Some new mentions
The “EOS 3D” project is apparently alive and well at Canon. The camera’s introduction will depend on the success of the 1D X, 5D3 from Canon & the D800 and D4 from Nikon. We haven’t heard anything about a “3D” in a long time.

5D Mark III
A mention that the 5D Mark III will not be a crazy high megapixel camera.

This week & CES
I expect some news about new products in 2012 this week. Canon won’t be going to CES/PMA empty handed I wouldn’t think, especially not with an imminent D4 announcement. However, I’ve seen no invites yet for a media event from Canon.

Stay tuned.

Source: [NL]

cr

Random bits of information
5D Mark III (or similar) announced in the February timeframe.

• Different sensor than the 1D Mark V
• It is still not clear whether it will have 26, 28 or 32 megapixel.
• The sensor tech of the 1D Mark V will be used for future crop bodies e.g. the 7D Mark II.
• The 7D Mark II is a late 2012 camera.
• Expect significantly better noise reduction in high ISO modes.
• Another full frame camera for sports and press this fall?
• Announcements could be as early as the week of August 29, 2011.

EF 14-24 f/2.8L
I’m told this will be announced in Q1 2012.

CR’s Take
This is a big [CR1], I am posting information that is at least plausible. Grain of salt and all that. Various rumor sites are going to get a lot of stuff coming our way in the next few weeks, sorting it is always a challenge.

cr

From an outside source
According to information received by [NL], early 2012 will bring a new model full frame DSLR to the Canon lineup. The likely name will be the 3D. It will bring about new sensor technology for the EOS system.

The 5D Mark III wouldn’t make an appearance on the scene until summer 2012. It will feature a modified version of the upcoming 1Ds Mark IV sensor.

CR’s Take
As mentioned over at NL, the 3D rumormill comes and goes and has done so for a long time. Although, this does go along with the idea of a split in the 5D line and the amalgamation of the 1D/1Ds.

I wouldn’t discount this one completely, but I’d have some sea salt handy.

cr

What Now?
I took a day off to clear the head. It was much needed.

After nothing showed up Wednesday, we look to the future of the Canon lineup. I’ll rank what I have as far as information on the next bodies and lenses.

DSLRs

1. 5D Mark III or Similar - The hype machine is building every day. Everyone is ready for their next full frame body. We’ve had Q3/Q4 2011 for a long while for the camera. 28mp and 7D af were the latest specs. We always hear “raw video” as well.
2. 1Ds Mark IV or Similar - Everyone is wondering where it is, and there is next to zero information about it. All I’ve been told from very good people is late 2011 or even into 2012 for any type of announcement.
3. 1D Mark V – It’s been suggested a couple of times we’d see this camera before a 1Ds Mark IV.
4. New Body i.e. 3D – We had a recent full frame rumor, it has yet to come to fruition.

There’s going to be some significant changes in the Canon DSLR lineup over the next year I think. I know the mention of a 5D Mark III makes some people hyperventilate.

Lenses

1. 24-70 f/2.8 II - It’s coming, the patent exists. When? Makes sense to arrive with a 5D Mark III. All the signs point to no IS in the lens.
2. 35 f/1.4L II – It seems to be wanted, although I love the current one. I haven’t heard anything about it in a while.
3. 50 f/1.2L II – More talk about this lens than you’d think. Not sure what to make of the chatter. It has a bit of bad PR with its focus shift.
4. 24-105 f/4L II – Upgraded IS and the new kit lens for the 5D3.
5. 135 f/1.8L – Speed up and replace an absolute classic lens in the 135 f/2L? It’s constantly talked about.
6. 200 f/3.5L IS Macro – The big macro is getting replaced, it’s a nice niche lens they don’t need large scale manufacturing for.
7. 90 f/2.8L Tilt-Shift – Another lens they’d be smart to upgrade. There’s a lot of tilt-shift portrait work going on.
8. 17-40 f/4L IS - An ultra wide angle lens with IS is missing from the EF lineup, Nikon has one.

I’ve said 2011 would be a big lens year for Canon. I still stand behind that. Although, lenses are always harder to get information on than camera bodies.

Bear in mind this list is an accumulation of things I’ve been sent.

cr

Hmmmmm
There was a rumor in the past that I said came from the “land of crazy“. After the post a few people piped up and said there was actually something to the rumor.

The person that originally sent me the info also gave me two hints today based on the invititation sent to Swedish journalists.

1) Pay attention to the low light situation of the image.

2) The Number Six and Feng Shui symbols http://www.squidoo.com/feng-shui-symbols

CR’s Take
Do I think Canon’s marketing department is creative enough to have deep meanings in the images on invitations? In a word, no.

However, I have never had a source be so adamant that what is being told to us is true. I’m hoping for some additional information from other sources.

I do want to thank the source for their continued good humor, I am enjoying it.

cr

1Ds Mark Squared
Received some information that we talked about many moons ago. The shift of the top end 1D camera to  a square sensor.

The information goes on to say Canon has the technology to do 8-10fps with a 35-40mp image file.

3D Returns
We all love to dream about it, and the 3D is making its annual return to the rumor mill.

From NL

• 3D full frame – 18MP
• No built in grip, 1 series ‘style’ build
• 7D/1D focus
• Active focus screen (as per 7D)
• ISO to 102400
• Video as with 7D

Another vote for a smaller pro camera
Along with the above square sensor information, I was told again to expect a new top end camera body. Again, the “smaller body” was mentioned.

cr

Maybe not so crazy
I posted the craziest rumor of the week on Sunday, it didn’t seem at all plausible to me.

One person in particular wrote in saying it may not be that far off. Such a camera was apparently discussed with him/her before Christmas.

Spec List!

• - New small body FF
• - Pro AF (45 point same as Eos 1D MKIV)
• - 16.7 MP
• - 6 FPS (booster with extra batterygrip up to 9fps)
• - ISO 100-12800 (L50 / H102400)
• - Single CF slot
• - Video as Eos 7D
• - Msrp $ 4,399

What I was told was the MSRP was way off, the rest of it was relatively on the mark. A CP+ announcement was unknown, as the source was told it would be announced at the end of February.

5D Mark III / 1Ds Mark IV
As most people know, the 5D Mark II completely killed the 1Ds Mark III sales numbers. The same source explains that Canon will move the 5D Mark III into the territory of flagship resolution camera and the 1D Mark IV/V will be the flagship “pro” body. The 1Ds Mark IV will be something completely different, yes, another person saying it.

CR’s Take
The whole Canon DSLR lineup is due for a big shake up, all of this info points to that. I’m not going to commit to all of this being true, but there’s an awful lot of people saying the same thing.

cr

This and That
I have some loose information about what and when we can expect new cameras and lenses. It’s a collection from various folks.

There will be no new products that will hit the shelves before the end of 2010. There could be an announcement before 2011 however.

Another good source has suggested we will see a replacement to the 5D Mark II before a 1Ds Mark IV. It’s 50/50 with sources as to whether it’ll be a camera added to the lineup or a direct replacement of the 5D Mark II. This announcement will bring about “2-3 lenses”.

I’m beating a dead horse here, but the still expected lenses are a 24-70 upgrade, a replacement to the 180mm macro and a new prime of some kind. Lenses are always difficult to nail down far in advance.

A lot of people have said 2011 will be a big year for innovation from Canon. As we’ve seen from some of their concept products, that could very well be true.

A 7D replacement won’t hit us until 2012.

I’ve been informed to say good-bye to DIGIC IV. Expect the 60D to be the last new body with the DIGIC IV processor (outside of a replacement entry level Rebel).

As for a mirrorless camera system, I have nothing to report of any value. We’re all still shuttering from the last rumor.

cr

Part 1: EOS
A lot of product announcements for the DSLR world, popular desired products still missing.

*NOTE* These opinions are loose and based the specifications of the products and initial impressions. I will delve deeper next week.

EOS 60D
As with most prosumer DSLR announcements from Canon, it has been treated rather harshly. I don’t find it all that exciting, but I’m sure they’re going to sell a lot of them.

Why I like it:

Why I don’t like it

EF 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS
This seems like a very calculated addition to the lens lineup. I wasn’t a fan of the last 70-300, I always felt it cost too much.

This isn’t a cheap lens from the pricing I’ve seen ($1500USD), yet it’s being marketed as an “L” lens newer photographers should look at first.

Optically; it better kick butt for the money.

EF 8-15 f/4L Fisheye
Wow! What a unique and brilliant idea. One fisheye to work with the entire EOS line. No, it’s not cheap ($1400USD), but for the folks that want a fisheye and have various crop factors in their bag, this is a winner.

I cannot wait to try it out.

EF 300 f/2.8L IS II & EF 400 f/2.8L IIS II
Neither of these lenses NEEDED to be replaced, but it cannot hurt to continue to evolve your flagship products.

I’m sure they will continue the tradition of Canon’s big white lenses being the stuff of legends.

What’s missing from the EOS announcements?
If I asked the readers at Canon Rumors what they WANTED to see, there are a few things that keep coming up.

EF 24-70 f/2.8L IS
I don’t need to say anything about such a lens, it’s already been mentioned.

5D Mark III / 3D
A full frame camera with at least the 7D autofocus system and all the bells and whistles in a smaller package than the 1D series camera. Don’t increase the megapixel count, just take the 5D Mark II to the next level.

New Cheaper Primes
Lots of people desire a 35 f/1.8 or a new 50 f/1.4.

100-400 Replacement
For some people, a version II of the current 100-400. For others, copy Nikon’s legendary 200-400 f/4 and add it to the lineup.

Is there more coming before Photokina?
The million dollar question to be sure. I received an email today saying Canon will announce another camera body before Photokina, and not a 1Ds Mark IV. I currently have no solid information as to whether that will happen or not.

Monday will be the deadline!

Photokina
I’ll be in Cologne attending Photokina next Tuesday. Check the site throughout the day as I will be constantly updating anything relevant to Canon.

cr

Warning!
I received these specs today, they’re nothing like anything I’ve received before. So I’m going to post them for fun.

This is a rumors site!

EOS 3D Specifications
- Price: 3499
-27mp Foveon (?)
Foveon is property of Sigma, so that kills the spec list. Unless Canon has their own version.
- 5FPS
- 16bit (16 bit what?)
- BG-E9 Grip, uses 7D & 5D2 battery
- 7D Weathersealing

This one deserves a massive grain of salt like I said earlier.

cr

More Info
I’ve recevied some more info about a possible replacement of the 50D/5D Mark II.

The source says  a new xD camera is imminent.

The DSLR lineup from Canon will be as follows.
1000D / XS
500D / T1i
550D / T2i
7D
5D Mark II
3D (?)
1D Mark IV
1Ds Mark III

There could be some truth to this, if the price of the 7D is cut like the 5D Mark II’s has been.

cr

Stills and Video
Received word of someone speaking at a gathering in the USA about a new camera.

Apparently the new camera is from Canon and shoots HD video and stills at the same time. The camera is a lot different than the 5D Mark II.

That camera is currently being tested outside of Canon.

No word on arrival time.

3D Info
More info about a Canon 3D. This rumor is the longest lasting in the Canon photographic world.

NL received info that the camera will have a relatively  low mp count and the sensor will be optimized for video.

It sort of fits with the above mention of a video/still camera.

Any mention of a “3D” requires an entire quarry of salt.

cr

Here we go again
I have received information from a CR3 source that Canon WILL introduce another camera to the lineup. The source has never given any specs.

I have avoided most 3D rumor spec lists because I haven’t received anything from a great source. This is a combined source rumor I received today. I’m posting it because it is a complete departure from the rest of the stuff I usually get.

Combined info from 2 sources
The 3D will introduce new sensor technology that will bring new levels of dynamic range and ISO performance. The camera will be geared to the wedding photography market.

3D Specs:
16.7mp FF
7.2 µm pixel pitch
DIGIC V
Small magnesium alloy body similar to the 5D2
The camera will be priced above the 5D2. Possibly in the $4000-$4500 range with the 1D Mark IV.
Announcement for Photokina.

No information on autofocus system. Everyone hopes the 5D/5D2 system finally disappears.

cr

This is an exact quote of an email I received.
“2010 will be the year for the (semi-) pro’s due to the fact that Canon lost huge marketshare to Nikon.

The new year will bring no 60D, and no follow up for the 500D.

What will be anounced will be the 1Ds IV. This will be a totally new product with a new design. The new design is needed due to the fact that new sensor will be 35x35mm. So sort of medium format but not a full medium format.

The new sensor and format is needed to go into the low 40 megapixel range.

It also paves the way for the new xD model (probably the 3D) which will be announced late next year. For this xD I do not have much technical specs for this product yet, except for a renewed introduction of  Eye Movement Focus Control which will be based upon advanced contrast focus while moving the pupil to focus on the subject. Also this camera will be a FF camera based upon the current 21 MP sensor with improved optical range.”

CR’s Take
1Ds Mark IV….. I think a replacement is coming soon, I’ve heard January/February from a few folks. A square sensor though? Wowzers, what do you all think?

60D….. I can see a lack of a 60D in 2010, the 50D and 7D seem to be perfectly placed for their segments. A $999 50D would a good seller. There are folks that don’t care about movie mode, but want a good build.

550D…. I can’t see Canon going into Christmas 2010 without a new Rebel. Not sure on this one.

3D…. We hear about it all the time. A FF version of the 7D is a desired product. Would people pay $3499 for it? Eye control AF? I just got an EOS 3 and they better have improved it by the time a 3D hits!

cr