UPDATE – Deal: Sigma 30mm f/1.4 Plus 32GB Sony SDHC Class 10 Card For $309

Update: B&H has the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM without the memory card for $289 (click here).

Nice deal by top rated eBay seller buydig (110765 ratings, 99.5% positive): brand new Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM lens plus a 32GB Sony SDHC Class 10 memory card for . Free shipping and USA warranty.

Product description:

This large aperture 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM lens is designed to match the APS-C size image sensors of digital SLR cameras. Two SLD glass elements are especially effective in the compensation of magnification chromatic aberration. Glass mold aspherical lens at rear group of lens reduces color aberration and provides high-quality image results. From 40cm (15.7″) minimum focusing distance to infinity, this lens creates very sharp images with high contrast. The HSM models provide quiet high-speed auto-focus shooting, as well as full-time manual focus. Large Maximum Aperture of F1.4 can perform superbly in a great range of applications, including snapshots, portraiture, indoor shooting and landscape photography.

Features:

  • Large Maximum Aperture of F1.4
  • The most appropriate coating for digital SLR cameras
  • Two SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements and an hybrid aspherical lens, provides the utmost correction for all types of aberrations
  • Equipped with HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) system
  • This large aperture standard lens was exclusively designed for digital SLR cameras featuring APS-C size image sensor
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Canon U.S.A. Introduces System For Mixed Reality (MREAL)

mreal

Canon is investing in new technologies, and announces MREAL. MREAL is a system based on a software platform (MP-100) and a headset (HM-A1). It generates video of the surroundings by the means of two cameras mounted in front above the eyes of who is using the headset, and combines everything with graphics generated by a computer. The result are 3-D images. Canon is targeting manufacturers, researchers, museum exhibit curators and designers, to name a few. Canon will also let developers access the SDK for application development. There is a hands-on video made by Engadget.


Canon’s press release:

MELVILLE N.Y., February 21, 2013 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the introduction of its Canon MREAL System for Mixed Reality (MR), a new imaging solution that simultaneously merges virtual objects with the real world, at full scale and in three dimensions. By combining the rich, visual information of the real world and the flexibility offered by computer-generated images, MR offers an imaging experience that is a step ahead of existing virtual reality technology, which currently only produces computer-generated environments. The MREAL System and its associated professional services inclusive of MR implementation, integration to customer systems, and custom development can benefit companies in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, automotive, construction, aerospace, medical, defense, and entertainment, to name a few.

“In today’s competitive markets, companies are constantly looking for solutions that can help them introduce new products to market in a timely and efficient fashion. The new Canon MREAL System for Mixed Reality allows decision-makers to evaluate a product’s design and operability like never before,” said Sam Yoshida, vice president and general manager, Marketing, Business Imaging Solutions Group, Canon U.S.A. “Canon has a very strong commitment to the augmented reality space, and by leveraging our strong heritage and leadership in optics, we intend to deliver solutions based upon Mixed Reality for use in industries including manufacturing, aerospace and entertainment.”

Key benefits of the MREAL System are:

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Early Design Sketches Of The Canon PowerShot N

Canon PowerShot N

Source: Photography Blog

The new Canon PowerShot N (price & specs) was designed by four persons of Canon’s Japanese team. One of them, Miyabi Orihashi, Product Designer, Design Center, Canon Inc, says:

The PowerShot N is not only for consumers who want to record memories but also for those who are eager to capture beautiful, artistic photos for other people to enjoy. I hope people who don’t have a deep knowledge of camera functions and settings will find they are able to take a range of interesting and expressive images using this camera

Canon PowerShot NCanon PowerShot N

The design sketches give valuable insights in the philosophy that was driving the development of the PowerShot N. See all sketches and more pics in Photography Blog’s post.

The Canon PowerShot N is available for pre-order ($299, click on shopname): Amazon | B&H | Adorama.

Canon PowerShot N specifications (from B&H’s product page):

  • 12.1MP High Sensitivity CMOS Sensor
  • DIGIC 5 Image Processor
  • 8x f/3.0 Optical Zoom Lens
  • 28-224mm Focal Length Equivalency
  • 2.8″ Capacitive Tilt-Touch LCD Panel
  • 1080p Full HD Video Capture
  • Built-in Wi-Fi Connectivity
  • One-Touch Mobile Device Connect Button
  • Creative Shot Mode
Canon PowerShot N

Some PowerShot N impressions:

PetaPixel’s first impressions:

The uber-compact body looks and feels nice in the hand, and can easily be carried around in your pocket without causing too much of a bulge. It’s light, and won’t weigh you or your bag down if you carry it around everywhere you go. It’s a camera that’s just as compact as a smartphone, but offers nice advantages: a longer-reaching optical lens and a larger sensor are two of the main ones.

Slashgear’s first impressions:

That’s a healthy amount of features for this little 12-megapixel shooter, but this still has plenty of the features you’d expect. These include low-light performance, ISO up to 6400, and the ability to capture video in 1080p. Canon says the PowerShot N will begin shipping in April 2013 and will come with a price tag of $300, which doesn’t seem too bad.

Techradar: They found good: Easy to use, One-touch Wi-Fi, Small size, Good sensor, Responsive touch-control. Not so good: Slightly awkward to hold, Little manual control, Restricted LCD movement. More:

The PowerShot N is all about creating images quickly and easily, so naturally all the exposure modes are automatic. Program mode provided the most control, with aspects such as exposure compensation and white balance being adjustable. Alternatively, there are some creative shooting options with filter effect such as Fish-eye Effect, Miniature Effect, Soft Focus, Toy Camera Effect and Monochrome.

Canon PowerShot N price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA.

Canon’s promo video for the PowerShot N

Canon Patent For Second Row Of Electronic Contacts

Canon Patent

Canon Patent

Egami (translated) spotted a Canon patent concerning a second row of electronic contacts on the lens mount. The patent suggests the second row of contacts is dedicated to the video signal, avoiding loss of signal strength could be the reason (the video signal needs more power supply).

  • Patent Publication No. 2013-21391
    • 2013.1.31 Release Date
    • 2011.7.7 filing date
  • Canon patent
    • In addition to the conventional first electronic contact, provided new second electronic contacts
    • Contact each other first and second non-overlapping so that
    • Corresponding to the new system
      • In addition to the video sync signal
      • In the serial clock, eliminating the need for transformation of the communication level
      • Because the focus of video requires a larger power supply

A Bit Of Everything (Sigma 35mm f/1.4, Canon In East Africa, And More)

Sigma 35mm f/1.4

Two new Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM reviews for you. The terrific Sigma 35mm f/1.4 (price & specs), part of Sigma’s “Art” line-up, is getting a lot of positive feedbacks from photographers and reviewers.

Cameralabs writes in their verdict:

The Sigma 35/1.4 DG HSM is a very exciting lens. You can produce shots with image quality you might think were impossible at a wide open aperture of f1.4. Plus the build-quality and the new design support Sigma’s claim to have developed and manufactured a lens to professional standards.

The pros of the Sigma, according to cameralabs:

Outstanding performance in the corners of a high-resolution full-frame sensor even wide open.
Good build quality.
Quiet and fast AF operation.
Relatively low price compared to the big names.

Next, photographer Justin Wojtczak of 375photography.com (source: fstoppers) made a video-review of the lens.

Generic tidbits…:

  • Canon establishes Kenyan arm with eyes on East Africa: (source: businessdailyafrica), in summary:
  • The regional arm of Japanese firm Canon Inc that is banking on new office to oversee seven African countries will strengthen its position across the rapidly growing markets of eastern Africa.
  • Having a dedicated entity in Kenya is meant to further reinforce the company’s ‘closer to customer’ strategy and offer enhanced support services to partners and customers across East Africa,
  • Canon Kenya will provide marketing and channel development services in Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, Somalia, Eritrea, Rwanda and Burundi.

 

Have a nice day….