Canon and Sony News for Oct 2016 (Page 5)

A pair of new 16-35 f/2.8L III lenses arrived yesterday and they are of course receiving our highest priority right now (image quality results coming very soon). First up are the standard product images now available on the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM Lens page.

As shown in the lead image, the 16-35 f/2.8L III, shown immediately to the right of the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Lens, has obviously grown modestly larger than the II and has received noticeable aesthetic improvements. The next lens to the right, the Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM Lens, shows similar updates from the lens most-considered its predecessor, the Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Lens. As shown in the image below, the oversized hoods of the older two lenses have been significantly reduced in size, a major improvement in my opinion.

Using the site's Lens Product Images Comparison Tool, the new 16-35 L III can be visually compared to most other current and recently discontinued lenses. I have preloaded that link with a comparison you may find interesting.

B&H has the new Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM Lens in stock. Also in stock at: Adorama | WEX Photographic

A 24-70mm zoom is the quintessential general purpose lens for full frame camera users. The versatility afforded by the focal length range makes it well suited to a huge number of tasks including travel, lifestyle, documentary, architecture, wedding and event photography. Countless photojournalists have built careers on the pictures created with their 24-70mm lenses.

Largely because of the focal length range's popularity, just about every major manufacturer makes a version (or two) of the 24-70mm lens to satisfy customer demand. And most of the lenses we will be comparing today feature an f/2.8 constant maximum aperture which further adds to the lenses' versatility. Using an f/2.8 aperture will allow you to freeze motion in half as much light (at the same ISO setting) as an f/4 aperture. That's why a 24-70mm f/2.8 lens has been so popular with wedding photographers; when ambient light levels are low (as in a church or reception area), the wide f/2.8 aperture can be used to help stop motion at tolerably high ISO levels.

So which lens is right for you? Well, let's find out.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Lens

The EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM became the Canon general purpose when it was introduced in 2002. The lens quickly gained favor for its versatile focal length range (being 4mm wider than the 28-70L) and wide, constant f/2.8 aperture. A decade later, Canon introduced the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM, a worthy successor to the ultra-popular 24-70mm lens it replaced with improvements to image sharpness, vignetting and AF speed. A disapointment to us was that Canon decided not to include image stabilization as one of the upgraded features, claiming that excellent image quality was paramount in this release.

The 24-70L II is impressively sharp in the center throughout its focal length range with very good contrast. Corner performance slightly trails the center until f/5.6 where even sharpness is obtained. With more elements than its predecessor, it doesn't fair quite as well in the flare department. The 24-70 L II exhibits typical distortion in its class, with moderate barrel distortion at the wide end that transitions to moderate pincushion at the long end.

Where the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM really shines is in AF speed and consistency. Version "II" is significantly faster than its predecessor when used on Canon DSLRs featuring advanced AF systems (non 9-point Rebel-series AF systems). Fast and consistent AF is yet another reason why so many photographers depend on this lens. When you do your job right as a photographer, it takes care of you.

Like its predecessor, the 24-70L II features weather sealing with a front filter in place. This feature alone differentiates it from most (if not all) of the 24-70mm lenses produced by third-party manufacturers.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM Lens

When the Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM was announced about 9 months after the 24-70L II, quite frankly, we were left a bit bewildered. Why would Canon release a lens with a shorter focal length range than the popular EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM and charge significantly more for it? At announcement time, the 24-70 f/4L IS's MSRP was $1,499.00. Since then, the lens' retail price has been lowered significantly putting its capabilities and performance into better perspective.

The 24-70 f/4L IS's image sharpness is difficult to summarize in a single sentence or two. Therefore, I'm going to pull from Bryan's review for a detailed description:

With a wide open f/4 aperture: At 24mm, the Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM Lens is very sharp in the center with good sharpness extending to the periphery of the full frame image circle. This lens gets very slightly softer at 35mm and modestly softer yet (especially in the mid and peripheral image circle) at 50mm f/4 where the lens performs its worst. Sharpness improvement by 70mm brings the 24-70 f/4L IS back up to performance similar to that at 35mm.

Benefits of this lens over its f/2.8 big brother are reduced size/weight, image stabilization and reduced cost. Another huge benefit (one the 24-70 f/4L IS holds over the rest of the lenses in this comparison) is maximum magnification (MM). The 24-70 f/4L IS features an impressive 0.70x MM (compared to 0.21x for the 24-70L II) which means it can double as a macro lens in a pinch. The fact that the 24-70 f/4L IS can negate the need to carry a second lens in your pack for macro work is a unique and worthwhile benefit. At the time of this comparison, the 24-70mm f/4L IS is less than half the cost of its f/2.8 counterpart (MSRP).

The downside, of course, compared to the rest of the 24-70 competition is significant – an f/4 maximum aperture.

Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 DI VC USD Lens

The Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 VC USD broke new ground in 2012, becoming the first stabilized 24-70mm lens. Four years later, it's still rather unique in the marketplace as only Nikon has [relatively recently] released a specification matching f/2.8 zoom with stabilization.

It took us a few tries, but we finally received a copy of the Tamron 24-70 VC which produced sharp results throughout the zoom range (look for the term "ISO 12233 resolution chart" in Bryan's full review for details on our experience with testing this lens). With a good copy in-hand, you can expect impressive center sharpness at the focal range extents and remarkable image quality throughout the zoom range (even out to the corners of the frame) at f/4.

You can expect anywhere from 2-3 stops vignetting on a full-frame camera, wide open, depending on the focal length. A little more than a stop of vignetting remains at f/11. Flare is decently controlled, but CA wil likely be visible at this lens' shortest and longest focal lengths. Distortion is both typical and average for a lens in this class.

This lens' biggest advantage over the rest of the lenses listed here, of course, is its vibration control system which is capable of up to 4-stops of camera shake compensation. The ability of this lens to capture sharp imagery of static subjects in low light is extremely beneficial. That the Tamron is significantly less expensive than the Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L II is another important advantage.

Unfortunately, this lens' biggest crutch is AF consistency. The copy we tested did not focus very consistently on One Shot AF and performed even worse in AI Servo. For some lens usage, AF consistency may not need to be consistently spot on. But for a lens that would otherwise be ideal for shooting once in a lifetime moments (like weddings), less than ideal AF consistency can be problematic. If interested in acquiring this lens, be sure to purchase from an authorized retailer with a no-hassle exchange policy just in case the lens does not meet your minimum requirements for AF consistency. Otherwise, utilizing Live View focusing can aid in increasing your hit rate of static subjects.

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM Lens

Announced at Photokina 2008, the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM is by far the oldest (and least expensive) lens in this comparison with a maximum aperture of f/2.8. As Bryan mentions in his full review, it's extremely difficult to summarize this lens' performance in a couple of sentences. Unfortunately, it's a bit complicated.

To fully understand the image quality you should expect from this lens, read the Image Quality section in Bryan's full review. The good news is that results at f/5.6 are very good throughout the entire focal range. The bad news is that image quality at f/2.8 various from "very sharp" at 24mm to you-should-avoid-this-focal-length at 70mm, unless you prefer to specialize in artistic blur. And if you're buying a general purpose lens with an f/2.8 aperture, odds are you intended on using it wide open at least occasionally.

Flare is very well controlled (though with less contrast) at 70mm, but flare is certainly noticeable at the lens' wider focal lengths. The distortion this lens exhibits is very similar to the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM.

Like the Tamron, the Sigma's AF performance will likely be a significant differentiating factor for many. The copy we tested front focused at 24mm and focused inconsistently at 70mm. AI Servo performance was, "to be kind – poor." Again, Live View focusing may help increase your hit rate with this lens; however, thorough personal testing is needed to determine whether or not this lens meets your AF performance needs.

Tokina 24-70mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro FX Lens

Introduced last year, the Tokina 24-70mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro FX receives the honor of being the newest lens in this comparison. Unfortunately, we don't have enough first-hand experience with the lens to adequately describe its AF performance. However, we did run the lens through our standard lab tests which illuminated a few things.

The Tokina 24-70 f/2.8 is quite sharp in the center at 24mm and 70mm wide open, although we did notice a slight drop in center performance at 50mm. The lens transitions to relatively soft with less contrast in the corners at f/2.8. Sharpness in the corners improves through f/5.6 where the difference between the center and corners becomes negligible.

I would consider the Tokina's flare performance to be very typical for lenses in this class. The same could be said about the Tokina's distortion performance as well.

Tokina lenses typically feature a very solid construction. This lens follows that trend. It's not the largest lens among those in this comparison, but it is certainly the heaviest (see below).

We didn't field test the lens to assess the Tokina's AF performance, but... it's unlikely to match the performance and consistency of Canon's USM lenses. Be sure to thoroughly test the lens within the retailer's return/exchange period to ensure the lens meets your needs.

Size, Weight, Maximum Magnification and Filter Size

It's especially important to consider the size and weight of your general purpose lens which is, by merit, likely to stay on your camera for long periods of time. Small differences in size and weight can be noticeable when packing space is limited and the hours of handling your camera begin to add up.

Filter size may also be a differentiating factor for a good number of photographers. All but one of the lenses in this comparison feature an 82mm front filter thread. These filters tend to be less common (though their popularity is rising among newly released lenses) and more costly compared to more common 77mm filters.

So which lens is right for you? If you need an f/2.8 maximum aperture, the best-available AF performance and your budget allows for it, the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Lens is probably the right choice. If you can get by with an f/4 maximum aperture, the Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM Lens offers great image quality, fast and accurate AF, image stabilization and a very handy 0.70x maximum magnification at a budget price. From there, the decision gets a bit murkier. I think each of the remaining lenses will appeal to different people based on their priorities with center/corner sharpness, image stabilization and price being the biggest differentiating factors.

Italian company PrimaLuceLab has produced a modified Nikon D5500 featuring a double Peltier cell cooling system which has been designed to minimize noise during long exposures.

According to Filippo Bradaschia, PrimaLuceLab's CEO, the "Nikon D5500a Cooled" includes the following features:

• Cooling system that cools down the sensor's temperature up to -27°C in respect of ambient temperature and stabilize the working temperature to the desired value
• Modified front filter that improve sensitivity especially in red part of the spectrum (similar to the one of Nikon D810a)
• Anti dewing system that allows it to avoid dewing problems when the cooling system starts
• Integrated shutter control to perform sequence of long expositions without the need of an external controller
• Power without the Nikon battery (in long exposure astrophotography usually DSLR camera runs out of battery, also because of cold conditions)

To learn more about this interesting camera, check out PrimaLuceLab's website.

From Western Digital:

Irvine, CA - October 11, 2016 – Western Digital Corporation (“Western Digital”) (NASDAQ: WDC), today introduced modern and innovative redesigns of its My Passport, My Passport for Mac, and My Book hard drive lines, which have been highly recognized leading sellers for more than a decade. In partnership with fuseproject, an award-winning industrial design and branding firm, the reimagined products were built with the customer in mind. Developed to help make a connection between the device and user, the new drives also include password protection and hardware encryption so customers will love their hard drive as much as they cherish the content stored on it.

“As the storage landscape continues to rapidly evolve, and the bars for design and user-experience have increased, the team focused on the design and user experience to catapult My Passport and My Book to the next level,” said Jim Welsh, senior vice president, Content Solutions Business Unit, Western Digital. “Through the reimagined design language, we want to engage consumers in a conversation about how storage is core to their lives and how they feel more empowered by the real benefits of capturing, protecting and enjoying life’s precious memories.”

“The way we use data is changing; it’s becoming much more of a personal commodity, something we value,” says Yves Béhar, founder and Principal Designer at fuseproject. “Western Digital lies at the intersection of our physical life and the digital world, and we wanted to create a quality aesthetic that symbolizes this intersection.”

As part of the reimagined design, the My Passport drives will come in six vivid colors – Black, Yellow, Red, White, Orange and Blue – while still providing reliable portable storage that perfectly complements an on-the-go lifestyle. The My Passport for Mac drive is available in a stylish Black color. The trusted desktop storage device, My Book, combines personal style with a massive amount of storage space, up to 8 TB, so users can keep their photos, videos, music, and documents. Each storage device comes with an automatic backup solution for a seamless, user-friendly process, as well as password protection to keep your precious data safe.

The new WD products include:

My Passport portable hard drives – trusted and loved portable storage, in a reimagined design, that fits in the palm of your hand

• New attractive design with textured bottom
• Password protection with 256-bit AES hardware encryption
• Automatic backup with included WD Backup software
• Up to 4TB capacity

My Passport for Mac drives – your MacBook computer’s best friend

• New attractive design with textured bottom
• Password protection with 256-bit AES hardware encryption
• Formatted for Mac OS X and Time Machine ready for easy backup
• Up to 4TB capacity

My Book desktop hard drive – trusted, high capacity backup for PC and Mac

• Password protection with hardware encryption
• Automatic backup with included WD Backup software
• Up to 8TB capacity

Pricing and Availability
My Passport and My Passport for Mac portable hard drives are protected by a 2-year limited warranty and are available from wd.com and at select retailers and distributors around the world. My Passport drives have a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting at $79.99 USD and the My Passport for Mac drive has a starting MSRP of $79.99 USD.

My Book desktop hard drives are protected by a 2-year limited warranty and are available from the WD store at wd.com and at select retailers and distributors. My Book drives have a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting at $129.99 USD.

B&H carries WD My Passport and My Book drives.

From the Preston Kanak Vimeo Channel:

Finding ways to improve the way in which I work with my timelapse footage as well as ways to create unique looks is a huge passion of mine. Whether through refining the look and feel or total experimentation, this desire definitely keeps me on my toes. This video walks through three methods of smoothing out your timelapse footage while removing the staccato effect.

From Nikon:

Changes from “C” Firmware Version 1.31 to 1.32

• Fixed the following issues, which would in rare cases occur when RAW+JPEG photographs were taken with write-enabled cards inserted in both the XQD and CompactFlash card slots, RAW primary - JPEG secondary selected for Secondary slot function in the SHOOTING MENU, and On selected for Network > Options > Auto send in the SETUP MENU.
• The camera would sometimes freeze on restart after users had (1) pressed the shutter-release button all the way down without first activating the standby timer and then (2) allowed the timer to expire or turned the camera off without first reactivating the timer.
• If the shutter-release button was pressed all the way down to begin shooting with the standby timer off, the first shot would sometimes neither be marked for transfer nor uploaded.

Download: Nikon D4s Firmware v1.32

From Photoshop Tutorials by PHLEARN YouTube Channel:

Want to work faster and more efficiently in Photoshop? We compiled a list of 6 Tips and Tricks that are sure to boost your Photoshop speed and efficiency! Photoshop Tips & Tricks Add More "Undo" States Photoshop will allow you to go "back in time" through "Undo - CTRL/CMD +Z" and "Step Backward - ALT/OPTN+CTRL/CMD+Z." Many people find they run out of "Undo States" and can't go back any further. You can increase the number of times you can "undo" in Photoshop's preferences.

Open Photoshop Preferences and navigate to "Performance." Here you will see "History States," this is the number of times you can "undo." Increase the slider until you feel comfortable. Keep in mind that with more History States, Photoshop will use more computer resources to store those states.

Quick Export – After editing your images in Photoshop, it is time to post them online. The easiest way to export images for online viewing is through "Quick Export." To change the Quick Export Settings, go to "Photoshop - Preferences - Export" and adjust the settings to your desired output. In most cases, you will want JPEG, for transparency use PNG, and for animations use GIF.

Increase Performance – The best way to boost Photoshop performance is to add RAM. You can also allow Photoshop to use more of the RAM on your computer by going to "Photoshop - Preferences - Performance." Here you will see the amount of available RAM and a slider to increase or decrease how much of that RAM Photoshop can use.

Try increasing the slider to 80%-90%. Keep in mind, if Photoshop is using most of the computer's available RAM, other programs will slow down. For intense editing sessions, close down all other programs and give Photoshop a ton of RAM! Use Scratch Disks Once Photoshop has used all the available RAM, it will store temporary information on a "Scratch Disk." a is a physical drive attached to your computer. You can choose to use the internal hard drive, but it is best to use a secondary drive without an operating system on it. For instance, if you have two internal hard drives, choose the one that doesn't run the Operating System.

You can also use external drives connected via USB or Thunderbolt. Hard drive speed and connection method will influence Photoshop performance. For best results, use USB 3.0 + or Thunderbolt 2.0 + and a Solid State External Hard Drive or a Raid Array External Hard Drive.

Proper Color Settings – Photoshop offers many options when it comes to Color Space. Some of these Color Spaces are larger than others, allowing you to use more colors when editing. In most cases, you will want to edit with the most colors available. Our suggested Color Space is ProPhoto RGB, which is the largest available color space.

To change Photoshop's working Color Space, go to "Edit - Color Settings," and in the "Working Spaces" RGB Dropdown, choose ProPhotoRGB. Be sure to check the boxes in "Color Management Policies" for "Profile Mismatches - Ask When Opening, Ask When Pasting" and "Missing Profiles - Ask when Opening." Learn Keyboard Shortcuts Most of Photoshop's tools and features can be accessed via Keyboard Shortcuts, and learning these shortcuts can dramatically speed up your editing process. A great way to learn Keyboard Shortcuts is to print them from Photoshop! Go to "Edit - Keyboard Shortcuts," here you can view the existing keyboard shortcuts and even customize your own.

To print out a list of existing shortcuts, click on the "Summarize" button to save a .HTM file. Open this file in any web browser and print it as a quick-reference guide to keyboard shortcuts in Photoshop!

B&H carries Adobe Photography Plan subscriptions.

From the B&H YouTube Channel:

With today’s amazing photographic gear that includes camera bodies with surreal autofocus that can routinely produce superb image files in the right hands and fast, sharp lenses (including and especially the amazing super-telephotos) creating images of various birds, animals, flowers, and landscapes, is pretty much child’s play. Anyone can do it. In this program, Arthur Morris, internationally noted bird photographer and educator, will teach you to take your images to the next level. You will learn to identify good situations, to create pleasing backgrounds, to photograph action and behavior, to choose the best perspective, to read and use the light, when and how to create pleasing blurs, and to consistently create dramatic, evocative images with contest-winning potential.

This program is well-illustrated with several hundred of Artie’s spectacular images, many published around the world above his most fitting credit line: BIRDS AS ART.

Arthur Morris's Site

Image quality results from the Canon EOS 5Ds R have been added to the Tamron 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 Lens Review page.

I was more than a little surprised to see such a big-hit lens being replaced less than 3 years after it was introduced, but I was traveling when the G2 version lens was first announced and didn't have time to figure out why the replacement was coming. I quickly put the lens on the to-test list and would have to figure out the "Why?" question later. Well, "later" is now.

The new lens arrived and as usual, photographing it was my first priority, while it was still in pristine, dust-free condition. The new exterior design, being very modern in appearance, is very pleasing both to the eye and to the touch, but my first surprise was how extremely tight the zoom ring was. Midway through the photo session, I by-accident discovered the push/pull zoom ring lock feature (mentioned in the press release of course). Pulling back on the zoom ring made a huge, positive difference. I think I'm going to like this feature.

While my anticipation for the updated design was strong, I was most anxious to see the image quality results from this lens. While the Tamron 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 Lens' MTF charts appear nearly identical to the original Tamron 150-600 VC's charts, these lenses do not share an identical optical design. The biggest clue to this difference is the lenses/groups count of 21/13 vs. 20/13 in the older lens along with the improved minimum focus distance. Of course, what matters most is real world performance and that is what we are looking at today.

The ultra-high resolution EOS 5Ds R was not available when the original 150-600 hit the streets, but I wanted the 150-600 VC G2 results from the highest resolution camera, so one needs to use some visualization skills to compare the Tamron 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 Lens with its predecessor. My initial thought was that the older lens performed slightly better, but comparing again with fresh eyes shows the two lenses being nearly identical as hinted to by their MTF charts. I do see a slight G2 advantage in the 600mm comparison, easily the weakest focal length for the original lens.

Simply being compatible with extenders is a G2 advantage. I have to admit not being very optimistic about the extender feature for this lens, even though they are (at least for now) dedicated models. My low expectations were in part due to the soft performance of the original lens at 600mm, the focal length that extenders would most often be needed at. And, I have to admit being modestly impressed with the 840mm results. Although the max aperture is a narrow f/9, resulting image degradation is slightly below my expectations.

The 300-1200mm focal length range created by the 2x extender is very impressive. The image quality at 1200mm is not so impressive. Nor is the f/13 maximum aperture and the dark viewfinder that it brings.

Comparing the Tamron 150-600mm VC G2 Lens to the Canon 100-400mm L IS II Lens is interesting. Compare the Canon-with-1.4x to the Tamron also (remember to select the same apertures).

B&H has the Tamron 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 Lens in stock.

From Canon Australia:

Australia is as diverse a country as it is vast. Across its breadth, we enjoy a huge variety of landscapes, city scapes and architecture, cultures and communities, sports and passions that make where we live special.

In the spirit of No One Sees It Like You, Canon wants to help all Australian’s capture and share their local community as they see it – that’s the real Australia.

Launching on 10 October 2016, Snap Australia is a four week program through the network of 108 individual News Community Media and their associated websites and social media channels. Each week, you will have the opportunity to shoot practice briefs in the lead up to the big day on 16 November.

Helping you take photos that show Australia in its best light, the Canon Collective Ambassadors in each state will give you simple tips and inspiration through editorials in your local newspaper and online in short videos.

“Snap Australia is a great opportunity to grab your camera and show your community in its best light to the rest of Australia and the world,” says Steve Loughran, General Manager of the Canon Collective. “We’re looking forward to helping people with simple pointers to take shots that bring out the stories, characters, beauty and passions that make up a community. And because everyone sees things differently, we’ll see loads of unique perspectives come through which is really exciting.” Keep an eye out for us in your News Community Media newspaper – online or in print – and to get involved just visit snapaustralia.com.au.

Where is Snap Australia taking place?
The Snap Australia program is a News Community Media program comprising the five community publishing divisions in Sydney/Central Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.

How do I get involved?
Keep an eye out for the weekly brief in your News Community Media newspaper or visit snapaustralia.com.au

Who are the Canon Collective?
The Canon Collective provide people with a range of unique experiences to learn and practice photographic skills together, regardless of age or skill. Why not come and join us?

• Enjoy unique photography experiences
• Meet passionate people
• Try the latest Canon gear

Take a look at the Canon Collective site and select your location for photography events near you.

Shooting a wedding can be a nerve–racking experience. However, photographing under the pressure of enemy fire makes wedding photography seem like casual walk in the park.

Watch as British photographer Rupert Frere switches seemlessly from his Nikon to his combat rifle as enemy fire ensues.

For more information, check out this interview with Rupert Frere and the adrenaline fueled photography on his website.

via Petapixel

I love to photograph a bit of everything and especially try to use gear in the situations it is best suited for during evaluations. This use also gains me invaluable experience. But, if required to choose what I consider my three primary subjects, landscapes/cityscapes, wildlife and sports would comprise my list. These are subjects that both interest me and are frequently available to me. You likely care less about my photography than the reviews I create and to that purpose, my primary subjects also tend to challenge camera gear. Wildlife is most frequently found in low light, athletes are often moving very fast (and erratically) and landscapes readily show any lens aberrations. That a wide range of weather conditions encountered during these outdoor activities is helpful (for evaluations).

Since evaluating the Canon EOS 5Ds and 5Ds R, the 5Ds R has become my primary camera model. I fell in love with the 50.6 MP resolution along with the rest of the package including the great AF system. I have two of these cameras in my kit and a third spends most of its time in the lab testing lenses.

While the 5Ds R is an incredible camera, its max frame rate is not so impressive. Of the three categories I listed above, "sports" (and sometimes wildlife) imagery can be substantially improved with a fast frame rate and I am blessed to also have a Canon EOS-1D X Mark II in the kit to handle those scenarios.

I'm always looking to improve my kit and a new, great-performing full frame EOS camera model, such as the 5D Mark IV, always garners my attention. So, the "Am I going to keep this camera?" was an ever-present question to myself while reviewing the 5D IV.

The short answer is "No", or at least "Not now", but listen to my reasoning.

First, here are some of my personally-important 5D Mark IV vs. 5Ds differentiators:

1. 30.4 (6720 x 4480) vs. 50.6 (8688 x 5792) megapixels
2. 7 fps vs. 5 fps
3. Built-in GPS, Wi-Fi and NFC vs. optional accessories
4. Improved AF system with better f/8 max aperture support (61 pts vs. 5 pts)
5. AF at EV -3 vs. EV -2
6. ISO 32000 vs ISO 6400 (extended 102400 vs. 12800)
7. Touch screen 3.2" (8.10cm) Clear View LCD II, approx. 1620K dots vs. non-Touch 3.2" (8.11cm) Clear View II, approx. 1040K dots
8. Dual Pixel CMOS Live View/Video continuous AF vs. contrast detection AF
9. 4k, 1080p 60 fps, 720p 120 fps with no 4GB file limit using exFAT CF card plus other advantages vs. 1080p 30fps, 720p 60 fps
10. 31.4 oz (890g) vs. 32.8 oz (930g)
11. Requires 2-second self-timer for mirror lockup delay options vs. has 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, one or two second delay optionally selectable

Check out the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV vs. 5Ds specification comparison to fully compare these cameras.

The first option on the above list represents one of only two 5Ds R advantages listed. But, it is a major one. All other things being equal, a 50.6 MP image has significantly higher resolution than a 30.4 MP image. Here is a resolution test chart comparison between the 5D IV and the 5Ds R. The 5Ds R, with it low-pass cancellation filter, delivers incredible detail, bringing fur, feathers, hair, foliage, eye lashes, etc. to life. With APS-C-level pixel density, this imaging sensor provides plenty of headroom for cropping when needed, adding "reach" to inadequately-long focal lengths, with adequate-for-many-purposes resolution remaining.

The second difference listed above is very tempting to me as the difference between 5 and 7 fps is quite noticeable. But, that is where my 1D X Mark II takes over. The 1D X II's 14 fps is twice as good as 7 fps, though I give up resolution in this trade-off.

List item #3, GPS and Wi-Fi, was only a minor differentiator for me. The Canon W-E1 Wi-Fi Adapter will give my 5Ds R the Wi-Fi capability and I've not yet found a strong need for the GPS coordinates in my EXIF.

An improved AF system, including lower light performance, is always important to me (an out of focus image usually heads straight to the recycle/trash bin) and the expanded AF point coverage area is definitely a 5D IV benefit for my wildlife and sports photography. While the 5D IV's f/8 AF advantages are really nice, I do not frequently use the lens plus extender combinations that make use of this feature.

Having higher ISO settings available is definitely an advantage, but only if the noise levels are acceptable for the intended purpose of the image. As hinted to by the higher standard max ISO setting, the 5D IV delivers lower high ISO noise levels than the 5Ds R. In general, you can have low noise or high resolution. Technology continues to bring us improvements in this compromise and the the 5D IV performs better than the 5Ds in this regard at the pixel level. Better, but not close to as much better as the max available ISO settings may indicate. Downsize the 5Ds image to 5D IV dimensions and the comparison becomes considerably closer. The 5D IV is still the better performer, but the equivalent resolution comparison shows this attribute being less of a decision factor.

While I continue to make increasing use of Canon's touch screen LCDs, they are not yet a must-have feature for me. That the 5D IV has this feature is an advantage, but ... this is not yet a decision maker for me.

The Dual Pixel AF feature is an important advantage for the IV, but ... my 1D X II has this feature when I need it. Same with the 4k video feature.

The 5D IV's weight is an advantage, but the amount of difference was not enough to "weigh" in on my personal decision.

While the last option on this list, mirror lockup delay, may seem minor, I use it constantly and it saves me time in the field.

While price is often a differentiator between camera models, there is a relatively small difference between these two. That I already owned the 5Ds R was a disadvantage to the 5D IV in this scenario and the budget wasn't open to an additional camera joining the kit at this time.

In the end, it was the resolution that compelled me to stay the course with the 5Ds R bodies. I love reviewing images with incredible detail, especially when I work really hard to get something special. I love to be able to print huge. I love to be able to crop when I fine tune (change my mind) later, when I was focal length limited or when I needed to choose less-than-ideal framing to hold a focus point on a subject in motion. Perhaps most important is that when evaluating lenses, I want to see any aberrations present as clearly as possible and I want to know if the lenses are up to use on a camera of this resolution.

Everyone's criteria for camera selection is not the same. You must make the decision that is right for you. If the resolution advantage is unimportant to you, the answer is easy – get the 5D IV. It is an incredible camera and a great upgrade from most other models in many respects.

The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is available at B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon | Wex Photographic

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Should I get the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV or the 5D Mark III?
Should I get the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV or the 5Ds/5Ds R?

From Canon USA:

Akana Partnered with The Groundlings Comedy Troupe to Build Confidence in Victims of Bullying Through Humor, as Documented on Canon EOS Rebel T6i DSLR Cameras

MELVILLE, N.Y., October 5, 2016 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, is showcasing YouTube video creator and anti-bullying advocate Anna Akana as its latest Canon Rebel With A Cause. Since first sharing her personal story on YouTube after her sister’s suicide as a result of bullying, Akana has used comedy as her own form of therapy. Her ability to put a unique spin on typically uncomfortable topics led Canon to select her as a Rebel With A Cause, in honor of the 25th anniversary of the first EOS Rebel SLR camera. Anna’s cause focuses on using comedy to build confidence in youth that have been bullied, and the video of her cause, shot entirely on Canon EOS Rebel T6i DSLR cameras, can be seen here: http://Canon.us/ubcq.

Along with The Groundlings comedy troupe, Anna worked with bullied teenagers ranging in ages from 13 to 17 to teach them how to use the power of comedy to face their fears and confidently use their personal experiences as the basis for their own comedic material.

"I was able to find peace and tackle my own anxieties through comedy, so it was amazing to work with teenagers to show them that humor is far more powerful than words of hate,” said actress and filmmaker, Anna Akana. “I hope the video of our experience will inspire others to consider the impacts of bullying and help those who are bullied feel that they are not alone - and can overcome!” “According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, Cyberbullying Research Center, more than 85 percent of students in the United States have been bullied at school, online or via text, so we wanted to give Anna, a modern day rebel, a platform and a camera to socialize the power of her voice,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, president and COO, Canon U.S.A., Inc.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Jeff Sugar, MD, a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, worked with the youth in this video to provide counsel throughout the experience. Tapping into Dr. Sugar’s expertise, Anna was able to help foster a supportive atmosphere while helping the teenagers involved overcome their bullying-focused experiences and come out on top…laughing. Once finished with the workshops, the teenagers got their chance at center stage for a stand-up routine in front of their families and friends.

In late 2015, Canon launched Rebel With A Cause, a campaign designed to profile modern day rebels who challenge convention in their own unique way, shown through the eye of a Canon EOS Rebel DSLR camera. With American Daredevil Nik Wallenda, the first and only person to walk a tightrope across Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon, an unexpected group of people were encouraged to check items off of their personal bucket lists. In February 2016, Canon continued Rebel With A Cause, with its second iteration featuring GRAMMY winning producer Swizz Beatz. Aiming to showcase artistic talent that may have otherwise fallen under the radar of the art community through #TheUnknowns, Swizz worked to curate an art show for the world to see on the facades of museums in New York City, followed by a gallery event at Sotheby’s Auction House and an online auction. The campaign videos, both shot entirely on Canon EOS Rebel T6i DSLR cameras, can now be viewed here: http://canon.us/bkQln and here: http://canon.us/bsCZ2.

Concluding the year-long Canon "Rebel With A Cause" campaign, one lucky consumer winner was chosen from an online contest searching for the next great inspiration. Photographer Guinnevere Shuster, an advocate for homeless sheltered animals, was selected as the winner and Canon will help bring her cause to life with a documentary production created, similar to those of the previous Rebels with a Cause. Guinnevere has photographed over 7,000 shelter animals and continues to strive to help find animals a loving and lasting home.

Firmware Version 2.0.2 incorporates the following fixes:

1. Corrects a phenomenon in which, in rare cases, the digital compass is not displayed and the location information is not updated when using the GP-E2 through the USB connection.
2. Corrects a phenomenon in which, in rare cases, the GPS log's time information will show the date of the next day.

When updating the firmware of the camera, please review the instructions thoroughly before you download the firmware.

Please note: Do not downgrade the firmware of the product to Version 2.0.1 or earlier after updating to Version 2.0.2. To update the firmware of this product, Map Utility that is bundled with the product is required. Furthermore, before updating the firmware, use Map Utility to save the GPS log files in the built-in memory to your computer. After the GPS log files are saved to your computer, make sure to delete the log files from the built-in memory of the GPS receiver before updating the firmware.

Download: Canon GPS Receiver GP-E2 Firmware v.2.02

B&H carries the Canon GPS Receiver GP-E2.