Canon and Sony News for May 2018 (Page 3)
For those shopping for their first non-smartphone camera, a backup camera for a current kit or simply upgrading from a lower level/previous generation Rebel-series camera, the Canon EOS Rebel T7i/800D and EOS M50 are likely to be considered. Today, we're going to look closely at these two cameras to see which might be the better option for addition to your kit.
Canon EOS Rebel T7i/800D and EOS M50 Shared Primary Features:
- Resolution: 24 MP / 6000 x 4000 pixels
- Crop Ratio: 1.6x
- Dual Pixel CMOS AF, up to 1080p 59.94 fps
- Shutter Speed: 30 - 1/4000 sec.
- Auto White Balance with Ambience priority / White priority
- Wi-Fi, NFC & Bluetooth
- 3" (7.7/7.5cm) Vari-angle Touchscreen LCD, 1040K dots
- Flash X-sync: 1/200 sec.
- SD, SDHC, SDXC (UHS-I compatible)
- Similar Price (at US authorized retailers, excluding rebates)
Primary Advantages of the Canon EOS Rebel T7i/800D:
- Native compatibility with EF, EF-S, TS-E & MP-E lenses
- More Sensitive AF: down to EV -3 vs. EV -2
- Larger Buffer: Up to 27 RAW/unlimited JPEG vs. 10/33
- Wider Exposure Compensation Range: +/-5 EV vs. +/-3 EV
- Large Auto ISO Range: 100 - 25600 vs. 100 - 6400
- Higher Power Flash: 13.1 GN vs. 5
- Optical Viewfinder
- Longer Battery Life: 820 shots vs. 235 (370 in Eco Mode)
- Compatible with E3-type remotes, smartphones/tablets and BR-E1 (Bluetooth) vs. BR-E1 and smartphones/tablets only
Primary Advantages of the Canon EOS M50:
- Native compatibility with EF-M lenses, compatible with EF, EF-S, TS-E & MP-E lenses via adapter
- Newer Processor: DIGIC 8 vs. DIGIC 7
- More AF Points: 143 vs. 45
- Faster Burst Rate: Approx 10.0 fps RAW (7.4 with Servo AF) vs. 6
- Better Face Detection: Eye AF vs. Face AF
- Wider Metering Range: EV 0 – 20 vs. EV 1 – 20
- Higher Resolution Video: 4K UHD vs. FHD 1080p
- Electronic Viewfinder
- Smaller: 4.6 x 3.5 x 2.3" (116.3 x 88.1 x 58.7mm) vs. 5.16 x 3.93 x 3.00" (131.0 x 99.9 x 76.2mm)
- Lighter: 13.7 oz (387g) vs. 18.77 oz (532g)
Who should opt for the Canon EOS Rebel T7i/800D?
If you are a current Rebel-series owner but want the benefits of a Dual Pixel CMOS sensor, and the size and weight of your current kit is a non-issue, then the EOS Rebel T7i/800D will offer a seamless transition with no adapters required to use your current set of lenses and a familiar button/control layout that feels right at home in your hands. With no adapter required for use with EF, EF-S, TS-E & MP-E lenses, there's one less vital piece of gear to be forgotten or malfunction. Just remember your fully charged battery and a memory card, throw your lenses in a bag and you're good to go (although we do recommend packing other items as well).
Note that the T7i has an optical viewfinder (OVF) while the EOS M5 has an electronic viewfinder (EVF), and both show up as advantages for their respective cameras. Depending on what you're shooting and what your preferences are, either one may be more beneficial than the other. Check out our OVF vs. EVF comparison here.
If you're interested in exploring off-camera lighting, the Rebel T7i offers an integrated Speedlite transmitter that will allow you to control off-camera Canon Speedlites remotely. To get the same functionality with the EOS M50, you would need a master flash (600EX II-RT / 430EX III-RT) or ST-E3-RT / ST-E2 transmitter, reducing the mirrorless camera's size/weight benefits.
The Rebel T7i's more sensitive AF system is able to lock on in lower light, and its battery will keep you shooting long after the EOS M50's battery has been exhausted.
Who should opt for the Canon EOS M50?
The EOS M50 represents a huge step up in image quality for those coming directly from a smartphone, and its size and weight will provide an easier transition into ILC (Interchangeable Lens Camera) photography compared to a traditional DSLR body. The EOS M50 will also be a great choice for current Canon DSLR owners who want a compact option that can also serve as a backup camera in a pinch (with the adapter) or otherwise want a reduced load for vacations, hiking or business trips, especially when one of Canon's EF-M series lenses will fit the bill perfectly.
Want to capture 4K video? The M50 has you covered (albeit without the benefits of Dual Pixel CMOS AF). If 1080p output is your goal, you can easily downsample 4K video (with very slight cropping on the right and left sides), crop the frame to provide a tighter angle of view, or even pan your FHD video within the confines of the 4K captured frame. You can also mimic zooming in and out of a scene to add even more production value to your 1080p movies. When not utilizing 4K capture, the M50 offers similar benefits as the Rebel T7i, including DPAF subject tracking.
On top of the size and weight advantages of an M-series kit, the M50's faster burst rate in single shot mode can help you capture the peak action as long as AF tracking is not needed for the specific situation. And if you prefer the benefits of an EVF (Electronic Viewfinder), then the M5 becomes the easy choice.
Summary
While the EOS M50 is a moderately capable camera with the size and weight benefits a mirrorless system brings, Canon's current [limited] EF-M lens selection may not provide all the flexibility desired in an ILC kit. And while Canon's complete EF/EF-S/TS-E/MP-E lenses can be used with an adapter, using lenses designed for DSLRs on a mirrorless camera negates much of its most alluring quality, its reduced size and weight.
On the other hand, the EOS Rebel T7i/800D, with its native ability to mount Canon's full range of EF, EF-S, TS-E and MP-E lenses, along with its higher battery life and built-in Speedlite transmitter, represents a simpler and more versatile platform on which to build a photography kit.
For those general purpose photography situations where a single, variable aperture zoom lens will suffice, the EOS M50 paired with an EF-M zoom lens can be a very convient option that will not be a burden to carry throughout the day. Note that as Canon releases more EF-M lenses, the versatility of an M-series kit increases along with the M50's appeal.
More Information:
Back in September 2015, Canon announced that it was developing a 120 megapixel CMOS sensor. Now, you can buy the APS-H-sized sensor (in RGB or Monochrome variants) from authorized distributor Phase 1 Technology Corp.
Phase 1 doesn't actually list the sensor's price on their product page, but from what we've been told, it'll set you back a cool $12,000.00.
From Nikon:
TOKYO - Nikon Corporation (Nikon) is pleased to announce that the Nikon D850 digital SLR camera has received the Camera GP (Grand Prix) 2018 "Readers Award" and "Editors Award."
The Camera GP awards focus primarily on cameras and lenses, and are sponsored by the Camera Journal Press Club (CJPC/Japan), which was established in September 1963, and is comprised of editors from 10 print and online camera and photography magazines (as of April 2018). Recipients of the Camera GP 2018 awards were selected from products that were released between April 1, 2017 and March 31, 2018.
The D850 was the winner of the "Readers Award," the recipient of which is selected by general users through online voting (voting period: March 23 to April 12, 2018). Additionally, the D850 was selected by CJPC members as a winner of the "Editors Award," evaluated based on popularity, topicality, and innovation, from all cameras and imaging devices with the exception of those chosen as Camera and Lens of the Year.
The D850 has won numerous imaging and design-related awards across the globe since its release in September 2017. Among them are the Best DSLR Professional award at the TIPA World Awards 2018, and an iF Product Design Award 2018.
D850 Primary Features
- Equipped with backside-illumination Nikon FX-format CMOS sensor, delivering superb 45-megapixel images at ISO 64-25600 (expandable to ISO 32-102400 equivalent)
- High-speed continuous shooting at approximately 7 fps (the rate increases to approximately 9 fps when the MB-D18 Multi-Power Battery Pack is used)
- Silent photography eliminates the sound of shutter release and mechanical vibrations with capture of 45-MP images
- Supports recording of full-frame, FX-based movie format 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) movies
- Interval-timer shooting supports the creation of 8K time-lapse videos
Reasons for D850 selection (Comments from the Committee)
The D850 is an almost perfect digital SLR camera that utilizes an optical viewfinder. Equipped with a quick-return mirror, it is an outstanding camera that will leave its mark on history. Despite its incredibly high pixel count of 45.7 megapixels, it supports top level high-speed and high-sensitivity performance. In addition to fast and accurate focusing achieved with the same AF system built into the flagship model, the camera is capable of high-speed continuous shooting at approximately 7 fps with the body alone, and up to approximately 9 fps when the MB-D18 Multi-Power Battery Pack is used with an EN-EL18b or EN-EL18a Rechargeable Li-ion Battery. It offers superior image quality from low to high sensitivities, and its auto white balance is very accurate. The D850 is outstanding not just in one aspect — it offers excellent all-round balance and demonstrates high versatility for all types of photography, including press, sports, portraits, railway, and landscapes. Another attractive feature is the smooth and intuitive operational feel enabled by its fine craftsmanship. The D850's functions and flexibility as an SLR have been polished to maximize the advantages of this type of camera. With the D850, Nikon has created the SLR of photo enthusiasts' dreams.
In this video, filmmaker Todd Blankenship explains how C-stands got its name and provides a few tips on how to use them.
While some fences can be great photo subjects themselves, they often contain another photo subject, including captive wildlife and those participating in sporting events (and sometimes subjects that the paparazzi are chasing).
I'm going to primarily focus on the wildlife photography aspects of fencing today, but the same tips are applicable to many through-the-fence situations.
For wildlife, not everyone can afford a safari to Africa and not everyone can take enough time off of work to track down more-locally-occurring wildlife such as a wild mountain lion.
Zoos make these great animals readily available for observation and enjoyment.
Photographing the animals in zoos, however, remains a challenge and the biggest challenge is usually the fence.
A key to a great zoo animal photo is avoiding any signs of the fence, including a patterned background blur, in the photo.
To that goal, here is a list of photography tips relevant to fences.
- The most important tip: move the lens as close to the fence as possible. Doing so aids immensely in the foreground fence becoming blurred out recognition. Getting against a fence, at least at some exhibits, may require attendance at a special program designed for this access (ZooAmerica's Photography Tour in this case), but others are readily approachable. Removing the lens hood permits a closer-to-the-fence position, but caution is required to avoid scratching the lens. A UV/Clear Protective Filter can help minimize the risk of damage to your lens' front element.
- The second most important tip: use a wide aperture, allowing the shallow depth of field to obscure the obstruction, including both the foreground and background fence.
- Similarly, use a long focal length to enlarge the blurred obstruction, making it less obvious. Though an ultra-wide angle lens may cause a background fence to be so small that it is barely visible in the frame, wide angles are more likely to leave even a practically-against-the-front-element fence very recognizable. So, use a long telephoto lens to blur both the foreground and background fences away.
- Dark-colored fences (dark colors absorb more light than bright ones), remain more obscured in an image than bright silver fences (very common). If you have a choice, go for dark.
- Avoid brightly-lit fences. For the same reason I prefer dark fences, I prefer shaded ones. If you have a choice, opt for fences in the shade (including in the background). If the sun is behind you, the opportunity to create your own shade exists and the lens with your hand around it may be all that is needed to accomplish this.
- Attempt to align your subject inside the fence so that there is a natural background, avoiding the background fence that most fenced enclosures have. This may mean shooting from a low position to look over the background fence or aligning the subject with flora (as seen here). Using a long focal length lens provides a narrow angle of view that makes smaller background scenes easier to work with.
- Shoot from over the fence. While the looking-down angle is not often my favorite for wildlife, it may be the best available option.
- Find the widest opening available in the fence and center the lens in it. Finding a hole to shoot through (do not create one unless you own the fence) can be a great find. Take advantage of existing fence damage to gain a larger portal for photography purposes. Quality fencing likely has all-identical-sized openings and this tip will not be helpful in that scenario.
- Use the fence as a steadying aid. While the fence may detract from your image quality by some amount, if the subject is stationary enough, you might be able to shoot braced against the fence with longer shutter speeds than otherwise possible, enabling lower ISO settings that improve image quality through lower noise levels.
- Avoid fence shadows falling on your subject and in your backgrounds. This may require shooting at a specific time of the day or even a certain time of the year. Cloudy skies are often optimal for this reason.
- Lighting, subject pose, the background and all of the other important requirements for a good image are still in place. Don't lose sight of what makes a good image just because a fence is obscuring your view and/or the subject is unusual for you.
- Low contrast and low saturation are likely image quality issues with photos captured through a fence. Consider adding these adjustments during post processing.
- A last resort for removing fencing in the frame is via photo editing software with Photoshop's healing brush tool being especially helpful if individual fence wires remain visible.
Have any photography-through-a-fence tips? Please share them with us!
A larger version of this image is available on Flickr.
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Both B&H and Adorama will be closing for the Shavous holiday, May 18-21, 2018. If you need something in the near future, order now to avoid a delayed shipment.
From B&H:
SuperStore & OfficesFrom Adorama:
B&H will be closed starting at 2pm Fri May 18. We will reopen at 9am Tue May 22.Online Orders
Online ordering will be unavailable from 8pm Fri May 18 until 9:30pm Mon May 21.Shipping
Orders placed before 12 pm Fri May 18 will be processed prior to the holiday closing.Orders placed after this time will be processed when we reopen at 9am on Tue May 22.
Store Pickup
Orders placed up to 1 hour before store closing time will be available for same-day pickup until store closing time. Orders placed within 1 hour of store closing, or while the store is closed, will be available for pickup 45 minutes after the store reopens.
Adorama will be closed in observance of Shavous from Friday, May 18th at 1pm EST through Monday May21st. All Orders placed during those times will be shipped after we re-open.Online Ordering & Phone Orders
Orders submitted before our holiday closing time (5/18/2018 1:00PM) will be processed on the day submitted - subject to our verification process.Orders submitted to us during the Shavous Holiday (Friday May 18th after 1:00PM thru Monday, May 21st) will be shipped Tuesday, May 22nd.
Image quality test results have been added to the Tamron 70-210mm f/4 Di VC USD Lens page.
This Tamron lens has a very nice design and a good value price. Here are some comprisons you might find entertaining:
Tamron 70-210mm f/4 Di VC Lens compared to Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS Lens
Tamron 70-210mm f/4 vs. 70-200mm f/2.8 G2 Di VC Lens (at f/4)
Tamron 70-210mm f/4 Di VC Lens compared to Nikon 70-200mm f/4G AF-S VR Lens
The Tamron 70-210mm f/4 Di VC USD Lens is in stock at B&H | Amazon | Adorama | WEX.
From Adorama:
A single day event simply isn’t enough to bring together everything Adorama has to offer. Starting with our important brand partners we aim to provide an even larger community with the education, inspiration and tools they need to create anything they imagine.
This year Adorama will provide a week of designed-to-share experiences, workshops and panels designed to bring the industry’s best talent directly to our customers. We aim to inspire creators, encourage collaboration and spark new ideas. This week will culminate with a completely overhauled version of our annual street fair.
Full days will be dedicated to photography, professional video, professional audio and drones. These custom experiences provide not only education, but also the opportunity to try new gear in real-life, on-location scenarios.
Learn from Experts – Choose from more than 40 sessions, workshops and panel discussions.
Meet Your Peers – Have some fun and make connections with other creators at receptions and workshops.
Brand Partners – Try the latest gear and technology from our top brands.
Workshops
| Drone Photo & Video | Maternity Photography |
| Rooftop Portraits | Wedding Photography |
| Night Sky Photography | Building a Social Community |
| Architecture Photography | Vlogging |
| Portrait Photography | Fashion Photography |
| Travel Photography | Kids' Fashion Portraits |
| Food Photography |
Experiences – Full days will be dedicated to photography, professional video, professional audio and drones. These custom experiences provide not only education, but also the opportunity to try new gear in real-life, on-location scenarios.
- Aerial Photo & Video
- A Day at the Races (Belmont Track)
- Sunset Skyline Photography
- Gallery Reception
- NYC Photowalks
Adorama Expo – The Adorama Expo will focus on creating hands-on opportunities for customers to try equipment in real-life situations. Join us at the Metropolitan Pavilion June 29 & July 1.
For more information, including a list of presenters and a shedule of events, see here.
B&H's Optic 2018 Outdoor Photo/Video, Travel & Imaging Conference is just around the corner, taking place June 3-6, 2018. Registration is free but seating is limited, so register today!
From B&H:
A four-day imaging event exploring inspiration, techniques and equipment essential to capturing the great outdoors, the annual OPTIC conference and trade show features the world's top outdoor photographers.
Presented by B&H and Lindblad Expeditions as well as top imaging companies, OPTIC 2018 will bring your passion for travel and photography to the next level of excitement and engagement.
To find out more about the OPTIC 2018 Event and see a schedule of speakers, click here
From the Tested YouTube Channel:
While attending the NASA Insight rocket launch recently, we have our first opportunity to set up a remote camera to photograph the nighttime launch. Norm goes over his gear used for his setup and the excitement of leaving that gear so close to a rocket in hopes to capturing a photo of the blast off!
Shot and edited by Norman Chan. Thanks to Trace Dominguez from Seeker for helping with filming!
Note that Chan uses a Miops Camera Trigger to capture the event, the same trigger I use to capture lightning. Chan also utilizes one of Bryan's favorite (and cheapest) accessories that he keeps in all of his camera bags.[Sean]
As many of you are aware, I recently made an instructional photo tour available.
I am gauging interest in additional photography workshops / tours / expeditions / experiences ("workshop" hereafter) and if you are interested in joining me on such, I would be grateful for some feedback in the form of answers to a short survey.
Please take the short photography workshop survey
I am grateful for your time!
Just posted: Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM Lens Review.
This lens is going to be a staple of serious Sony kits.
The Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM Lens is in stock at B&H | Amazon | Adorama | WEX.
From Nikon:
Changes from Firmware Version 1.1 to 1.2:
Fixed the following issues:
- In certain locations, location data could sometimes be inaccurate, unavailable, or unreliable.
- The shutter-speed display would not flash in shutter-priority auto mode if optimal exposure could not be achieved because the subject was too bright.
Download: Nikon COOLPIX S9900 Firmware v.1.2
It looks like Yongnuo will soon be releasing a new 50mm f/1.8 lens, the YN50mm f/1.8 II. No word yet on the release date or retail price.
Specifications
From Marketing Week:
It is almost exactly a year since Canon relaunched its brand with the aim of making it “accessible” to a wider group of customers. The shift was predicated on a realisation that the organisation needed to move from being product-centric to more customer-centric, focusing more on how its cameras and printers meet consumers’ needs rather than shouting about the latest specs.Read the entire article on Marketing Week.The most obvious sign of this was a TV ad, ‘Live for the story’ created by VCCP, that positioned Canon as a storytelling brand. That was followed up by work with influencers such as Zoe Kravitz to tap into particular genres of photography, including family, travel and food.
“The underlying premise was how do we help you tell the best story of your life,” explains Lee Bonniface, marketing director at Canon Europe. “It’s an integration of the brand owning the space of storytelling and then the integration of our products and services to allow customer to be able to tell their story in the best way possible.
“It’s a higher order – it’s around imaging, not camera and it’s around video and reliving those stories.”
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