Deal: Canon EOS R – $2049 (reg. $2299, import model)

Canon Eos R Deal

Canon EOS R at a glance:

  • 30.3MP Full-Frame CMOS Sensor
  • DIGIC 8 Image Processor
  • UHD 4K30 Video; C-Log & 10-Bit HDMI Out
  • Dual Pixel CMOS AF, 5655 AF Points
  • 3.69m-Dot OLED Electronic Viewfinder
  • 3.15″ 2.1m-Dot Swivel Touchscreen LCD
  • Expanded ISO 50-102400, 8 fps Shooting
  • Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, SD UHS-II Card Slot
  • Multi-Function Bar, Dual Pixel RAW

Seller DealsAllYear on eBay (99.7% positive ratings) has the Canon EOS R on sale at $2,049. Compare at $2,299. Please note: this is an import model, 1 year US seller warranty applies. Import models are legally imported from another country through channels other than the maker’s official distribution system. Limited time offer.

More Canon EOS R information is listed here.


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Canon Explains The Advantages Of The Larger Mount On The Canon EOS R

Eos R

DCWatch posted some information about an internal Canon presentation.

The benefits and advantages of the large diameter of the RF mount featured on the Canon EOS R are discussed. The main reason is that the RF mount allows for a new and improved lens design.

Apparently, Canon had a try to use the EF M mount for their EOS R full frame mirrorless camera (machine translated text):

Initially, Canon also considered to realize a 35mm full size with the EF-M mount of the APS – C mirrorless “EOS M” series, but satisfactory results were not obtained, such as no performance aimed at . And since the system becomes large when unnecessarily increasing the mount diameter, we actually designed multiple lenses, decided to 54mm while looking at the balance of optical merit and size, the strength of the camera and so on.

This didn’t work out well, as it seems.

Canon sees these main advantages of the larger mount:

  • more flexibility on where the optical elements have to go
  • larger elements can be placed closer to the sensor
  • lenses are easier to design
  • complex lenses like the RF 50mm f/1.2L and 24-70mm f/2L are feasible
  • vignetting and other optical issues are better controlled

Note that while most of the above points would have been technically done also with the EF M mount, Canon clearly decided to go for the new mount type on the Canon EOS R because of the many advantages.

Some rumor outlets still push the rumor that Canon might release an APS-C model in the EOS R line-up; that’s not going to happen.

Canon EOS R and Nikon Z 6 Behind Sony a7 III, DPReview Thinks

Canon Eos R

DPReview compares the Canon EOS R with the Nikon Z 6 with the Sony a7 III. Not surprisingly DPReview thinks that Canon and Nikon can not hold up t the Sony a7 III.

From their conclusion:

Even without thinking about lenses, it’s clear that Nikon and Canon still have some work to do to catch up with Sony’s half-decade headstart. It’s not an insurmountable difference, though and both brands have brought their extensive experience of ergonomics and user interfaces, which Sony should probably be worried about.

All three cameras can produce excellent images but the Sony more readily adapts to a wider range of situations. The Nikon acquits itself well for certain types of photography, while also doing unexpectedly well at video, but the Z 6 has the least dependable AF system of the trio, which counts against it. Canon has tried to make an easy-to-use camera, rather than simply mimicking its DSLRs, but, while we’re not fully convinced by the results of this first attempt, it’s still a very able camera.

Ultimately, though, the decision is likely to come down to what lenses you own, which lenses you plan to buy and how much faith you have in each company to produce camera bodies to match your needs, several years down the road. Because, if you’re trying to avoid major costs later, the camera body you choose now is likely to commit you to a new lens system for the foreseeable future. Read the comparison here…

While it is true that Sony has a better sensor performance, there is little more than this. Ergonomics on Sony’s a7 III are terrible, for instance. This kind of review/comparison does not take into account a lot of parameters, like reliability, lens ecosystem, customer service, color science, just to name a few. Judging a camera based solely on the sensor performance seems a bit of a stretch to us.

Canon EOS R:

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

Luminar 3 with Libraries Review and Demonstration (and you still can get it at a special price)

Luminar 3

Dustin Abbott had a lock on the upcoming Luminar 3 with Libraries photo editing software.

Skylum will release Luninar 3 with Libraries tomorrow. December 18, 2018. Pre-orders are available and if you order before tomorrow you can get Luminar 3 with Libraries at a discounted price. And it gets better: you can preorder it today with an additional $10/€10 discount using code “WATCH“ at checkout, and hence paying $49/€49 instead of $59/€59. Luminar 3 includes the highly anticipated library module that will make it a full fledged alternative to Lightroom. Luminar 3 will be made available for download on December 18, 2018. If you pre-order before 12/8 you get a bunch 0f bonus items.

Pricing:

● New users can purchase Luminar for $49/€49 using coupon code “WATCH
● Current users of Luminar 2018 can upgrade for $39/€39 with coupon code “WATCH“).

Bonuses:

● US$20 gift card to Manfrotto & Gitzo
● 3 video tutorials by Dan Kordan
● 3-month ViewBug membership
● 2-month KelbyOne membership
● Free eBook from Rocky Nook
● US$300 OFF Iceland Photo Tours

Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L Review And Sample Photos (by Alik Griffin)

Canon Rf 24-105mm

Photographer Alik Griffin posted a comprehensive field review of the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L lens, the kit lens for Canon’s EOS R full frame mirrorless system.

He used the RF 24-105mm f/4L mainly as a landscape lens while capturing Japan’s Fall colors.

In the conclusion Alik says:

The Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 is very sharp with great image stabilization, outstanding contrast and color rendering, nice pop with only some minor yet, easily correctable flaws. Build quality is also really solid and the lens isn’t too heavy either. The best part is the price.

For the landscape, travel photographer, the Instagrammer that wants to shoot a reflection the golden gate bridge through a chain link fence off his smart phone, or whatever it may be, this lens is outstanding for all casual shooting styles.

The lenses main weakness is the f4 aperture. You’ll notice most of [the photos in Alik’s review, editor’s note] are of landscapes and travel. I just haven’t been in love with any portraits I’ve shot. It’s fine for shooting portraits with an awesome backdrop where it’s all about the environment, but when it comes to shooting beauty portraits, you’ll most likely eventually want a faster lens ( faster lens means f2.8 or f2 something like that ).

However, if you’re in a studio shooting models against a backdrop where it’s all about fashion, production design and hair & makeup and less about bokeh, f4 is great. You’ll even get a little more pop if you’re using strobes, which means really stunning, high contrast punchy images. I haven’t tested yet, but I can almost bet you this lens has more pop than the 28-70mm f2 which will need massive glass to produce that aperture. Something to consider if you plan on shooting at f4 or f5.6.

I actually really love this lens, and it’s the first zoom lens I’ve used in a long time where I don’t feel like I’m really compromising quality for versatility. I usually don’t say this in my reviews, but if you’re stepping into the EOS R system, and you don’t have the EF 24-105mm f4, you should seriously consider this lens!

Alik Griffin’s complete review of the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 comes with a huge set of beautiful sample pictures, and examines thoroughly all aspects of this lens. Be sure to have a look.

Canon RF 24-105mm f/4:

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

Deal: Canon Rebel T7i With EF-S 18-55mm IS STM – $599 (Refurbished from Canon Store)

Canon Rebel T7i (EOS 800D)

Canon Rebel T7i kit at a glance:

  • 24.2MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
  • DIGIC 7 Image Processor
  • 3.0″ 1.04m-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen
  • Full HD 1080p Video Recording at 60 fps
  • 45-Point All Cross-Type Phase-Detect AF
  • Dual Pixel CMOS AF
  • Up to 6 fps Shooting and ISO 51200
  • Built-In Wi-Fi with NFC, Bluetooth
  • HDR Movie and Time-Lapse Movie
  • EF-S 18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Lens

The Canon Direct Store has refurbished Canon Rebel T7i kits with the EF-S 18-55mm  IS STM lens on sale at $599. Refurbished gear from the Canon Store comes with 1 year Canon USA warranty.


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