Canon and Sony News for Oct 2015

Image quality results have been added to the Zeiss Milvus 100mm f/2M Lens page.

Image sharpness, while extremely good, is not alone going to drive many upgrades from the Zeiss 100mm f/2 Macro Lens because ... it was already great. However, image sharpness is not going to impede anyone considering the purchase of this new Milvus lens as it is also a great one.

B&H has the Zeiss Milvus 100mm f/2M Lens in stock.

From X-Rite:

Reduces editing time, improves color balance and control, eases matching of multiple cameras

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., October 22, 2015 - X-Rite Incorporated, a global leader in color science and technology, and its subsidiary Pantone LLC, today announced that it is launching two new products in its popular ColorChecker series. ColorChecker Video and ColorChecker Passport Video targets reduce video editing time, improve color balance control, make it easier to match multiple cameras and simplify editing for mixed lighting conditions.

“These two new products are the natural extension of the ColorChecker family that has been used for years by photo and imaging professionals and enthusiasts alike.”, said Chris Winczewski, X-Rite’s Vice President of Product Marketing, “Whether filmmakers do their own color grading or engage a colorist, whether they shoot or direct, they’ll find our new products invaluable tools that easily integrate into their daily work process. This is the first time a color target solution has been available to the burgeoning video market that is functional and affordable for anyone involved with producing or editing video. When using ColorChecker Video or ColorChecker Passport Video, the production workflow is faster, more consistent and more balanced, and users can more quickly get to an ideal color balance for developing their creative look.”

40-Year Heritage
The ColorChecker brand from X-Rite has enjoyed a positive reputation in the photo market for nearly 40 years. Now, the ColorChecker targets for video bring that unique color science to the world of video, delivering versatility on set and improved productivity in editing. Professionals and hobbyists using Adobe Premiere, Apple Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve, Avid and other video editing software will be able to take advantage of ColorChecker targets specifically tuned for video production.

The Details
The new X-Rite ColorChecker Video targets are available in two forms to deliverconsistent, predictable and repeatable results, frame to frame and camera tocamera.

• ColorChecker Passport Video delivers all-in-one pocket-sized convenience in a rugged hard case with four different targets:
• A color reference for evaluating specific chromatic colors aligned with video production, including skin tones, gray balance and highlights and shadows.
• White balance for creating a consistent neutral white point, eliminating the need to correct each frame later.
• 3-step grayscale target that includes white highlight, 40 IRE midtone gray and saturated black references.
• A focus target that facilitates center and edge focus.
• ColorChecker Video’s larger format is great for camera checks, and for wider shots, both in studio and on location. It includes:
• Two series of grayscale patches: 7 smaller patches for even gray balance with extra steps close to the highlight and shadow regions, and 4 larger gray level rectangles, including a high gloss black, that are easily recognized by the camera,
• A range of skin tone patches from light to dark along the outer edge for easy alignment.
• A series of saturated and desaturated chromatic colors allowing for appropriate color and saturation adjustments.
• A full size white balance target on the reverse side.

“Achieving proper exposure in video can be challenging,” Winczewski adds. “ColorChecker Video targets help you quickly dial in an exposure that will give your editor or colorist an easier time matching cameras or lighting conditions in post-production. And since all cameras, even of the same make and model, can have variations in the way they reproduce color, ColorChecker Video targets allow you to evaluate how your camera will capture color in any given scene so you can adjust accordingly. We are very excited to be able to make this capability available to the broader video market.”

Color Finale Plug-In for Final Cut
Color Grading Central’s Color Finale plug-in for Apple Final Cut Pro X will be supporting ColorChecker Video targets in the fourth quarter of 2015. “Color Finale offers a brand-new set of industry standard grading tools for Final Cut Pro X,” said Denver Riddle, President of Color Grading Central. “We are totally thrilled to integrate the ColorChecker Video targets into Final Cut Pro X through Color Finale because of what it will mean for the filmmaker. Simply placing the ColorChecker in the beginning of shots and then using the Color Finale plugin takes all the guesswork out of primary color correction. This means less time spent fidgeting with corrections and more time focused on creating looks and beautiful images that enhance the story. With Color Finale and the ColorChecker Video targets you can feel confident that you’re getting ‘true as shot’ coloraccurate images that springboard your creativity.”

B&H has the X-Rite ColorChecker Video products available for preorder.

From RocketJump Film School YouTube Channel:

Here's a quick, cheap way to create a ghost effect, in-camera, without any VFX! Also known as "Pepper's Ghost", this effect has been around for ages, and is still used today. Disneyland's "Haunted Mansion" and the Hogwarts Express at Universal Studios both use this effect, and a modified version is still used in modern tele-prompters.

Materials Needed:

• A dark, low-light scene with 2 light sources
• Large pane of glass (or plexiglass) held up by a stand or clamps
• Black blankets or fabric to hang behind your ghost
• Camera

From Canon USA:

Professional photographers are obsessed over the details, but we wanted to find out how obsessed. We invited three people to analyze the same print and used eye-tracking technology to trace every eye movement they made. In the end, it was clear, a photographer's obsession is unmatched. Luckily, there's a printer that's equally obsessed - the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1000.

B&H has the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1000 Professional Inkjet Printer available for preorder.

From Nikon:

Changes from “C” Firmware Version 1.02 to 1.10

• An External recording control option has been added to the HDMI item in the SETUP MENU. If the camera is connected via HDMI to a third-party recorder that supports the Atomos Open Protocol (the Atomos SHOGUN, NINJA2, or NINJA BLADE), selecting On allows camera controls to be used to start and stop recording. More information is available in a supplementary manual.
  Note: Choose an option other than 576p (progressive) or 480p (progressive) for HDMI > Output resolution in the SETUP MENU.
• Fixed the following issues:
• Incorrect distances were shown in the camera playback info display for photographs taken with an optional flash unit in distance-priority manual (GN) mode.
• The brightness of the live view photography display would not change when a command dial was rotated to adjust exposure compensation with On (Auto reset) selected for b Metering/exposure > b4 Easy exposure compensation > Easy exposure compensation in the CUSTOM SETTING MENU.
• Although the preview button would stop the lens down to maximum aperture when assigned the Preview role, the maximum aperture indicator would not appear in the monitor.
• In rare cases, the shutter would not be released when the user attempted to take photographs in movie live view.
• About 4 seconds of static could be heard on audio recorded with external HDMI recorders during movie live view.
• The shutter speed, aperture, and ISO sensitivity displayed in the monitor during movie live view would differ from values in the final movie file.
• Volume could sometimes not be adjusted if movies were played with indicators hidden during full-frame playback (None (image only)).
• Exposure compensation would fail to produce the desired results if a negative value was selected when NEF (RAW) images were processed using the NEF (RAW) processing option in the RETOUCH MENU.
• Images would in rare cases fail to record correctly with HDR (high dynamic range) selected in the SHOOTING MENU.
• If On was selected for Exposure smoothing during interval timer photography, every frame after the first would be overexposed.
• File numbers were not assigned in the proper sequence.
• In some languages, characters or parts of characters would be missing from the SETUP MENU > Location data > Position display.
• In some languages, characters or parts of characters would be missing from the SETUP MENU > AF fine-tune > List saved values display.
• Some help text has been changed.

Download: Nikon D810 Firmware v.1.10

B&H carries the Nikon D810 DSLR Camera.

by Sean Setters

Has this ever happened to you?

You want to purchase something from B&H, but its value doesn't put it over the free Expedited Shipping threshold? While the item may qualify for free standard shipping, getting my newly purchased gear sooner rather than later is my personal preference (I might be a tad impatient).

With that in mind we've developed a list of relatively inexpensive items that may be less practical when purchased on their own, but instead can help push you over the Expedited Shipping threshold when bundling with other purchases.

This stuff is a no-brainer. Gaffer tape is a photographer's best friend. It's strong, peels away without making a mess and is even reusable (to some degree). It comes in a variety of widths, lengths and colors and having a roll on hand can literally save a shoot. If we listed all the ways we've used gaffer tape over the years, this post would turn into a Potter-like epic.

If you don't have any gaffer tape, add some to your cart. If you already have gaffer tape, adding another roll to your inventory is still probably a good idea.

If it's been a while since you've purchased a new Canon lens, then you're missing out on Canon's new, very convenient center pinch lens caps. The new lens caps are a worthwhile investment especially if you typically have a lens hood mounted to your glass.

Don't want to shell out for the Canon-branded lens caps? Third-party center pinch lens caps are also available at a significantly lower cost.

And while we're on the subject of "caps," it's not a bad idea to keep extra body or rear lens caps on hand in case you lose one (I can't tell you how many times I've misplaced a body cap).

A lens hood is an excellent accessory to add to your kit if your lens(es) did not come with one. Not only can they prevent lens flare in your images, they can also help protect your lens's front element from impact. Typically speaking, Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) lens hoods are pricey. However, as lens hoods are typically easy to design and relatively inexpensive to manufacture, purchasing a third-party lens hood makes a lot of sense. Third-party lens hoods may not fit quite as well as the OEM ones and they may lack special features (such as interior flocking), but otherwise [typically] work just as well as their more expensive counterparts.

How much can you save by purchasing a third-part lens hood? The amount varies widely, but here's a good example: the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM uses the ET-67 Lens Hood which will set you back $36.00 for the OEM version; the third-party Vello hood is only $14.95.

There are few things I loathe more than a scratched LCD screen; that's why nearly all my electronic devices (including cameras) have a high quality screen protector in place. I specify "high quality" because there are a lot of low quality (less durable, less clear) screen protectors out there.

I've personally used dozens of screen protectors over the years with various levels of satisfaction. My current personal favorites for camera LCD screen protectors are the Vello LCD Screen Protector Ultra series and the slightly cheaper Vello Glass LCD Screen Protectors. The former is a perfectly-sized piece of transparent optical glass while the latter has a small black frame around the edge that shows branding and the protector model number (but the frame isn't distracting in my opinion).

If you've ever experienced stuck filters (especially if one of them is a circular polarizer), then you'll likely already know the true value of these inexpensive tools. Filter wrenches take up very little room in your gear bag and can save you the huge headache of dealing with filters that are stuck together while you're on a shoot. If these angst avoiding tools are not already a part of your kit, you'd be wise to bundle them with your next purchase.

This is another one of those must-have tools that ranks up there with gaffer tape and a microfiber cloth – the Rocket Blower. Regular use of a Rocket Blower can help keep your sensor clean of dust and debris that may impact image quality with the result of time consuming post-processing needed to remove the distracting artifacts.

Need to create high quality product images? The Rocket Blower can help you remove dust from the items so that your images look more professional. Indeed, using a Rocket Blower is Bryan's first step when creating the product images used for this site. If a Rocket Blower is missing from your kit, bundling one with your next purchase may be a smart way to surpass the Expedited Shipping threshold.

Keeping a desiccant (or two) with your camera gear can help prevent the growth of mold and fungus which can [understandably] degrade image quality and significantly reduce the resale value of your equipment. The most well-known and widely available type of consumer desiccant is Silica Gel which usually comes in single-use packs or reusable canisters that are reactivated by heat (usually an oven).

My suggestion - buy both. Keep the reusable desiccant with your gear stored at home and throw a couple of single-use packs in your gear bags (and replace periodically) for the ultimate in moisture protection.

If you're unfamiliar with what a gray card can do for you, Bryan's Gray Card review written several years ago is just as relevant today as it was then. The short version: a gray card can help you set a custom white balance in-camera (reducing post-processing) as well as assist in determining exposure values based on a meter reading off the card.

I'm finding a gray card to be indispensable when shooting Super Color IRs as getting the correct white balance in-camera makes post-processing so much easier. One really nice thing about the 8x10" gray card is that it can easily be stored in your camera bag's laptop compartment (if the bag has one) which helps protect the gray card while also allowing it to be nearby whenever you need it.

A Remote Switch is a simple tool that allows you to trigger your camera's shutter without touching the shutter button. It's not as handy as an intervalometer (an intervalometer can do everything a switch can do and much more), but if you don't need the intervalometer's additional functionality, the remote switch is a good item to have at your disposal.

The remote switch can prove especially beneficial if photographing young children by allowing you to make eye contact with the subject(s) while triggering the camera from a short distance away from the camera. The remote switch can also be helpful in bulb mode because the shutter can be locked for an indefinite period of time and released without ever having to touch the camera.

Full Disclosure: I do not actually own this product... yet. I ran across the Oben Tripod Hammock a few days ago and I thought it was a really interesting, novel piece of gear. The hammock is suspended by the legs of your tripod and can be used hold filters, lenses, microfiber clothes, or anything else you might need while shooting from a fixed location. Even if your tripod features a hook on the center column, you may even prefer to use the hammock for your ballast needs as it will be less susceptible to wind.

For those reasons, I'll be adding this item to my next B&H purchase that, without it, would not qualify for free expedited shipping. ;-)

So that's 10 general purpose add-ons you can use to help qualify for free expedited shipping. What do you think? Any additional suggestions?

Image quality results have been added to the Zeiss Milvus 50mm f/1.4 Lens page.

While I gave the "Most Beautiful Lens" title to the Zeiss Milvus 21mm f/2.8 Lens, the Zeiss Milvus 50mm f/1.4 Lens is not far behind it on my list. This lens feels at least as nice in hand as it looks in the pictures.

The Milvus update, including a new optical design, has been very good to Zeiss' 50mm f/1.4 in terms of image quality as well. Here is the new vs. old Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 comparison. While the Milvus 50 is not as crazy-good optically as the Zeiss Otus 55mm f/1.4 Lens, it costs far less. And it competes well in many of the other relevant comparisons:

Zeiss Milvus 50 vs Canon 50 f/1.4
Zeiss Milvus 50 vs Tamron 45 f/1.8
Zeiss Milvus 50 vs Sigma Art f/1.4

Many more relevant comparisons exist. Build your own.

B&H has the Zeiss Milvus 50mm f/1.4 Lens in stock.

If you're a lighting enthusiast like me, this is the kind of video you love to see. Karl Taylor & Urs Recher demonstrate how to use soft & [very well-controlled] hard light to highlight engraving detail on glass.

One technique that I found especially interesting in this video was the simple use of a white card to help illustrate the projection of the back light's modeling lamp.

B&H carries Broncolor equipment.

The functionality of a product must be the highest priority, but I'll argue that us photographers, by trade, appreciate design and beauty in a product more than the general public. Since it is photographers that look at and handle lenses most, it is only fitting that a lens has a beautiful styling. I am pleased that lens makers are taking style into full account with their latest releases, including Sigma's Global Vision lines, Tamron with their latest primes and now Zeiss with their new Milvus lenses.

A few of the new Zeiss Milvus lenses just arrived and product images are usually first on the evaluation to-do list. Avoiding as much of the inevitable-with-use dust and finger prints saves lots of post processing time. I had seen the Zeiss product images distributed along with the Milvus press release, but the new Zeiss Milvus 21mm f/2.8 Lens really caught my attention immediately out of the box.

It was love at first sight. The smooth, modern, curved metal design is drop-dead gorgeous. Lenses are meant to be used for image making and ... this lens makes for a great image. Thus, I'm going to declare the Zeiss Milvus 21mm f/2.8 lens to be the new "World's Most Beautiful Lens" titleholder.

That is my opinion of course. Which lens is at the top of your most beautiful lens list?

Canon has released its 3Q 2015 financial results. As usual, the Presentation Material is our preferred method for getting the highlights.

Canon 3Q 2015 Financial Results

• Presentation Material for 3Q 2015 (PDF)
• Results for 3Q 2015 (PDF)

More Information:

• Canon cuts full-year profit outlook on sluggish China demand (Reuters)

by Sean Setters

Do you ever feel stuck in a rut, creatively speaking? You've got all this great gear at your disposal but you're simply not inspired by your surroundings? That's an unfortunate side effect of the human condition – we start losing appreciation for the things (and people?) we see on a daily basis. Even the extraordinary can seem mundane if we see it every day.

Aside from taking a vacation and enjoying the benefits of exploring a new place (providing an excellent source of inspiration), there are several things you can do right in your own hometown to help quell the "been there, seen that" blues. And many of them require little to no investment in new gear. A common (and useful) technique is to limit yourself to shooting with a single focal length. But as that approach has been covered by just about everyone, let's look at other ways to inspire your own creativity.

One particularly intriguing camera feature that has trickled down from high-end bodies in the past few years is the Multiple Exposures feature (found in the EOS 1D X, 5Ds/5Ds R, 5D III, 6D, & 7D II). A multiple exposure is just what it sounds - a single exposure created by combining two (or more) individual shots. The possibilities for creative multiple exposures are limited only by your imagination, and forcing yourself to think about your multiple exposure before capture is an excellent exercise in creative thinking. Using Live View in Multiple Exposure mode enables you to preview the result you can expect after capture. If you don't have a camera that features Multiple Exposures, you can easily recreate the most common multiple exposure effect in Photoshop by layering one image over another and setting the top layer's blend mode to "Lighten" (that's exactly what I did for the image above).

As photographers, we're used to capturing the world in split seconds. Movement is frozen in when our shutter speeds are short enough and our images are sharpest. Capturing an image that spans seconds (if not minutes) can completely change the dynamic the scene. A tripod and 10 stop neutral density (or even more dense) filter can allow water along the beach to appear as flat as a sheet of glass or can aid in reducing the evidence of people when photographing in a crowded place (think architectural photography).

A neutral density filter isn't necessarily required for creating long exposures. If shooting at night, you can easily use just a tripod (or other means of support) to help capture light trails left by passing vehicles.

Shooting in infrared is a great way to help you break out of a creative slump because it allows you to experience the world in a whole new way. Suddenly, drab and familiar landscapes become intriguing when capturing the typically unseen wavelengths.

There are a couple of ways to capture infrared shots. The first and least expensive way is to purchase a filter that blocks visible light but allows IR light to pass through. When using the infrared [passing] filter, your exposure times will be very long (sometimes minutes). That's because your camera has a built-in infrared blocking filter that prohibits most of the infrared light from hitting the sensor. The infrared filter on the front of your lens allows you to create an exposure out of the trickle of IR that makes it through to the camera's filter. For these shots, a tripod (or other stable shooting platform) is essential.

Keep in mind that with the IR filter in place, you cannot see through the viewfinder (and you'll see very little if anything in Live View). Therefore, you must frame and focus your shot before placing the IR filter on the camera. And since IR light focuses at a slightly different point than visible light, you'll want to shoot at or near hyperfocal distances with a narrow enough aperture to compensate for focus shifting.

Another piece of gear helpful for capturing images with an infrared filter is the timer remote. The timer remote/intervalometer will allow you to shoot exposures longer than 30 seconds without having to continually hold down the shutter button (as in Bulb mode). Some newer camera bodies – like the 7D Mark II and 5Ds/5Ds R – feature an in-camera bulb timer and will not require the remote timer accessory.

If you'd like to dive into infrared photography head first, you can have your DSLR converted to an infrared camera. The cost will vary depending on your camera body and filter option, but the conversion will likely be in the ballpark of $300.00 (or more, depending on camera model and options). One big benefit of an IR conversion is that your exposure times will closely mimic your exposure times for visible light, meaning a tripod isn't absolutely necessary. However, you will need to compose and focus using Live View because visible light no longer passes through to the viewfinder.

If you only have one camera, I wouldn't suggest an IR conversion. Converting your camera to infrared means that you can no longer capture visible light with your camera. However, converting an older DSLR to infrared after upgrading cameras is a great way to extend the useful life of your likely-to-be-neglected equipment (assuming you don't need a backup camera). That was the motivating factor for sending my rarely-used EOS 7D to Life Pixel for an infrared conversion. With my newly converted 7D in-hand, infrared photography has never been more fun and inspiring. The image at the top of this post was created with my EOS 7D modified with Life Pixel's Super Color IR conversion.

As a general rule, I see the world in a 2x3 ratio frame. But even I know there are times when a wider, theater-like view is required to truly experience what it's like to be standing in a specific spot. Maybe you need a wider angle lens but just don't have one. Or maybe you just want to squeeze every pixel of detail out of a scene. No matter the reason, panoramas force you to think about your composition differently. It gets much more difficult to hide "distracting" elements of a scene when you force yourself to capture everything that's in front of you in all its glory.

There are many different ways to create a panorama. The easiest way is to simply stand in one spot and point your camera in different directions and stitch the resulting images together in post. Unfortunately, this may not always work well because of parallax errors caused by not rotating the camera body at its no-parallax point. That's exactly why I built my own panning rig for creating 360-degree panoramas. Another way to create panoramas while avoiding parallax errors is to use a tilt-shift lens to capture images at widest extents along the shift plane.

No matter what method you use to capture your images, you'll need a decent photo editor to stitch them into a seamless panoramic image. Photoshop CC is a full-featured, reasonably priced option; Hugin is free and open source, but the learning curve is [in my opinion] relatively steep.

One way to inspire creativity is to throw another variable into the mix – the element of time. We generally try to capture images that attempt to tell a complete story in a single frame. Time-lapse photography gives us the ability to illustrate changes that happen over time and require a completely different approach to planning and capture.

Creating a good time-lapse requires patience, planning, dedication and a fair amount of post-processing. Preparing for time-lapse capture means that you have to consider what elements in your scene will change over time, how to protect your equipment and how to compensate for changes in exposure thoughout your time-lapse.

To create time-lapses you'll need a solid support system (a tripod is likely best, but any stable platform will do), a timer remote (if your camera does not have an interval timer built-in), and patience.

Shown above is the time-lapse I created when evaluating the Triggertrap Mobile Dongle. The Mobile Dongle (paired with a smartphone) not only allows you to create a time-lapse, but it allows you to adjust the timing and exposure values during capture so that you can be even more creative with your time-lapse.

If you already own a macro lens, then you already have everything you need to explore the wonders of your own back/front/side yard. If you do not own a macro lens (and even if you do), using extension tubes with your current lenses will help increase the maximum magnification possible by shortening the lens' minimum focus distance.

The flower seen above is located about 6 feet from my backdoor in a small flowerbed. Tip: Plant flowers around your home. Not only will they provide you with ample opportunities to shoot beautiful macros, but your significant other will likely enjoy displaying them in your home. And just in case you forgot a special occasion, being able to pick flowers from your yard may help you avoid the ramifications of your lapse in memory.

Is the weather not conducive to venturing outside? Try macro photography with objects around the house. Many everyday objects become much more intriguing when viewed up close (salt, peppercorns, etc.)

So that's our top 6 ways for inspiring your own creativity. Do you have other suggestions? Let us know in the comments!

From the Canon Professional Network:

"In the fast-paced, high-octane world of automotive photography, you might be surprised to learn that changing opinions takes time. Despite this, top car photographer Dom Romney tells CPN writer Mark Alexander that Canon’s new 5DS is beginning to turn heads..."

B&H has the Canon EOS 5Ds / 5Ds R available with $300.00 instant savings, 13 months of Damage Protection (CarePAK Plus) and 2% Rewards.

When I left for my Alaska trip, I was packing on the end of a 90+ hour work week and was still actively fighting against a DDOS attack on the site as I was going out the door. With major distractions, I left without a key piece of kit that I expected to need on this trip – my Think Tank Photo Hydrophobia 300-600 v2.0 rain cover. When I remembered what I had forgotten, it was too late to recover from my mistake.

As it turned out, I was shooting with my Canon 600mm f/4L IS II Lens on a Canon EOS 5Ds R in light rain about 50% of the time I was in Katmai National Park. While this lens and lens combo is weather sealed, I don't like to test the limits of this sealing.

What saved me? Minimally, from anxiety? A simple garbage bag. Having needed to use this backup plan before, I knew what to do. Place the makeshift rain cover (I usually carry at least two in my larger cases) over the camera and lens. Then tear a small hole in the bag, with the opening just large enough to tightly stretch over the lens hood. The plastic stretched around the hole holds the bag tightly to the lens hood, providing a seal between the gear and the makeshift rain cover.

A hole can also be made for the viewfinder, but I often use the bag's normal opening when shooting. My ball hat brim provides some protection for the exposed back of the camera and I pull the bag completely over the camera when not actively shooting.

This solution is not nearly as elegant as the TTP rain cover. The one problem with this setup is that wind can swiftly blow the bag off of the camera, generally turning it inside out and into a flag blowing from the snug-fitting tear/cut hole hold holding onto the lens. Wrapping some tape (carry a small, perhaps self-made, roll of gaffer tape) around the back of the lens can be enough. Other securing options abound, including the use of ball bungies.

Forget your garbage bags? Garbage bags are ubiquitous; they can be found at most household supply, grocery and camp stores. Your hotel can likely give you one if there isn’t a good one to be found in your room. If your hotel happens to provide shower caps, that is another rain cover option.

Garbage bags have many uses beyond camera and lens rain protection. Use them as a drop cloth/ground matt to keep you and/or your gear clean and dry. You can even put your camera case/backpack in a bag. Use a garbage bag as a makeshift raincoat for yourself (important: allow for fresh air to prevent suffocation). You can of course use the bags for their namesake purpose. Carry a load of trash out of the location you are shooting in.

Choose your bag size and its duty-level based on your need. While a super telephoto lens works great with a full-size garbage bag, smaller lenses work better with a kitchen-sized garbage bag or smaller. When used as a ground cloth, my preference is for very heavyweight contractor bags, though I find lighter weight garbage bags easier to work with as a camera rain cover. I often have various size and material weight selections at my "disposal."

While it is your choice, I highly recommend "unscented" bags. :)

Garbage bag are cheap, readily available and incredibly useful. Put some garbage bags in all of your camera bags now, before you forget. And, add this useful accessory to your packing lists.

From Canon USA:

"The Rusted" is a Psychological Thriller Inspired by a College Student's Trailer Submission for the Project Imagination Contest

MELVILLE, N.Y., October 23, 2015 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, debuts a new Hollywood short film, "The Rusted," as part of Canon's Project Imagination: The Trailer, a consumer contest helmed by Ron Howard who has championed Canon's Project Imagination creative experiment since 2011. Ron Howard and Josh Hutcherson ("The Hunger Games") chose one winning trailer created by Mark Mukherjee, a college student in Florida, as the inspirational foundation for "The Rusted," a psychological thriller written and directed by Kat Candler ("Hellion") starring Josh Hutcherson and Jena Malone ("The Hunger Games").

"The Rusted" is a film about a brother and sister's attempt to renovate their childhood home into a recording studio, but strange happenings force them to deal with memories from their past. The global premiere of the film took place via a livestream with AOL BUILD, giving consumers everywhere a chance to experience the film, and will now be available at imagination.usa.canon.com.

"I'm honored to continue this journey with Canon, seeking inspiration from those around us and urging everyone to tap into their creative souls and bring stories to life," said Ron Howard. "It's truly been a delight to collaborate with Josh Hutcherson who challenged himself to star in a role that was unlike any he has done to date."

"Working with Canon, Ron and Kat have given me a great creative outlet to flex my filmmaking muscles," said Josh Hutcherson. "I feel so fortunate to bring the vision of Mark's trailer to life and work alongside Jena to create this beautiful film. I'm excited for everyone to see it."

Francesca Silvestri and Kevin Chinoy of Freestyle Picture Company as well as Josh Hutcherson and Michelle Hutcherson produced the film.

Project Imagination: The Trailer contest launched in February 2015 and was open for submissions through April 29th. Based on the concept that anything in life can be a movie, and every movie starts with a trailer, Canon invited all consumers - even those who have never picked up a camera before - to turn everyday photos and video footage into a creative movie trailer with titles, Hollywood style voice-overs and epic soundtracks. Consumers of all skill levels were encouraged to create and submit trailers of their everyday moments using Canon's Trailer Editor tool. One winning trailer was then selected by Ron Howard and Josh Hutcherson.

From BlackRapid:

TRIPOD PLATES 50/70

Replace an existing arca-compatible plate with the Tripod Plate 50 or 70. This product allows you to switch from your tripod to your R-strap effortlessly, without having to unscrew the plate. Comes with our FastenR Tripod screw and fits all 1/4-20 sockets. It is available in two sizes 50 and 70mm.

Technical Specifications

Plate:

• High grade aluminum alloy
• Lengths: 50mm | 70mm
• Width: 40mm
• Weight: 31g | 40g

FastenR Tripod (FR-T1):

• Stainless steel
• Length: 1.4cm
• Length of screw: 0.8cm
• Width of handle: 2.5cm
• Width of screw cap: 1.5cm
• Net Weight: 14g

LOCKING BERT EXTENDER

BlackRapid’s Locking Bert extender is a great solution to lengthen your R-Strap. This option lets you add an extra 15 inches (38cm) on your sling to ensure the best fit. Comes in a locking version and a Non-locking (original) version for Curves and Doubles without the locking buckle on the back.

Technical Specifications

• Black: 2.5cm (1”) Nylon Webbing
• Orange: 2.5cm (1”) Polypropane Webbing
• Length: 38cm (15”)
• Net Weight: 23g

B&H has the BlackRapid Arca-Style Tripod Plates and Locking Buckle Bert Camera Strap Extension available for preorder.

If you already have an Arca-style L-bracket on your camera, you can use this method to make it compatible with a BlackRapid strap. [Sean]

From Think Tank Photo:

10/22/2015 – Two of the photo industry’s most tenured women, Lily Fisher, a senior camera bag designer, and Deanne Fitzmaurice, a Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer, collaborated to create the ideal camera bags for female photographers. After a decade interviewing female professional photographers and a year-and-a-half developing the bag, the result is the Lily Deanne shoulder bag line from Think Tank Photo — the perfect marriage of function and style.

Make no mistake, Lily Deanne bags are serious camera bags designed for quick access to pro-size camera bodies and lenses through the oversized zipper opening. The rare-earth magnetic closures on the main flap and front pockets allow for silent access while protecting delicate clothing. The adjustable non-slip shoulder pad is cushioned for all day comfort.

The Lily Deanne Lucido holds one standard size DSLR with one to three lenses and accessories, or a complete Mirrorless camera system with three to four lenses and accessories. An 8” tablet fits inside a dedicated compartment. The Lily Deanne Mezzo holds one standard-size DSLR with mid-range zoom attached, plus two to three additional lenses and 10” tablet or 11” laptop inside a dedicated compartment. The Lily Deanne Tutto holds one gripped DSLR with mid-range zoom lens attached and two to five additional lenses and 2 flashes, or one standard-size DSLR with 70-200mm f/2.8 attached and two to five lenses in its main compartment and 2 flashes, and a 15” laptop inside a dedicated compartment.

Lily Deanne bags come in two colorsChestnut Brown and Black Licoriceand in three sizes: Lucido (sleek); Mezzo (middle); and, Tutto (everything). A professional photographer can now look stylish with the full-grain Dakota Leather flap and accents, metal hardware with chrome finish, and the Robin’s Egg blue liner.

Lily Deanne bags are ideal for wedding and event photography, portraiture, editorial, corporate and commercial photography.

Materials

Exterior: All fabric exterior treated with durable water resistant coating while fabric underside is coated with polyurethane for superior water resistance, full-grain Dakota leather, chrome plated metal hardware, neodymium (rare-earth) magnets, highest quality YKK RC-Fuse zippers, 420D velocity nylon, 420 high-density nylon, nylon seatbelt webbing, 320g airmesh, silicone non-slip screenprint, 3-ply bonded nylon thread.

Interior: 210D turquoise-toned RC stripe nylon lining, polyurethane-backed Velex liner and dividers, closed-cell foam and reinforced PE board dividers, 2x polyurethane coated nylon 210T seam-sealed taffeta rain cover, nylon binding, 3-ply bonded nylon thread.

Product Dimensions and Weight

Lily Deanne Lucido
Internal Dimensions: 10" W x 8.5" H x 4.5" D (25.5 x 21.5 x 11.5 cm)
Exterior Dimensions: 11.4" W x 8.9" H x 5.3" D (29 x 22.5 x 13.5 cm)
8” tablet compartment: 9.3” W x 7.7” H x 0.6” D (23.5 x 19.5 x 1.5 cm)
Weight: 1.9 lbs (0.8 kg)

Lily Deanne Mezzo
Internal Dimensions: 12.2" W x 9.4" H x 5.3" D (31 x 24 x 13.5 cm)
Exterior Dimensions: 13.8" W x 9.8" H x 6.1" D (35 x 25 x 15.5 cm)
Laptop/tablet compartment: 11.8” W x 8.9” H x 0.8” D (30 x 22.5 x 2 cm)
Weight: 2.3 lbs (1.0 kg)

Lily Deanne Tutto
Internal Dimensions: 15.4” W x 10.2” H x 6.7” D (39 x 28 x 17 cm)
Exterior Dimensions: 16.9” W x 11.4” H x 8.3” D (43 x 29 x 21 cm)
Laptop compartment: 15” W x 10.4” H x 0.9” D (38 x 26.5 x 2.3 cm)
Weight: 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg)

Think Tank Photo has the Lily Deanne shoulder bags available for preorder.

It seems I missed these updates when they hit Canon USA last week. (thanks for the heads up, Peter!)

Digital Photo Professional 3.15.0

Changes:

• Supports EF35mm f/1.4L II USM, EF50mm f/1.8 STM, EF-M15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM.

Digital Photo Professional 4.3.31

Changes:

• Newly supported EOS M10, PowerShot G9 X, PowerShot G5 X, EOS Kiss X6i / EOS REBEL T4i / EOS 650D, EOS Kiss X5 / EOS REBEL T3i / EOS 600D, EOS Kiss X50 / EOS REBEL T3 / EOS 1100D, and PowerShot SX60 HS.
• Supports EF35mm f/1.4L II USM, EF50mm f/1.8 STM, EF-M15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM.
• Adds a function that enables playing back movie files on EOS MOVIE Utility (Ver. 1.4 or later).
• Fixes a malfunction that occurs rarely when "Distortion" is ticked off during the editing of RAW images shot with EOS 8000D / EOS REBEL T6s / EOS 760D or EOS Kiss X8i / EOS REBEL T6i / EOS 750D.

EOS Utility 2.14.20a

Changes:

• Supports EF35mm f/1.4L II USM, EF50mm f/1.8 STM.

EOS Utility 3.3.0

Changes:

• Supports EOS M10.

Picture Style Editor 1.15.30

Changes:

• Supports EOS M10.

EOS MOVIE Utility 1.4

Changes:

• Adds a function that displays saved images on Digital Photo Professional (Ver. 4.3.20 or later).
• Supports vertical image playback for vertical movies.

Download: Software Updates at Canon USA

From PocketWizard:

New Auto-Sensing Transceiver allows photographers to combine on-camera TTL flash with remote manual flash.

So. Burlington, VT – October 21, 2015 – LPA Design, manufacturers of PocketWizard Photo Products, the world leader in reliable wireless control of cameras, flash lighting and light meters, announces the new PocketWizard Plus IV Transceiver. The new Plus IV includes all the features and reliability of the Plus III and adds key new functionality. When used as a transmitter, its top shoe provides on-camera TTL compatibility with most Canon, Nikon and Panasonic cameras and flashes. And although testing is not complete, we are optimistic it will work with some Fuji, and Olympus gear. When used as a receiver, you can easily mount and trigger virtually any speedlight in the shoe, set to a manual power level.

“Photographers love the Plus III, but they’ve expressed their desire for a Plus III with a top shoe. So we designed one. We took it a step further and added TTL pass-through for an on-camera flash, and a metal foot. It’s like a Plus III on its side, with the most-requested features added in,” comments Heather Ambrose, PocketWizard Marketing Manager. “The Plus IV is by no means a replacement for the Plus III. They complement each other. An ideal set-up might be a Plus IV for on-camera flash in TTL mode, another Plus IV with a speedlight mounted in manual mode and two Plus IIIs connected to studio lights. The Plus IV features the same Quad-Zone Triggering as the Plus III so you can easily turn any one of those remote flashes on or off directly from the camera, and either create different looks or work in different areas.”

The Plus IV has the performance enhancing features of the Plus III including Long Range and Repeater Modes to help photographers tackle the most challenging shooting environments, opening the door for never-attempted image ideas. All features, channels and zones can be easily set using the soft-touch keypad and are clearly displayed on the backlit LCD display.

The versatile new PocketWizard Plus IV is compatible with all other PocketWizard radios and virtually every popular flash and professional digital SLR camera system. The standard ISO compatible hot shoe can accommodate almost any speedlight for simple manual triggering, including newer Sony models. It also communicates with all PocketWizard-enabled photo gear including select Profoto, Dynalite, Norman and Photogenic flash systems and Sekonic light meters.

The new Plus IV will be demonstrated at the PocketWizard Booth (#663) at PhotoPlus 2015 in New York City, NY, October 22 – 24, 2015. The product is expected to be available at retail in January 2016.

From Canon USA:

Program to Include Influencers from Emerging Imaging Markets

MELVILLE, N.Y., October 21, 2015 – In celebration of the 20th anniversary of its Explorers of Light Program, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced it is welcoming new members into the program, including: Lindsay Adler, David Bergman, Jimmy Chin, Charles Glatzer, Joel Grimes, Peter Hurley, and Roberto Valenzuela. These new members add to the already impressive ranks of Canon's program, expanding to align with a wide range of talented personalities that impact imaging culture and influence the way their audiences see the world. Many of these new Explorers of Light will be on hand at the Canon Booth (#121) at PhotoPlus Expo 2015, October 22-24 at the Javits Center in New York City. For a full schedule of events in the Canon booth, please visit pro.usa.canon.com/photoplus2015.

The new ambassadors for the Explorers of Light Program go beyond the boundaries of still photography by sharing their work through gallery prints, the silver screen, Facebook, Instagram and more. These influential talents are constantly advancing their craft and helping to create new ways in which our world is visually captured and shared. The program brings these creative individuals together to offer their knowledge, photographic passion, and technical expertise while also acting as a conduit of two-way communication between Canon and various developing imaging markets.

"Our world is constantly changing, and Canon prides itself on being at the forefront of change. For 20 years the Explorers of Light program has enabled us to align with amazing professional photographers that educate and inspire, and now these new luminaries will help us to engage in meaningful two-way communication with exciting and emerging imaging markets," said Yuichi Ishizuka, president and COO, Canon U.S.A., Inc.

Since the creation of the program in 1995, Canon's Explorers of Light have been leaders in their respective fields, garnering awards and accolades for their work. These individuals work with Canon extensively as representatives, ambassadors, educators, and role models for aspiring creative artists. They participate in workshops, seminars, gallery showings and personal appearances throughout the United States.

For more information about the Explorers of Light program, visit: http://www.learn.usa.canon.com/explorers_of_light/eol_home.shtml

From Canon USA:

New Advanced Amateur and Professional Imaging Products Demonstrate Canon's Complete Input to Output Capabilities for those Obsessed with Image Quality

MELVILLE, N.Y., October 21, 2015 - Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, will be showcasing its latest in high-quality imaging products for photographers of all skill levels in addition to hosting educational seminars and professional photographer print signings at PhotoPlus Expo 2015 in the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City, October, 22 - 24, 2015, in booth #121.

On display, and announced just today, will be Canon's new imagePROGRAF PRO-1000 Professional Inkjet Printer. This new printer complements Canon's professional line of EOS DSLR cameras and lenses for an ideal pairing that will produce high-detail, high-quality prints on a variety of media. This 17-inch, large format solution packs significant technological advancements, including a new print head, new ink and a new image processing engine. Canon will be hosting one free limited edition print signing each day of the show, where the first 100 attendees will be able to take home a beautiful signed image, printed on the imagePROGRAF PRO- 1000, from a Canon Explorer of Light (EOL). Signings will take place at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday (Ken Sklute) and Friday (Joel Grimes), and at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday (Lindsay Adler).

On display will be Canon's brand new digital cameras and lenses including:

• EOS M10 Digital Camera: Outfitted with a new, retractable EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM lens, the EOS M10 is a compact and stylish digital camera that helps photographers expand their creativity. The camera is equipped with Wi-Fi and NFC capability, making it easy to share high-quality photos and videos on- the-go via most current Android1 and iOS2 devices.
• PowerShot G5 X and PowerShot G9 X Digital Cameras: These two new large sensor digital camera models are ideal for advanced amateur photographers looking for a highly portable, advanced point-and-shoot camera. Both models are equipped with a one-inch, 20.2 Megapixel3 High-Sensitivity CMOS sensor and feature Wi-Fi and NFC capabilities, allowing users to easily print or share images and videos. The PowerShot G5 X camera is housed in a classic black body and is equipped with a built-in, high-resolution electronic viewfinder. The slim, lightweight PowerShot G9 X camera is easy to carry anywhere, and in addition to being available in classic black, also comes in a retro-style, silver-gray body with brown-stitched leather accents.

To showcase the vivid, realistic imagery that Canon products can create there will be a 20 billion pixel at 200 dpi panorama of Yankee Stadium taken by EOL David Bergman, created with the 50.6 megapixel EOS 5DS R camera. At over 20-feet long, the image consists of 825 separate photographs stitched together.

Programming

The main stage in the booth will feature presentations from Canon EOLs (schedule subject to change), including several new members of the program who will make their debut at PhotoPlus Expo. The booth will also feature a gallery of selected photographs from various EOLs, showcasing the skill and talent that earned them a place in this elite program.

Canon Professional Services will once again host the CPS Lounge where Gold, Platinum, Enterprise, and Cinema CPS members can have their Canon equipment (up-to-two current Professional DSLR bodies or lenses4) cleaned and checked during Expo hours starting Thursday, Oct. 22 through Saturday, Oct. 24 in Room 2D12.

The hours of operation for the CPS Lounge are:

Thursday, Oct. 22: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. (Equipment pickup only)

Canon will also feature factory trained technicians directly in the Canon booth, performing Canon Maintenance Service for CPS customers. This area will highlight Canon's commitment to providing world class service and support for professionals. For more information on CPS, visit cps.usa.canon.com. For more information on Canon Maintenance Service, including a list of eligible products, visit usa.canon.com/maintenance. Follow Canon throughout the PhotoPlus Expo show @CanonUSApro. To see the full details of Canon's presence at PhotoPlus Expo, please visit: pro.usa.canon.com/photoplus2015.

B&H has the Canon ME20F-SH Multi-Purpose Camera – with up to 4 Million ISO & 12 Stops dynamic range – available for preorder.

Product Highlights

• Up to 4 Million ISO & 12 Stops DR
• Full Frame 35mm CMOS Sensor
• Canon DIGIC DV 4
• Full HD up to 60p
• HD/3G-SDI & HDMI Connectors
• Canon Locking Cinema EF Lens Mount