3 New Speedlites?
Received a bit of a random email saying Canon is currently testing 3 separate Speedlite models. 430 and a 580 replacement, as well as an all new flash line.

A replacement of the ST-E2 was also mentioned, though it wasn’t said whether or not it would be radio based..

1 new Macro flash is also a possibility, there is a small stature Macro flash being tested I’m told. It may be launched with a new EF-S macro lens.

LensRentals.com used gear
LR.com has added more used Canon gear for sale, including a 70-200 f/2.8L IS II.

Visit LensRentals.com

Contest Update
I am still sorting through photos. Getting them down to 10 in each category is taking time. Ones opinion of an image really can change depending on your own personal mood.

The finalists are coming very soon.

cr

The Next Speedlite
A patent has shown up explaining a technology that could appear in future Canon flashes.

The replacement of the 580EX II is said to be a quantum leap forward as far as flash technology goes. We’re all eagerly awaiting it.

Patent Information (Translated)

• Patent Publication No. 2011-232461
• Published 2011.11.17
• Filing date 2010.4.26

How to determine the flash exposure

• Capacitor (GN), sensitivity ISO, aperture by calculating the distance
• If the flash can adjust the RGB primary colors, not for its calculations
• Based on the color temperature is set to flash, strobe light to calculate the distance

Source [EG]

cr

New Speedlites?
I get a lot of questions about new Speedlites. Especially the 580EX II.

The latest bits of information I have received have said the new flagship flash has been in development for some time and various prototypes exist. There were some issues with earlier prototypes and some redesign was needed.

Another bit of information suggested both the 430 and 580 would be updated at the same time. They may also get new model numbers beyond a version III. A new 580 prototype is said to have a higher guide number, so the model number would reflect that if chosen for production.

No word on whether or not a video light would be built into either like the 320EX.

I would only expect a flagship Speedlite announcement with or around the announcement of a higher end body.

cr

Lens & Flash Instant Rebates
The following rebates are running from August 7, 2011 until September 3, 2011. All of them are instant rebates through Canon USA.

Rebate amount listed below.

Wide Angle

• EF 14 f/2.8L II $160
• EF 20 f/2.8 $40

Standard Zoom

• EF-S 15-85 f/3.5-5.6 IS $60.00

Standard Prime

• EF 50 f/1.2L $120
• EF 85 f/1.2L II $150

Telephoto Zoom

• EF 70-200 f/4L IS $100
• EF 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS $100
• EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS $100

Macro

• EF-S 60 f/2.8 Macro $40
• EF 100 f/2.8L IS Macro $70
• EF 180 f/3.5L Macro $100

Flashes

• Speedlite 430EX II $30
• Speedlite 580EX II $50

Thanks John

cr

New Flash system in late 2011/early 2012
Canon going radio trigger wireless?

That’s the latest bit of info sent this weekend.

Canon will release a new flagship flash, as well as a replacement to the 580 EX II.

The flagship flash will have new features unseen in a Canon Speedlite before. No word on whether or not it would have some video features.

The ST-E2 will remain current, however a new radio trigger will be launched alongside the flashes.

First time submission, so take it with a grain of salt.

cr

The new feature?
I’m told Canon has prototype flashes with radio receivers built in. They’ll be triggered by an updated ST-E2. Yes, wireless radio Canon flashes, by Canon.

I had been told previously that Canon’s next flagship flash would have new and innovative technology built in, this could be that.

No ETA on an announcement.

5D Mark II/III
Lots of stock shortage reports of the 5D Mark II. No, it’s not being replaced anytime soon. Canon cannot provide enough stock at the current moment. Adorama does have 5D Mark II’s in stock for $2699.

There were some rumors floating around about a May announcement of a 5D Mark III. I’ll say “not likely”.

1D Mark IV stock.
1D Mark IV’s, don’t expect to see many of them well into the summer.

I’ve been busy
I’ve been busy with other ventures recently. Mainly moving Lens Rentals Canada to new digs and ramping up for the wedding season rentals.

Most of what is coming my way is about stock levels.

Announcements
I’m told from a good source that Canon is discussing the delaying of new product announcements until they can at least deliver what was announced last year. Everything is still up in the air as companies still don’t have a firm grasp on what will happen with their ability to manufacture in the coming months.

cr

EF Mount Video?
I received a pretty difficult to understand email about an EF mount video camera solution. Whether it’s an adaptor or a new camera is unknown.

“It would be announced soon”.

New Flash
A new flash we’ve spoken about for a while. The 580 EX II replacement was delayed due to issues in design. The new flash is close and will provide a higher guide number and “innovative creative modes”. What those are is unknown.

NAB Around The Corner
NAB is just around the corner and we haven’t seen any invitations to Canon press events. If we don’t see anything announced on Tuesday, there’s probably nothing for NAB.

I’ll still be there and reporting on the third party accessories that are hitting the market.

Release/Announcement Dates
For the moment I am not going to speculate on release dates, most information I’m receiving is saying announcements dates really are unknown currently.

Japan
I apparently have to remind a few folks that Canon Rumors does not think new camera stuff is more important than the tragedy in Japan. I wish the country the best recovery possible.

cr

Why do you blow up so much 580EX II?
There has been a lot of people writing in over the years about their 580EX II’s constantly failing. People became more vocal around the time the PocketWizard FlexTT5 and MiniTT1 launched.  Below is preliminary research done by PocketWizard on the 580EX II and the problems it has.

Background
Since the launch of its PocketWizard MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 models in early 2009, LPA Design (A.K.A.PocketWizard) has been receiving periodic calls and reports from customers who are using their Canon 580EX II flashes with the PocketWizard ControlTL radios and expressing concern that perhaps their flash may have been damaged by using a PocketWizard radio trigger with it. As of the time of this report (Jan, 2011), there are about 120‐140 PocketWizard customers who have reported having one or more 580EX II flashes damaged with common symptoms over the past 18+ months.

Read the full PDF (Very technical)

Flickr Discussion

Visit PocketWizard

Assertively Speak to Canon

thanks Rui

cr

London, UK, 7th February 2011 – Canon today announces the launch of the new Speedlite 320EX and Speedlite 270EX II – a duo of new additions to its leading EX Speedlite range. Designed for EOS Digital SLR (DSLR) owners who want to use creative lighting techniques to make their photography more engaging, each new model is ideal for experimenting with different lighting set-ups with off-camera support, allowing users to alter subject lighting and add ambiance to a scene.

Ideal for users of the newly-launched EOS 600D and EOS 1100D DSLRs, the Speedlite 270EX II replaces the Speedlite 270EX at the entry level of Canon’s Speedlite range, whilst the Speedlite 320EX is a compact, powerful and versatile flash for users of mid-level cameras who want to take more control over lighting. Both new models are compatible with Canon’s distance-linked E-TTL II system, and can be used on-camera or as slave units controlled by a separate master unit or the Integrated Speedlite Transmitter of the EOS 600D, EOS 60D and EOS 7D. Ideal for more creative home studio shooting or general use, each model adds a new dimension to portraits or still life shots.

The Speedlite 270EX II – Compact, pocketable light

Perfect for users who want a small, pocketable flash unit, the Speedlite 270EX II is a compact, high-power flash with a guide number of 27 (m/ISO 100) and fast, silent recycling between shots. Flash settings can be manually controlled through the camera menu system, and photographers can experiment with the manual bounce flash head for different effects, as well as the zoom head to ensure efficient light distribution across the scene.

Providing the freedom for photographers to light a scene in a range of different ways, the Speedlite 270EX II launches with additional slave capability, allowing for creative, off-camera use. A new Remote Release function also wirelessly triggers the shutter release on a compatible EOS DSLR, allowing users to set up lighting without having to make repeat trips to the camera. Photographers can frame their shot, wirelessly trigger the two-second shutter release timer on the camera body, and then reposition the flash anywhere in the scene – capturing the image as the camera then fires both the flash and shutter release.

The Speedlite 320EX – versatile and powerful performance

Offering additional functionality, the new Speedlite 320EX is the ideal flash unit for amateurs and professionals looking for a secondary flash, featuring the ability to light a scene when recording movies. An LED flash offers a guide number of 32 (m/ISO 100), as well as the ability to change the flash coverage from 24mm to 50mm by manually extending or retracting the flash head. The flash head can also be rotated for more flexible bounce flash shooting, creating a wider variety of lighting effects.

The Speedlite 320EX’s slave utility allows it to be controlled by a master unit via one of four selectable channels. Flash group A, B or C can also be selected, controlling the relative power of the flash and the resulting lighting effect. The Speedlite 320EX also features the Remote Release functionality allowing users to trigger their camera from the flash.

In a first for Canon Speedlite, the Speedlite 320EX features a Video Light function, complementing bodies with EOS Movie by enabling users to illuminate low light scenes continuously when capturing HD video. When using the Speedlite 320EX in combination with the new EOS 1100D or EOS 600D, Auto Light mode ensures that the LED light automatically turns on or off according to the ambient light of the scene when in Movie mode.

Key features of the Speedlite 270EX II

• Lightweight compact design
• Guide Number 27 (m, ISO100)
• Bounce flash head
• Wireless slave function for off-camera flash
• Trigger your EOS camera with Remote Release button
• Variable angle of coverage
• Fast, silent recycling

Key features of the Speedlite 320EX

• Guide Number 32 (m, ISO100)
• Compact lightweight design
• Bounce-and-swivel flash head, with 24mm and 50mm zoom settings
• Integrated LED video light
• Wireless slave for off-camera TTL flash
• Remote Release button
• Fast, silent recycling

cr

1Ds Mark IV
There’s not much to talk about, I’m getting the usual variables in “tips”. Some say it’s coming before Photokina, others claim it’s 6-12 months away. Nothing definitive yet.

24-70 Update
I’m emailed daily about this lens, as I previously mentioned, I haven’t heard anything about a replacement in a long time.

New Flash
I  was told by a decent source we’ll see a new one announced before Photokina.

More cameras coming?
There is at least one announcement day coming. Outside of more Powershots, I have no CR3 info yet.

Firmware
I’m told the 1D Mark IV will be getting a firmware update for Photokina. No word on features. CR1 this one.

60D Manual is Up
You can download the english user manual for the 60D. You’ll notice there is no AF microadjust in the manual.

Download Manual (9mb pdf)

cr

Where are the SLR’s?
The embargo on the 60D doesn’t end until August 26, 2010. So that’ll be next Thursday.

No word on what else will be announced with it.

Expect at least 2 lenses.

1Ds Mark IV
I’ve heard nothing about an announcement date for the camera, only that it’ll be around for Photokina.

Big White Lenses
A few people are saying all 4 of the big whites are being replaced. This may be true, but I still believe they’ll be updated in pairs.

cr

Radio Ga Ga

See USPTO Appl. No. 12/700,098
Photography Bay has uncovered a patent for what appears to be radio based flash triggers from Canon.

It’s an obvious evolution and much needed feature in todays DSLRs.

The patent application tells us that Canon’s proposed wireless flash system is based off of the IEEE 802.15.4 standard, which is more commonly known as a wireless standard applied for low-rate wireless personal area networks operating at 2.4GHz, 915MHz and 868MHz. The 802.15.4 standard is the basis for the likes of the ZigBee specification, which these little chip antennas use to garner an impressive range of 300 feet (using the 2.4GHz band).

This is not a whole lot different in concept from the good ole 802.11 WiFi; however, power management, critical latency and cost are key concerns in the 802.15.4 standard, which makes it a seemingly ideal fit for something like TTL flash radio communication.

Read More: http://www.photographybay.com/2010/08/16/canon-working-on-built-in-radio-triggers-for-wireless-flash/

cr

Just a quick post
I received an email about a new consumer DSLR being tested.

A couple of features that were mentioned.

Features
- Movie focused
- Swivel LCD
- Between the T2i & 7D
- A smaller form factor than the 50D, but not by much.
- The announcement is coming in July

From the same source
A new flash and 1Ds Mark IV will be announced near the end of August/Early September.

cr

680EX?
The 580EX II will remain in the lineup.

Direct email quote.
An all new Top-Line Master Controller Flashgun tentatively named 680ex will be launched offering:

• Master/Slave
• GN 68 @ 105mm
• Separate Master/Slave switch previously found on 580EX
• Zone Control
• Better switches and improved Screen and Menu
• Fully Weathersealed
• Scheduled Launch Date: July-Dec 2010
• New Generation of Flashguns to be compatible with 40D onwards with Generation 2 Menu Interface.

cr