WD has released new Professional products under Sandisk including new CFexpress card and new card readers.

Is it just me, or is what is going on with lenses these days a bit strange?

It seems to me we have lens manufacturers in a sharpness arms race (probably driven by Sony), where we are getting large, heavy, overcorrected and clinical lenses with zero flaws or softness. To the extent, where Canon releases a special version of their 85mm 1.2 with a defocus coating to smooth things out a bit since they corrected out most of the SA from the old 85 1.2 design in the base version. And now it seems soft focus and other filters that add aberrations are very much back in style because many of these new lens designs are found to look too clinical if you just shoot them naked.

Isn't a bit strange to spend double the price for a larger, heavier, hypercorrected lens and then spend even more on filters (or a special coating) to reintroduce the corrected flaws so the rendering is more forgiving or appealing?

Just a thought, anyone else noticing this trend?

The LUMIX GH5M2 features 4K 60p 4:2:0 10-bit video recording and wireless live streaming capability
Newark, NJ (May 25, 2021) – Designed with video creators in mind, Panasonic is proud to introduce its newest digital mirrorless camera, the LUMIX GH5M2, featuring outstanding video performance for all film creators. The next high-performance product in the evolution of the GH5, the LUMIX GH5M2 achieves C4K[*1]/4K 60p 4:2:0 10-bit[*2] video recording and simultaneous output of 4:2:2 10-bit over HDMI during 4K 60p 4:2:0 10-bit internal recording. With the pre-installed V-Log L, it is easy to match the color tone with the footage recorded in V-Log of S1H/S1 and V-Log L of GH5/GH5S.
The 20.3-megapixel Digital Live MOS Sensor with Anti-Reflective (A.R.) coating clearly captures details and drives the maximum performance of the lens. The image processor is also updated from that of the GH5 by adopting the latest Venus Engine that boasts high speed and performance.
*1 Corresponding...

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New York, May 24, 2021 – SIRUI today launches its new 75mm f1.8 1.33x anamorphic lens, giving filmmakers the ability to make telephoto images with an anamorphic look – creating images where the subject really stands out in the frame. This new focal length offers the same characteristic stretched oval bokeh and streaked flares that SIRUI’s 1.33x lenses have become famous for. Its anamorphic look combined with the wide f1.8 maximum aperture, 13-blade iris, and 1.2m close focus distance offers beautifully blurred backgrounds and excellent foreground separation. The result – stunning portrait shots.

The 75mm f1.8 1.33x lens required the SIRUI optical team to overcome key technical problems with a brand new optical design. It took persistent efforts and considerable investment to make this lens possible.
Made for APS-C sensor cameras, it joins the existing SIRUI lens lineup of 24mm f2.8, 35m f1.8, and 50mm f1.8 1.33x lenses. All four lenses have common aesthetics and handling...

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I have had many discussions with various sources about the upcoming Canon EOS R3.  One of the most asked questions is how much will the Canon EOS R3 cost at launch?
Multiple folks have told me that Canon has been vague about pricing, but that the Canon EOS R3 would undercut both the Sony Alpha a1 ($6498) and Canon’s own EOS-1D X Mark III ($6499) at launch.
One source did say that they think the EOS R3 would launch at $5999 based on hints from a couple of people at Canon.
That price definitely doesn’t fall under “affordable”, but it would be a pretty big achievement when compared to the Sony flagship, which doesn’t have a full-size gripped body.
There will be some more information to share about the Canon EOS R3 in the next few...

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It's time! The R5 and R6 are both getting to be 9-months old.

I wish Canon would update the R6 instead of coming out with expensive cinema bodies and the R3.

I'm pretty much a still photographer and don't need all the video features of the R5. But I would like
a body with at least 35-45MP, and a top LCD display. And cheaper! I can't afford a month's pay just
for a body.

Come-on Canon!

Canon News has uncovered a patent that shows how Canon plans to add eye control focus technology in the upcoming Canon EOS R3 EVF.
From Japan Patent Application 2021-076832:
… an object of the present invention is to propose an optimum arrangement of the EVF in the image pickup apparatus, which is provided with the EVF and can suppress the deterioration of the operability of the image pickup apparatus provided with the line-of-sight input function.
Canon is using a small image sensor that is positioned on the side of the main display in the EVF and using a diving prism to direct light to this sensor. IR LEDs illuminate your eye for pupil...

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My R5 used to show the focus point(s) on the flippy screen when reviewing images. No longer. I have updated the firmware to 1.3.1, but that does not help. AF point display is enabled in the menu (Blue arrow symbol , page 5). Can anyone help me get this function to reappear? Thanks muchly.

I've been using my RF 100-500 + RF 1.4 on a monopod with the Wimberly MonoGimbel Head which works great! The only problem I had was with my tripod mount ring which I have had difficulty tightening it around the lens and it would pop open easily and finally got to the point I couldn't even close it around the lens. I sent it in to Canon and they said that the screws were damaged by over tightening and was bent and it was a non serviceable accessory and I would need to buy a new one. OK--well, the hooker is they don't offer a tripod mount ring for sale for this lens! I'm leaving for Iceland in 6 weeks for bird photography.
What a fine kettle of fish I'm in!! What to do?!?!?!
Catherine

Recently I got the 5DsR for $1499 deal from B&H. I got it because I wanted an upgrade for my 6D. I thought the 6D's 20MP count was more than enough, but wow the amount of detail in the 5DsR is just insane! Even with my less sharp lenses, the pixel structure is so much finer and more natural. Reminds me of the difference of seeing film grain on a 4K movie vs a 1080p movie.

So, I wanted to get a 2nd 5D body and now I am conflicted. Originally I was going to wait until the 5D4 dropped in price during the winter, but now after seeing 50MP I'm not sure I want 30MP. I could either get another 5DsR for $1499, or wait for a Canon refurb sale on 5Ds (non-R) for $1039. Or likely the 5D4 will be $1999 in the winter.

I only shoot stills, so video performance not important. Mostly do portrait and landscape but I liked the 5D4 for its versatility. But I am not sure the few more AF points and couple of extra fps is worth losing 20MP. What do others who have owned both think?

A 35mm L lens for the RF mount has been rumoured for what seems to be an eternity. We have seen a patent for such a lens and it has been on our RF lens roadmap for such a lens.
I have been told that the lens has been delayed due to the COVID-19 challenges still plaguing lens manufacturing.
We should expect to see this lens announced in Q4 of 2021, possibly alongside the Canon EOS R3.

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My wife and I just picked up two R6s. When she is using her EF 70-200mm f/4L IS ver I USM with the EF to EOS RF adapter, the lens does a lot of AF noise and seems to be hunting hunting and does not work very well with the Animal Eye AF. Her R6 seems to work well with her EF 100-400 II and the kit RF 24-105 non L. I am assuming it may have something to do with the lens being relatively old technology. Any thought on this?

Bill

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Any idea what the difference between these 2 cards is?

Sandisk Extreme Pro SDXC, SDXPK 64GB, U3, C10, UHS-II, 300MB/s​

SanDisk Extreme PRO 64GB SDXC Memory Card up to 300MB/s, UHS-II, Class 10, V90, U3​

I'm heading for an upgrade (from RF 100-500mm) to the 400mm f/2.8. In Sweden the price difference is approx. $717 (EF 400mm is $16464 and the RF 400mm is $17181)

Would be nice to have the native mount of course but it's $717 price difference.

As I understand it's virtually the same lens. Don't know if the RF comes with the RF control ring thou?

I have the adapter already, but would I benefit buying the RF-version perhaps?

There has been a lot of talk about Canon and catadioptric lenses (mirror) since a patent surfaced with new lens designs likely for the RF mount. It has been rumored for quite some time that Canon would be bringing an RF 1200mm f/8 lens for the EOS R system, which could actually be a mirror lens.
Canon does have a history with mirror lenses, including the behemoth Canon 5200mm f/14 along with an 800mm f/3.8 and a 2000mm f/11. A Canon Rumors reader sent me a brochure for these three lenses and I found it to be a fun read.
These lenses were developed in the mid-1960s and can still fetch a king’s ransom on the used market. The 5200mm f/14 sold for about $50,000 a few years ago on ebay.
Check out the official Canon brochure...

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Keith over at Northlight uncovered a USPTO patent showing various optical designs for catadioptric lenses, better known as mirror lenses. The advantages to mirror lenses are reduced size, weight, and cost at long focal lengths.
Some of the historical disadvantages to mirror lenses tend to be low contrast, fixed aperture, and doughnut bokeh. That’s not to say that Canon hasn’t improved or eliminated those issues in their designs.
Optical designs that appear in this patent:

Canon RF 400mm f/3.6 IS
Canon RF 800mm f/5 IS
Canon RF 1200mm f/8 IS
Canon RF 1200mm f/10.5 IS
Canon RF 2000mm f/15 IS

Interestingly, a Canon RF 1200mm f/8 appears on my Canon RF lens roadmap. This patent may actually be...

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With the launch of their R5/R6 Video class, Canon Masterclass now have courses available for the entire range of Canon’s cinema cameras, from the C200, C300 Mark III, high-end C500 MkII, and the new C70. Each course is over 2 hours long and comprehensively covers the skills required to create professional-quality video and harness the potential of Canon’s cinema sensors.
Start your Canon Masterclasses today...

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Northlight Images has uncovered an interesting patent that deals with reducing the need for an AA filter.
This patent shows a technique to use the sensor stabilization system to address the problems of sampling and spatial aliasing, something that an AA filter is usually responsible for.
This technology in this patent is for both stills and video, I will note, that understanding this patent isn’t for the faint of heart.
Check out the full patent at the USPTO website.
Interestingly, Canon Rumors reader Nicolas let me know on Twitter that Pentax does something similar. You can check out the demonstration from the Ricoh YouTube channel below.

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Canon News has uncovered an interesting optical formula patent for a small prime lens with image stabilization. The patent talks in-depth about making small prime lenses with IS.
There are two different embodiments for a Canon RF 19mm f/2.8 IS.
Canon RF 19mm F2.8 IS

​Focal length 19.50mm
F-number 2.88
Half angle (degree) 47.99°
Image height 21.65mm
Lens total length 96.33mm
BF 18.34mm

Canon RF 19mm F2.8 IS

Focal distance 19.29mm
F-number 2.86
Half angle (degree) 48.30°
Image height 21.65mm
Lens total length 96.59mm
BF 18.43mm

This patent also includes an optical formula for an RF 85mm f/1.8, but I think it’s safe to assume that this won’t become a consumer product since we have the Canon RF 85mm f/2 IS STM.

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I have tried to update my lens firmware on my Canon R6, 24-105 IS (not an L lens), downloaded the update, opened it on my computer and got an "afu" file and a pdf. When I tried to update the lens firmware, I got the message that I needed an SD card with the file on it. Well, the file was on it. The camera firmware updates fine, but not the lens.

The Canon USA store has stock of the refurbished Canon EOS-1D X Mark III for the first time.
Key Features


A new era in autofocus speed and accuracy
Outstanding stills and video
High-speed camera communications
Always ready to perform, whatever the situation
Enhanced DIGIC Processor
New CMOS Sensor
16 fps Mechanical Shutter, with Optical Viewfinder
20 fps Mechanical or Electronic Shutter, During Live View
Lens Included: Without Lens
Resolution: 20MP
Frames Per Second: 20.0 fps continuous shooting

Canon EOS-1D X Mark III $5849

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Canon Professional Service Center reports that:

If your Canon RF 800 f/11 lens suddenly and consistently fails to focus and takes consistently very blurry pictures, try resetting the camera as a first step toward fixing the problem.

The above happened to me. My R5 camera was still working fine with my 35mm macro lens but not with the 800mm f/11 lens so I sent the lens to Canon Professional Service Center only to be told that there is nothing wrong with the lens. I have now reset the camera as they suggested and it is still working properly with my 35mm Macro lens. I am eagerly awaiting the return of my 800mm f/11 lens and I shall return with the result.

Canon News has uncovered a patent for more fast prime optical formulas. This patent deals with reducing weight and size for such lenses.
Canon News notes that the back focus is quite short, which would require the lens to enter the camera mount about 8mm. So these optical formulas aren’t likely going to become a consumer product. However, we do see patents for optical formulas that are merely trying to solve problems, and in the case of this one… size and weight.
Canon 20mm f/1.8

Focal length 20.60mm
F-number 1.85
Half angle of view (degrees) 46.40°
Image height 21.64mm
Lens total length 88.73mm
BF 11.72mm

Canon 24mm f/1.8

Focal length 23.28mm
F-number 1.85
Half angle of view (degrees) 42.90°
Image height 21.64mm
Lens total length 93.32mm
BF 12.72mm

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Dear friends,
Me and my family are off to Kenya and Tanzania for 24 days- the trip of our lifetime - mainly for photography and videography.
Please suggest Cameras and lenses.
I have access to R5/ 1DxMK III/DxII/Dx/5DsR/5DIV/Fuji GFX 100s
Canon L lenses - from 11-24 to 600 mm f4. All flavors except a 300 mm 2.8
Is 200 F2 a choice ?
100-400 vs 70- 200 ?
Have access to Fuji GF 250 mm F4 prime and 45-100 F4 zoom

Please suggest.

Thanks in advance

Dholai

I have reported on the coming tilt-shift lenses for the RF mount, these are apparently going to be the first tilt-shift lenses with autofocus.
I have been told that Canon plans to introduce two new autofocus tilt-shift lenses alongside a high-megapixel camera. The announcement timeframe for such a camera is still unknown, but the source claims the first half of 2022 is extremely likely and that these lenses were to come in late 2021.
The two rumored autofocus tilt-shift lenses from Canon will be the Canon TS-R 14mm f/4L and Canon TS-R 24mm f/3.5L.
The high-megapixel RF mount camera has been rumored for quite some time as it’s an obvious step Canon needs to make. The roadmap for EOS R bodies is far less known than that of the RF mount lenses we expect to see announced in the next year or two.
More to come…
 

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