Canon and Sony News for Feb 2012

 Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Canon USA has EOS 5D Mark II Firmware Version 2.1.2 available for download.

Firmware Version 2.1.2 incorporates the following change.

1. Optimizes the camera’s performance when using certain UDMA 7-compatible CF cards released in February 2012 or later.

Share on Facebook! Share on X! Share on Pinterest! Email this page to a friend!
Posted to: Canon News   Category: Canon Firmware Updates
Post Date: 2/28/2012 1:36:55 PM ET   Posted By: Bryan
 Monday, February 27, 2012

From Adobe:

Highly Anticipated App Brings Image-editing Power of Photoshop to Apple iPad 2

Mobile World Congress 2012

February 27, 2012 03:30 AM Eastern Time

BARCELONA, Spain--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--At Mobile World Congress, Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced that Adobe® Photoshop® Touch is now available for iPad 2, via the iTunes App Store*. Adobe Photoshop Touch offers core Photoshop features, as well as new capabilities for creating and sharing in an app custom-built for tablets. The app is a central component of Adobe Touch Apps, a family of six intuitive touch screen applications, inspired by Adobe Creative Suite® software. iPad versions of the other Adobe Touch Apps are expected later this year.

“Photoshop Touch combines the magic of Photoshop and its core features with the convenience of a tablet, bringing image-editing power to the fingertips of millions of people.”

Photoshop Touch gives users the ability to combine multiple photos into layered images, make essential edits and apply professional effects to create beautiful artwork, touch up photos, paint, lay out ideas and much more. The Scribble Selection Tool allows users to easily extract objects in an image by simply scribbling on what to keep, and then what to remove. With Refine Edge technology from Photoshop, even hard-to-select areas with soft edges are easily captured when making selections. Photoshop Touch helps users quickly find images and share creations through integration with Facebook and Google Image Search.

“People will be amazed with what they can create on the iPad using Photoshop Touch,” said David Wadhwani, senior vice president and general manager, Digital Media Business Unit, Adobe. “Photoshop Touch combines the magic of Photoshop and its core features with the convenience of a tablet, bringing image-editing power to the fingertips of millions of people.”

“Adobe Photoshop Touch offers a huge convenience factor and boasts cool Photoshop features tailored for the iPad,” said Brian Yap, creative director, Boxing Clever. “Nearly all of the features I imagined being in Photoshop Touch are there, including the depth in layers, the extraction tools, and fade tool.”

“I love the organic process of working on the tablet. With Adobe Photoshop Touch, I have a new form of image creation with familiar tools but in a more relaxed work space, allowing me to rediscover image making through play rather than production,” Dan Marcolina, owner, Marcolina Design & Marcolina Slate.

“My team and I put Photoshop Touch through the paces and it shines as a tool for on-the-go photo shoots,” said Tyler Stableford, photographer and director, Tyler Stableford Photography + Film. “Time is always critical when taking pictures during the golden hours of light. With a wireless connection, the art director and I can place photos, immediately as we take them, into a layer with the client's artwork. This is really helpful when shooting catalog covers.”

In addition to Photoshop Touch, Adobe expects to release the following touch apps for the iPad in the coming months: Adobe Collage for moodboards; Adobe Debut for presenting and reviewing creative work; Adobe Ideas for sketching; Adobe Kuler® for exploring color themes; and Adobe Proto for website and mobile app prototyping.

For additional information, read the full Adobe press release.

Share on Facebook! Share on X! Share on Pinterest! Email this page to a friend!
Posted to: Canon News, Sony News   Category: Adobe News
Post Date: 2/27/2012 9:30:35 AM ET   Posted By: Bryan

The Tokina lens deals at Adorama end tomorrow, Feb 28th:

The Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro DX Lens (for Canon) (for Nikon) is $609.00 after $40 mail in rebate (reg $699.00).

The Tokina 12-24mm f/4 ATX PRO DX II Lens (for Canon) (for Nikon) is on sale for $525.00 (reg $599.00).

Share on Facebook! Share on X! Share on Pinterest! Email this page to a friend!
Posted to: Canon News, Sony News   Category: Tokian Deals
Post Date: 2/27/2012 9:22:25 AM ET   Posted By: Bryan

Canon UK has confirmed the earlier-reported May availability timeframe for the Canon EF 500mm f/4.0 L IS II USM Lens and the Canon EF 600mm f/4.0 L IS II USM Lens:

Canon lightweight, super-telephoto EF 500mm F/4L IS II USM and EF 600mm F/4L IS II USM lenses available to purchase in May 2012

United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, 27th February 2012 Canon today announces that its EF 500mm F/4L IS II USM and EF 600mm F/4L IS II USM lenses will be available to buy from May 2012.

Designed to meet the needs of the most demanding sports and wildlife photographers, both lenses offer breakthrough performance, delivering consistently high-quality images and incredible mobility.

Pricing and Availability

The EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM is available from May 2012, priced at £8,999.00/€10,799.00 RRP incl. VAT.

The EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM is available from May 2012, priced at £11,299.00/€13,549.00 RRP incl. VAT.

Share on Facebook! Share on X! Share on Pinterest! Email this page to a friend!
Posted to: Canon News   Category: Canon UK News
Post Date: 2/27/2012 9:05:49 AM ET   Posted By: Bryan

Canon USA, Canon UK and Canon Inc have announced that the Canon EOS-1D X will be available in late April. Here is Canon USA's announcement:

Updated Availability for the EOS-1D X DSLR Camera and Accessories

We would like to inform you of an update to the expected availability of the EOS-1D X DSLR Camera and its optional accessories, the WFT-E6A Wireless File Transmitter and GP-E1 GPS Receiver. The camera and accessories are now anticipated to be available at the end of April 2012. We apologize for any inconvenience this delay may cause.

Additional Canon EOS-1D X Specs

Canon Inc has filled in some of the TBA specs:

Weight: approx. 1340 grams for body; approx. 1530 grams with CIPA Camera & Imaging Products Association standards

Possible Number of Shots (CIPA Camera & Imaging Products Association standards):

View Finder shooting at 73°F/23°C Approx. 1120 shots
View Finder shooting at 32°F/0°C Approx. 860 shots
Live View shooting at 73°F/23°C Approx. 290 shots
Live View shooting at 32°F/0°C Approx. 250 shots

Here are the official announcement pages:

Canon Inc.
Canon Inc. b
Canon UK (a more-verbose press release)
Canon USA

(thanks David & Kaz)

Share on Facebook! Share on X! Share on Pinterest! Email this page to a friend!
Posted to: Canon News   Category: Canon Announcements
Post Date: 2/27/2012 8:51:55 AM ET   Posted By: Bryan
 Friday, February 24, 2012

From Canon USA

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR Cameras Take Moviegoers Deep Into the Daring Operations of Active-Duty U.S. Navy SEALs in Relativity Media’s Act of Valor

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., February 24, 2012 — In an unprecedented blend of real-life heroism and original filmmaking, Act of Valor stars a group of active-duty U.S. Navy SEALs in a film like no other in Hollywood’s history. A fictionalized account of real life Navy SEAL operations, Act of Valor blazes into theatres nationwide on February 24th and features a gripping story that takes audiences on an adrenaline-fueled, edge-of-their-seat journey. This fast-paced, depiction of daring covert operations delivers a thrilling mix of stealthy tension, intense human drama, and sudden fierce combat waged by lethal heroes armed with the world’s best training and firepower. Act of Valor is a Bandito Brothers film produced and directed by Mike “Mouse” McCoy and Scott Waugh and written by Kurt Johnstad. Crucial to capturing the film’s absorbing up-close-and-personal action was its use of lightweight, highly mobile EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR cameras from Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions. As director of photography, and now member of Canon’s Explorer of Light program, Shane Hurlbut explained, the film could not have been made with any other camera system.

“Nothing is as small and nimble as our Canon EOS 5D Mark II camera packages,” said Hurlbut, a member of the American Society of Cinematographers, who has captured moving images using practically every film and video format currently available. “Never have I been so excited by the creative possibilities a camera offers cinematographers.”

“Inventing new perspectives for creative storytelling demands innovative new tools and we are proud to be a part of that process. The Canon EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR camera provides filmmakers with a highly compact and mobile form factor. This camera has sparked our recent introduction of the new Cinema EOS system, our formal entrance into the world of cinema and television production,” noted Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A.

“Because the Canon 5D Mark II is so light weight, we were able to defy conventional motion picture camera physics and capture a high-quality cinematic image, which ultimately looked incredible on a 100-foot theatrical screen,” said Scott Waugh, co-director, Act of Valor.

Game-Changer

The Canon 5D Mark II delivers full 1920 x 1080 HD video recording at user-selectable frame rates of 30 (29.97), 24 (23.976) and 25 fps. Employing a 21.1-megapixel 35mm full-frame Canon-manufactured CMOS sensor measuring 36 x 24 mm, the 5D Mark II also utilizes Canon’s DIGIC 4 image processors, which employ sophisticated digital signal processing to maximize picture quality and provide advanced operational features. HD footage is recorded to universally available CF cards for exceptional workflow convenience. According to Hurlbut, the camera is nothing less than a “game-changer” for motion-picture production.

“I call the Canon 5D Mark II a ‘game-changer’ for several reasons,” Hurlbut elaborated. “The first is its big CMOS sensor’s ability to collect light in widely varying ISOs. It’s very clean up to 1600 ISO. Its light-gathering capability has a nice, very film-like gradient. The 5D Mark II’s sensor also delivers ‘VistaVision’ depth of field. No other digital HD camera out there will deliver that. I find that if you operate at the right f-stop with the 5D Mark II, you get a wonderful, shallow depth of field. You’re also getting skin tones unlike any delivered by other cameras. I don’t think the other manufacturers have put the kind of R&D into their cameras that Canon put into its 5D Mark II. Perhaps the biggest reason why the 5D Mark II is a game changer is because it’s so compact. You can capture perspectives with it that no other camera system can deliver.”

Guerrilla Tactics

Shot on sea, air and land in many locations around the world, Act of Valor owes much of its cinema verité style to the compact size of the Canon 5D Mark II, which enabled Hurlbut and his six-man crew to be nearly as stealthy as the active-duty SEALs the film depicts. The crew was able to transport an eight-camera production package in the overhead bins of airliners and avoid transportation difficulties of shipping larger more sensitive equipment. Once on location, the crew went into what Hurlbut calls “platoon module,” a tactic for self-sufficiency in which they could hand-carry everything they needed, thanks to their compact 5D Mark II cameras and the minimal support and lighting gear required.

The compact size of the Canon 5D Mark II also allowed for a lot of set-ups each day that Hurlbut says would not have been possible with larger camera systems. Hurlbut had his crew outfit their 5D Mark II cameras for different shooting configurations that could be switched at a moment’s notice with accessories from such companies as Redrock Micro and Zacuto.

“More than anything, what I love about the Canon 5D Mark II is that it’s part of a global revolution,” Hurlbut concluded. “The 5D Mark II is causing a paradigm shift in the production industry because it provides film-like quality combined with lightweight operation and amazing mobility. It’s also affordable, so it’s giving a lot of people a voice who’ve never had one before. I think the style of filmmaking that’s going to come out of the use of the 5D Mark II will be a whole, fresh new style that hasn’t even been named yet.”

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.

Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions. With more than $46 billion in 2011 global revenue, its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), ranks fourth overall in patent holdings in the U.S. in 2010† and is one of Fortune Magazine's World’s Most Admired Companies in 2011. Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based consumer service and support for all of the products it distributes. Canon U.S.A. is dedicated to its Kyosei philosophy of social and environmental responsibility.

About Act of Valor

Produced and directed by former Baja 1000 champion Mike “Mouse” McCoy and former stuntman Scott Waugh, and written by Kurt Johnstad (300), Act of Valor features a gripping story that takes audiences on an edge-of-their-seat journey, when a mission to recover a kidnapped CIA operative unexpectedly results in the discovery of an imminent, terrifying global threat, an elite team of highly-trained Navy SEALs must immediately embark on a heart-stopping secret operation, the outcome of which will determine the fate of us all. Act of Valor combines stunning combat sequences, up-to-the-minute battlefield technology, and heart-pumping emotion for the ultimate action adventure film—showcasing the skills, training and tenacity of the greatest action heroes of them all: real Navy SEALs.

For more information about Act of Valor, please visit http://www.actofvalor.com.

# # #

†Based on weekly patent counts issued by United States Patent and Trademark Office.

All referenced product names, and other marks, are trademarks of their respective owners.

Share on Facebook! Share on X! Share on Pinterest! Email this page to a friend!
Posted to: Canon News, Sony News   Categories: Canon USA News, HDSLR
Post Date: 2/24/2012 2:12:36 PM ET   Posted By: Bryan

The under-resourced Canon USA technical services department has not yet returned my multiple calls in regards to questions about the latest Canon announcements, but MegaPixel.co.il has published a worth-reading interview that answers some of the questions I have (thanks Niklas).

"The primary objective when designing the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM was to deliver exceptional image quality and a compact design. While including optical IS was desirable, we felt adding the technology in this lens would have comprised these prime goals."

Read the full interview here.

Share on Facebook! Share on X! Share on Pinterest! Email this page to a friend!
Posted to: Canon News   
Post Date: 2/24/2012 10:55:14 AM ET   Posted By: Bryan

Flare, distortion and vignetting test results have been added to the Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro Lens Review page.

Share on Facebook! Share on X! Share on Pinterest! Email this page to a friend!
Posted to: Canon News, Sony News   Category: Camera Gear Review News
Post Date: 2/24/2012 10:42:24 AM ET   Posted By: Bryan
 Thursday, February 23, 2012

By popular request, ISO 12233 Resolution Chart samples crops have been added to the Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro Lens Review page.

Driving the popular request is the huge $200.00 instant rebate currently available for the Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro Lens. Get your 100 OS at B&H, Adorama or Amazon.com.

Note that the Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro Lens is compatible with extenders.

On a Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, the lens plus Sigma 1.4x EX DG Tele Converter autofocuses. The lens plus Sigma 2x EX DG Tele Converter does not autofocus on the 1Ds III.

Share on Facebook! Share on X! Share on Pinterest! Email this page to a friend!
Posted to: Canon News, Sony News   Category: Camera Gear Review News
Post Date: 2/23/2012 4:01:57 PM ET   Posted By: Bryan
 Wednesday, February 22, 2012

All of the older sample pictures on the site are now the currently-used size of max 800px wide or 700px high (some were significantly smaller). About 3,000 images were updated.

Looking at some of the work you did 7 or 8 years ago sometimes makes you cringe. It also shows you how far you have (hopefully) come.

Share on Facebook! Share on X! Share on Pinterest! Email this page to a friend!
Posted to: Canon News, Sony News   
Post Date: 2/22/2012 1:02:55 PM ET   Posted By: Bryan

The sweet-looking Redrock Micro ultraCage for Canon EOS C300 has been announced.

Share on Facebook! Share on X! Share on Pinterest! Email this page to a friend!
Posted to: Canon News   Categories: Redrock Micro News, Canon Cinema EOS
Post Date: 2/22/2012 10:18:02 AM ET   Posted By: Bryan

Through Feb 24th, get Reikan FoCal Automatic AF Microadjustment Calibrator Utility v1.2 at a special new-release price.

Reikan's Facebook page talks about a minor FoCal update to v1.2.1 (Plus version only).

This is a helpful Reikan FoCal discussion. (thanks Scott)

Share on Facebook! Share on X! Share on Pinterest! Email this page to a friend!
Posted to: Canon News   Category: Reikan FoCal News
Post Date: 2/22/2012 10:02:23 AM ET   Posted By: Bryan

From DxO:

DxO Optics Pro 7.2.1 now available!

DxO Optics Pro v7.2.1 supports the Canon G1 X and 4 other additional cameras: Sony NEX-7, Nikon 1 J1, Nikon 1 V1, Olympus E-P2.

DxO Optics Pro is now able to provide support for brand-new camera models more rapidly, as evidenced by the addition of the Canon G1X, all while continuing to add support for cameras already on the market.

DxO Optics Pro v7.2.1 includes more than 300 additional modules that have been added to the optics module library since the beginning of February, thus providing support for a number of important lenses used with Canon, Fuji, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax and Sony cameras.

More information

B&H carries DxO Optics Pro.

Share on Facebook! Share on X! Share on Pinterest! Email this page to a friend!
Posted to: Canon News, Sony News   Category: DxO News
Post Date: 2/22/2012 9:34:51 AM ET   Posted By: Bryan
 Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Apparently, with some care and effort, any of the black lenses can be made white (thanks Sean).

Share on Facebook! Share on X! Share on Pinterest! Email this page to a friend!
Posted to: Canon News, Sony News   
Post Date: 2/21/2012 8:55:06 AM ET   Posted By: Bryan

Another major camera gear heist has been reported:

"We’re disappointed to report that on Friday 17th February 2012 CVP became the victim of one of the industry’s largest thefts when a substantial quantity of cameras, camcorders, lenses and ancillaries with a street value of around £1M was stolen from our warehouse."

Get the full public details on CVP's blog post.

Again, this gear is likely going to be resold. You can check CVP's Stolen Equipment Register to insure you are not buying their stolen equipment.

Share on Facebook! Share on X! Share on Pinterest! Email this page to a friend!
Posted to: Canon News, Sony News   
Post Date: 2/21/2012 8:39:36 AM ET   Posted By: Bryan
<< Next Month        1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6    Next >    Prev Month >>
Archives
2024   Jan   Feb   Mar
2023   Jan   Feb   Mar   Apr   May   Jun   Jul   Aug   Sep   Oct   Nov   Dec
2022   Jan   Feb   Mar   Apr   May   Jun   Jul   Aug   Sep   Oct   Nov   Dec
2021   Jan   Feb   Mar   Apr   May   Jun   Jul   Aug   Sep   Oct   Nov   Dec
2020   Jan   Feb   Mar   Apr   May   Jun   Jul   Aug   Sep   Oct   Nov   Dec
2019   Jan   Feb   Mar   Apr   May   Jun   Jul   Aug   Sep   Oct   Nov   Dec
2018   Jan   Feb   Mar   Apr   May   Jun   Jul   Aug   Sep   Oct   Nov   Dec
2017   Jan   Feb   Mar   Apr   May   Jun   Jul   Aug   Sep   Oct   Nov   Dec
2016   Jan   Feb   Mar   Apr   May   Jun   Jul   Aug   Sep   Oct   Nov   Dec
2015   Jan   Feb   Mar   Apr   May   Jun   Jul   Aug   Sep   Oct   Nov   Dec
2014   Jan   Feb   Mar   Apr   May   Jun   Jul   Aug   Sep   Oct   Nov   Dec
2013   Jan   Feb   Mar   Apr   May   Jun   Jul   Aug   Sep   Oct   Nov   Dec
2012   Jan   Feb   Mar   Apr   May   Jun   Jul   Aug   Sep   Oct   Nov   Dec
2011   Jan   Feb   Mar   Apr   May   Jun   Jul   Aug   Sep   Oct   Nov   Dec
2010   Jan   Feb   Mar   Apr   May   Jun   Jul   Aug   Sep   Oct   Nov   Dec
2009   Jan   Feb   Mar   Apr   May   Jun   Jul   Aug   Sep   Oct   Nov   Dec
2008   Jan   Feb   Mar   Apr   May   Jun   Jul   Aug   Sep   Oct   Nov   Dec
2007   Jan   Feb   Mar   Apr   May   Jun   Jul   Aug   Sep   Oct   Nov   Dec
2006   Jan   Feb   Mar   Apr   May   Jun   Jul   Aug   Sep   Oct   Nov   Dec
2005   Jan   Feb   Mar   Apr   May   Jun   Jul   Aug   Sep   Oct   Nov   Dec
Terms of Use, Privacy  |  © 2024 Rectangular Media, LLC  |  Bryan CarnathanPowered by Christ!