also nice is B&H's new price on the Canon EF 200mm f/2.0L IS USM Lens - Now $5,499.00. I'm asking a lower price for the near-new one I am selling - now $5,199.00 shipped.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

The Adorama "Refurbished By Canon" inventory has been updated - 46 now 57 items are available. Quantities are usually low - if there is something you want, don't wait. Expect like-new equipment at nicely reduced prices.

 
The current SanDisk Rebates expire on June 29th. Multiple purchases can increase the per-item rebate amounts - which are very nice to begin with. The linked rebate form is a 2.3 MB PDF file. Try B&H and Adorama for the best deals.

Monday, June 16, 2008

Canon 1Ds III ISO12233 test results from two copies of the Canon EF 400mm f/4 DO IS USM Lens are now available. This link will setup the mouseover comparison of the two.

Friday, June 13, 2008

Clarification: The Canon EOS Rebel XS Digital SLR Camera and the Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flash are coming to the USA. There have been questions in this regard. Watch for a Canon USA press release(s) in early July after availability and pricing are established.

 
Also, I've lowered the prices on the remaining "For Sale" items from Monday.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Camera and lens sample pictures have been added to the site including Canon EF 200mm f/2.0L IS USM Lens sample pictures. Use the "New to the Site" gallery to view all of them.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Canon has announced the Canon EOS Rebel XS / 1000D Digital SLR Camera and the Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flash.

The new entry-level camera comes as no surprise (it was mentioned in the DPP help file), but the date of the announcement is not within the typical January or August Canon announcement timeframes. The XS/1000D shares features with the Rebel XTi/400D and Rebel XSi/450D and will replace the XTi/400D. A product image, press releases and a brochure are available from the above-linked review placeholder page.

The 430EX II is also not a surprise. It features incremental upgrades from the 430EX including the new Canon-standard metal foot with quick release, silent and faster recycling, 1/3 stop manual power settings and the ability to be controlled from the menu of compatible camera bodies. A product image and press release are available from the above-linked review placeholder page.

Monday, June 9, 2008

Chuck Westfall's June Tech Tips are online at DigitalJournalist.org.

 
Stuff for sale ... These offers are available within the cUSA. To be fair to everyone, all items will remain for sale until I receive a firm "I'll take it" under agreed-upon conditions. I will accept Paypal if shipping to the verified address (not free on 200mm lens). Use the email button at the top and bottom any website page to contact me.

Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC Lens - $319.00 shipped
In excellent condition in box with all original accessories.

Westcott Spiderlite TD5 Medium 1 Light Kit - $449.00 shipped
Consists of 1 Spiderlite TD5 Fixture, 24x32 Softbox, Tilt Bracket, Light Stand and Five 5000k (near-daylight color) Fluorescent Bulbs. Used only lightly - in excellent condition. This is a very useful, cool temperature, continuous light.

Gitzo G-1518 Mk2 Carbon Fiber Rapid Column - $79 shipped
I used this in a Gitzo G1548 tripod. In great shape but shows typical slide-marks.

Sold: Canon EF 200mm f/2.0L IS USM Lens - $5,199.00 shipped
Awesome lens in mint condition with some minor marks from the lens hood being installed/removed (these happen immediately and are only seen when the hood is not installed). Comes with everything originally included. Payment conditions and fees to be determined.

Sold: Canon EOS Rebel XTi / 400D Body - $435.00 shipped
A lot of camera for the price. I bought this camera for direct comparison with the Rebel XSi / 450D. It has not be used otherwise. There might be 1,000-2,000 shutter actuations (actual count has been lost). It is in mint condition and includes box and all accessories.

Sold: Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens - $120.00 shipped
Brand new - never mounted (came with my Rebel XSi). Includes both caps but no box.

Sold: Really Right Stuff (RRS) B57-L L-plate - $139.00 shipped
Fits all 1D series bodies except the Mark IIIs. In excellent condition - no scratches.

Sold: Sekonic L358 Light Meter w/ Wireless Transmitter - $239.00 shipped
In mint condition (no guarantee on the batteries - I forgot to check them - takes AA I think).

Sold: Really Right Stuff MPR-CL II Rail Clamp - $99.00 shipped
Like new - barely used.

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

It is my pleasure to introduce Think Tank Photo to the site.

A relatively young company, Think Tank Photo has quickly developed a strong reputation for making great products. Because of this reputation, I made a special effort to check out some of their gear at Photo Plus Expo last October. And I liked what I saw. I have since been using several of their cases and have several more waiting to be put into use. It is all top-notch gear and worthy of recommendation.

This is a company that is passionate about their products - and passionate about photography. I think they will fit right in with us here. Your purchases made through the links on this site will help keep the lights on here - and as a bonus, Think Tank Photo will throw in a free gift when this link is used for a $50 purchase.

Using this link to place your ThinkTank Photo order supports this site. Should your order total more than $50.00, Think Tank Photo will send you a free gift with your order if this link is used

While browsing the site, click on the "News" link and register to win the "Party with Think Tank Photo at Photokina!" trip.

Monday, June 2, 2008

Canon EF 200mm f/2.0L IS USM Lens Review

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Post Date: 6/1/2008 12:00:00 AM ET   Posted By: Bryan
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