Canon and Sony News for Jul 2011 (Page 2)

Canon USA has added the newly announced Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II Lens to their website - assuring that the lens will indeed be coming to the USA.

The Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 II DG HSM Lens (press release) has been announced.

Adobe has made Photoshop Elements 9 Editor (press release) available in the Mac App Store.

Canon has posted EOS 60D Firmware Version 1.1.0.

Firmware Version 1.1.0 incorporates the following fixes and improvements.

1. Fixes a phenomenon where the wireless built-in flash settings are reset to defaults when the battery is removed from the camera.

2. Fixes an intermittent phenomenon where image-rotation information is not recognized correctly when shooting with the camera in the vertical position depending on the timing of the shutter release.

Western Digital has announced that it is now shipping a new 1TB hard drive sized to fit mainstream notebook computers (press release).

B&H has the Western Digital 1TB Scorpio Blue SATA 2.5" Hard Drive in stock.

Lowepro has introduced the StreamLine 100 (product announcement page) compact system camera bag.

"The slim and modern design of our StreamLine 100 conceals the fact that it's built to fit and carry a compact system camera kit, plus a few extras. Compact, lightweight, yet protective, this sleek shoulder bag provides an easy and comfortable way to keep your camera gear within reach."

Exterior: 8.1W x 3.5D x 8.7H in. (20.5 x 8.5 x 22cm)
Interior: 7.3W x 2.8D x 5.7H in. (18.5 x 7.0 x 14.5cm)

Chuck Westfall (Canon USA) has provided information about the weather sealing found in some pre-officially-sealed lenses.

According to Mr Westfall, "Pre-1999 white EF lenses such as the 200/1.8L, 300/2.8L, 300/4L, 300/4L IS, 400/2.8L, 400/5.6L, 500/4.5L, 600/4L, 35-350/3.5-5.6L, 70-200/2.8L, and 100-400/4.5-5.6L all lack mount gaskets but have moderate dust and moisture resistance for their switches, focusing rings and zoom rings where applicable."

For example, "The EF400mm f/5.6L USM lens was designed before Canon started offering "dust and drip resistant" lenses, so it does not have a mount gasket or a built-in protective filter. However, it does have seals under the switches and the focusing ring, so it is weather-resistant to a point. For best results in wet conditions, I suggest using a clear filter on the front of the lens and covering the lens barrel with a plastic wrap."

"Canon will not retrofit mount gaskets to EF lenses that were not introduced with that feature." I of course had to ask that question.

(Thanks John!)

The Sigma 150mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro Lens in Nikon mount is scheduled to ship at the end of this month (July 2011), according to Sigma.

Canon USA Professional Services has posted a new promo video on their home page.

Kenko-Tokina has announced that, due to defects found in component parts, production of the Tokina 17-35mm f/4 AT-X Pro FX Lens has been temporarily suspended.

The Canon mount Tokina 17-35mm f/4 AT-X Pro FX Lens is now scheduled for release at the end of August (originally late July).

The Nikon mount Tokina 17-35mm f/4 AT-X Pro FX Lens is now scheduled for release in early September (originally end of August).

Tamron UK has launched a new online game named Tamron Island where you are challenged to "... put your photography skills to the test – there is a selection of prizes to win every month from now through to the end of December 2011.

Reviews for the Lowepro Toploader Pro 65 AW, 70 AW and 75 AW are now on the site. These three cases are very similar and so are the reviews. Pick only one review to initially read.

Lowepro Toploader Pro 65 AW Camera Case Review
Lowepro Toploader Pro 70 AW Camera Case Review
Lowepro Toploader Pro 75 AW Camera Case Review

What do you do when your studio is idle? You create a video that is sure to go viral - with us photographers at least.

Here is the BTS video:

Apple has released Aperture 3.1.3. This update contains a long list of fixes and a few mostly gesture-related new features.

The Aperture 3.1.3 update is available for download or via the update function of the software.

From X-Rite:

Apple has announced that the new OS 10.7 Lion will no longer support software that relies on Rosetta. This directly affects X-Rite's retired i1Match, ProfileMaker and MonacoPROFILER applications. However, the current i1Profiler and ColorMunki software does not rely on Rosetta and is fully compatible with Apple OS systems from 10.5.8, 10.6 and the new 10.7 Lion.

While we recognize there may be some workarounds such as creating a dual-boot Mac where one volume contains Lion and another runs an older version of the Mac OS, this is not ideal for most users. Therefore, X-Rite is providing our customers with upgrade paths so they can continue using X-Rite imaging solutions if they choose to upgrade to Lion.

Check out the X-Rite Software Compatibility Guide for more details including the upgrade path provided.

For your email address, Photoshelter will send you "The Freelancer's Online Marketing Blueprint" - a 53 page PDF.

Canon UK has introduced a new EOS training promotion:

Your EOS Adventure starts here - Canon EOS training promotion

United Kingdom, 4th July, 2011 – Canon today announces the launch of a new EOS training promotion - ‘Your EOS Adventure Starts Here’. Aimed at photographers of all skill levels from the experienced enthusiast to beginners taking their first steps on their EOS Adventure, Canon aims to make photography accessible for all.

Canon will be giving away a free training DVD and up to £150 worth of training vouchers when photographers purchase a Canon EOS 1100D, EOS 600D or EOS 60D. There are four DVDs to choose from:

The Essential Guide to Getting Started
The Essential Guide to Wildlife Photography
The Essential Guide to Landscape Photography
The Essential Guide to Travel Photography

Photographers will be sent their welcome pack – ‘Your EOS Adventure starts here’, which includes their choice of DVD and their training voucher which can be redeemed against an Experience Seminars training course. Photographers have until 31st October 2012 to use their training voucher and the value of the voucher is dependent on the EOS camera that is purchased:

EOS 1100D - £50 training voucher
EOS 600D - £100 training voucher
EOS 60D - £150 training voucher

This training promotion will support Canon’s on-going campaign - ‘Your EOS Adventure Starts here’. This includes advertising, in-store activity and the newly launched microsite, designed to encourage photographers to get the most out of EOS - the world’s most comprehensive photographic system; www.canon.co.uk/eosadventure.

For further information about the training promotion, DVDs and training vouchers and full terms and conditions please visit www.canon.co.uk/eostraining

Please note the EOS training promotion is only available to customers in the United Kingdom.

The top and bottom navigation sections of the site have been given a minor update. The most significant update being the removal of the entire site index from the bottom of every page. For various reasons, it was no longer practical to keep the large directory on every page of the site.

For those of you who liked having access to all reviews, tools and other site resources at one location, the new Site Index menu option is for you. From any location on any page on the site, you should be able to jump to the beginning or end of the page (press "Home" or "End") and click on the Site Index menu option to get the feature you want.

As always, let me know if you find any problems. Thanks!

Update: Please note that the menu bars should be black with near-white text.

This update included changes to the CSS (Cascading Style Sheet) file. Feedback indicates that some browsers are using a cached version of this file and that these users are seeing a near white-on-white menu bar. Try clearing the browser cache and refreshing the page (rebooting sometimes works as well) to properly see the new design.

DxO Labs has added 31 new lens / camera combinations to the DxO Optics Modules library, providing supports for Sigma, Tamron, Nikkor, Samyang, Pentax, and Tokina lenses, for numerous Nikon and Pentax cameras.

Visit this page to see the new combinations.

DxO Optics Pro is available at B&H.

Canon and Nikon have yet to release a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, but you can now use your Canon and Nikon lenses on the mirrorless iPhone. Photojojo has an adapter for that. (thanks Sean)

The Nikon 40mm f/2.8G AF-S DX Micro Nikkor Lens (press release) has been announced today.

I can't say that this lens would have been my top priority if I were Nikon.

More information is available at the I Am Nikon Blog.

Adorama is accepting Nikon 40mm f/2.8G AF-S DX Micro Nikkor Lens preorders.

PARIS — July 5, 2011 Kenko-Tokina Company Ltd., Japan today announced that it has acquired the famous French filter manufacturer COKIN SAS.

COKIN is the creator and leader in Square filters systems, exporting 90% of its production to more than 100 countries around the world.

Mr Toru Yamanaka (President of Kenko-Tokina Co., Ltd.) said: “I have always been impressed with the creativity that COKIN filters and accessories offer. I admire and greatly respect the professionalism of this line of fine products which reflect the French ingenuity. We are very proud to add this filter manufacturer to our Team.”

Kenko-Tokina Co., Ltd. was established in 1957 and now has 10 factories and subsidiaries worldwide. They are a world-leader in round photographic filters and other fine optical products.

COKIN France S.A.S.U. (new company name) will stay independent, with its own manufacturing, marketing and worldwide distribution network.

Mr Marc Heintz (Director of Sales, COKIN France): “Kenko brings to us a strong backing of finance and supply of raw materials, which will allow us to expand and bring new innovative products to the market once again.”

With this acquisition, both companies will expand their services and bring the flourishing photographic accessory market their expertise and enthusiasm for today’s exciting imaging world.

Just posted: Canon Speedlite 320EX Flash Review

Just announced: The Arca Swiss Mini L-Bracket (press release).

"The new mini L-bracket from Arca-Swiss complements the monoball®Fix lineup perfectly and is compatible with the current monoball®Fix quick releases"

Canon UK has announced that its Pro Solutions 2011 show – a two-day event for photography, video, and broadcast professionals – will be held on 25 and 26 October 2011 at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London.

Now in its third year, Pro Solutions has been designed to be the largest and most comprehensive consumer-focused exhibition of Canon’s imaging products where visitors can experience Canon’s complete workflow solutions, from image capture to output. Its aims are to educate and inspire visitors and to demonstrate to them how Canon technologies, and those of compatible products, can be used in their digital workflow to generate increased revenue and business.

The Pro Solutions 2011 show will be centred on extensive displays of Canon products, including professional DSLR cameras, L-series lenses, pro HD camcorders, large format and A3 inkjet printers, and broadcast lenses. Visitors will have the opportunity to see live demonstrations of professional workflow solutions, plus there will be a comprehensive schedule of free seminars given by Canon Ambassadors and renowned photographers and filmmakers from a wide spectrum of genres.

The convergence of stills and video technology will be an extremely important element of the show and visitors will be able to gain a greater understanding of how to develop and evolve their businesses in a rapidly changing market. As in previous years there will be a wide range of companies at the show who provide tailored products, services and solutions to professionals, and visitors will be able to ‘try and buy’ products at the show.

Susie Donaldson, Consumer Marketing Director, Canon UK and Ireland said: "We are delighted that the Pro Solutions show will return again in 2011. The feedback from visitors and exhibitors from last year’s show was very positive. Last year professional image makers used the show to get hands-on with the entire Canon professional range, and the information shared at the seminars and live demonstrations gave them a vital insight into how to maximise their business potential. Canon is proud of our unique proposition of image-capture to image-output, and the content for this year’s Pro Solutions Show 2011 looks set to be really exciting."

Entrance to Pro Solutions will be free for all those who pre-register online. The show opening times will be from 11am to 8pm on Tuesday 25 October and from 10am to 5pm on Wednesday 26 October. To find out more details about the event and to pre-register for the Pro Solutions 2011 event just click here.