Canon celebrates the production of 110 million interchangeable EF lenses

By PR admin | Published: July 8, 2015

Canon-celebrates-the-production-of-110-million-interchangeable-EF-lenses

Canon Celebrates Significant Milestone With Production Of 110 Million Interchangeable EF Lenses

MELVILLE N.Y., July 8, 2015 – Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced that its parent company, Canon Inc., will celebrate the achievement of a new lens-manufacturing milestone with the production of the Company’s 110-millionth EF-series interchangeable lens for Canon EOS cameras on June 22, 2015 -an EF 11-24mm f/4L USM ultra-wide-angle interchangeable zoom lens.

Production of interchangeable EF lenses for Canon EOS-series AF (autofocus) single-lens reflex film cameras began in 1987 at the Company’s Utsunomiya Plant. Over the years, EF lenses have garnered support from a wide range of users and production has since expanded to a total of four manufacturing bases, including Canon Inc., Taiwan; Canon Opto (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.; and Oita Canon Inc. in southern Japan.

Read More »

Posted in Canon| 7 Comments

First hands-on of the new Sigma 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM Art full frame lens with many sample photos

By PR admin | Published: July 8, 2015

Sigma 24-35mm f:2 DG HSM Art full frame lens
Herbert from d-pixx.de just informed me that he posted his preliminary hands-on of the new Sigma 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM Art full frame lens with 36 real-life pictures (taken with a Canon EOS 5D Mark III camera). The complete test/review will follow on Saturday.

The US pricing of the lens is still not announced.

Posted in Sigma| Tagged | 7 Comments

Canon got a new wireless Speedlite 430EX III-RT flash

By PR admin | Published: July 8, 2015

Canon-wireless-Speedlite-430EX-III-RT-flash
Canon announced a new wireless Speedlite 430EX III-RT flash and accessories. The new zoom flash has a compact body, built-in Catchlight panel, dot-matrix LCD and a Multi dial (guide number 141 feet, 24-105mm zoom). Here are the US prices:

Canon 430-EX III features:

  • Compact body for space efficiency and style.
  • Zoom flash head covers a range of 24-105mm; maximum guide number 141 ft./43m at ISO 100.
  • Convenient controls include a built-in Catchlight Panel to help enhance the subject’s facial expression, Dot-matrix LCD and Multi Dial that help provide smooth operation anduse.
  • A broad bounce angle range allows the flash head to be moved up from 0-90°, 150°to the left and 180° to the right.
  • Wireless flash shooting support is available for both radio and optical transmission offering users greater functional range when using a flash.
  • Shortened recycling time and quick firing from 0.1-2.5 seconds per flash.
  • Accessory options include a color filter and new bounce adapter that adjust temperature and brightness helping to produce more natural-looking photographs.
  • Enhanced Flash Exposure Compensation and Light Distribution settings allow the user to make lighting adjustments based on their specific needs.
  • 10 Custom Functions and 8 Personal Functions allow the user to tailor the Speedlite to their personal needs.

More details in the press release:

Read More »

Posted in Canon| 9 Comments

Ricoh drops the price of the recently announced GR II camera by $100

By PR admin | Published: July 7, 2015

Ricoh-GR-II-camera-front
Ricoh probably realized that the updates they introduced in their latest GRII camera (only Wi-Fi, NFC, upgraded AWB and wireless flash sync) do not justify the $200+ price increase over the previous version. The new Ricoh GR II now costs $696.95, or $100 less than the intro price at B&H and Adorama (Amazon still has the old price).

Interestingly, the price of the previous GR version went up from $579 to $599… I am not sure if this was dictated by Ricoh or by the retailers.

Posted in Ricoh| Tagged | 27 Comments

The Hero4 is the smallest and lightest GoPro action camera to date

By PR admin | Published: July 6, 2015

GoPro-Hero-4-action-camera
GoPro-Hero4-action-camera-2
GoPro-Hero4-action-camera

GoPro announced their smallest action camera to date – the new Hero 4 ($399.99) is 50% smaller and 40% lighter. Here are technical specifications:

  • 1080p60, 720p100, and 1440p30 video
  • Waterproof to 33′ (10m), no separate housing required
  • Easy one-button control: short press of shutter powers camera on and begins capturing video, long shutter button press powers camera on and begins capturing time-lapse photos
  • Captures 8MP Single, Burst, and Time Lapse photos
  • Compatible with GoPro mounts and accessories
  • Dual Mic system captures enhanced audio during high wind and water-based activities
  • Built-in WiFi and Bluetooth enable easy connectivity to GoPro App and Smart Remote
  • Auto image rotation corrects image orientation during recording
  • Includes standard and low-profile frame mounts for increased mounting versatility
  • New Ball Joint Buckle mount is included
  • Price: $399.99

Full press release:

Read More »

Posted in GoPro| 10 Comments

Schneider-Kreuznach will not produce Micro Four Thirds lenses

By PR admin | Published: July 6, 2015

Schneider-Kreuznach Micro Four Thirds lenses
Schneider-Kreuznach will not produce the Micro Four Thirds lenses they introduced during the 2012 Photokina show (Super-Angulon 14mm f/2.0, Xenon 30mm f/1.4 and Makro-Symmar 60mm f/2.4).

Read the official press-release from Schneider-Kreuznach here:

Read More »

Posted in Schneider Kreuznach| 15 Comments

Canon announcement on August 14th: new camera and two lenses

By PR admin | Published: July 6, 2015

canon-logo
NL reports that Canon will have a new product announcement on August 14th, 2015. Rumored are a new camera and two lenses.

Posted in Canon| 10 Comments

The latest patents: Canon EF 24-105mm f/3.5-5.6 STM and Tamron 24mm f/2 VC lenses and a new Toshiba sensor design

By PR admin | Published: July 6, 2015

Canon EF 24-105mm f:3.5-5.6 STM lens patent Canon EF-S 15-105mm f:2.8-5.6 STM lens patent
→ Canon filed a patent for a EF 24-105mm f/3.5-5.6 STM and EF-S 15-105mm f/2.8-5.6 STM lenses.

Tamron 24mm f:2 VC full frame lens patent
→ Tamron has a patent for a new 24mm f/2 VC full frame lens designed for DSLR cameras.

Read More »

Posted in Canon, Tamron, Toshiba| Tagged | 3 Comments

What else is new?

By PR admin | Published: July 4, 2015

Pentax K-3 II DSLR camera
→ Price drop: the Pentax K-3 II DSLR camera is now $935.24 (the K-3 is $749).

Sony-a7-mirrorless-camera-sale
→ Expires today: $300 off on the Sony a7 mirrorless camera.

Sony-DSC-RX100M-IV-Cyber-shot-camera
→ The Sony RX100 MIV camera is now shipping and is currently in stock. The camera manual can be downloaded here.

Panasonic-Lumix-CM1-smartphone
→ The Panasonic Lumix CM1 camera and smartphone with 4k video is now available.

Pentax-K-S2
→ Firmware update version 1.02 for the Pentax K-S2 is now available.

Samsung-NX3000-mirrorless-camera
→ Firmware update version 1.11 for the Samsung NX3000 is now available.

Zeis Batis autofocus lenses for Sony full frame mirrorless cameras
→ The new Zeiss Batis lenses are expected to start shipping on July 17th according to B&H’s product listings.

Zeiss-Touit-lenses
→ Zeiss Touit lenses are now up to $300 off.

Venus-Optics-Laowa-15mm-f4-Wide-Angle-1-1-Macro-Lens-2
→ The Venus Optics Laowa 15mm f/4 1:1 macro lens is now available for pre-order at B&H is different mounts.

Olympus-M.ZUIKO-DIGITAL-ED-8mm-f1.8-Fisheye-PRO-lens
→ The Olympus M. Zuiko Digital ED 8mm f/1.8 Fisheye Pro lens is now in stock.

Think-Tank-Photo-Trifecta-camera-backpack
→ Think Tank Photo released two new backpacks: Trifecta 10 is designed for DSLR systems, while the Trifecta 8 is designed for mirrorless systems.

sigma-lenses
→ The Sigma instant rebate for the 10-20mm f/3.5 and the 17-50mm f/2.8 lenses increased from $150 to $200. There is also a new $50 rebate on the Sigma 15mm f/2.8 fisheye lens.

Read More »

Posted in Deals, Laowa, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax, Samsung, Sigma, Sony, Venus Optics, Zeiss| Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New: MindShiftGear FirstLight backpacks designed to carry large lenses (up to 600mm)

By PR admin | Published: July 2, 2015

MindShiftGear-FirstLight-backpacks-designed-to-carry-large-lenses
MindShiftGear-FirstLight-backpacks-designed-to-carry-large-lenses-2
MindShift Gear released their first three outdoor photography backpacks specifically designed to carry large lenses and to comply with airline carry on requirements. The FirstLight packs come in three sizes, so you can carry anything from a 70-200 to a 600mm:

Read More »

Posted in Other| 6 Comments