Archive for February, 2010

Canon DPP 3.8.1 Available

Woo
Canon as posted the latest DPP on their web site for download.

They’ve added support for the T2i and image rotation features.

thanks skip

cr

1Ds Mark IV Typo?

Just a fun post
In a rare move, DPReview with a typo! or is it?

1Ds Mark IV?

Just wanted to point out the camera in this picture is NOT the 1D Mark IV.

thanks for the tip

cr

5D Mark II Firmware Info Update

From Warsaw, Poland
This slide is from a presentation today in Poland. The firmware features were being presented alongside Apple’s Final Cut Pro.

Note there is no 60fps @ 720p listed.

Firmware Feature List? | Click For Large

Asking the obvious question now
Can these features be added to the 1D Mark IV and 7D? I can understand if they don’t want to put them into the T2i, there has to be some differences between an $800 camera and a $2500 camera.

I thank Canon for adding tons of features to a product over its lifetime. I wouldn’t be upset if they didn’t add it to my 1D Mark IV, maybe it’s better to have one camera that is more video geared than the others?

We shall see!

cr

*UPDATE* 5D Mark II Firmware Release [CR3]

Coming Soon

The new firmware for the 5D Mark II will arrive the week of March 17, 2010. This seems to be close to the NAB show.

The information briefly appeared on the Canon UK web site, it’s now gone at the URL I was given.

Features
Live Histogram for Video
Sound Level Control
24p/25p

No word on 60fps yet.

I’ve also heard there may be sound level meters, count this feature as a CR2 rumor.

More info on the subject to come.

cr

Reader Appreciation Mini Contest

Contest Over
I knew I should have done the back of the camera, that was too easy!

Congrats to the winners.
Free T-Shirts!

I have four T-Shirts left to give away before I order more.

Sizes Available:
XL (2 of them)
L (2 of them)

The Contest
Name that Camera!

Below is a picture of a Canon Camera. You have to tell us what it is.

How to play
1) In the comments section tell us what camera it is and what your t-shirt size.

2) Be sure to fill in the email field so I can contact you if you win.

How to win
1) The first two people that get it right for “XL” and the first two that get it right for “L”, win.

2) I’ll run the contest until we have 4 winners. I won’t reveal the answer until then.

Rules
1) If you have a t-shirt already, please don’t enter again. I have all your addresses!

2) If you’re a Small or Medium shirt size, please abstain from this one. I’ll cloth you another time.

What Camera is This? | Click For Larger

Go to it

cr

Canon 70-200 f/2.8L IS II Preorder at Adorama

Woo
I have mine preordered, so now it’s your turn.

Adorama has the new 70-200 f/2.8L IS for Preorder

Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS II Preorder $2499

70-200 in Vancouver
Ronald Martinsen has written a little piece on the new lens from his short time with it in Vancouver.

http://ronmart.blogspot.com/2010/02/first-look-canon-70-200mm-f28l-is-usm.html

thanks stoneking

cr

Rumors I’ve Filtered, Best Of

The stuff I’m told
I’m told a lot of stuff every day about upcoming products, especially recently. Here are the CR1 rumors I’ve received in the last couple of weeks.

1) Announcement on March 10, 2010 (That would be a weird day of the week for an announcement, I’d expect the 8th or 9th as per Canon tradition)

2) Canon is waiting for the upcoming “D700x” to introduce a new full frame camera.

3) A host of new professional products for WPPI. This would make availability of new lenses perfect for wedding photographers.

4) 3D!

5) Canon doesn’t care about the EVIL market and isn’t even doing R&D on such a camera type.

6) Some of the Big White Lenses get a redo for the World Cup in South Africa. They may just be test lenses, and not publicly available.

7) The 1Ds Mark IV is coming in February, March, April, May and for Photokina.

8) 5D Mark III for Photokina with serious video applications.

9) DIGIC V for Photokina.

10) G11 will be the last of the current “G” series design. Complete redo and model name for the next one.

These are rumors from people I’ve never heard from. So take them all with a grain of salt and we’ll see what becomes of them.

cr

*UPDATE* Rebel T2i in Stock at B&H

*UPDATE 2*
The folks at Kerrisdale Cameras in Victoria, British Columbia have T2i w/18-55 IS kits in stock.

http://www.kerrisdalecameras.com/

They’re selling them for $999.92

I can’t yet find them on their site, but I assume they just arrived today.

*UPDATE*
B&H is now out of stock.

My Mistake
Body only is not yet in stock at B&H.

Woo
This camera is going to be extremely popular and it’s available already. B&H has the T2i in stock and ready to ship.

Buy a T2i w/18-55 Here $899

I will have a review started by the weekend as these things trickle into Canada. I have a video guy that’s going to help out with that aspect of the camera. Give us a couple of weeks to get the review done.

In Canada, this camera comes with the 18-135 IS as well. I have yet to see that kit available in the US. That’s the lens we’ll be reviewing the camera with, as I have never actually touched one.

cr

Rebel T1i/500D Firmware Update & More

Firmware 1.1.0
Firmware Version 1.1.0 incorporates the following fixes and improvements.

• Enhances the reliability of Live View shooting
• Fixes incorrect indications on the Arabic, English, and Swedish menu screens

Firmware Version 1.1.0 is for cameras with firmware up to Version 1.0.9. If the camera’s firmware is already Version 1.1.0, it is not necessary to update the firmware.

http://web.canon.jp/imaging/eosd/firm-e/eosdigital6/firmware.html

New ImagePROGRAF Printers

We announced these a while back. It looks like they’ve become USA official.

Yes, we all hope that this isn’t it before WPPI.

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., February 22, 2010 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging and advanced office solutions, today answers the increasing demand for large format prints in the photographic, proofing and graphic arts market with the introduction of three new imagePROGRAF large format models – the 44-inch imagePROGRAF iPF8300, 24-inch imagePROGRAF iPF6350 and the iPF6300. Designed for precise, ultra high-quality print performance and increased productivity, each model features Canon’s new, 12-Color LUCIA EX pigment ink set and advanced printing technologies specifically developed to produce prints with an enhanced color range and improved durability. The new imagePROGRAF models will be unveiled at the Wedding & Portrait Photographer International (WPPI) Convention at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, March 8-11, 2010.

“In just four short years, Canon has introduced more than 20 imagePROGRAF large format printers to the market with each new model raising the bar for outstanding, vibrant image quality and overall versatility,” said Jim Rosetta, vice president and general manager, Imaging Systems Group, Canon U.S.A. “Coupled with our new LUCIA EX ink set and advanced media capabilities, the new imagePROGRAF models represent an ideal solution for the graphic, fine art, photography and proofing markets.”

Enhanced Color Spectrum
With increasing consumer demand for professional and high-quality print jobs, high-end graphic and photographic studios continue to seek the capability to accurately produce vivid output of consumers’ most demanding projects. To enhance its available color spectrum, the new imagePROGRAF models feature a revolutionary all-new 12-Color LUCIA EX pigment ink set increasing the achievable color gamut by approximately 20 percent from the previous imagePROGRAF iPFx100 series and enabling over 90 percent coverage of PANTONE ® (*) colors to produce rich expression. Additionally, to better meet the needs of the professional print market, the new models feature a reinforced mechanical structure to enable precise ink placement for improved text and line accuracy, making these new devices a powerful proofing solution.

Exquisite Photographic Output
The introduction of the new LUCIA EX ink provides photographers with the ability to precisely achieve their desired results by producing more expressive and crisp blacks, smooth color gradations, and the capability to reproduce the finest details in the shadow areas of photographs. The new inks are also designed with an innovative polymer structure that results in greater scratch resistance and protection from color fading, while also reducing bronzing and metamerism ensuring durable, stable output.

Wilhelm Imaging Research (WIR), the world’s leading independent image permanence testing laboratory, has been evaluating the new Canon LUCIA EX expanded-gamut, 12-color pigment inks. Henry Wilhelm, president of WIR commented, “A review of preliminary data from the still ongoing tests indicates that prints made with LUCIA EX pigment inks and select photo and fine art papers will achieve WIR Display Permanence Ratings in excess of 75 years for color images and well beyond 200 years for black-and-white images. In addition, LUCIA EX pigment inks exhibit excellent short-term color drift (“dry-down”) behavior, which is critically important for color-managed workflows and in proofing applications. The new LUCIA EX inks also achieved WIR’s highest rating for resistance to damage from atmospheric ozone, a particular concern in urban environments in situations where prints might be displayed unframed and exposed to ambient indoor air.”

Simplified Workflows
Recognizing the expanding array of media options for large format printers and to further improve the versatility of these new imagePROGRAF models, Canon has developed a new Media Configuration Tool which allows customers to not only utilize genuine Canon-branded media, but provides the ability to add and make adjustments to paper settings to enhance the precision and quality of output achieved with third-party media. Upon release of the new printer, ICC profiles of popular media types from Intelicoat, Ilford, LexJet and Moab will be available for download on their respective corporate Web sites.

To expand print options and improve proofing capabilities, the iPF8300, iPF6350 and iPF6300 come bundled with a new Print Plug-In for Photoshop®, Digital Photo Professional and support for Adobe Color Management Module, enabling features such as Black Point Compensation. Through the Photoshop Plug-In, each new model allows 16-bit RGB images edited in Photoshop to be sent directly to the imagePROGRAF printers, preserving smooth and high gradation.

Brian Hampton, an award-winning nature photographer printing with a Canon imagePROGRAF for the first time stated, “The quality of the print is amazing. I was particularly impressed by the iPF8300′s ability to reproduce shadow details in a way that exceeds anything I’ve seen previously on the market. It’s quite a step above the competition.” Hampton also noted the built-in workflow solutions and commented, “The ability to export out of Photoshop via the plug-in is outstanding. Many of its capabilities perform as well as an RIP program without the additional cost.”

Maximize Productivity
In order to support high-volume printing and streamline workflows the Canon iPF8300 and iPF6350 come equipped with an 80 GB high-capacity hard disk drive (HDD) that allows for faster spooling of large files as well as the ability to reprint jobs directly from the printer. To ensure the highest level of productivity and reduce overall print time, all new models are also equipped with a standard gigabit Ethernet network interface and an automatic dual-blade cutter.

In those environments that utilize a complete workflow solution in conjunction with CGS, EFI, Ergosoft, GMG, ONYX and other leading RIP manufacturers, updated drivers will be available for download upon the release of the printers from their respective Web sites.

Precision Technology
To fully capitalize on the dynamic color range of the new LUCIA EX ink set, each new imagePROGRAF model employs two advanced one-inch print heads, each featuring 2,560 nozzles per color and outputting a super fine four picoliter (pl) droplet at a full 2400×1200 dots-per-inch resolution (dpi) to reproduce details with extraordinary accuracy and clarity. Paired with enhanced plug-ins and new, High Precision Printing Modes, these new imagePROGRAF models provide an extremely high level of photographic and proofing quality prints.

The new imagePROGRAF iPF8300, iPF6350 and iPF6300 are compliant with U.S. ENERGY STAR energy-saving standards and RoHS compliance standards. The new Canon imagePROGRAF iPF8300, iPF6350 and iPF6300 large format printers will be on display at WPPI booth 401 in Las Vegas, NV from March 8-10, 2010. The imagePROGRAF iPF8300/6350/6300 will start shipping in March for a manufacturers suggested retail price of $5,995, $3,995 and $3,695, respectively.