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:
- Price. At $1099USD at launch, this camera will quickly fall below $1000USD. From what I've heard, the camera feels quite nice in your hands and is a big upgrade to the Rebel in that regard.
- Articulating screen, I don't think it's a deal breaker, but I know there are certain types of photography that will benefit from it.
- Weight. There's a big backlash that the 60D didn't follow the path of the 50D and retain the metal body. I don't think that will affect sales of the camera all that much. Lots of people love the weight of the Rebel, but don't like the ergonomics. The 60D may fit for those people. If you want a metal camera, get the 7D!
Why I don't like it
- So far it's missing microadjustment. That shouldn't be a cost increasing feature. Put it in.
- Old AF technology. It doesn't need to be as good as the 7D, but something improved over the 50D would be welcomed.
- It's kind of boring, there's not much new in the camera to make people excited.
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.
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