Canon and Sony News for Oct 2011 (Page 2)
Phase One Press Release:
Improves performance of leading professional photographer’s digital visual assets manager
COPENHAGEN, October 25, 2011 — Phase One, the photographic image-quality leader today released Media Pro 1.1. Media Pro is a professional digital visual assets manager that supports rapid browsing, cataloging, searching, annotating, retrieval and sharing no matter where digital files are stored (such as shared folders, CDs, hard drives, DVDs or on other media). This new release features German and French localization and significant performance improvements.
Media Pro supports photo and video files from more than 100 different cameras and is well suited to managing large photo libraries. Images within Media Pro catalogs (more than 128,000 files may be saved per catalog) may be non-destructively edited with Capture One and with other image editing applications. Assets may also be converted into other file formats as required, and all catalogs may be archived, backed up, published via slide shows, web galleries, and distributed via email, contact sheets, prints, and other custom options.
What’s new in Media Pro 1.1
-- Faster importing and media rendering
Now Media Pro customers can choose between Capture One rendering and Apple/WIC rendering according to image quality requirements, rendering of Capture One adjustments and speed. For new customers, the factory default is set to Apple/WIC rendering. For best image quality and rendering of Capture One adjustments, the Capture One renderer is recommended.
-- Improved Capture One Integration with Media Pro
Used together, Phase One’s Capture One Pro for image editing and Media Pro for photo management, these programs comprise an optimal photography software toolset for photographers who need to manage very large, high quality image files and collections in a fast and efficient workflow.
Now Media Pro keeps Capture One adjustments when renaming and transferring files to other folders in Media Pro; and users can drop files onto the Media Pro application icon to have those rebuilt, selected and revealed in the front catalog;
-- Added support for the following camera RAW formats when using the Capture One renderer:
Olympus E-P3 and E-PL3
Sony NEX-7, NEX-5N, SLT-A77, SLT-A65 (all preliminary)
Sony DSLR-A580, NEX-C3
Panasonic DMC-G3, DMC-F3
Bugfixes on Mac
• Fixed a bug that could cause rebuilding or the importer to hang.
• Fixed some issues where missing items in the catalog could halt the thumbnail and
• preview generation.
• Fixed an issue preventing some RAW image formats from being imported.
• Fixed an issue causing panning in Media View to break after using the Light Table.
• Fixed a saving issue related to large catalogs.
• Fixed a launching issue related to QuickLook.
• Fixed some UI glitches with the Recent Catalogs menu, Custom Fields and the Organize panel.
• Made it possible to delete files on volumes with no trash e.g. servers.
• Made rebuilding items preserve existing orientation.
• CSS files are now accepted in catalogs.
• Fixed a number of issues relating to Notes files (.ivn)
Bugfixes on Windows
• Fixed an issue causing a license server connection error to appear whenever launching without being connected to the internet.
• Fixed an issue causing panning in Media View to break after using the Light Table. Fixed a saving issue related to large catalogs.
• Fixed some color management issues.
• Added warning if about to overwrite existing Web Contact Sheet.
• Fixed an issue where make and model metadata would be lost for converted images.
• Fixed broken preset saving functionality for Convert Image, Sound and Movie Files.
• Made the cursor automatically move to the next field when entering license keys.
• Fixed an issue that would make Custom Fields clear unintentionally.
• Made it possible to save new Media Pro catalog in the same location as an existing Expression Media 2 catalog.
• Made rebuilding items preserve existing orientation. In addition a number of minor bugs have been fixed on Mac and Windows
Availability and Pricing
Media Pro is available now via download for 199 USD and 139 EUR through Phase One’s Online Store and through leading professional photography dealers worldwide.
Media Pro 1.1 is available as a free upgrade to existing Media Pro customers.
Canon has posted financial results for the third quarter of 2011.
The presentation materials are a better read for most.
Lens specifications and distortion test results have been added to the following review placeholder pages:
Tokina 16-28mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro FX Lens Review
Samyang 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC Lens Review
Samyang 35mm f/1.4 US UMC Lens Review
Samyang 85mm f/1.4 Lens Review
Jill-e Designs press release:
Introducing Three New Jack™ Bags for Men from Jill-e® Designs
Compact System Camera Bag Leads Trio of Affordable, Eye-Catching, Casual Day Cases
ORLANDO, October 18, 2011 – Jill-e Designs, the leading maker of stylish camera and carry bags for today’s technology-rich, on-the-go lifestyle, once again has expanded its popular Jack Collection for men with three casual day bags that blend protection with eye-catching good looks – including the Jack CSC Camera Bag made specifically for today’s new Compact System Camera equipment.
Jill-e Designs also has introduced a lean Jack Swing DSLR Camera / Carry Bag, built to transport a complete DSLR system or other personal electronic devices safely, as well as a matching lens bag. All three of these new bags are currently available at photo retailers worldwide, and on the Jill-e Designs web site – www.jill-e.com.
“Today’s technology-rich, on-the-go lifestyle is lived by men as well as women – which is why we now have an option for the popular new compact systems, plus two terrific lifestyle bags for traditional DSLR systems,” said Gail Backal, president and co-founder of Jill-e Designs. “We’re giving men bags that protect their gear with style and help them look their best while they do their best. We’ve found that the Jack styling is also popular with women.”
The new Jack CSC Bag
The Jack CSC Bag offers several safe carrying options – including a convertible cross-body or shoulder
strap and utility loops that secure the bag to the user’s belt. It easily holds a compact system camera body and one or two small interchangeable system lenses. Or load it with any popular point-and-shoot camera plus a variety of smaller personal items including wallet, keys, cell phone and more.
The new Jack CSC Bag features:
• Stylish, weather-resistant brown ballistic nylon exterior
• Durable, top-grain leather trim
• Protective padded interior with adjustable dividers
• Double zip top opening for easy access to gear
• Convenient loops to carry on belt
• Convertible strap to carry cross-body or on shoulder
• Interior zipper pocket to safeguard small valuables
• Outside pocket for easy access to keys, smart phone, etc.
• Dimensions: (LxWxH) 9.5” x 3.25” x 7.0”
• Weight: 1.0 lbs.
• Suggested price: $79.99
Jack Swing DSLR Camera / Carry Bag
Fully padded and able to perform in close quarters, Jill-e Designs’ lean new Swing Camera / Carry Bag has room for today’s DSLR cameras, loads of accessories and personal belongings – even an iPad. With a profile of less than four inches and adjustable padded shoulder strap, this bag keeps gear close and secure in a crowd, in the elements, anywhere your lifestyle takes you.
In addition to a tablet device and an array of photo accessories and personal items, the Jack Swing Bag can hold a DSLR or SLR camera body and one-to-two medium sized lenses, or a DSLR or SLR camera body and a telephoto lens.
The new Jack Swing Camera / Carry Bag features:
• High-quality, weather-resistant ballistic nylon exterior
• Padded exterior walls and configurable Velcro dividers protect your gear
• Zippered bag-wide top opening ensures easy access to your belongings
• Adjustable shoulder strap provides better control, comfortable fit
• Protective wide pocket is perfect for tablet, netbook, e-reader or similar device
• Wipes clean with a damp cloth
• Dimensions: (LxWxH) 10.0" x 4.25" x 13.0"
• Weight: 1.1 lbs.
• Suggested price: $89.99
Jack Essential Lens Bag
The Jack Essential Lens Bag, a perfect match to the Jack Swing Camera / Carry Bag, is just right when you want to bring along a few more lenses or personal belongings. It can hold a 12” telephoto lens or two-to-three medium-sized lenses, plus a flash unit, extra batteries, memory cards and accessories and personal items. It’s crafted with the quality and features found in the Swing bag, to keep your gear safe and you looking stylish.
The new Jack Essential Lens Bag features:
• High-quality, weather-resistant ballistic nylon exterior
• Padded walls and adjustable interior dividers keep lenses secure
• Zippered top opening ensures easy access
• Adjustable shoulder strap provides better control, comfortable fit
• Matches the Jack Swing Camera / Carry Bag perfectly
• Wipes clean with a damp cloth
• Dimensions: (LxWxH) 5.0" x 4.0" x 13.0"
• Weight: 1.0 lbs.
• Suggested price: $39.99
B&H carries Jill-E Designs bags.
Canon Europe has announced the Canon PIXMA PRO-1 Flagship Printer.
In case you did not pick up on this fact from the Canon-published 1D X AF information, the new Canon EOS-1D X, unlike previous 1-Series DSLRs, will not autofocus when using lenses or lens combinations with an f/8 max aperture.
Chuck Westfall, through Arthur Morris, confirms this:
"AF is unavailable on the EOS-1D X if the maximum aperture reported to the camera through the electronic lens mount is smaller than f/5.6. This is a lower specification than previous EOS-1 series DSLRs. On the plus side, consider the fact that with most f/4 lenses including the 400 DO, 500/4L IS and IS II, and 600/4L IS and IS II, you now have 41 cross-type AF points plus color and face detection, whereas you had no cross-type points and no color or face detection during AF with previous EOS-1 series DSLRs using the same lenses, not to mention a significantly wider AF coverage area from left to right."
This is of course disappointing to many extender users. Canon does not currently have a bare lens with an f/8 max aperture, but adding a 1.4x extender to an f/5.6 max aperture lens results in an f/8 max aperture lens. And, adding a 2x extender to an f/4 max aperture lens results in an f/8 max aperture lens.
The largest group of photographers affected by this change are, probably, bird photographers (such as Arthur Morris) - who have been dealt a double blow with the 1D X. Bird photography typically needs the most reach possible - through both lens focal length and sensor density. Increasing focal length via extenders has now been limited (for autofocus to function) and the 1D X has a less-dense sensor than either of the previous 1-Series models.
There are still some Canon EOS-1D Mark IV bodies available.
From Canon Professional Services USA:
Canon Professional Services Program Announces New Points Qualification System and Website to Enhance Membership Opportunities For Emerging Professionals
Canon Hosts CPS Lounge at PhotoPlus Expo 2011 with a Full Roster of Membership Benefit Activities
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., October 20, 2011 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, today announced an enhancement to the Canon Professional Services (CPS) program with a new qualification system for membership acceptance. The new CPS professional points system allows an expanded roster of equipment to qualify prospective members into the program. The new points system will help many professionals who were unable to join based on the previous membership requirements.
In April of 2010, Canon extended its CPS membership to qualifying videographers, cinematographers and filmmakers and the overwhelming response received from these professional clients has prompted the need for a third CPS support center. Under the new points system, professional image makers can now qualify with ownership of a broader range of professional products including DSLR camera bodies, professional camcorders, lenses and accessories (speedlites and wireless transmitters, etc). The CPS program is designed to extend Canon's support assistance to imaging professionals with fast service, equipment evaluation loans, and a range of other benefits. For details and additional information on the new CPS points system and to see a comprehensive list of all eligible pro DSLR and Video equipment, please visit the CPS web page at: www.usa.canon.com/cps
Canon will once again host the CPS Lounge during PhotoPlus Expo 2011 at the Jacob Javits Center, October 26th-29th. The CPS Lounge will be open to the public on October 26th at noon, the day before PhotoPlus Expo opens and will be located in rooms 2D02/03 and 2D04/05. In addition to answering questions and providing Clean and Check services throughout PhotoPlus Expo, Canon Professional Services will also host a number of great opportunities for CPS members to enjoy additional membership benefits:
Print Signings
On October 27, 2011, between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. legendary Rock & Roll photographer and CPS member, Bob Gruen will be signing copies of one of his iconic images for the first 100 Gold and Platinum CPS members to visit the lounge. These limited edition prints will be produced on the latest professional Canon printer.
On October 28th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the CPS Lounge, Canon Explorer of Light, Vincent Isola will be signing prints for Gold and Platinum members. Images will be printed on the latest professional Canon printer.
Free Large Format Print Sample Member Images
CPS Gold and Platinum members are encouraged to bring with them their favorite image file to receive a free large format sample print of their image, courtesy of Canon Professional Services. Throughout PhotoPlus Expo Canon will station an imagePROGRAF iPF6350 large format printer in the CPS Lounge where Gold and Platinum members will be able to receive a sample print of their own image, limited to one print per member.
Free Clean & Check
Gold and Platinum members will be able to take advantage of free on-site Clean & Check services for up to two Canon professional DSLR or lens models. All equipment must be dropped off before 5 p.m. on October 28th in order to guarantee turnaround before the show ends. The lounge will not be accepting any equipment as of October 29th.
On-Site Registration Promotion
As a bonus for new or upgrading members, any person who signs-up, upgrades, or renews for a Gold or Platinum membership in the CPS Lounge will receive an additional free Clean & Check coupon. A registration kiosk will be available in the CPS Lounge to new and existing members throughout the show.
CPS Lounge Hours during PhotoPlus Expo 2011:
10/26 noon – 5 p.m. (Pre-show hours available)
10/27 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
10/28 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
10/29 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. (equipment pick-up only)
Canon has made a video about the new EOS 1D X available:
From Nikon:
2nd Notice on the damage from the flood in Thailand
This is to advise you, following our first notice of October 11, of the latest situations of submersion at Nikon (Thailand) Co., Ltd., a consolidated manufacturing subsidiary of Nikon Corporation in the Rojana Industrial Park in Ayutthaya Province located in Central Thailand.
1. Damages
The 1st floor of all buildings at the premises are presently submerged and the water level is as high as around 2 meters and there arose no remarkable change since October 12. Operation of the factory has been suspended since October 6. It is reported that there is no human damage.
2. Estimated impact to our business performance
We still have difficulty to grasp the overall damages of our equipment and facility since access to the premises continues to be prohibited. We are now continuing our utmost to estimate the impact of the flood to our group companies and business performance. We assure you to immediately advise our findings once it is judged there will be an important change in our forecast.
3. Recovery
We are unable to define how soon operation will be resumed. It will take a certain time before the situation normalizes including completion of water pumping out from the Rojana Industrial Park. We have set up support system under the Emergency Headquarters for Disaster Control headed by the president and will endeavor to restart the operation as early as possible. Every possible measure is now under preparation to resume production by means as purchase of new manufacturing equipment, review of production assignment among whole Nikon group companies. As for drainage from the industrial park, we are requesting its acceleration to the Thai government, together with the Rojana Industrial Park authority, other companies in the Park and Japan External Trade Organization.
We deeply apologize you for any inconvenience caused by the disaster such as short supply of our products.
Westcott has announced new Apollo Orb and Strip Light Modifiers (Westcott product page) for use with Speedlites.
Get your Westcott Apollo Orb and Strip Light Modifiers at B&H
In my Dec 23, 2010 What I Want From Canon for Christmas post, I requested a 1Ds Mark IV with "... the latest DSLR features (horizon level, better LCD, HD video ...) to be added to it. Increase the resolution and frame rate too."
As the dust settles on the big Canon EOS-1D X announcement, I am getting asked the question "Are you excited about the new Canon EOS-1D X?" The ONLY reason I am being asked is because the 1D X has fewer pixels than the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III it replaces.
I have personally chosen the 1Ds III over the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV as my primary camera because of the full frame sensor format and higher resolution. Otherwise, I consider the 1D IV a better camera overall.
So, the 1D X retains the full frame sensor I strongly want but gives up 3mp of resolution. And yes, I will probably be able to notice that difference. Here is an example (use the mouseover feature) of what this difference is going to look like - though the 1D X should be considerably sharper than the 60D. But the reality is, that at this resolution, 3mp is not a great amount. And the quality of the pixels matter. With the promise of impressive pixel-level image quality, the trade-off may be even less than it first appears. Again, reference the difference in pixel-level image quality between the 1Ds III and the 60D in the example provided.
So, even if I don't gain resolution by upgrading to the 1D X, I do not expect to lose anything of significance in this regard. Looking at the additional features I gain makes it easy to say that March will be a long wait for me and that at least one 1D X will definitely become part of my kit.
I am simply drooling over the 12fps frame rate. Better LCD, incredibly high ISO settings, improved self-cleaning sensor, new AF system, built-in level, better auto white balance, HD video ... the entire list of feature improvements is huge. The significanly-lower-than-the-1Ds-III's-market-entry-price-tag is also greatly appreciated (the 1Ds III was $8,000).
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Perhaps the 5D Mark III will get the megapixels? My expectation for the 1Ds III replacement to precede the Canon EOS 5D Mark III appears to be coming true. The Canon EOS 5D Mark II is an incredible camera for the price and continues to be great seller. My expectation [a guess] is for Canon to continue the 5D product line in some form and an EOS 5D Mark III, based on history, could very well be their 5D model line upgrade choice. I could see Canon making this camera an ultra-high resolution model. Perhaps with an articulating LCD?
When will a Canon EOS 5D Mark III or equivalent be announced? I have no idea. Canon does not share this information without an NDA - and I am not currently under such an NDA for this product, so please don't ask. :) Basing purchase decisions on rumors can mean a VERY long wait for a product to become available - if it ever becomes available at all.
Buy your gear when you need/want it is the advice I usually give.
Canon EOS-1D X Preorders
My guess is that the Canon EOS-1D X will be hard to get for months after it first hits the shelves. Preordering will be the best option for getting one of these cameras early.
At this time, I have not found any preorder opportunities for the 1D X. Perhaps the "estimated retail price" [Canon USA press release] and long delivery time may be holding retailers back from committing to deliver this camera for a specific price (some were burned on price in the last rounds of super telephoto lens preorders).
Continue to follow this news page to be notified of Canon EOS-1D X preorder opportunities.
The HOYA PRO1 Digital ND32 and ND64 Neutral Density Filters (press release) have been announced.
Check out the updated Canon EOS-1D X Digital SLR Camera Review placeholder page for more 1D X images, charts and links to other online information.
From Canon Europe: Canon Ambassador Frits van Eldik's first impressions of the EOS-1D X (thanks John):
CPN has posted The EOS-1D X Explained.
This article digs deeper into the Canon EOS-1D X Digital SLR Camera's features than the press releases.
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