Latest Canon Rumors (new 50mm f/1.4 with IS and EOS 7D II)

The rumors are reported by Northlight Images.

About the EOS 7D Mark II they report that two different dealer sources said that

[…] the 7D2 is being actively positioned against an upcoming D400 from Nikon and will be announced around the same time along with new lenses (the 50/1.4 should join the new range of IS primes for example)

Yes, and there should be soon a new 50mm f/1.4 lens with added image stabilization. The actual one (which still is an outstanding lens) dates back to 1993. NL writes

As part of Canon's revamp of their prime lens range, expect a replacement for the […] 50/1.4, with added image stabilisation next year

[via NL]

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Want To Know How Old Your Canon Lens Is?

Image credit: The Digital Picture

Instructive post by The Digital Picture. How to know the age of your Canon glass? First, let's quote The Digital Picture's post:

Canon has been transitioning to a 10-digit lens serial number (starting in 2008 with the Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens) and ending the inclusion of a separate manufacturing date code. While date codes and the shorter serial number are still found on some lenses manufactured as late as 2012, this inclusion will likely end completely. We loved the date code because it made aging a lens easy. However, now we can age a lens based on the serial number alone.

So, want to know the age of a lens using the 10 digits serial numbers? No problem. First, split the serial number in three parts: DD C SSSSSSS. The “DD” part mens the year of manufacturing (see image above). Be aware that the code assigned to the year 2013 is a prediction, the code may also become “DDD”. The “C” indicates the batch, the “SSSSSSS” is the serial number assigned to the lens.

And what about lenses made before the 10 digits system? Check the date code beside the rear lens element, see image below.

Image credits: The Digital Picture
Image credit: The Digital Picture

The first letter (“U” in the image) indicates the factory where the lens was made. “U” stands for Utsunomiya, “F” for Fukushima and “O” for Oita, all in Japan. The second letter (“R” in the image above) is the code of the year of manufacturing. See below:

  • A = 2012, 1986, 1960
  • B = 1987, 1961
  • C = 1988, 1962
  • D = 1989, 1963
  • E = 1990, 1964
  • F = 1991, 1965
  • G = 1992, 1966
  • H = 1993, 1967
  • I = 1994, 1968
  • J = 1995, 1969
  • K = 1996, 1970
  • L = 1997, 1971
  • M = 1998, 1972
  • N = 1999, 1973
  • O = 2000, 1974
  • P = 2001, 1975
  • Q = 2002, 1976
  • R = 2003, 1977
  • S = 2004, 1978
  • T = 2005, 1979
  • U = 2006, 1980
  • V = 2007, 1981
  • W = 2008, 1982
  • X = 2009, 1983
  • Y = 2010, 1984
  • Z = 2011, 1985

Canon incremented this letter each year, starting with A in 1986 and before using A in 1960 (without the initial factory code).

Finally, the first two numbers (“09” in the example) mean the month of manufacturing, the final two numbers (“02” in the example) are an internal code used by Canon. Sometimes the month code comes without the leading zero.

[thanks to The Digital Picture]

 

Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Video Review (and comparison with Canon 35mm f/1.4)

 

Learningcameras.com posted a video review of Sigma's much appreciated 35mm f/1.4 lens (click here for price and specs). They also have a video comparison with Canon's 35mm f/1.4 (click here for price and specs).

[via Learningcameras]

Sigma 35mm f/1.4 price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Canon 35mm f/1.4 price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Sigma 35mm f/1.4 product specifications:

  • Aperture Range: f/1.4-16
  • Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM)
  • Floating Internal Focus System
  • Minimum Focusing Distance: 11.8″
  • Anti-Flare Super Multi-Layer Coating
  • USB Dock: Adjust AF & Update Firmware
  • Special & “F” Low Dispersion Elements
  • Front Filter Thread Diameter: 67mm
  • SIGMA Optimization Pro Software
  • 9x Circular Aperture Blades

 

USA: Canon Holiday Deals (S110, T4i, Rokinon lenses, Memory Cards)

B&H has the Canon Powershot S110 dropped to $365 (click here). Cool deal!

And then: the Canon Rebel T4i with the EF-S 18-55mm lens for $599 (click here, limited time offer).

Looking out for the very good Rokinon lenses? Stop here: the Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 Aspherical Lens is on sale for $239 (click here, expires December 18.

Next, some Sony 32GB SDHC Memory Card Class 10 UHS-I deals, get two for the price of one (click here).