No 7D Mark II in 2013? [CR2]

Only one more body in 2013?
From a good source, we’re told that an EOS 7D Mark II will not be released in 2013. We could get an announcement sometime in this calendar year, but availability will be next year.

The only DSLR still to come in 2013 from Canon is the EOS 70D. The same source does say “several lenses will be coming in 2013″.

2014 will be the year for high-end DSLR cameras from Canon, consider this a down year for bodies.

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Patent – Tilt Shift Lens Related

A new tilt-shift related patent from Canon
A patent to help usability by changing the grind lines on the EVF or LCD when tilting, shifting and rotating. This is definitely something I could see being useful in a tilt-shift macro.

Patent Publication No. 2013-81129 (Google Translation)

• Publication date 2013.5.2
• Filing date 2011.10.5

Shooting assist functions suitable for tilt lens

• Rotate display grid lines
• The angle information of the tilt lens to determine the angle of the grid lines
• To align in the direction of change of focus, the angle of the grating lines, easy to compose the picture

Source: [NL] via [EG]

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Review – Canon EF 24-70 f/4L IS

The latest Canon midrange L zoom
Justin has completed his review of the Canon EF 24-70 f/4L IS. It’s a lens that has been pretty polarizing since it was announced. Some people loved the idea, a nice and light IS zoom and some people questioned why they’d buy it over the EF 24-105 f/4L IS, especially videographers.

I’m still on the fence, while I do like the lens, I’m not really sure it’s worth the $1400 pricetag, unless size and weight are your biggest concerns.

Says Justin…
“I’ve never found the 24-70 focal range particularly exciting. It’s not wide enough to create an interesting level of distortion, nor so telephoto as to create a special compressed and isolated “look” to your subjects. I never LOVED my 24-70 f/2.8 L, I just used it every day. Like that lens, the 24-70 f/4L IS is a tool; one that is more than capable of getting the job done.”

Read the full review of the EF 24-70 f/4L IS | EF 24-70 f/4L IS at B&H Photo

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Canon EOS Rebel SL1 in Stock at B&H Photo

World’s smallest SLR
The brand new Canon EOS Rebel SL1 is now in stock at B&H Photo with the new EF-S 18-55 f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens for $799. The SL1 incorporates a brand new Canon 18mp APS-C sensor and is the smallest DSLR in the world.

Canon EOS Rebel SL1 w/18-55 f/3.5-5.6 IS STM $799

B&H Photo has also done a hands-on review of the new Rebel SL1.

Hands-on review of the Canon EOS Rebel SL1

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New Tilt-Shift Lenses in the Wild [CR2]

New Tilt-shifts on the horizon?
We’ve received reports that new tilt-shift lenses are being tested. The 45mm and 90mm have both been on the replacement clock for some time now, basically since the 17mm and 24mm tilt-shift lenses were released.

We’re told that the new lenses are scheduled to appear in early 2014 with a possible announcement shortly have Christmas.

A separate person has suggested a macro tilt-shift lens could also be on the distant horizon.

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Canon EOS 6D for $1546

via eBay
Seller GetItDigital (99.6% positive feedback) is selling brand new Canon EOS 6D bodies for $1546. This price also includes free shipping within the USA.

Canon EOS 6D $1546 via eBay

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EOS 5D Mark III Firmware 1.2.1 Available for Download

A list of improvements in firmware version 1.2.1 is listed below.

1. Uncompressed HDMI output is now enabled.
2. Enables the center AF point to autofocus when the camera is used with Canon EF lens/extender combinations whose combined maximum aperture is f/8.
3. Improves the speed of the camera’s acquisition of focus when using a Canon Speedlite’s AF-assist beam.
4. Fixes a phenomenon in which the LCD monitor may freeze and display Err 70 or Err 80 when a still photo is taken during Live View or in movie shooting mode.
5. Fixes a phenomenon that may occur when the continuous shooting priority setting is enabled for multiple exposures, such that, after the sixth image is taken, there is a slight pause before the remainder of the sequence is completed.
6. Fixes a phenomenon in which the viewfinder display shows incorrect information during AEB shooting.
7. Communication with the WFT-E7 Wireless File Transmitter has been improved.
8. When images have been successfully transferred with the WFT-E7 Wireless File Transmitter through the FTP protocol, an “O” will be displayed. When images have not been successfully transferred with the WFT-E7 Wireless File Transmitter through the FTP protocol, an “X” will be displayed.
9. Fixes a phenomenon in which the camera may not function properly when an Eye-Fi card is used.
10. Fixes a phenomenon in which the focal length value listed in the Exif information is not displayed correctly for images shot with the EF 24-70mm F4L IS USM lens.
11. Fixes a phenomenon in which the lens firmware cannot be updated properly.
12. Corrects errors in the Arabic language menu.
13. Fixes a phenomenon in which the camera changes the AF microadjustment value to -8.
14. Fixes a phenomenon in which the on-screen guidance cannot be fully displayed when setting the maximum limit value for the “Setting the ISO Speed Range for Auto ISO” option.

Download from Canon USA | EOS 5D Mark III at B&H Photo

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EF 100-400 Replacement in 2013? [CR2]

Speculation has started again
We’ve received a few reports that an announcement for a replacement to the EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS is “very possible for the end of August”. A few prototypes of the lens are currently in use in Asia.

This has been a lens that has been set for replacement as far back as I can remember. I think it’s more probable for release now that Nikon has put their new 80-400 out, which was an area of weakness for them.

We’ve heard from a few people that Canon is having manufacturing issues and that there’s a backlog of new lenses slated for production.

EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 IS at B&H Photo

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EF 800mm f/5.6L IS II [CR2]

Another mention
More mentions of a replacement to the longest lens in the Canon lineup. We’re told the new 800mm will be announced once the EF 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4x has begun shipping. There’s a possibility we’ll see at least a development announcement some time this fall. There was no mention of the EF 200 f/2L IS, a lens that was announced alongside the original 800mm only 5 short years ago. Beyond a new build type in materials, the lens will be a “nearly identical” optical formula, although improvements in vignetting and sharpness are probable.

Announcement timing could also depend on stock levels with retailers, not so much with Canon itself. I don’t imagine too many of these are made and warehoused.

I have had communication from a few other anonymous people that the next 800 would have a built-in teleconverter, which is not something I think will happen.

Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS at B&H Photo

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EF 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4x Release Date [CR1]

Another launch date!
The ever moving launch date of the EF 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4x lens. After the latest post about the lens, I have received a barrage of emails saying the mid 2014 comment was untrue.

As of now, a couple of people have said that May 14, 2013 is the day the lens will be officially announced with availability coming in September/October 2013.

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