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A New Superzoom
The 18-200 didn’t light any sales fires for Canon. Omitting USM was a mistake and the lens has never gained the popularity of its Nikon counterpart.
An updated version of the lens has shown up in a patent.
Canon EF-S 18-270 f/3.2-5.6 IS
There is no mention as to whether or not this lens will get the USM treatment. Omitting it for a second time would be a mistake.
cr
New Macros and Tilt Shifts Coming?
Recent patents have shown new Macro and Tilt-Shift lenses. Below I’ve listed them.
Explain a patent
You cannot patent a lens per se, but you can patent an optical formula. I think it’s safe to talk about patents, as many of them have turned into actual consumer products.
Canon 50mm 1:1 f/2.8 Macro
Canon 90mm f/2.8 Tilt Shift
Canon 35mm f/2.8 1:2 Macro
Patent Publication No. 2011-107313
Published 2011.6.2
Filled 2009.11.16
50mm f/2.8 1:1 Macro
90mm f/2.8 Tilt Shift
35mm f/2.8 1:2 Macroa
cr
Possible?
I’m not sure. Has Canon ever struck you as a company to get into niche markets in the photographic world? Unless the next “G†camera has a larger sensor for maybe $100 more, I just don’t see it.
cr
Brief Specs
This would mark a small increase in MP (2) and a small increase in zoom. No mention of video resolution.
cr
Rumors are flooding my inbox. Most of which I cannot substantiate to any degree. I figured it would be fun to post the most recent “roadmap” type of rumors.
Some of the below stuff has appeared on other rumor sites, as well as various blogs and tweets I’ve seen. I’ll give you my opinion on this stuff at the bottom.
August 2011 7D Mark II
September 2011 1D Mark V
March 2012 5D Mark III
CR’s Take
7D Mark II being a fullframe camera and “partially” replacing the  1D Mark IV? Not likely for a couple of reasons.
The 1D/1Ds merger talk comes around a fair bit. I do believe it’s going to happen. When? Not sure.
5D Mark III not until 2012? There has been A LOT of talk in regards to the release of the 5D Mark III. Everything recently has said it will be announced next year. Next year is a Photokina year, although I’m not sure that influences Canon’s marketing. There is going to be a lot of talk about the camera, and none of the regulars that are correct have sent me any information.
One constant remains from the stream of stuff I’m receiving, there will be a shakeup in the lineup.
cr
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
A rather unexiting announcement. My guess is that this is a similar "cost optimized" version, just like the recent move from the 18-55 IS to the Mk.II of said lens. Or has anyone read the patent and can elaborate if there are any optical differences?
Below is the official press release.
London, UK, 13th June 2011 – Canon today announces the launch of its latest high-quality telephoto zoom lens. The new EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II is a compact and affordable lens, offering powerful telephoto performance combined with high image quality, making it ideal for photographers wanting to get closer to the action.
The versatile new lens enables photographers to shoot a variety of subjects due to its variable focal range. It’s ideal for shooting anything from portraits to longer-distance subjects, such as wildlife, sports, or even features within a landscape – ensuring the moment is always captured in impressive detail.
EF-S 55-250 f/4-5.6 IS II
The EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II will be available separately and also as part of a double lens kit, bundled alongside the recently-announced EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II with EOS 550D, EOS 600D and EOS 60D bodies, providing beginners with a fantastic start to their photography system, all in one box.
Designed and manufactured to exacting standards, the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II reflects Canon’s premium design philosophy, with an enhanced exterior design and a number of premium technologies to ensure leading image quality.
Canon’s four-stop Image Stabilizer (IS) counters image blur during low light and handheld shooting, and the inclusion of an Ultra-low Dispersion (UD) lens element and Canon’s Super Spectra Coatings also ensure beautifully crisp, high contrast and glare-free images. The latest EF-S lens to be added to Canon’s range is ideal for photographers seeking an affordable and versatile lens for general-purpose telephoto photography.
The new EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II will be available from July 2011.
thanks Eyal
cr
Announcements?
2 different people have written in saying there will be 3 separate announcements in 2011. One will be for PowerShot, the other for a DSLR(s) with 2011 availability and an announcement for a product that won’t be available until 2012.
A 5D Mark III will definitely get it’s own marketing push.
200-400 Availability
I get lots of questions as to when this lens will be announced.
It was only announced as an “in development” product, it hasn’t been officially announced as a consumer product. I predict we won’t see these in the wild until at least Q2 2012.
Error Correction
I worded my post about PowerShots incorrectly recently. There is in fact CMOS PowerShots, I was alluding to a CMOS sensor in the flagship PowerShots. Sorry about that.
New Article
I’ve posted another article written by Roger over at LensRentals.com. “How to test a lens”, it’s a fun read if you’re a geek like most of us.
A new profile will appear shortly as well. He’s a very interesting guy.
Calm before the storm
Things are slow to come in at the moment. Based on past experience, this is the calm before my inbox gets hammered with rumors.
cr
Market analysts believe that the combined investment in the new plant, along with another slated to begin construction in August, will exceed NT$30 billion (US$1.05 billion), according to local media reports.
Canon will invest NT$11 billion in its new factory in the Taichung Export Processing Zone, with construction slated to be completed by the end of next May.
The Taichung plant will begin production in the second half of next year, employing 3,000 workers.
Rising demand for digital single-lens-reflex cameras in recent years prompted the company to decide last year to expand its production in Taiwan, the reports said.
Since the establishment of its first Taiwanese branch in the zone 40 years ago, Canon has brought both capital and technology to the country, making central Taiwan a hub for the optics industry, said Canon Taiwan Chairman Kenji Yoshida at a ground-breaking ceremony for the new plant.
The other plant, scheduled to begin construction in August, will be located in the Chiayi Dapumei Intelligent Industrial Park in southern Taiwan.
Construction of that plant will be completed in July 2012 and once operational, it will require 3,000-4,000 employees, the reports said.
thanks Jim
cr
New Cameras in August
We will be seeing new PowerShot cameras announced in August. I am told not to expect anything revolutionary in the line. Merely minor refreshes.
The most notable camera updates will be to the G12, S95 and SX30 IS.
I’m told a small megapixel bump to the G12 & S95 and 1080p video options. The SX30 IS replacement may move to the same type of image sensor as the aforementioned cameras.
Any rumor about CMOS based PowerShot’s have died off. There’s nothing in regards to a larger sensor PowerShot either.
All of this will heat up more over the next 60 days or so.
cr
1Ds Series We’ve talked about the amalgamation of the 1D and 1Ds line in the past, the next 1Ds may prove to make that talk a reality. I’m told that there will be no more 1D after the next 1Ds.
Does that mean the next 1Ds will do what the current 1D does? Or will the 1D Mark IV remain current until a 1Ds Mark V? I’m unsure at the moment.
It was also suggested APS-H in the EOS line is finished.
“5D†Series I call it “series†due to the suggestion of a split in the 5D lineup.
A 5D Mark III with advanced video features and a 5D Mark III for stills?
Canon has yet to directly monetize video capabilities in DSLRs. Yes, the 5D2 is a bigtime video performer, but the camera wouldn’t cost less if it didn’t shoot video. If Canon does away with the 1D line of cameras, there will be a price hole that a video feature rich camera could fit into.
CR’s Take All plausible and I’m sure I will hear a lot more about these ideas. It doesn’t make sense in my mind to have 2 EOS-1 bodies in the lineup, the number of these they sell compared to the 5D Mark II is minuscule.
I wonder about technology though, can you offer a 9fps+ capability in a 30+mp camera? There’s lots of technical people that know better than I do.
Splitting the “5″ series camera for stills and video has been asked for by a lot of still photographers who don’t care about video. You won’t see a 5D Mark III still camera with basic video features costing less than the current 5D Mark II, but a 5D Mark III with advanced video features will surely attract a lot of buyers even if it’s at a premium.
I’m willing to wager Canon could sell a lot more 5D Mark III “video editions†than 1D Mark Vs.
cr
B&H Drops Prices on Select Lenses
The downward trend of lens pricing may be beginning again. B&H announced small price drops today.
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Telephoto Zoom Lens
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/680103-USA/Canon_2751B002_EF_70_200mm_f_2_8L_IS.html original price  2499.00 current  $2,449.00
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/647011-USA/Canon_3554B002_EF_100mm_f_2_8L_Macro.html original price  1049.00 current $999.00
Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM Autofocus Lens
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/423691-USA/Canon_1056B002AA_EF_85mm_f_1_2L_II.html original price  2149.00 current $2,099.00
Canon Telephoto EF 135mm f/2.0L USM Autofocus Lens
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/112539-USA/Canon_2520A004_Telephoto_EF_135mm_f_2_0L.html original price 1079.00 current $1,049.00
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM Telephoto Lens
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/732106-USA/Canon_4426B002_EF_70_300mm_f_4_5_6L_IS.html original price $1579.00 current $1,519.00
Canon Super Wide Angle EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM Autofocus Lens
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/519474-USA/Canon_2045B002_Super_Wide_Angle_EF.html original price  2269.00 current 2,249.00
Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Zoom Lens
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/425812-USA/Canon_1242B002AA_EF_S_17_55mm_f_2_8_IS.html original price 1159.00 current $1,120.00
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM Lens
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/457678-USA/Canon_1258B002AA_EF_70_200mm_f_4L_IS.html original price 1329.00 current $1,281.00
Changes in this firmware
Firmware Version 1.1.0 incorporates the following improvements and fixes:
Firmware Version 1.1.0 is for cameras with firmware up to Version 1.0.8. If the camera’s firmware is already Version 1.1.0, it is not necessary to update the firmware.
Check the firmware section on the Canon USA Site: Canon USA
thanks Steve
cr