For Photokina 2012, Arca-Swiss announces redesigned Z1g+ and Z2+ ballheads:
Monoball Z1g+
With the Monoball Zg1+ ARCA SWISS has improved the well known ballhead Z1g in all its aspects. The new head incorporates an additional panning top above the ball and its weight is reduced significantly. The Monoball Zg1+ guarantees a smooth, even movement and an accurate positioning of the camera. The MRGC (Motion Related Gravitiy Control), a variable and bi-directional drag is independently operative on both axis: with a horizontal movement the resulting friction remains constant, whereas with vertical movements the friction increases progressively. In all directions the movements are stabilized.
Monoball Z2+
Improved as well, the bigger ballhead Monoball Z2+ is now equipped with a second panning top and additionally, its weight has been reduced considerably. The Z2+ combines the advantages of a ballhead with the features of a multiaxial tripod head. The secret hides in a newly designed ball unit which allows an individual and independent control of the x- and the y-axis, with gravity compensation and separate locks. The upper lever locks the smaller ball in the x-axis ( at 80°; 40°; -40°), whereas the lower lever is locking the bigger ball in the y-axis (at 140°; 90°; -50°).The Monoball Z2+ sports two panning mechanisms, one at the base of the head, the other, a proper panning top for panoramic photography, is located above the ball allowing perfect and leveled panorama stichings. Innovative and ready for all circumstances the ARCA SWISS monoball Z2+ is a clever synthesis of the advantageous ease of a ballhead and the exacting features of a three-way head.
B&H carries Arca-Swiss ballheads.
You might want to be careful while filming video when seagulls are near...
B&H has added the newly developed Brenthaven BX2 line of photography cases to their inventory. The BX2 line is Brenthaven's first foray into the camera market, but the products look promising.
Many people were unhappy that the Canon EOS-1D X could not auotofocus at maximum apertures of f/8 like previous 1-series bodies. We received a few reports that the Canon EOS-1D X can autofocus at f/8 using the Kenko Teleplus PRO 300 DGX 1.4x AF Teleconverter (Aurthur Morris posted on the subject recently) and we decided to run a few small tests to confirm.
We tested a "blue dot" (current) version of the 1.4x Kenko Extender with the Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens using center focus and various camera bodies focused on static subjects. Here are our subjective results:
Autofocus Performance
Please note that we did not test with moving subjects and did not test image quality; results may vary depending on your situation. Other third-party extenders may work similarly.
Update: The EOS 1D X was originally tested with version 1.0.2 firmware. I updated the firmware version 1.0.6 and retested. Performance remains as reported above. Also interesting is that all 1D X focus points remain active (though periphery AF point use results in more hunting).
Just announced: Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro VC USD Lens (press release)
Just announced: Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Lens (press release)
Nikon has announced a new full frame DSLR, a fast prime for the Nikon 1 series cameras and the UT-1 Communication Unit. Here are the press releases:
From B&H:
The B&H SuperStore will close at 1:00PM EDT on Sunday, September 16, in observance of Rosh Hashanah and will reopen on Wednesday, September 19 at 9:00AM EDT.
All Regular Shipping orders placed before Sunday September 16, at 7:00AM EDT and Rush Shipping orders placed before 11:00AM EDT will be processed normally. Orders placed after the above times will be processed when we reopen.
Online ordering will be unavailable from Sunday, September 16, at 7:00PM EDT through Tuesday, September 18 at 8:15 PM EDT.
We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patronage.
Place your B&H order now to insure prompt delivery.
Canon has made EOS 7D firmware version 2.0.3 available for download.
Firmware Version 2.0.3 incorporates the following fixes.
The fixes listed above are corrections for the phenomena experienced with firmware version 2.0.0. These phenomena will not occur in firmware version 1.2.5 or before.
Updating the camera’s firmware to version 2.0.0 / 2.0.3 from version 1.2.5 or before, will incorporate many new functions into the camera. For the details of these new functions, please see the Version 2.0.0 improvements in the history of past firmware updates.
The new Firmware Version 2.0.3 can be downloaded by clicking here.
Roger at LensRentals.com has posted his first impressions of the new Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L II USM Lens.
I think that you will like what Roger is seeing.
Preorder the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L II USM Lens at: B&H or Adorama.
Just posted: Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens Review
Just a quick note to let you know (though you probably already noticed) that B&H is once again represented on the site (the DOR has established a workaround that allows specific forms of advertising - including a form that they were previously using on this site).
What many of you have learned in their absence is that Adorama is another first class retailer that will go the extra mile for their customers. Purchasing through them of course remains a great option.
Just announced: Samyang T-S 24mm 1:3.5 ED AS UMC Tilt-Shift Lens (press release) in Canon, Nikon, KM/Sony and Pentax amounts.
Just announced: Zeiss 135mm f/2 Apo Sonnar T* Lens (press release) for Canon and Nikon mounts.
Standard camera lens product images (useful for size and feature comparisons) have been added to the following review placeholder pages:
Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens Review
Nikon 28mm f/1.8G AF-S Lens Review
Nikon 85mm f/1.8G AF-S Lens Review
Nikon 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Lens Review
Nikon 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G AF-S VR Lens Review
Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM Lens Review
Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Lens Review
Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Lens Review
Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro Lens Review
Sigma 150mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro Lens Review
Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Lens Review
Zeiss 15mm f/2.8 Distagon T* ZE Lens Review
Zeiss 25mm f/2.0 Distagon T* ZE Lens Review