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Image courtesy: PetaPixel

Roger Cicala posted an interesting article on PetaPixel. You know that pesky dust spots you see in your Canon lens? Well, they are not really a problem, as Roger states:

Here’s a question I get asked about 15 times a week: “How can I get the dust out of my lens?” The right answer is you don’t. All lenses have dust in them and it doesn’t affect the images at all 99% of the time. Even if you clean it all out, it will be back after you use the lens a few times.

However, there are some situations where you really want to open the lens and get rid of the dust. Be aware that opening a lens voids guaranty, and that it is a potential risky affair. Be sure to read the warnings before you proceed. The following Canon lenses are covered in the article.

• Canon 17-55 f/2.8 IS(Canon 24-105, 24-70 f/4 IS, 24-70 f/2.8 II)
• Canon 85mm f/1.2 L
• Canon 85mm f/1.8 (Canon 100m f/2)
• Canon 70-200 f/2.8 NON IS (Canon 70-200 f/2.8 IS I and II)
• Canon 100-400 IS L (Canon 28-300 IS L)

[via PetaPixel]

Egami (translated) spotted a patent filed by Canon regarding 500mm f/4, 500mm f/5.6, 600mm  f/4 and 800mm f/5.6 lenses.

• Patent Publication No. 2013-92575
  • Publication date 2013.5.16
  • Filing date 2011.10.24
• Example
  

  embodiment

  No.	Focal length [mm]	Fno.	Half angle [°]	Total length [mm]	BF [mm]	Front lens diameter [mm]
  One	584.99	4.12	2.12	420.00	89.03	141.99
  Two	779.99	5.80	1.59	460.00	97.84	134.48
  Three	488.99	4.11	2.53	320.00	61.00	119.00
  Four	488.99	5.70	2.53	280.01	65.01	85.79
  Five	584.96	4.12	2.12	420.00	88.88	141.98

  Image height 21.64mm

• How to reduce the size of the large-aperture super telephoto lens
  • Effective diameter of the first group with the largest
  • I reduce the number of the first group
    • It is necessary to reduce aberration by increasing the number
    • Can not reduce the aberration and reduce the number
  • I increase a refractive power of the first group
    • The thickness of the lens increases, the effect of weight reduction is canceled
    • Impact of manufacturing error is large high refractive index
• Canon patent
  • The aspherical in the first group
  • Performing a variance of sensitivity was composed of opposite sign component of the first group, and also, prevent an increase in thickness
  • DOE is provided to correct chromatic aberration with a small number of lenses
  • Inner focus
  • Anti-shake

Latest Canon EOS M rumor. It could happen that Canon announces a new EOS M system camera during summer 2013, along with some new EF-M lenses. One of the lenses should be an 18-135mm zoom lens with compact size, the other a telephoto zoom lens (but no specs here).

The bad news: the rumor suggests that Canon considers the EOS M part of an entry level segment, hence there will be no new primes for the system.

Actually there is a very good EOS M deal going on on eBay. eBay seller bigvalueinc (>57000 ratings, 98.2% positive) has the Canon EOS M with the EF-M 22mm f/2 STM pancake lens on sale for $399 (click here). Free shipping. All four color option are available.

^{Note: This product is an imported model. It is completely identical to the USA model and is produced by the same factories. This product comes set in English as a standard, with USA connections, and English manuals. Imported models do not carry a USA manufacturer warranty card. Your purchase is covered by a BigValueInc store warranty which covers you for 1 Year. Please view below in our terms and conditions for details.}

[via CR]

Great deal by eBay seller 6ave (99.5% positive ratings): The Canon EOS 6D with the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS lens and the accessories you see in the image above is on sale for $2,399.99 (click here). Free shipping and limited stock.

It took me some time to get aware of this: The price for the Canon EOS 5D Mark III jumped up to $3499 for the body only and up to $4099 for the kit with the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS lens. That’s at least $200 more than the previous official price. Is this related to the fact that the latest Magic Lantern hack transforms the 5D3 in a powerful video equipment? Just kidding…

Good time to check for deals on eBay, see the list below. However, the Canon Direct Store is selling Canon EOS 5D Mark III bodies for $2799 (click here). Too see all refurbished Canon DSLR on sale at the Canon store click here, to see all refurbished lenses on sale click here. The refurbished lenses have discounts up to 50%, as the EF 40mm f/2.8 STM pancake lens which is sold for ridiculous $79.99 (click here).

Canon EOS 5D Mark III world wide price check:

Australia: Amazon, Adorama, B&H, Digitalrev, eBay.au
Austria: Amazon.at, DigitalRev, eBay.at
Belgium: Amazon UK, DigitalRev, eBay.be
Canada: Amazon.ca, DigitalRev, Adorama, B&H, eBay.ca
China: Amazon.cn, Digitalrev, eBay
Denmark: DigitalRev, eBay
Finland: DigitalRev, eBay
France: Amazon.fr, DigitalRev, eBay.fr
Germany: Amazon.de, DigitalRev, eBay.de
Hong Kong: Amazon, Adorama, Digitalrev, B&H, eBay
Ireland: Amazon.uk, DigitalRev, eBay.ie
Italy: Amazon.it, DigitalRev, eBay.it
Japan: Amazon.jp, Rakuten, DigitalRev, eBay
Netherlands: Amazon, DigitalRev, eBay.nl
Norway: DigitalRev, eBay
Poland: DigitalRev, Redcoon.pl, eBay
Singapore: B&H, Adorama, Digitalrev, eBay
Spain: Amazon.es, DigitalRev, Redcoon.es, eBay.es
Suisse: Amazon.de, DigitalRev, eBay.ch
Sweden: DigitalRev, eBay
Thailand: Amazon, DigitalRev, B&H, Adorama, eBay
United Kingdom: Amazon.uk, Warehouseexpress, DigitalRev, eBay.uk
USA: Amazon, B&H, Adorama, Canon USA, J&R, Digitalrev, eBay, rent it at Borrow Lenses

Yesterday I reported about the latest hack for the Canon EOS 5D Mark III (price & specs) by the skilled Magic Lantern team (the forum discussion is going on here). The Magic Lantern hack is definitely going to change a few things in the videographer world: an EOS 5D Mark III becomes the most advanced 14-bit RAW recording system people can get for around $3000 (less than EUR 3000). For those who still don’t know: the Magic Lantern hack makes 14 bit RAW video output at 24fps feasible on the EOS 5D Mark III. The performance is amazing when compared to the 8-bit H.264 footage output (without the hack). Given the success of yesterday’s post I would like to post a follow-up.

First of all, a guide on how to install the Magic Lantern hack on your EOS 5D Mark III, provided by cinema5d. Get the Magic Lantern package (File –> Download) and follow cinema5d’s instructions.

Next, for all of you who are concerned that installing the Magic Lantern hack could brick their DSLR, have a look at Joe Marine’s article at nofilmschool. Hint: It will not brick your sensor. Be confident. While it is true that the hack is in its early stage, and that there will be random crashes and failures, there is no risk to ruin the sensor of the 5D Mark III (this was a concern by some users). The sensor does not have to do more work when using the hack.

Finally, at diyphotography they posted an article about why Magic Lantern Raw video is the best thing that happened to Canon.

More and more videos that show the impressing performance of the Magic Lantern hack show up. Below you’ll find a selection. Have fun!

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

5D mark ii Magic Lantern RAW test (low light, high ISO) from Jon Andreas Sanne on Vimeo.

14-bit RAW on Canon 5D Mark III vs. factory default with CineStyle – Dynamic Range from Saad Rabia on Vimeo.

A RAW in the park. (Canon 5D mark III with Magic Lantern RAW module – short test) from Johnnie Behiri on Vimeo.