Canon and Sony News for Mar 2015 (Page 2)

From X-Rite:

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – March 24, 2015 – X-Rite Incorporated, a global leader in color science and technology, and its subsidiary Pantone LLC, today announce an important update to its popular i1iSis Solutions family of automated chart readers for prepress/premedia, photo and pressroom color management and profiling. The new i1iSis 2 and i1iSis 2 XL use i1 spectral technology to accommodate M0, M1 and M2 measurement illumination conditions which help manage the complexities of measuring optically brightened substrates now commonly used in grand format, premedia and digital press applications.

“For anyone in prepress, digital print or the graphic arts production process that spend time measuring charts, the new i1iSis2 is a must,” said Ray Cheydleur, Printing and Imaging Portfolio Manager of X-Rite. “This automated chart reader, is built on our award-winning i1 spectral technology and reads up to 2,500 patches printed on a single A3 page in just minutes, saving valuable operator and production time. Now users have the ability to capture M0, M1 and M2 in a single chart measurement cycle.”

The i1iSis 2 integrates seamlessly into a user’s workflow and is available in two models:

• i1iSis 2 XL: Reads up to 2,500 patches on a single A3/Tabloid sheet in just 10 minutes.
• i1iSis 2: Reads up to 1,500 patches on a single A4/Letter sheet in just 8 minutes.

The X-Rite i1iSis 2 and i1iSis 2 XL come with built-in vision systems that offer high tolerance for how charts are aligned as they are fed into the system, automatically correcting for misalignment. Barcode reading for chart identification adds further ease of use and error reduction.

With the i1iSis 2 and i1iSis 2 XL, users are able to:

• Capture full spectral data for the charts they measure;
• Use with i1Profiler software to accommodate a variety of inks and substrates in any viewing condition using Optical Brightening Compensation (OBC);
• Assure compliance with new ISO standards for M-Series measurement illumination conditions; and
• Spend less time on press profiling and more on taking care of customers.

The i1iSis 2 and i1iSis 2 XL are XRGA compliant. The X-Rite Graphic Arts Standard (XRGA), an X-Rite calibration standard for graphic arts instruments, includes new advances in color technology and changes required to meet ISO-13655. As XRGA-compliant instruments, the i1iSis 2 and i1iSis 2 XL ensure high quality data exchange and workflows in environments where different instrumentation is used.

For more information about the X-Rite i1 Solutions for Color Management, visit http://www.xrite.com/i1isis-2-automated-chart-readers.

To upgrade to the latest version of the i1iSis 2 automated chart reader, please visit http://www.xrite.com/i1isis-2-loyalty-promo.

B&H carries X-Rite products.

Note: I realize this is a second generation product, but I can't help thinking X-rite missed a good opportunity to change the product's name from "iSis" to something less relevant on today's political landscape. [Sean]

Image quality results from the EOS 7D Mark II have been added to the Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM Lens review.

To say that this is an awesome lens seems like an understatement.

B&H has the Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM Lens in stock.

From the Paul C. Buff Website:

"With great sadness we announce that our founder, Paul C. Buff, passed away this week at the age of 78. He has been living with his beloved wife of 16 years, Deborah, and their extended family in their secondary home in Mobile, Alabama for over a year and passed away in this home with his family around him. Those of us who have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Paul have lost an invaluable mentor, an inspiring leader, and a treasured friend. The world has lost one of its most creative and adventurous pioneers.

In the coming weeks, we will celebrate Paul’s unique and extraordinary life, giving customers, employees, and friends the opportunity to share their tributes and memories. But first, we must take time to pause and grieve the loss of a man who had such a great impact on us all. If you wish to offer condolences in the mean time, we invite you to email them to CelebratingPaul@paulcbuff.com.

For years, it has been our mission to advance Paul C. Buff, Inc. in the spirit of innovation and originality upon which it was founded. With gratitude for everything that Paul has taught us, we honor his memory by continuing to serve our customers with the outstanding products, support, and Golden Rule standards that he initiated."

When it comes to macros, I generally like to get as much magnification as possible. This means I'm usually shooting at minimum focus distance so my tiny subjects fill the frame.

The Canon macro lens that would give me the highest native magnification – the MP-E 65mm 1-5x Macro lens – is not part of my current kit. As such, I wanted to see just how much magnification I could get out of the gear I already had available to me, namely the EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro, a set of Kenko Extension Tubes and a Kenko 1.4x Teleplus PRO 300 DGX Teleconverter.

As for the subject, I took Bryan's advice and bought some roses at a local florist. Sure enough, the flowers worked well for my test. But better yet, my girlfriend loved them. So if you're ever looking for a good macro subject, keep this in mind – your significant other will likely appreciate any excuse you have to buy more flowers.

For lighting I used one camera-mounted Canon Speedlite 580EX set to ETTL mode and diffused by a RoundFlash Magnetic Ringflash Adapter. While I knew the Roundflash would produce a rather flat look to the image, I was curious to see how the reflections of the ring light would show up in the water droplets. As you can see, it created a relatively interesting and not too unflattering reflection. However, I'm sure it's a matter of taste.

The tripod-mounted EOS 5D Mark III's camera settings were f/10, 1/200 sec and ISO 200 - 800 (depending on the shot).

This first example shows the central part of the rose using the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro's minimum focus distance.

For aesthetic purposes with this particular subject, I would usually just stop right there. I don't believe getting more magnification out of this subject will improve the image, but for the purpose of this test I wanted see just how much magnification I could get out of the equipment I had at hand. Consequently, I added all three Kenko extension tubes (12 + 20 + 36).

The extension tubes reduced the minimum focus distance thereby increasing magnification with the consequence of losing infinity focus. That's not a problem, of course, as we're utilizing the opposite focus extreme. The following image shows the difference that the extension tubes make.

The central part of the rose is now considerably larger in the frame. Keep in mind, though, as our minimum focus distance decreases, so does our depth-of-field. At this point, depth-of-field is already very limited even at f/10.

For the final image, I mounted the Kenko 1.4x teleconverter behind the lens and then mounted lens/teleconverter in front of the extension tubes.

As you can see, the addition of extension tubes and the teleconverter have had a huge effect on how much magnification we can get out of the macro lens. The combination is a little cumbersome to work with, so using a tripod is highly recommended (if not completely necessary) if you are wishing to try this for yourself.

From the Canon USA YouTube Channel:

Need a perfect project for a weekend crafting session? Create a customized photo candle that will be sure to light up any room in your home!

Supplies Needed:

• Candle
• Favorite photos
• Tissue paper
• Wax paper
• Embossing Heat Gun (or similar heat source)

From ZEISS:

"ZEISS has been producing camera lenses for more than a century – and the tradition of creating major innovations has continued to this very day. For example, the current ZEISS Otus SLR lenses are setting new standards in image quality. The first camera lenses left the Jena production facility on 21 March 1890."

To find out more about currently produced ZEISS lenses, check out Bryan's ZEISS lens reviews.

B&H carries ZEISS lenses.

This is the moment so many of us have been waiting for – the Canon EOS 5Ds and EOS 5Ds R preorders have just gone live!

If you want one of these cameras in your hands when June rolls around, preordering now will help ensure you receive one of the first available units.

Preorder Links

Canon EOS 5Ds – B&H | Adorama | Amazon
Canon EOS 5Ds R – B&H | Adorama | Amazon

Reminder: The ultra-high resolution Canon 5Ds and 5Ds R will be available for preorder at midnight tonight. We expect this camera to be in high demand – preordering at midnight will be the best way to ensure your camera arrives ASAP when shipping begins in June.

Please keep us in mind tonight. This site depends on support received from purchases you make using the links on our site. Please to navigate to B&H using our links when preordering:

Preorder the Canon EOS 5Ds
Preorder the Canon EOS 5Ds R

Preorders are also going live at Adorama (5Ds | 5Ds R) and Amazon.

UK Preorder Links (already live)

Canon EOS 5Ds at Wex Photographic
Canon EOS 5Ds R at Wex Photographic

From the Canon Europe YouTube Channel:

David Noton, Canon Explorer, is an award-winning landscape and travel photographer. He shares his experience of working with the new Canon EOS 5DS - an ultra high resolution full frame DSLR.

B&H will have the Canon EOS 5Ds and 5Ds R available for preorder on Monday.

Image quality results from the EOS 7D Mark II have been added to the Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM Lens review.

This is an incredible lens, perhaps the best field sports lens made. The price, though very significantly lower than at its introduction, remains a limiting factor.

B&H has the Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM Lens in stock.

From Sigma:

Nine loyal fans will receive choice of lens, be featured on Sigma website

RONKONKOMA, NY — March 4, 2015 – Are you a loyal Sigma camera and/or lens owner? Sigma Corporation of America is giving away nine lenses to its super fans from now until December with the launch of its #SigmaSuperFan contest.

The #SigmaSuperFan contest is open to all Sigma camera and/or lens owners, and entrants will be asked to share “what motivated you to buy a Sigma product and why are you a super fan?” for a chance to be a monthly winner of their choice of three lenses. Winners may choose from the Sigma 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM Contemporary, 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM Contemporary or the 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM, and will be notified on or about the first day of each month by a Sigma representative.

“As part of the contest, we’d like to hear from all of our loyal Sigma fans about their first encounter with Sigma, and how the relationship evolved into being a super fan,” said Christine Moossmann, Director of Marketing for Sigma Corporation of America. “Our family-owned business owes much of its success to the devotion of these photographers, and we’re using this contest as a way to engage with our community and thank them for their loyalty.”

Sigma is encouraging all U.S.-based photographers who own two or more Sigma products to enter the contest. Entries will be accepted from March 3 to November 16, 2015 on the Sigma website, and participants will be asked to fill out and submit a brief entry form. Each participant can only submit one entry, which will remain a submission throughout the duration of the nine-month contest.

Sigma encourages all fans and photographers who enter into the contest to share why they are a Sigma super fan, and photos of what they have shot using their favorite Sigma product on their social channels (Facebook, Twitter or Instagram) using the hashtag #SigmaSuperFan.

For a full list of terms and conditions for the Sigma Super Fan contest, please visit here.

B&H carries Sigma lenses.

B&H has changed the status of the Canon EOS 5Ds and 5Ds R to read, "Item will be available for purchase on Mon, Mar 23 12AM".

That means midnight between Sunday and Monday, you should be able to preorder the highest resolution full-frame camera ever produced in whichever flavor you prefer.

Keep in mind – this site depends on support received from purchases you make using the links on our site. Please to navigate to B&H using our links once the preorders go live:

Preorder the Canon EOS 5Ds
Preorder the Canon EOS 5Ds R

Update: For those in the UK, it looks like the cameras are already available for preorder from Wex Photographic:

Canon EOS 5Ds at Wex Photographic
Canon EOS 5Ds R at Wex Photographic

From LensRentals:

We'll be at the 2015 NAB Show, April 11th-16th. Stop by Booth #C10418 or our table outside of Post | Production World and get our show special: $250 off any rental order of $750 or more.

Register using code LV8838 and attend the show for free!

We'll be hosting a private event for our customers during NAB week (details TBA). If you're attending please let us know and sign-up for an invitation. We'd love to spend time with you!

From the Adobe Lightroom Journal:

Camera Raw 8.8 is now available as a final release for Photoshop CS6 and Photoshop CC. DNG Converter 8.8 is provided for all Lightroom customers and Photoshop customers using versions of Photoshop older than Photoshop CS6.

New Camera Support in Camera Raw 8.8

• Casio EX-ZR3500
• Canon EOS 750D (Rebel T6i, Kiss X8i) (*)
• Canon EOS 760D (Rebel T6s, Kiss 8000D) (*)
• Fujifilm X-A2
• Fujifilm XQ2
• Hasselblad Stellar II
• Nikon D5500
• Olympus OM-D E-M5 II
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF7
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 (DMC-TZ70, DMC-TZ71)

(*) denotes preliminary support. Camera Matching color profiles for these models will be added in a future release.

New Lens Profile Support in Camera Raw 8.8 (only Canon / Nikon mount lens profiles shown here)

Release Notes

Bug Fixes:

• Fixed issue with magenta highlights when processing Canon EOS 70D raw files at some ISO settings
• Fixed issue where vignette correction introduced banding for Voigtlander VM 21mm f/1.8 Ultron
• Fixed vignette overcorrection at certain focus distances for Pentax FA645 MACRO 120mm F4
• Fixed issue where vignette correction introduced banding at wider focal lengths for Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR
• Fixed EXIF name for Zeiss OTUS 85mm f/1.4 (Canon and Nikon mount)
• Fixed vignette overcorrection for Zeiss Distagon T 1,4_35 ZM
• Updated lens profile to reflect firmware changes to SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM S014

If you have trouble updating to the latest ACR update via the Creative Cloud application, please refer to the following plugin installation:

http://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/multi/camera-raw-plug-in-installer.html

Lightroom Customers –

If you’re using one of the newly supported cameras listed above, please download the DNG Converter. We’re working to add support to these cameras and they will be added in the next Lightroom release.

Download Links

DNG Converter 8.8: Win | Mac

Adobe's Photoshop Photography Program is only $9.99 per month (Photoshop CC + Lightroom).

From Reikan:

Reikan has released a major update to its fully automated autofocus tuning software FoCal which provides autofocus fine tuning for both Nikon and Canon digital SLR cameras. Version 2 includes a unique ability for users to compare test results directly against results from other FoCal users around the world, helping to answer the age old question, "Is my camera/lens a good copy?".

Other highlighted features for Version 2 are routines to determine lens optical performance with an astigmatism metric and a large number of changes to the user interface to make calibration faster and FoCal easier to use.

Headline Features

• Compare your results with other FoCal users – With FoCal 2, you can now compare the results of your tests with the results from thousands of other FoCal users to see how your equipment is really performing.
• Review your previous tests – You can review the detailed results of previous tests you’ve run for comparison. This includes most of the tests you’ve run with FoCal 1 as well.
• Improved Reports – The reports are now more concise, grouping relevant information together and showing more information that matters.
• Faster Results – Get accurate results in less time with the new analysis algorithms in FoCal 2.
• More Information – You can dig deeper into the performance of your camera and lens with the extra information such as Astigmatism Factor, as well as reviewing more details about each shot taken.
• User Interface Improvements – the user interface is easier to understand, with new tabbed windows, more logical operation and comprehensive keyboard control.
• Voice Prompts – FoCal 2 even talks to you! Calibrate any camera without needing to sit looking at the computer screen – any changes you might need to make at the camera are spoken out loud.
• Free Upgrade – When fully released, FoCal 2 will be a free upgrade for all holders of a FoCal 1 license, so there’s nothing more to pay to get all these new features!

Find out more about FoCal v2 on the Reikan website.

Note: The software is currently only available for those who have FoCal v1.x Pro licenses.