Archive for March, 2010
April Fools Fun
I know at least one blog that was taken by this for about 40 minutes! (I won’t tell who unless he admits it)
Exclusive: Canon DSLR video goes RAW!!
We have been hearing mutterings of this for the past few weeks. “Top DPs in Europe testing out RAW recording on Canon 5Dmkii”. It all sounded like nonsense didn’t it? Well I can exclusive reveal today (we are ahead of the US in time zones here in the UK) as the embargo I was given 0001 BST 1/4/10 has passed that Canon have done exactly what we wanted. RAW baby, RAW! New firmware will be released imminently for every camera from the Rebel T1i/ 500D through to the 1DmkiV giving it the much desired RAW recording on the memory cards. Not just that, but they have also finally unlocked the HDMI out to give us an uncompressed feed so we can plug in our Nanoflash or KiPro and record into a format that we have dreamed of.
Read More: http://philipbloom.co.uk
Jeff Ascough
Jeff confirms that his rangefinder tweet was an April Fools joke.
Some people were upset by it, I wasn’t one of those people. I just wanted it to be true. :)
cr
Canon Seen to Have Auspicious Start in January-March
Canon Inc.’s group operating profit for the January-March quarter is seen to have nearly qua- drupled year-on-year to about 75 billion yen (US$833 million), spurred by robust sales of DSLR cameras. Also, its operating profit margin is seen to exceed 10% for the first time in six quarters, partly due to recovering demand for laser printers.
Sales are seen to have increased 5% to around 720 billion yen (US$8 billion) for the first quarter. With inventory adjustments having completed, laser printer shipments are expected to be rising sharply. The group operating profit is seen to have shrunk 20% from the October-December quarter, a period that benefits from year-end sales campaigns, but it would far exceed the 20 billion (US$222 million) operating profit logged in the same period a year earlier.
Canon has not disclosed an earnings forecast for the January-March quarter. But the company is seen to have an operating profit target set at just below 40 billion yen (US$444 million) for the quarter so it is seen to report an operating profit roughly double the target figure for the quarter. Canon closes its books December 31. Should favorable sales continue into and after April, the company may raise its full-year earnings forecast, which calls for sales to grow 8% to 3.45 trillion yen (US$38.3 billion) and operating profit to soar 52% to 330 billion yen (US$3.67 billion).
Sales of digital SLR cameras are rising, particularly in Asia, with middle to high-end models selling well in China. Prices of compact cameras were kept steady despite harsh competition, contributing to improved earnings. The company also continued to cut fixed costs, including travel expenses.
Canon Celebrates Startup Operation of Nagasaki Canon
On March 17, Canon In. held a ceremony to celebrate the first lot of shipping of PowerShot G11 assembled at Nagasaki Canon, a digital camera manufacturing subsidiary that went into operation on March 1 in Hazami, Nagasaki Prefecture. Canon plans to produce two million digital cameras including DSLRs there in 2010 and aims at 4 million cameras next year.
Initially, Canon had planned to start construction of the new factory in the 4th quarter of 2008, but it was obliged to postpone the construction work for a while due to the world economy recession and started working in July last year. Eventually, it could finish the construction work one month earlier than planned and started operations on March 1. The factory created 850 jobs which will be 1,000 next year.
cr
The Digital Picture
Bryan has completed his review of the Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS II.
Quote from TDP
I consider the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II USM Lens to be the second most important lens in my kit with the first being a more general purpose lens in focal length range. It is not an inexpensive lens, but it is very worth the price in my opinion – and very worthy of its red ring. While this is a completely pro-grade lens, you definitely do not have to be a pro to appreciate it. Get the “II”!
Read The Review
More Reviews
If you haven’t already, be sure to read Justin’s review of the lens here at Canon Rumors.
EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS II Stock
B&H Photo has them in stock @ $2499
Adorama has them in stock @ $2499
Both are currently closed for passover and will ship when they open back up.
*UPDATE* Jeff Ascough and his “stealth” rangefinder
A few people have commented and emailed me thinking he’s setting up an April fools joke.
Sounds plausible.
It’s an early April Fool’s joke. He’s written about the AF performance. Enough said!
Nice one Jeff.
cr
Jeff Ascough teasing us
Jeff Ascough posted on his twitter that he’s testing a new rangefinder.
Could it be Canon? Maybe a digital Bessa? Howabout a digital Ikon?
Its definitely not a Nikon or a Leica.
Thanks Joseph
cr
New Stuff in May?
Received an email today saying Canon will make some minor product announcements in the May/June timeframe.
By minor, I’d assume a PowerShot or 2 and the new remotes we were told about earlier in the week.
The only PowerShot I’ve heard anything about has been a replacement of the D10.
I think major announcements will be saved for closer to Photokina in September. There’s going to be some great stuff.
cr
Sunday News
Not much happens on the weekend, so I’ll just post some random stuff every Sunday.
A friendly reminder
The fine folks at Adorama have reminded Canon Rumors that rebates end April 3, 2010.
Both Adorama and B&H are closed this week, so today is the last day you can order from either store.
Shop Adorama
Shop B&H
Lens Mug
I’m not sure what’s going on with the lens mugs coming from http://canonmugs.com/. My understanding is Canon Canada has already sold their entire run of mugs. However, someone from China is selling them directly.
I’m not sure if this is a scam, or if they’re manufacturing and selling unofficial products. Chinese laws in this area are pretty lax so it’s possible the facility is just going to make more then Canon ordered. The 24-105 mug that is out there isn’t an official Canon product as far as I’m aware. The wrong font used for “EF” on the box is a bit of a giveaway.
The mugs from this seller also appear on ebay. The seller of the 24-105 mugs appears to be giving positive feedback to the 70-200 mug person.
Confused? Me too! I just wanted to pass this information on. I’m still waiting on an official response from Canon Canada.
Workshop Contest.
A friend, Ethan Meleg will be leading a 3 day workshop in the Bruce Peninsula in Ontario, Canada. Yours truly will be assisting on the fun filled weekend. Mostly I’ll be carrying Ethan’s bags of Oreos.
You can enter to win a spot through Canadian Geographic, or you can buy a spot!
This area of Canada is truly a site to behold for nature photographers.
The contest closes April 2, 2010.
Canon Mode Dial MacBook Sticker
Gary has sent us a little project he finished. A mode dial sticker for your laptop! Very cool.
You can buy one here: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=43589451
See More: http://www.flickr.com/…
:)
cr
Finally!
So I have finally received 1 lens mug. This one will remain in the possession of Canon Rumors Guy.
I will not know how many more I can acquire before at least the middle of April. I promise I will be doing a lens mug giveaway sometime!
These things are so hard to acquire without paying $100 or more.
Fun Fact
This mug is the exact one that created the frenzy! I bought this mug from Josh. So I think this lens mug is extra special!
Canon Canada eStore
Canada Canada’s eStore still has them available for free when your purchase at least $200 worth of stuff.
http://estore.canon.ca/index.asp?estore_language_of_preference=_e
cr
A spotting of a 1Ds Mark IV? (Fake)
Folks love this sort of fodder. Is this an actualy promotional video from Canon? Did Cameras Direct make the video? Did the Australia retailer doctor the image? Did they just download a mockup to get some clicks?
1Ds Mark IV - Real or Fake?
There is also the image at DPReview we showed you a while ago, and STILL appears on DPR’s site in the 1D Mark IV review. The camera is a 1Ds, not a 1D.
We know a 1Ds Mark IV is coming, this isn’t news. The issue still remains when. If promotional materials were already out there, and they have been leaked early in the past. An announcement could be soon.
For now, I will call fake. I just don’t get why they’d take the time. Viral marketing test?
Have a great Friday.
thanks Rod
cr
Hybrid DSLR’s
A new remote(s) for Hybrid DSLRs is apparently going to be available this summer.
It’s definitely a needed accessory for a lot of folks.
thanks
cr
A much needed upgrade is coming
A good source piped up today and said a new EF 50mm f/1.4 USM exists and is being tested. Release date is unknown.
Upgrades:
- Optical upgrade, but it’s not “L”
- Build upgrade. The current 50 f/1.4 from Canon is one of the most unreliable in the lineup.
- New USM
Along with the above, expect a nice price increase as well. Most likely above its Sigma counterpart.
cr
