Canon and Sony News for Sep 2020 (Page 2)

As promised, Canon has made Canon EOS R5 firmware update version 1.1.1 available for download, adding improvements for the RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM Lens.

Firmware Version 1.1.1 incorporates the following fixes and enhancements:

1. When the RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM lens is attached, an image stabilization effect of approximately six stops* is achieved through collaborative control with the in-lens image stabilization.
   *Focal length 500mm, Based on CIPA (Camera & Imaging Products Association) standards.
2. Fixes a phenomenon in which the IS capabilities may be degraded when performing continuous shooting in cases where the RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM lens is attached to the EOS R5 running firmware version 1.1.0.

A friend shared that B&H has notified customers on their R5 waitlist that this camera should ship by the end of October. If not already on that list, now is a good time to add your name.

From the "Interesting" department:

"Crews at the Department of Energy's SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have taken the first 3,200-megapixel digital photos—the largest ever taken in a single shot—with an extraordinary array of imaging sensors that will become the heart and soul of the future camera of Vera C. Rubin Observatory."

Learn more about this expensive camera here. (thanks Trent)

I recently shared an adapter modification that permitted Canon RF extenders to be used behind all (most?) Canon EF lenses — and Canon EF lens and EF extender combinations. The next idea was to push the overall focal length using double extenders.

The image shared with this article shows the following setup, from right to left, then down:

• Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM Lens
• Canon EF 2x III Extender
• modified Vello Auto Lens Adapter
• Canon RF 2x Extender
• Canon EOS R5 with BG-R10 Battery Grip
• Wimberley Lens Replacement Foot
• Wimberley WH-200-S Sidemount Head
• Robus RC-8860 Vantage Carbon Fiber Tripod

Doing the math:

600mm x 2 x 2 = 2400mm

That is an impressive focal length.

I originally inserted a Canon EF 12mm Extension Tube II behind the EF 2x, enabling a Canon EF 1.4x III Extender to be added to the optical path. That addition would have resulted in an awesome 3360mm lens, but the extension tube broke the electronic connection required for this lens to focus, even manually. The resulting combination was useless, aside from looking amazing.

Back to the 2400mm setup. The second equation this combination creates is considerably less exciting:

F/4 - 2 stops - 2 stops = f/16

The first equation results in an incredible number that is offset to some extent by the result of the second equation. Remarkable is that the EOS R5 focuses this combination very quickly in good light, avoiding focus hunting if the subject is not too significantly out of focus. Keeping a 2400mm lens still enough for sharp images remains a challenge, and with two 2x extenders in the optical path, this rig is not too sharp. Here is a 100% crop processed from a RAW image in Canon Digital Photo Professional (DPP) using the Standard Picture Style with Sharpness = "1" (0-10 scale).

On the fun side of the equation, the awkwardly-shaped 92.7% waning moon nearly fills the 2400mm frame. At this magnification, the thermal irregularities in Earth's atmosphere are apparent even in the viewfinder. And, the moon has to be tracked continuously to keep it centered in the frame (after the challenge of finding it in the frame has been met).

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From Sony:

Be ready for the announcement of the new concept Alpha.

September 14th, 18:00 PDT, September 15th, 10:00 JST / 01:00 UTC

The Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM Lens Review is mostly complete.

Like this lens at retailers, the lab test results are "Coming Soon". Some comparisons will be added at that time. I'm headed into the field with this lens and don't want to wait until I return to share the extensive information already available for this very impressive model.

Order the Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM Lens at B&H | Adorama | Amazon USA | WEX

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EOS R5 + Canon RF 100-500mm L IS Lens = Canon EOS 5Ds R + Canon EF 100-400mm L IS II Lens

The EOS R5's extended viewfinder rises modestly higher than the 5Ds R's viewfinder, but this increase is advantageous in use.

Let's change the RF vs. EF equation to weights:

In ounces: (26.0 + 48.2) - (32.8 + 56.1) = 74.2 - 88.9 = -14.7 oz

In grams: (738 + 1,365) - (930 + 1,590) = 2,103 - 2,520 = -417g

Overall, the RF lens and R camera combination gives us an additional 100mm of focal length range in a similar-sized package that weighs nearly a pound (over .4 kg) less.

Order the Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM Lens at B&H | Adorama | Amazon USA | WEX

Reviews
Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM Lens
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens
Canon EOS R5
Canon EOS 5Ds R

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From the didn't see that one coming department, Canon Australia shares:

Canon Australia closes online Canon Store to support local retail partners

1st September 2020

To our valued Canon consumers,

This notice is to inform you that Canon Australia will be ceasing the operation of its direct to consumer marketplace - Canon Store - for the foreseeable future, effective from 30 September 2020.

The Canon Store was launched in 2011 as an ecommerce platform designed to expand online shopping options for local consumers. Fast forward to 2020, the unprecedented challenges currently facing the Australian market has seen Canon Australia re-examine the best way to help consumers access our products, services and support. As a result, we are proudly streamlining our efforts in supporting local retailers to drive competition in the local market and bring you the best value product offers, promotions, services and experiences possible.

Key dates to note:

• Last orders: The Canon Store will stop taking product orders on 30 September 2020.
• Gift cards and vouchers: Active Canon Store gift cards and vouchers can be applied to purchases and used in conjunction with eligible offers on the Canon Store until 30 September 2020. Please contact Canon Australia via store@canon.com.au to discuss how you can redeem any non-expired gift cards or vouchers beyond this date.
• Promotional codes: Canon Store promotional code and discount offers are valid until 30 September 2020. Please contact Canon Australia via store@canon.com.au if you have questions about a current promo-code that may be affected. Canon Store codes will not be transferable to other retailers or offers.
• Products on backorder: Canon Store will no longer accept payment for products on backorder and will no longer add consumers to waitlists for out of stock product. Product purchases on backorder will continue to be filled for stock scheduled to arrive before 30 September 2020. Canon will directly contact consumers with orders scheduled to arrive after this date to arrange a refund or support via a local retailer.

Purchases made on the Canon Store prior to 30 September 2020 will still receive free shipping and will be covered by the Canon 14 Day Peace of Mind return policy. Canon Australia’s unique 5-year local warranty for Mirrorless, DSLR, Digital Video Camera & Lens products is unaffected by the Canon Store closure and will continue to be supported for purchases made at authorised Canon sellers.

If you have any questions, please contact us via store@canon.com.au. Or visit our Frequently Asked Questions page here.

Moving forward, Canon will continue to work with local retailers to bring hands-on product experiences and promotions to consumers. To stay up to date with the latest product offers, experiences and news, we encourage you to follow Canon Australia on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

We'd like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support over the years. We look forward to bringing you the best of our innovative products, services and imaging solutions in new ways and trust that you will benefit from our strengthened arrangement with local retailers.

Canon Australia

The Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM Lens Review page is a work in progress that includes much information about this exciting new lens. I'm sharing this update early primarily to provide an early look at the image quality this lens is delivering. We have not finished processing the lab image quality results (a very time consuming test), but scroll down to the image quality section of this review for an early look at this lens's performance.

My Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens is officially for sale. Update: has been sold.

Get in line ASAP — order the Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM Lens at B&H | Adorama | Amazon USA | WEX

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From Sony:

Sony Electronics Announces New LA-EA5 Lens Adaptor for A-Mount Lenses

New Adaptor Enables Advanced Autofocus Capabilities When Attaching A-mount Lenses to Latest E-mount Bodies

SAN DIEGO – September 1, 2020 – Today, Sony Electronics Inc. announced the new LA-EA5, a 35mm Full-frame A-mount lens adaptor that allows users to easily pair advanced E-mount camera bodiesi with A-mount lensesⁱ.

Using the new LA-EA5 A-mount adaptor, users can now access the acclaimed autofocus and high-speed shooting capabilities found in Sony’s latest E-mount camera bodiesi with A-mount SSM (Super Sonic wave Motor) and SAM (Smooth Autofocus Motor) lensesⁱⁱ, as well as A-mount lenses that do not have internal focus motors.

Full support is provided for focal plane phase-detection AFⁱⁱⁱ, wide-area focal phase-detection AFⁱⁱⁱ coverage, Real-time Eye AF for both humans and animals, Real-time Tracking and AF/AE^iv (auto exposure) tracking for SSM/SAM lenses on nine most recently introduced E-mount camerasⁱ at up to 11fps^v depending on the camera model. When used with the Alpha 7R IV^vi or Alpha 6600^vi, for the first time, these capabilities are possible with lenses that do not have internal focus motors, such as the Sonnar T* 135mm F1.8 ZA and Planar T* 85mm F1.4 ZA.

The LA-EA5 combines a compact design, featuring an aperture drive unit and a newly developed compact AF drive unit. To ensure comfortable operation when used on an E-mount camera body, the new adaptor’s diameter matches that of the A-mount, perfectly aligning with the edges of the mount. The LA-EA5 allows easy operation on full-frame E-mount bodies, even when a vertical grip is attached to the camera body.

Pricing and Availability

The LA-EA5 is available in October 2020 for a suggested retail price of $249.99 USD and $329.99 CAD.

Order the Sony LA-EA5 A-Mount to E-Mount Adapter at B&H.

Notes

ⁱ As of Sept. 2020, focal plane phase-detection AF is supported for SSM/SAM lenses on the Alpha 7 III, Alpha 7R III, Alpha 7R IV, Alpha 6100, Alpha 6400, Alpha 6600, Alpha 9, Alpha 9 II, and Alpha 7S III. Focal plane phase-detection is supported for lenses that do not have internal focus motors on the Alpha 7R IV and Alpha 6600.

ⁱⁱ STF lenses are manual focus only. Teleconverters are not supported.

ⁱⁱⁱ Autofocus is not available during movie recording.

^iv For AE tracking, the aperture is fixed for the first frame while shutter speed and ISO are used for exposure adjustment.

^v Maximum continuous shooting speed is 10 fps with the Alpha 7R IV, Alpha 9, and Alpha 9 II, and 11 fps with the Alpha 6600. Continuous shooting speed may change depending on the attached lens.

^vi The Alpha 7R IV must be updated to software V1.20 or later, and the Alpha 6600 must be updated to software V1.10 or later.