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Uh, this is funny. I reported earlier about the new Magic Lantern firmware releases (for EOS 5D Mark III [cool deal here] and EOS 7D), which bring amenities like uncompressed HDMI output to your beloved EOS DSLR. And now Canon announces a firmware update for the EOS 5D Mark III (to be released in April 2013) that brings, among other things, uncompressed HDMI output. What a coincidence! ‘:-) I guess Canon got a little under pressure by the fine work of the Magic Lantern hackers. The other big new feature that will be made available with the firmware upgrade is Auto-Focus using the highly sensitive central cross-type points with a maximum aperture of f/8  (actually it works with max f/5.6). This was implemented in a recently published firmware update for the Canon EOS-1D X.

Canon EOS 5D Mark III price check: Amazon, B&H, Adorama, Canon USA, J&R, Digitalrev, Borrow Lenses, eBay

Canon press release:

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., October 23, 2012 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced a new firmware update for the EOS 5D Mark III Digital SLR camera that significantly improves the camera’s performance and usability. In response to requests from professionals working in the fields of cinema and television production, the firmware update enables the use of uncompressed HDMI Output support, making possible more efficient video editing and monitoring procedures. Additionally, the upgrade supports the advanced needs of photographers through improved AF performance when capturing still images.

Uncompressed HDMI Output Support
When shooting video, HDMI Output makes possible the recording of high-definition uncompressed video data (YCbCr 4:2:2, 8 bit) from the EOS 5D Mark III to an external recorder via the camera’s HDMI terminal. This, in turn, facilitates the editing of video data with minimal image degradation for greater on-site workflow efficiency during motion picture and video productions. Additionally, video being captured can be displayed on an external monitor, enabling real-time, on-site monitoring of high-definition video during shooting.

Improved AF Functionality
Even when the EOS 5D Mark III is equipped with an extender and lens making possible a maximum aperture of f/8, the firmware update supports AF employing the camera’s central cross-type points (currently compatible with maximum apertures up to f/5.6). Accordingly, the update will allow users to take advantage of AF when shooting distant subjects, benefitting sports and nature photographers, particularly when using telephoto lenses.

The new firmware update will be available, at no charge, in April 2013 from the Canon U.S.A. website and can be downloaded by end users or through Canon Factory Service Centers.

[via The Digital Picture]

Top rated eBay seller GetDigital has two cool EOS 5D Mark III and EOS 5D Mark II deals going on (limited quantity). Both DSLRs are offered at a price that’s around $100 less than the best price I found in other shops.

First, there is a Canon EOS 5D Mark III body for just $3100 (click here). Great price for this full-frame DSLR.

Next, the Canon EOS 5D Mark II body is yours for $1673 (click here), which is also a great bargain for a full-frame DSLR that is still a top performer.

Most of you probably know about Magic Lantern, a cool firmware hack that extends the feature set of your Canon EOS DSLR.

A new release of the firmware hack Magic Lantern for the Canon EOS 5D Mark III was released. It is still an “alpha-release”, i.e. a piece of software in its very early stage of development. Nevertheless, the release works fine on the EOS 5D Mark III. The video above shows the (new) features you get with this release of Magic Lantern. Among others you get: smooth exposure transitions (ISO, shutter or aperture), HDR Video, focus assistants, display enhancements like clean HDMI out and all sorts of display tweaks. To see all implemented features have a look on the EOS 5D Mark III Magic Lantern’s site, where you can download the firmware and will find the installation instructions.

But there is also a new release of Magic Lantern for the Canon EOS 7D that’s heavily in work (not yet released). Just recently an alpha release of ML for the EOS 7D was released. Now, in this new alpha-release, first attempts to implement clean HDMI are done. This feature is already available for other Canon DSLR Magic Lantern releases. It would be great if we could have it on the 7D. I am sure the skilled hackers working on Magic Lantern will not disappoint us. Check the video below to see what’s coming. Magic Lantern developer g3ggode, referring to the video, says [via nofilmschool]:

This is a test video where i filmed my Samsung LCD showing Canon EOS 7D HDMI output while recording. Test subject is the “Clear overlays” feature, that disables all paintings on HDMI output.

Check Magic Lantern’s EOS 7D page for more information

Canon EOS 5D Mark III price check: Amazon, B&H, Adorama, Canon USA, J&R, Digitalrev, Borrow Lenses, eBay
Canon EOS 7D price check: Amazon, B&H, Adorama, Canon USA, J&R, Digitalrev, Borrow Lenses, eBay

• Canon EOS-M Touchscreen Provides Fingertip On-Camera Control for Speedlites –> read it here
• “How Unprofessional Can It Really Be?”: Eisenstaedt’s Self-Portraits with Icons –> read it here
• Ten Top Autumn Photography Tutorials –> read it here
• Peter van Agtmael Receives the 2012 W. Eugene Smith Grant in Humanistic Photography –> read it here
• National Geographic photographer’s surprise encounter with deadly predator –> read it here
• It’s a Whole New World: EOS-1D X (specs&price) AF at f/8 –> read it here
• The Challenges and Rewards of Shooting Street Photography With a Medium-Format TLR Camera –> read it here
• University Criticized for Photoshopping Crosses Out of Photo of Football Fans –> read it here
• Paris Month of Photography 2012: Hi-Resolution Slideshow – lens culture photography weblog –> read it here
• SmartDeblur Does Science Fiction-esque Enhancing on Blurry Photos –> read it here

Canon USA News:

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Honors Canon's Work on Improvements to Large Format CMOS Imagers for Use in High Definition Broadcast Video Cameras

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., October 22, 2012 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, announced today that Canon Inc. will be recognized at the 64th Annual Technology & Engineering Emmy® Awards for “Improvements to Large Format CMOS Imagers for Use in High Definition Broadcast Video Cameras.” Presented by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS), the Technology & Engineering Emmy® Awards honor development and innovation in broadcast technology and recognize companies, organizations and individuals for breakthroughs in technology that have a significant effect on television engineering.

Canon debuted its award-winning large format CMOS image sensor in its acclaimed EOS C300 Digital Cinema Camera in November of 2011 at a global launch event held at Paramount Studios in Hollywood. By exploring alternatives to the established Bayer color filter array algorithms, Canon was able to achieve an overall image quality capture through its CMOS sensor that has helped bring digital cinema closer to the superb aesthetics associated with 35 mm motion picture film.

Read the rest of the news here.

The Canon Rebel T3i/EOS 600D kit with the 18-55mm and 55-250mm IS has gone down to $799 at most sellers. But top rated seller beachcamera on eBay is selling the kit ($799) with some additional stuff like a bag, an extra battery, an UV filter, a 16GB memory card, a memory card reader and a full sized tripod. A great starter kit. You get the following items: