Canon and Sony News for Jun 2012 (Page 3)

From Gitzo:

Gitzo introduces the new Ocean Tripods Collection.

Gitzo’s new Ocean tripods are designed to give outstanding levels of strength and stability in some of the world’s most problematic locations for photographers. Gitzo Ocean tripods are resistant to the corrosive power of seawater, humidity and other aggressive natural environments, thanks to carefully-selected raw materials and finishes, and to engineering solutions like sealed leg-locks that prevent mud, sand and dust from entering and gradually wearing away at the tripod’s mechanisms.

Ocean tripods are ideal for supporting high-end, heavy camera equipment in wildlife, landscape, travel and sports image-making where reliability is essential and the right equipment can make the difference between the success and failure of an entire shoot in a far-flung, inhospitable location. Precisely because of their extreme specialisation and exacting engineering, the new Ocean tripods are of strategic importance within the Gitzo range.

The Ocean family comprises four models, covering Gitzo’s Series 1, 2, 3 and 5. The larger Series 2, 3 & 5 models are designed around Gitzo’s recently relaunched (and already award-winning) modular Systematic shoulder element that allows centre components to be interchanged. The Series 1 model, instead uses the latest evolution of the Gitzo Traveler structure, with a shoulder that allows the legs to flip 180° for an extremely compact folded length ideal when baggage needs to be kept to a minimum. All Ocean tripods have leg tubes made exclusively from Gitzo’s top quality 6X carbon fibre. Shoulder elements throughout are made from corrosion-proof aluminium.

Benefits of the new Ocean Systematic tripods for photographers:

DURABLE AND EASY TO MAINTAIN

The specially designed and engineered Ocean G-lock collars prevent sand, dust and mud from entering the leg tubes. Any water that gets inside the legs is expelled by the tube sections, which act as an air cushion.

FAST TO SET UP

Switching centre components is made quicker by the new shoulder locking system, with its tool-free ratchet lever.

SECURE AND DEPENDABLE

You can’t drop your equipment from the tripod thanks to the safety catch even when you inadvertently leave the shoulder lock open.

RESISTANT IN EXTREME ENVIRONMENTS

You can use your Ocean tripod in aggressive environments, in salt water, mud or areas of high humidity, thanks to our careful choice of corrosion-resistant materials and protective finishes.

For more information, visit Gitzo's website.

B&H carries Gitzo products.

Digital Photo Professional 3.11.31 Updater is now available for download. (thanks Scott)

Changes for Digital Photo Professional 3.11.31 Updater for Windows:

• Supports images taken with EOS Kiss X6i / EOS REBEL T4i / EOS 650D, EOS 60Da.
• Supports new lens (EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS STM).
• Fixed a phenomenon where the camera's serial number that is displayed in the shooting information of the image is not displayed correctly for some of the EOS 60D.
• Fixed a phenomenon where the buttons for HDR tool cannot be displayed under specific settings of the display.
• Fixed a phenomenon where check mark or rating that is set using Quick Check Tool may not be displayed correctly.

First up is the Nikon 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX VR Nikkor Lens that has now been formally announced. This lens was first revealed on Nikon UK's website on March 26, 2012: press release.

Next up is the inexpensive full frame Nikon 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED AF-S VR Nikkor Lens: press release.

Nikon USA has issued a combined lens press release.

Preorder ops are available on the Nikon 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX VR Nikkor Lens Review and Nikon 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED AF-S VR Nikkor Lens Review placeholder pages.

The 70 Millionth Nikon Nikkor Lens has also been announced.

ISO 12233 Resolution Chart sample crops have been added to the Canon EF 500mm f/4.0 L IS II USM Lens Review and the Canon EF 600mm f/4.0 L IS II USM Lens Review pages.

Not surprising is that both lenses turn in very impressive results. Comparisons with the older versions of both lenses are available. The 600 L II + 1.4x III compared to the 800 L is interesting.

As with most families, the Canon Big White L Lens family should have its picture taken regularly. Here is the latest:

With Hoods | Without Hoods

You are welcome to use these images as your wallpaper. Might want to have a stack of napkins handy for that drool issue.

Standard Big Lens Images have been added to the following review placeholder pages:

Canon EF 500mm f/4.0 L IS II USM Lens Review
Canon EF 600mm f/4.0 L IS II USM Lens Review

A direct link to the standard images tool with these two super telephoto lenses preloaded is here.

Special thanks to Adorama for getting me two of the first of these lenses available in the USA.

I intended to have this information available for you on Friday, but ... sometimes your plans get changed for you (my apologies). I have added UK press releases, product images (including comparisons) and comparison charts to the following review placeholder pages:

Canon EOS Rebel T4i / 650D Review
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens Review
Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM Pancake Lens Review

From Canon USA:

CANON U.S.A. EXHIBITS A FULL LINE OF INPUT AND OUTPUT PROFESSIONAL IMAGING PRODUCTS AT INFOCOMM 2012

LAS VEGAS, June 12, 2012 – Helping to enhance the workflow of audiovisual professionals while delivering high-quality results, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, will showcase its innovative product line of both input and output solutions including the recently introduced REALiS Pro AV Series LCOS and portable LV-Series projectors at InfoComm 2012, June 13-15, booth # C6334 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Canon products on display at InfoComm 2012 will include:

REALiS Pro AV Series LCOS Projectors

Designed to provide exceptional display performance for large conference rooms, small theaters, and other long-throw venues with relatively high ambient light levels, Canon’s REALiS SX6000 and REALiS WX6000 projectors integrate new, advanced LCOS display panels with an improved pixel-spacing aperture ratio of 96 percent for seamless imagery and exceptional detail. The REALiS SX6000 delivers 6000 lumens of brightness at SXGA+ (1400 x 1050) resolution and an aspect ratio of 4:3, while the REALiS WX6000 delivers 5700 lumens of brightness at WXGA+ (1440 x 900) resolution and an aspect ratio of 16:10.

The REALiS WUX5000 and REALiS WUX4000 Pro AV Series LCOS projectors will also be on display showcasing their WUXGA-resolution (1920 x 1200). These projectors – and the new REALiS SX6000 and REALiS WX6000 – offer a choice of three Genuine Canon projection lens options, ample computer and video inputs (including HDMI Version 1.3 and DVI), a built-in Six-Axis Color-Correction IC and 3D Color LUT (look-up table) for superb color-reproduction accuracy.

REALiS Pro AV Series Portable LCOS Projectors

Designed for classrooms, conference rooms, and similar environments, Canon’s line of REALiS portable multimedia projectors feature Canon AISYS-enhanced LCOS display technology for the display of video and still images with intricate detail, high brightness, and accurate color. Displayed at this year’s show will be the WUXGA resolution REALiS WUX10 Mark II and SXGA+ resolution REALiS SX80 Mark II models, as well as the SXGA+ resolution REALiS SX7 Mark II projector with a high brightness rating of 4000 lumens and support of both Adobe RGB and sRGB color spaces.

Canon LV-Series Portable Multimedia Projectors

Cost-effective and feature-packed, Canon’s line of portable LCD projectors will also be shown at InfoComm 2012, including the new LV-8227A, LV-7392A, LV-7297M, and LV-7292M models. All feature convenient Auto Set-Up functions, a variety of Image Modes to suit varied presentation needs, and long lamp and filter life.

Also on display will be the Canon LV-8235 Ultra-Short Throw (UST) model, which is capable of projecting an 80-inch picture from a distance of only 1.05 ft. This projector can sit on a table or be mounted horizontally or vertically on a wall, ceiling or floor for a variety of display applications, including educational presentations, advertising/digital signage, or museum/arcade rear-projection screens.

Cinema EOS Cameras

Designed for high-end digital filmmaking and HD television production, the Canon Cinema EOS C300 digital cinema camera employs Canon’s unique Super 35mm, 8.3 megapixel CMOS sensor, revolutionary DIGIC DV III Image Processor, and MPEG-2 4:2:2 50Mbps XF codec to deliver exceptional dynamic range and exposure latitude. Part of Canon’s Cinema EOS system, the highly mobile Cinema EOS C300 is designed to be used with Canon’s wide array of Cinema-EF, EF, EF-S, or – for the C300PL camera version – PL-mount cine lenses. The Canon Cinema EOS C300 and EOS C300PL cameras provide filmmakers, universities and corporations with a class-leading professional tool for producing first-class HD video content in the studio or on location.

Canon EOS Digital HD SLR Cameras

Of interest to a wide variety of corporate and institutional HD videographers, filmmakers, and professional photographers is Canon’s line of EOS digital SLR cameras. Canon’s InfoComm display will showcase the EOS 5D Mark III, EOS 7D, and EOS 60D, all of which combine the ultimate in still-imaging quality with full 1080p HD video capture. Compatible with more than 60 Canon lenses as well as with EOS System accessories, these cameras offer unprecedented content-creation opportunities.

HD Pan-Tilt-Zoom Cameras

Designed for use in houses of worship, schools, sports stadiums, concert halls, TV stations, and legislative chambers, Canon’s broadcast-quality remote-control robotic HD pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras are fully integrated, cost-effective systems. The compact Canon XU-80 features a water-resistant housing for either outdoor or indoor use. An alternate model, the XU-80W includes a wiper unit to maintain lens clarity and a servo neutral density (ND) filter unit to optimize picture quality for permanent outdoor installations. Both models are equipped with a 1/3-inch CMOS HD 2.1 megapixel imaging sensor and a Genuine Canon 20x zoom lens with additional 12x digital zoom.

The Canon BU-46H and BU-51H are larger models designed for outdoor and indoor use, respectively, and feature a Genuine Canon 20x HD zoom lens with a 2X digital extender. The BU-46H and BU-51H are equipped with three 1/3-inch (1.67 million-pixel) CCD sensors and also feature an advanced Canon Auto Focus function and Canon’s sophisticated Image Stabilizer technology. All four of Canon’s HD PTZ cameras use a non-proprietary control protocol enabling users and system integrators to interface the cameras with a variety of control systems from major third-party providers. The XU-80, XU-80W, BU-46H, and BU-51H also include genlock input for broadcast video-system synchronization, HD-SDI outputs for HD recording, and a simultaneous analog composite output (NTSC or PAL) for monitoring.

Canon XF-Series Professional File-Based HD Camcorders

Canon’s XF Series of professional file-based HD camcorders feature Genuine Canon HD zoom lenses, advanced Canon 1920 x 1080 Canon CMOS image sensors, Canon’s MPEG-2 4:2:2 50Mbps XF codec for exceptional HD image quality and color detail, and Compact Flash (CF) card recording (with hot-swappable card slots) for edit system compatibility and efficient workflow. The XF305 and XF300 HD camcorders include a 18x HD L-series zoom lens; the smaller Canon XF105 and XF100 feature a 10x HD zoom lens and Canon’s built-in infrared low-light feature to shoot HD video in complete darkness. All models include XLR microphone inputs.

Megapixel IP Video Security Cameras

Canon’s megapixel IP security cameras include the VB-M40 PTZ camera, VB-M600VE fixed vandal-resistant outdoor network dome camera, VB-M600D fixed network dome camera, and the VB-M700F fixed “box” style camera. All feature Genuine Canon optics, a 1/3-inch 1.3 megapixel CMOS image sensor, Canon DIGIC NET image processor, and simultaneous transmission of high-quality video up to 1280x960/30 fps in bandwidth-saving H.264 and Motion-JPEG. A built-in Web Viewer allows for remote video monitoring by authorized users on any web browser, including “smart phone” web browsers or leading third-party applications. In addition, the models VB-M600VE and VB-M600D feature a unique Remote Adjustment Function to adjust the pan, tilt, rotation, zoom, and focus settings of these fixed cameras from any Internet-connected PC at any time.

Canon USA has updated the EOS 1D X / 5D III AF System Guidebook "... for clarity and enhanced description of the cameras' AF systems ..."

From Nikon Europe:

How to avoid RAW file support problems with Nikon software

When RAW images captured with a Nikon digital SLR camera are transferred to a computer, viewed, or edited with an earlier version of Nikon software that does not support RAW images captured with the camera used, some RAW image data may be corrupted and handled incorrectly by the software.

To transfer RAW images captured with a Nikon digital SLR camera to a computer, view the images, or edit them with Nikon software, please be sure that you are using the latest version of that software.

For example, if you are using a version of ViewNX (Ver. 1.x) or Nikon Transfer (Ver. 1.x) that does not support RAW images captured with your camera, please uninstall the software. To transfer image data, use the most recent version of Nikon Transfer 2 (included with ViewNX 2) that supports RAW images captured with your camera.

Use the CD containing Nikon software that supports RAW images captured with your camera supplied with purchase of your camera to install the software, or you may download the latest version of software compatible with your camera from this website and install it on your computer.

Canon has made the Canon EOS-1D X Owner's Manual available for download.

I don't track owner's manual page counts, but this might be a new record. (thanks Niklas)

Apple has released Aperture 3.3

What's New in Version 3.3

• New unified photo library for both iPhoto (v 9.3 or later) and Aperture; no import/export required; Faces, Places, slideshows, albums and web sharing work across both applications
• Support for AVCHD video has been added
• Aperture now lets you use camera-generated previews for faster browsing of RAW files immediately after import
• Highlights & Shadows tool has been updated to deliver higher-quality results and work with extended range data
• A new Auto Enhance button has been added to the Adjustments panel
• White Balance tool now includes Skin Tone and Natural Gray modes to simplify color balance
• Auto button has been added to the White Balance tool for one-click color balancing
• Set Desktop command has been added to Share menu so you can set a desktop background from within Aperture
• A new Manual option allows you to drag and drop projects to customize sort order in the Projects view
• New preference allows you to set the background brightness of the full screen browser
• Facebook, Flickr, and MobileMe albums are now displayed as thumbnails in the main window when accounts are selected in the source list
• Minor terminology changes, including "Original" instead of "Master" and "Info" instead of "Metadata"
• Source list includes a new "Recent" section, showing Last Import and recently-viewed projects
• Raw Fine Tuning is no longer displayed in the Adjustments panel by default
• Faces can now be named by dragging them from the Unnamed Faces browser to existing snapshots on the corkboard
• The Faces corkboard now includes a menu that allows you to set the order of face snapshots
• Newly designed monochrome source list and toolbar icons
• Addresses numerous issues related to overall performance and stability

From Canon, Inc.:

Canon to manufacture digital cameras in Brazil through establishment of Canon Indústria de Manaus

TOKYO, June 11, 2012—Canon Inc. today announced plans to launch digital camera production in Brazil through the establishment of Canon Indústria de Manaus Ltda., located in the state of Amazonas.

Recently, the digital camera market has displayed steady growth, led by emerging countries. Brazil, in particular, has a large market with demand expected to increase, which has created a pressing need for a strategic product supply.

In response to these circumstances, Canon has newly established Canon Indústria de Manaus Ltda. in Amazonas state, Brazil.

Overview of New Company

1. Name: Canon Indústria de Manaus Ltda.

2. Location: Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil

3. Representative: Masanobu Hishinuma (President)

4. Business activities: Manufacture of digital cameras

5. No. of employees: Approx. 60 (tentative, as of the end of 2013)

6. Capital: 210 million yen (calculated at an exchange rate of BRL 1= JPY 39.5)

7. Equity structure: Canon Inc.: 99.99% / President Hishinuma: 0.01%

8. Establishment: May 2012

9. Total floor area: Approx. 1,800 sq. meters

10. Total investment: Approx. 110 million yen

11. Start of operations: July 2013 (tentative) Note: Canon also operates a business machine and digital camera marketing company in Brazil, Canon do Brasil Indústria e Comércio Ltda., which was established in November 1974.

Canon has announced a new DSLR and a pair of lenses - the review placeholder pages are up with a product image, USA press release link and preorder links (more to come in the morning):

Canon EOS Rebel T4i / 650D Digital SLR Camera Review
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens Review
Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM Pancake Lens Review

Read the press release for the complete information.

To preorder the new gear, use these links:

Canon EOS Rebel T4i:
B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon | Amazon.co.uk | Jessops

Canon EOS Rebel T4i and EF-S 18-55mm IS II Lens:
B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon | Amazon.co.uk | Jessops

Canon EOS Rebel T4i and EF-S 18-135mm IS STM Lens:
B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon | Amazon.co.uk | Jessops

Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM Pancake Lens:
B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon | Jessops

I'm not seeing Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens preorders available in the USA at this time. Amazon.co.uk is accepting prerders on this lens.

As I reported earlier this year, hard disk drive deals have practically dried up since the Thailand flooding. Now Computerworld is reporting that HDD prices are expected to remain high into 2014. Not good news for us heavy drive capacity users.

According to Computerworld, "Hard drive prices will remain high after massive monsoonal flooding last year knocked out manufacturing plants, and prices will not fall to pre-flood levels until 2014, a report released Wednesday stated."

Read the full article here.