The Canon Professional Network (CPN) published an interview with photographer Jeff Ascough. The talk is about the new Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II lens (price & specs). A lens that has outstanding optical performance and a rather hefty price tag.

Over the past few months Canon Ambassador Jeff Ascough has been photographing weddings in his distinctive documentary style, primarily with a Canon EOS 5D Mark III DSLR teamed with the EF24-70mm f/2.8L II USM zoom lens. He spoke to CPN about his experiences shooting with the latest incarnation of an already much-loved standard zoom lens; one that is smaller, lighter, more durable and optically more sophisticated than its predecessor.

The lens is actually sold for around $2050 (Amazon, B&H, Adorama, Canon USA, J&R, Digitalrev, eBay, rent it at Borrow Lenses, rent it here). We featured lots of reviews (here, here, here). DxOMark called the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II a peerless performer.

CPN: The lens is more durable and is better weather-sealed than its EF24-70mm f/2.8L USM predecessor. What is your opinion on the build quality of the lens?

JA: “To be honest the old 24-70mm wasn’t the best made lens I’ve ever used. But this one seems a lot ‘tighter’ – that’s how I describe it – everything is more positive. It’s much more solid.

Ergonomically it’s much better – it’s a smaller lens and I’ve got quite small hands, so when you use it with a camera ergonomically it’s much nicer to use. The zoom ring is really nice because it’s not as wide as the other lens was in terms of the actual ‘throat’ of the lens – you haven’t got to move it so far to get it to zoom in and out. The focus is really nice as well – that’s just on the end of my scale with my fingers.”

Read the interview here.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II lens price check: Amazon, B&H, Adorama, Canon USA, J&R, Digitalrev, eBay, rent it at Borrow Lenses, or rent it here.

[via The Digital Picture]

Top rated plus eBay seller getitdigital (>40000 ratings, 99.6% positive) has brand new Canon EOS 6D bodies for $1,649.99 (click here). Free shipping and USA warranty, and limited stock as usual. Good deal!

Key features20.2MP Full-Frame CMOS Sensor3.0″ Clear View High Resolution LCDDIGIC 5+ Image ProcessorBuilt-In Wi-Fi and GPS ConnectivityFull HD 1080p with Manual Controls11-Point AF with Center Cross-Type Point63-Zone Dual Layer Metering SensorExtended ISO Range of 50-102400Up to 4.5 Full Resolution FPSBuilt-In HDR and Multiple Exposure Modes

It is due since long, there are rumors surfacing now and then, but nothing concrete happened so far. Canon’s EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS lens (price & specs) should be replaced by a newer version of the lens. Now a new rumor showed up. The new EF 100-400mm could be announced together with the EOS 7D Mark II after summer or in early fall 2013. The 100-400mm will probably not be available along with the 7D Mark II, but it appears as if Canon thinks the 100-400 will fit well with the 7D Mark II from a marketing point of view. Oh, one last thing: the new 100-400mm will not be cheap

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS price check: Amazon, B&H, Adorama, Canon USA, J&R, Digitalrev, eBay, rent it at Borrow Lenses, or rent it at Borrow Lenses (click here)

[via CR]

All manuals for the new Canon Rebel SL1/EOS 100D (price & specs) and Rebel T5i/EOS 700D (price & specs) are available for download at Canon Singapore. For the Rebel SL1/EOS 100D manuals click here, for the Rebel T5i/EOS 700D manuals click here.

Both DSLRs are set to ship in April 2013, in the meantime you can pre-order it:

• Canon Rebel SL1/EOS 100D (EOS-b) body only for $649.99 at Adorama (click here) and B&H (click here) and Amazon (click here)
• Canon Rebel SL1/EOS 100D with the new EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens for $799.99 at Adorama (click here) and B&H (click here) and Amazon (click here)
• Rebel T5i/EOS 700D body only for $749 at Adorama (click here) and B&H (click here) and Amazon (click here)
• Rebel T5i/EOS 700D with the new EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens for $899.99 at Adorama (click here) and B&H (click here) and Amazon (click here)
• Rebel T5i/EOS 700D with the EF-S 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM lens for $1099 at Adorama (click here) and B&H (click here) and Amazon (click here)

There is a security issue when using WiFi on a Canon (or other brand) camera. The rather long and very geeky video above explains it all. The WiFi issue could allow someone to steal photos from your camera, or let hackers upload images on the camera. But most scaring: one could get in control of you camera and use as a spy camera (through Live View mode)

Daniel Mende and Pascal Turbing, both researchers at the German-based IT consulting firm ERNW, discussed their findings in a presentation at last month’s SchmooCon 2013 hacker convention. They used a Canon EOS-1D X (price & specs) to show the issue. If you are not in the mood to watch the 53 minutes video, then the sum-up of YouTube user BobHousedorf2 is the least you should know:

OK, so I watched your WHOLE presentation. Basically, it comes down to:

USE WEP.

If you buy a new Canon 6D, USE WEP, or, if the 6D doesn’t support WEP, don’t buy it.

(Or if it doesn’t support some form of advanced network connection encryption, like WPA)

Well, yes, basically: use WEP or WPA if possible. I suggest you have a look at the video, it is instructing although probably longer than needed. So before shooting your WiFi enabled Canon EOS 6D check that all settings are ok.

Canon EOS 6D price check: Amazon, B&H, Adorama, Canon USA, J&R, Digitalrev, eBay, rent it at Borrow Lenses
Canon EOS-1D X price check: Amazon, B&H, Adorama, Canon USA, J&R, Digitalrev, eBay, rent it at Borrow Lenses

[BoingBoing via Imaging Resource]

Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 DG IS HSM

The Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 DG IS HSM lens (part of the company’s “Sport” line-up) and the Sigma USB Dock release date has been postponed because of a “delay in sourcing“. B&H’s product page says the lens will ship April 10 2013.

The Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 DG IS HSM can be pre-ordered at: B&H | Adorama

[via dc.watch]