Canon and Sony News for Jun 2019 (Page 2)

Image quality test results have been added to the Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM Lens page.

What do you think? Does this lens meet your expectations? Here are a couple of comparisons to get you started:

Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM Lens compared to the Canon RF 50mm F1.2 L USM Lens
Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM Lens compared to the Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM Lens

The Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM Lens is in stock at B&H | Adorama | Amazon USA | WEX

Rent the Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM Lens from Lensrentals.

From Sigma:

This firmware corrected the phenomenon related with the selection range of AF frame (AF point) of the camera.

For customers who own the SIGMA USB DOCK and applicable product listed below, please update the firmware via SIGMA Optimization Pro. Before updating the firmware, please ensure SIGMA Optimization Pro has been updated to Ver.1.5.0 or later.

Applicable products

• SIGMA 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC MACRO OS HSM | Contemporary for CANON EF
• SIGMA 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 DC MACRO OS HSM | Contemporary for CANON EF
• SIGMA 24mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art for CANON EF

Benefit of the update

• It has corrected the phenomenon whereby the selection range of AF frame (AF point) becomes narrower depending on the camera attached.

SIGMA Optimization Pro Download page

Note: For those using any of the above lenses with the SIGMA MOUNT CONVERTER MC-11 EF-E, you'll need to update the mount converer's firmware to work with the lenses' new firmware.

From Nikon:

June 20, 2019 – TOKYO - Nikon Corporation (Nikon) has invested USD $7.5 million in wrnch, Inc. (CEO: Dr. Paul A. Kruszewski, head office: Quebec, Canada, hereafter referred to as wrnch), a computer vision and deep learning startup.

Established in 2014, wrnch uses deep learning to develop and provide tools and software development kits (SDKs) that enable computers to see and understand human movement and activity. wrnch has also used its advanced work in pose estimation technologies to establish ties with major entertainment and communications companies. The company continues its operations in technical development, while raising funds continuously.

In accordance with its Medium-Term Management Plan, Nikon is striving to enhance its Imaging Business not only in the BtoC, but also in the BtoB markets. Nikon decided to make this investment based on the determination of new synergies created by combining resources of each company, which will expand the range of Nikon's Imaging Business.

By fusing Nikon's optical technologies and the automatic tracking shooting technologies of Mark Roberts Motion Control Limited, a subsidiary of Nikon, with wrnch's pose estimation technologies, Nikon hopes to enhance its automatic shooting solutions, primarily for the sports market. Additionally, Nikon will endeavor to provide new imaging experiences with technologies such as AI.

Nikon will continue to pursue imaging possibilities by making further use of its optical technologies and collaborating with companies that offer their own innovative solutions and technologies.

wrnch overview

From Nikon:

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S Firmware v.1.01

Changes from Firmware Version 1.00 to 1.01:

• Exposure for photographs taken with Continuous H (extended) selected for Release mode is now more consistent (Z 7/Z 6 camera firmware “C” version 2.00 or later).

Download: Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S Firmware v.1.01

Just posted: Zeiss 100mm f/1.4 Otus Lens Review.

Object of desire.

As always, please share!

The Zeiss 100mm f/1.4 Otus Lens is in stock at B&H | Adorama | WEX

Rent the Zeiss 100mm f/1.4 Otus Lens from Lensrentals.

(Note that one of the standard product images will be incorrectly sized until the cache clears.)

From Adobe:

Achieves 25 Percent Year-Over-Year Growth with Strong Creative, Adobe Document Cloud and Adobe Experience Cloud Revenue

SAN JOSE, Calif.–Adobe (Nasdaq:ADBE) today reported financial results for its second quarter fiscal year 2019 ended May 31, 2019.

Q2 FY2019 Financial Highlights

• Adobe achieved record quarterly revenue of $2.74 billion in its second quarter of fiscal year 2019, which represents 25 percent year-over-year growth. Diluted earnings per share was $1.29 on a GAAP-basis, and $1.83 on a non-GAAP basis.
• Digital Media segment revenue was $1.89 billion, which represents 22 percent year-over-year growth. Creative revenue grew to $1.59 billion and Document Cloud achieved revenue of $296 million. Digital Media Annualized Recurring Revenue (“ARR”) grew to $7.47 billion exiting the quarter, a quarter-over-quarter increase of $406 million. Creative ARR grew to $6.55 billion, and Document Cloud ARR grew to $921 million.
• Digital Experience segment revenue was $784 million, representing 34 percent year-over-year growth.
• GAAP operating income in the second quarter was $750 million, and non-GAAP operating income was $1.05 billion. GAAP net income was $633 million, and non-GAAP net income was $901 million.
• Cash flow from operations was $1.11 billion.
• Remaining Performance Obligation was $8.37 billion.
• Adobe repurchased approximately 2.5 million shares during the quarter.
• A reconciliation between GAAP and non-GAAP results is provided at the end of this press release and on Adobe’s website.

Executive Quotes

"Adobe's continued momentum is being fueled by the explosion of creativity across the globe and the widespread business transformation agenda to deliver engaging customer experiences," said Shantanu Narayen, president and CEO, Adobe. "With an innovative technology platform, exciting product roadmap and strong ecosystem of partners, we are well positioned for the second half of FY19 and beyond."

"Adobe delivered another record quarter in Q2," said John Murphy, executive vice president and CFO, Adobe. "Highlights include 25 percent year-over-year revenue growth, strong net new Digital Media ARR and operating cash flow of $1.11 billion."

Adobe Provides Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2019 Financial Targets

The following table summarizes Adobe’s third quarter fiscal year 2019 targets.

From Datacolor:

Lawrenceville, New Jersey, USA, June 18, 2019 - Datacolor, a global leader in color management solutions, announced the launch of two new product bundles for photographers to manage their color workflow: SpyderX Capture Pro and SpyderX Studio. Both include the recently launched SpyderX color calibrator for monitors – the most accurate, fastest (4X faster) and easiest-to-use Spyder, ever.

SpyderX Capture Pro provides all the essentials needed to precisely manage color from image capture through editing, and includes:

• Spyder LensCal - Calibrate cameras, lenses and DSLR components.
• Spyder Cube – Set white balance and RAW conversion.
• Spyder Checkr – Next-level camera color calibration.
• SpyderX Elite – Professional monitor calibration.

SpyderX Studio is the essential all-in-one photographic workflow solution for precision control from capture, to editing to print, and includes:

• Spyder Cube – Set white balance and RAW conversion.
• SpyderX Elite– Professional monitor calibration.
• Spyder Print – Printer profiling for any printer/ink/paper combination.

Datacolor is kicking off the launch of these two products with a special 20% savings introductory offer. From June 18 through July 14, 2019, you can purchase the SpyderX Capture Pro for $319.99 (reg. $399.99) or the SpyderX Capture Pro for $399.99 (reg. $499.99).

B&H has the SpyderX Capture Pro and SpyderX Studio available for preorder.

In this video, Canon explains some several of the benefits of the new RF mount and lens element coatings. Learn more about the RF Mount here.

Preorders for the new Sony super-telephoto lenses are now being accepted.

The Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens is available for preorder at: B&H | Adorama | Amazon

The Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS Lens is available for preorder at: B&H | Adorama | Amazon

From the B&H YouTube Channel:

In this second video in the Audio for Video series, AB discusses ways to choose the best mic for the type of content you’re recording. He discusses pickup patterns, lavalier and shotgun mics, mic placement, and more. If you want to know how to use the right mic to capture audio for different video applications effectively, this is a great resource.

B&H carries audio recording gear, including a wide range of microphones.

Image quality test results have been added to the Zeiss 100mm f/1.4 Otus Lens page.

Simply. Outstanding. Meet the definition of sharp.

If you can make a 100mm manual focus lens work for your application, you want this lens.

Zeiss 100mm f/1.4 Otus compared to Nikon 105mm f/1.4E ED AF-S NIKKOR Lens
Zeiss 100mm f/1.4 Otus compared to Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens
Zeiss 100mm f/1.4 Otus compared to Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4 Lens
Zeiss 100mm f/1.4 Otus compared to Zeiss Milvus 100mm f/2M Lens

The Zeiss 100mm f/1.4 Otus Lens is in stock at B&H | Adorama | WEX

Rent the Zeiss 100mm f/1.4 Otus Lens from Lensrentals.

In this video, photographer Daniel Norton demonstrates how using subtle color filters can take your beauty portraits to the next level.

Adorama carries the Rosco 12x12" Beauty Filter Kit.

From Sony:

A new native full-frame Sony 200-600mm super-telephoto zoom with Optical SteadyShot (OSS) brings a powerful and versatile new option to Sony Alpha mirrorless shooters. The new lens expands the Sony native mirrorless full-frame lens lineup and is set to be a favorite for sports and wildlife photographers as well as other photographers looking for the extra reach of a true super-telephoto zoom.

SAN DIEGO — June 11, 2019 — Sony Electronics Inc. today announced another new lens for their expanding full-frame FE lens lineup, the new FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS super-telephoto zoom lens (model SEL200600G).

Sony’s furthest reaching E-mount zoom, the new G Lens™ series model utilizes many of the company’s most advanced lens design technologies to ensure excellent image quality, high-performance autofocus (AF) and outstanding control. When paired with any of the latest, fast Sony E-mount camera bodies, it will reliably track and accurately capture all types of moving subjects, including birds, wildlife, athletes in motion and much more.

“We will continue to innovate and expand upon our E-mount lens lineup, which now features 33 full-frame models and 51 lenses in total. The new 200-600mm super-telephoto zoom lens gives Sony’s camera users yet another powerful tool to realize their vision,” said Neal Manowitz, deputy president for Imaging and Professional Solutions Americas at Sony Electronics. “For wildlife or bird photographers, sports photography enthusiasts and many others, it offers a new level of creative freedom, striking the ultimate balance between performance and portability.”

Key Features – New FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS Super-Telephoto Zoom Lens

Extended reach with built-in stabilization

Versatile tele-zoom range from 200mm telephoto to 600mm super-telephoto

Compatible with Sony’s E-mount 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters, extending the reach to a maximum of 840mm at f/9 or 1200mm at f/13 with outstanding image quality and AF performance

Built-in optical stabilization with three different mode settings, enabling images that are sharp and in-focus at extended super-telephoto focal lengths

High resolution and corner-to-corner sharpness throughout the entire zoom range

Five extra-low dispersion (ED) glass elements and an aspherical element, arranged in a new optical design that minimizes chromatic aberration

11-blade circular aperture mechanism that ensures beautiful bokeh

Coated with Sony’s original Nano AR coating to suppress unwanted reflections, glare or ghosting in images

Fast, precise & quiet autofocus (1)

Equipped with Sony’s Direct Drive SSM (DDSSM) focusing system, which has the power and precision needed to drive the lens mechanism for remarkably fast, accurate focusing

Advanced focus system for exceptionally quiet operation, avoiding any unwanted noise that can disrupt an unpredictable subject like a resting bird or other forms of wildlife

Internal zoom mechanism for reliable & stable handheld shooting

Overall lens length does not change while zooming, maintaining consistent balance and distance between the front of the lens and desired shooting subject

A fixed-length structure – internal zoom mechanism – retains high resistance to dust and moisture in order to deal with difficult outdoor conditions

Quick zoom operation with light zoom ring torque

Refined control & reliability for use in the field

Focus ring featuring Linear Response MF for fine, responsive manual focus control

Three customizable focus-hold buttons, plus a Focus Range Limiter

Dust and moisture resistant design (2) and fluorine coating on the front element to resist dirt and fingerprints

Pricing & Availability

The FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS will ship in August 2019 for approximately $2,000 US and $2,600 CA. It will be sold at a variety of Sony’s authorized dealers throughout North America.

Notes:

When the NEX series, ILCE-3000/3500, ILCE-5000/5100, ILCE-7/7R/7S, is attached, the autofocus function is limited. For details, please visit our support site.

Not guaranteed to be 100% dust and moisture proof

 
The Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens is available for preorder starting at 11am ET, Thu Jun 13 (be sure to support us by using our links if making this lens part of your kit!): B&H | Adorama

From Sony:

Sony introduces the new 600mm f/4 G Master lens, further expanding the Sony native mirrorless lens line which are designed from the ground up for Sony Alpha mirrorless cameras. Matched with the Sony a9, the new lens is poised to become a mainstay of professional sports and wildlife photographers.

SAN DIEGO — June 11, 2019 — Sony Electronics Inc. today announced another impressive addition to its flagship full-frame G Master™ series lens lineup: the new FE 600mm F4 GM OSS super-telephoto prime lens (model SEL600F40GM).

As Sony’s longest reaching prime lens, the new 600mm includes many of the company’s most advanced optical and mechanical technologies, producing exceptional image quality with extraordinary focusing speed and precision. The FE 600mm F4 GM OSS is also the lightest lens in its class (1), weighing in at approx. 6.71 lbs., and features an extremely balanced design to ensure the best possible shooting experience. Along with the acclaimed FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS lens, the new 600mm lens gives professional sports, wildlife and news photographers more options for capturing subjects at a great distances with extreme accuracy and detail.

“With two new lenses announced today, our growing E-mount lens lineup now includes 33 full-frame models and 51 lenses in total,” said Neal Manowitz, deputy president for Imaging and Professional Solutions Americas at Sony Electronics. “The tenth model from our flagship G Master series, the new 600mm F4 raises the bar for speed, mobility and control in a super-telephoto prime lens. Combining the extensive 600mm reach with features like 20 fps shooting and AF/AE calculations at 60 times per second on the a9 or extremely high resolution, high-speed performance on the a7R III allow professional photographers to create images that were simply not possible to capture before.”

Fast, Precise & Quiet Autofocus (2)

To take best advantage of the highly evolved autofocus systems of Sony’s latest full-frame E-mount cameras, the new FE 600mm F4 GM OSS lens features two extreme dynamic (XD) linear motors that drive the lens’ focus group to provide fast, precise AF and reliable subject tracking. These motors are supported by specially developed motion algorithms to minimize lag and instability, as well as to control noise levels, resulting in exceptionally quick, accurate and quiet autofocus performance, allowing the lens to capture dynamic, fast moving athletes or wildlife with ease.

Superb G Master Image Quality & Bokeh

As a member of Sony’s flagship G Master series lenses, this new large-aperture super-telephoto prime lens features an incredible level of image quality and detail, with outstanding contrast and resolution maintained all the way to the corners of the image. The unique optical design includes a large extreme aspherical (XA) element that effectively suppress all common telephoto lens aberrations, in addition to three fluorite elements that help to minimize chromatic aberration and suppress any amount of color bleeding. Sony's latest bokeh simulation technologies and XA element are also utilized to control spherical aberration and help achieve exquisite bokeh.

The lens features an 11-blade circular aperture mechanism that contributes to the high quality of bokeh in images, and it has been coated with Sony’s original Nano AR coating to suppress any unwanted reflections, glare or ghosting in images.

The new FE 600mm F4 GM OSS is compatible with Sony’s 1.4x and 2.0x E-mount tele-converters, producing outstanding imaging performance at extended focal lengths (3) while maintaining fast, precise AF performance.

Lightweight, Balanced Design

The new super-telephoto prime lens provides a level of portability and maneuverability that has never been achieved before in a lens of its class. Based on technology from the acclaimed FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS lens, the lightweight design of the new 600mm lens is achieved through the usage of three fluorite elements, with a reduced number of elements deployed at the front of the barrel. Magnesium alloy is also used throughout the lens to help minimize weight and bulk.

Also inherited from FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS, the new 600mm lens features a lens design that is not front-heavy, reducing moment of inertia that resists rotation and ensuring quicker, more precise panning when shooting handheld or on a monopod.

Durability, Reliability & Control

To withstand the harsh conditions of sporting events and wildlife photography, the new Sony FE 600mm F4 GM OSS is built with a durable magnesium alloy and a strong, lightweight carbon fiber hood. The lens is dust and moisture resistant (4), and its front element is coated with fluorine to resist dirt and fingerprints.

FE 600mm F4 GM OSS features an ample number of hard controls on the lens, including customizable focus-hold buttons in four different locations on the lens barrel, which can be programmed for control of features, if desired. There is also a Full-Time DMF switch to immediately engage manual focus at any point, and a focus ring that features Linear Response MF for fine, responsive manual focus.

Additionally, the new lens includes built-in optical stabilization for dynamic action and three different ‘Mode’ settings, including a Mode 3 setting (5) with an advanced algorithm that ensures easier framing when following moving subjects. It also features a function ring with selectable ‘Preset’ and ‘Function’ settings, and a drop-in filter slot that accepts ø 40.5mm ND and other filter types, as well as the optional VF-DCPL1 Drop-in Circular Polarizing Filter. The VF-DCPL1 filter can be rotated to achieve the desired polarization while installed in the lens.

Pricing & Availability

The FE 600mm F4 GM OSS will ship in August 2019 for approximately $13,000 US and $16,900 CA. It will be sold at a variety of Sony’s authorized dealers throughout North America.

Notes:

1. Compared to interchangeable 600mm F4 lenses for 35mm full-frame format camera bodies, as of June 2019. Sony survey

2. When the NEX series, ILCE-3000/3500, ILCE-5000/5100, ILCE-7/7R/7S, is attached, the autofocus function is limited. For details, please visit our support site.

3. Maximum aperture with the 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters is F5.6 and F8, respectively

4. Not guaranteed to be 100% dust and moisture proof

5. MODE 3 is supported by the latest a9/a7R III/a7 III software version. Refer to the Sony support site for camera body compatibility information

 
The Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS Lens is available for preorder starting at 11am ET, Thu Jun 13 (be sure to support us by using our links if making this lens part of your kit!): B&H | Adorama

Just posted: Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM Lens Review.

This lens is a great addition to any Sony kit. Or, a reason to get a Sony kit for some.

The Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM Lens is available for order at B&H | Adorama | Amazon USA | WEX

Rent the Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM Lens from Lensrentals.