Archive for March, 2010
TOKYO, March 16, 2010—Canon Inc. announced today that it will begin the acquisition process for the top-level domain name “.canon,” based on the new generic Top Level Domain (gTLD) registration system.
The non-profit organization ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), which maintains and regulates the Internet’s addressing system, has rigorously evaluated the current gTLD string of characters’ societal value, utilization purpose, and use in an organization’s operations. At its International Public Meeting held in June 2008, however, ICANN approved the relaxation and liberalization of the new gTLD system adoption rules. Following this meeting, a number of disputes arose surrounding whether the entry procedures were fair and adequate, and it was expected that the new gTLD system would commence registration application within 2010 at the earliest. The new gTLD system is expected to allow a company name, brand name, geographic region, or service type to be used as a gTLD within website and e-mail addresses.
Along with its expanding global business activities, Canon will continue to provide online information and services to its users, consumers, and other stakeholders, across the world’s countries and regions. With the adoption of the new gTLD system, which enables the direct utilization of the Canon brand, Canon hopes to globally integrate open communication policies that are intuitive and easier to remember compared with existing domain names such as “canon.com.” Canon has made the official decision to begin necessary procedures to acquire “.canon” upon the introduction of the new system. Following approval for the new gTLD system, which is expected to take place after the latter half of 2011, Canon will make full use of the new domain name to increase the convenience and effectiveness of its online communications.
cr
Firmware Version 2.0.3 incorporates five enhancements to the movie function and a fix to the manual sensor cleaning function of the EOS 5D Mark II camera.
Adds or changes the following movie frame rates.
NTSC:
1920×1080 : 30 fps (changed – actual 29.97 fps)
1920×1080 : 24 fps (added – actual 23.976 fps)
640×480 : 30 fps (changed – actual 29.97 fps)
PAL:
1920×1080 : 25 fps (added – actual 25.0 fps)
1920×1080 : 24 fps (added – actual 23.976 fps)
640×480 : 25 fps (added – actual 25.0 fps)
Other Functions
Adds a function for manually adjusting the sound recording level (64 levels).
Adds a histogram display (brightness or RGB) for shooting movies in manual exposure.
Adds shutter-priority AE mode (Tv) and aperture-priority AE (Av) mode to the exposure modes for shooting movies.
Changes the audio sampling frequency from 44.1 KHz to 48 KHz.
Fixes a phenomenon where communication between the camera and the attached lens is sometimes interrupted after manual sensor cleaning. (This phenomenon only affects units with Firmware Version 1.2.4.)
Download: http://web.canon.jp/imaging/eosd/firm-e/eos5dmk2/firmware.html
Shop
5D Mark II @ Amazon $2469
5D Mark II @ B&H $2499
5D Mark II @ Adorama $2499
Firmware Video @ Planet 5D
Mitch at Planet5D has done an instructional video of upgrading firmware, as well as a demo video.
Check it out: http://blog.planet5d.com/
cr
From NL
They received a comment that the xxD isn’t dead, it’ just resting. They’ll use the camera to give a longer time between the 7D and 7D Mark II.
Weekend Rumor Mill
Two comments came in saying not to expect the 1Ds Mark IV announcement until mid August.
Lenses
A lens announcement in the late spring as well as in August. As usual, no word on lenses.
There will be a new 300 2.8 & 400 2.8 being tested at the World Cup and not yet for sale.
2011
A 5D Mark III will be coming as well as a new full frame camera below the 5D Mark III.
We will also see a new EF mount video camera system.
Site Design
I’ve had a new site design completed for about a week now and will be doing the switch on Sunday. So expect some minor downtime.
I’m also working to troubleshoot some back end issues that make the site unavailable every so often. The problem has been isolated.
Fisheye Fun
I’m told Canon has been developing an EF-S fisheye for the last couple of years. It’ll be 8mm. We could possibly see the lens in the next few months.
Announcing a niche lens along with more mainstream stuff probably makes a lot of sense. What that mainstream stuff is, remains to be seen.
What about the 15mm?
From the same source, there is no plans to replace the EF 15mm f/2.8 Fisheye.
cr
Woo
Get them while they last!
Buy From B&H Here: EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS II @ $2499
Buy From Adorama Here: EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS II @ 2499
*Note: Free shipping from Adorama
thanks Yozi
cr
Raw Video
Lots going on a WPPI, not too much for the folks seeking a new camera and lenses. The following information could be of value to some.
A source told me that canon have indeed created a raw video option for HDSLR’s. It will utilize the HDMI port on the cameras to output full uncompressed HD content for recording on an external device. Apparently the current 720P output is limited by firmware not hardware so all they need to do is change this setting in the firmware.
The source would not confirm if this was coming to the 5D2 directly. However, the source did make clear to me that they knew nothing of a 1DS4. I was also told that this firmware had been tested on location.
cr
EF 70-200 f/4L IS Mug
So everyone wants to know the story with these things.
There was some internal Canon stuff about these things that I said I wouldn’t post here, so I’m not going to.
I can tell you the mugs are actually a Canon Canada thing. They’re going to be available for sale in the near future. They’ll also be limited edition. You should see them retailing for about $30.
Link to Mug: http://vistek.ca/store/…
I don’t have a date on availability, but I will know soon. I may also be able to help our international friends get one. I have a source for them and plan to buy as many as I can and give them away.
cr
STUDIO SOLUTION SOFTWARE FROM CANON U.S.A. SIMPLIFIES WORKFLOW FOR PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESSES
Canon Software Helps Manage Administrative Processes in Photo Studios from Appointments to Image Processing in One Simple Software Solution
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., March 8, 2010 – Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging technology, is today launching the highly anticipated Studio Solution software for workflow efficiency in professional photo studios. Canon’s Studio Solution software helps professional operations take full advantage of Canon’s core imaging and printing technologies with fully automatic workflows to simplify studio operations and integrate appointments, invoicing, image enhancement and printing into one administrative program. Through electronic input and filing, Studio Solution software helps consolidate scheduling, contracting, image capture, ordering, retouching and printing into one program. Canon will be demonstrating its Studio Solution software today in Booth #401 at the Wedding & Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) trade show, March 8th – 10th in Las Vegas.
Designed to make everyday tasks easier for photo studio managers and staff, Studio Solution allows for greater staffing efficiencies with improved turnaround time, for increased profitability. The software integrates with Canon EOS cameras, imagePROGRAF and PIXMA Pro printers, and helps ensure studio owners and operators are maximizing their time and equipment.
“We are proud to introduce our Studio Solution software as a powerful tool for photographic studios to help them maximize the efficiencies of their Canon equipment,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A.
The simple-to-learn software solution is made possible by combining Express Digital’s technology and workflow along with Canon’s proven image processing expertise. Beginning with administrative scheduling, customer information is entered into the Canon software and will follow all customer jobs through ordering and invoicing. A file is created for each customer with complete order details. Images are then attached to each customer job order for optimal filing efficiency. The Studio Solution software then transitions to a studio sales tool by providing on-screen image previews on various Canon media to give the customer an accurate rendering of how their final print will look on various substrates to assist in the print ordering process.
The most integral software feature is Canon’s core image processing, providing automatic color management, image resizing and image re-touching for stunning prints with minimal monitoring needed. These automatic processes help reduce the need for timely and expensive image editing, allowing for greater margins and uptime in any Canon-equipped photo studio. Once the final job is printed through the software, an invoice is automatically generated, complete with order details and customer information, without additional manual input.
How Much?
Adorama has it listed at $1499.
Check it out
cr
Before the Summer
A source that has been very quiet for the last couple of months has piped up and said we will be seeing a new camera announced before the summer. The camera will be the 1Ds Mark IV.
“There will be no 60D”.
Availability of the camera would be late summer.
Lenses would be announced with the camera, as usual.. there is no definitive info about what lenses.
World Cup
There will be a lot of gear tested at the World Cup in South Africa this year. Some of the new gear will be big white lenses. The source cautions not to expect anything imminent. The next round of lenses will be for the “wedding & niche” crowd.
Everything else is very quiet at the moment. At least we have the 5D2 firmware to look forward to.
cr
*UPDATE*
As suspected, this one is busted! I had to post the info or my mailbox would have been jammed up with links to this. I really wanted to resist it, I had hoped another site would post it and have it quashed there. No luck!
CR reader KKL did the smart thing (why didn’t I think of it?), he downloaded the file and checked the setup.ini.
[CAMERA_SEC]
menu0=D60
D60 it is.
Soooo.
I’ve been sent this link about 50 times in the last 24 hours or so. The “60D” appears on Canon Taiwan’s site.
This is the only info I have on a 60D coming, for now I’ll just call it a typo, we’ll see if its still there on Monday.
See here: http://www.canon.com.tw/…
Check the drop down menu.
thanks to everyone
cr
