[Review] EOS 1D-X By Andy Rouse

Well known wildlife photographer Andy Rouse is among the first (and selected few) to have had an EOS-1D X in his hands. This is more a kind of field-test, less a lab-setting based investigation of camera performance. Auto-focus is tested and described in a comprehensive way. Face detection is also put under stress, with an owl. While I suggest you have a look at the review on your own, i quote some excerpts from the conclusion:

The AF system I found to be astoundingly accurate […] it could lock onto anything […]. The images I have shown here are all razor sharp, again I was surprised to see so many in a sequence with such fast action. I’m quite happy to say that after my limited testing I can see that the AF system is probably the best I have ever used. Yes it is quite complex, but […] for 99% of you they will be fine.

[…] noise performance. I have never seen a Canon file like it, at the kind of ISO’s I like to shoot at, the image quality is great, detail is intense and the noise is not an issue.

For the time being the EOS-1D X can be pre-ordered for $6,799.00 at Adorama (click here)B&H (click here)Amazon US (click here) and DigitalRev (click here).

[via landscapephotographymagazine]

[Review] Samyang 24mm f/1.4 ED AS UMC In Depth Review

Photography blog has another helpful review. This time about the Samyang 24mm f/1.4 ED AS UMC, an affordable lens with excellent optic properties, and with no AF nor electronic metering. However, this lens is a valid alternative if you are on a budget, having a price tag of $699, and are looking for a fast lens (f/1.4!) with very good optical quality and perfomance.

The Samyang 24mm f/1.4 ED AS UMC’s build quality is reassuringly good […] makes an ideal partner to a full-frame like the Canon EOS 5D Mark III t[…]. Focusing manually is straight-forward thanks to the responsive focusing ring […], with Live View mode proving essential for closer focusing distances. […] video shooters will positively embrace the de-clicked aperture version of this lens.

Image quality is generally excellent. Chromatic aberrations are very well controlled, geometric distortion is impressively low for an ultrawide lens […], and the coatings successfully prevent contrast loss attributable to flare. The only real optical issues are obvious corner shading at the maximum aperture, something that every full-frame shooter has to put up with especially when using wide angles, and a lack of sharpness wide-open at f/1.4 and stopped-down at f/22.

Amazon US has a kit with the lens, bundling an UV filter, a cleaning kit, a memory card storage wallet and more, for $699.95 (click here)

Samyang 24mm f/1.4 ED AS UMC price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

[Rumor] Canon’s Medium Format Camera Tidbits And Maybe No Pro Oriented Mirrorless At Photokina

I have got some new information about Canon’s murmured upcoming medium format DSLR, said to be announced at Photokina in September. My source told me that the camera will have an EF mount but may not be named EOS. Moreover, the medium format DSLR could possibly not accept all of the EF lenses, due to focal length issues. In other words: newer EF lenses will be supported and (older) lenses with popular focal lengths that actually are suited for full frame sensors will see new editions for the medium format camera (possibly in Spring 2013). Since an EF mount accepts all EF lenses, the only way I can figure out you can block certain EF lenses from being used is through electronic sensing (my speculation). It is not known if the medium format DSLR will have a mechanical interlock for EF-S lenses (though I think this is more than plausible).

Finally, the same source told me that Canon could not announce a more pro oriented mirrorless system camera in Fall (Photokina), leveraging first the recently announced EOS M.

That’s all folks. Let me know your thoughts.

[Review] EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM In Depth Review

Photography blog reviewed Canon’s new EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM ($850) lens. The review goes over 7 sections and has an investigative eye on all the features and promises of this lens. From the conclusion:

[…] the Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM build quality is reassuringly good and it makes a good partner to a full-frame Canon DSLR like the 5D Mark III. Auto-focusing is quiet and quick, with the ability to manually override it and focus manually if required proving a nice touch. The capable image stabilization system used in conjunction with a high-ISO monster like the 5D Mark III is a low-light shooter’s dream ticket, making it easy to hand-hold the camera and get the shot.

Image quality is generally excellent. Chromatic aberrations are very well controlled, geometric distortion is impressively low for an ultrawide lens (unless you are focusing very close), and the Super Spectra coatings successfully prevent contrast loss attributable to flare

EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

[via photography blog]

Sigma 180mm f/2.8 Macro EX OS HSM (f/ Canon) Limited Stock

B&H has the Sigma 180mm f/2.8 APO Macro EX DG OS HSM Lens (for Canon) in stock and ready to ship for $1,688 (click here), but just a limited quantity. Free shipping in the US.

  • 180mm f/2.8 Macro Lens
  • Canon EF Mount
  • 1:1 Magnification
  • Optical Stabilizer Function
  • FLD Glass Elements Reduce Aberration
  • Floating Inner Focusing System
  • Multi-Coating Reduces Ghosting and Flare
  • Hyper Sonic Motor for Quiet Focusing
  • Focus Distance of 18.5″ / 47cm
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