During the CP+ show earlier this month, DPReview had the chance to interview a few Canon executives about all things Canon imaging. DPReview asked most of the questions us enthusiasts wanted answered.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.dpreview.com/interviews/1807023531/canon-interview-increased-competition-allows-us-to-level-up">From DPReview</a>:</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><strong>How important is it for Canon to add higher-end mirrorless products to your lineup?</strong></p>
<p>At Canon we have what’s called a ‘full lineup strategy’. This means that we want to satisfy all of the demands in the market, so we have mirrorless and also DSLR, which combined makes an EOS hierarchy. We want to fill the gaps to satisfy customer demands across the board.</p>
<p>The new M50 is an entry-level model, because that’s where the high-volume sales are. We want to establish ourselves in this market, and then move forward [from there]. In accordance with the full lineup strategy, we will be tackling [the mid-range and high-end mirrorless market] going forward.</p>
<p><strong>The EOS M50 offers 4K video and Dual Pixel CMOS AF, but not at the same time. Is there a technical reason for this limitation?</strong></p>
<p>With the EOS 5D Mark IV, we do offer 4K video and Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus, so technically it is feasible. But given the position of the M50 in the lineup, we can’t include all of the features available in a product like the 5D IV. Given the position of the product, we wanted to achieve the optimal balance [of features] in a camera in that range. We’ve optimized the M50 as best we can [for its market position], and within those parameters, the combination of 4K video and Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus was not possible. <a href="https://www.dpreview.com/interviews/1807023531/canon-interview-increased-competition-allows-us-to-level-up">Read the full interview at DPReview</a></p></blockquote>
<p>Image Credit // <a href="https://www.dpreview.com/interviews/1807023531/canon-interview-increased-competition-allows-us-to-level-up">DPReview</a></p>
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<p>Chuck Westfall, Canon USA’s technical representative has died after a 7 year fight against kidney cancer.</p>
<p>I had the pleasure of meeting Chuck once and having some good laughs about this site, he was without a doubt a legend in the photography industry.</p>
<p>He was also a great human being.</p>
<p>You can <a href="https://petapixel.com/2018/03/16/rip-chuck-westfall-the-photo-industry-just-lost-a-legend/">read more over at PetaPixel</a></p>
<p>Photo Credit // Nancy Winnings</p>
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<p>B&H Photo has stock of the Canon TS-E 90mm f/2.8L Macro & Canon TS-E 135mm f/4L Macro.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong><a href="https://bhpho.to/2wvto8F">Canon TS-E 90mm f/2.8L Macro</a></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="https://bhpho.to/2vWmw0R">Canon TS-E 135mm f/4L Macro</a></strong></li>
</ul>
<p>Both of these lenses have been hard to come by since they launched a few months ago.</p>
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Cinema5D has completed their <a href="https://www.cinema5d.com/canon-eos-m50-hands-on-review-the-best-vlogging-camera/">hands on review of the Canon EOS M50</a>, Canon’s latest mirrorless release. The review is mostly positive for the new mirrorless camera, although they do describe the 4K implementation as an “afterthought”, which isn’t what most people wanted from this camera.</p>
<p><strong>From Cinema5D:</strong></p>
<blockquote><p>The Canon M50 is a nice, powerful and affordable little entry-level camera for people who want an interchangeable lens camera having to schlepp around a huge amount of kit. The video function is very good mainly because of the incredible Dual Pixel Autofocus in HD, whereas the 4K is clearly an afterthought and can’t really be used in practice much because of the crop and the lacking Dual-Pixel AF. The main purpose of this camera will be uncomplicated family shots or vlogging – both of which only if HD is enough. <a href="https://www.cinema5d.com/canon-eos-m50-hands-on-review-the-best-vlogging-camera/">Read the full review</a></p></blockquote>
<p>The Canon EOS M50 is scheduled to be released on March 26, 2018. You can preorder the EOS M50 <a href="https://www.cinema5d.com/canon-eos-m50-hands-on-review-the-best-vlogging-camera/">here</a>.</p>
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<p>The Canon Store is having a 15% off sale on refurbished cameras and lenses in celebration of St Patrick’s day. Just use the coupon code <strong>“MRGREENIE”</strong> during checkout.</p>
<p><strong>Canon Cameras:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong><a href="http://bit.ly/2x3SER1">Canon EOS 5D Mark IV $2379</a></strong></li>
<li><a href="http://bit.ly/2FXmeji">Canon EOS 6D Mark II $1359</a></li>
<li><a href="http://bit.ly/2ytiyhj">Canon EOS 5D Mark III $1869</a></li>
<li><a href="http://bit.ly/2ver3Qa">Canon EOS 5DS $2515</a></li>
<li><del><a href="http://bit.ly/2veNgxo">Canon EOS 5DS R $2651</a></del></li>
<li><a href="http://bit.ly/2gcwFRW">Canon EOS 7D Mark II $1104</a></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Canon Lenses:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://bit.ly/1jZ4lB6">Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II $1079</a></li>
<li><del><a href="http://bit.ly/2h9edgC">Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III $1495</a></del></li>
<li><a href="https://bit.ly/2cXGuDN">Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS $747</a></li>
<li><a href="https://bit.ly/2cjNm9K">Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L $501</a></li>
<li><del><a href="https://bit.ly/2fIUgY4">Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II $1053</a></del></li>
<li><a href="https://bit.ly/2c1AsRO">Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 IS $407</a></li>
<li><del><a href="https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/330782">Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II $1291</a></del></li>
<li><a href="https://bit.ly/2pPwyRj">Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS $611</a></li>
<li><del><a href="https://bit.ly/2zvGw0S">Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II $747</a></del></li>
<li><a href="https://bit.ly/2c1zJjJ">Canon EF 28mm f/2.8 IS $373</a></li>
<li><a href="https://bit.ly/2cjNohI">Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS $407</a></li>
<li><del><a href="https://bit.ly/2cXHCaq">Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L $985</a></del></li>
<li><a href="https://bit.ly/2c1yZej">Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 $229</a></li>
<li><a href="https://bit.ly/2c1Ar0c">Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM $89</a></li>
<li><a href="https://bit.ly/2fINOAr">Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II $1427</a></li>
<li><del><a href="http://bit.ly/2ezMEfs">Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS $917</a></del></li>
<li><a href="https://bit.ly/2cjNeam">Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 $285</a></li>
<li><a href="http://bit.ly/1Ema48b">Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS Macro $611</a></li>
<li><del><a href="http://bit.ly/2pg8mXG">Canon EF 2.0X III Teleconverter $292</a></del></li>
</ul>
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<p>We r<a href="http://www.canonrumors.com/a-new-ef-70-200mm-is-coming-in-2018-cr3/">eported a couple of months ago that a new EF 70-200mm</a> was coming some time in 2018. Unfortunately, it’s not a new EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III.</p>
<p>Instead it looks like <a href="http://www.nokishita-camera.com/2018/03/ef70-200mm-f4l-is-ii-usmef-m32mm-f14-stm.html">we’re getting an EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II</a>.</p>
<p>We are unsure of the exact announcement date for this new lens, but ahead of Photokina would make sense</p>
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<p>We <a href="http://www.canonrumors.com/canon-ef-m-32mm-f-1-4-announcement-coming-for-photokina-cr2-cr3/">reported last month that an EF-M 32mm f/1.4 STM</a> was coming ahead of Photokina in August of 2018, and it looks like that is now confirmed according to Nokishita.</p>
<p>Other sites had reported that a EF-M 32mm f/1.8 STM was on the way, but it turns out our original speed on the lens was correct.</p>
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<p>Canon Rumors readers Darach G. (Darachphotography) has uncovered an issue with the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV that Canon themselves have confirmed. The firmware to fix the issue below should come within the next 4-8 weeks.</p>
<p><strong>Darach G. explains the issue and how Canon handled it:</strong></p>
<blockquote><p>I was testing out the various remote control options for controlling video on my Canon 5d Mk iv.  All works fine using the EOS utility V3 via WiFi or via USB and also using the Canon App on a samasung S7 phone.  However, if you switch on the “High Frame Rate Movie” option and attempt any of the remote control options, the 5D Mk iv camera completely hangs.  All functions including the on/off button become disabled and in one instance the camera actually “purple” screens. The only way to reset the camera is to take the battery and put it back in.   Shooting high frame rate movie directly on the camera works fine, but remote control causes the problem.  I upgraded the cameras firmware to 1.0.4 but the problem persisted.</p>
<p>I contacted Canon support in the UK and they immediately came back to me for some additional information.  Within 24 hours of receiving the additional information, they were able to replicate the issue and escalated this the Canon Europe.  I have since been informed via email that  Canon Inc. are now looking into this and will attempt to correct the problem in a firmware update within the next 4-8 weeks.</p></blockquote>
<p>Darach was extremely impressed with how quickly Canon acted on the issue, and has asked them name the firmware update after him. It’s worth a shot.</p>
<p><em>Thanks Darach (Darachphotography)</em></p>
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Canon recently did their annual corporate strategy conference and there’s a pretty surprising statement from Canon in the middle of their speech summary.  They were extremely bullish when it came to the camera side of the company as they dropped the gauntlet when it comes to mirrorless and their overall marketshare stating;</p>
<blockquote><p>.. in our core camera business, in addition to our overwhelming share of the DSLR market, we will go on the offensive and work to expand our sales in the mirrorless camera market, which is exhibiting remarkable growth.  This will allow us to reach our goal of 50% marketshare of the entire interchangeable lens camera market.</p></blockquote>
<p>Now keep in mind, that Canon has been pretty strong on it’s mirrorless message for a while now, this is not Canon suddenly waking up and smelling the coffee ;)</p>
<p>A good example of this was the second quarter results from 2017;</p>
<blockquote><p>In this quarter as well, sales remained strong, particularly for mirrorless cameras. Within this trend, we grew sales of the EOS M6, a new mirrorless camera that has been highly rated not only for its high image quality, but also for its compact and lightweight form factor. This camera was designed to capture demand from people who, for example, are considering a step up to a camera with more features and better performance. Including this factor, first half unit sales of mirrorless camera grew more than 70% compared to the same period last year, leading to overall sales growth for interchangeable-lens cameras.</p></blockquote>
<p>Canon has also continued it’s message of increasing it’s automation of both Camera and Lens assembly, also leading into more of the mirrorless message simply because there’s less human work required to manufacturer a mirrorless camera than the more delicate alignment of a DSLR.</p>
<p>My own outlook on all this, since I’m allowed for one more day here, taken from CanonNews;</p>
<blockquote><p>Some caution is needed when interpreting Canon Inc’s message to the world. This doesn’t mean that Canon is going embark on a major plan to do anything much different than what they are doing now.  As we know from CIPA data, the vast majority of mirrorless cameras ship to asia, and north america has different ideas on what sells with respects to mirrorless.  Will they expand mirrorless and add more capability? Yes of course, the new entry level M50 shows that.  Will they launch a massive development campaign and replicate the entire Fuji lineup of primes? Probably not.</p>
<p>Development also has to be balanced with profitability and the majority of the world probably doesn’t even need that.  What we don’t have as far as a message is; are they going to compete in the north america mirrorless market? That requires the heavier investment, the more innovative camera systems, and the higher upscale cameras then what they have been currently doing.  The M5 was a good first try – one of the more ergonomic mirrorless cameras being built today, however, it’s just a small start in the right direction if they are planning inroads into the highly competitive north american market.</p></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://global.canon/en/ir/conference/pdf/housin2018ceo-e.pdf">Canon Corporate Strategy Conference 2018 presentation</a></p>
<p><a href="http://global.canon/en/ir/conference/pdf/housin2018ceo-e-note.pdf">Canon Corporate Strategy Confernce 2018 speaker notes</a></p>
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Samantha from Canon Canada customer support reached out to us for a bit of a backstory on <a href="http://www.canonrumors.com/canon-moves-quickly-into-robotics-cr4/">what we called “Canonbot”</a>.</p>
<p><strong>It turns out that she built “Canonbot”, telling us:</strong></p>
<blockquote><p>I actually made that lil robot. The story behind it is that there were a couple of guys in a canoe and it tipped. Their gear was completely submerged and had to be replaced. They brought it all in to us as we have electronic waste set up, and instead I made him.</p></blockquote>
<p>This is definitely a great use of ruined gear.</p>
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We continue to hear that an EF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS is in development, while we don’t believe it’s on the 2018 road map at this time, we are confident such a lens is coming.</p>
<p>The latest source claims that the lens is in the final stages of development and that the next phase will be testing by select photographers and manufacturing planning.</p>
<p>We haen’t seen any new 24-70mm optical formula patents for quite some time, but if this lens is in late stage development, we expect to see some clues over the coming months.</p>
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There has been a lot of stories over the last year or so from people that have left Canon for Sony, only to return later. A few of the big reasons we’ve seen for the return to Canon center around support, reliability, professional services and repair times.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://petapixel.com/2018/03/10/5-reasons-switched-back-canon-sony/">latest article</a> seems to center around Canon’s industry leading video auto focus and color science.</p>
<p><strong>From PetaPixel:</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><strong>Better Color Science</strong></p>
<p>Overall, I feel Canon has much better color rendition when it comes to reproducing colors and providing natural hues in the way we expect them to look. I have spent a lot of time editing Sony video footage trying to get it to look right in post. When I shoot video with Canon Log though I simply apply a LUT (a Look Up Table file created and supplied by Canon) to my Canon video files in post and, with basically just one mouse click, I get more or less perfectly color graded Rec.709 footage. Something I can say isn’t as easily achievable with Sony. <a href="https://petapixel.com/2018/03/10/5-reasons-switched-back-canon-sony/">Read the full article…..</a></p></blockquote>
<p>As I sit here in Tanzania, I have been surprised by the number of Sony A7 series cameras I have seen on safari. However, the numbers still pale in comparison to the amount of Canon and Nikon gear I’m seeing for this type of photography.</p>
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