Canon and Sony News for Aug 2010

Camera Raw 6.2 Update

This new version of the Camera Raw plug-in replaces the original one that was installed with Adobe Photoshop CS5, Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 and Adobe Premiere Elements 8 software. Visit the Camera Raw page for a complete list of supported cameras.

Windows | Macintosh

Lightroom 3.2 update

The Adobe Photoshop® Lightroom® 3.2 update includes these enhancements:

• Additional camera support for several new camera models including the Panasonic DMC-LX5, Sony NEX-5 and Canon EOS 60D
• Numerous corrections for issues introduced in Lightroom 3.0
• Direct publishing to Facebook and over 120 new lens profiles

The Canon EOS 60D DSLR is now supported in these Adobe apps. Lightroom journal has more details.

Canon Inc. has announced that it has successfully developed the World's Largest CMOS Sensor.

I'd hate to see the size of the lens required by this sensor and I would hate having to clean it, but the specs are very cool.

Canon Professional Network has posted a video showing the Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L USM Fisheye Lens zoom effect.

The Canon Digital Learning Center has added pages of good information for the new Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L USM Fisheye Lens and Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS L USM Lens. (thanks Chad)

Amazon.com just started accepting Canon EOS 60D DSLR Body and Canon EOS 60D + EF-S 18-135mm Lens preorders.

The Canon Digital Learning Center has added a page of good information about the new Canon EF 300mm and 400mm f/2.8 L IS II USM Lenses and extenders.

Adorama just started accepting preorders for the new Canon EOS 60D and the new L lenses.

Start shopping here:

Canon EOS 60D Digital SLR Camera
Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L USM Fisheye Lens
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS L USM Lens
Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM Lens
Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM Lens
Canon Extender EF 1.4x III
Canon Extender EF 2x III

I have the review page placeholders for the new Canon EOS 60D and L Lenses on the site.

On these pages you will find pictures of the gear and links to the USA and UK press releases (if you have only read one, read the other).

Factory specifications are loaded into the Lens Specification Tool for the new L lenses (especially interesting is comparing the new lenses with the old)

Here are the links:
Canon EOS 60D Digital SLR Camera Review
Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L USM Fisheye Lens Review
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS L USM Lens Review
Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM Lens Review
Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM Lens Review
Canon EF 500mm f/4.0 L IS II USM Lens Review
Canon EF 600mm f/4.0 L IS II USM Lens Review
Canon Extender EF 1.4x III Review
Canon Extender EF 2x III Review

I have more information to post (especially for the 60D), but this was a very long - and expensive :) - day on top of a 4:00 AM bedtime. Hopefully tomorrow.

In addition to the 6 EF L lenses officially-announced today, Canon, Inc. has announced that Canon EF 500mm and 600mm f/4L IS II USM Lenses are under development.

Six new Canon EF L Lenses (press release) have been announced today.

Again, I'll have more information on the site later today.

It's official - we have a Canon EOS 60D Digital SLR Camera coming soon! (press release)

I'll have more information on the site later today.

Press Release:

London, UK, 26th August 2010 – Canon today announces a new plug-in further enhancing quicker and easier editing of EOS MOVIE footage in Apple’s software suite, Final Cut Pro. The update will be available to download for free from mid-September.

EOS Movie Plug-in-E1 for Final Cut Pro version 1.1 will add to the recently released Plug-in-E1 by providing support for the Canon EOS 60D, the latest addition to the EOS range. The plug-in will allow users to view metadata and EXIF data for movie files. It will also provide support for multi-core processing, allowing even faster conversations with the latest generation of Macs.

The original plug-in was designed to convert EOS MOVIE footage from Canon’s EOS 5D Mark II, EOS 7D and EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR cameras to Apple’s high-quality ProRes 422 codec at approximately twice the speed of Apple’s standard conversion. Users will still have the benefits of being able to add timecode and reel names to footage quickly and easily.

For more information and to download, visit Canon Europe's EOS Movie Plug-in-E1 for Final Cut Pro version 1.1 page.

Just posted: Custom Brackets CB Gimbal Tripod Head Review

Nikon has made the Capture NX 2.2.5 Update available. Read the list of modifications on Nikon's download page.

Canon, Inc. has announced the successful development of 120 Megapixel APS-H CMOS Sensor. (thanks Sean)

Don't expect to see this sensor in a Canon EOS DSLR anytime soon.

The latest word from Canon Germany is that USM motors and electrical parts are no longer available for all of the pre-1999 Super Telephoto Lenses (the non-IS models), and therefore, these lenses have been removed from Canon Germany CPS service.

These models include the 200 f/1.8, 300 f/2.8, 400 f/2.8, 400 f/2.8 II, 500 f/4.5 and 600 f/4.0. (thanks Ralf)

Ralf thinks we will see some new, larger lens mugs coming in the near future.

Details are not available, but B&H has confirmed that the Canon EF 1200mm L USM Lens I reviewed in New York City last year has indeed been sold.

If you bought it, we all want to know what you are using it for!

Canon USA's Rudy Winston delivers a series of What's on the Canon EOS 7D Menu videos at B&H.

Since many menu options are common across DSLRs, you may find the videos helpful even if you do not own a 7D.

Nikon has posted sample photos for each of the new Nikon lenses:

Nikon 85mm f/1.4G AF-S Nikkor Lens
Nikon 24-120mm f/4G ED AF-S VR Nikkor Lens
Nikon 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S VR Nikkor Lens
Nikon 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX VR Nikkor Lens

THK Photo Products, Inc. has introduced new tripods:

8 All New SLIK PRO Carbon Fiber Series Tripods

SLIK PRO 340 QF Tripod With 504QF-II Dual Use Photo/Video Fluid Effect Pan Head

SLIK PRO 500 HD Tripod With New SH-736HD Dual Use Photo/Video Fluid Effect Pan Head

Metz has announced the addition of two new flashes to their line:

Metz Mecablitz 50 AF-1 Digital Flash

Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-2 Digital Flash

"Compact, Economical Rigs Deliver Professional Quality on a Budget"

Redrock "nano" DSLR Video Rigs and Accessories (press release)

Adorama has announced their new 30 day return policy (increased from 14 days).

B&H is now accepting preorders for the new Nikon 85mm f/1.4G AF-S Nikkor Lens.

B&H, Amazon.com and Adorama are taking preorders for the new Nikon DSLR and lenses:

At B&H:
Nikon 24-120mm f/4G ED AF-S VR Nikkor Lens
Nikon 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S VR Nikkor Lens
Nikon 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX VR Nikkor Lens
Nikon 85mm f/1.4G AF-S Nikkor Lens
Nikon D3100 + 18-55mm VR Lens Kit
Nikon D3100 Two Lens Kit

At Amazon:
Nikon 24-120mm f/4G ED AF-S VR Nikkor Lens
Nikon 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S VR Nikkor Lens
Nikon 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX VR Nikkor Lens
Nikon 85mm f/1.4G AF-S Nikkor Lens
Nikon D3100 + 18-55mm VR Lens Kit
Nikon D3100 Two Lens Kit

At Adorama:
Nikon 24-120mm f/4G ED AF-S VR Nikkor Lens
Nikon 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S VR Nikkor Lens
Nikon 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX VR Nikkor Lens
Nikon 85mm f/1.4G AF-S Nikkor Lens
Nikon D3100 + 18-55mm VR Lens Kit
Nikon D3100 Two Lens Kit