Canon, Nikon, and Sony News for Apr 2014

 
From SmugMug Films:

"Scott Kelby believes 'you never go wrong by doing the right thing.' And from what we've seen, he's done a lot of things right. Peek behind the curtain to learn more about the man who built an educational empire - while staying true to his passions as a photographer and family man.
 
Want more? Read our exclusive interview with Scott.
 
Check out Scott's Portfolio."

Nikon has published the WR-1 Wireless Remote Controller User's Manual. (PDF, 1.73MB).
 
B&H has the Nikon WR-1 Wireless Remote Controller available for preorder.

In a recent post on Canon's Digital Learning Center, photographer Jack Reznicki explains how Auto ISO enabled him to greatly improve his "keeper" rate when shooting street photography. Reznicki elaborates on the usefulness of Auto ISO and how it gives him "...maximum control over [his] camera in situations where the light changes dramatically and extremely quickly."
 
Check out the article – Auto ISO with street shots – on Canon's Digital Learning Center.

From Canon:
 
Recent media reports have called attention to the disocovery of a security vulnerability in OpenSSL, an application widely used by network-connected devices and websites that encrypts information to enable secure communication. The vulnerability, known as the Heartbleed Bug, could result in the leak of information that was thought to be secure.
 
We have been evaluating Canon products equipped with network connectivity* as well as websites directly operated by Canon. At this time, however, we have not found any that are affected by this vulnerability.
 
We will work to further strengthen security measures to ensure that customers can continue using Canon products and websites with peace of mind.
 
* Products that do not include networking capabilities or are not used when connected to a network are not affected by this vulnerability.

 
San Francisco, California—April 30, 2014 – Red Giant Universe, a revolutionary new community with access to an ever-expanding library of new tools and effects for filmmakers and motion graphic artists, is available today. Membership in Red Giant Universe is free and it allows our members to take control of the future of Universe development. Available now are 50 Free and Premium visual effects plugins built on a brand new platform—Supernova. Red Giant Universe is available at redgiant.com/universe for $10/month, $99/year or $399 for a lifetime license.
 
“Universe is a completely new platform for Red Giant and the culmination of nearly two years of work building a new architecture,” said Sean Safreed, co-founder and lead visionary behind Universe. “The Red Giant team has put together an amazing set of 50 fast and useful effects using Supernova, our new development engine. This really is the future of visual effects development for us and the filmmaking community.”
 
Free membership includes the use of 31 effects and transitions, including blurs, glows, distortion, generators and 3D transitions. Stand-out tools in our free membership include beautiful transitions such as Swish Pan and 3D Shutter as well as the unique Glo-Fi that creates pulsating, multi-hued glows for titling. These tools are truly free and NEVER expire. Premium membership includes access to 19 tools. The Premium tools include updated favorites such as Knoll Light Factory EZ, Holomatrix, ToonIt (powered by Toonamation), and Retrograde, from CrumplePop and Red Giant.
 
"The new Universe toolset is so blazing fast, interactions with the parameters are instantaneous, even on my MacBook Pro," said Joey Morelli, owner of DigiDojo, and a veteran editor and compositor. "It's actually fun to play around and get instant feedback. And the effects are SWEET! The new version of Universe Holomatrix is worth the price of admission alone. I cannot wait for future updates!"
 
Red Giant Universe community is now open on the web as well with our first feature called Labs. Labs lets our members vote on the amazing visual effects that they want to see next. The tool that wins the Labs voting round goes right into Universe and is available as part of the Universe membership. Red Giant is committed to frequent updates throughout the year. Members will receive dozens of new tools in 2014 alone.
 
Built on a ground-breaking new platform called Supernova, Red Giant Universe is able to deliver tools faster than any other platform on the planet. The secret is a simple scripting system uniting the power of Javascript and a GPU framework to allow our developers to fulfill the desires of our community in a matter of hours instead of days or weeks.
 
All the tools in Red Giant Universe exploit the power of modern GPU (graphics processing unit) to render most effects in near real-time. The platform is also scalable, working across small and light laptops such as Macbook Air with modern Intel graphics processors (HD4000 and later) up to high-end workstation GPUs from AMD and Nvidia. All effects render with floating point quality for feature film-ready output.
 
Pricing & Availability
 
Red Giant Universe is available today as a subscription for $10/month or as a discounted yearly pre-pay for $99. Users who want the benefits of membership but don’t want to pay monthly can opt for a lifetime membership for $399. The lifetime membership never expires and includes all Universe updates and upgrades released over the months and years to come. All Red Giant Universe tools and effects work in After Effects (CS 5.5, CS6, and CC), Premiere Pro (CS6 and CC), Final Cut Pro X (10.1.1) and Motion (5.1), and work on both Mac OS X (10.8.4 and later) and Windows 7 (64-bit) and Windows 8.1.
 
Sign up for a free Red Giant Universe account today at http://redgiant.com/universe.
 
B&H carries Red Giant software.

Tamron has posted its Q1 FY2014 Financial Results (PDF, 117KB).
 
B&H carries Tamron lenses.

From Canon:
 
TOKYO, Japan, April 30, 2014—Canon Inc. today celebrated an impressive lens-manufacturing milestone with the production on April 22, 2014, of the Company's 100-millionth EF-series interchangeable lens for EOS cameras—an EF200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x.
 
Production of interchangeable EF lenses for Canon EOS-series AF (autofocus) single-lens reflex cameras began in 1987 at the Company's Utsunomiya Plant, which continues to play a central role in Canon’s lens manufacturing operations. In May 2013, EF lens production surpassed the 90-million-unit mark and now, approximately eleven months later, the Company is commemorating its first-in-the-world achievement of having manufactured 100 million lenses.
 
Canon's proprietary EF lenses, launched in March 1987 along with the EOS SLR camera system, have continued to evolve since their introduction, leading the industry through the incorporation of a wide range of innovative technologies, including such world's firsts as the Ultrasonic Motor (USM), Image Stabilizer (IS) technology, and a multi-layered diffractive optical (DO) element. In May 2013, aiming to further expand the realm of photographic expression, the Company introduced the EF200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x, the world's first super-telephoto zoom lens with a built-in 1.4x extender that makes possible a 200-560 mm focal length range.
 
In recent years, in addition to renewing such models as super-telephoto lenses ideal for sports and nature photography along with zoom lenses that offer a bright f/2.8 maximum aperture throughout the entire zoom range, Canon has launched multiple entry-class interchangeable lenses equipped with a stepping motor (STM) that delivers smooth and quiet autofocus performance during video recording. As a result, the Company's extensive EF lens-series lineup currently comprises a total of 89 models. In addition to enhancing its lens offerings, Canon has expanded the optical technologies incorporated in its EF lenses into new fields, launching EF Cinema Lenses for digital cinematography in January 2012, and EF-M lenses for compact-system cameras in September 2012.
 
Furthermore, during the 11-year period from 2003 to 2013, Canon maintained the No. 1 share worldwide within the interchangeable-lens digital camera market and, in February 2014, marked another manufacturing milestone as combined production of its film and digital EOS-series interchangeable-lens cameras surpassed the 70-million-unit mark.
 
Canon will continue refining its diverse imaging technologies based on its core optical technologies, striving to produce exceptional and reliable lenses and cameras that cater to the varying needs of photographers—from first-time users to advanced amateurs and professionals—while contributing to expanding the photographic and video imaging culture.

From Lastolite:
 
Introducing NEW textures to the Urban Backgrounds
 
Lastolite has extended the inspirational range of Urban backgrounds to now offer even more options to photographers looking to create the outdoor look in any location. Each reversible background has a unique urban feel and can quickly add a new dimension to any portrait shoot. The collapsible backgrounds are portable and quick to set up; offering the ultimate solution to today’s busy photographers.
 
Outdoor Look in Any Location
 
Bring the outdoors, indoors; saving the time and costs related to finding the right location.
 
Two in One
 
Create two unique looks with one reversible background.
 
Instant Solution
 
Crease resistant fabric facilitates instant set-up.
 
Perfectly Portable
 
Lightweight and collapsible, the Urban backgrounds are the perfect solution for photographers on the move.
 
New Textures:

• Derelict Wall / Wooden Fence (LL LB5715)
• Shutter / Distressed Door (LL LB5717)
• Tarnished Metal / Container (LL LB5718)
• Grey Stone / Red Brick (LL LB5711)

B&H carries the Lastolite Urban Background series.

 
From B&H's YouTube Channel:

In this segment from B&H's "Wedding Event of the Season" seminar, recorded live at the New Yorker hotel, Moshe Zusman shares tips on lighting and posing for wedding photography.
 
Moshe Zusman's Website: http://www.moshezusman.com

Select Gear Used by Moshe Zusman

• Canon EOS-1D X
• Canon EOS 5D Mark III
• Canon Speedlites
• Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM
• Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Lens
• Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM
• Canon TS-E 17mm f/4L Tilt-Shift Lens
• Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM Lens
• Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro Lens
• Nexto DI Portable Backup Drive
• SanDisk Memory Cards
• Profoto D1 Air Monolights
• Profoto B1 500 AirTTL Battery Powered Flashes

Image quality, vignetting, flare and distortion test results along with specs/measurements and product images have been added to the Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM Lens review page.
 
One interesting comparison to make is the Sigma 50-500mm OS Lens compared to the Tamron 150-600mm VC Lens. Select the focal length and aperture to base your comparison on.

From DxO:
 
New Optics Modules available
DxO Optics Pro v9.1.5 also benefits from the addition of new DxO Optics Modules: 472 new camera/lens combinations have been added to the library, which today counts more than 18,000 available DxO Optics Modules.
 
Produced in the laboratory, DxO Optics Modules contain copious information about the characteristics of each camera and each lens so as to be able to automatically correct distortion, vignetting, chromatic aberrations, and lens softness with an unrivaled level of quality.
 
The capacity of DxO’s laboratories enables DxO Optics Pro 9 to quickly offer support for the latest models — for example, DxO will support the Panasonic Lumix GH-4 and the Sony A6000 in the very near future.
 
DxO ViewPoint v2.1.5 now available
DxO ViewPoint v2.1.5 also benefits from the addition of new camera/lens combinations for automatic correction of distortion in JPEG and TIFF images.
 
Availability
Both DxO Optics Pro v9.1.5 and DxO ViewPoint v2.1.5 are now available at photo resellers.
 
List of new DxO Optics Modules:
Canon | Nikon | Nokia| Olympus| Panasonic| Sony
 
B&H carries DxO Optics Pro v9 and DxO Viewpoint v2.

 
From B&H Explora:
 
Zacuto announced its new and novel lens support system for use with Canon Cinema EOS Prime Lenses, Compact Zooms, and Zeiss CP.2 prime lenses in EOS mount. The system locks the camera and lens securely to your baseplate, providing support and stability, while still allowing you to swap lenses in about the same amount of time as if you were not using a lens support.
 
The lens support system consists of the rod support and the lens “foot.” The system works with a variety of cameras in Canon EF mount, including most DSLRs and the Canon Cinema EOS Cameras. The rod support mounts on LWS support rods, and provides a machined channel or “hook” into which the lens support foot slides, thus supporting the lens on the rods. The system allows you to support the above mentioned heavy cinema-style lenses on your camera, but without using a screw-in lens support, which can be difficult and time consuming to set up.
 
The support foot itself is designed to mount on each lens, becoming a part of the lens, yet adding little to the size of the lens itself. It is important to note that you will need one foot for each lens, and that the support foot for the Canon and Zeiss lenses are different. You can use the support hook with baseplates that feature adjustable rod heights, for use with different cameras. The rod support itself also features height adjustment for baseplates that don't have height-adjustment capability. Once the lens feet are mounted on the lenses, you can swap Canon Cine Primes and Zeiss CP.2 lenses between the same camera body without making any further adjustments to the support hook.
 
B&H carries the newly announced Zacuto products:

• Zacuto Canon Lens Support
• Zacuto Canon Lens Support Feet
• Zacuto Zeiss Lens Support
• Zacuto Zeiss Lens Support Feet

 
From B&H:
 
In this segment from B&H's "Wedding Event of the Season" seminar, recorded live at the New Yorker hotel, Ryan Brenizer walks us through the business side of being a wedding photographer.

Just posted: ExpoImaging Rogue FlashBender Review
 
For a modest cost, the Rogue FlashBender system can transform the light quality coming from your speedlite into something special.
 
Check out the entire line of Rogue FlashBenders at B&H.

From Profoto:
 
Profoto releases the first firmware upgrade for the B1 off-camera flash and the AirTTL system, enabling TTL metering with Canon EOS-1D X.
 
April 28, 2014 – When launched in November 2013, the Profoto B1 off-camera flash caused such a buzz in the photographic community that the company’s website crashed. The B1 was the world’s first cordless monolight with TTL. The words “game changer” have appeared in reviews and forums ever since.
 
The TTL metering is made possible with Profoto’s patent-pending AirTTL system. Already at launch Profoto promised to continuously update the AirTTL system. One of the most frequently requested features is TTL metering with Canon’s flagship model: the Canon EOS-1D X. Today, this feature is made available free of charge through an easily installed firmware upgrade.
 
Note that it is not the B1 off-camera flash itself that needs to be upgraded; it is the small radio transmitter that is mounted on the Canon camera’s hot shoe: the Air Remote TTL-C.
 
The process is very simple:

1. Go to www.profoto.com/support.
2. Sign in with an existing My Profoto account or create a new one.
3. Register your B1 and your Air Remote TTL-C.
4. Download the upgrade.
5. Open the software and follow the simple instructions.

That is it. You can do all of this without having to contact a service station.
 
“Enabling photographers to do the upgrades themselves is a great step in our quest for providing Profoto users with the best in class customer support,” says Göran Marén, Product Manager at Profoto. “This is something we will strive to provide for all new products.”
 
This is the first of many planned upgrades for the B1 off-camera flash and the AirTTL system. Profoto is currently working on a firmware upgrade for high-speed sync (HSS). Profoto is also busy developing the new Air Remote TTL-N that will enable TTL metering with Nikon cameras. Both the HSS upgrade and the Air Remote TTL-N are expected to be released in 2014.
 
B&H carries the Profoto B1 battery powered off-camera flash.

From Samyang (translated):
 
Samyang is proud to announce new lenses that will be available soon – the 35mm f/1.4 Canon AE, 300mm f/6.3 Mirror DSLR and a series of VDSLR lenses: Samyang 10mm T3.1, 12mm T2.2 and 7.5mm T3.8.
 
The new new 35mm f/1.4 Canon EF mount version will feature AE (Auto Exposure), which has so far been exclusively reserved for lenses with the Nikon F bayonet lens mount. The optical construction of the lens has not changed with excellent image quality and mechanical operation. The Samyang 35mm f/1.4 is designed for use with Canon digital SLR cameras, compatible with full frame and APS-C sensor cameras.
 
Samyang will also offer a lightweight and compact lens 300mm f/6.3 Mirror UMC CS in DSLR mounts Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony A and Micro 4/3. The optical construction has 8 elements in 8 groups. The lenses feature multi-layer coatings (UMC) to minimize glare and increase contrast. A large focal length, exceptionally affordable price and small footprint (lens weighs only 260g) means this lens will become a constant companion for SLR users "in the field".

The Samyang 10mm T3.1 12mm T2.2 Cine and Cine will also be available soon. Samyang VDSLR lenses have aperture and focus rings designed to work with Follow Focus systems. The deeply ribbed rings allow whisper-quiet and smooth changes of these parameters during filming.

The Samyang 10mm T3.1 and 12mm T2.2 Cine lenses feature a nanocrystalline anti-reflective coating (NCS) which provides better light transmission, greater resistance to glare and higher contrast, producing excellent image quality.
 
Samyang 12 mm version of the photo and film lens, designed for APS-C sensor cameras, fills the need for a wide-angle lens paired with a wide aperture. The lens is designed for cameras equipped with high-resolution sensors (over 24MP). Samyang Optics has earned a reputation of providing excellent quality lenses at an affordable price. The latest set of lenses live up to Samyang's storied reputation. The 10mm and 12 mm, which in terms of mechanical construction and optical capabilities, can successfully compete with the best wide-angle lenses available on the market today.

The product range is further complemented by the Samyang 7.5mm Fish-eye T3.8 Cine lens. This is a film version of the precisely designed fisheye lens, giving a diagonal field of view equal to 180 degrees. Though small in size, Samyang 7.5mm T3.8 Cine can get get unique shots with excellent performance and exceptional visual creativity, and features a minimum focusing distance of just 0.09 meters.

 
B&H carries Samyang Lenses.

 
From SmugMug Films:
 
Joel Grimes is a commercial advertising photographer whose composite portraits stretch the limits of imagination and fantasy. His secret for success in the art and photography world is simple - hard work, passion, and the courage to be yourself, even if it takes sacrifices.
 
Read our interview with Joel: http://smu.gs/1jCsPcy
 
See more from Joel at www.JoelGrimes.com.

Just posted: Canon Timer Remote Controller TC-80N3 Review
 
If you have a tripod and a Canon camera sporting an "N3" port, you want a TC-80N3 in your kit.

From Canon Digital Learning Center:
 
April 24, 2014 – In our new Quick Tips series, you get to watch and learn right from Canon Digital Learning Center experts!
 
Each video will feature a Canon Technical Advisor offering a helpful imaging tip, sharing a unique product insight, or explaining a key technology. New videos will be added regularly, so check back to keep expanding your Canon knowledge base.
 
Quick Tips Videos Available

• Wireless File Transmitter
• RAW Image Fundamentals
• High Speed Sync
• Quick Control Menu
• Picture Style explained
• Radio-Based Wireless Flash
• Radio Wireless Group Mode
• Custom Pictures
• Evaluative Metering
• GPS with EOS Cameras
• Properly Holding a Digital SLR Camera
• Exposure Modes and Flash

That became a pertinent question for me lately as the SDHC/SDXC memory cards I've most recently purchased came without the little plastic case included. While I think the manufacturers should include the inexpensive cases by default, none have yet asked me for my opinion. The other problem is that I've started to accumulate a variety of memory card case sizes that have become at least slightly annoying to deal with.
 
I was looking for something very compact but wanted at least a little protection for the cards. My memory cards are usually kept in other cases or my pocket where they have an additional layer of protection afforded them.
 
For me, the right solution was found on eBay. For $6.95 with free standard shipping, you get 10 small plastic cases just large enough to comfortably hold SDHC cards. I purchased two lots and now have all of my cards neatly stored in much less space than the pre-latest-purchased cards consumed.
 
If you prefer the more protective, larger case size or if you need to store CompactFlash/CF cards, this eBay auction may have the cases you are looking for. Same seller and same price.
 
For more rugged and larger capacity memory card cases, check out B&H's memory card case category. Notable entries include those from Ruggard, Pelican and Think Tank Photo.

 
Watch as Chris Newman's drone seemingly malfunctions and gets lost in the Amazon while filming the Treehouse Lodge for Animal Planet.
 
You can see the final product of their filming efforts on Vimeo.

 
From SmugMug Films:
 
Devin Graham's viral videos of the world's largest rope swing (among other jaw-dropping adventures) have garnered over 300 MILLION views since Devin started posting them on YouTube in 2010. All the more amazing when you learn that Devin once broke his back (and leg) while shooting a video. Watch this video profile to get an inside look at what drives one of the world's most popular filmmakers.
 
Want more? Read our exclusive interview with Devin: http://smu.gs/1bo0hWj
 
Check out Devin's SmugMug profile or YouTube Channel to see all his exciting videos.
 
Devin's Essential Gear:

• Canon EOS 5D Mark III
• Canon EOS-1D C
• Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
• Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II
• B+W Circular Polarizer
• Glidecam Stabilizer

From Tamron:
 
Cutting-edge eBAND Coating and three LD (Low Dispersion) glass elements deliver superior imaging performance, the latest built-in VC (Vibration Compensation) system broadens users' horizons in achieving sharper handheld photographs, and a speedy, precise USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive) enables high-speed AF (Autofocus).
 
April 24, 2014, Saitama, Japan - Tamron Co., Ltd. (President & CEO: Morio Ono), a leading manufacturer of precision optics, has announced the release of the SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD (Model A011), an innovative ultra-telephoto zoom lens with a focal length range of 150mm to 600mm, for Nikon mount.
 
Expected Availability
April 30, 2014
 
B&H has the Tamron SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD for Nikon available for preorder.

Canon has released their Q1 FY2014 financial results. The presentation material is usually our preferred method for getting the information

• Presentation Material for 1Q 2014 (PDF, 338KB)
• Results for 1Q 2014 (PDF, 654KB)

Related Article
Canon nudges up 2014 profit forecast as office equipment sales grow; Q1 profit up 51 pct

 
From SmugMug Films:
 
Water photographer Sarah Lee (http://www.vivantvie.com/) loves the unpredictability of nature and creates art that captures the interplay of people, water, and light. Unlike other forms of photography, where pixels are painstakingly crafted, Sarah embraces what she can't control and uses her photography to find beauty in the chaos.
 
Her work has been featured in the Huffington Post, Daily Mail, Marie Claire and more.
 
Want more? Read our exclusive interview with Sarah: http://smu.gs/1fWN4PT
 
Get water photography tips from Sarah Lee: http://smu.gs/1dqNUtz