From the LensRentals Blog:
Author: Roger CicalaSee the entire post on the LensRentals Blog. For more information on the lens, see Bryan's full review.I like to start articles by stating my expectations, because, like everyone, my expectations going in color my opinion after seeing the results. Given Canon’s recent series of home-run lens upgrades, I expected the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 IS II would be a superb lens. I was particularly expecting improvement at 105mm, which was the weak point of the original lens.
And, I usually put my conclusions at the start of an article so those of you who don’t like MTF graphs and spirited discussion about optical results don’t have to scroll down to the bottom. The new Mk II version is a bit better than the original version, but I was expecting a lot more. I wouldn’t rush out and upgrade from the 24-105mm f/4 IS if your goal is amazingly better optics. There may be other reasons to do so, but optics is not it.
Announced in September, Samyang's PREMIUM lens lineup will officially be known as "XP" lenses and will be available starting in December.
From the Samyang Optics Facebook Account:
Samyang Optics just announced the global availability and price of its long-awaited premium lens line-up, Samyang XP 14mm F2.4 and 85mm F1.2!Note from T-D-P: The lenses are not yet available for preorder. Stay tuned.This series is known for its excellence in performance with unprecedented resolving power, matched with 50 megapixels photo and 8K video productions.
The lenses are available in Canon mount and will be on the market from December. The recommended retail price is EUR 949.00.
B&H has just informed us that they are preparing to carry Really Right Stuff products including the brand's very popular tripod lineup.
B&H is still creating the content for the product pages linked above (images to be loaded soon). But rest assured, it won't be long before your favorite RRS gear will be in stock at the nation's largest photography supply center.
Preorders are available now.
From the Canon Professional Network:
The EOS-1D X Mark II has won rave reviews since its launch back in February 2016 and to help users get more from its incredibly advanced focusing system, Canon has produced a handy downloadable AF Setting Guidebook for smartphone and tablets.Download the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II AF Setting Guidebook via the Canon Professional Network.
According to the Egami Blog, Canon has submitted a patent for a curved sensor designed to reduce peripheral darkening of the image (vignetting).
Canon has issued a number of DSLR firmware updates to address a lens correction profile bug relating to the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM.
From the Canon EOS 6D firmware update:
Corrects a phenomenon in which when using the camera with the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM lens, even if lens aberration correction is set to "Enable", correction will not be applied.Canon DSLR Firmware Updates Available
Product | Firmware version |
EOS-1D X | 2.0.9 |
EOS-1D Mark IV | 1.1.5 |
EOS 5D Mark III | 1.3.4 |
EOS 6D | 1.1.7 |
EOS 7D | 2.0.6 |
EOS 70D | 1.1.2 |
EOS 60D | 1.1.2 |
EOS Rebel T5i | 1.1.5 |
EOS Rebel T4i | 1.0.5 |
EOS Rebel T3i | 1.0.3 |
EOS Rebel T2i | 1.1.0 |
EOS Rebel T1i | 1.1.2 |
EOS Rebel T6 | 1.0.2 |
EOS Rebel T5 | 1.0.2 |
EOS Rebel T3 | 1.0.6 |
EOS Rebel SL1 | 1.0.1 |
EOS M2 | 1.0.3 |
EOS M | 2.0.3 |
From the TIME YouTube Channel:
We don't know their names, nor the photographer who immortalized them, but these men lunching 800 feet up show the daredevil spirit behind Manhattan's vertical expansion.
From Canon USA:
Firmware Version 1.0.3 incorporates the following fixes and improvements:
Firmware Version 1.0.3 is for cameras with firmware Version 1.0.2 or earlier. If your camera's firmware is already Version 1.0.3, it is not necessary to update the firmware. When updating the firmware of your camera, please review the instructions thoroughly before you update the firmware. The firmware update takes approximately 4 minutes.
Download: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Firmware Version 1.0.3
B&H has the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV in stock.
From Kickstarter:
GearEye is a smart gear management system for on-the-go professionals. It enables you to manage your equipment through thick and thin: organization, tracking, and making sure you always have everything you need whether at home or on the job. GearEye is a game-changer for anything from the smallest messenger bag to the largest camera suitcase.
The bond between professionals and their work equipment is special: anyone who’s experienced this can tell you that there are few things worse than losing your essential gear. We’ve been there too, and that’s why we created a system to put an end to this problem. Simply place the RFID GearTag on your gear, and voilá! Everything in your bag can now be easily accounted for, with a simple tap on your smartphone.
GearEye is more than just a safety net: it enables you to organize your most important equipment into gig specific groups - so that you always have exactly what you need when you need it. This way, you can quickly and easily make sure you have what you need for today’s studio session (not last week’s beach shoot).
Learn more on Kickstarter.
Image quality results have been added to the Sigma 12-24mm f/4 DG HSM Art Lens Review.
We'll be loading 1Ds III results for this lens soon, but here is the comparison to the Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 DG II HSM Lens, the 12-24 Art's predecessor, using the 5Ds R.
The Sigma 12-24 f/4 Art Lens vs. the Canon 11-24mm f/4L Lens was the first comparison on my list. All of the facts you need to know are not in yet, but ... would you pay $1,200.00 USD more for the Canon than the Sigma based on this comparison? Let us know what you think in the comments.
B&H has the Sigma 12-24mm f/4 DG HSM Art Lens in stock.
From the Kaiman Wong YouTube Channel:
After 7 years of working on DigitalRev TV, this is me officially checking out.
For the purposes of this post, we're going to assume that the friend, family member or loved one on your gift list already has camera, lens and a general purpose tripod (although more is always better!). With those items covered, below are a few items that can help augment just about any photographer's kit (even your own, if Santa leaves a bit of cash under the tree).
General Photography Accessories
The following tools are designed to augment a photographer's creative possibilities, protect his/her gear or simply make the life of being a photographer easier.
Lighting Accessories
At its core, photography is all about capturing light. Being able to add light to or modify the existing light in a scene allows for the ultimate means of creative expression.
Photography Novelties
As if the EOS 5D Mark IV and EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM hanging around your neck weren't enough to inform others of your chosen profession/hobby, there's always the following:
Do you have any suggestions for accessories that we failed to mention? Let us know in the comments.
Our friends at Think Tank Photo have announced two holiday special offers on their award-winning camera bags. The first is their Outlet Center, which is chock full of huge discounts. And second, through December 31st, whenever you buy a Think Tank rolling camera bag you will receive Road Warrior Kit for free. The Road Warrior Kit features 10 Red Whips cable ties, a Cable Management 10 pouch, an AA Battery Holder and a Travel Pouch. That’s $54.50 worth of accessories FREE!
And don’t forget, with our special relationship with Think Tank you will also receive a free gift and free shipping when you use our special URLs on an order of $50.00 or more.
According to the Egami Blog, Nikon has submitted a patent for a Cross-type AF system using a two-layer sensor.
Patent Details
From Nikon:
Capture NX-D 1.4.3
Changes from Version 1.4.2 to 1.4.3
Download: Capture NX-D 1.4.3
Changes from Version 1.2.3 to 1.2.4
Download: ViewNX-i 1.2.4
Changes from Version 2.2.1 to 2.2.2
Download: Picture Control Utility 2.2.2
Changes from Version 2.23.1 to 2.24.0
Download: Camera Control Pro 2.24.0