Canon and Sony News for Jun 2012 (Page 4)

Here is a short review of the Canon BG-E11 Battery Grip (for the Canon EOS 5D Mark III) that finally arrived yesterday.

PMA has re-issued their press release, correcting some date issues:

PMA announces PMA@CES 2013 will be held at LVH Jan. 8-11, 2013

JACKSON, Mich. – PMA, the Worldwide Community of Imaging Associations, announces PMA@CES 2013 will take place at the LVH, formerly known as the Las Vegas Hilton. The 2013 International CES is scheduled for January 8-11.

The new location offers several opportunities for PMA’s exhibitors and attendees, including more trade show floor space and a dedicated hall in The Paradise Center at LVH. In addition, the Paradise Center is just a few quick steps from the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), which means PMA@CES attendees will have fast, easy access to the those CES imaging exhibits located at the LVCC.

The LVH also has a monorail station, which provides convenient travel from hotels on the Strip to the new home of PMA@CES.

Heading into its second year, PMA@CES is the place for the best and most exciting exhibits of photo/imaging products and services. From capture to output, PMA@CES at the LVH is the place to be to learn about profitable products and services, reconnect with industry friends and establish vital new business connections.

Just prior to PMA@CES, the Digital Imaging Marketing Association™ (DIMA™), the Professional School Photographers Association International™ (PSPA™), and the Sports Photographers Association of America (SPAA®), and will hold their annual conferences at the Bally’s Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nev., in Jan. 6-7, 2013.

More information on the 2013 International CES can be found at CESweb.org.

From Canon USA:

Canon U.S.A. Announces New Photo Paper Pro Luster Delivering High-Quality Prints For Professional Photographers

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., June, 5, 2012 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the addition of Photo Paper Pro Luster (255 gsm) to the Canon line of professional paper offerings. Providing users with exceptional quality and image longevity when used with select Genuine Canon inks, the paper will help produce images with the luster texture professional photographers have come to expect from traditional photo labs.

Optimized for use with the Canon family of PIXMA professional printers - the PRO-1, Pro9500 Mark II and Pro9000 Mark II - Photo Paper Pro Luster delivers vivid colors, reproduces sharp details, and stunning black and white output with rich blacks and smooth tonality. The paper is designed to provide a consistent look and color when viewed under various light sources. The paper will also help increase productivity with fast drying times which lead to easy handling.

"Canon understands the importance of providing professionals with the necessary solutions to produce high-quality printing output," said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A. "The addition of Photo Paper Pro Luster will now give professionals a variety of Canon manufactured papers to choose from to meet their printing needs."

Canon has worked to expand the lineup of genuine Canon professional paper to offer a variety of options to the end-user. In addition, the Company will continue to work with third-party paper manufacturers to create the printer profiles necessary for Canon printer owners to use the paper of their choice. To date, Canon has worked to create 833 profiles to help users easily complete their printing tasks.

With an expected availability of late June, Canon's Photo Paper Pro Luster will be available in two sizes, 8.5 x 11 and 13 x 19 inches, with an estimated selling price of $34.99 and $99.99 respectively.

B&H carries Canon Photo Paper.

Just posted: Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Lens Review

I had an unusually high number of requests for a review of this lens, so I squeezed this one into the mix of reviews I've been working on.

Here are some status updates regarding my currently overloaded to-review list:

First, the Canon PowerShot G1 X Digital Camera Review is long overdue. My primary concern for this camera is how its image quality compares with a DSLR such as the also-small Canon EOS Rebel T3i. I've spent a lot of time with the camera and have many tests shot with it. But, I think that even the latest version of DPP (v3.11.27.0) is generating non-sharp results from G1 X RAW files that appear to be quite sharp when the "High speed" (lower quality) preference is selected.

Another review I had hoped to bring you by now is the Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT Flash Review. The big new feature of this flash is the RF remote capability. It takes two to play this game - and I've had an Canon Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT on order since day one. Where this product is remains a mystery - I might have to buy a second 600EX-RT to move forward with this review.

Another MIA product is the Canon BG-E11 Battery Grip. I've also had one of these on order since moments after the announcement was made.

If my Canon EF 500mm f/4.0 L IS II USM Lens and Canon EF 600mm f/4.0 L IS II USM Lens ship any day as expected, these lenses will become my top review priority.

Update: Just received a ship notice for my Canon Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT and Canon BG-E11 Battery Grip.

Canon, Inc. has announced plans to buy back up to 50 billion yen ($640 million) worth of its own shares. This purchase would represent about 1.4% of outstanding shares.

From Canon USA:

CANON U.S.A. ENCOURAGES NATIONAL PARKS VISITORS TO UNLEASH THEIR CREATIVITY THIS SUMMER WITH FREE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS

Canon’s Photography in the Parks Program Equips Visitors with Free Camera and Camcorder Loans, Professional Photography Lessons and a Unique, Hands-On Experience to Create Lasting Memories

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., June 4, 2012 – Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, is once again joining forces with several of the country’s acclaimed national parks to offer free photography workshops to visitors this summer. The Canon Photography in the Parks Program provides participants with free equipment loans and professional photography instruction as they take part in a guided walking photo tour. Following the tour, participants have the opportunity to print images for free and take home a CD of their image files. Visitors of all ages and experience levels are welcome to participate.

New to this year’s program are Canon video workshop sessions. Visitors can experience and learn about shooting video by using a Canon VIXIA camcorder or EOS digital SLR camera and participating in a hands-on videography demonstration with experts.

“Canon is incredibly excited to help people improve their photography skills and capture the beauty of our national parks through our Photography in the Parks Program,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A. “Our nation’s magnificent and pristine national parks offer the quintessential location to help people improve their photography skills and inspire creativity. In doing so, Canon hopes to also help those who visit parks this summer create and preserve lasting memories and leverage their newfound skills throughout their lives, for all of their important moments.”

In addition, Canon is sponsoring the new National Geographic iPhone application, National Parks by National Geographic. Available as a free download from Apple’s App Store, the app provides users with park information and photo galleries, travel tips from National Geographic editors, and information about park events – including the Canon Photography in the Parks Program. The app also features photo tips to help users capture beautiful photography throughout their summer travels.

The Canon Photography in the Parks Program will take place at various dates through the summer at the following national parks:

• Grand Canyon: May 31 – June 20
• Zion: June 24 – July 9
• Yosemite: July 13 – July 17
• Yellowstone: July 23 – July 31
• Grand Teton: August 1 – August 2
• Rocky Mountain: August 5 – August 11
• Acadia: August 18 – August 29

For more information on the Canon Photography in the Parks program, visit Canon U.S.A. on Facebook at facebook.com/canonUSA.