Canon and Sony News for Aug 2017 (Page 5)

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.”

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:

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.

• 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.

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)

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.

More Information

Canon EOS 6D Mark II

The Canon EOS 6D Mark II is in stock at B&H | Amazon | Adorama.