Canon and Sony News for Dec 2015 (Page 3)

by Sean Setters

Full disclosure: my extended family already celebrated Christmas this past weekend. We generally all make the long drive to my aunt's house to get together a week or two before Christmas so that actual Christmas day can be spent at home with immediate family.

As such, I thought I'd share my "Christmas Day Presents Opening" kit because, after photographing my family's event over the past few years, I've finally settled on a small kit that seems to work very well for the festive day.

Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark III (or EOS 5Ds / 5Ds R / 6D)

The Canon EOS 5D Mark III is an extremely versatile body that works well in just about any situation. The AF system is great, the full-frame camera offers a wider angle of view compared to using the same lens with a crop-sensor camera, and its high-ISO image quality allows me to grab ambient only shots when desired. As I'll explain later, a full-frame camera body isn't necessarily required, but it is certainly my preferred choice. I also like that the 5D III (and 5Ds/5Ds R) feature dual memory card slots. While capturing the fleeting moments of bliss and unbridled happiness that the day brings, having a backup set of images means that you're less likely to lose your precious memories because of a memory card malfunction or accidental deletion from the primary card.

Lens: Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art (or Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II / EF 35mm f/2 IS USM)

A lot of people prefer a general purpose zoom for these types of celebrations and events, and there are certainly advantages to having a versatile focal range available for use. However, I find a 35mm f/1.4 lens to provide an excellent balance between focal length and maximum aperture. The 35mm focal length is wide enough to you create a story with relatively loose framing, yet it's rarely too wide. It's also not too long so that photographing in smaller spaces/rooms becomes an issue.

The wide f/1.4 aperture allows you to separate your subject from the background while [in most cases] still getting a sense of what's actually taking place in the background. The wide aperture also allows you to utilize the ambient light while helping to freeze action (certainly a benefit when arms and hands are busy opening presents) without having to use your maximum ISO.

But just because you can shoot at f/1.4 doesn't mean that's going to be optimal for your needs (especially with the depth-of-field needs associated with keeping multiple subjects in focus). The next part of my kit allows me much more flexibility in choosing the right aperture/shutter speed/ISO those kinds of shots.

Flash: Canon Speedlite 580EX (or 600EX-RT / 430EX III-RT) with CTO Gel & Flashbender 2 (Small)

No matter how much ambient light there is, I always like to be able to push a little bit more light into the room in order to allow for the use of lower ISOs and/or faster shutter speeds or to simply change the quality of light in the scene.

In a presents-opening situation, I'm typically using a camera-mounted flash with its head pointed straight up toward the ceiling to create flattering, room-filling bounce flash. Attached to the flash I use either a full CTO or a 1/2 CTO gel so that the color of the flash more closely matches that of the room's ambient light (generally created by tungsten lamps and even the glow of Christmas lights).

Another tool I find helpful is the use of a Rogue Flashbender 2 (Small). I like the Flashbender 2 (Small) because it isn't unwieldy when attached to the flash and it pushes just enough light forward to mitigate dark eye shadows that can sometimes be caused by the primary light source coming from overhead.

And while the flash works great with a wide aperture prime lens and a full-frame camera, a flash can also enable the use of narrower aperture zooms (or primes) and/or cameras with pixel-dense sensors (i.e., crop-sensor cameras). In these cases, the flash will likely shift from augmenting the existing ambient light to being the predominate light source in the scene.

So that's the kit I used this past weekend and it worked very well for capturing a wide variety of shots throughout the day. Do you have any other suggestions or recommendations? Let us know in the comments.

Want your package in time to put under the Christmas tree? You'll need to order before the cutoff date determined by your preferred shipping method.

B&H's holiday shipping cutoff schedule can be found below.

From the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA):

December 14, 2015 – Washington, DC – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced a streamlined and user-friendly web-based aircraft registration process for owners of small unmanned aircraft (UAS) weighing more than 0.55 pounds (250 grams) and less than 55 pounds (approx. 25 kilograms) including payloads such as on-board cameras.

The Registration Task Force delivered recommendations to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta and Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx on November 21. The rule incorporates many of the task force recommendations.

“Make no mistake: unmanned aircraft enthusiast are aviators, and with that title comes a great deal of responsibility,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “Registration gives us an opportunity to work with these users to operate their unmanned aircraft safely. I’m excited to welcome these new aviators into the culture of safety and responsibility that defines American innovation.”

Registration is a statutory requirement that applies to all aircraft. Under this rule, any owner of a small UAS who has previously operated an unmanned aircraft exclusively as a model aircraft prior to December 21, 2015, must register no later than February 19, 2016. Owners of any other UAS purchased for use as a model aircraft after December 21, 2015 must register before the first flight outdoors. Owners may use either the paper-based process or the new streamlined, web-based system. Owners using the new streamlined web-based system must be at least 13 years old to register.

Owners may register through a web-based system at www.faa.gov/uas/registration

Registrants will need to provide their name, home address and e-mail address. Upon completion of the registration process, the web application will generate a Certificate of Aircraft Registration/Proof of Ownership that will include a unique identification number for the UAS owner, which must be marked on the aircraft.

Owners using the model aircraft for hobby or recreation will only have to register once and may use the same identification number for all of their model UAS. The registration is valid for three years.

The normal registration fee is $5, but in an effort to encourage as many people as possible to register quickly, the FAA is waiving this fee for the first 30 days (from Dec. 21, 2015 to Jan 20, 2016).

“We expect hundreds of thousands of model unmanned aircraft will be purchased this holiday season,” said FAA Administrator Huerta. “Registration gives us the opportunity to educate these new airspace users before they fly so they know the airspace rules and understand they are accountable to the public for flying responsibly.”

The online registration system does not yet support registration of small UAS used for any purpose other than hobby or recreation – for example, using an unmanned aircraft in connection with a business. The FAA is developing enhancements that will allow such online registrations by spring of 2016.

The full rule can be viewed here.

B&H carries the small unmanned aircraft for which the FAA's registration applies.

From Triggertrap:

• Core of the app has been completely rewritten
• Features new Night Mode user interface, perfect for astrophotography.
• Users can now trigger even more modes via an Apple Watch or Pebble smartwatch

Monday, December 14, 2015: Triggertrap – creators of the world’s most powerful camera remotes – have completely rewritten their popular iOS app, Triggertrap Mobile. This update introduces the single most requested feature: Night Mode, which turns Triggertrap Mobile into the perfect companion for photography in the dark.

Flicking the Night Mode switch changes the colours of the user interface to a darkness-friendly colour scheme, making Triggertrap Mobile ideal for high-speed photography in the studio, light painting in the garden, and for astrophotography in the field. These colours are designed to work with screen brightness turned right down, minimising the amount of light coming from the phone - with the added benefit of maximising battery life.

Timed Release now has our ND calculator baked right in, making it easier than ever before to calculate the perfect exposure time with your ND filter and capture the long exposure. In Timed Release simply tap the ND filter icon (the split circle), enter your base shutter speed, your neutral density filter strength and tap to automatically put that value into Timed Release.

The Wearables mode has also been taken to the next level, adding support for triggering almost every mode* from Apple Watch or a Pebble smartwatch. This makes your wearable device perfect for starting a sensor mode from distance to avoid premature triggering, keeping star trails steady, and keeping any movement out of long exposure HDR shots.

The Triggertrap Mobile 4.0 update is available now from the iOS app store for devices running iOS7 and above.

* except Press and Hold and Quick Release

The Triggertrap Mobile Dongle (review) is available direct from Triggertrap.

Just posted: MindShift Gear BackLight 26L Review

I had my eyes on this pack ever since it was announced. MindShift Gear delivered on this one.

B&H has the BackLight 26L in stock.

According to the Egami Blog, Sigma has filed a patent for an 11-22mm f/4.5-5.6 DG HSM FLD Art lens. Below is a screenshot of the Google-translated patent presented on the blog.

Sigma clearly has the Canon 11-24L in its sights with this lens's development and, considering the Art line's heritage, it will likely be released with a much more attractive price compared to Canon's extreme ultra-wide.

Image quality results from the EOS 5Ds R have been added to the Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM Lens Review.

B&H has the Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM Lens in stock, with the current price sweetened by a $100.00 instant rebate.

December 2015 – Manfrotto, world leader in the photography, imaging equipment and accessories industry, announces the launch of a new compact and foldable Lastolite by Manfrotto EzyBounce Bounce Card. Specially designed for beginner and advanced hobbyists who like to take pictures of people and events, such as a wedding or a party with friends, this bounce card helps to create a softer light towards the subject and thanks to its small size it can be carried in a shirt’s pocket.

ADAPTABLE AND IMPACT RESISTANT
The new Lastolite by Manfrotto EzyBounce fits all standard flashguns available on the market. It features a secure fixing system with a silicon strap to securely attach the card to the flashgun and is made from impact resistant ABS (glass re-enforced plastic) to stand up to different types of crashes.

SMALL AND PORTABLE
The expandable surfaces allow different configurations and a multiple usage of the Bounce Card: when in use it can create soft light towards the subject and can also redirect the light of your flashgun (for example, on the ceiling when used indoors).

With a wide white surface for maximum reflection when opened (18x19cm), the new Lastolite by Manfrotto EzyBounce collapses to a third of its original size when closed (11x7cm). You can bring your card anywhere and store it in a small pocket.

Make unique your event pictures with a soft and surprising light thanks to the new Lastolite by Manfrotto EzyBounce.

B&H carries the Lastolite EzyBounce Bounce Card.

Image quality results from the EOS 5Ds R have been added to the Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II Tilt-Shift Lens Review.

I think that you are going to like what you see. Provided are an extensive set of results that include 1.4x and 2x extender tests and four shift positions have been tested.

B&H has the Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II Tilt-Shift Lens in stock.

From Canon USA:

Thank you for using Canon products.

Phenomenon

Except as described below, the following will occur with the affected units listed below:

Linked shooting and wireless flash shooting with radio transmission will not work in some setting modes when 7 or more units are linked. This phenomenon does not occur when 6 or fewer units are linked.

Affected Products

Speedlite 600EX-RT and Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT

Units with a combination of 3rd and 4th digits in the serial number in the ranges shown below are affected:

• Speedlite 600EX-RT: [xx01xxxxxx] ~ [xx13xxxxxx]
• Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT: [xx01xxxxxx] ~ [xx03xxxxxx]

Note: If the battery compartment of an affected unit contains the marking illustrated below, the product is NOT affected by the phenomenon described above, even if the serial number is within the ranges mentioned above.

To arrange to have an affected unit inspected and serviced for this phenomenon at no cost, please contact Canon using the information below.

This information is for residents of the United States and Puerto Rico only. If you do not reside in the USA or Puerto Rico, please contact the Canon Customer Support Center in your region.

Thank you for using Canon products.

Customer Support Operations
Canon U.S.A., Inc

Contact Information for Inquiries

Canon Customer Support Center
Phone: 1-800-OK-CANON (1-800-652-2666)
TDD: 1-866-251-3752
Email: carecenter@cits.canon.com

From the B&H YouTube Channel:

This is an Event Space Highlight of ‘Peter Hurley on The Headshot’, in which photographer Peter Hurley demonstrates how to capture successful portraits and headshots using available and studio lighting. Check out the full version in the link below.

The video above features highlights from Peter Hurley's demonstration. The full video can be found here.

Sigma Global has published a full gallery of sample images for the Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens.

We have completed our standardized tests with the lens and are still in the process of fully evaluating this uniqely-spec'd imaging tool.

B&H carries the Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens.

Just posted: Zeiss Milvus 100mm f/2M Lens Review.

No surprises here – just a great lens.

B&H has the Zeiss Milvus 100mm f/2M Lens in stock.

Roger Cicala over at LensRentals was curious to see how much engineering went into Canon's new EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM. So in Roger-like fashion, he tore into one.

As it turns out, the lens seems especially well constructed and well thought out. Roger's comments at the bottom of the teardown say it all:

"I'm sure you can tell we're impressed with the Canon 35mm f/1.4 Mk II. The weather resistance appears better than most weather resistant lenses. (As always, I'll add that weather resistance still means water damage voids the warranty.) The mechanical construction is beyond impressive. This lens is massively over-engineered compared to any other prime we've ever disassembled. It's built like a tank where it counts; on the inside. Moving parts are huge and robust. Six big screws are used in locations where 3 smalls screws are common in other lenses. Heavy roller bearings move the focusing group, it doesn't slide on little nylon collars.

It's also designed thoughtfully and logically. Things that will inevitably get damaged on any lens, like the front element and filter ring, are designed to be replaced easily. There are some things inside, particularly with the tensioning screws and springs, that I'm not certain I understand the purpose of, but I am certain there is a purpose. If I had to summarize the mechanical design of this lens, I would say simply that no expense was spared, no corner was cut.

Sometimes things are expensive because they're worth it. Sometimes they're heavy because they're so solidly constructed. This is one of those times."

Curious to see how well the Canon 35mm f/1.4L II USM performs in your kit? You can rent a copy at LensRentals or otherwise pick up your own at B&H.

If you have not already done so, leave your wish list / entry below the post:

What do You want from Canon/Nikon/Etc. for Christmas? Giving Away a $50 B&H eGift Card!

I'll include submissions made through at least 5:00 PM EST tomorrow, Thu 12/10 in the prize drawing.