Canon and Sony News for Jan 2022 (Page 2)
Noise test results are now available on the Sony Alpha 7 IV page.
Create some comparisons. I'll get you started:
Sony Alpha 7 IV vs. Sony Alpha 7 III noise comparison.
Already a best seller, the Sony Alpha 7 IV is in stock at B&H | Adorama | Amazon | WEX.
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Put this on your calendar: Canon has scheduled a Cinema EOS product announcement for January 19th, 2022 at 7:00 AM EST.
Just posted: Canon RF 5.2mm F2.8 L Dual Fisheye Lens Review.
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I spent most of a day trying to stay far enough away from this buck to keep it in the frame. What a great problem to deal with.
Finding the ideal clearings in the woods was an even more significant challenge. Foreground obstructions, background distractions, and mottled light problems were high on the day's list of photography challenges.
Challenge reducing was the impressive performance of the Canon EOS R3 and RF 600mm F4 L IS USM Lens, immediately snapping focus on the eye I was looking at, capturing the ideal moments in time. Being able to position a focus point anywhere in the entire frame instantly is incredible.
This buck was in the woods, and the woods are full of distracting lines. As is often the case, the Canon RF 600mm F4 L IS USM Lens blurred the background distractions away. Few lenses, primarily only the 400 f/2.8 and 800mm f/5.6 options, can compete with 600mm f/4 background blur.
As mentioned, foreground obstructions were on the challenge list this day, and a downside to using the 600mm focal length in the woods is finding a clear path to the subject. The key is to predict where the animal will go (or where you most want it to go) and be in position when it arrives.
We typically want wildlife subjects to appear large. Especially when photographing whitetail deer, I frequently shoot from close to the ground as long as the surroundings provide a good line of sight. This camera position increases the likelihood of a catchlight in the animal's eye, adding life to the animal.
A larger version of this image is available here.
ISO 500
4352 x 6000px
Image quality test results from the Sony FE 135mm F1.8 GM Lens are available on the Sony Alpha 7 IV page.
FE 135mm test results from the Sony Alpha 1, Sony Alpha a7R IV, and Sony Alpha a7R III are available for direct comparison. Additionally, many cameras have been tested with the Canon EF 200mm f/2L IS USM Lens, making the Sony Alpha 7 IV vs. Sony Alpha 7 III comparison available. That comparison shows the IV's significant resolution increase.
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The Sony a7 IV is here, and it is time to set up this camera for use. Following are the 34 steps I took to make an out-of-the-box a7 IV ready for use.
- Charge battery
- Record serial number and add camera to insurance policy
- Download and install Capture One (for Sony) and/or Sony Imaging Edge (unless your current favorite RAW image processing software supports this camera)
- Insert charged battery, and power on the camera
- Set the time zone, date, time, timeformat
- insert memory card(s)
- Select M mode, press "Menu", and configure the camera as follows:
- Shooting Menu, 1 Image Quality: Image Quality Settings: File Format: RAW, RAW File Type: Lossless Comp (full image quality, reduced file size)
- Shooting Menu, 1 Image Quality: Long Exposure NR: Off (I'll enable this option for very long exposures)
- Shooting Menu, 1 Image Quality: Lens Compensation: Shading, Chromatic Aberration, and Distortion Comp: All Off (I use the RAW processing software to enable any lens compensation, with CA correction frequently selected)
- Shooting Menu, 2 Media: Format (ensure there are no important files on the card(s) prior to formatting)
- Shooting Menu, 3 File: Copyright Info: Write Copyright Info: On, Set Photographer: [your name], Set Copyright: [as desired], Write Serial Number: On (note: entering this information on the touchscreen may be a painful process)
- Shooting Menu, 6 Drive Mode: Bracket Settings: Bracket order: ->0>+ (considerably enhances image selection for HDR processing)
- Shooting Menu, 7 Shutter/Silent: Release w/o Lens: Disable
- Shooting Menu, 7 Shutter/Silent: Release w/o Card: Disable (why is this not the default?)
- Shooting Menu, 10 Shooting Display: Grid Line Display: On (Rule of Thirds selected)
- Exposure/Color Menu, 6 Color/Tone: D-Range Optimizer: Off
- Exposure/Color Menu, 6 Color/Tone: Creative Look: NT (Neutral), Sharpness = 1 (this setting provides a lower contrast histogram. I usually process with the Natural creative style in Capture One)
- Focus Menu, 1 AF/MF: Priority Set in AF-S: AF
- Focus Menu, 1 AF/MF: Priority Set in AF-C: AF
- Focus Menu, 2 Focus Area: Focus Area: Spot: S
- Focus Menu, 2 Switch V/H AF Area: AF Point Only
- Focus Menu, 3 Face/Eye AF: Face/Eye Frame Disp: On
- Focus Menu, 5 Peaking Display: On
- Playback Menu, 4 Delete: "Delete" first
- Playback Menu, 7 Playback Option: Display Rotation: Off (image fills LCD)
- Network Menu: 7 Network Menu: Airplane Mode: On
- Setup Menu: 3 Operation Customize: DISP (Screen Disp) Set: Monitor: Uncheck For viewfinder, press [enter]
- Setup Menu: 4 Custom Key/Dial Set.: Front Dial: Av/Tv (Tv in M mode) (I adjust the shutter speed more frequently and urgently than aperture and the front dial is easier to access quickly); Rear Dial: Av/Tv (Av in M mode); Rear Control Wheel: Av/Tv (Av in M mode)
- Setup Menu: 5 Touch Operations: Touch Panel/Pad: Both Valid
- Setup Menu: 5 Touch Operations: Touch Pad Settings: Touch Position Mode: Relative Position, Operation Area: Whole Screen
- Setup Menu: 10 Sound Option: Audio signals: Off (how to turn off the loud and usually-annoying AF beep sound)
- My Menu: Format; Shutter Type; Steady Shot; Face/Eye Subject; Anti-flicker Set.; Flash Comp.
- With a lens mounted and a subject in focus, adjust the viewfinder diopter until the scene is sharp
I make additional menu and other setting changes based on current shooting scenarios, but this list covers my initial camera setup process.
To copy this configuration means you intend to shoot as I do - including in RAW-only format. While this setup works great for me, you should adjust your setup as needed.
If you can't remember your menu setup parameters, keeping an up-to-date list such as this one is a great idea. Anytime your camera is reset to factory state for some reason, such as when being serviced or when acquiring an additional camera, you will be ready to create your setup quickly while ensuring that an important setting is not omitted. If you purchase another same or similar camera, you will be able to set it up quickly. Consider saving the camera settings to a card (Tools menu, tab 2, Save/Load Settings on card) for an easy restore.
More Information
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"Learn how filmmaker Alexander Hankoff uses the Canon RF5.2mm F2.8 L Dual Fisheye Lens to explore new opportunities for storytelling."
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From Canon USA:
A Real “Together” Experience Canon Enters The Virtual Reality Platform Software Market By Introducing An Interactive VR Experience With Immersive Calling
Introducing The Kokomo Software By Canon, A First-Of-Its-Kind VR Platform Software for the Company, Currently Being Developed by Canon1
MELVILLE, NY, January 4, 2022 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today showcases a first of its kind immersive virtual reality experience, the Kokomo Software by Canon. Kokomo is a software platform (currently in development1) designed to change human communication by combining virtual reality with an immersive calling experience.
This innovative software is being designed to provide users with a way to meet friends and family virtually “in-person” by using a compatible Canon camera, a VR headset and a compatible smart phone. Kokomo will allow users to see and hear one another in real time with their live appearance and expression, in a photo-real environment, while experiencing a premium virtual reality setting in captivating locations like Malibu, New York, or Hawaii.
The app uses Canon cameras and imaging technology to create realistic representations of users, so calls feel like you are interacting face-to-face, rather than through a screen or an avatar. This creates a Real “Together” Experience.
“With Kokomo we’re tapping into Canon’s innovative spirit and heritage of high-quality imaging to enable people to have real, authentic interactions when they get together in VR. Every ImmersiveCall should be a memorable experience,” said Kazuto "Kevin" Ogawa, president and CEO, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “Kokomo will enable people to create memorable, meaningful connections.” CES® attendees will be amongst the first to try out the Kokomo software (currently in development) by Canon during the ImmersiveCall demonstration which will feature the Canon RF 5.2mm F2.8 L Dual Fisheye Lens. Kokomo will be available in 2022 and the company plans to add new destinations, functionalities, and features to the Kokomo app, along with expanded compatibility with Canon cameras1.
1 Not an offer for sale. Canon U.S.A. is currently developing the Kokomo software by Canon. Please note that Kokomo is not available for sale or use in the U.S. or elsewhere. Specifications and features may change and no assurances can be given that this software, in the current or any other form, will be made available for sale or use in the U.S. or elsewhere.
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