<p>We were told a little while ago that there were <a href="http://www.canonrumors.com/invites-for-february-canon-press-event-going-out-cr3/">media invites sent out</a> for the first week of February, and all assumptions were that it was for the EOS-1D X Mark II.</p>
<p>We now have a few more people confirming an announcement on Monday or Tuesday of next week, it’ll all depend where you are on the planet.</p>
<p>We do find it strange that Canon has opted not to tease the new camera, that always made things a little more interesting.</p>
<p>More to come…</p>
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<p>We’re told that Canon is readying a fixed lens full frame camera. It sounds like a camera to compete with the Leica Q and Sony RX1R II. We’re told the camera will have a 35mm f/2L IS lens. Such a camera would likely cost at least $3000USD. Remember, CP+ is coming at the end of February and that is sometimes a show Canon makes a splash at.</p>
<p>This is the first time we’ve heard of such a camera coming, so treat the information accordingly.</p>
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The photography world is (im)patiently waiting for Sigma to release the 85mm f/1.4 Art series, but it looks like Tamron could beat them to it with an 85mm f/1.4 of their own, along with the added bonus of vibration control. <a href="http://egami.blog.so-net.ne.jp/2016-01-25" target="_blank">A patent for such an optical formula</a> from Tamron has appeared.</p>
<p>Patent Publication No. 2016-12082 (Google Translated)</p>
<ul>
<li>Published 2016.1.21</li>
<li>Filing date 2014.6.30</li>
<li>f = 87.5187</li>
<li>Fno = 1.4578</li>
<li>ω = 13.8585 °</li>
</ul>
<p>We haven’t heard anything about a 85mm f/1.4 Art series lens being announced by Sigma any time soon. We think such a lens would be perfect for introduction at Photokina in September 2016.</p>
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We got this from <a href="http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1406985/4#13379076" target="_blank">Fred Miranda</a>, which is a forum I frequently read.</p>
<blockquote><p>For me, the obvious feature of the 1DX Mk2 is its AF and tracking capabilities over the 1DX. Not only is the AF faster, when using a 2X TC on a 500/600mm f4 lens, the new camera will allow all focusing points to be active even when the effective aperture is f8. On the 1DX, only the centre AF point and 4 surrounding points (with AF area expansion) are effective. I understand there will also be a multi-frame silent shooting mode instead of the single shooting silent mode on the 1DX.</p></blockquote>
<p>If we go by other things we’ve been told about the EOS-1D X Mark II, there are some similarities, though the exact information may not match up perfectly.</p>
<p><em>More to come…</em></p>
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We weren’t told much, but we were told that Canon will “surprise a lot of people” with one of their next mirrorless cameras. We weren’t told if it was an APS-C or full frame mirrorless camera, but I don’t think there’s much that would surprise people if it was a crop camera.</p>
<p>The same source said there has been internal talk at Canon about no longer playing catch-up in emerging segments, this including cinema and mirrorless. It may sound arrogant, but there’s those that feel if Canon gets fully behind mirrorless, they’re the one brand that could help the segment finally reach the masses.</p>
<p>There have been rumors that the EOS M line could get an announcement for CP+ next month, alongside the EOS-1D X Mark II.</p>
<p><em>More to come…</em></p>
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Is Sigma looking to get into cinema lenses? A <a href="http://egami.blog.so-net.ne.jp/2016-01-20" target="_blank">patent showing an optical formula for a 30-300mm f/2.8-3.5</a> has appeared. The lens is for Super 35 sized sensors, the kind that are found in Canon Cinema EOS cameras. NAB is coming up in April and that would likely be the show that Sigma would announce such a lens for.</p>
<p>Patent Publication No. 2016-9122 (Google Translated)</p>
<ul>
<li>Published 2016.1.18</li>
<li>Filing date 2014.6.25</li>
<li>Zoom ratio 10.00</li>
<li>Wide-angle intermediate telephoto</li>
<li>Focal length 30.00 90.13 300.13</li>
<li>F-number 2.83 2.83 3.53</li>
<li>Total angle of view 2ω 56.98 18.72 5.71</li>
<li>The image height Y 15.55</li>
<li>Overall length of the lens 409.00</li>
</ul>
<p>Sigma has been aggressive to get into the prosumer space over the last few years, and adding cinema lenses to their portfolio is probably the next logical step.</p>
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<strong>Wetzlar, 20 January 2016.</strong> Leica Camera AG expands its range of cameras with the first ruggedised model conceived especially for outdoor use – the Leica X-U. With a fast Leica Summilux 23 mm f/1.7 ASPH. lens (equivalent to 35 millimetres in 35-mm format) with an underwater protection filter and large APS-C format CMOS sensor, the latest, fully-waterproofed member of the Leica X family guarantees pictures with exceptional brightness and clarity under even the harshest conditions. It even enables breathtaking underwater moments to be captured in perfect detail at depths of up to 15 metres. Extreme ruggedness and easy handling make the shock-resistant, winterised, dust-sealed, and shatter proof Leica X-U the ideal companion for every outdoor tour or expedition – for action and underwater adventures, for travel, architecture and landscape photography or videos in full HD quality.</p>

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<p>Optimum picture quality with the Leica X-U is guaranteed by the familiar, cutting-edge technology of the cameras of the Leica X family. In combination with the professional APS-C format CMOS sensor with over 16.5 megapixels (effective 16.2 MP), its Leica Summilux 23 mm f/1.7 ASPH. premium lens ensures natural colour reproduction and maximum detail resolution, even at its closest focusing distance of 20 centimetres. Its fast maximum aperture of f/1.7 also offers the freedom to explore the particularly fascinating creative possibilities of selective focusing. Thanks to its reliable resistance to stray light and flare, the Leica X-U is also the first choice for all indoor and outdoor lighting conditions – at any time of day or night and in any situation.</p>
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<p>The stylish and minimized design of the Leica X-U – made in Germany – is the work of Audi Design. The camera is not only an absolute eye-catcher, it also ensures concentration only on things that really count: easy and intuitive handling and ultimate precision. With a top plate made from premium aluminium and high-grip TPE armouring, the body guarantees not only an exceptional haptic experience and impressive durability, but also water resistance to a depth of up to 15 metres. With control dials in anodised aluminium and an integrated flash above the lens, the Leica X-U is a perfect example of exceptional quality and attention to details. Its non-slip body, an especially hardened protective cover for the monitor screen, and a failsafe double locking system for the battery compartment and memory card slot ensure that photographers can concentrate fully on their subject with no worries at all.</p>
<p>The minimized and intuitive handling concept of the Leica X-U provides the most important tools for the essence of creative freedom – intensely focused and without superfluous extras. Thanks to its easy-to-use, Leica-typical dial controls, aperture and shutter speed can be set individually in seconds for every picture. The practical underwater snapshot button makes it ready for capturing the wonders of the underwater world at the press of a button – without having to search through a menu. Thanks to a wide range of practical automatic functions and a high-resolution, 3-inch monitor screen, it takes only seconds to find precisely the settings needed to avoid missing the decisive moment.</p>
<p>As a single photo is sometimes not enough to capture the dynamic character of a scene in the most moving moments of life, the full HD video function of the Leica X-U makes it easy to capture moving pictures in cinema quality and preserve the moving moments of journeys and adventures for eternity. The camera records video in a choice of 1920 x 1080 or 1280 x 720 pixel resolution at 30 full frames per second in MP4 video format. No matter whether recordings are intended for professional movie productions or as home movies to share with friends, the Leica X-U always delivers high-quality results that perfectly capture the mood.</p>
<p><strong>The Leica X-U (Typ 113) is on sale now: <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1219331-REG/leica_18435_x_u_typ_113_digital.html/bi/2466/kbid/3296" target="_blank">B&H Photo</a> | <a href="http://www.adorama.com/ILCXU.html?KBID=64393" target="_blank">Adorama</a></strong></p>
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<em>Company Reaches New Annual Record With More Than 4,100 Patents Granted</em></p>
<p><b>MELVILLE, N.Y.</b> — Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, is proud to announce that its parent company, Canon Inc., has yet again, ranked third for U.S. patent holders in 2015. According to patent results issued by <a href="http://www.ificlaims.com/index.php?page=misc_top_50_2014" target="_blank">IFI CLAIMS Patent Services</a>, Canon was granted a total of 4,134 patents in 2015, a new record annual high for the Company. This is the 30<sup>th</sup> consecutive year that Canon Inc., has been ranked among the top five U.S. patent holders and for the 11<sup>th</sup> consecutive year, ranked first among Japanese companies for the number of U.S. patents granted.</p>
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<p>“Research and development play a vital role to the innovation and growth of our company. As a top leader in patents year after year, we continue to provide advanced technologies and solutions to our customers and are able to strengthen our position in new markets,” said Seymour Liebman, executive vice president, chief administrative officer and general counsel, Canon U.S.A., Inc.</p>
<p>Canon puts great emphasis on providing technology that is ever-changing. Through close cooperation between Canon’s technology and intellectual property divisions, the Company aims to improve its technological capabilities while further enhancing its intellectual property rights.</p>
<p>For more information on Canon and its products, please visit <a href="http://www.usa.canon.com/" target="_self"><strong>www.usa.canon.com</strong></a>.</p>
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