5Dsr for bird photography?
I have asked about this earlier, but would like an update. Now that some of us have had the 5Dsr for a while, what are your opinions of it for bird photography? There are mixed messages on the net.
A patent for a 50mm f/3.5 IS Macro lens for a full frame mirrorless camera has appeared.</p>
<p>Patent Publication No. 2015-215494 (Google Translated)</p>
<ul>
<li>Published 2015.12.3</li>
<li>Filing date 2014.5.12</li>
<li>Focal length 48.58</li>
<li>F-number 3.50</li>
<li>Half angle (in degrees) 24.01</li>
<li>Image height 21.64</li>
<li>Overall length of the lens 85.71</li>
<li>BF 27.79</li>
</ul>
<p>The machine translation shows EF mount, but I’m not sure if that’s an accurate translation. If anyone can translated this better than Google can, <a href="http://www.canonrumors.com/contact-form/">please drop us a line</a>.</p>
<p>A reader sent in a link to Canon UK that shows the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 and Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 compact macro as “production ended”. Quite often we see typos on various Canon web sites, but it’s often only one lens. In this case, three lenses that were thought to be current are there. Three typos? I guess it’s possible, but unlikely. The EF 135mm f/2.8 soft focus lens is also makes the list and I do not remember it being officially discontinued.</p>
<p>Of these, the EF 50mm f/1.4 is the obvious candidate for replacement. I’m not sure how many people used the compact macro and I’ve never met anyone that owns a soft focus 135mm.</p>
<p>Check out <a href="http://www.canon.co.uk/support/consumer_products/content/?itemid=tcm:14-1254703" target="_blank">the list for yourself</a>.</p>
<p><em>thanks Nik</em></p>
I’m heading to Asia for just over 6 weeks during the winter months and I’m looking for a point and shoot backup to the Leica M-P kit that I’ll be bringing. The brand new Canon PowerShot G5 X looks to be a serious competitor to make its way into my bag. I love the EVF and the price and I will likely make my purchase decision soon.</p>
<p>PhotographyBLOG recently completed their review of the camera, and came away pretty impressed, saying:</p>
<blockquote><p>In summary, the PowerShot G5 X is the best prosumer pocket camera that Canon have released of late, with lots of strengths and only a few weaknesses, making it a serious player in the serious compact market… <a href="http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/canon_powershot_g5_x_review/" target="_blank">Read the full review</a></p></blockquote>
<p>Canon Professional Network has also posted an interview with the team that designed the Canon PowerShot G5 X. <a href="http://cpn.canon-europe.com/content/education/technical/developing_the_canon_powershot_g5_x.do" target="_blank">You can read it here</a>.</p>
<p>Canon PowerShot G5 X $749: <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1188052-REG/canon_0510c001_powershot_g5x_digital_camera.html/BI/2466/KBID/3296/DFF/d10-v21-t1-x677142" target="_blank">B&H Photo</a> | <a href="http://www.adorama.com/ICAG5X.html?kbid=64393" target="_blank">Adorama</a> | <a href="http://amzn.to/1hC75Dq" target="_blank">Amazon</a></p>
CES 2016 is just over a month away, the show runs from January 6, 2016 until January 9, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Canon usually announces some consumer products for the show during the first part of January.</p>
<p>At the last CES, Canon announced a slew of lower end PowerShot cameras, as well as the Connect Station and a new EOS 6D kit with the EF 24-105 f/3.5-5.6 IS STM. In 2014, Canon announced PowerShot cameras as well as consumer camcorders. Can we expect the same sort of thing for CES 2016?</p>
<p>History says we’ll get a few announcements from Canon, but as I’m writing this, the possibility of an EOS M product being announced for the show seems highly unlikely. The entry level EOS M10 was just announced about 6 weeks ago and that would fit the CES show a lot better than a “pro” mirrorless camera, or even a replacement to the EOS M3.</p>
<p>Is a DSLR possible? If there was going to be a DSLR announcement, I’d say it would be for the EOS 70D replacement. There have been a few hints over the last 3-4 weeks that the 70D was on its way out. Though an announcement, even for a lower end DSLR, would be very unusual for Canon.</p>
<p>A lot of people are asking about the Rebel SL1 replacement, to which we have no answer for.</p>
<p>We are hearing there will be a second set of announcements the 4th week of January, but we’ve been unable to confirm that with any sort of certainty.</p>
<strong>COPENHAGEN, December 2, 2015</strong> — Phase One, A/S, the leading provider of open-platform, high-end camera systems and solutions, today announced that it has acquired the assets of Mamiya Digital Imaging Company, Ltd (MDI) and has appointed Makoto Honda as the new president of Phase One Japan. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.</p>
<p>Mamiya has held a long and established reputation in the camera sector. As a 45 percent shareholder in MDI since 2009, Phase One has developed detailed insight into the camera & lens design and production process and engineered important improvements through its close collaboration with the MDI team in Japan. With this transaction, Phase One now also takes total ownership for all aspects of design and development of medium format camera systems, central shutters & lenses.</p>
<p>“Phase One is now the only medium format camera company that has full internal control of all critical components in a world class imaging system,” says Niels V. Knudsen Phase One’s Image Professor. “This is the best news in many years for quality-focused photographers and imaging companies as Phase One works to consistently raise the bar in medium format photography.”</p>
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<p>“The very successful introduction of the Phase One XF Camera System in June 2015 illustrates the power of our collaboration,” says Henrik Håkonsson Phase One President & CEO. He added, “The Phase One XF Camera System is the new much improved standard for medium format photography, with the incorporation of significantly enhanced technology.”</p>
<p>Phase One’s mission is to keep pushing the limits for ultimate camera systems and imaging quality, meeting the demand of the world’s leading photographers and industrial imaging companies.</p>
<p>Makoto Honda President of Phase One Japan said: “Phase One Japan is committed to developing new and custom designed masterpiece leaf shutter optics in close partnership with top photographers, imaging companies and long term design partner Schneider Kreuznach.”</p>
<p><strong>About Phase One
</strong>Phase One is the leading provider of open-platform, high-end camera systems and solutions. Phase One camera systems and lenses are designed to deliver superior quality image capture and investment value. Phase One’s Capture One Pro and Media Pro software help streamline capture and post-production processes for both medium format and 35mm cameras. Phase One products are known for their quality, flexibility and speed enabling pro photographers and industrial imaging companies shooting in a wide range of formats to achieve their creative visions without compromise.</p>
<p>Phase One is based in Copenhagen with offices in New York, London, Tokyo, Cologne, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Tel Aviv. Phase One and Capture One are registered trademarks of Phase One A/S. Mamiya is a trademark licensed by Phase One A/S. All other brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.</p>
<p><strong>About Mamiya Digital Imaging
</strong>Mamiya Digital Imaging is the digital successor to the reputable Mamiya brand, an innovative company fresh with enthusiasm and dedicated to continuing a legacy of excellence. Mamiya has consistently been a forerunner in medium format camera design, and Mamiya lenses, manufactured following a tradition of precision and quality, are celebrated worldwide. Mamiya Digital Imaging is headquartered in Tokyo with a factory in Saku, Japan and totals a team of 80 dedicated engineers and technicians, and distributors in more than 100 countries.</p>
<em>Profiling Modern Day Rebels Including Daredevil Nik Wallenda and Music Producer Swizz Beatz, “Rebel With A Cause” Campaign Filmed Entirely with Canon EOS Rebel T6i DSLR Cameras</em></p>
<p><strong>MELVILLE, N.Y. </strong>— Celebrating 25 years since the introduction of Canon’s first EOS Rebel SLR camera, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, is pleased to honor this milestone by introducing its new “Rebel With A Cause” campaign. In 1990, the iconic “Image is Everything” campaign introduced the Canon EOS Rebel, an SLR camera born with a cause — to put the power of pro photography into the hands of the public and level the playing field forever. 25 years later, Canon launches “Rebel With A Cause,” embarking on a journey to follow modern day rebels who challenge convention in their own unique way, capturing their causes through the eye of a Canon EOS Rebel DSLR. “Rebel With A Cause” will invite people into their worlds, celebrating the imagery that makes their causes shine and motivating others to join their movements.</p>
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<p><iframe width="728" height="409" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Uvp0VEjnTe8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p>The campaign kicks off today featuring American daredevil Nik Wallenda followed by GRAMMY<sup>®</sup> Award winning record producer Swizz Beatz.</p>
<p>For the first video from the campaign, Nik Wallenda, best known as a member of The Flying Wallenda Family, and the first and only person to walk a tightrope across Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon, encourages an unexpected group of people, senior citizens, to check items off of their personal bucket lists. After visiting a senior center in Sarasota, FL, the man who’s conquered every feat he’s ever dreamed of, sent one senior citizen into the sky and one to the racetrack to inspire them to finally conquer theirs. The campaign, shot entirely on Canon EOS Rebel T6i DSLR cameras, can now be viewed here: <a href="http://canon.us/bkQln" target="_blank">http://canon.us/bkQln</a> .</p>
<p>“I’m honored to be selected as a Rebel with a Cause as part of Canon’s campaign, as I’ve spent my entire life pushing boundaries and encouraging others to do the same,” said Nik Wallenda. “Partnering with Canon to tell my story and continuing to pursue my mission to never give up, has been an incredibly rewarding experience, and I hope this inspires others to live their lives to the fullest.”</p>
<p>“Canon has always made it a priority to make what was once thought to be impossible possible, and it’s one of the reasons we created the EOS Rebel cameras,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, president and COO, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “The heart of this campaign is about showcasing modern day rebels entirely through the eyes of a Canon EOS Rebel camera, encouraging people to take their creativity to the next level and to tell their own unique stories.”</p>
<p>“Rebel With A Cause” will continue with hip-hop artist and multi-platinum record producer Swizz Beatz, who has recently become a major force in the art world. However, instead of focusing on his own art, he’s focused on finding the next great, unknown artist – and into 2016 with a range of high profile individuals each embracing their own cause. Every rebel has their own unique story, and the campaign will encourage everyone to find the rebels within themselves.</p>
<p><strong>The Evolution of the Canon EOS Rebel Camera</strong>
Canon announced the first ever EOS Rebel SLR camera 25 years ago in August 1990, changing the game in the SLR camera category. At the time it was Canon’s smallest and lightest 35mm autofocus single-lens reflex (SLR) camera in the EOS line of autofocus SLRs. The EOS Rebel line has been continuously known to pack advanced features and imaging technologies into affordable high-quality consumer-level camera bodies. Through its first 14 years, Canon introduced 13 EOS Rebel film SLR models and in 2003, the Canon EOS Rebel DSLR was born, marking the beginning of the modern-day EOS Rebel DSLR camera. From 2003 to 2015, there have been 15 models in the EOS Rebel DSLR camera line including the latest models introduced this year featuring built-in Wi-Fi<sup>®</sup> and NFC capability — the EOS Rebel T6i and T6s DSLR cameras. The EOS Rebel camera line has been used by creative consumers to express themselves through still images for decades as well as Full HD video since the introduction of the EOS Rebel T1i in 2009. Also known for their compact size and superb feature set these cameras have enticed many consumers to make this their first entry into Canon’s EOS interchangeable lens camera family. All Canon EOS Rebel cameras are compatible with Canon’s entire line of EF and EF-S lenses. The sales success and longevity of the EOS Rebel camera line is why the cameras are a household name across generations making it one of the most popular lines in SLR cameras.</p>
<p>For more information about the entire Canon EOS Rebel DSLR camera lineup, please visit <a href="http://www.usa.canon.com/eos" target="_self">www.usa.canon.com/eos</a>.</p>
LensRentals.com has posted their first look of the brand new Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG Art series lens with a series of MTF curve tests.</p>
<blockquote><p>With a wide-angle, wide-aperture prime lens, MTF is probably not the main consideration in whether you buy the lens or not. Theses lenses are used for different things by different photographers and bokeh, handling, vignetting, and dozens of other things I don’t test for will make a bigger difference in whether you like the lens, rather than simply how sharp it is.</p>
<p>Everyone’s first comment seems to be, “Well, I don’t need a 20mm f/1.4 lens”. I said that myself. But then I realized, well, I’ve never had the opportunity to use a sharp 20mm f/1.4 lens before, because there’s never been one . Will I like it? I have no idea. But I think I’ll at least check it out, it might be fun. Especially at this price point.</p>
<p>But the geek in me, at least, is totally impressed. Wider, faster, sharper, cheaper. What’s not to be impressed by? <a href="http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2015/11/sigma-20mm-f1-4-dg-hsm-a1-mtf-curves" target="_blank">Read the story</a></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG Art: <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1191178-REG/sigma_20mm_f_1_4_art_lens.html/BI/2466/KBID/3296/DFF/d10-v21-t1-x678532" target="_blank">B&H Photo</a> | <a href="http://amzn.to/1NkFcIH" target="_blank">Amazon</a></strong></p>