Canon and Sony News for Sep 2018 (Page 2)

From the TamronVids YouTube Channel:

Photograher Armando Flores takes his NEW SP 15-30mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2, model A041 to the majestic Glacier National Park in Montana.

B&H carries the Tamron SP 15-30 F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 Lens.

From IRIX:

IRIX, a European brand already known for its high-quality wide-angle lenses (Irix 11mm f/4.0, Irix 15mm f/2.4) and photographic filter systems is expanding its portfolio with a new lens – the Irix 150mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1, designed for full frame cameras with the Nikon F, Canon EF, and Pentax K mount.

With its focal length of 150mm and 1:1 scale of reproduction, these are the basic features of the new product that allows comfort working with small objects. Thanks to the possibility of being able to move away from the photographed object, this makes the operation more convenient than using lenses with a shorter focal length. No shadows are cast on the object and it is also possible to use lamps dedicated to this type of photography.

The Irix 150mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1 lens is equipped with an aperture mechanism consisting of 11 rounded blades that maintain a circular shape within the entire available working range. Thanks to this, when shooting with a wide open aperture, a pleasant background blur is obtained; when closed right down, the diffraction appears much later. This ensures much greater detail of the image.

The focus ring has been equipped with a wide rubber handle with a special convexity pressing. To facilitate precise focusing of the scale, with 270 degree rotation. The whole design is complemented by a functional Focus Lock ring that allows you to lock the focus ring at a convenient position.

The Irix 150mm f / 2.8 Macro 1:1 lens has been sealed in key points (the front element, the Focus Lock ring, the focusing ring and bayonet), making it suitable for use in the harshest of weather conditions such as fog, rain or snow.

The optical design consists of twelve elements – three of which are made of super-low dispersion glass (ED), another four of glass with a higher refractive index (HR), and the whole arranged into nine optical groups. Thanks to this construction, we obtain an close to zero distortion (at a level of 0.1%).

The Irix 150mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1 lens is equipped with an internal focusing system (IF) so that the lens does not change its dimensions when focusing, thus maintaining a compact size and better sealing.

The Irix 150mm f / 2.8 Macro 1:1 lens is the first model available in the new version with the Dragonfly finish, in which the aluminium frame has been enclosed in an external structure made of aluminium-magnesium alloys and composite elements. The combination of Firefly and Blackstone features gave the lens lightness and solidity while maintaining high mechanical strength and resistance in difficult weather conditions.

The lens has a CPU that allows control of the lens aperture from camera level, and the AE module allows the use of semi-automatic modes (PASM). This solution allows the user to get confirmation of the focus from the camera. An additional benefit is the recording of exposure data in the EXIT format.

A set with the lens will include:

• a practical deep lens hood that isolates the lens from sidelight sources and also protects the front element of the lens from minor damage
• a rigid lens case for safe transport and storage
• a detachable tripod collar (Arca Swiss standard), allowing you to transfer the weight that is the centre of gravity to the front and securely place the camera on a tripod.

Pricing and availability have yet to be determined.

Specifications

With the announcement of the EOS R, many may be wondering if diving into Canon's mirrorless system is the right step forward in regards to their next camera upgrade or if the Canon EOS 6D Mark II will fill their needs just fine. Therefore, we're going to take a closer look at these two cameras to see which might be the better choice for your needs.

Canon EOS R & Canon EOS 6D Mark II Shared Primary Features

• ISO Range: Auto 100-40000 (in 1/3-stop or whole stop increments), L:50, H1: 51200, H2: 102400
• White Balance Settings, including Ambience priority/White priority
• 5-axis Digital IS during movie recording
• Single memory card slot
• Operating Environment: 32–104°F / 0–40°C

Primary Advantages of the Canon EOS R

• RF Mount: Compatible with RF and EF/TS-E/MP-E/EF-S lenses via adapter
• Higher Resolution: 30.4 MP vs. 26.2
• Newer Processor: DIGIC 8 vs. DIGIC 7
• More AF Points: 5,655 point AF system vs. 45
• More Sensitive AF: EV -6 – 18 vs. EV -3 - 18
• Eye Detect AF vs. N/A
• Built in LED AF assist beam
• Higher Burst Rate without AF Tracking: 8 fps vs. 6.5
• Larger RAW Buffer: 47 vs. 21
• Fv (Flexible priority) AE vs. N/A
• Wider Metering Range: EV -3 – 20 vs. EV 1 - 20
• Larger Shutter Speed Range: 30 - 1/8000 sec. vs. 30 - 1/4000
• Faster x-Sync: 1/200 sec. vs. 1/180
• Truely Silent Shooting: Absolutely no sound vs. quieter-than-normal "silent" shutter
• Higher Resolution LCD: Vari-angle touch screen 3.15" (8.01cm) Clear View LCD II, approx. 2.10 million dots, 60p vs. Vari-angle touch screen 3.0" (7.7cm) Clear View II TFT, approx. 1040K dots, 30p
• Higher Resolution Video: Up to 4K at 30p / FHD 1080p at 60p vs. FHD 1080p at 60p
• RAW, C-RAW and Dual Pixel RAW vs. RAW, M-RAW, S-RAW
• Compatibility with Faster Memory Cards: UHS-II vs. UHS-I
• Lighter Weight: 23.3 oz (660g) vs. 26.98 oz (765g)
• Smaller Size: 5.35 x 3.87 x 3.32" (135.8 x 98.3 x 84.4mm) vs. 5.67 x 4.35 x 2.94" (144.0 x 110.5 x 74.8mm)

Primary Advantages of the Canon EOS 6D Mark II

• EF Mount: Compatible with significantly more native-mount lenses
• Higher Burst Rate with AF tracking: 6.5 fps vs. 5
• Longer Battery Life: 1200 vs .370
• Lower Cost

Other Differences Between the Canon EOS R and Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

• Electronic viewfinder vs. optical
• 384-zone metering vs. 63 zone, 7560-pixel RGB+IR metering sensor

Who should opt for the Canon EOS R?

If you read our Canon EOS R vs. Canon EOS 5D Mark IV comparison, you'll recognize a lot of the benefits listed below. The reason is simple – many of the EOS R's benefits are unique to Canon's new mirrorless system, especially in regards to the R's use with adapted lenses, and those benefits remain the same when the camera is stacked up against any Canon DSLR.

The EOS R features an RF mount. Upon the camera's release, the selection of RF lenses will be relatively small (only four have been announced). While that may seem limiting, the truth is that the EOS R with its RF mount will be even more versatile than the EF-mount 6D mark II if adapted lenses are taken into consideration. With the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R, Control Ring Mount Adapter and Drop-In Filter Mount Adapter, the EOS R is compatible with EF/TS-E/MP-E and – in a first for Canon full-frame cameras – EF-S lenses as well. So while the selection of RF lenses may be limited for the time being, the unique capabilities afforded by Canon's mount adapters will make the EOS R very attractive for several types of photographers.

Which photographers, precisely? Landscape photographers, portrait photographers and videographers will especially appreciate the benefits of the Drop-In Mount Adapter. How often do landscape photographers want to use CPOLs (circular polarizers) or ND (neutral density) filters with wide angle or ultra-wide angle lenses that are incompatible with front filters? Up until now, using filters with such lenses required the use of cumbersome 3rd-party front filter adapters. With the EOS R, those photographing the great outdoors can enjoy the benefits of a lighter camera body as well as a universal CPOL/vari-ND filter solution for their existing lens collection when traveling to their favorite sunrise location. Landscape photographers often want to stack a circular polarizer with an ND filter on a wide angle lens featuring front filter threads, but the resulting mechanical vignetting (and the increased likelihood of stuck filters) makes using the combo impractical. The Drop-In Filter Mount Adapter with Variable ND filter –with 1.5 - 9 stops of density – can easily be paired with a front-mounted circular polarizer like the B+W XS-Pro CPOL. A B+W XS-Pro CPOL will allow landscape photographers to cut through glare to capture dark blue skies and saturated foliage yet is thin enough not to cause mechanical vignetting on most wide angle lenses. And with a rear-mounted variable ND, a photographer can simultaneously reap the benefits of a long shutter speed to capture the movement of flowing water, clouds, rustling trees, etc.

The EOS R will be the better option to capture recitals, dance and theater performances with its absolutely silent shooting mode.

Those shooting portraiture will certainly appreciate the EOS R's Eye Detection AF, especially when a wide aperture prime lens is being used either natively or with an adapter. The EOS R's AF system is able to lock focus on and track subjects over a significantly larger portion of the frame compared to the 6D II's 45-point phase-detect AF system, allowing for greater flexibility in subject framing without having to focus and recompose. And because the EOS R utilizes the sensor for focusing, calibration issues associated with traditional phase-detect AF systems can be avoided altogether, better ensuring focus accuracy.

If a photographer's off-camera flashes are not capable of high-speed sync, the Drop-In Filter Mount Adapter with Variable ND can enable use of a shutter speed below the camera's x-sync speed (for the R, 1/200 sec.) while using flash and a wide aperture for great subject/background separation.

The EOS R can record video at 4K resolution while the 6D Mark II tops out at 1080p. Videographers can either use the extra resoltion to create highly detailed movies or otherwise create stabilized 1080p video and/or create panning movements within the 4K frame. Videographers can also make use of the Drop-In Filter Mount Adapter, especially when used with the variable ND to record video at optimal shutter speeds (typically, 2x the frame rate). With filters attached to the back of lenses, lens changes can occur more quickly (no need to unscrew/mount a separate ND filter) and the variable ND could easily replace numerous traditional ND filters in a filmmaker's kit.

Who should opt for the Canon EOS 6D Mark II?

There are benefits and drawbacks to Electronic Viewfinders (EVFs) and Optical Viewfinders (OVFs); neither will be best for/preferred by everyone. The 6D Mark II's viewfinder blackout time is actually shorter than the EOS R's viewfinder stutter during capture, making tracking laterally moving or erratic subjects easier with the OVF. If an optical viewfinder is preferred for any reason, the 6D II is, of course, the obvious choice. Other than that, the primary reasons to get a 6D Mark II are battery performance, preference for unadapted lenses and price. The EOS 6D Mark II's is rated for significantly more shots per battery charge compared to the EOS R. If you're often forgetting to charge and/or pack extra batteries, the 6D II may be the better camera for you. Those who simply don't like using adapters will also be better served by the 6D II. And finally, those whose budgets do not extend to the EOS R, especially when the cost of adapters are considered, may take advantage of the 6D II's slightly lower price tag (instant rebates may augment that difference from time to time).

Summary

The EOS R's ability to use adapted lenses, and the unique capabilities provided by the adapters, makes Canon's full-frame mirrorless introduction a camera you can effectively use now and well into the future, taking full advantage of all the new RF lenses headed down the pipeline. If compared to DSLRs, the EOS R's features position it somewhere between the 5D Mark IV and 6D Mark II, but certainly closer to the former than the latter. Without instant rebates in place, the price difference between the EOS R and 6D Mark II isn't all that much, even with a Mount Adapter EF-EOS R thrown into the mix. Therefore, most will find the EOS R's benefits to be well worth its incremental cost over the 6D Mark II's MSRP.

Relevant Info

• First Look at the Canon EOS R System
• Canon EOS 6D Mark II Review

According to B&H, the Canon EOS R and the other items announced alongside are scheduled to arrive Tuesday, October 9.

As always, your use of these links for your preorders or any other purchase supports this site!

Preorders

Canon EOS R Camera

Canon EOS R (Body) - B&H | Adorama | Amazon | Wex

Canon EOS R with RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM - B&H | Adorama | Amazon | Wex

Canon RF Lenses & Adapters

Canon BG-E22 Battery Grip for EOS R - B&H | Adorama | Amazon | Wex

Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Lens - B&H | Adorama | Amazon | Wex

Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM Lens - B&H | Adorama | Amazon | Wex

Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro Lens - B&H | Adorama | Amazon | Wex

Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM Lens - B&H | Adorama | Amazon | Wex

Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R - B&H | Adorama | Amazon | Wex

Canon Control Ring Mount Adapter EF-EOS R - B&H | Adorama | Amazon | Wex

Canon Drop-in Filter Mount Adapter EF-EOS R** - B&H | Adorama | Amazon | Wex

Canon EF Super Telephoto Lenses

Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM Lens - B&H | Adorama | Amazon | Wex

Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM Lens - B&H | Adorama | Amazon | Wex

Canon EF-M Lens

Canon EF-M 32mm f/1.4 STM Lens - B&H | Adorama | Amazon | Wex

** Variable ND version scheduled to arrive October 9. Circular Polarizer version scheduled to arrive in February 2019.

Anhui China, Sept 21, 2018 – Venus Optics, the camera lenses manufacturer who had previously launched a number of unique Laowa camera lenses, is proud to unveil 8 new and unique lenses in Photokina.

• Laowa OOOM 25-100mm t/2.9 Cine Lightweight Zoom
• Laowa 17mm f/1.8 MFT
• Laowa 12mm f/1.8 MFT
• Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D (DJI DL)
• Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D MFT
• Laowa 9mm t/2.9 Zero-D Cine
• Laowa 7.5mm t/2.1 Cine
• Laowa 12mm t/2.9 Zero-D Cine
• Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 FE Zoom
• Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO
• Laowa 17mm f/4 GFX Zero-D
• Laowa 4mm f/2.8 Fisheye MFT

Laowa OOOM 25-100 t/2.9 Cine Lightweight Zoom

Laowa OOOM Cine lightweight zoom is the first professional cinema style zoom lens offered by Venus Optics. The lens features a wide 25-100mm zoom range, making it a one-size-fits-all lens for different types of productions.

Unlike some cine lens in the market which were re-engineered from a photo zoom lens, Laowa OOOM Cine lens is designed for digital cinematography in the first place. It is truly parfocal, meaning the focus will never shift when you zoom in or zoom back out. It is designed to have nearly zero focus breathing throughout the whole zoom range. The aperture remains fixed at t/2.9 at all focal lengths.

It is built with the true cinema level mechanics. It comes with a stepless, t-stop independent aperture ring with an industry standard 0.8 mod /32 pitch gears. The 270° rotation flow provides room or precise focus pulls and the iris is clickless, enabling smooth iris pulls. The lens weighs only 2.16 pounds, which is fairly light for a cinema zoom that holds focus and aperture throughout the focal length range.

Laowa 17mm f/1.8 MFT

Laowa 17mm f/1.8 is a new compact, standard prime designed for Micro Four Thirds cameras and it gives a 35mm-equivalent field of view. The lens houses 9 elements in 7 groups and have a 5-blade aperture for the best sunstar rendering. The lens is extremely compact and lightweight, weighs only 160g (0.36lbs) and is 5cm (2”) long. A 46cm filter thread is included and the 15cm minimal focus distance make it a perfect lens for videography.

Laowa 12mm f/1.8 MFT

Laowa 12mm f/1.8 is a new compact, wide-angle prime for Micro Four Thirds cameras and it gives a 24mm-equivalent field of view. The ultra-fast f/1.8 aperture allows photographers to take astro photos with ease. The lens houses 13 elements in 10 groups and a 5-blade aperture. The lens can focus as close as 14cm (5.5”) and takes 46mm screw-in filters which gives extra convenience to videographers. It weighs only 165g (0.4 lbs) and its 5cm long (2”).

Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D (DJI DL)

Following the successful launch of the super compact and lightweight 7.5mm f/2 MFT lens for DJI Inspire drones (X5 gimbals) during 2017, Venus Optics is proud to introduce another ultra-wide option, Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D DL, to use on DJI Inspire 2 (X7 gimbals).

Featuring an effective 118° angle of view, the Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D DJI DL is currently the widest available option for DJI Inspire 2 drones with Zenmuse X7 gimbals. The bigger image circle can cover the size of Super35 sensors and the native DL mount allows an easy lens switching. The lens weighs only 215g and it is super tiny and compact. It comes with a 49mm filter thread and features a close-to-zero optical distortion.

Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D MFT

Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D (Micro Four Thirds mount) is the 4th variant added to the existing Fuji X, Sony E and EOS-M mounts. The 9mm lens provides a 18mm equivalent angle of view on the Micro Four Thirds sensor. It also has a better vignetting control over the other variants of the same lens. The close-to-zero distortion will remain unchanged.

Laowa 7.5mm t/2.1 Cine / Laowa 9mm t/2.9 Zero-D Cine

The new Laowa 7.5mm and 9mm Cine lenses are the cine-mod version of the existing photo version of Venus Optics best-selling models. Both lenses were re-housed with a step-less aperture rings and focus rings with standard 0.8 mod gears which give videographers extra convenience to use with follow-focus systems. Both of the lenses are the widest available in the market in its class and only weigh 180g (0.4lbs) & 250g (0.55lbs) respectively. Closest focusing distance is both 12cm (0.4 feet). The wide perspective and lightweight makes them the perfect companion for gimbal shooting. MFT mount is available for 7.5mm t/2.1 Cine and Sony E mount is available for 9mm t/2.9 Cine.

Laowa 12mm t/2.9 Zero-D Cine (PL)

The new Laowa 12mm t/2.9 Zero-D Cine in PL mount is the cine-mod version of the existing 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D lens. The lens was rehoused with a step-less, t-stop aperture rings and focus rings with standard 0.8 mod gears for iris and focus pulls. It successfully covers the 35mm Vista Vision sensor size and offers an ultra-wide 122° angle of view, making it one of the world’s widest and fastest available option for shooting with large sensors. Despite the ultra-wide field of view, it is perfectly rectilinear and features a close-to-zero distortion rate. The focus flow is extended to 270° for cinematographers to also take advantage of the 0.6 feet (18cm) closest focusing distance. The super lightweight (650g, 1.4lbs) is also an added benefit for cinematographers.

Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 FE Zoom

This lens is currently the widest zoom lens available for Sony full frame E-mount cameras. Designed primarily for travel photography, Venus optics have managed to compress the size to smallest in its class, less than 4 inch (<10cm) and only 1.1 pounds (<500g). The 102? (18mm) to 130? (10mm) angle of view provides flexibility for photographers to compose landscape or architecture photos with ease. The lens houses with 14 elements in 10 groups with 2 aspherical elements & 1 extra-low dispersion element to deliver exceptional performance. It can focus as close as 15cm for some mini-macro shooting. A rear filter slot is included to fit with 37mm filter. A dedicated filter holder is being developed to fit 100mm-wide filters. Click/clickless aperture can be toggled by the switch on the lens barrel. A 5-blade aperture design ensures a pleasing and clean sunstar rendering.

Multiple samples will be available for free rental during Photokina period.

Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO

Followed by the success of the Laowa 60mm f/2.8 2:1 Macro, the 100mm f/2.8 2:1 Macro is the 2nd member of Laowa 2:1 macro line-up. This new 100mm lens can cover full frame sensor size and focus from 2:1 magnification to infinity. The wide magnification range allows macro photographers to capture subject at any sizes. This 100mm portrait lens also features an apochromatic (APO) characteristic that no chromatic aberration can be found. The 12 elements in 10 groups optics design delivers a crystal sharpness image in both macro and tele distances. Automatic aperture control feature is available for Canon EF version and Aperture coupling is available for Nikon F mount version.

Laowa 17mm f/4 GFX Zero-D

This is currently the widest available native lens option for Fujifilm G-mount cameras. The new Laowa 17mm f/4 GFX has a field of view equivalent to 13mm in 35mm format (113?). Featuring a close-to-zero distortion and 86mm filter thread, this lens is ideally suited for landscape, architecture & interior photography. The 21 elements in 14 groups design with 2pcs of aspherical & 3pcs of Extra-low dispersion elements successfully help to control the distortion & chromatic aberrations to the minimal.

Laowa 4mm f/2.8 Fisheye MFT

Featuring a 210? angle of view, this lens delivers unique circular fisheye field of view on Micro four thirds cameras. The ultra-wide angle view allows photographers to create 360? panorama with ease. Despite the unique & ultra-wide perspective, the lens only weighs 0.3 pounds (135g).

Free Rental Program

Venus Optics have prepared some copies of the Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 FE Zoom and Laowa 24mm f/14 Probe lens (Canon) for free rental during Photokina period. For reservations, please contact Venus Optics via contact@venuslens.net.

Availability

All 12 new lenses will make its Europe debut in Venus Optics’ booth (Hall 2.1, D-040) in Photokina, Cologne during 26th-29th Sept. Pricing and ship date are to be confirmed.

The Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM Lens preorders are now live. Preorder your lens at: B&H

Product Highlights

• E-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
• Aperture Range: f/1.4 to f/16
• Two XA Elements, Three ED Elements
• Nano AR and Fluorine Coatings
• Direct Drive Super Sonic Wave AF Motor
• AF/MF Switch; Internal Focus
• Focus Hold Button
• Physical Aperture Ring; De-Click Switch
• Dust and Moisture-Resistant Construction
• Rounded 11-Blade Diaphragm

The Tokina opera 50mm f/1.4 FF Lens is now available for preorder at B&H and Adorama.

Product Highlights

• Maximum Aperture: f/1.4
• Ring-Shaped Ultrasonic AF Motor
• Electric Diaphragm Mechanism
• Weather-Sealed Construction

B&H and Adorama will be closed during the Succos holiday. If you need/want gear sooner rather than later, order now to avoid more than a week-long delay.

SuperStore & Offices

B&H will be closed starting at 1pm ET Sun Sep 23 through Tue Oct 2. We will reopen at 9am Wed Oct 3.

Online Orders

Checkout will only be available during the following periods:

• 8:15pm ET Tue Sep 25 until 6:30pm Fri Sep 28
• 8pm Sat Sep 29 until 6:30pm Sun Sep 30

Regular checkout will resume starting at 8pm Tue Oct 2.

Shipping

Any orders placed after 6:30pm ET Fri Sep 21 will be processed when we reopen on Wed Oct 3.

Store Pickup

Store Pickup orders placed up to 1 hour before store closing time will be available for same-day pickup until store closing time. Store Pickup orders placed less than 1 hour from store closing, or while the store is closed, will be ready for pickup 30 minutes after the store reopens.

Orders submitted to us during the Sukkos Holiday (Sunday Sept. 23rd after 12:30PM thru Tuesday, Oct. 2nd) will be shipped Wednesday, Oct. 3rd.

Image quality test results have been added to the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Lens page.

Acquisition of a general purpose zoom should be a top priority for any photographer. For those with an Canon EOS R, the RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM represents a great balance between focal length range, max aperture, size/weight, image quality and price.

Below are a couple of image quality comparisons to get you started:

Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L USM vs. Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM
Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L USM vs. Canon EF 24-105mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM

The Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Lens is available for preorder at B&H | Amazon | Adorama | WEX | Henry's.

Rent the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM from Lensrentals.

From Canon USA:

Latest Edition Provides 65x Optical Zoom, High-Resolution Electronic Viewfinder and 4K Video

MELVILLE, N.Y., September 20, 2018 – It’s a common saying that good things come in small packages and today, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, demonstrates this with the introduction of the new PowerShot SX70 HS compact digital camera. Featuring a 65x Optical Zoom Lens (equivalent to 21-1365mm), 20.3 Megapixel CMOS imaging sensor and 4K video capabilities, the PowerShot SX70 HS camera is an ideal fit for anyone who wants powerful optical performance in a compact package. With a minimum focusing distance of 0cm and a zoom up to 2730mm (with ZoomPlus), the PowerShot SX70 HS allows users to create beautiful close-ups and stunning wide shots without changing lenses.

“In this day and age, cameras are becoming smaller while the desired list of features continues to grow,” said Kazuto Ogawa, president and chief operating officer, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “Canon continues to be committed to incorporating the latest features in our compact cameras and the new PowerShot SX70 HS is our very latest version, providing the dynamic combination of a compact body, powerful zoom and robust features that photo and video enthusiasts alike will love.”

The PowerShot SX70 HS features a 0.39-inch, approximately 2.36-million dot, high-definition OLED Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) for clear, crisp representation of what the lens is seeing. This camera also features 4K video shooting and frame grabbing, and is the first Canon point-and-shoot camera compatible with the latest RAW format (.CR3). With the addition of a new eye sensor, the camera automatically switches to the EVF display simply by bringing the camera up to the eye. Additionally, the inclusion of built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology offers quick and easy sharing, making the switch from smartphone photography to the PowerShot SX70 HS camera simple and fun.

The DIGIC 8 processor enables the PowerShot SX70 HS camera to achieve five stops of IS with dual-sensing image stabilization (IS). Even during handheld shooting, IS allows users to take pictures with minimal worry about camera shake. The camera also features high-speed continuous shooting at up to 10 fps. A Zoom Framing Assist button on the side of the lens barrel enables quick adjustments of the view angle, which is especially useful during telephoto shooting. With a large grip for comfortable, stable shooting and an EOS-like user interface, the PowerShot SX70 HS will make it easy for artistic vision to come to life in the hands of photographers at any level.

Availability and Pricing

The PowerShot SX70 HS will be available for purchase in November 2018 for an estimated retail price of $549.99.

B&H has the Canon PowerShot SX70 HS Digital Camera available for preorder.

From Sony:

Sony today enhanced its line-up of flagship full-frame G Master series lenses with the launch of a highly anticipated 24mm F1.4 Prime lens. Expertly engineered to deliver best in class performance across all aperture settings, the new FE 24mm F1.4 GM (model SEL24F14GM)utilises Sony’s specialist advanced optical technologies to satisfy the needs of the most demanding photographers. It features a compact and lightweight design with a filter diameter of f67mm and measures just 75.4mm x 92.4mm and weighs a mere 445g. Meeting the strict standards for G Master status, the FE 24mm F1.4 GMcombines the high resolution and beautiful bokeh that are the signature of the G Master series.

This incredible high image quality and compact lens is also a perfect complement to Sony’s APS-C sensor mirrorless cameras such as a6500 and a6300 and brings the total number of native Sony a E-mount lenses to 48[i]. Sony will continue to evolve its lens line-up in order to meet the demands of all types of photographers, videographers and multi-media creators, with a range of different offerings to maximise the power of the innovative a camera line-up.

Realizing consistently high resolution across the entire frame, even at F1.4, the FE 24mm F1.4 GM boasts a new optical design comprising 10 groups with 13 elements featuring two XA (extreme aspherical) elements and three ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements. The incorporation of two XA elements effectively suppresses sagittal flare[ii] so that point light sources are accurately reproduced, making the FE 24mm F1.4 GMa compelling proposition for starscape photographers. Sony’s unique Nano AR Coating is applied to reduce flare and ghosting for impressive clarity, even in landscape shots where the position of the sun is often problematic with a normal lens.

This industry leading performance has been packaged in an extremely compact and lightweight body weighing just 445g. For landscape photographers who often have to walk for long distances to get to the perfect shooting spot, this provides a welcome reduction in the weight that they have carry, an advantage that is further compounded when the FE 24mm F1.4 GMis paired with one of Sony’s award winning a7 / a9 bodies. This lightweight package has been realised in part by the development of a new high power DDSSM (Direct Drive SSM) which delivers approximately three times greater thrust than the previous DDSSM, enabling fast response, high positioning accuracy and quiet operation for both stills and movie shooting.

In addition to its landscape and starscape shooting abilities, the FE 24mm F1.4 GMalso has excellent close up performance of 0.24 metres (0.79ft.) and delivers soft and natural bokeh. As a member of Sony’s flagship G Master series lenses, the new lens features an incredible level of image quality and bokeh. As bokeh quality is directly affected by spherical aberration and axial and lateral chromatic aberration that can also cause color bleeding, all of these factors are painstakingly controlled at the design and manufacturing stages and each lens is individually tested and adjusted to achieve maximum image quality and bokeh.

Furthermore, the FE 24mm F1.4 GM includes a number of professional controls aiding ease of operation for both stills and movie shooting. An aperture ring allows direct, intuitive aperture control whilst an aperture click switch makes it possible to enable or disable click stops as required. The focus ring features Linear Response MF for fine, responsive manual focus control, giving the user the control immediacy needed for fast, accurate manual focusing. The focus hold button is customisable and a focus mode switch makes it possible to quickly select auto or manual focus to match changing shooting conditions.

The FE 24mm F1.4 GMwill ship in Europe in October 2018, priced at approximately €1,600. A product feature video can be viewed on the Sony Camera Channel on YouTube and full details on the new product can be seen here.

Preorders for the Sony 24mm f/1.4 G Master Lens will begin at 10:00am Eastern Time tomorrow.

Preorder: Sony 24mm f/1.4 G Master Lens - B&H

[i] Including converters, excluding discontinued models
[ii] A phenomenon that results in an unnatural spreading of point light sources that appears somewhat like a bird spreading its wings and becomes more pronounced towards the image periphery. It is most common in large-aperture lenses

From Vitec Imaging Group:

JOBY TelePod series now is complete to support cameras and mobile devices, delivering versatility and stability to today’s content creators.

Upper Saddle River, NJ – September 20, 2018 – JOBY, creator of award-winning mounts, stands and grips designed to elevate the potential of the latest mobile and imaging devices, announces the launch of their full line of TelePod products. The TelePod Mobile, TelePod 325 and TelePod PRO Kit telescoping tripods join the already well-known GripTight PRO TelePod in empowering the next generation of storytellers to elevate their creativity.

Designed for the needs of today’s vloggers, photographers and videographers, the TelePod series delivers maximum versatility with the ability to function as a handgrip, monopod, elevated stand or tripod. With dedicated solutions for both mobile and camera, the TelePod provides users the ability to capture content from new perspectives, taking creativity to the next level.

All Models Feature:

Ability to work in four modes:

• Hand Grip: Close legs and hold to get a grip on your content
• Extended Grip: Close legs and extend mount to create selfie stick for overhead or 360 shots
• Elevated Tripod: Extend mount and legs for elevated camera/360 stand
• Tabletop Tripod: Expand legs and retract mount for a compact tripod stand

Compatible with a variety of JOBY mounts.

Built with lightweight, high strength glass-filled composite, ABS plastic, anodized aluminum, stainless steel and TPE.

“Our design process always begins with listening closely to what today’s image makers are saying; this inspired our redefinition of the traditional selfie stick” explains Tim Grimmer, Senior Director of Product for JOBY. “The TelePod series provides solutions for creators working with a mix of photos and videos, providing an extreme amount of versatility for capturing selfies, overhead shots and much more. Content creators love them and that’s what we love to see.”

TelePod Solutions for Mobile Designed for the next generation of mobile storytellers, the already launched GripTight PRO TelePod and the TelePod Mobile securely grip up to plus-size smartphones with endless attachment options. Both models include Bluetooth Impulse remote shutter device.

• TelePod Mobile – This all-in-one selfie stick tripod is designed for mobile and is perfect for vlogging, selfies and more. Securely holds smartphones using the included GripTight ONE mount or small 360 cameras. Locking ball head provides precise composition control for unique angles. Works with multiple JOBY mounts including GripTight mount series, GoPro mount, Flash mount or any ¼”-20 device under 325g.
• GripTight PRO TelePod –The most recent addition to JOBY’s line-up of pro-content creation tools, easily adjusts to landscape or portrait mode for live streaming, vlogging, SnapChat and Instagram stories. Perfect for smartphones, mirrorless, 360 and action cameras or video light. Includes GripTight Pro 2, Cold Shoe Pro, Pin Joint mount and long thumbscrew for versatile setup options.

TelePod Solutions for Camera Created to support point-and-shoot, 360, action cameras, mirrorless and more, the TelePod 325 and TelePod PRO Kit are great for vlogging, overhead shots and stability on uneven surfaces.

• TelePod 325v – The TelePod 325 is designed to meet the needs of creative photographers. A more compact version of our TelePod PRO, this entry-level handheld tripod/vlogging stick is perfect for compact point-and-shoots, 360 and action cameras (additional pin joint mount required) and great for mounting a lightweight microphone or small LED light. Locking ball head provides precise composition control for unique angles. Works with multiple JOBY mounts like GripTight mount series, GoPro Mount, Flash mount or any ¼”-20 device under 325g.
• TelePod PRO Kit – We’ve customized our original GripTight PRO TelePod for photographers. The TelePod PRO kit has maximum versatility due to the inclusion of the JOBY BallHead 1K that offers 360 degree panning and 90 tilt for unlimited angles. The 1kg (2.2 lb) weight capacity is perfect for mirrorless, point-and-shoot, 360, action cams or video light. Expand your attachment options via ¼”-20 mount plus included Pin Joint.

All products will be available early October at select JOBY authorized dealers.

B&H has the JOBY TelePod products available for preorder.

From GoPro:

Today, GoPro didn't just announce one new camera, we're debuting THREE all-new HERO7 cameras. Yes, HERO7 Black is amazing, but what if you don't need all the bells and whistles? Well, say hello to HERO7 Silver and HERO7 White.

These are the simpilest GoPro cameras ever, at the best value ever, all while maintaining everything that makes GoPro, GoPro. Both rugged, pocket-size cameras capture high-quality photo and video, are waterproof without a housing, voice commend-enabled, and have WiFi connectivity for seamless pairing to your mobile device The $299 HERO7 Silver and $199 HERO7 White both shoot in three modes: photo, video and time lapse. They also have built-in electronic image stabilization to smooth out playback of experiences that are inherently bumpy/shaky, whether you’re skiing, snorkeling or chasing your kids around the yard.

But what's arguably most impressive is the entirely redesigned user interface. This new UI resembles the feel of a smartphone and delivers epic content with a few taps of your finger. Plus, new tools, such as vertical capture, the pre-set Short Clips video feature and selfie/group-friendly Photo Timer, take the guess work out of video and photo capture.

GoPro HERO7 Preorders: B&H | Adorama

In a sign of the times, I was posting an image to Facebook when something in my news feed caught my eye. It was a post from the Canon USA FB account announcing its newest compact camera, the PowerShot SX70 HS. Here was the text that went along with the image shown above:

With its combination of impressive 65x optical zoom along with an outstanding minimum shooting distance, 4K UHD video capability, and a high-definition electronic viewfinder, see how the new PowerShot SX70 HS can help you capture incredible moments in any situation, and more.

• 20.3MP CMOS Sensor
• DIGIC 8 Image Processor
• 65x Zoom Lens
• 2.36m-Dot OLED Electronic Viewfinder
• UHD 4K Video Recording, 4K Time-Lapse
• Image Stabilization
• Built-In Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
• Continuous Shooting up to 10 fps
• Zoom Framing Assist

There will likely be an official press release with more information available soon. [Sean]

If you ever find yourself switching out tripod heads (or otherwise using the same head on multiple tripods), then adding a quick release system is definitely worthwhile. I've been using this technique for a while now (example), and it has worked really well for me. [Sean]

Products Featured in Video

• Really Right Stuff B2-LR-II Lever-Release Clamp (60mm)
• Really Right Stuff TH-DVTL-40 Round Dovetail Plate