Canon and Nikon News for 2010/09 Report News & Deals

I was in the area, so I had to check out Rock Run in the Loyalsock State Forest.
 
Well, nothing is really in the area of this location, but it doesn't take much of an excuse to pull me to places like this. Prior to this trip, I did not find many Rock Run photos online, so I thought I would share a few of my Rock Run Pictures (Ralston, PA) with you.

OnOne Software has announced version 1.3.2 of their DSLR Camera Remote Server software.
 
Support for the Canon EOS Rebel T2i/550D DSLR Camera is now included.

I have added a Lens Flare Comparison Tool to the Lens Comparison Tools page.
 
Most of the current Canon lenses are included. Nikon and many third party lenses will be added as clear skies and schedules allow.
 
Be sure to read the Lens Flare Help page for test details.

Redrock Micro has announced the microEVF High Definition Electronic HDSLR Viewfinder.

Some image quality and physical camera comparisons (and some eye candy) have been added to the Canon EOS 60D Digital SLR Camera Review page.

Canon USA has launched the "Your Second Shot" PowerShot Ad Campaign.
 
"The campaign’s new commercial was shot entirely with Canon’s EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR camera and EF lenses."
 
This campaign will be launched at usa.canon.com/yoursecondshot.

"SIGMA 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM will be available from the end of this month in Canon mount." [Sigma]
 
Adorama has the Sigma 85 available for preorder.

Canon Professional Network (CPN) has posted three videos describing the new Canon lenses.
 
The video describing the new Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 L IS II USM Lens and Canon EF 400mm f/2.8 L IS II USM Lens is the longest - going into the most depth. And I have to say, the weight reduction on the 400 is very dramatic - I can easily handhold this lens for periods of time.

Adorama has the Kingston Technology 16GB Class 10 SDHC Memory Card for $37.95 shipped and the Kingston Technology 32GB Class 10 SDHC Memory Card for $74.95 shipped.

Zeiss Focuses on Successful DSLR Lens Series - a strategy-revealing press release from Zeiss.

Datacolor has introduced the SpyderCheckr Color Reference Solution.

Lowepro today launched their redesigned S&F Modular Carrying System.
 
Lowepro, Pelican and Think Tank Photo cases comprise 98% of my current camera gear transport and carry systems right now. All three companies make excellent products. And this new Lowepro S&F Modular Carrying System looks very useful.

The Canon EOS 60D DSLRs are shipping in the USA. Adorama has them in stock.

Think Tank Photo Urban Disguise V2.0
Think Photo Digital Holster V2.0
 
Think Photo Digital Holsters are one of my most-used cases. This case is very easy to take with you and provides good protection for the camera and lens - while allowing quick access. "A feature new to V2.0 is the built-in side attachment system compatible with most Modular, Skin, or Multimedia components" solves a remaining need I had for these cases and makes them much more functional.

Sigma has announced a pair of new lenses and a pair of new flashes:
 
Sigma APO 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Lens
Sigma APO 150mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro Lens
Sigma EF-610 DG SUPER Flash
Sigma EF-610 DG ST Flash

Samyang has today announced a pair of lenses:
 
Samyang V-DSLR 8 mm F3.5 Aspherical IF MC Fish-eye CS (for filmmakers)
Samyang AE 14 mm f/2.8 ED AS IF UMC for Nikon (same page as new fisheye - page down)

Metz has today announced three new flashes:
 
Metz mecablitz 24 AF-1 digital
Metz mecablitz 36 AF-5 digital
Metz mecablitz 44 AF-1 digital

Adobe has unveiled Photoshop Elements 9 & Adobe Premiere Elements 9. Pick your press release - or read them all:
 
Adobe Photoshop Elements 9
Adobe Premiere Elements 9
Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 & Adobe Premiere Elements 9 Bundle
 
Get Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 & Adobe Premiere Elements 9 at Amazon.com or Adobe.com.

On September 21, 2010 Tamron Co., Ltd launched a global website that provides information in 12 different languages.
 
www.Tamron.com
 
The site provides the latest news and content covering product information and more in the following 12 languages.
 
German, English, Spanish, French, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional) and Korean (languages listed in random order)
 
Main Features
 
1. Global Map Navigation
 
The top page contains a Global Map Navigation feature that allows site visitors to find and access Tamron's offices and distributors in different parts of the world from a world map.
 
2. Company Information
 
Tamron corporate information is provided in 12 different languages.
 
3. Product Information
 
Information about Tamron's main products (Photo lenses, CCTV lenses and lenses for IP cameras) is provided in 12 different languages.
 
4. Links to Local Sites Throughout the World
 
Links guide site visitors to the richer content available on Tamron local, distributor, and head office websites.

Here is the Arca Swiss Product Brochure (1 MB PDF).
 
The new Arca Swiss D4/D4m Tripod Heads look really nice. The new "QuickSet" clamp design also looks like it could be a great improvement.

Sample pictures have been added to the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II USM Lens Review.
 
There were some pictures in this gallery before this, but they were all posted for other, non-review-specific purposes.
 
Amazon.com has the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II USM Lens for $2,289.97 shipped - a $200+ price drop since this lens was introduced.

Chase Jarvis spent some time with the D7000 - his blog post shows what he did with it. (thanks Sean)

Samyang has announced the 35 mm F1.4 AS UMC Lens.

J&R is now accepting Canon EOS 60D preorders:
 
Canon EOS 60D + Lens Kit
Canon EOS 60D + Body

Schneider Kreuznach has announced a pair of tilt-shift DSLR lenses:
 
PC-TS Super-Angulon 2.8 / 50 HM
PC-TS Makro-Symmar 4.0 / 90 HM
 
These look like interesting lenses. Download the brochure (PDF) for more information.

Adorama is accepting preorders for the Canon BG-E9 Battery Grip for EOS 60D.

The Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro Lens is now priced at only $519 with free shipping at B&H. This is a great lens for the money - Learn about it in the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro Lens Review.

Read Nikon's revamped my Picturetown press release for more information.

The Canon DSLR + Printer Rebates (B&H Link) end Sep 30th. As I just mentioned, B&H will be closed most of this remaining time period.

B&H will be closed for holidays much of the next two weeks. Place your order today to insure timely delivery.

Canon U.S.A. has launched a new Print Sample Program (press release).

B&H is accepting preorders for the just-announced Nikon gear:
 
Nikon D7000 Body
Nikon D7000 w/ 18-105mm Lens
Nikon 200mm f/2G AF-S VR II Lens
 
Amazon.com is accepting preorders:
 
Nikon D7000 Body
Nikon D7000 w/ 18-105mm Lens
Nikon 35mm f/1.4G AF-S Lens
Nikon 200mm f/2G AF-S VR II Lens
Nikon SB-700
 
Adorama preorders:
 
Nikon D7000 Body
Nikon D7000 w/ 18-105mm Lens
Nikon 35mm f/1.4G AF-S Lens
Nikon 200mm f/2G AF-S VR II Lens

Nikon is celebrating the production of the 55 millionth NIKKOR lens (press release).

The Nikon 35mm f/1.4G AF-S Nikkor Lens and Nikon 200mm f/2G AF-S ED VR II Nikkor Lens (press release) were announced today.

The Nikon D7000 DSLR Camera (press release) was announced today.

The Nikon Speedlight SB-700 (press release) was announced today.

The Nikon D3100 DSLR Owners Manual is now available for download.

Canon has today announced a pair of high end PowerShot models. Get the details in the Canon USA PowerShot G12 and SX30 IS Press Release.

PhaseOne has released Capture One 5.2.
 
This new release of Capture One comes in three versions: 5.2, 5.2 PRO and 5.2 DB.
 
Capture One 5.2 is a free service release to existing Capture One 5.x owners.
 
Capture One 5.2 is a paid upgrade to customers with Capture One 4.x and 4.x PRO and a free upgrade to customers with Capture One 4.x DB.
 
Capture One 5.2 PRO/DB is a major upgrade to the respective versions of Capture One 3.x. Existing customers with Capture One 3.x PRO/DB can upgrade to a similar version of Capture One 5.2 at no extra cost.
 
Features and enhancements:
 

• LCC based dust removal.
• LCC support for Leaf portable files (also used for tethered operation)
• LCC support for large number of DSLR RAW formats.
• Live View support for Leaf backs and Mamiya DM systems.
• Significantly improved tethered performance for Leaf Aptus II series backs.
• Updated firmware for selected Leaf backs and Mamiya DM systems.
• More camera controls supported for some cameras.
• Preferences to disable tethered support based on camera make.
• Color tag in processed file.
• New lens profile for Phase One 35mm lens
• New lens profile for Schneider Kreuznach LS 110mm lens.
• Improved P65+ image quality.
• Improved colors and consistency on a number of Nikon cameras (*)
• Improved tone response in ISO mode L1.0, L0.7 and L0.3 for a number of Nikon cameras (*)
• A number of bug fixes.

(*) Nikon D3s, D3x, D3, D2x, D700, D300, D300s, D90 and D80.
 
Additional camera file support: Leica X1
 
You can learn more about the new release at: http://www.phaseone.com/5.

The Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS L USM Lens Review page has been udpated with a hands-on preview of this new lens.

B&H has added a new HDSLR Guide to their site:
 

For some reason, Facebook's news feed feature has not been working. Thanks to TwitterFeed, the news and what's new posts should now show on the site's Facebook page.

The Sigma 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Lens (in F and Canon mounts) is scheduled to start shipping at the end of this month.
 
Get it at B&H or Adorama.

Think Tank Photo has announced the Sling-O-Matic Sling Bag Series while celebrating their 5th birthday
 
Learn more about the Sling-O-Matic Bags on Think Tank Photo's website.

While not available for download yet, Canon Digital Photo Pro Version 3.9.0 is shipping in the box with the new Canon cameras.
 
Notable new features include two additional check mark levels (4 & 5), a ratings system (Unrated, * through ***** and Reject) with simple hotkey access and Unsharp Mask added to the RAW Tools Tab.
 
Thanks to "neuroanatomist" in the forums for this post - see the screenshot he provided.

I have updated the Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 Distagon T* ZE Lens Review.
 
In the review, I highlighted an exposure problem I was having with this lens. I'm letting you know that Zeiss replaced the faulty lens with a new one - and the new one works fine.

Tamron 60th Anniversary Model
 
Announcing the release of a full size premium telephoto zoom - the Tamron Superior Performance SP 70-300mm F4-5.6 Di VC USD (Model A005) for Canon mount.
 
September 9, 2010, Saitama, Japan - President and CEO Morio Ono of optical equipment manufacturer Tamron Co., Ltd. announced on September 25, 2010 in Japan another advance in the company's pursuit of high resolution images in the telephoto lens category with the release of a 70-300mm F/4-5.6 telephoto zoom lens featuring image stabilization-VC (Vibration Compensation) and an ultrasonic auto-focus drive - USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive). The SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC USD (Model A005) high-resolution DSLR telephoto zoom lens has been produced for the Canon mount.
 
Product Name: SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC USD (Model A005) For Canon
Date of Launch (in Japan): September 25, 2010
 
As I said before, the new Tamron SP AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC Lens (Adorama) is only $399.00 after the $50 rebate.

Adobe Pixel Bender Plug-in for Adobe Photoshop CS5 is now available for download from Adobe Labs.

Carl Zeiss has announced the Zeiss Compact Prime CP.2 50mm/T2.1 Makro Lens and CP.2 100mm/T2.1 CF Lens.

I was testing a Canon EF 600mm f/4 IS USM Super Telephoto Lens on a Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III Camera body for a new lens comparison tool (coming to the site in the near future). After completing a short test procedure, I removed the 600mm lens from the body - only to be greeted with a very-dishearteningly-noticeable amount of smoke.
 
I obviously had the 600mm lens framed too close to the sun for too long of a period of time - which I'm guessing was a minute or so. Here is a look at the blistered plastic in the 1Ds III.
 

 

 
Imagine taking an $8k lens off of a $6k camera and seeing a plume of very-black smoke come out. Wish I had video'd that! The good news is that the camera is fine - just cosmetic damage was done.

Details of the camera can be found in the Canon UK IXUS 1000 HS Digital Compact Camera Press Release. (thanks David)

Cine Lenses with Maximum Flexibility
 
Compact Prime CP.2 lenses from Carl Zeiss now also with F-mount
 
OBERKOCHEN/Germany, 08.09.2010.
 
In 4th quarter of 2010, ZEISS Compact Prime CP.2 lenses will be available with F-mount. The Compact Prime CP.2 series, presented last April, were the first lenses developed especially for shooting with HDSLR cameras. Since then, the lenses have been highly sought after by cinematographers and film photographers alike. In addition to the PL-, EF- and F-mount, Carl Zeiss will soon also be offering the Compact Prime CP.2 lenses with Micro 4/3 and A-mount.
 
The Compact Prime CP.2 lenses’ inter- changeable mount means the lenses can be used for many purposes. The lenses have a compact and robust build so that they can handle any demand on the film set.
 
“With the new enhancement of mounts we want to meet the needs of our customers”, says Michael Schiehlen, Head of Sales of Carl Zeiss AG Camera Lens Division. “The possibility of using our CP.2 lenses flexibly for three different camera systems is not only interesting for new customers. Stores that rent cameras and camera equipment also benefit from the lenses’ enhanced flexibility.”
 
Just in time for the IBC in Amsterdam, Carl Zeiss has announced two new focus lengths that will also be available with F-mount: Compact Prime CP.2 50 mm/T2.1 Makro and CP.2 100mm/T2.1 CF. They complement the seven focal lengths from 18 to 85 millimeters that are already available.

The SD Association has announced a new memory card design.
 
This is "... a new, dual-row pin memory card design achieving bus interface speeds of up to 300 megabytes per second for SDXC and SDHC devices and memory cards. It is fully backwards compatible, allowing equipped devices full use of any SD, SDHC and SDXC memory cards."
 
"New high speed interface signals will be assigned on the second row of pins of select SDXC and SDHC memory cards offering the new speed. This option will be available in both full-size and micro form factors and does not change the physical size or shape of the cards. This design will be part of the forthcoming SD 4.0 specification, expected in early 2011."

B&H has packaged the Nikon DSLR + Lens Combo Rebates.
 
Savings are as much as $1,100.00.

Adorama has the Canon EOS 1D Mark IV in refurbished condition (like new in my experience) for only $4,199.00 shipped. Act fast if you want one of these!

The Canon Refurbished inventory at Adorama has just been updated. About 20 additional items are now available.

Just announced: Zeiss Filters and Camera Strap.
 
I could easily see the filters coming, but I have to admit that the camera strap blind-sided me.

B&H has added the current Canon DSLR + Lens or Flash rebates to their site. They were unusually slow getting these deals loaded, so if you were looking for one of these combinations, hit one of the buy buttons below:
 

Model	Rebate Amount
Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens	$100.00
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8 L II USM Lens	$200.00
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II USM Lens	$280.00
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM Lens	$220.00
Canon TS-E 45mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift Lens	$160.00
Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM Lens	$200.00
Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens	$60.00
Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 L II USM Lens	$260.00
Canon EF 100mm f/2.0 USM Lens	$60.00
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L IS USM Macro Lens	$130.00
Canon EF 135mm f/2.8 With Softfocus Lens	$70.00
Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flash	$80.00
Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flash	$50.00

 
The rebate form is available for download. Remember, these rebates end Sep 11th.

We are approaching holiday season for B&H. To receive prompt shipment of your order, standard-shipping orders must be placed before 6:00 PM EDT today and rush-shipping orders must be placed before 11:00 AM EDT Wed. Orders placed after these cut-off times will be shipped when B&H reopens. Online ordering will not be available during this holiday.
 
Order your gear now: B&H Photo

End of Summer Super Rebates of Up To $100 on Six of Tamron's Most Popular Lenses Valid Through October 10, 2010
 
September 3, 2010, Commack, NY— Tamron USA, Inc. announced today an End of Summer Super Rebate program that gives consumers extra cash incentive when purchasing one of the select lenses included on the program. The limited time offer is valid on purchases made September 3 through October 10, 2010.
 
New Super Rebates on Six Top Lenses
 
Included in this special offer are:
• Tamron AF18-270mm Di-II VC (model B003) at $100
• Tamron AF18-200mm Di-II (model A14) at $100
• Tamron AF28-300mm Di at (model A20) at $50
• Tamron SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 VC (model B005) at $100
• Tamron SP AF10-24mm (model B001) at $100
• Tamron SP AF60mm F/2.0 1:1 Macro (model G005) at $100
 
The End of Summer Super Rebate form can be found on Tamron USA's website.
 
The lenses can be found at B&H Photo.

The Canon EOS 60D Owners Manual (9 MB PDF) is now available for download.

Datacolor has announced the SpyderLensCal - "New Tool Enables Photographers to Measure and Improve Autofocus Performance"

It's back. Canon USA's Why Do You Love Football Challenge 2010 is on.

Tamron has launched a new lens rebate program. Get the full details from the Tamron Rebate Form.
 
Of note is that the new Tamron SP AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC Lens (Adorama) is only $399.00 after the just-announced $50 rebate.

Redrock Micro Introduces Redrock|Ops - Camo-style camera rigs for video DSLR cameras.

The Canon Expo 2010 New York Press Release has been made. See you at the show!

Carl Zeiss has announced 35mm f/1.4 Distagon T* ZE Lens (press release). This lens is expected to be available in 2011/Q1.