Canon and Sony News for Jan 2013 (Page 5)

From DxO:

DxO Optics Pro v8.1.2 supports three new cameras and surpasses the milestone of 10,000 available DxO Optics Modules

Supports the Canon EOS 6D, the Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-RX1, and the Nikon 1 V2

January 16, 2013 - DxO Labs announces the immediate availability of DxO Optics Pro v8.1.2 for Mac and Windows, the new version of its image processing software of reference for all demanding photographers. This update allows DxO Optics Pro 8 to support the Canon EOS 6D and the Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-RX1 full-format cameras (Elite Edition only), as well as the Nikon 1 V2.

Based on a unique approach of prior calibration in the laboratories of DxO Labs, DxO Optics Pro 8 includes numerous powerful and automatic RAW and JPEG image-processing tools. DxO Optics Pro 8 offers the most advanced optical corrections on the market, the best tool for automatically adjusting contrast and light, and precise color management. Its unrivaled performance and its intuitive interface provide a smooth and fast workflow.

10,000 DxO Optics Modules available for exceptional optical corrections

DxO Optics Pro v8.1.2 benefits from the continuous addition of DxO Optics Modules. More than a hundred new camera/lens combinations have been added to the library, supporting additional Canon, Nikon, Sigma, Sony, Tamron and Tokina lenses for Canon, Nikon and Sony cameras.

DxO Optics Pro achieved the goal it set in early 2012 to have 10,000 DxO Optics Modules available by the end of 2012. Developed in the laboratory using an exclusive calibration process, DxO Optics Modules contain tens of thousands of data points about the intrinsic characteristics and flaws of each camera and lens. This database, unique in the entire world, allows DxO Optics Pro to automatically correct all the optical flaws in RAW and JPEG images – distortion, vignetting, chromatic aberrations, and lens softness – with an unrivaled level of quality. Discover our laboratory!

The opening of a new lab in Seattle in fall 2012 has strengthened DxO Labs capacity in terms of calibrations and measurements. Now with six laboratories located in Europe and the United States, DxO Labs is looking to double its production rate of DxO Optics Modules in 2013.

This upgrade is free for all owners of DxO Optics Pro 8, as well as for photographers who purchased a DxO Optics Pro 7 license on or after September 1, 2012. Other users can take advantage of a special discount on this upgrade through January 31, 2013 by going directly through their customer account.

B&H carries DxO products.

From Canon:

PARK CITY, UT, January 15, 2013 - Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, announced today that they will support the Sundance Institute as a Sustaining Sponsor of the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. Held in Park City, Utah from January 17-27, 2013, the Sundance Film Festival is the premier showcase of independent film with a slate of 200 feature films, documentaries, shorts, New Frontier films, installations, performances, panel discussions and music events attended by an estimated 50,000 people.

Among the slate at this year's Sundance Film Festival are Lucy Walker's documentary The Crash Reel and Sean Fine's film Life According to Sam, both shot with the Cinema EOS C300. Additionally, a few of the other projects to be screened at the Festival that were shot using Canon products include A River Changes Course, Blood Brother, Catnip: Egress to Oblivion, Dirty Wars, The Roper, and Who Is Dayani Crystal?

As a Sustaining Sponsor of the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, Canon will offer filmmakers the opportunity to touch and try a lineup of its Cinema EOS professional products, including the Cinema EOS C500 4K Digital Cinema Camera, Cinema EOS C300 Digital Cinema Camera, Cinema EOS C100 Digital Video Camera, EOS-1D C4K DSLR Cinema Camera, as well as the EOS 5D Mark III DSLR Camera and select Canon lenses, including the brand new CN-E14mm T3.1 L F and CN-E135mm T2.2 L F lenses. These products–designed to offer storytellers a new set of tools for capturing compelling visuals and emotional reality on screen–will be on display from Thursday, January 17 - Saturday, January 19, 2013 outside of the Film Office at Festival Headquarters located at the Park City Marriott (1895 Sidewinder Dr).

Canon will also host the "Canon Celebrates Cinematography" cocktail event on Sunday, January 20, 2013 from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. at 614 Main St. Hosted by cinematographer Russell Carpenter, ASC (Jobs) and director/producer R.J. Cutler (The World According to Dick Cheney), the event will bring together established and emerging filmmakers, producers, and talent to honor and recognize the work of the cinematographers of the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. The event will also feature a special partnership between Variety and Canon to recognize Festival cinematographers through the capture of cinematographer portraits to be shared on Variety.com.

Lastly, Canon will present a special presentation "Canon Spotlights Cinematography" at the New Frontier Microcinema at The Yard (1251 Kearns Blvd) on Monday, January 21 from 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. This event is free and open to Festival Credential holders and the public as space allows. The afternoon will feature a special screening of shorts created with groundbreaking Cinema EOS Technology, including:

• Bart - Directed by Richard Landes and cinematography by Peter Simonite
  The big screen premiere of the narrative short shot on the new Cinema EOS C100
• The Nightshift Belongs to The Stars - Directed by Edoardo Ponti and cinematography by Ferran Paredes
  A short film based on an original story by Erri De Luca and shot on the Cinema EOS C300
• Man & Beast - Directed by Dante Ariola and cinematography by Jeff Cronenweth
  Inspired by true life events, the short was filmed in 4K resolution with a Cinema EOS C500

Immediately following the screening, Canon Film and Television Production Advisor Tim Smith will moderate an in depth discussion with Peter Simonite and Edoardo Ponti, as well as cinematographers Andre Lascaris (Ron & Bryce Dallas Howard's when you find me) and Alex Buono (Saturday Night Live) about their filmmaking process and how Cinema EOS products helped to bring their stories to life.

Just posted: Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM Lens Review

From Canon:

First centre of its kind showcases the best of Canon photography and print imaging technology in a hands-on, experiential environment

CALGARY, Alberta, January 15, 2013 - Canon Canada Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions celebrating its 40th Anniversary, today announced the opening of Image Square, the Canon Experience Centre - a unique destination where visitors can interact with the latest Canon technology and benefit from the expertise of photography and business consultants.

Located at Eighth Avenue Place in downtown Calgary, Alberta, Canon Image Square is a ground-breaking, innovative and technologically-advanced space specifically designed to encourage exploration and discovery. Visitors will learn how Canon products and solutions can help them capture their experiences, enhance their memories, and increase their productivity, at home, at work, and at play.

Canon Image Square is open to the public beginning today at 12:00pm.

“Canon Image Square represents a true first for Canada, and it sets the standard for how our industry interacts with customers by offering an opportunity to experience first-hand our state-of-the-art products and technology,” said Kevin Ogawa, President and CEO of Canon Canada. “We are committed to providing our customers and prospective customers with the best experience with our products, and that includes allowing them to touch and try our products before they purchase.”

As part of the Canon Image Square vision, expert staff will direct visitors to purchase through authorized local dealers or direct from Canon.

Canon Image Square features dynamic displays and demonstrations that give visitors a true look at how Canon products work. This innovative approach to the consumer experience includes:

• Expert staff dedicated to answering questions, sharing tips, and finding information for visitors.
• Full-motion thematic settings and sculptural exhibits where visitors can test point-and-shoot and digital SLR cameras, a range of lenses and accessories, and a selection of printers.
• A touch screen media wall where visitors can post and interact with their own images.
• Interactive discovery tables where visitors can select an image, learn about its features, and find directions to the related product station.
• A fully-operational showroom exhibiting a range of Canon print production devices and solutions for business needs.
• A photo studio outfitted with professional Canon digital SLR cameras, Speedlight flashes, and photo production software.
• A classroom-style learning space where expert staff will conduct seminars, projector demos, presentations, and Canon College photography classes.
• Photo gallery curated by 500px, featuring the works of Alberta-based photographers who use Canon equipment to bring remarkable images to life.

Canon Image Square occupies approximately 6,600 square feet on the ground floor of Eighth Avenue Place, a pre-certified LEED Platinum building. Canon Image Square is accessible off 8th Avenue as well as through the building’s main concourse.

For more information, visit www.canon.ca/imagesquare.

From Canon:

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., January 15, 2013 - Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, has rolled out a consumer-safety initiative that will promote awareness of a consumer electronics industry-wide issue: the risks of using counterfeit accessories for digital cameras and camcorders, especially batteries and chargers. Counterfeit products are fake replicas of the real products, designed to take advantage of the superior value of the real product. These fake accessories are produced in a manner that is increasingly more difficult for average consumers to identify. Purchase of these products can lead to potentially dangerous results. Unlike genuine Canon products, counterfeit accessories may not meet government and industry safety standards and may overheat, smoke, melt, ignite and may cause bodily injury and property damage.

In support of this initiative, a digital campaign, with the tagline, "Play it safe. Power your Canon with Canon Power" was launched on January 8, advising consumers to avoid counterfeits by purchasing products through established retail channels. In addition, the Canon USA Website has been enlisted to educate consumers on the Canon batteries and chargers most frequently counterfeited and to provide helpful tips to spot them.

"Canon takes safety seriously and, as good corporate citizens, we want to inform and educate so that consumers are aware of the risks counterfeit products pose," said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A. "We will be rolling out an initiative over the next few months, encouraging consumers to help play it safe with genuine Canon power when making an investment in a camera or camcorder and its accessories, so that they may continue to enjoy the quality experience they expect from us."

For more information, visit www.usa.canon.com/aboutcounterfeits.

From Nikon:

Modifications enabled with version 2.7.1 :

Modifications that apply to both the Windows and Macintosh versions

• Support for the D5200, and Nikon 1 models J3 and S1 has been added.
• The following issues with movies recorded using the Nikon 1 V2 with White Balance set to Underwater have been resolved.

• Thumbnails for movies transferred with Nikon Transfer 2 using a card reader are not displayed in the thumbnail list area.
• When Metadata is selected from the Edit palette, information other than that in File Info 1 is displayed.

Modifications enabled with Ver. 2.7.0 (included):

Modifications that apply to both the Windows and Macintosh versions

• Support for the Nikon 1 V2 has been added.
• The AF Noise Reduction function, which reduces noise produced by auto focusing during movie recording and picked by the built-in microphone, has been added.
• The AF Noise Reduction function is available only for the following devices:

• Camera: The D3200 (released in May 2012) and later digital-SLR cameras.
• Lens:

• AF-S NIKKOR and AF-I NIKKOR lenses
• AF-S/AF-I teleconverters (AF-S/AF-I lenses are required)

• When white balance of RAW images captured with the P7700 was adjusted using Use Gray Point, specified point did not turn gray. This issue has been resolved.

Additional modifications to the Windows version

• Support for the 64bit- and 32bit- versions of Windows 8, Windows 8 Pro and Windows 8 Enterprise has been added.
• When a large number of images were transferred with Nikon Transfer 2 using a card reader, Nikon Transfer 2 quit unexpectedly on rare occasions. This issue has been resolved.

Additional modifications to the Macintosh version

• Support for IEEE 1394 connection for the D1, D1H, and D1X has been eliminated.
• The following issues with combined use of Mac OS X version 10.6 and Nikon Transfer 2 have been resolved.

• When the camera and computer are connected and the camera is turned off after Nikon Transfer 2 is launched, Nikon Transfer 2 quits unexpectedly on rare occasions.
• When a large number of images on a memory card are transferred using a card reader, the transfer is terminated unexpectedly on rare occasions.

Download update: Windows 32-bit | Windows 64-bit | Macintosh

ISO 12233 resolution chart, distortion and vignetting test results, along with specs and measurements, have been added to the Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM Lens Review page.

Here are some of my initial comparative thoughts based on multiple copies tested:

You will see very low distortion from the 24-70 f/4L IS relative to similar zoom lenses. Noticeably less than from the 24-105 f/4L IS - significantly less at 24mm. Landscape photographers shooting over a flat horizon (such as water) will especially appreciate the difference at 24mm, though the 24-70 f/4L IS still has some barrel distortion.

The 24-70 f/4L IS is nearly void of CA (Chromatic Aberration) until the longer end of the focal length range where mild CA becomes apparent at 70mm. The 24-70 f/4L IS has noticeably less CA than the 24-105 f/4L IS at the wide end, but more at 70mm.

The 24-70 f/4L IS is similar to the 24-70 f/2.8L II in regards to both CA and distortion.

The 24-70 f/4L IS has less vignetting than the 24-105 f/4L IS at the wide end at f/4, but more at the long end. By f/5.6, the two lenses are close in this regard. The 24-70 f/2.8L II, with its 1-stop wider aperture, has the comparable-aperture vignetting advantage until about f/8 where the two are nearly equal.

If you are shooting at f/11, the 24-70 f/4L IS, 24-105 f/4L IS and 24-70 f/2.8L II lenses produce essentially equal sharpness. The 24-105 has the longest focal length range to its advantage in this comparison. The 24-70 f/2.8L II lacks IS.

At 24mm with a wide open aperture, the 24-70 f/4L IS bests the 24-105 L IS in sharpness by a modest amount. The 24-70 f/4L IS gets softer (especially in the mid and peripheral image circle) by 50mm f/4 where the lens performs its worst.

That this lens performs its worst at a mid-focal length vs. an extremity focal length is unusual. Since most people shoot their highest percentage of images at the focal length range extremes of a lens, the 24-70 L IS weakness is perhaps well placed. Roger at LensRentals.com has confirmed the 50mm weakness in his vast stock of this lens.

The 24-105 L delivers a sharper image at 50mm f/4. Sharpness improvement at 70mm brings the 24-70 f/4L IS back up to near equality with the 24-105 L. These two lenses perform more similarly at f/5.6 and at f/8, results from these two lenses are nearly comparable. Again, the results are similar at f/11.

The Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Lens is the sharper lens of this group - even at f/2.8 vs. f/4.

Overall, the Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM Lens appears to be a great lens, but ... perhaps overpriced with the bargain-priced Canon EF 24-105 f/4L IS Lens remaining available.

From Amateur Photographer:

Jessops customers who bought cameras before the chain went under last week have been told they will not receive their orders, or a refund.

On Friday, the chain closed all remaining 187 shops with the loss of 1,370 jobs as the 78-year-old business ceased trading, just days after falling into administration.

Five of the 192 shops that were trading at the end of 2012, closed after Christmas.

A further '150' people are expected to be made jobless at the company's head office in Leicester, according to accountants PwC who are acting as administrators.

A statement posted on the Jessops website warns: ‘Customers who have ordered and paid for all or part of their stock – either in store or online – will not receive their stock purchase.

‘Customers who have paid using credit cards should contact their credit card company to try and seek resolution to this matter.'

Customers who are owed money by Jessops – such as in the form of unredeemed gift cards and vouchers, or courses paid for in advance – will also lose out.

They have been told to register as an 'unsecured creditor' with the administrators, using the PwC website at www.pwc.co.uk/jessops

Administrators have set up a Jessops Group Limited helpline which can be reached on 0113 289 4422.

Meanwhile, Nikon has moved to reassure customers that it is ‘actively working with administrators and plans to undertake all outstanding repairs as quickly as possible'.

In a statement, the firm added: ‘Nikon UK can confirm that we will also be honouring any repairs under Jessops' Photo + extended warranty scheme.' For details call 0330 123 0928.

To read the administrators' advice to Jessops customers click HERE.

From Phase One:

Improves Stability, Adds Support for New Cameras

COPENHAGEN, January 14, 2013 — Phase One has released Capture One Pro 7.0.2 for immediate download. This service release has focused on solving bugs reported by customers, strengthening overall stability, and adding support for new models of Canon, Olympus, Fujifilm and Sony cameras, and includes new tethered support for Canon EOS 6D and Canon EOS M cameras.

New preliminary camera support includes:

• Fujifilm X-Pro1
• Fujifilm XE-1
• Fujifilm XF1
• Canon EOS 6D
• Canon EOS M
• Sony SLT-A57
• Sony NEX-5R
• Olympus XZ-2 iHS
• Canon EOS-1D X and EOS 5D Mark III (sRAW and mRAW)

Numerous bug fixes have improved stability, including support for Canon tethering on Apple OS X 10.8, and improved support for pen tablets on Windows 8.

Other changes in Capture One Pro 7.0.2 include aligning the use of image counts in the library tool: no counts for smart albums on Mac and no image counts shown for Groups and Projects on Windows.

Capture One Pro 7 is a raw converter and workflow software which enables photographers to reduce the time and effort required to deliver stunning ready-to-use images with excellent color and detail. Capture One Pro 7.0.2 is available as a free download for Capture One Pro 7 customers.

B&H carries Capture One Pro products.

From Photoshelter:

Mastering The Illusion of Perfection with Photo Retoucher Amy Dresser

Amy Dresser is one of the industry's leading photo retouchers and illustrators. Her clients have ranged from editorial (TIME, Allure) to advertising (Barbie, Pepsi, Target) to individual photographers (Jill Greenberg, Jeremy Cowart).

In this live webinar on Tuesday, January 15th at 4pm EDT Amy will take us behind the Photoshop layered curtain of her work, and discuss her thought process, technique, and end result.

Note: Only the first 1,000 registrants will be able to attend this live webinar. After that, registration will close. We will post a video recording on The PhotoShelter Blog, but sign up if you want to attend on January 15th.

Register here.

From PetaPixel:

In 2009, when Kodak announced that production of Kodachrome film would be coming to an end, legendary photographer Steve McCurry saw an opportunity, and asked if the company would give him the final roll. Given his reputation and the many famed photographs he’s taken on Kodachrome, it’s no surprise Kodak said yes.

As a tribute to this final roll, a crew from National Geographic decided to follow McCurry and document the momentous last 36 frames that would ever be shot on that film — the video above is the result.

The video is much more than just a chronicling of how McCurry spent that last roll of film. As with any great artist, when the NatGeo crew put McCurry on camera he inevitably managed to spout some phenomenal advice. It really makes you appreciate digital (or perhaps miss film) to see McCurry being so careful with his shots, making sure that each one did the Kodachrome roll justice.

In reality, the days already came and went when that roll was shot and developed; the last lab to process Kodachrome stopped at the end of 2010 and you can see the gallery of those final shots on McCurry’s website. But this documentary acts as yet another farewell to a film so loved there are plans for a movie about its demise.

From Datacolor:

Join us for a webinar on Exploring Photographic Composition

Photographic composition is a key element of photography. To master composition, one must learn the ability to see compositions as shapes, lines, forms, masses, etc., and not just as recognizable objects. You must be able to visualize how objects function as forms in space under light, and how they will relate to a two dimensional composition. This webinar gives an overview of the use of photographic composition in landscape and still life photography, drawing examples from the work of masters of photography, as well as our own Datacolor master photographers.

Join us, Tuesday, January 15th from 3PM-4PM EST, as Datacolor Experts David Saffir and C. David Tobie guide you through the key elements of photographic composition and how they interact to make a unified whole.

An interactive Q&A will take place throughout the webinar to answer any questions you may have.

One lucky webinar guest will win a free Spyder4PRO

Title: Exploring Photographic Composition: Landscape and Still Life
Date: Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM EST

Click here to register.

Early last year, Nikon published a letter directed at all unauthorized repair facilities stating that "...Nikon has decided that it will no longer make repair parts available for purchase by repair facilities that have not been authorized by Nikon Inc. to perform camera repairs."

A backlash enused as once cheap and simple repairs became much more costly for consumers who were forced to ship their cameras to one of Nikon's limited number of authorized repair facilities.

Nikon has since made some consessions - and is now selling a limited number of repair parts directly to the general public.

Parts available for puchase include (but vary depending on camera model):

• Rubber grips/covers/caps
• Battery/memory card doors
• Name plate decals

See the full list of repair parts here.

From BBC News:

High Street camera retailer Jessops is to shut all of its stores, resulting in the loss of about 1,370 jobs.

Administrator PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), appointed this week, said all 187 stores in the UK would shut at the end of trading on Friday.

More jobs would be lost at the head office in Leicester, it added.

Jessops became the first High Street casualty of 2013, after a raft of firms fell into administration in 2012, including Comet and Clinton Cards.

PwC was appointed administrator on Wednesday, and at the time said there might be some store closures.

It came after talks this week between Jessops and its lender and suppliers broke down after a poor Christmas.

The camera chain was founded in Leicester in 1935 by Frank Jessop.

In recent years, it has been hit by increasing competition from supermarkets and internet retailers.

Rob Hunt, joint administrator at PwC, said it was an "extremely sad day for Jessops and its employees".

Read the entire article here. (thanks Dean)

From Canon:

Mr. Masaya Maeda, Chief Executive, Image Communication Products Operation, Canon Inc., is proud to have Canon acknowledged along with peers, Sony, Red, and Arri in receiving a Technical Emmy award for advancements in CMOS sensor technology for film and television production.