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privatebydesign · Dec 17, 2015

Thanks all, Neuro in particular. I have passed that information along.

Canon Rumors · Dec 17, 2015

HTML:

<em>New Model Features Ultra-Fast 4D FOCUS, Translucent Mirror Technology and more</em></p>
<p><strong>SAN DIEGO, Dec. 17, 2015</strong> – Sony Electronics, a worldwide leader in digital imaging and the world’s largest image sensor manufacturer, has today introduced the α68 (model ILCA-68) camera with ultra-fast 4D autofocus to the US and Canada markets.</p>
<p>The new camera, which was announced for the European market last month, is the latest model to feature native compatibility with Sony’s extensive collection of A-mount lenses.  Inheriting many pro-style features from the acclaimed α77 II, the α68 features Sony’s unique 4D FOCUS system that delivers extraordinary AF performance under any shooting conditions – even in lighting as low as EV-2 where many other cameras struggle.</p>
<p><!--more--></p>
<p>This system utilizes 79 autofocus points – the most AF points on any interchangeable lens camera with a dedicated phase-detection AF sensor<sup>1</sup>.  Included are 15 cross points as well as a dedicated F2.8 AF sensor point for dimly-lit scenes.  This all adds up to extremely fast, wide area AF with predictive tracking that locks faithfully onto fast-moving subjects.  Additionally, the camera utilizes Sony’s unique Translucent Mirror Technology to deliver constant AF tracking at up to 8 fps<sup>2</sup>.</p>
<p>The camera features a 24 MP<sup>3</sup> APS-C Exmor CMOS sensor with a wide ISO 100 – 25,600 sensitivity range<sup>4</sup>, allowing it to produce outstanding image quality for both still images and video.  The sensor is teamed with a powerful BIONZ X image processor that uses Detail Reproduction and Diffraction-reducing Technologies plus Area-specific Noise Reduction, resulting in pristine, finely detailed shots every time.</p>
<p>Full HD movies use the efficient XAVC S<sup>5</sup> format, enabling high bit rate recordings at up to 50 Mbps with outstanding detail and low noise. With Translucent Mirror Technology, shooters can enjoy non-stop continuous autofocus with accurate subject tracking during video shooting, producing crisp, professional looking footage.  With a powerful array of advanced controls and capabilities, the α68 has plenty to offer experienced amateurs as well as step-up photographers and first time interchangeable lens camera customers.</p>
<p>Framing stills and movies is a pleasure through the clear, bright OLED Tru-Finder, which features 100% frame coverage with high contrast and accurate color reproduction.  Complementing the Tru-Finder, the 2.7-type LCD monitor tilts up to 135 degrees upwards or 55 degrees downwards for comfortable composition from a wide variety of shooting angles. Serious photo enthusiasts will also value the backlit top display that allows quick confirmation of camera settings, whether shooting handheld or on a tripod.</p>
<p>As found on the critically acclaimed α7 series, the α68 has a control wheel on the camera’s rear that allows quick fingertip adjustment of camera settings, as well as 10 customizable buttons<sup>6</sup> that frequently-used functions can be assigned to.  There is also a front control dial for quick adjustments of settings and a sturdy grip to ensure a balanced shooting experience, even when using heavyweight prime or telephoto lenses.</p>
<p>The new camera features SteadyShot INSIDE stabilization to reduce the effects of camera shake and allow for blur-free handheld shooting at all focal lengths, with any compatible lens.  Additionally, the inclusion of a Multi Interface Shoe and Multi Terminal lets users expand their creative options with a wide range of optional accessories, including flashes, lights, microphones and remote commanders.</p>
<p><strong>Pricing and Availability

</strong>The Sony α68 interchangeable lens camera will be available in April at authorized Sony retailers in the US for about $600 body only or about $700 in a kit along with the DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II lens.  In Canada, the body and kit will also be available in April and will be sold for about $800 and $950 CAD, respectively.</p>

Dec 17, 2015

Re: The Nikon D5 has Leaked

Tugela said:
This is why your camera will often continue to process data long after you have actually taken your shots (a long exposure for example, where data is collected over a period of time and then summed).

You're not helping your case with silly statements like that. In a long exposure, the data are collected ('data' are plural, nor singular) over a long period of time and summed by the sensor, while the shutter is open – once the shutter closes, there's no difference between a long and short exposure in terms of processing. If your camera continues 'processing' you are confusing that with long exposure NR, where a dark frame of the same exposure duration is taken and subtracted (which removes hot pixels, but actually adds random noise) – that extra time is the second exposure, not 'processing'.

dilbert said:
The system can only go as fast as the slowest component and right now the slowest component is the CF card.

In practice, the mirror is the limiting factor that determines fps. The buffer size then limits the number of shots that can be taken at that frame rate. Only after the buffer is full do other factors come into play.

melbournite · Dec 17, 2015

I wonder if they'd offer any help if I turned up with my Sony RX100? Obviously, I'd explain that it's my fourth camera of choice (all other being Canon).

N3vo · Dec 16, 2015

Get the Robinson 14mm, if you ever move to FF, you can keep it as well!

N3vo · Dec 16, 2015

I got s refurbished 6d off canon for 900, with shutter count of 12, thought that was a great Black Friday week deal!

ritholtz · Dec 16, 2015

Besisika said:
ritholtz said:

Canon sold it for $110 during blackfriday.

Click to expand...

I would have bought one if I new. Please let us know next time.

Thanks for the review Dustin, much needed.
Have been thinking about it for a while now.

Hi,
Canon is selling for $129 now.

http://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/ef-s-55-250mm-f4-5-6-is-stm-telephoto-zoom-lens-refurbished?WT.mc_id=C126149

martti · Dec 16, 2015

You can blame it all on the Internet.

Famateur · Dec 16, 2015

It would seem to me that sensor yield per wafer would make such large sensors ridiculously expensive. The sensor fabrication experts on the forum could probably speak to this with more detail...

sunnyVan · Dec 16, 2015

A hood is easy to get. A good copy of any lens is hard to come by. What's important then is to find out whether the IQ, AF, etc are to your liking.

infared · Dec 16, 2015

9VIII said:
Thanks for the clarification. It's nice to see Sigma on the cutting edge of more than just MTF charts.

Yes...it shows a renewed approach to how they do everything, now. The company has definitely restructured itself.
I look forward to even more offerings. I purchased the 20mm Art two weeks back and I am just wowed. Great lens....um...but I can't put a filter on it though. LOL!

Dec 16, 2015

Re: Canon U.S.A. Expands Line Of Interchangeable Lens Projectors

I'm still waiting for the X Mark II Calculator Mouse. C'mon, Canon – don't get left behind by all the innovation going on out there in the calculator mouse market!

dufflover · Dec 16, 2015

My Sigma 120-300 OS (non-Sport) cost me "only" $2600 AU and the new Sport version retails for much more than that. Lucky I have the same optical formula albeit none of the other enhancements. The problem with this sort of comparison is I still find it hard to believe Canon these days will have a 100m+ diameter lens (even say 105mm and round-up numbers like Sigma) and NOT charge big-white price for it.

Eldar · Dec 16, 2015

Going through the lineup of lenses I already have and those available out there, I find it very difficult to say that I am in need of a lens that won´t be made. I would have preferred a 28mm f1.4L to the 35mm f1.4L II. I never thought one would be made, but since Zeiss is bringing an Otus out, it might be that Canon might be considering the same. I would love the Otus, but at 1,35kg it is simply too heavy. I expect updates of the 50 and 85 1.2L lenses to come out in the foreseeable future, so I´ll live happily with my Otus lenses until then. A few months back I would say a 600 f4 DO, but that may well be coming. A TS-E macro lens seems to be coming ... Maybe a really compact L-class DO superzoom. 16-200, or something like that, with a decent max aperture ...

I guess the conclusion is that I already have more and better gear than my artistic and technical abilities can exploit and the only reason for making changes would be that something breaks (never happens) or my weak character is tempted with something new (happens all the time).

Zeidora · Dec 15, 2015

Apparently price is targeted at US$50K (4x5") or $100K (8x10"). A bit steep, IMHO, particularly for a 6.7 MP sensor. No idea who the target audience is. Off buying some film tomorrow.

rfdesigner · Dec 15, 2015

At most I'd choose an old, good, DSLR.

I'd take a DSLR so I can determine the white balance properly, important to record the colours accurately, auto-modes can wrong foot you and make it impossible to compare before and after. I used my 30d and the on camera flash to evaluate brick colours when I needed some for restoring our 300yrold fireplace. Worked a treat, perfect match.

You can pick up 30/40Ds for less than £100 these days, they shoot raw, they can be set to manual, set white balance etc, and they have on camera flash. This isn't an artistic contest, it's a scientific record. And it's going to get a relatively easy life.

(I got a photo published this year on the BBC taken with my 30D, looked a damn sight better than the iphone picks)

An 8Mpix camera will print to A3 perfectly well.

As for lens, I'd go for the cheapest going. If flash is being used to aid consistant colour then aperture is unimportant, almost all lenses are sharp at F8. An old kit lens can be had for £50... although I'd use a fixed lens.. then shots would be more likely to be comparable.

Job done, £150.. paying more than this might be desirable to get close ups, so perhaps a ring flash and a set of macro extension tubes.. but closest focus of a standard lens could be more than good enough.

We use a compact at work for images of PCBs etc, and it's definitely good enough for that, but I wouldn't like to vouch for colour accuracy.

last thought.. probably most important:

The one thing that might push me to a "better" model is connectivity.. a doctor will probably want the image in the notes as quickly and easily as possible.

romanr74 · Dec 15, 2015

privatebydesign said:
sanj said:

Bennymiata said:

I use my 16-35 II a lot, and it's been an excellent workhorse.

If the new has BR I'll get the new one, but if not, this lens will last me another 4 or 5 years.

Click to expand...

What happens after 5 years? I can last practically forever.... If the new one does not have BR (I think it will) then the next replacement will be LONG time from now.

Click to expand...

The lens will probably still work, though after enough time Canon don't support it and the inability to get parts for them will make many of them paperweights. I think the more relevant point is the IQ doesn't really stack up for many images.

The 16-35 f2.8 MkII came out when the Canon wide angle lens design team consisted of a on old blind guy, the work experience guy that also empties the bins when everybody went home, and the new kid who didn't know what end of the lens went on the camera. Well that new kid made good, he went to optics school in the evening and continued on to write his PHD on an unimaginable concept, a 17 TS-E. Well the old blind guy signed off on the 17 idea even though he truthfully didn't have the authority to and the blind guys protege, the 'new kid', became the wide and ultra wide go to guy. The marketing department, fresh from the success of the 17 TS-E put pressure on everybody else to let 'the new guy' do whatever he wants, kind of a Japanese lens skunkworks. Because all these random elements (little pun intended) fell into place, we now have the 17 TS-E, the 24 TS-E MkII, the 8-15, the 16-35 f4, the 11-24, the 35 f2 IS, the 35 f1.4L MkII.

The 16-35 f2.8 MkII is a weak performer by modern standards, and while content might trump IQ a lot of the time, there is a limit and those old weak Canon wides are not a thing of beauty.

I fully agree with the 16-35 assessment - or at least my copy is not amazing.
The 17 TS-E is brilliant, but when shifted sharpness is suffering (which can be expected).

Eldar · Dec 15, 2015

Jopa said:
johnnycash said:

Eldar said:

I have a custom made precision focusing screen in my 5DSR (I got one for the 1DX also, but have not used it since I got the 5DSR) and manual focus is a lot easier than many seem to believe, even in poor light. If you shoot wide open, your subjects better be fairly static though.

In addition to my 12 AF lenses, I have 8 manual focus lenses (6 Zeiss and 2 Canon TS-E). I love using them and I routinely shoot them wide open. People seem to believe that AF is preferable in every situation. But that is not true in every case, at least not for me. When you want to focus on a small detail behind large front objects, that is a lot easier and faster with manual focus. When you want something in the periphery of the image in focus, outside the AF point matrix, you can focus directly and skip focus/recompose. When your AF point is in the top right and your subject is to bottom left, you can skip moving the AF point etc. etc.

In my case, without having a good explanation for it, I am a better photographer with primes than with zooms and I am even better (or less bad) with manual focus. I believe it has to do with the attention and focus it requires. I would never use them for a low light event though.

Click to expand...

Hi, you have a custom made precision focusing screen in your 5DSR? Can you please tell me more about it? I love using my Otus, if only I could use the viewfinder!

Click to expand...

What about a live view magnifier like Zacuto? It's no worse than an EVF.

I have a Zacuto, which works, but I prefer the S-type focusing screen.

scyrene · Dec 14, 2015

GoldWing said:
Too bad... Canon missed Christmas 2015....

Canon Rumors said:

We have been sent a specifications list for the upcoming Canon EOS-1D X Mark II. This one is more in line with what we’ve been getting in pieces over the last 6 weeks or so.
Specifications:
<ul>
<li>24mp full frame Canon sensor</li>
<li>80+ AF Points</li>
<li>New processor technology</li>
<li>14+ stops of dynamic range</li>
<li>Nearly 15fps</li>
<li>4K video (max frame rate unknown)</li>
<li>Dual CFast</li>
<li>Slightly larger LCD</li>
</ul>
It’s possible there is marketing material being made for the upcoming camera, and we may start seeing some of those leaks.
More to come…

Click to expand...

So what? You think 1-series cameras are bought as Christmas presents? A far more important date for them will be the Summer Olympics.

jilldwr · Dec 14, 2015

Sweet, I love Tokina lenses, I've got the 12-24 F4 and it's one of my favourites. I wonder why they made the 11-20 f2.8 when they already have an amazing lens in the 11-16 F2.8.

Mt Spokane Photography · Dec 14, 2015

December 14, 2015 – Washington, DC – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced a streamlined and user-friendly web-based aircraft registration process for owners of small unmanned aircraft (UAS) weighing more than 0.55 pounds (250 grams) and less than 55 pounds (approx. 25 kilograms) including payloads such as on-board cameras.

See the entire article at The Digital Picture.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=17346

Jopa · Dec 14, 2015

They are pro-Nikon

Just kidding. Maybe. Not sure why but the test results are full of nonsense, just read a few comments below the 5dsr testing. Like the 85 f/1.2 1st gen vs 2nd gen (30 vs 23Mpx), different Otus 55 / 85 results on Canon and Nikon bodies, etc... If you look at the sensors - their (DxO) new 1" camera has a better rating than the 5dmk3 and same as the A7sII. Sometimes I'm looking at www.lenscore.org, but not sure how reliable are they. IMO the best resource for the lenses so far is www.the-digital-picture.com, especially after Bryan started posting LensRentlals' MTFs.

Mt Spokane Photography · Dec 14, 2015

I really think that Canon is trying to bury them with lots of expensive litigation. However, a couple of Canon's claims have merit, the fake nameplate found on some cameras, for example.

The first sale doctrine has been successfully used for gray market lawsuits, but, since it was not a Supreme Court case, the resolution does not apply in New York.

raptor3x · Dec 14, 2015

9VIII said:
If the amount of surface area occupied by circuitry is the same per pixel, just for a harsh estimate lets say 10 square microns, then the A7S would be losing approximately 14% surface area per pixel... But the A7RII would lose 50%.
Using an expensive fabrication method to get back 14% of your sensor's potential doesn't sound that appealing.

This ignores the effect of microlenses. Microlenses will act to lessen the effect of fill factor.

Dec 14, 2015

tolusina said:
Pookie said:

...I tried LR ….

Click to expand...

Tether up with LR!
http://news.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/rim_info2/2015/20151210_010011.html

Thanks, I recently updated my LR and now it tethers... the one problem I thought that was a hard fix is done. The other, the Prolities I've yet to find anyone with working experience. I will prob just bit the bullet and go for it but still a little leary as they look kind of cheap.

Thanks again for the headsup...

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