Canon and Sony News for Nov 2010

In a press release issued today, ElcomSoft claims to have discovered a vulnerability in the Canon Original Data Security System.

Thanks Robert, Miko (www.net-security.org/secworld.php?id=10221)

I added a gallery of Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC HSM Lens Sample Pictures to the site. You will quickly notice the ultra-wide angle theme that this lens invites.

Today, the USA celebrates the Thanksgiving holiday. While this holiday celebration is typically a time spent with friends and family, it is also a time to reflect on how blessed we are and to express "thanks". And one of my hearty expressions of THANKS goes you. I have greatly enjoyed meeting (virtualy) and getting to know so many of you. And without you, this site would not exist - It's really as simple as that. The site's support comes soley through your purchases made using the links on this site and through your referrals of others to the site who do the same.

As you do your Christmas shopping this year, please keep this site in mind. Most or all of the retailers below here have a Black Friday/Cyber Monday deal page(s) that will list all of their bargains. Experience no lines, no traffic and no parking hassles.

Again, Thanks! And happy Thanksgiving!

Canon EOS 7D Firmware Update Version 1.2.3 is now available.

Firmware version 1.2.3 incorporates the following fixes.

1. Fixes a phenomenon in which the settings of the Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2 revert to the default settings when both the camera and the ST-E2 are set to auto power off.

2. Fixes a phenomenon in which the Macro Ring Lite (MR-14EX, MT24-EX) and slave flashes do not sync while shooting wirelessly.

Canon EOS Rebel T2i / 550D Firmware Update Version 1.0.9 is now available.

Firmware version 1.0.9 incorporates the following fixes.

1. Fixes a phenomenon in which tone jumps become noticeable in some images, depending on the shooting scene, when shooting with the Auto Lighting Optimizer settings (Low / Standard / Strong).

PDN's PhotoPlus Virtual Event will be held on Wed, Dec 8th.

Registration is free.

"CF 6.0 Introduces Performance and Feature Enhancements"

Cupertino, California – November 18, 2010 – The CompactFlash Association (CFA) announces the CF 6.0 specification, a new CFA logo, and a refreshed website coinciding with the CFA celebrating fifteen years of performance leadership in flash memory card markets.

The CF 6.0 specification adds performance and functionality to the current CF 5.0 specification based on the PATA (Parallel ATA) interface while maintaining backward compatibility. In conjunction with this new specification, CFA has completed a refresh to both the CFA logo and website allowing for improved navigation, future product and market application information along with enhanced member benefits. The CF 6.0 specification includes a new Sanitize Command, Trim Usage Guidelines and an Operating Temperature Range function along with adding Ultra DMA Mode 7 which supports 167 MB/second speed. The new CF 6.0 specification is available for immediate download from the new enhanced CFA website.

Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC HSM Lens Review

This is a fun lens.

November 19, 2010
Tamron Co., Ltd.

Regarding Inventory Sufficiency of the SP70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC USD (Model A005)

Since Tamron released in Japan the SP70-300 F/4.5.6 Di VC USD (Model A005) telephoto zoom lens in August 2010, orders have greatly exceeded expectations. Tamron is extremely grateful for this stong consumer response, but an unfortunate side effect has been the difficulty of production volume to keep pace with demand. We would like to reassure all customers who are waiting for this product that we are currently doing everything we can to meet demand levels, and offer our sincerest apologies for such resulting inconvenience.

We appreciate the patience and understanding of Tamron customers as we promptly address these temporary inventory issues. Tamron reiterates its commitment to maintaining the satisfaction that its loyal customers have come to expect over the years.

The lens still appears to be available in the USA - and at $399 shipped after mail-in rebate, the price is right:

Canon Mount: B&H (taking preorders) | Adorama | Amazon.com

Nikon Mount: B&H | Adorama | Amazon.com

From Think Tank Photo:

NEWLY REDESIGNED HYDROPHOBIA® 300-600 RELEASED

We have upgraded our rain cover for super telephoto lenses, the Hydrophobia 300-600. The Hydrophobia 300-600 V2.0 pre-mounts to the lens hood to be quickly deployed during inclement weather. If bad weather is intermittent, the rain cover can stay in the pre-mounted position but pulled out to cover the camera when needed. The rain cover now offers a larger clear window on back for increased view of the camera and LCD screen. Version 2.0 also features a tethered lens hood cover to keep moisture or debris from hitting the front lens element, while the camera is not being used.

For smaller lenses up to a 70-200 we also have the Hydrophobia® 70-200 and the Hydrophobia® Flash 70-200 with built-in flash protector. They feature side arm holes for focusing and accessing switches. And now, without exposing your expensive bodies and lenses to the elements, you can change memory cards and batteries without taking off the rain covers. The external Camera Strap (included) eliminates the need to remove the strap attached to the camera body. Click here for a video showing the Hydrophobia 70-200 in action.

NEWLY REDESIGNED CAMERA STRAPS RELEASED

We have completely redesigned our Camera Straps. The Camera Strap V2.0 features non-slip material on both sides so the strap will not slip off the shoulder, even if the strap is upside down! Designed for less bulk and increased portability, the Camera Strap V2.0 also attaches to Think Tank backpacks and harnesses by using the Camera Support Straps (sold separately).

Standardized test results have been added to the Zeiss 100mm f/2.0 Makro-Planar T* ZE Lens Review page.

Update: I have temporarily removed the ISO 12233 chart results for the Zeiss 50mm f/2.0 Makro-Planar T* ZE Lens and the Zeiss 100mm f/2.0 Makro-Planar T* ZE Lens review pages. While both lenses show excellent resolution right into the corners, the results are showing some flaring around the edges of the details in the chart. Zeiss does not think this should be happening, so I'm going to test a Canon lens simultaneuosly with a Zeiss lens - and perhaps test using two camera bodies. Stay tuned for the results (probably next week).

B&H has announced that ground service into Canada via Purolator is now available.

This service requires that you prepay all necessary VAT and HST / PST / GST fees at checkout, but doing so allows Purolator to expedite your package and allows B&H to offer an economical shipping solution to Canadian customers.

Note that some of the items B&H sells cannot be exported to Canada due to manufacturer or government restrictions. You will receive an on-screen notice if you attempt put an item in your shopping cart or attempt to check out with items that are restricted.

B&H to Canada Estimated Shipping Timetable:

Standardized test results have been added to the Zeiss 50mm f/2 ZE Makro Planar Lens Review page.

I love the idea: Inflatable Photo Studio

Canon Canada celebrates 100 months atop the Canadian digital still camera (DSC) market with the 100 PowerShots to Thanks Canada Contest (Canada residents only).

B&H has the Nikon D7000 + 18-105mm VR Lens Kit in stock.

Update: Now available for preorder.

Many of you have used this site's Canon Lens Date Code Lookup page to determine when your Canon lens was manufactured. I regret to inform you that this ability may be disappearing from the Canon scene.

I have been getting reports (thanks for them) for a while now that the latest Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Lenses are being produced without the date code and with a longer 10-digit serial number. Chuck Westfall (Canon USA) has confirmed that this is indeed the case, but he was not yet able to determine if the longer serial number may have the date code embedded in it.

I welcome any new information in this regard - and will share with you anything I learn. Stay tuned!

Apple's latest release of Mac OS X, v10.6, adds among many other things, support for the Canon EOS 60D, Canon PowerShot S95 and Nikon D3100.

The full list of supported cameras is available.

A handful of Canon EOS 60D sample pictures have been added to the the Canon EOS 60D Review.

Launch of the NPS Global website

November 9, 2010

TOKYO – Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new Nikon Professional Services (NPS) global website today, November 9, 2010. The new NPS Global site will serve as one of the measures in which Nikon reinforces its services for professional photographers.

NPS is a membership organization through which Nikon offers support and services to professional photographers throughout the world. For nearly half a century, NPS has not only provided routine maintenance and repair services for professional photographers' equipment, but has also provided support for them at international events held throughout the world. With the expansion of Nikon's lineups of high-end digital-SLR cameras, NIKKOR lenses and other accessories, the NPS Global site has been developed to serve as a portal that distributes the latest information to assist NPS members working globally in their photographic activities.

In addition to introducing an overview of NPS activities, the NPS Global site will offer members greater convenience. For example, it provides: links to regional NPS sites to find out about practical local information, local service facility list for photographers to visit when they face with equipment problems while they are on overseas assignment, and world-wide NPS service depot information. The site will also offer contents, such as the introduction of effective techniques for using professional equipment. All of these information can be accessed by professional and advanced amateur photographers who are not NPS members.

As a manufacturer of imaging products that leads the professional industry, Nikon will continue to expand and enhance the contents of the NPS Global site and offer new services that fulfill user needs in order to reinforce its support and service organization.

Visit: Nikon Professional Services Website

DxO Optics 11/08/2010 Press Release:

Immediate availability of the new DxO Optics Pro v6.5 software for Mac and Windows

DxO Optics Pro v6.5 features exclusive Single Shot HDR technology for optimized rendering of contrasted scenes, improved RAW conversion, Lightroom 3 support and increased cameras and lenses support. Exceptional 30 percent holiday season discount through December 25th 2010.

What’s new in version 6.5:

HDR rendering from single RAW shots to reveal the full dynamic range of high contrast scenes without the need for cumbersome bracketing;

Improved RAW conversion engine for 100 percent automatic processing and unrivalled productivity at any ISO ranging from 100 to 100.000, delivering more natural images;

Integration of Lightroom 3 support providing photographers with the best of both image processing and image management worlds;

Numerous interface improvements, including a new large preview window for detailed inspection of images before adding them into a project;

Support for the following cameras, in both the Standard and Elite editions of DxO Optics Pro:

- Canon EOS 60D, PowerShot S95 and PowerShot G12
- Nikon D3100
- Pentax K-x
- Sony A290

150 new DxO Optics Modules covering numerous camera bodies.

*** Save $70/$100 on DXO Optics Pro Elite/Standard at B&H through 12/25/2010.

The Canon Digital Learning Center has posted a set of DPP v3.8 video tutorials.

The Canon EOS 60D Review is now online.

Amazon.com is now taking Canon EF 70-300mm L Lens preorders.

Rob reports that the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS L USM Lens "has arrived in the shops over here in The Netherlands!"

As I mentioned yesterday, B&H is accepting Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM Lens preorders.