Canon USA News (Page 12)

The hugely popular and iconic Canon EOS 5D Mark II DSLR Camera is now listed as discontinued on Canon Japan's website.

With the introduction of the EOS 6D, it was inevitable that the dated 5D Mark II (now 4 years old) would be making an exit. Even so, we're just a little sad to see it go.

You can still purchase a Canon EOS 5D Mark II at B&H, Adorama, Amazon, or a refurbished model at the Canon Store (20% off right now).

From Canon:

TOKYO, December 20, 2012—Canon Inc. announced today that a range of Canon products have been awarded prestigious product design awards from iF International Forum Design GmbH.

Established in 1953, iF Design Awards are recognized as one of the most prestigious awards within the field of design. Every year iF honors excellent design in three disciplines: product, communication and packaging design. For the 2013 iF Design Awards, seven Canon product designs received coveted iF Product Design Awards.

Within the Audio/Video category, awards went to the EOS-1D X digital SLR camera, the IXUS 500 HS/510 HS (PowerShot ELPH 520 HS/530 HS and IXY 3/1 in other regions) compact digital cameras, the Cinema EOS System of professional digital cinematography products, and the EOS M interchangeable-lens digital camera system. In the Computer category, the PIXMA PRO-1 (PIXUS PRO-1 in Japan) professional inkjet printer, the PIXMA MG6350/MG5450 (PIXMA MG6320/MG5420 and PIXUS MG6330/MG5430) inkjet all-in-one printers, and the i-SENSYS MF4890dw (imageCLASS MF4890dw and Satera MF4890dw) monochrome laser all-in-one printer were awarded.

Encouraged by the multiple iF Design Awards recognizing the company's design excellence, Canon will continue striving to realize products that combine the highest levels of performance and design.

From Canon USA:

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., December 3, 2012 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced that for the fourth year in a row it has earned the Center of Excellence certification by BenchmarkPortal, placing its customer service call center in the top 10 percent as surveyed for efficiency and effectiveness.

"Earning this award for the fourth straight year validates our commitment to matching Canon's innovative products and services with a high level of technical support which our customers deserve," said James Sharp, senior vice president and general manager, Systems and Technical Support, Business Imaging Solutions Group, Canon U.S.A. "I am particularly proud of our team members who strive to build stronger relationships with customers every day."

The Systems and Technical Support Division, Canon U.S.A.'s 100-percent U.S.-based call center, provides service and support to the Company's vast network of direct and non-direct sales channels covering a wide range of products and solutions, including the Company's imageRUNNER ADVANCE, imagePROGRAF, imageCLASS and imagePRESS product lines.

"Canon's customer service call center continues to demonstrate excellent performance on both cost-related and quality-related metrics which are among the best in the industry," said Bruce Belfiore, CEO of BenchmarkPortal and senior research executive at the Center for Customer-Driven Quality that was founded at Purdue University. "It certainly deserves to achieve our Center of Excellence certification."

When the Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM Lens was announced, we understood that the lens hood and pouch were not included. As usual for a non-L lens.

On November 21, we published a news announcement noting the apparent inclusion of a lens hood and case with the purchase of this lens. The accessories were (and still are) listed in the "What's in the Box" section of the product page at both B&H and Adorama. A B&H rep informed us that this information was sourced directly from Canon.

Yesterday, via PetaPixel, Chuck Westfall, Technical Advisor for Canon USA advised otherwise:

"EF35mm f/2 IS USM lenses imported by Canon USA will not be supplied with lens hood or pouch, as confirmed by our sales group. If the dealers in question are offering the lens with these accessories in the box, it would most likely be a gray market item."

Robert P. Luckett, a Canon Public Relations Specialist, has confirmed this news for us:

"We have double checked and confirmed that Canon U.S.A. is not providing a soft carrying case, or lens hood with the 35mm F/2 IS lens."

While everyone is still not on the same page, we are going to go with Chuck and Rob on this one. Oh well...at least we are still getting center-pinch lens caps!

From Canon:

Changes to PhotoStitch 3.1.23 Updater for Windows

• Supports Windows 8.

Changes to PhotoStitch 3.2.6 Updater for Mac OS X

• Support added for Mac OS10.7.
• QuickTimeVR has been removed from the supported image type when saving a composite image.

Download the PhotoStitch Updater for Windows or Macintosh.

Historically speaking, Canon has provided a lens hood and case (or carrying pouch) with the purchase of L-series lenses. However, Canon has generally not included the accessories with non L-series lenses.

However, according to B&H's "What's In the Box," a lens hood and case will be included with the new Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM Lens. The included accessories are also confirmed on Adorama's site.

With the announcement of center-pinch lens caps from Canon, that may be two items we can cross off Bryan's "What I Want From Canon for Christmas” list from 2010!

Preorder the Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM Lens at B&H, Adorama, and Amazon.

The Canon Camera Museum has just published a very informative technical report on the Canon PowerShot G15 Digital Camera.

B&H carries the Canon Powershot G15.

Canon has released a notice announcement regarding projected dividends for the year ending December 31, 2012.

From Canon USA:

Company Receives Numerous Awards in 2012 Including a Technology & Engineering Emmy® Award

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., November 15, 2012 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, is proud to mark 2012 as another award-winning year. Customers and publications are praising Canon across various product segments for quality, innovation and customer support. The business world has taken note of Canon's dedication to environmental issues and industry-leading practices. This year, Canon was selected as one of Interbrand's 50 Best Global Green Brands 2012 (ranking number 29) while also placing among the top five companies in the computer industry on Fortune magazine's 2012 World's Most Admired Companies list.

Additional key awards and industry recognitions received by Canon include the PCMag.com Readers' Choice Award for Service and Reliability in the digital camera and printer categories for the ninth consecutive year, and for camcorders for the past two years; placement in the Leaders Quadrant of the 2012 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Managed Print Services Worldwide1 report; and for the fourth consecutive year, BenchmarkPortal's2 Center of Excellence certification, demonstrating Canon's dedication to providing comprehensive service and support to customers.

"We are extremely pleased to have received so many awards and industry recognitions from various industry organizations spanning product review, customer service and corporate initiatives," said Bunji Yano, senior director and general manager, Corporate Communications, Canon U.S.A. "These awards and recognitions exemplify our commitment to not only providing high-quality products and services, but also our dedication to our customers and the environment as well."

Maintaining status as an industry leader and continuing to earn accolades from the top industry publications continued throughout 2012 across all Canon product lines. As in years past, 2012 was no different for Canon cameras and lenses as honors were earned by entry-level point-and-shoot cameras up to professional DSLR and video cameras.

New for this year, Canon is extremely proud to announce that the Company will receive a 2012 Technology & Engineering Emmy® award in the category "Improvements to Large Format CMOS Imagers for Use in High Definition Broadcast Video Cameras." The CMOS image sensor debuted in the Cinema EOS system line in November 2011 and has helped bring digital cinema closer to the superb aesthetics associated with 35 mm motion picture film. The Cinema EOS line took home numerous honors including the Digital Video Black Diamond award from Digital Video Magazine and the EOS C500 4K Digital Cinema Camera won the Pick Hit award from Broadcast Engineering.

Canon's input-to-output capabilities were highlighted with awards granted to several cameras. The PowerShot G1 X digital camera won Outside magazine's Gear of the Year award and PCMag.com named the EOS Rebel T3 and T3i to their best digital cameras list. Reviewed.com, a division of USA TODAY, named the EOS-1D X DSLR camera Best Ultra High-End and Best Overall Camera and presented the Best Value System for Video award to the EOS Rebel T4i DSLR camera. Additionally, numerous Canon printers were the recipients of awards throughout 2012 including the PIXMA PRO-1 that won the Gold Award from DP Review and the PIXMA MG6220 that CNET named to their best all-in-one printers list.

Canon's line of scanners, Multifunction Printers (MFP) and Large Format Printers received awards for various products. The imageFORMULA P-215 Personal Document Scanner was the PCMag.com 2012 Editors' Choice and received the title of "best scanner" along with the CanonScan LiDE110 Color Image Scanner. The 2012 Top Products Awards from My Print Resource named 17 imagePROGRAF printers to their list including the imagePROGRAF iPF760, iPF6300S, and the iPF825 MFP, and BERTL named the Canon FAXPHONE L100 to its Best Spring Awards list. Continuing to offer consumers efficient products, the Canon imageCLASS MF5950dw (as tested with its wired interface), MF5960dn, MF8380Cdw (as tested with its wired interface) and imageRUNNER 1750 MFP were all awarded the Summer 2012 Buyers Laboratory "Outstanding Achievement in Energy Efficiency" award.

From Canon Professional Services:

Thank you for being a valued Canon Professional Services (CPS) member. We previously communicated to you that our service facility in Jamesburg, New Jersey was without power due to the effects of Hurricane Sandy. We are happy to report that the facility has recovered and is now operating at normal capacity.

Thank you for your understanding while operations were temporarily disrupted.

Canon Professional Services (CPS)
Canon U.S.A., Inc.

From Canon:

Canon U.S.A., Ron Howard And The Public Select 91 Winning Photos For "Project Imaginat10n" Which Will Inspire Short Films Directed By Eva Longoria, Jamie Foxx, Biz Stone, Georgina Chapman And James Murphy

Ron Howard Chooses One Winning Photograph, "Discovering limits" by David Saylor from Melbourne, FL for the "Discovery" Theme to be Represented in All Celebrity Director Films

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., November 9, 2012 - Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, Ron Howard and the public, have selected 91 winning photographs from the "Project Imaginat10n," contest where five innovative celebrities - Eva Longoria (film and TV actress), Jamie Foxx (Academy Award® winner), Biz Stone (co-founder of Twitter), Georgina Chapman (designer and co-founder of Marchesa) and James Murphy (founder of LCD Soundsystem) - will direct short films based on ten of the photos.

A consumer vote helped narrow down the photographs, where one of the selected winners' photos was chosen by Ron Howard in the "Discovery" category to be a thematic tie across the celebrities' films. The directors will now each select one additional photograph from the other nine storytelling categories that personally inspire them, ultimately utilizing ten photos to represent their creativity and imagination. In addition to "Discovery," the themes include Character, Mood, Goal, Backstory, Setting, Obstacle, Relationship, The Unknown and Time. The winning photographs determined by Ron Howard and the consumer vote can be seen at imagination.usa.canon.com.

Ron Howard said, "In choosing 'Discovering limits' for the Discovery category, it was important that I picked an image that was tremendously imaginative, visually fantastic and thematically pliable so that it could give the filmmakers a lot of possibilities to inspire an element of mystery and suspense. Moments of discovery are often what you remember most in a film."

Howard added, "This image suggests discovery through reflection or through isolation while also suggesting a range of tonal possibilities as well. It's also just a very unusual and emotionally interesting image."

In 2011, Ron Howard and Canon U.S.A. partnered for a similar creative endeavor, "Project Imagin8ion." Eight photos were selected and influenced an award-winning short film, "when you find me," directed by Bryce Dallas Howard. For year two of Canon's "Long Live Imagination" campaign and the next endeavor, "Project Imaginat10n," Ron Howard will once again mentor the celebrity directors as they begin the filmmaking process to prove that "we're all creative."

"I am so passionate about the integrity and user-generated process of 'Project Imaginat10n' where our celebrity directors can be directly inspired by photographers from all across the country," said Ron Howard. "As we selected the photographs, I was blown away by the beauty, perspective and intrigue that they conveyed, and was thrilled that so many people wanted to once again take part in this exciting artistic experiment."

The celebrity directors are currently reviewing the winning photos to make their selections, craft their stories, develop their scripts and prepare to produce their own short films with Canon's Cinema EOS System and DSLR cameras. The films will be produced by Freestyle Picture Company, which also produced "when you find me" in 2011. All five films go into production between Fall 2012 and Spring 2013 and will premiere at a special "Project Imaginat10n" Film Festival. The "10" in "Imaginat10n," represents ten films that will ultimately be produced - five additional directors will be announced at a later date.

The 91 winners of the photo contest span in age from 16 to 67 years-old and are from across the country.

Click here to see the full press release and list of winners.

From Canon:

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., November 7, 2012 – In the wake of the devastating effects from Hurricane Sandy, Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today made a donation of $100,000 to AmeriCares to be used toward the relief efforts.

"On behalf of all employees at Canon U.S.A., we extend our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to those affected by Hurricane Sandy," said Joe Adachi, president and CEO, Canon U.S.A.

AmeriCares is a nonprofit disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization which provides immediate response to emergency medical needs - and supports long-term humanitarian assistance programs - for all people around the world, irrespective of race, creed or political persuasion.

From Canon Professional Services:

Due to the impact of Hurricane Sandy, the Canon USA repair facility in Jamesburg, New Jersey is currently without power and is closed.

If you recently sent a product to the Jamesburg facility and wish to check on the repair status, please enter your Canon Repair Number and ZIP Code into the designated fields at the following Canon USA web site address: http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer?pageKeyCode=checkRepairStatus

Recovery operations are underway and we have been informed by the local utility servicing the Jamesburg facility that power should be restored by November 7. However, due to storm-related delays, normal operations and repair turnaround are not expected to resume until November 16. Until that time, please direct any new repair requests to one of the Canon Repair Facilities below:

1. Newport News, Virginia
Canon Factory Service Center
12022 Canon Blvd.
Newport News, VA 23606
(Mail-In Service Only)

2. Irvine, California
Canon Factory Service Center
15955 Alton Parkway
Irvine, CA 92618
(Mail-In and Walk-In Service)

When sending in your equipment for repair please ensure the box is marked as CPS Pro Rush Repair to expedite the request.

Assistance is also available to CPS members 24x7 via the CPS Member Hot Line at 1-877-CPS-8122 (1-877-277-8122).

We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience as we work to return to normal operations in New Jersey as soon as possible.

Thank you,

Canon Professional Services (CPS)
Canon U.S.A., Inc.

Contact Information for Inquiries
CPS Toll free; 1-877-CPS-8122
24 hours 7 days/per week

Equipment loan requests
cpsloan@cusa.canon.com

Membership
cpsmember@cits.canon.com

Repairs
NJ njcpsservice@cusa.canon.com
CA cacpsservice@cusa.canon.com
VA vacpsservice@cusa.canon.com

Couldn't make it to PhotoPlus in New York? Check out Canon's live streaming video feed from the event at learn.usa.canon.com.

Schedule of streaming events:

From Canon USA:

Company to Exhibit the Latest EOS Digital SLR and PowerShot Cameras,imagePROGRAF Large-Format Printers, and PIXMA PRO-Series Printers at Canon Booth 119

NEW YORK, October 24, 2012 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, will showcase a range of digital cameras and printers at PhotoPlus Expo 2012 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City, October 25-27, 2012 (Booth 119). In addition, the Canon Digital Learning Center website will host free streaming video of stage presentations by Canon's Explorers of Light.

Attendees will have the opportunity to "touch and try" Canon's latest imaging products including:

• PowerShot digital cameras - the G15, S110, and SX50 HS - providing advanced features, greater focusing speed and multiple-shot speed in sophisticated, compact camera bodies
• EOS 6D Digital SLR camera, a versatile, mid-range full-frame camera with the durability and performance professionals require and the creative imaging options serious photographers crave
• EOS 6D Digital SLR camera, a versatile, mid-range full-frame camera with the durability and performance professionals require and the creative imaging options serious photographers crave
• Three new imagePROGRAF large-format printers - the iPF8400, iPF6450 and iPF6400- delivering superb color quality and consistency as well as excellent output speeds for photographers, artisans, proofers and print for pay operations
• Two new PIXMA PRO-series 13-inch inkjet printers, the PIXMA PRO-10 and PIXMA PRO-100 producing excellent black-and-white and color prints to help, professional studio and aspiring photographers, as well as those educators training the next generation of photographers, ensure what was captured through the lens is reproduced exactly as it was envisioned on paper.

"Canon's theme for this year's PhotoPlus Expo exhibition is 'What It Takes To Image', which speaks to the wide breadth of products and solutions we offer professional imaging markets. As a uniquely positioned company providing complete imaging solutions from input to output, PhotoPlus Expo sets the stage for us to show attendees the full scope of the creative solutions we offer," said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A.

The booth includes a hands-on shooting set where visitors can try Canon's latest DSLR cameras and Cinema EOS equipment. The REALiS Theatre located in the booth will be continually showing dynamic footage captured on various Canon devices throughout the show. In addition, the Company is continuing its PhotoPlus Expo speaker series with live presentations and photoshoots happening throughout the tradeshow on the Canon Live Learning stage. Canon's Speedlite Studio sessions will also take place demonstrating lighting and portraiture techniques for attendees.

Canon 2012 PhotoPlus Expo Stage Schedule

CPS Lounge
Canon will host its CPS Lounge during PhotoPlus Expo 2012 at the Jacob Javits Center, October 24th-27th in rooms 2D02/03 and 2D04/05. The CPS Lounge will be open to the public on October 24th at 10am, the day before PhotoPlus Expo opens.

• Free On-Site Clean & Check for Gold and Platinum Members: up to two Canon professional DSLR or lens models. All equipment must be dropped off before 5 p.m. on October 26, 2012.
• On-Site Registration: New or upgrading Gold or Platinum members will receive an additional free Clean & Check coupon during PhotoPlus Expo. A registration kiosk will be available in the CPS Lounge.
• Free Professional Canon Print: Gold and Platinum members are encouraged to bring one of their own high-resolution images to receive one sample print from the latest PIXMA Pro or imagePROGRAF printers. (during show hours only)

CPS Lounge Hours during PhotoPlus Expo 2012:
10/24 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Pre-show hours available)
10/25 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
10/26 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
10/27 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (equipment pick-up only)

From Canon USA:

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Honors Canon’s Work on Improvements to Large Format CMOS Imagers for Use in High Definition Broadcast Video Cameras

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., October 22, 2012 - Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, announced today that Canon Inc. will be recognized at the 64th Annual Technology & Engineering Emmy® Awards for “Improvements to Large Format CMOS Imagers for Use in High Definition Broadcast Video Cameras.” Presented by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS), the Technology & Engineering Emmy® Awards honor development and innovation in broadcast technology and recognize companies, organizations and individuals for breakthroughs in technology that have a significant effect on television engineering.

Canon debuted its award-winning large format CMOS image sensor in its acclaimed EOS C300 Digital Cinema Camera in November of 2011 at a global launch event held at Paramount Studios in Hollywood. By exploring alternatives to the established Bayer color filter array algorithms, Canon was able to achieve an overall image quality capture through its CMOS sensor that has helped bring digital cinema closer to the superb aesthetics associated with 35 mm motion picture film.

“We are honored to receive this recognition from NATAS for our work on large format sensors,” said Masaya Maeda, managing director and chief executive, Image Communication Products Operations, Canon Inc. “We see this award as a testament to the warm acceptance that the film and television production community has extended to us as we’ve partnered with them over the last year to help tell their stories. It also serves as further incentive for our continued commitment to the entertainment industry.”

In November 2011, Canon announced its full-fledged entry into the theatrical motion picture, television programming and television commercial production industries with the launch of the Cinema EOS System. Over the past 10 months, the Company has introduced a total of three high-definition, high-performance Cinema EOS digital cinema cameras—the EOS C300 Digital Cinema Camera, the EOS C500 4K Digital Cinema Camera and the compact, lightweight EOS C100 Digital Video Camera—all built around Canon’s innovative Super 35-mm CMOS image sensor technology specifically developed for Cinema EOS motion image capture. Separately, the EOS-1D C 4K DSLR Cinema Camera, equipped with an 18.3-megapixel full frame (36 mm x 24 mm) CMOS image sensor, also joined the Cinema EOS product family in April of this year. For professional photographers, and independent and student filmmakers, Canon has also introduced the EOS 5D Mark III digital SLR camera, building on the strong success of the EOS 5D Mark II in film and television production.

The Technology & Engineering Emmy® Award will be presented on January 10, 2013, during the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

From Canon USA:

Thank you for using Canon products.

The exterior rubber part on some Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E7A units may change color (turn white) after a short period of time. Canon USA will replace those rubber parts at no charge to the customer.

Canon takes pride in the quality and performance of its products, and we offer our most sincere apologies to customers using this product who have been inconvenienced by this issue. We hope our efforts will earn your understanding.

Affected Product
The rubber on the top surface of some WFT-E7A units produced in certain lots from April 9 through July 13 may turn white after a short period of time. We have determined after inquiry with the rubber manufacturer and analysis, that the white substance is zinc bis (N,N’-dimethyldithiocarbamate).

Zinc bis is not used in the production of this product. However, the quantity of rubber accelerator used in the affected production lots was slightly higher than usual. As a result the rubber surface may turn white due to a chemical reaction with the rubber accelerator and other substances. High temperature and high humidity may contribute to this condition. Zinc bis (N,N’-dimethyldithiocarbamate), which becomes deposited on the rubber surface, is created as a result of this chemical reaction.

Only certain WFT-E7A wireless file transmitter units produced between April 9 and July 13, 2012 are affected.

If the first two digits of the serial number are “03” through “06” and the fifth digit is “1”, the unit is affected.

03xx1xxxxx, 04xx1xxxxx, 05xx1xxxxx, 06xx1xxxxx ([x] represents any optional number. )

Free Repair
Canon USA will replace the rubber part of the affected wireless file transmitters free of charge at our service centers.

We anticipate that our free repair service will start in late October or early November.

Caution on Use
The amount of zinc bis detected during our testing was minimal. Although Canon has not received any reports of injury or allergic reactions regarding this product, it is possible for zinc bis, in the small amount found in the rubber surface of affected units, to cause allergic reactions, such as a rash, when it comes in contact with skin of sensitive persons. In addition, if eyes are rubbed after contact with the substance, symptoms such as red eyes may develop.

As a precautionary measure, thoroughly wash your hands with water if they have come in contact with the rubber surface that has turned white. If any medical symptoms develop, please consult your physician immediately.

Contact Information For Inquiries
This information is for residents of the United States and Puerto Rico only. If you do not reside in the USA or Puerto Rico, please contact the Canon Customer Support Center in your region.

Thank you,
Customer Support Operations
Canon U.S.A., Inc

Contact Information for Inquiries
Canon Customer Support Center
Phone: 1-855-214-3277 or 1-800-652-2666
TDD: 1-866-251-3752
Email: carecenter@cits.canon.com
For additional support options: www.usa.canon.com/support

The Canon Camera Museum just published a technical report on the new EOS M mirrorless interchangeable lens camera.

B&H has the Canon EOS M available for preorder.

News concerning the Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS Lens has been relatively sparse. However, CNET Asia recently published an article on the expected availablility of the lens. (thanks Keith)

From Canon USA:

Canon EOS 5D Mark II DSLR Cameras Help Capture the Summer Animated Feature “ParaNorman” in 3D

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR Camera Proves Essential for Realistic Photography of Miniature Puppets and Sets, As Well As Sequential Image-Pairs Needed for 3D Animation

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., August 17, 2012 – Five camera teams and crews of animators, puppeteers, and staff from LAIKA animation studios, along with an garrison of sixty EOS 5D Mark II SLR cameras from Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, have come together to help bring the new 3D feature film, “ParaNorman” to screens this Summer. The EOS 5D Mark II DSLR cameras captured frame-by-frame stop-motion animation of puppet “actors” in this new horror comedy about a small-town boy who speaks to ghosts and must battle an assortment of otherworldly creatures to save his town from doom.

“The Canon EOS 5D Mark II has features that helped us to expedite the stop-motion animation process,” noted John Ashlee Prat regarding the animation of “ParaNorman.” Prat, one of five lighting cameramen on the film, explained that in order to capture the more than 400,000 separate stop-frames needed to create “ParaNorman,” the film was divided among five camera teams and 50 separate units at LAIKA’s 151,000 square ft. studio. Each unit had its own shooting stage, sets, puppet “actors,” equipment (including Canon EOS 5D Mark II cameras), and a crew working on different portions of the film simultaneously. Director of Photography Tristan Oliver supervised the daunting task of five simultaneous film units throughout the entire production.

Compact, lightweight, and compatible with Canon’s wide selection of EF Series lenses, the Canon EOS 5D Mark II digital SLR camera is equipped with a 21.1 megapixel full-frame Canon CMOS image sensor and DIGIC 4 image processor for exceptional still-image capture in a number of RAW or JPEG modes and sRAW options.

“Stop-motion animators need a live-view reference to see and record their progress,” Prat said. “We tested every off-the-shelf digital SLR camera that can provide live view and the high-resolution RAW image files we needed, and we found that the Canon EOS 5D Mark II live view is far superior to any of the others. The 5D Mark II also provides the RAW image output we needed, and a USB connector to feed files to our in-house network.”

Photography of a stereoscopic 3D film requires the capture of not one, but two frames – a left and a right image – 24 times for every second of screen time (in stop-motion animation that number is doubled to 48). The compact size of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II digital SLR camera (as opposed to traditional film cameras) greatly facilitated the capture of the corresponding left- and right images needed for 3D, especially given the miniature sets and puppets being photographed. Each 5D Mark II camera was mounted on a computer-controlled motorized horizontal slider, which moved the camera first right and then left for sequential capture of all the necessary 3D frame-pairs.

“The slider is necessary because we can’t put two cameras side-by-side to successfully photograph little 8- to 12-inch puppets in a miniature world,” Prat explained. “We have to use the inter-ocular distances appropriate to that world in order for it not to look miniature.”

“The self-cleaning sensor feature of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II saved us a lot of time because we didn’t need to take the lens off to clean the sensor,” Prat added. “We are rolling our current fleet of 5D Mark II cameras on to our next production, although not for principal photography. Instead they will be used to support all the other departments for their photographic needs. Principal photography will be done with EOS 5D Mark III cameras, which feature a live view that’s two stops better than the original Mark II’s, and that’s even better for us.”