More Tidbits About Canon’s New 50mm and 24-70mm f/4L IS Lenses

Canon Rumors has new information about the possible EF 50mm f/1.4 replacement and the EF 24-70mm f/4L with image stabilization. Both lenses are rumored to be released soon (before end of 2012). Quoting:

Below is some unconfirmed information in regards to price and weight of the new EF 24-70 f/4L IS, rate it as [CR1] for now.

  • EF 24-70 f/4L IS $849 and weighing 545g
  • EF 50 f/1.4 IS $799
As mentioned earlier, […] confident about the new 24-70, but the 2nd lens, […] not 100% sure on. There are so many coming down the pipeline.

New Canon 50mm To Be Announced Soon? (may have IS)

A new rumor about a possible imminent announcement of a new Canon 50mm lens. No mention of the mount type (previously EF-M was rumored). Canon Rumors got

[…] word from two different sources that a new 50mm lens would be on the way “soon”. One person suggested it would “probably” have IS. No mention of aperture, but judging by past mentions of a new 50mm, it would be a replacement for the near ancient 50mm f/1.4.

The 50mm could be announced along with the new EF 24-70mm f/4L, which is also said to have image stabilization.

 

Canon EOS M Sample Images And High ISO Crops (videos, and a review in progress)

Cameralabs is working on a full review of the Canon EOS M (using a final production model), and while it is a work in progress they are sharing new bits when added to the review. A long and detailed introduction and first impressions section delivers all the information you need about Canon’s supersmall MILC (Mirrorless Interchangable Lens Camera).

The Canon EOS M has some weak points, as every camera, and among the positive sides the following are pointed out:

First is obviously having compatibility (with some limitations) to the entire EF lens catalogue which makes it extremely tempting to existing Canon DSLR owners. Second is having a decent sized APS-C sensor with performance that’s identical to an existing EOS DSLR. Third […] is also sharing the movie capabilities of EOS DSLRs including a decent array of frame rates, full manual exposure control, audio level adjustment and the chance to connect an external microphone. Fourth is the standard hotshoe, which can accommodate any of the Canon Speedlites, and fifth is the decent touch-screen interface which includes pinch and swiping gestures. As for the hybrid AF system, this could become a big plus point or a negative depending on its performance in practice.

They are right when they refer to the fact that for the time being there is no real review of the EOS M’s autofocus performance in practice. However, the AF of the EOS M for sure isn’t its strongest point.

There are videos for you to check, EOS M sample images with various ISO settings, picture crops to check the sensor noise and covering the available ISO range. The Canon EOS M sports the same sensor and processing system as the Rebel T4i/EOS 650D, so no big surprises here.

Canon EOS M price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

EOS M Sample Images

[via digicame-info]

A Little Bit Of Everything

 

Canon Patent To Improve Hybrid Auto-Focus Speed

Hopefully this leads to quicker hybrid AF. Canon filed a patent that aims at improving the speed of hybrid (phase and contrast detection) AF systems, particularly when tracking subjects. The patent’s abstract:

A camera to which a lens unit is exchangeably attached includes a phase difference detection type focus detection unit, a contrast detection type focus detection unit, and a processor configured to acquire correction information used to correct a shift amount between a focus detecting light flux and an image-pickup light flux from the image pickup lens. The contrast detection type focus detection unit performs scanning in a single direction from a focus position detected by the phase difference detection type focus detection unit, the single direction being set based on the correction information.

The patent tackles the following technical problem:

Since the [contrast detection focus method] has an excellent focus detection precision but requires a long time for focusing, the [contrast detection focus method] cannot be applied when an allowable time period required for the focus detection is short, in particular, in following a moving body or at the consecutive shooting time.

This is done in the following way:

A camera according to the present invention is a camera to which a lens unit is exchangeably attached. The lens unit includes an image pickup lens configured to form an object image, and is compatible with a first focus detection unit configured to provide a focus detection by detecting a phase difference between a pair of object images formed by utilizing a first pupil splitting unit. The camera includes a second focus detection unit configured to provide a focus detection by detecting a phase difference between a pair of object images formed by utilizing a second pupil splitting unit different from the first pupil splitting unit, a third focus detection unit configured to provide a focus detection by detecting a peak position of a contrast of the object image by performing scanning that changes a distance between an image pickup device and a focus position formed by the image pickup lens, and an acquisition unit configured to acquire correction information used to correct a shift amount between a focus detecting light flux and an image-pickup light flux from the image pickup lens. The third focus detection unit performs the scanning in a single direction from a focus position detected by the second focus detection unit, the single direction being set based on the correction information.

Good to know that Canon is working hard on a better hybrid Af system. :-)

Canon Patent To Improve Hybrid Auto-Focus Speed

[via freepatentsonline]