It looks like there is some good news coming out of the camera industry during the pandemic. Canon has exceeded their sales projections for the 2020 fiscal year on the backs of the Canon EOS R6 and Canon EOS R5. Sales for both cameras have exceeded expectations, especially in China.
According to a Nikkei article, Canon is raising their consolidated net income because of the success of both the EOS R6 and EOS R5
In the manufacturing industry, earnings forecasts have been revised upward one after another. Canon announced on the 14th that it will raise its consolidated net...

Click to expand...

Canon has launched a new site which allows you to shoot photographs with Canon’s $9mil CE-SAT 1 microsatellite, which was launched in 2017 in India.
The CE-SAT 1 satellite is equipped with a modified Canon EOS 5D Mark III and a PowerShot camera for wide-angle lenses. The CE SAT-1 isn’t the smallest microsatellite the Canon has built, there is also the CE SAT-3 which can fit in the palm of your hand.
Canon is spending a lot of R&D on space imaging, and it looks like they’re in it for the long run.
About the Canon CE-SAT-1
CE-SAT-IB is a 67 kilogram microsatellite which can resolve 90 centimeter objects on the ground from space. Additionally, Spaceflight is coordinating the launch of another Canon satellite, CE-SAT-IIB, which is slated to lift off after the CE-SAT-IB mission later in 2020, also aboard an Electron. It will carry three cameras with different resolutions and sensitivities.
Canon has launched a new site that...

Click to expand...

Samsung Electronics introduced Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21+, the latest flagship devices that empower you to express yourself. Made for the way we live now, Galaxy S21 is loaded with state-of-the-art innovations so you can make the most of every moment. The new flagship series debuts a head-turning, iconic design, an epic pro-grade camera for users of any skill level and the most advanced processor ever in a Galaxy device. And each device offers the connectivity, power and performance that only Samsung can deliver.
“We are living in a mobile-first world, and with so many of us working remotely and spending more time at home, we wanted to deliver a smartphone experience that meets the rigorous multimedia demands of our continuously changing routines,” said TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics. “We also recognize the importance of choice, especially now, and that’s why the Galaxy S21 series gives you the freedom to choose the best device for...

Click to expand...

Canon has Now Ranked in the Top Five for Number of Patents Granted for 35 Consecutive Years
MELVILLE, NY, January 13, 2021 – Continuing its mission of empowering innovation, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, is proud to announce that its parent company, Canon Inc., ranked third for the number of U.S. patents awarded in 2020 with 3,226 patents.1 With this year’s ranking, Canon has now ranked in the top five for number of patents granted for 35 consecutive years, according to the latest ranking of preliminary patent results issued by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services. Additionally, Canon once again ranked first in patents among Japanese companies for the 16th consecutive year.

“As the world continues to shift and the needs of our customers evolve, we too will continue exploring new areas and future opportunities for innovation that will benefit our customers,” said Seymour Liebman, executive vice president, chief administrative officer and general counsel of Canon...

Click to expand...

Costco announced today that they are closing all of their in-store photo centers on February 14, 2021. You will still be able to order photo services via the CostcoPhotoCenter web site.
The following was sent to Costco members today.
We are writing to inform you about the upcoming closure of the photo department at all Costco locations on Sunday, February 14, 2021.
Since the introduction of camera phones and social media, the need for printing photos has steeply declined, even though the number of pictures taken continues to grow. After careful consideration, we have determined the continued decline of prints no longer requires on-site photo printing.
Digital technologies allow consumers to do more with their photos, including the ability to personalize canvas, metal & acrylic prints, or create photo books, stationery, calendars and other gifts. We will continue to ship these high-quality products and prints to your home or business...

Click to expand...

Here is a listing of all of the available third-party lenses for the RF mount. Canon has been coming down on third-party lenses with autofocus for patent violations, so most lenses out there are manual focus only. We assume that we will see third-party autofocus lenses for the RF mount in the future.
If we’re missing any RF mount lenses, please let us know.
7artisans | AstrHori | Brightin Star | Cheecar | Fujinon | Funleader | IRIX | KamLan | Kipon | Lensbaby | Meike | Meyer-Optik Görlitz | Mitakon Zhongyi | NiSi | Rokinon |...

Click to expand...

SAN DIEGO, CA – January 13, 2020 – Sony Electronics Inc. today announced the FE 35mm F1.4 GM (model SEL35F14GM) – the newest addition to its acclaimed G Master full-frame lens series– delivering first-class image quality and beautiful bokeh in a compact and lightweight design. When paired with an E-mount camera body, the lens offers Sony’s industry-leading AF (autofocus) capabilities – perfect for a wide range of uses such as shooting landscapes, portraits and street photography, for both stills and video.
“At Sony, our purpose is to fill the world with emotion through the power of creativity and technology so we designed the FE 35mm F1.4 GM to perfectly capture the moments that need to be saved forever,” said Neal Manowitz, deputy president for Imaging Products and Solutions Americas at Sony Electronics. “With exquisite resolution and intelligent focusing technology, all in a small, lightweight design, this is an indispensable lens...

Click to expand...

Venus Optics looks like they’re going to have a busy 2021 with new lenses, yesterday we reported that the company would launch a new Laowa Argus line of f/0.95 prime lenses for various mirrorless mounts, but it appears they aren’t done there.
According to Sony Addict, Venus Optics will also announce a 12-24mm f/5.6 lens for various full-frame mirrorless mounts, including Canon’s RF mount.
Laowa 12-24mm f/5.6 Specifications:

Supported formats: Full size
Focal length: 12-24mm
Aperture: F5.6-F22
Angle of view: 121.9 ° -84 °
Lens configuration: 15 elements in 11 groups (2 aspherical elements, 3 ED lenses)
Aperture blade: 5 pieces
Shortest shooting distance: 15cm
Maximum shooting magnification: 0.4x
Size: φ69.4 × 74mm
Weight: 497g
Mount: Leica M...

Click to expand...

Gordon from camera labs has completed his review of the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM. The “nifty-fifty” for the RF mount. In this review, Gordon directly compared the RF version to its EF brother and found the RF version to be better, but it should be, it costs twice as much.
From Gordon:
It may cost roughly double that of the EF 50mm f1.8 STM, but at around 200 dollars or pounds it becomes by far the cheapest native lens in the RF system to date, making it tempting for anyone looking for a second lens to complement an existing kit-zoom. It’s smaller than the EF version when you take a mirrorless adapter into account, and while the overall style and rendering is similar, the newer RF version is noticeably sharper across more of the frame when wide-open.
You can watch the full video review above, or you can head on over to CamerLabs for a written review with full resolution samples...

Click to expand...

Godox is planning to release an update to the V1, their round-head lithium powered Speedlite. The new “V1 Pro” looks like it will have an active cooling fan to keep the temperature down during intense shooting conditions.
Lighting Rumors writes:
The successor, called the Godox V1pro (or V1 Pro), will have a similar circular zoom head, designed to give a more pleasing light pattern compared to rectangular flashguns, and able to mount colour filters and accessories magnetically. The key change will be an active cooling fan, built into the head, to mitigate overheating during long or intense photoshoots. The original V1, which is not actively cooled, faced criticism for its overheating protection, which originally caused the flash to cut out after a rapid series of shots, forcing photographers to wait for the unit to cool down before resuming operation. A firmware update changed this...

Click to expand...

An interview with Kazuto Yamaki, CEO of SIGMA is always a worthwhile read, this interview is no different. They touch on everything from the history of SIGMA, corporate culture, how they’re handling the pandemic as well as his outlook for the future.
However, what you really came here for is in bold below.
It’s true that the photography market has been systematically shrinking for years – in keeping with more and more people simply using smartphones to make photos and videos. Less cameras sold also means less potential customers interested in buying a lens, which is why our short‑term strategy indeed involves a possibility of introducing lenses with new mounts – to such photography systems as Nikon Z or Canon EOS R. So far, however, the number of orders for our lenses is still above our manufacturing capacities, and especially the capabilities of our R&D department.
You can read the full...

Click to expand...

By Fueling Collective Inspiration, The Company’s Incredible Interactive Virtual Experience Helps Inspire a Collaborative Future
MELVILLE, NY, January 6, 2021 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, has thrived by creating innovative consumer electronics and solutions that bring mutual benefits to consumers, businesses and industries. 2021 presents a year of hope and opportunity, following a year of unprecedented limitations. At CES 2021, Canon is premiering an interactive digital experience through five unexpected experiences and innovation cornerstones to celebrate how people can use Canon products and solutions to help redefine the limits they face. Attendees can be inspired to transcend limits by capturing the marvels of space, the splendor of wildlife, and the nostalgia of a lost iconic sports setting.
“2020 was a year filled with limits. We were all faced with looking at our daily lives and figuring out the best paths to complete our professional work and...

Click to expand...

According to Photo Rumors, Venus Optics is going to announce a trio of f/0.95 prime lenses for mirrorless mounts, including EF-M and RF.
Venus Optics Laowa Argus 35mm f/0.95 mirrorless lens (full-frame):

Focal length: 35mm
Format: full frame
Aperture: f/0.95 – f/16
Viewing angle: 63.4 °
Optical design: 14 lenses in 9 groups, including 1 aspherical, 1 ED, and 4 high refractive elements
Aperture: 15 blades
Minimum focusing distance: 50 cm
Maximum magnification: 0.1x
Filter thread diameter: 72 mm
Size: 76.8 x 103mm
Weight: 755g
Mounts: Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF
Price: RMB 6,000 (approx. $910)

Specifications for the Venus Optics Laowa Argus 33mm f/0.95 mirrorless lens (APS-C)

Focal length: 33mm
Format: APS-C
Aperture range: f/0.95 – f/16
Viewing angle: 46.2°
Optical design: 14 elements in 9 groups, including 1 aspherical, 1 ED, and 3 high refractive elements
Aperture: 9 blades...

Click to expand...

Lensrentals has launched the Lensrentals Pitch Contest for filmmakers.
From Lensrentals
This year, we want to celebrate filmmakers who worked hard despite everything to make their dreams come true. Even short films take an immense amount of time, planning, and money, so we want to help make your vision a reality. And so, we’re so excited to announce our pitch contest, where you have a chance to win a $2000 Lensrentals.com credit, $1000 cash, and plenty of other prizes to help make your vision a reality.
How It Works
We’re looking for those who want to make a short film (5-7 minutes) with their original idea and execution – and all we’d need from you is your pitch. The contest runs from December 28th, 2020, until January 29th, 2021, where you have the opportunity to submit a script and video pitch of your idea to our...

Click to expand...

Los Angeles, California, January 11, 2021 – The new Tokina Cinema Vista 65mm T1.5 lens, announced today, provides cinematographers with a new short telephoto in a highly sought after focal length. The lens presents a natural perspective which flatters subjects’ faces while rendering a beautifully smooth background when required. It is equally suitable for Super35 and larger-sized frame coverage up to Vista Vision and even beyond.
The complete Tokina Cinema Vista lens lineup of 18mm T1.5, 25mm T1.5, 35mm T1.5, 45mm T1.5, 50mm T1.5, 65mm T1.5, 85mm T1.5, 105mm T1.5 and 135mm T1.5.

It joins the existing eight-strong set of 18mm T1.5, 25mm T1.5, 35mm T1.5, 40mm T1.5, 50mm T1.5, 85mm T1.5, 105mm T1.5 and 135mm T1.5 high resolution (8K+) Vista prime lenses. The Tokina Cinema Vista 65mm T1.5 has 13 groups with 14 elements and there are nine iris blades to ensure the roundness of the aperture. Lens distortion and chromatic aberration are well-controlled, with minimal focus...

Click to expand...