Canon and Sony News for Feb 2011

Canon has made the EOS Rebel T3i and T3 owners manuals available. The download links are in the More Information section at the bottom of the Canon EOS Rebel T3i / 600D Review page and the Canon EOS Rebel T3 / 1100D Review page.

The Canon Digital Learning Center has posted an article explaining the Flash Release functionality of the new Canon 270EX II Speedlite Flash and the Canon 320EX Speedlite Flash.

Manfrotto has announced new tripods and tripod heads as follows (links are to Manfrotto News release pages):

Manfrotto 057 Tripod Series
Manfrotto 050 Center Ball Head Series
Manfrotto Pocket Tripod Series
Manfrotto 390 Tripod Series

Canon UK has put the Canon EOS camera and lens compatibility issue into English for us:

FAQ: Peripheral AF points operation limitation with certain EF lenses Issue

When using any of eight zoom lenses listed below released between 1990 and 1995 with any of the listed cameras, the peripheral AF points do not function as cross-type AF points resulting in vertical and horizontal lines not being simultaneously detected. Vertical or horizontal lines can only be detected separately.

Affected products:

Cameras
EOS 7D EF 35-80mm f/4-5.6
EOS 40D EF 35-80mm f/4-5.6 II
EOS 50D EF 35-80mm f/4-5.6 III
EOS 60D EF 35-80mm f/4-5.6 USM

Lenses
EF 35-80mm f/4-5.6
EF 35-80mm f/4-5.6 II
EF 35-80mm f/4-5.6 III
EF 35-80mm f/4-5.6 USM
EF 35-105mm f/4-5.6
EF 35-105mm f/4-5.6 USM
EF 80-200mm f/4.5-5.6 II
EF 80-200mm f/4.5-5.6 USM

Cause
This is due to the optical characteristics of the camera’s AF sensor and lens. If the maximum aperture of the EF lenses and EF-S lenses other than the lenses above is up to f5.6, all of the AF points function as cross-type AF points, and both vertical and horizontal lines are simultaneously detected.

Answer:
We would like to apologize for not including this information in the user’s manuals of the affected cameras.

 
I think that you will also find the following Tamron lenses to have the same issue:

Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 VC Lens
Tamron 60mm f/2 Macro Lens
Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 Lens
Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Lens

I have added a perspective example to the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Lens Review. Scroll down to SUV image and start reading the paragraph above it.

B&H is now accepting Canon EOS Rebel T3i Kit preorders.

When B&H begins accepting preorders for an item, the item is usually expected to be in stock soon.

Canon Marketing Japan Inc. has posted a lens compatibility notice for owners of EOS 7D, 60D, 50D and 40D DSLRs.

Here is the (rough) Google translation:

Digital SLR camera "EOS 7D", "EOS 40D", "EOS 50D", "EOS 60D" to customers are using

The Canon products patronage patronize you, Thank you.

Products for the title, the lens being eight below (released during the years from 1990 to 1995) when used in conjunction with the surrounding AF ranging Cross in the frame (simultaneous detection of horizontal length) is performed not. Ordered specifications and detect vertical or horizontal line detection.

As well as apologize for the leak was noted from the contents of this manual and I will send details. We look forward thank you for your understanding.

Products (camera)

EOS 7D
EOS 40D
EOS 50D
EOS 60D

Products (lens)

EF35-80mm F4-5.6
EF35-80mm F4-5.6 II
EF35-80mm F4-5.6 III
EF35-80mm F4-5.6 USM
EF35-105mm F4.5-5.6
EF35-105mm F4.5-5.6 USM
EF80-200mm F4.5-5.6 II
EF80-200mm F4.5-5.6 USM

PhenomenonTarget camera, lens when used in conjunction with the above subject, ranging around the cross-frame AF (simultaneous detection of vertical horizontal) does not. Detection and specification of horizontal or vertical line detection. This is likely because the camera's AF and lens on the optical properties of the sensor.

EF lenses and the other being open at EF-S Lenses Lens FNo. F5.6 but until you are all cross-frame AF ranging (simultaneous detection of vertical horizontal) will be.

 
Apparently, the outer cross-type AF points on these DSLRs do not function properly with these lenses mounted.

(thanks David)

Canon USA has adjusted the listed prices for a handful of lenses. Here are the affected lenses with their old and new prices:

What this means for street prices, I am unsure.

Updated: More lenses added.

Induro has announced new Adventure Series Tripod models (Induro press release).

Zirndorf, 02/2011

Forever compatible thanks to Mac updates

Advanced update function for flash devices

Metz flash devices can be consistently updated via software update, ensuring they stay compatible with the latest camera models – even after purchase. Software updates, which are available on the Metz homepage www.metz.de, can be downloaded in a flash via the integrated USB interface on the 58 AF-1 digital, 58 AF-2 digital, 48 AF-1 digital, 50 AF-1 digital, 44 AF-1 digital and 15 MS-1 digital models. Until now, updates have only been available via computers with Windows, however software updates are now also possible via Apple computers. Mac OS-X 10.6 is currently the basic operating requirement.

New software updates ready to go

The latest software updates have been available on the Metz homepage since February. The update-compliant Metz mecablitz devices are fully compatible with the following models: Sony Alpha 580, Sony Alpha 55, Sony Alpha 33, Pentax K - r and Pentax K - 5 – with immediate effect.

Multifaceted special functions

Metz flash devices are tailored specifically to individual camera models and work with them in perfect synchronicity. This means that practically all current camera models made by different manufacturers can be used without limitation. Over and above this, some Metz flash devices even offer functions which exceed the functionality of the original equipment. The mecablitz 58 AF-2 digital, for example, is equipped with an innovative secondary reflector, servo mode and an integrated interface for USB updates.

Service and tradition – Made in Germany

Metz has been consistently engineering and manufacturing flash devices at its location in Germany for over 59 years. The Metz range of flash devices extends from the high-performance mecablitz 58 AF-2 digital system flash to professional handheld flash guns and slave flash devices such as the mecablitz 15 MS-1 digital. The company, with its long-standing tradition, provides high quality products, Made in Germany, and is the only full range supplier of flash devices worldwide.

I have added 4 Canon lenses to the Used DSLR Gear Page.

Included are three sweet super-telephoto lenses. They must go to make room on the credit line for the new, painfully expensive versions.

B&H has new Lowepro Lens Cases in stock - including a model (coming soon) that appears will fit the Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM Lens.

Strobist and McNally may have the Flash Bus, but have you seen Harrod Blank's Camera Van? Definitely over the top. I will bet that Strobist and McNally do not have a Flash Suit on the tour bus.

Microstock photographer Yuri Arcurs shares a video tour of his new studio. The lighting gear shown in this video will make the most seasoned strobist drool.

54 new lens / camera combinations have been added to the DxO Optics Modules library, providing supports for Canon, Nikkor, Sigma and Tamron lenses, for numerous Canon and Nikon cameras.

To see supported and planned combinations, click on the link bellow then select the second tab.

Supported or planned combinations

DxO Optics Pro is available at B&H.

Zeiss 18mm f/3.5 Distagon T* ZE Lens Review

According to an article at AmateurPhotographer.co.uk, Canon has pulled out of the UK's biggest consumer photo show, Focus on Imaging.

"A Canon UK spokesperson said: 'We are currently reviewing our marketing strategy and it is unfortunate that this decision falls just ahead of Focus on Imaging'." (thanks Mark)

In an interview, Kevin Roach, the AP's VP for Broadcast News, discusses multi-format journalism using Canon EOS 5D Mark II video.

Nikon USA has posted ViewNX 2.1.1 for download.

Nikon Europe has also posted ViewNX 2.1.1 for Mac and Windows.

Hit the links for the short list of fixes in 2.1.1 and the relatively long list of enhancements in 2.1.0.

Canon will be attending the 2011 Wedding & Portrait Photographer International Convention (press release).

Zeiss 18mm f/3.5 Distagon T* ZE Lens Sample Pictures have been added to the site.

You will recognize many of these images from the St. John, US Virgin Islands Gallery. Many of the additional photos were taken in Ricketts Glen State Park - for which a Ricketts Glen State Park Gallery now exists. If you like landscape photography and are anywhere near north-central PA, make this park one of your destinations.

Photogenic Professional Lighting has announced the launch of the company’s new PL625DR/PL625DRC Powerlight monolights.

Sharing some pictures from a recent photo trip: St. John, USVI Photo Gallery

LPA Design Preliminary Research Report on Canon 580EX II Flash Failures (19 Page PDF) (thanks Mike)

Bibble 5.2.1 Pro & Lite are now available for download.