Canon and Sony News for Mar 2010 (Page 2)

ISO 12233 Chart results for a second lens copy have been added to the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II USM Lens Review page. Select "Sample 2" in the ISO 12233 chart tool.

The second lens appears to be even sharper at f/2.8 at the 70mm end and slightly softer at f/2.8 at the long end compared to my first copy of this lens.

Vignetting results and a flare comparison test have also been added to the review. Vignetting performance appears mostly similar to the version 1 lens - slightly improved in the mid-range focal lengths. The flare comparison (posted by request and yet un-narrated - at bottom of the review page) shows another great advantage the new lens holds.

Sold out fast: B&H has the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV in stock.

The last batch sold out in a few minutes - act fast if you want one.

Canon EOS Rebel T2i / 550D DSLR Camera Review

The T2i is very similar to the Rebel models before it - with a few nice upgrades.

Think Tank Photo has launched a huge new equipment case - the Logistics Manager.

The Logistics Manager is available now from Think Tank Photo. I want one.

Canon has announced its intention to acquire the .canon gTLD (generic Top Level Domain) Name.

Canon has posted EOS 5D Mark II Firmware Version 2.0.3 for download.

Firmware Version 2.0.3 incorporates five enhancements to the movie function and a fix to the manual sensor cleaning function of the EOS 5D Mark II camera.

1. Adds or changes the following movie frame rates.

NTSC:
?1920×1080 : 30 fps (changed - actual 29.97 fps)
?1920×1080 : 24 fps (added - actual 23.976 fps)
?640×480 : 30 fps (changed - actual 29.97 fps)

PAL:
?1920×1080 : 25 fps (added - actual 25.0 fps)
?1920×1080 : 24 fps (added - actual 23.976 fps)
?640×480 : 25 fps (added - actual 25.0 fps)

2. Adds a function for manually adjusting the sound recording level (64 levels).

3. Adds a histogram display (brightness or RGB) for shooting movies in manual exposure.

4. Adds shutter-priority AE mode (Tv) and aperture-priority AE (Av) mode to the exposure modes for shooting movies.

5. Changes the audio sampling frequency from 44.1 KHz to 48 KHz.

6. Fixes a phenomenon where communication between the camera and the attached lens is sometimes interrupted after manual sensor cleaning. (This phenomenon only affects units with Firmware Version 1.2.4.)

For more about this firmware update, visit the Canon Digital Learning Center's EOS 5D II Firmware Version 2.0.3 page.

Adorama has both the Canon EOS Rebel T2i / 550D DSLR Body (sold out) and the Canon EOS Rebel T2i / 550D DSLR Kit in stock!

We have seen the with-kit-lens version of the T2i available before, but this is the first body-only version I've seen available. I plan to have the full Canon EOS T2i / 550D DSLR Review online this week.

ISO 12233 Chart results, measurements, product images (for comparison) and some additional product images have been added to the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II USM Lens Review page.

I'm not comfortable making any final conclusions yet (and have a second copy of this lens arriving today), but the new lens is looking very good so far.

The version II lens is overall, sharper wide open than the version I - you can compare the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS I and II USM Lenses using the mouseover feature in the ISO 12233 chart tool. Increase the focal length for both lenses to see how this improved image quality carries over to extender results. CA (Chromatic Abberation) is also improved - noticeable in the corners (bottom crop) at 200mm.

The 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II Lens focuses very fast - even faster than the version I lens. IS is quiet and well-behaved (very little jumping image in viewfinder). Build quality is excellent - though somewhat large, the lens feels great in use.

B&H Photo is accepting orders for theCanon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II USM Lens (should ship soon).

Adorama is taking preorders.

Sold out in a few minutes: B&H has the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV in stock.

Have you seen the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens Travel Mug? Canon Canada was using them for promotional purposes at the 2010 Winter Olympics. Here is a video from one lucky mug owner:

Of course, we all want one. The good news is that these will become available for purchase - at least in Canada (now sold out). (thanks Christian)

Henrys still has them available for preorder. I would skip the extended warranty on this one. (thanks Scott)

I wonder if the Canon Mini Cooper will be available for purchase.

B&H Photo now has the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II USM Lens in stock!

Sold out: Adorama also has the new Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II USM Lens in stock.

Tamron celebrates their 60th anniversary by announcing the Tamron SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC USD Lens (press release).

Notable features of this lens include image stabilization (VC - Vibration Control), ultrasonic focus drive (USD) with full-time manual focusing and a fixed lens size.

The Canon Digital Learning Center has posted many short Canon EOS 7D Tutorial Videos. View them online - or on your 7D's LCD.

The Canon ZoomBrowser EX 6.5.1 Updater is now available for download. (thanks Johnny)

A few Rebel T2i image quality comparisons have been added to the Canon EOS T2i / 550D DSLR Review page.