Canon and Sony News for Oct 2018 (Page 2)
From the Canon Digital Learning Center:
Halloween is right around the corner, and what a great holiday for photographic inspiration: From cute kids in costumes to spooky haunted houses; eerie glowing jack-o’-lanterns to pastoral pumpkin patches – Halloween offers an endless variety of unique subjects.Read the entire article on the Canon Digital Learning Center.
From the Adorama YouTube Channel:
Join Daniel Norton OnSet as he shows you how to create images with the feel of window light but the control of flash. This technique will allow you to shoot any time of day or night and create stunning window light portraits.
Adorama carries the Profoto B1X.
From Nikon:
Changes from “C” Firmware Version 1.00 to 1.01
- Fixed an issue that in rare circumstances caused the camera to stop responding during burst photography with NEF (RAW) selected for Image quality and On selected for Silent photography in the PHOTO SHOOTING MENU.
- If Enable release is selected for Slot empty release lock in the SETUP MENU, the Image review option in the PLAYBACK MENU can now be accessed when no memory card is inserted.
Download: Nikon Z 7 Firmware v.1.01
When the Canon EOS R was announced, many of us were wondering how accurately and consistently Sigma and other third party lenses would autofocus when used on this mirrorless body. As the dust settled on the initial EOS R review tasks, I brought in a Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens to spend some time with. The results from just over 400 AF test images were excellent. The image shared here, a 100% resolution crop, is one from a set of ten and I added all 10 to the autofocus section of the R review, but ... they all look identical. The results from numerous scenarios, including lighting conditions ranging from very low to very bright using AF points from center to corner (80% x 80% coverage for this lens on the adapter), all appeared similarly consistent. While the test results from one lens model does not mean that all lens models will perform identically, this is one of the lenses I've had AF consistency problems with in the past and these results put a very positive outlook on other lens models performing similarly.
The Canon EOS R is in stock at B&H | Amazon | Adorama | WEX.
Rent the Canon EOS R from Lensrentals.
From Canon:
MELVILLE, N.Y., October 24, 2018 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, will be showcasing its latest in high-quality digital imaging products, including the Company’s first full-frame mirrorless camera, the EOS R, at PhotoPlus Expo 2018. The brand-new EOS R is the latest revolution in the company’s long history of innovative and award-winning camera systems, featuring the newly designed RF mount, which uses groundbreaking RF lenses and has full compatibility with the existing range of EF lenses. Canon will also have its complete line of digital imaging solutions on display, including EOS DSLRs, EF Lenses, PowerShot Digital Cameras, Digital Camcorders and imagePROGRAF PRO Professional Inkjet Printers. Additionally, Canon will host educational seminars and will have its Canon Professional Services team on-site in the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City, October 25 – 27, 2018 in booth #121.
“The unique and interactive setting of PhotoPlus Expo serves as an opportunity for the photography community to come together to experience firsthand the newest technology in the industry,” said Kazuto Ogawa, president and COO, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “Canon is excited to welcome attendees into our booth and provide hands-on time with the products that help to capture and commemorate cherished memories, as well as exhibit the many ways Canon supports photographers through educational workshops and our world-class service and support.”
For many visitors to the Canon booth, PhotoPlus Expo will serve as their first opportunity to experience the EOS R camera and RF lenses. Attendees will be able to test the new camera system through various shooting opportunities, mini workshops and educational sessions with Canon technical specialists and trainers in the Canon Live Learning studio. Canon trainers are also leading five Midtown-area Photo Walks throughout the Expo; spots are limited (register here).
Canon Explorers of Light and other imaging professionals will be on the Canon stage for live-shoots and lectures featuring the best Canon digital imaging solutions. There will also be an in-booth gallery featuring images by Explorers of Light printed on the imagePROGRAF PRO-1000. In addition, Explorers of Light Lindsay Adler, Jimmy Chin and Joel Grimes will each sign 100 custom printed photographs for attendees, which will be available on a first come, first served basis.
New to the Canon booth, the state-of-the-art aRchive gallery will feature work from cultural influencers and storytellers like Nicole Issacs, Jake Guzman and Katie Goldie, using augmented reality technology to add to the experience. In order to view the gallery, visitors will need to download the aRchive app from the Google Play or Apple App stores.
Visitors to the Canon Professional Services counter will have the opportunity to learn more about the industry-leading program and offerings supporting photographers, including repair discounts, expedited service and evaluation loaners for CPS Gold, Platinum and Cinema members. Guests who renew or sign up for a paid CPS membership during the show will receive a 10 percent discount and free show-exclusive gift. To learn more about Canon Professional Services, please visit www.usa.canon.com/aboutcps..
The CPS Lounge will be open again this year, where Platinum, Gold, Cinema and Enterprise CPS members can have their Canon equipment (up-to-two current Professional DSLR bodies or lenses) cleaned and checked during Expo hours on Thursday, Oct. 25, and Friday, Oct. 26, in Room 2D12.
CPS Lounge Hours during PhotoPlus Expo 2018:
Oct. 25: 10:00 AM-5:00 PM
Oct. 26: 10:00 AM-5:00 PM
Oct. 27: 10:00 AM-2:00 PM (equipment pickup only, no new items accepted)
Visit the CarePAK PLUS counter to learn more about the current promotion for free 13 months of accidental damage protection with the purchase and registration of select Canon cameras and lenses through January 5, 2019. Exclusive for PhotoPlus Expo, visitors can get their badge scanned to enter for the chance to win a free upgrade to 49 months coverage plus Image Recovery.
Follow Canon throughout the PhotoPlus Expo show @CanonUSApro. To see the full details of Canon’s presence at PhotoPlus Expo, including the Canon stage speaker schedule, please visit: usa.canon.com/photoplus2018
There are a few features that make a camera especially well-suited for capturing sports and other challenging action.
A fast frame rate is one such feature. A camera that can capture images in rapid succession is more likely to capture the perfect subject position than a camera that captures images at low frequency. For this feature, the EOS R has a relatively fast frame rate, but only when not tracking and adjusting the focus distance. Not all action involves changing focus distances (such as the wave crashing example in the Canon EOS R review), but if your subject is moving enough to leave the camera's initially-focused depth of field, as is typical for many sports, continuous focusing is required and in that focus mode, the EOS R's 5 fps frame rate is on the slow side of the spectrum.
Another feature required for photographing subjects in motion is maintaining a continuous view of that subject in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders have a short blackout period for each image captured (while the mirror is raised) and cameras with short blackout specs are more-highly desired than those with long ones. Electronic viewfinders, with few exceptions, have a pause in the EVF video feed as each image is captured and the duration of this pause can hinder a photographer from keeping a subject properly framed. This pause is only a minor issue for subjects moving directly toward or away from the camera, but keeping subjects properly-framed as they are moving from side-to-side or moving erratically becomes a challenge with most EVFs, including the EOS R's.
If the subject focusing distance is changing, especially if it is changing rapidly, autofocus tracking and prediction performance becomes critically important. If the subject is out of focus, the image, regardless of the frame rate it was captured at, is likely going to be deleted.
The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Lens and its just-introduced replacement, the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM Lens are ultra-popular sports lenses and I mounted one on the EOS R to photograph a cross country meet with. While this lens is not going to create the focus challenge that, for example, the Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM Lens will when compared at the same distance, focusing on a very close and fast-approaching runner at 200mm f/2.8 is quite challenging to an AF system. I thought the EOS R did a great job on this cloudy day that included some light rain earlier in the meet. A high percentage of my images were sharp (when I kept the subject properly framed).
Note that, while the image shared here appears very sharp at this resolution, my 1/1250 shutter speed was not quite fast enough to stop the lateral motion at this distance. Though the image is properly focused, the motion blur degraded image sharpness slightly at full resolution. I was starting a burst capture when the subjects came close to being ideally framed and continued to photograph until they passed by.
Another feature that is often helpful for action photography is the ability to sustain the frame rate for a large number of images. The EOS R's buffer depth, when using a fast memory card, is very good, allowing a relatively long period of action to be captured. While usually not as desirable as a fast frame rate, a large buffer can increase the number of great shots captured in a burst and I can credit the image shared here to that feature.
For those using the shutter release to time their captures or to time the first capture in a high speed frame rate sequence, a short shutter lag is important. The EOS R checks that box and the fast AF makes timing single shots quite successful.
Overall, the EOS R is lacking a few key features to make it the ideal sports and action camera. It is not that camera, but it can certainly do that job if needed. I don't recommend purchasing an EOS R for dedicated sports and action photography, but the EOS R stands ready to fill in for the occasional action needs it encounters. Of course, if your action is not leaving the established depth of field, the EOS R can do 8 frames per second and that rate is quite fast, making it suitable for such needs.
ISO 250
4480 x 6720px
From Tiffen:
Filter Kits created for the DJI Mavic Air, Mavic 2 Pro, Mavic 2 Zoom, Inspire 2 are available now
HAUPPAUGE, NY- October 23, 2018 - Tiffen Filters, a division of The Tiffen Company for optical photographic filters and lens accessories, introduces their new collection of drone filter kits. Filter kits will be available for the DJI Mavic 2 Zoom, DJI Mavic 2 Pro, DJI Mavic Air, and DJI Inspire 2. Established filter kits for the DJI Phantom 4 Pro already exist and are available for purchase.
The filters have a multilayer and hydrophobic coating. Its surface is waterproof and contains scratch prevention technology. The filters guarantee ultra-low reflection rates and they have unmatched color fidelity. Its 4K high definition optical glass has a ten-year warranty.
With Tiffen’s exclusive kit of aerial filters for DJI, drone operators will have the opportunity to capture in flight content like never before. When used in conjunction with the award winning filter technology engineered by Tiffen, the high quality performance of the DJI 4K camera system is taken to the next level, broadening the horizons for content creation.
B&H carries Tiffen filters for DJI drones.
From SIGMA:
Places Sigma lenses plus unparalleled service and technical support in the heart of the TV & film production community
Burbank, CA – October 23, 2018 – Sigma Corporation of America, a leading still photo and cinema lens, camera, flash and accessory manufacturer, is pleased to announce the opening of its brand new west coast showcase in Burbank, California. A modern space for its world-class products, services and support, visitors can experience first-hand the popular Sigma Cine and Global Vision lenses through product demonstrations, seminars and special events. “Having a physical presence in the greater Los Angeles area has long been a vision of ours. The new west coast Sigma center has been years in the making and to finally open it to the public is very exciting,” said Kazuto Yamaki, CEO of Sigma Corporation. “We are thrilled to be a part of this creative community, and we look forward to the new relationships Sigma will develop with filmmakers and cinematographers, right in their backyard.”
Join Sigma at Its Grand Opening Event!
To celebrate the opening of the Sigma west coast office, Los Angeles area cinematographers and filmmakers are invited to attend the special reception hosted by Sigma Corporation of America on Saturday, November 3rd from 5-8pm PDT. In addition to the open bar with rare sake tasting, scrumptious food from local food trucks, Sigma swag and giveaways, attendees will have a chance to see product demos and a special work showcase by DP Timur Civan as the first official Sigma Cine Pro. As a Sigma Cine Pro, Timur will become a valuable resource to filmmakers, presenting informative lectures, seminars and workshops to cinematographers across the US. He has worked with clients as diverse as Louis Vuitton, Pepsi, Samsung, Toyota, Home Shopping Network, Vox Media and many more. His unique approach and technique are at the cutting edge of visual storytelling, and Sigma Cine lenses are always there to help bring his creative vision to life. Timur will be in attendance and available to answer any questions about Sigma lenses and how they facilitate his creative expression.
B&H carries Sigma lenses.
From Laszlo Pusztai, creator of Shuttercount and Kuuvik Capture:
Shuttercount 3.4
We did it again! Canon introduced a new shutter actuation counter method for its mirrorless cameras, starting with the M50. The just released version of ShutterCount supports this new method, as you can see on the following screen shot.
ShutterCount is the first and only app that can do it.
Instead of giving a shot-by-shot counter, the M50 (Kiss M in some markets) and the EOS R will give a value measured in thousands. ShutterCount displays it similar to the 1-series cameras do it in their menu: <= 2000 means the counter is between 1000 and 2000, <= 15000 means the counter is between 14000 and 15000, etc.
The Distribution Chart and live view counters are not available for mirrorless cameras, since all photos are taken in live view mode.
Being Wi-Fi capable, both the EOR R and the M50 are also supported in the iOS version of the app.
Speaking of mirrorless, we also certified the app with the Nikon Z 7. Just like all other Nikons, the Mac version supports this camera via image files.
The Mac version adapts to Dark Mode in macOS 10.14, and the iOS version supports the large screen size of iPhone XS Max and XR.
Version 3.4 is a free update for existing users on both operating systems. New users can purchase the app in the respective App Store. Live View Pack and Plus Pack are available as in-app purchases.
Download: Shuttercount v.3.4 (MacOS | iOS)
Kuuvik Capture 4.1
I’m happy to announce that Kuuvik Capture 4.1 is available on the Mac App Store with full Canon EOS R support.
The EOS R is a special camera – having the fastest multi-point live view among the whole Canon repertoire, it is eminently suitable for use with tilt/shift lenses or view cameras.
It’s not just the speedy multi-point live view that makes the R a great companion to the Cambo Actus-G digital view camera, but the RF mount’s reduced flange focal distance (20mm instead of 44mm for the EF mount) allows you to use shorter lenses. A Rodenstock HR Digaron-S 60mm f/4 for example. Well, it will once Cambo starts selling an RF bayonet holder.
For those of you who aren’t aware of multi-point live view in Kuuvik Capture: it’s a unique feature (that is, no other app offers such a thing) allowing you to select up to three points on the live image and display them simultaneously in 5x magnification. An indispensable tool for product photographers.
You can learn more about the multi-point live view in my free eBook, Kuuvik Capture Inside Out.
Besides EOS R support, there are a few fixes and support for macOS Mojave’s Dark Mode in this release.
Kuuvik Capture 4.1 is available on the Mac App Store. It is a free update for users who purchased the app earlier from there. You can see the complete list of new features and changes in the release notes.
Download Kuuvik Capture 4.1 for MacOS
by Sean Setters
Oatmeal raisin, white chocolate macadamia nut or classic chocolate chip? No, I'm not referring to one of those types of cookies. In lighting terms, a "cookie," or cucalorus, is a "...device for casting shadows or silhouettes to produce patterned illumination." [Wiki]
A cookie is placed between your light source and the subject or background and casts a desired pattern of highlight and shadow. What can be used as a cookie? Fabrics with interesting weaves, potted plants, venetian blinds and matte black cinefoil with custom cut-out designs are popular choices. In the example above, I used an old lace curtain suspended between my main flash (camera right) and the subject, producing the interesting effect (a flash positioned camera left/low provided fill light).
So the next time you're looking to create a unique portrait, look around your home or antique/fabric stores for items that can be used to cast an interesting pattern of light onto your scene.
From Nissin:
Nissin i400 – For Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm & Olympus/Panasonic Camera Systems
The pocket-sized powerful mini
The pocket-sized Nissin i400 weighs only 7.2 oz. (1), and is perfect for use as a fill-in flash even on the sunniest of days. Its compact dimensions make the i400 the ideal flash for family outings, indoor/outdoor shootings and is especially suitable for traveling. Professional functionality: Syncs up to 1/8000 sec. (3); flash output GN 40 at 105 mm; simple operation panel with two selector dials to operate the flash; flash head tilts up and rotates to make bounced lighting more versatile by utilizing more angles.
Selector dial - simple and innovative
The Nissin i400 has two selector dials, a function dial and a power dial. The small lamps indicate the current settings so that even beginners can quickly get started.
Professional flash head design
The flash head rotates 180° horizontally from left to right, and tilts upwards to 90° making bounce shooting more arbitrary and maximizing the angles that can be used.
Metal hotshoe and quick release button(3)
The i400 has a durable metal hotshot (not available for the Sony version due to limitation of the Multi Interface Shoe design) and features a quick release button. It is easy to attach to your camera and reduces the risk of damage caused by frequent or quick installation.
Automatic mode
Use this setting when you use your camera in the automatic mode. The camera and flash will communicate to produce the proper amount of flash output for the scene.
TTL flash level compensation
The power of the flash can be regulated using the TTL flash level compensation. Whereas the total exposure is controlled by the camera's EV compensation function, the flash can compensate for exposure on the main subject only, with little impact on the exposure of the background scene. The flash power level can be adjusted from -2EV to +2EV in 0.5EV steps.
Manual mode
This mode allows the user to determine the output of the flash and set it manually from full power, 1/1 , down to 1/256 power.
Four AA batteries (not included)
The i400 operates with 4 AA batteries. This lessens recycling time and reduces the need to change batteries frequently.
Technical Information
- For Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm & Olympus/Panasonic camera systems (4)
- GN 40 (105 mm) / GN 27 (35 mm) at ISO 100
- Focal length coverage 24 - 105 mm (35 mm CCD format)
- Built-in wide angle diffuser
- Professional flash head design
- Built-in AF assist light (5)
- Metal hotshoe (3) and quick release button
- High-Speed synchronization
- Operates with only four AA batteries (not included)
(1) Weight excluding batteries.
(2) The maximum synchronization speed depends upon the camera model - High speed sync is available only for compatible cameras. Please refer to the compatibility chart.
(3) Not available for Sony cameras.
(4) Please refer to the compatibility chart.
(5) If camera body emits an AF assist light, it will not activate the AF light on the i400.
B&H carries the Nissin i400 Flash.
Purchase an eligible product between now and January 5, 2019 and you'll get 13 months of Canon CarePAK PLUS damage and spill protection at no additional cost.
CarePAK PLUS Benefits Include
- Protection from Accidental Damage
- Coverage from Normal Wear and Tear
- Free Two-Way Shipping
- $0 Deductible
- Service & Support Directly from Canon
- Priority Service
- Camera Maintenance with Sensor Cleanings
- Transferable
Eligible Canon Products
In this video, Joel Grimes suggests ways to keep your strobe from rotating while affixed to the end of a boom pole. While the first technique (grinding the stud) he suggests will work, it's not the ideal method. In fact, of the three methods he suggests, none of them are as good as the simplest answer – get a baby drop-down pin.
The drop-down mounts to the end of your boom and allows you to affix your strobe and modifier so that they're hanging vertically, avoiding the stresses that cause your strobe to twist if mounted directly to the boom pole. Plus, since the drop-down pin swings freely, it stays in place (hanging straight down) as you change the angle of the boom. A drop-down pin has been part of my kit for many years now; it has a permanent home in my monolight bag and is utilized any time I pull out the boom. [Sean]
I signed up for an east Maui rainforest waterfall hike and knew that the path could be wet and muddy. What I didn't know was that, thanks to a just-previous hurricane, "wet" meant I would be fording swift rain-swollen streams up to waist-deep with the MindShift Gear Trailscape 18L camera backpack being held overhead. That certainly upped the hike's entertainment value (and provided a new understanding of how well Gore-Tex trail-running shoes hold water).
Having both stories and images always makes an adventure better.
The Canon EOS R and Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Lens were used to capture this idyllic Hawaiian rainforest waterfall. Aiding was a Breakthrough Photography circular polarizer filter, cutting reflections and increasing saturation. These filters are nearly a requirement for waterfall photography. An f/8 aperture would have provided adequate depth of field for this 29mm image, but the narrower f/11 opening permitted a longer exposure, creating a more strongly motion-blurred waterfall.
A larger version of this image is available on Flickr.
ISO 100
6720 x 4480px
An evening sail was part of the Canon Hawaii 2018 announcement event and I saw a great sunset in the making as the boat was coming ashore, returning to the beach in Lahaina. I hurried down the ladder and ran across the beach to find a clear composition. With a Canon EOS R and Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Lens in hand, the rest was easy.
Photographing the ocean (usually) is a type of action photography as the scene is constantly changing. Water reflects and smooth water provides the best definition of whatever is being reflected. Although they nicely reflect sky color in general, most oceans I've visited are far from smooth. However, the thin layer of water remaining on the sand immediately after a wave recedes is often quite smooth and can provide some definition of the colorful clouds, the subject most often desired to be reflected. Consider timing the capture of some of your beach images for this wave position.
Another beach photography consideration is what the leading edge of the waterline looks like. I like the frothy white roll clearly delineating the sand and water as seen in this image, but other options can also work well.
I always find a great sunset to be photographically irresistible. Islands often have very long distance views of the setting (or rising) sun, making them ideal locations for watching this time of the day through a viewfinder.
A larger version of this image is available on Flickr.
ISO 400
6655 x 4453px
 "Share on Pinterest!"){kind=small}
 |
|