Canon, Nikon, and Sony News for Aug 2017 (Page 3)

Just posted: Canon EOS 6D Mark II Review.
 
The 6D Mark II is not positioned as a top-of-the-line model, but it delivers beautiful images and it has a nice price.
 
The Canon EOS 6D Mark II is in stock at B&H | Amazon | Adorama.

If you are currently in the process of upgrading DSLRs, or otherwise looking to add a second camera to your kit, the Canon EOS 6D Mark II and EOS 80D could be prime candidates for consideration.
 
Many people may be surprised to know just how similar the full-frame 6D Mark II and APS-C sensor 80D really are. Here's a quick rundown of the features these cameras share:
 
EOS 6D Mark II and 80D Shared Primary Features
 

• Dual Pixel CMOS AF Sensor
• Compatible with EF, TS-E and MP-E lenses
• AF System: 45 cross-type AF points (27 f/8 points [9 cross-type], center point is f/2.8 and f/5.6 dual cross-type)
• AF Working Range: EV -3 - 18 (at 23 °C & ISO 100)
• Flicker detection and anti-flicker shutter timing
• Autofocus microadjustment
• Up to 1920 x 1080 60fps movie recording
• Movie Servo AF tracking speed and sensitivity adjustment
• Single SD, SDHC or SDXC (UHS-I) memory card slot
• Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC

Now let's take a look at some of the EOS 6D Mark II's advantages in this comparison.
 
Advantages of the EOS 6D Mark II over the EOS 80D:
 

• Full-frame sensor
• Higher resolution: 26.2 MP vs. 24.2
• DIGIC 7 processor vs. DIGIC 6
• Spot AF
• Less noise, especially at higher ISOs
• Dual-axis electronic level vs. single-axis
• 4K time-lapse video recording
• Built-in GPS and Bluetooth
• Better battery life: Approx. 1200 vs. 960

And below are the primary advantages the EOS 80D has over its full-frame counterpart.
 
Advantages of the EOS 80D over the 6D Mark II:
 

• Compatible with EF-S lenses
• Slightly higher dynamic range
• Slightly faster burst rate / larger buffer: Approx. 7fps, up to 25 images RAW vs. 6.5fps, up to 21 images RAW
• Pop-up flash featuring master functionality
• Faster max shutter speed: 1/8000 sec. vs. 1/4000
• Faster max flash sync speed (x-sync): 1/250 sec vs. 1/180
• Headphone terminal
• Slightly smaller size / weight: 5.47 x 4.14 x 3.09" (139.0 x 105.2 x 78.5mm), 25.75 oz (730g) vs. 5.67 x 4.35 x 2.94" (144.0 x 110.5 x 74.8mm), 26.98 oz (765g)
• Lower cost

Who should opt for the EOS 6D Mark II?
 
If shooting in low light and using relatively high ISOs, the EOS 6D II will give you noticeably cleaner (less noisy) images at the same ISO setting. The full frame sensor will also create a stronger background blur with the same subject framing and aperture in use.
 
For those interested in movie shooting, the 6D II offers the benefit of in-camera 4K time-lapse recording, although it does not feature a true Tv/Av mode during video recording like most higher-end models (instead, the camera defaults to P mode where both the shutter and aperture are adjusted to maintain exposure) and a headphone socket for audio monitoring is unavailable.
 
If built-in GPS and Bluetooth are high on your priority list, the 6D II has those features while the 80D does not.
 
Who should opt for the EOS 80D?
 
If you are upgrading from an APS-C (crop) sensor camera and currently have several APS-C lenses in your kit, the EOS 80D offers a seamless transition without the need to upgrade your EF-S lenses to full-frame compatible EF lenses, a transition that could prove significantly more costly than a simple camera body upgrade. And the benefits of EF-S lenses include [typically] lower cost and smaller size/weight compared to their full-frame counterparts.
 
Those shooting fast action may not notice an appreciable difference in the burst rate between the two cameras; however, the larger buffer of the 80D could prove to be a differentiating factor in some situations. The 80D's higher pixel density offering more reach to those requiring longer focal lengths will be especially welcomed by photographers covering long field sports.
 
The AF point spread of the 80D covers a higher percentage of the viewfinder for optimal framing using traditional phase detect AF, although the use of Live View AF can mitigate the difference between the two bodies.
 
If you are interested in shooting using off-camera lighting, the 80D's pop-up flash with master functionality means that you may not need a costly accessory to control your off-camera flashes, with the reduced size and weight of your sans-accessory camera being another benefit.
 
If in-camera 4K time-lapse video is not important to you (you can always create 4K time-lapses in post), the 80D features the same video recording capabilities as the 6D II yet also features a headphone terminal for audio monitoring. Unless filming in low light using high ISOs is necessary for a bulk of your filmmaking, the 80D should work just as well for most with video production aspirations.
 
Summary
 
These cameras are actually more similar than they are different, with the sensor size probably being the most significant differentiating factor between the two cameras. If you're eager to enjoy the image quality benefits provided by a full-frame sensor, the 80D's benefits over the 6D Mark II won't likely tip the scales in the smaller sensor camera's direction.
 
However, if your budget is limited and/or you enjoy the benefits of EF-S lenses, or you otherwise want a body which offers a more versatile sports or video capture platform, the 80D's benefits may make it the logical choice for adding to your kit.
 
More Information
 

• Canon EOS 6D Mark II Review
• Canon EOS 80D Review

See our full list of Camera Gear Comparisons to aid in other purchasing decisions.

From PhotoShelter:
 
To dig into the world of book publishing, we’ve partnered with Blurb for The Photographer’s Guide to Publishing Photo Books.
 
Get interviews with photographers who have completed book projects through self-publishing and also traditional publishing — and have lots of tips to share.
 
Inside, you'll learn:
 

• A list of reasons to consider book publishing
• Different paths to getting published
• Ideas for selling and marketing your photo book
• Tips to finding a publisher

Get the Free Guide
 
Successful book projects take a clear vision, thorough research, smart decisions, and a lot of work. This guide will inspire you to give your images a whole new life.

From Sigma:
 
Thank you for purchasing and using our products.
 
We have found that some SIGMA interchangeable lenses for CANON are not fully compatible with CANON EOS 6D Mark II released on August 4th, as well as EOS 9000D (77D), EOS Kiss X9i (Rebel T7i) and EOS Kiss X9 (Rebel SL2).
 
When certain lenses are attached to these cameras and the “Lens aberration correction” function on these cameras is set to “Enable” for Live View shooting, an error would occur.
 
Please set the “Lens aberration correction” function of the cameras to “Disable” when using SIGMA’s interchangeable lenses for CANON.
 
In addition, please also refer to other notice below, related to the usage of EOS mount SIGMA lenses on Canon cameras.
 
Phenomenon
 
When the lenses listed below are used on EOS 6D Mark II, EOS 9000D, EOS Kiss X9i, or EOS Kiss X9 and the “Lens aberration correction” function on the camera is set to “Enable” for Live View shooting, an error would occur.
 
Products concerned
 

• SIGMA 30mm F1.4 DC HSM | Art
• SIGMA 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM
• SIGMA 35mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art
• SIGMA 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM
• SIGMA 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM

Usage Notice for customers who are using EOS mount SIGMA lenses on CANON cameras
 
When using the SIGMA lenses for CANON, “Peripheral illumination correction”, “Chromatic aberration correction”, “Diffraction correction” as well as “Distortion correction” from the “Lens aberration correction” function of the camera are not supported. Therefore, we recommend you to set them to “Disable”.
 
If those functions are set to “Enable”, the performance of the lenses may not be accurate.
 
For further information, please contact your nearest authorized SIGMA subsidiary / distributor.
 
We appreciate your continued support for our company and products.

From the Canon Digital Learning Center:

The new full-frame Canon EOS 6D Mark II is really a great platform for single-person video operation — whether video is a big part of what you do, or something you’d like to add to your still-image shooting. Many of the virtues this camera delivers to the still-image shooter are equally appealing for recording HD video, as we’ll discuss in a few moments.
 
As we get into the EOS 6D Mark II and its particular video features, keep the following points in mind:
 

• This camera records Full HD video (1080p, or 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution). The only 4K capability is an option to generate in-camera Time Lapse Movies, which it can render as 4K files.
• Full HD and HD (720p) video is recorded using the entire horizontal width of the full-frame sensor. While 16:9 aspect ratio for Full HD or HD defines that some of the top and bottom of the traditional 3:2 sensor be cropped, you do get the full width of the full-frame sensor.
• Exposure modes available for video recording are full manual exposure (M on the Mode Dial), or totally automatic Program exposure if the dial is set anywhere else. Unlike some higher-end EOS models, there is no true Shutter or Aperture Priority operation during video recording.

Read the entire article on the Canon Digital Learning Center.
 
B&H has the Canon EOS 6D Mark II in stock.

Nikon has released firmware v.1.02 for the D3300 and D5300 to fix the following issue:
 

• Fixed an issue that sometimes resulted in incorrect exposure for the first photo taken in live view.

Download:
Nikon D3300 Firmware v.1.02
Nikon D5300 Firmware v.1.02

We shared last week that the United States Postal Service has released a special edition stamp featuring a solar eclipse. Unique for a USPS stamp is that it is heat sensitive, revealing a full moon when the heat of a finger is applied to the moon's silhouette.
 
While the opportunity for photographing a spectacular solar eclipse is coming very soon (August 21), the details shown in the heated stamp's moon will not be available to photograph at that time – the back-lit moon will be totally black. However, tonight's full moon, the last before the upcoming total solar eclipse, provides a great opportunity (weather permitting of course) to capture the image needed to composite into your later-captured solar eclipse images (including even partial solar eclipse images). Compositing the full moon into your solar eclipse images should be relatively easy in post processing, and this strategy provides a great way to differentiate your work from that of other photographers, especially considering that this will likely be the most photographed total solar eclipse in history.
 
Compositing options include full opacity or at a reduced opacity to mimic the moon's details being very slightly perceptible in the shadowed area within the corona (think of it as a high dynamic range total solar eclipse image). Another option is to create animated GIFs.
 
Photographing the moon is also great for gaining experience with your solar eclipse gear setup (sans solar ND filter). Testing now means that there is still time to order or rent alternative gear for the big show.
 
If you don't have the opportunity to photograph tonight's full moon, don't fret – there will be more opportunities coming. Your next chance to capture a full moon image will be September 6, 2017.
 
Related Articles:
 

• Solar Eclipse Photography Tips
• CDLC Solar Eclipse Photography Tips
• Meade Glass White Light Solar Filter

Image quality results from a second lens copy have been added to the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM Lens Review.
 
This latest copy of the 24-105 L II performs slightly better than the first, so I made it the default (sample 1).
 
The Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM Lens is in stock at B&H | Amazon | Adorama.

 
From the B&H YouTube Channel:
 
Great photographs require beautiful light, a compelling composition, and post-processing precision. In this video, David Marx demonstrates valuable tools and techniques that you can use to take your landscape photography to exciting new places.
 
This video focuses on achieving maximum image quality and efficiency without unnecessary complexity using Adobe Photoshop Lightroom CC.
 
B&H carries Adobe Photography Plan subscriptions.

Noise test results have been added to the Canon EOS 6D Mark II page.
 
With over 200 sample crops available, there are many comparisons to be made. I have added a significant amount of commentary to the "Sensor and Image Quality" section of the 6D II page.
 
The Canon EOS 6D Mark II is in stock at B&H | Amazon | Adorama.

From Sigma:
 
Thank you for purchasing and using our products.
 
We would like to announce that a firmware update for the SIGMA 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Contemporary for CANON and SIGMA MOUNT CONVERTER MC-11 EF-E is now available.
 
This firmware update corrects the phenomenon that the OS mechanism does not operate properly when attached to the SIGMA MOUNT CONVERTER MC-11 EF-E.
 
For customers who own the SIGMA USB DOCK, please update the firmware via SIGMA Optimization Pro. For those who own the SIGMA MOUNT CONVERTER MC-11 EF-E, please update the firmware via SIGMA Optimization Pro* by connecting it to a computer using a supplied USB Cable.
 
* Before updating the MC-11 firmware, please ensure SIGMA Optimization Pro has been updated to ver. 1.4.1 or later for Windows, and ver. 1.4.0 or later for Macintosh from the following download page.
 
Applicable product
 

• SIGMA 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Contemporary for CANON

Benefit of this firmware update
 

• It has corrected the phenomenon that the OS mechanism does not operate properly when attached to the SIGMA MOUNT CONVERTER MC-11 EF-E.

Applicable product
 

• SIGMA MOUNT CONVERTER MC-11 EF-E

Benefit of this firmware update
 

• It has become compatible with the SIGMA 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Contemporary for CANON (ver. 1.02).

The United States Postal Service has issued a special edition Forever Stamp which features a total solar eclipse which "...transforms the solar eclipse image into the Moon from the heat of a finger."
 
Segments from the USPS Press Release:

Jim Cochrane, Chief Customer and Marketing Officer of the United States Postal Service dedicates the first-of-its-kind Forever stamp which transforms the solar eclipse image into the Moon from the heat of a finger. The Total Eclipse of the Sun Forever stamp commemorates the upcoming Aug. 21 eclipse.
...
 
“With the release of these amazing stamps using thermochromic ink, we’ve provided an opportunity for people to experience their own personal solar eclipse every time they touch the stamps,” says Cochrane. “As evidenced by this stamp and other amazing innovations, the Postal Service is enabling a new generation to bridge the gap and tighten the connection between physical mail and the digital world.”
...
 
This stamp image is a photograph taken by retired NASA astrophysicist Fred Espenak of Portal, AZ, who is considered by many to be the world’s leading authority on total solar eclipses with 27 under his belt. The photograph shows a total solar eclipse seen from Jalu, Libya, on March 29, 2006.
 
“I’m honored to have my images on this unique stamp. But more importantly, the stamp will spread the news about America’s great eclipse to many more people than I could ever reach,” said Espenak, who began collecting eclipse stamps after witnessing his first as a teenager. “A total eclipse of the Sun is simply the most beautiful, stunning and awe-inspiring astronomical event you can see with the naked eye — but you’ve got to be in the 70-mile-wide path of totality that runs across the nation from Oregon to South Carolina. So where will you be on August 21?”
 
“Having witnessed so many total eclipses myself, I know that two minutes inside the moon’s shadow could have a profound impact on the younger generation,” said Guhathakurta. “The Sun can be viewed safely with the unaided eye only during the few brief seconds or minutes of a total solar eclipse. Partial eclipses or partial phases of total solar eclipses are never safe to watch without solar eclipse glasses.”

The pane of 16 Forever stamps are available now at Post Office facilities nationwide and can be ordered via this link.

by Sean Setters
 
I recently shared my experience making a DIY Automotive Photography Boom Rig and I thought I'd share another example image created using the same setup. My goal in creating the image above was to capture a moving vehicle during the daytime without over exposing the sky. The best method I could come up with was to use a location that blocked out most (if not all) of the sky in the frame.
 
The first location that came to my mind was a parking garage. However, parking garages are generally busy during the day, offer little wiggle room for maneuvering in the aisles and require a [minimal] fee to use them. The second location that came to mind was the nearby Wormsloe Historic Site which features a long avenue flanked by live oaks whose branches are filled with Spanish moss. As I already have an annual pass to Georgia's Historic Sites, and the avenue was wide enough to provide plenty of room for boom rig testing, I decided on the latter option.
 
To get an idea of how dense the tree canopy is, here's a shot of the avenue (with early morning fog) that I took in late 2016:
 

After arriving at the location and setting up the boom rig, I set my Canon EOS 7D Mark II (fitted with the EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM + 4-stop ND filter) to interval mode at f/11, 0.8 sec, ISO 125 and drove down the dirt/gravel avenue at 10 mph (16.1 kph) for roughly 3/8 mile (0.6 km) before parking along a small side road. At that point, I removed the camera from the rig and previewed the images.
 
Every single image was blurry. I had underestimated just how bumpy the dirt/gravel road was.
 
Unfortunately, I needed to keep the shutter speed open as long as possible to capture a significantly blurred background at such slow driving speeds. However, driving faster would decrease the interval between bumps in the road. I settled on increasing the shutter speed by 1/3 stop (to 0.6 sec) for my next attempt. I backed out of the side road onto the main avenue, turned my wheels toward the park's entrance and drove back to the parking lot. With the only available spot, I had to swing the wheel pretty hard to park in the open space after passing a sign that marked the beginning of the avenue. It was a shot captured during my turn into the empty parking space that provided the sharpest results while also recording enough movement to significantly blur the background, with every other shot from the second attempt too blurry for practical use.
 
In post processing, I limited the area used by Photoshop when determining how to fill in areas using "Content Aware Fill", and the technique worked very well for removing the boom rig as well as the boom rig's shadow on the ground.

 
In this behind the scenese video, photographer Markus Hofstaetter shows us how he captured a single exposure image of a wedding couple's embrace in front of a wall of fire.
 
I must admit; when I saw this image, my jaw dropped. The concept and execution are, in my opinion, top-notch. [Sean]

 
Yesterday, the Adobe YouTube Channel posted 7 videos in a new tutorial series called "3, 2, 1... Photoshop!" in which various features of Photoshop CC are explained.
 
Adobe 3, 2, 1... Photohop! Videos
 

• 8 Reasons to Use Layer Groups (embedded above)
• 5 Reasons to Use Smart Filters in Photoshop CC
• 3 Ways to Quickly Zoom in Photoshop CC
• 10 Tips for Working with the Layers Panel
• 6 Easy Ways to Select Colors in Photoshop
• 5 Tips for Working with Brushes
• 3 Tips for Photoshop’s Crop Tool

B&H carries Adobe Photography Plan subscriptions.

Nikon has posted its first quarter financial results for the year ending March 2018.
 
The Imaging Products Business revenue and operating profit were both down year over year, with Nikon providing the following footnotes:
 
Q1 YoY change:
 

• Product mix change of new DSLRs decreased the profit (exceeding forecast)
• Major Products launched prior fiscal year: D5, D500 ; launched current fiscal year: D7500
• Unit sales of DSLR increased as a result of proactive marketing in the US

Nikon Q1 of the Year Ending March 2018 Financial Results
 

• Financial Results (PDF:263KB)
• Financial and Business Data (PDF:46KB)
• Presentation Material (PDF:454KB)

From Canon USA:
 
New Binoculars are the Ideal Tools for Outdoor Enthusiasts, Travel, and Sports
 
MELVILLE, N.Y., August 2, 2017 – Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced three new additions to its portfolio of Canon Image Stabilized Binoculars with the 14x32 IS, 12x32 IS and 10x32 IS. While all current Canon binoculars are equipped with an image stabilization (IS) function, new to these binocular models is Lens Shift Image Stabilization Technology. The IS technology, found in Canon EF lenses, allows users to see an even sharper image by moving the IS lens to correct optical axis. This technology incorporates a vibration gyro mechanism that assists in canceling out the effects of user-shake or movement.
 
In addition, the new binoculars are the first Canon binoculars to feature Powered Image Stabilization, a feature frequently found in Canon digital cameras and camcorders. Even the slightest shake when using high- magnification binoculars could translate into a blurred or unstable image from the binocular. When a user utilizes the Powered IS user-shake and movement can be quickly corrected and image quality remains intact.
 
“Canon is very proud of its imaging heritage and ability to utilize technologies and solutions across a broad spectrum of products, including our line of Canon Image Stabilized Binoculars,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, president and COO, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “The technology implemented into these new models will enhance users’ experiences while offering the familiarity and quality they trust in Canon optics.”
 
Additional features include:
 

• Microcomputer Control Technology
• Improved Design and Comfortable Grip
• Field Flattener Lens
• Super Spectra Lens Coating
• 6.6 ft. (2m) Minimum Focusing Distance

Pricing and Availability
 
Canon’s new 14x32 IS, 12x32 IS and 10x32 IS binocular models are scheduled to be available November 2017 for an estimated retail price of $1,449.00, $1,399.00 and $1,349.00 respectively.
 
B&H has the Canon 14x32 IS, 12x32 IS and 10x32 IS binocular available for preorder.

Approximately once every 18 months (on average) a total solar eclipse is visible from some place on the Earth’s surface. However, the average duration between solar eclipses that are visible from any specific location on earth is roughly 375 years. If you live in the U.S. and miss the upcoming opportunity on August 21, 2017 to see the total solar eclipse, you won't have another opportunity until April 8, 2024 when the path goes from Texas to Maine. And if you miss that one, your next two chances will occur in August 2044 and 2045.
 
In other words, the upcoming total solar eclipse is so rare that you have few opportunities in your lifetime to see (and photograph) the event in North America. Don't wait! Prepare for the solar eclipse today.
 
Here's a list of suggested gear for photographing the event:
 

• Camera and telephoto lens
• Protective solar glasses
• Solar filter
• Stable tripod
• Shutter release cable or intervalometer

As to which telephoto lens you should choose, that depends on how large you want the sun to be in your frame. Generally speaking, the longer the focal length, the better. Below you can see how the sun will appear at various full-frame focal lengths.
 

A couple of things to keep in mind:
 

• During totality, you won't be photographing the sun, you'll be photoraphing the sun's corona, so the area of the frame taken up by the sun's corona will be larger than what is shown above.
• With APS-C sensor cameras, you need to multiply your lens's focal length by 1.6 to get the full-frame equivalent focal length.

There are several great options in regards to long focal length lenses, including the following 400mm+ lenses:
 

• Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM
• Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM
• Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM
• Canon EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II USM
• Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM **
• Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x
• Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM
• Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports
• Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM C **
• Tamron 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 **
• Tamron 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD **

** Budget consideration with an MSRP less than $1,500.00 USD.
 
Of course, the benefits of having a long focal length telephoto lens in your kit extend far beyond the August 21 event.
 
Total Solar Eclipse Resources
 

• CDLC Solar Eclipse Photography Articles
• Meade Glass White Light Solar Filter Review

MELVILLE, N.Y., August 2, 2017 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, is proud to congratulate the team behind the National Geographic’s live television special “Earth Live”. The two-hour broadcast featured a live-production first, by using Canon’s ME20F-SH Multi-Purpose Camera along with a variety of Canon lenses, including the CINE-SERVO 50-1000mm T5.0-8.9 EF to show television viewers live images of illusive nocturnal wildlife from around the world at night, in color, without using artificial lighting. Hosted by award-winning actress Jane Lynch and award-winning television personality Phil Keoghan, the unprecedented two-hour event gave viewers an unfiltered, real-time broadcast feed to see Earth’s wildlife in various natural habitats with the use of 51 cameras shooting simultaneously in 25 different locations across six continents. The show premiered on National Geographic, Nat Geo WILD and Nat Geo MUNDO on Sunday, July 9, and aired in 171 countries and 45 languages.
 
Working closely with National Geographic, executive producer Al Berman’s idea for “Earth Live” involved several locations that were in total darkness during the live production and those dark locations would either require lights that would disturb wildlife, or the use of infrared or thermal cameras, which didn’t suit Berman’s idea. It wasn’t until 2015 when Canon debuted the ME20F-SH Multi-Purpose Camera that Berman saw the opportunity to broadcast undisturbed nocturnal wildlife in color. The announcement of this revolutionary four million ISO, full-frame sensor camera that can shoot full-color video in extreme low-light conditions, immediately caught the attention of Berman, who approached Canon U.S.A. with his idea. The Company’s technical support team worked closely with Berman and his crew to provide and test equipment to help bring this concept to life.
 
See the entire press release on the Canon USA website.
 
B&H carries the Canon ME20F-SH Multi-Purpose Camera.

Just posted: Canon EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM Lens Review.
 
This is a very fun little lens – especially for the price!
 
The Canon EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM Lens is in stock at B&H | Amazon | Adorama.

From the Canon Digital Learning Center:

Written by Dave Henry and Ken Sklute
 
When preparing to shoot the upcoming solar eclipse, the most important consideration is safety for you, your eyes and your camera equipment. Part of the planning involves not only where will you cover the eclipse from, but also how will you stage it. For most of the country, the eclipse will happen midday, during the hottest month of the year.

Read the entire article on the Canon Digital Learning Center and check out the rest of their solar eclipse articles here.

In addition to the image quality results shared recently, vignetting, flare and distortion test results along with specs and measurements are now available on the Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art Lens page.
 
You already how good the image quality results are, but I expect that you will like the f/1.8 vignetting results, dislike the amount of geometric distortion and like the flare test results.
 
The Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art Lens is in stock at B&H | Amazon | Adorama.

I have the much-anticipated Canon EOS 6D Mark II in my hands and it is time to set up the camera for use. Following are the 35 steps I take to make an out-of-the-box 6D II ready for use. While 35 sounds like a large number of steps, nothing here is difficult. Just take one step at a time.
 

1. Open the box, find the battery and charger and plug it in. If you have another charged LP-E6/LP-E6N battery available, you can continue to the battery-required steps without a wait.
2. While the battery is charging, unpack the other items you want from the box. This is also a good time to grip the camera, taking in the new-camera grippyness that is right up there with new car smell.
3. Download and install the Canon Solution Disk software on your computer to get support for the latest camera(s). Canon Digital Photo Pro (DPP), EOS Utility, Photostitch and Lens Registration Utility are the options I manually include in the install.
4. Attach the neck strap.
5. Insert the battery (after charging completes).
6. Power the camera on.
7. Insert a memory card (don't forget to format the card via the tools menu option before taking pictures).
8. Set the camera's mode to Av, Tv or M (some modes provide only a small subset of available menu options).
9. Scroll through all of the menu tabs to configure the camera as follows:
10. Shooting Menu, Tab 1: Image quality: Use top dial to set RAW to "RAW" and Rear Control dial to set JPEG to "-"
11. Shooting Menu, Tab 1: Image review: 4 sec.
12. Shooting Menu, Tab 1: Release shutter without card: Disable/off (this should be the default and I highly recommend turning this for-showrooms feature off)
13. Shooting Menu, Tab 1: Lens aberration correction: All disabled (though I suggest leaving CA correction enabled for most uses – all can be applied in DPP)
14. Shooting Menu, Tab 2: ISO Speed Settings: ISO Speed range: 100-H2(102400), Auto ISO Speed range: 100-40000
15. Shooting Menu, Tab 2: White balance: AWB-W (Auto: White priority)
16. Shooting Menu, Tab 3: Picture Style: Neutral with Sharpness Strength set to "1" (Note: the low contrast "Neutral" picture style provides a histogram on the back of the camera that most-accurately shows me blown highlights and blocked shadows on the camera LCD. I usually change the Picture Style to "Standard" in DPP after capture.)
17. Shooting Menu, Tab 3: Long exposure noise reduction: I usually have this option set to "Auto", but my choice varies for the situation.
18. Shooting Menu, Tab 3: High ISO speed noise reduction: Off (noise reduction is destructive to images details – I prefer to add NR sparingly in post)
19. Playback Menu, Tab 3: Highlight alert: Enable (flash portions of images that are overexposed)
20. Playback Menu, Tab 3: Histogram disp: RGB (I want to monitor all three color channels for blown or blocked pixels)
21. Playback Menu, Tab 3: Magnification (apx): Actual size (from selected AF point)
22. Tools Menu, Tab 1: Auto rotate: On/Computer only (this provides the largest playback image size on the camera LCD)
23. Tools Menu, Tab 2: Date/Time/Zone: Use the Rear Control dial and the Set button to update this information.
24. Tools Menu, Tab 2: Viewfinder display: Viewfinder level: Show, VF grid display: Show, Flicker detection: Show
25. Tools Menu, Tab 3: Mode guide: Disable
26. Tools Menu, Tab 3: Feature guide: Disable
27. Tools Menu, Tab 4: Beep: Disable
28. Tools Menu, Tab 5: Custom shooting mode (C1-C2): Auto update set: Enable (see also: Configuring Custom Shooting Modes)
29. Tools Menu, Tab 5: Copyright information: Enter information as desired
30. Custom Functions: C.Fn I:Exposure: Bracketing auto cancel: Disable
31. Custom Functions: C.Fn II:Autofocus: AI servo 1st image priority: Focus
32. Custom Functions: C.Fn II:Autofocus: AI servo 2nd image priority: Focus
33. Custom Functions: C.Fn II:Autofocus: Orientation linked AF point: Separate AF pts: Pt only
34. Custom Functions, C.Fn III:Operation/Others: 4 Custom Controls: AF-ON: One shot AI Servo; Multicontroller: Direct AF point selection
35. My Menu: Add the first tab; Register the following options for Tab 1: Long exposure noise reduction, Mirror lockup, Format card, Date/Time/Zone (great for monitoring what time it is), Sensor cleaning, Expo.comp./AEB (back up near the top of the list)

I always make additional menu and setting changes based on current shooting scenarios, but the above list covers my initial camera setup process.
 
To copy this configuration means that you intend to shoot similar to how I shoot - including shooting in RAW-only format. My setup works great for me, but your best use of this list may be for tweaking your own setup.
 
If you can't remember your own menu setup parameters, keeping an up-to-date list such as this one is a good idea. Anytime your camera goes in for a service visit, the camera will be returned in a reset-to-factory state (unless you request otherwise). Your list will ensure that you do not miss an important setting when putting the camera back into service.
 
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Canon EOS 6D Mark II
 
The Canon EOS 6D Mark II is in stock at B&H | Amazon | Adorama.