What's Next?

[Mt Spokane Photography]

is the factory that will produce the D800 affected by the flood?
i read the D800 will maybe delayed 1-2 month.

sorry for OT.
but im not sure how/if that could affect canons strategy of announcements.

Rumored announcement for D800 may be postphoned.

http://nikonrumors.com/2011/10/17/chasseur-dimages-two-big-major-nikon-announcements-expected-in-the-coming-weeks-have-been-postponed.aspx/

The D700 was made in Japan, but components likely come from Thailand, so the flood there is going to be a show stopper. Nikon made all the super precision lens mounting rings in Japan, but added offshore production when the earthquake shut down production in Japan and thus caused Thailand to run out of one critical part. Now, it could be the other way around.

Many camera components are machined, ground, or molded to tolerances so tight that they are very difficult to even measure, and manufacturers don't want the headaches expense of multiple sources. Sometimes that bites you.

 

[Meh]

The whole thing is pure comedy, becasue as I've been saying Nikon and Canon are switching. All the Nikon shooters are used to low MP sensors. All the Canon users are used to high MP sensors. And the two companies are going in opposite directions.

Unless both Canon and Nikon have each realized that there is a need, and more importantly a market, for both high resolution sensors and lower resolution sensors (along with the inherent trade offs of each) and will now try to have both types in their respective lineups?

It would be interesting to know what conversations happened in the engineering and marketing departments at each of Canon and Nikon as recently as 5-6 years ago. You can almost imagine both companies with a concept of an ideal digital sensor (high res, low-noise, high DR, etc.) that technology couldn't deliver and laying out a road map of what properties to focus on first with the intent of improving over time towards the ideal. Canon went with working on increasing resolution and Nikon went the other way. Each marketed their choice as "better" and "more important" but knowing it's really just a matter of how an image would be used that defined what mattered most.

 

[HurtinMinorKey]

Regarding November 3rd, I'm really keeping my fingers crossed for some type of EOS Full Frame video / still hybrid camera, like a better 5D2, probably with lower megapixels.

The 1DX was a bit disappointing from a video perspective as it was pretty incremental. But then again the 1DX belongs to the Photogs. All it needed was a better codec and 1080p 60fps, which even point and shoot cameras can now do, and I would have been satisfied.

The 5D2 shows that's there's a serious market for a full frame video camera. Just have it do 4:2:2 and have 60fps 1080p. You can leave the high speed overcranking for the dedicated video cameras.

A hybrid would be nice because I could use it for video as well as photo time-lapses which is obviously much better on a DSLR than a video camera.

Come on Canon, pull through for us video people.

I think we'll see two video cams on nov third. The lower end one will prob be 1080p@ 60fps 4:2:2, compatible with all the EF lenses.

 

[shenshaw]

I have been waiting to transition into DSLR filmmaking. My holding out for the 5DmkIII is over... I will get the 7D and some better glass while I wait for mkIII. Then sell back the 7D.

 

[Canon 14-24]

Common 14-24 lens!

 

[Edwin Herdman]

Aside from Craig's observation that if you release two cameras, one will not be a 5D Mark III, I also agree that the collapsing of the 1D / 1Ds lines into one doesn't mean that there won't be a high megapixel camera for studio use in a cheaper line, possibly with a smaller body. This is a conclusion I had come to earlier and I think that despite the apparent move by Canon into the "let's push small pixels" camp, we've only seen it for one camera.

I think this may be a good move on Canon's part. While many people will look askance at any 1D camera that has fewer megapixels than a 5D series body, the call for 1D series bodies with high megapixel counts (above 18) seems to be somewhat less than many expected, especially since there isn't really much of a gap between 18 and 21 (which is about where the 1Ds Mark III sits). The sort of situations the 1D X seems best suited for - sports and photojournalism - don't require more than 18 megapixels, really; at least not for most photographers. There's enough other features in the 1D X to differentiate it from other camera lines - and hopefully the 61-point AF sensor means that we can expect better AF sensors to start appearing in other lines, as well. And even if that weren't the case, if they could point to IQ advantages in the 1D X over another full-frame camera with more megapixels (though I expect that sheer shooting speed will be the primary advantage), that's another area where the camera lines will be naturally differentiated.

Personally, I've felt that 20 megapixels is something of a psychological hurdle, somewhat like 100 of an item seems like more than 99 of an item.

 

[EYEONE]

Common 14-24 lens!

+1. I think we're the biggest fans of this idea.

 

[Blaze]

Common 14-24 lens!

+1. I think we're the biggest fans of this idea.

I must be missing something. The 14-24 is a common lens?
Nikon makes one, but does anyone else?

 

[gene_can_sing]

I have been waiting to transition into DSLR filmmaking. My holding out for the 5DmkIII is over... I will get the 7D and some better glass while I wait for mkIII. Then sell back the 7D.

At least wait until Nov 3rd. It's only 2 weeks away. Trust me as someone who has shot a lot of DSLR video the last few years. The moire and alias and soft video image can drive you crazy. It was good when it came out 3 years ago, but now compared to Sony and Panasonic, it's very dated.

Just give it 2 weeks before you buy. I think something good will come.

 

[Meh]

Common 14-24 lens!

+1. I think we're the biggest fans of this idea.

I must be missing something. The 14-24 is a common lens?
Nikon makes one, but does anyone else?

I think it was mean to say "come on 14-24 lens" ?

 

[Meh]

I have been waiting to transition into DSLR filmmaking. My holding out for the 5DmkIII is over... I will get the 7D and some better glass while I wait for mkIII. Then sell back the 7D.

At least wait until Nov 3rd. It's only 2 weeks away. Trust me as someone who has shot a lot of DSLR video the last few years. The moire and alias and soft video image can drive you crazy. It was good when it came out 3 years ago, but now compared to Sony and Panasonic, it's very dated.

Just give it 2 weeks before you buy. I think something good will come.

It may not change your mind about DSLR film making, since the alternatives are prohibitively expensive, but check out the 3-part series "The Great Camera Shootout 2011" at www.zacuto.com

The third in the series shows the motion artifacts that DSLRs are prone to due to the rolling shutter of CMOS sensors. It will be interesting to see if what Canon announces on Nov 3rd will address this issue and if they announce something affordable for indie film makers or only cameras to compete with RED.

 

[intown]

Hrm, the price of the EF 24-70 f/2.8L has been steadily climbing over the years, I wonder what a II would go for if released .

I have been considering this lens and also noticed that the price has been rising. What is the reason for this?

What would be the advantage to leaving IS (image stabilization) off?


The ideal announcements for me in the next couple of weeks would be new entry level full frame camera that has nice video features and the announcement of the EF 24-70 f/2.8....

Anticipation -- Better than the deed or the afterthought.

 

[unfocused]

For the future I don't see many change in the higher end cameras

- The 5DIII or 3D will be a high mp monster but don't expect speed. It might get the 45 point AF. Should be priced in the 4k range
- If the 3D happens, the 5DIII will remain at its current price and be the entry FF model. With the 7D AF. 2800$
- The 7DII will continue as is. APS-C, high speed, for wildlife and sport.

I expect all of these camera to get better weather resistance, especially the 7DII since it would be used outside by sport, wildlife or birder...

There you have it for the XD familly. 3 or 4 cameras, but only one flagship, the 1Dx

Not a bad series of predictions. I also expect that the 5D successor will have a different, higher mp sensor. It seems as though the sensor is the real differentiating factor in the 1DX and I don't see Canon devaluing the line by using the sensor in other bodies – at least not in the near term.

Makes more sense to me to offer a model with a high mp sensor for those who need the resolution.

I do think we will see a 7D or similar moving up the scale into the pro-level with weathersealing, etc. Perhaps even a one-piece model with a built in battery pack like the 1D series. They may end up splitting the 7D into two lines, an enthusiast model and a pro model for sports and wildlife photographers who want the extra reach they are losing with the end of the APS-H sensor. I really hope that the next generation 7D sensor also follows the philosophy of maintaining similar megapixel count and concentrates on improving dynamic range and ISO sensitivity (I can dream can't I?)

Contrary to what many on this forum wish for, I don't think we will see an under $2,000 full frame model. I'm not even sure it's possible to produce a full frame body at that price point.

Finally, I found Canon's comments about up-sampling very interesting. Is this just hype to rationalize the reduction in resolution or have they really done something that will make up-sampling a realistic alternative? We'll have to wait and see, but it's entirely possible that their software engineers (or possibly in conjunction with Adobe) are working on or have developed new algorithms to make up-sampling a more viable alternative.

I know next to nothing about software, but it sure seems to me that features like "content aware fill" and focus sharpening (as teased at Adobe Max) are a lot more complex and difficult than up-sampling an image.

 

[Rocky]

Contrary to what many on this forum wish for, I don't think we will see an under $2,000 full frame model. I'm not even sure it's possible to produce a full frame body at that price point.

Canon can do a $2000 FF DSLR if they want to. Just look at the price of 7D. The difference in FF sensor and APS-C is about $200. Throw in another $200 for larger body, penta prism etc. You have your $2000 FF. If you start with 60D, you can have a $1500 FF easily. However, Canon will do neither one of the above hyperthetical model. Canon wants to Keep FF as a more expensive model (read it as higher profit).

 

[Justin]

Hrm, the price of the EF 24-70 f/2.8L has been steadily climbing over the years, I wonder what a II would go for if released .

I have been considering this lens and also noticed that the price has been rising. What is the reason for this?

What would be the advantage to leaving IS (image stabilization) off?


The ideal announcements for me in the next couple of weeks would be new entry level full frame camera that has nice video features and the announcement of the EF 24-70 f/2.8....

Anticipation -- Better than the deed or the afterthought.

The price of nearly all the current EF and EF-S lenses has been rising, excpet for a few more recently released lenses. Retailers tend to release at full msrp then back down a good 10%. Give them a few years though, becasue they start to creep rigth back up, especially when Canon raises their MSRPs, which them seem to do almost once a year.

 

[Gene]

Canon can do a $2000 FF DSLR if they want to. Just look at the price of 7D. The difference in FF sensor and APS-C is about $200. Throw in another $200 for larger body, penta prism etc. You have your $2000 FF. If you start with 60D, you can have a $1500 FF easily. However, Canon will do neither one of the above hyperthetical model. Canon wants to Keep FF as a more expensive model (read it as higher profit).

If anything that's an argument for why it can't be done. The problem is you're forgetting about margins; even if Canon were willing to accept a lower margin % than the 7D on a higher-end camera (not likely, but for the sake of argument,) the retailers would not. You really have to multiply the component price delta by at least 2 and more like 3 or 4 to get the final retail price impact.

 

[gene_can_sing]

If they came out with the hypothetical 6D as a lower MP video oriented DSLR, I would pay a premium for that if it had 4:2:2 and 1080p 60. I would gladly fork out $3 to $3.5 K for something like that without hesitation.

It would be nice to have a sub $2K full frame, but I would gladly pay much more for useful, worthwhile upgrades.

 

[ianhar]

I see the 200-400 is quite possible since the olympic is nxt year. With the 1.4 extender it should cover more than asph could cover

 

[macfly]

1Ds Mark III Studio Replacement?

Checked back in to see if there was any Canon news, and seeing that is seriously music to my ears as I've just discovered that the factory in Thailand that makes the Sony/Nikon chips has been flooded out, and production of the upcoming 36MP cameras has been indefinately postponed!

I just sent all my lenses and body off to CPS for a full service and overhaul as it looks like I'm stuck with my trusty Mklll for a while longer, but I cancelled my long standing order for what turned out to be the 1Dx, a camera that was obviously not made with me in mind. If Canon can really get a high MP 100iso high quality monster out before Sony/Nikon recover from this second disaster then I'll be happy to stay with Canon, but either way I know my current gear will easily last another year.

 

[wopbv4]

Hi,

I thought that the 200-400 1.4X was a reality?

see

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-200-400mm-f-4-L-IS-USM-Extender-1.4x-Lens-Review.aspx

I am saving for the $$$$$ that it will cost

Hope this helps

Ben