Venus Optics Announced Two Laowa Cinema Lenses (100mm Macro & 65mm Macro)

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Venus Optics announced two new Laowa lenses for Cinema applications, Laowa 65mm T2.9 2X Macro APO Cine (Super 35)
Laowa 100mm T2.9 2X Ultra Macro APO Cine (Full Frame).

Learn more with the video below.

Venus Optics press release:

Anhui China, 6 October, 2022 – Venus Optics, the camera lens manufacturer that has been endeavouring to invent unique lenses, is now releasing 2 new cine macro lenses: 

1) Laowa 65mm T2.9 2X Macro APO Cine (Super 35) – Fujifilm X / Sony E/ / Nikon Z / Canon EF-M

2) Laowa 100mm T2.9 2X Ultra Macro APO Cine (Full Frame) – PL / Sony E / Canon EF / Canon RF / L mount

The 2 lenses offer up to an exceptional 2X magnification which can barely be found on the market. Providing cinematographers higher flexibility in shooting subjects of different sizes. With an APO design, the lenses render quality images without chromatic aberration. Greatly reduce the effort for post-editing, especially for macro shots. Both the 65mm and the 100mm have a T2.9 large aperture for not just creating a shallower depth of field, but also good for low light situations. Make ready for professional use, the focusing ring and the step-less aperture ring are all equipped with industrial standard 0.8 mod gear. A 77mm filter thread is on both lenses so the cinematographers can choose between screw-in filters or using matte boxes. The weight of the two lenses is respectively 550g and 957g for 65mm and 100mm. With the competitive price of USD599 for 65mm and USD999 for 100mm, these lenses would be perfect for all sorts of commercials or cine productions.

The 2:1 magnification is rarely found in the market. It allows cinematographers to capture rich macro details of the subject. From capturing wildlife, product closeup or anything that needs an immersive perspective, both lenses would offer stunning image quality. Being able to focus to infinity, the 65mm and 100mm can also use for portrait shots. Minimum focusing distance of 17cm (6.69″) and 24.7cm (9.7″) respectively for 65mm and 100mm when shooting 2X macro.

The 65mm and 100mm also inherited the excellent APO design as most of the Laowa macro lenses do, effectively eliminate both lateral and longitudinal chromatic aberrations in the frame. Greatly reduce the amount of effort in post-editing.

Both lenses deliver stunning details and contrast from centre to corner even when using a wide-open aperture. These two professional prime lenses are built to deliver exceptional resolution and sharpness.

Specification

Laowa 65mm T2.9 2X Macro APO CineLaowa 100mm T2.9 2X Macro APO Cine
Focal Length65mm100mm
Angle of View24.4°26.1°
T Stop RangeT2.9-22T2.9-22
Format CompatibilityS35Full Frame
Lens Structure14 elements in 10 groups12 elements in 10 groups
Aperture Blades   913
Min. Focusing Distance17 cm24.7cm
Min. Working Distance8 cm7.1cm
Max. Magnification2X2X
Focus Throw249°220°
Filter Thread77mm77mm
Dimensions84.8 x 103mm85.6 x 139mm
Weight550g957g
MountsCanon EF-M / Fujifilm X/ Sony E/ Nikon ZArri PL / Sony E / Canon EF / Canon R /L mount

Today Only: Mitakon Zhongyi Speedmaster 50mm f/0.95 III – $479 (ref. $799, EF & RF mounts)

Speedmaster 50mm F/0.95
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Only for today (10/6/2022) B&H Photo has a 40% discount on the Mitakon Zhongyi Speedmaster 50mm f/0.95 III, both RF and EF mount options. Please note: the EF mount version seems to be not the “III” version.

At a glance:

  • EF & RF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/0.95 to f/16
  • Five Ultra Low Dispersion Elements
  • One High Refractive Index Element
  • Manual Focus Design
  • Depth of Field and Distance Scales
  • De-Clicked Aperture Ring
  • 11-Blade Diaphragm

Get the Mitakon Zhongyi Speedmaster 50mm f/0.95 III on sale at $479 (compare at $799):

More selected deals:

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Canon Patent: RF 28-70mm f/2.8 Lens That Retracts When Zooming

Canon Patent
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Rather interesting Canon patent for a 28-70mm f/2.8 lens that becomes shorter when zoomed to the telephoto end, i.e. it retracts.

Canon patent 2022147945 (Japan, published 10/6/2022) discusses a rather interesting optical formula for a retracting 28-70mm f/2.8 zoom lens for the RF mount. A pretty unique optical design.

From the patent literature:

A zoom lens is provided which is compact and lightweight and capable of achieving high optical performance over the entire zoom range and all object distances.

Example 1

  • Focal length: 28.84-67.90
  • F-value: 2.91
  • Half angle of view: 32.65-17.67
  • Image height: 18.48-21.64
  • Overall length: 149.46-115.94
  • Back focus: 13.48-27.78

Example 2

  • Focal length: 24.72-67.90
  • F-value: 2.91
  • Half angle of view: 35.02-17.67
  • Image height: 17.32-21.64
  • Overall length: 150.00-130.39
  • Back focus: 9.87-27.17

Example 3

  • Focal length: 28.84-67.90
  • F-value: 2.91
  • Half angle of view: 34.77-17.67
  • Image height: 20.02-21.64
  • Overall length: 152.61-120.01
  • Back focus: 22.71-41.28

More Canon patent applications are listed here. Some particularly interesting patent applications we think might get into production are these:

[via asobinet]

DxO PhotoLab 6 Announced, More Artificial Intelligence Helping With Editing Chores

Dxo Photolab 6
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DxO launched PhotoLab 6, and it comes with a lot of artificial intelligence powering editing processes.

At a glance:

  • Unparalleled image quality
  • DxO’s unique DeepPRIME denoising and exceptional color science raise the bar for RAW processing.
  • Legendary optical corrections
  • Market-leading corrections built on 20 years of research, giving you sharper images, free of imperfections.
  • Innovative creative tools
  • Master color and tone with powerful, creative editing tools that you won’t find anywhere else.
  • Intuitive local adjustments
  • With DxO’s exclusive U Point™ technology you can make targeted edits without tricky masks.
  • Powerful photo management
  • Search and sort your photos with simple, effective tags, keywords, and project hierarchies.
  • No subscription – DxO’s software has always been free of subscription – once you buy it, it’s yours for good.

To learn more about DxO PhotoLab 6 or to purchase it, click here.

DxO press release:

DxO PhotoLab 6, the RAW photo editing software, redefines industry standards for denoising with groundbreaking AI technology — again

In addition to its brand-new DeepPRIME XD denoising technology, this major new version introduces advanced color management featuring a vast working color space, powerful new retouching tools, and refinements to its elegant library system.

Paris (France): DxO Labs, the company which kick-started modern RAW processing and lens correction, today announces the immediate availability of DxO PhotoLab 6, its flagship RAW image editing and workflow software. The latest version features DxO DeepPRIME XD, an AI-powered RAW conversion technology that pushes the boundaries for noise reduction and detail enhancement; a new color management system with an extended working color space; new retouching tools that redefine what photographers should expect from their software; and an upgraded library system that allows easy organization and quick access to images.

DxO DeepPRIME technology gets even better

Experts have long rated DxO’s DeepPRIME technology as the world’s most effective denoising and detail enhancement tool. Now, DxO PhotoLab 6 introduces the new DeepPRIME XD (eXtreme Details) mode which adds further quality to photographers’ RAW files. Ideal for high-ISO images, it removes noise, retrieves previously unseen details, and restores vibrant, natural color.

DeepPRIME XD uses a neural network trained using billions of image samples and routinely gives photographers improvements of more than 2.5 stops. For example, an image shot at 4000 ISO will more closely resemble an image captured at 500 ISO in terms of noise, color, and clarity. And because it is fundamental to the RAW conversion process,

DeepPRIME XD can even increase dynamic range, providing photographers with greater flexibility when shooting in low-light situations. The original DeepPRIME mode is also still on board for faster enhancements or for images that simply need less adjustment.

“We were thrilled by the response to DeepPRIME in DxO PhotoLab 5, but we knew we could do more” explains DxO’s VP of Marketing and Product Strategy, Jean-Marc Alexia. “The new DeepPRIME XD has been a year in development and the AI has literally been teaching itself how to do its job better. The results speak for themselves.”

More accurate color for better images

DxO PhotoLab 6 introduces re-engineered color processing algorithms that push the boundaries of color management, and a new, extended working color space. These are complemented by a Soft Proofing mode to ensure accuracy throughout the entire workflow, allowing photographers to make adjustments according to how their photographs will be reproduced for display, whether it’s on a high-definition screen or as a fine-art print.

The upgrades allow authentic reproduction for even the most saturated colors, and ensure that photographers can harness the full potential of the latest monitors and printers.

New tools for more powerful retouching

DxO PhotoLab 6 adds the new ReTouch tool that extends the capability of healing and cloning well beyond that of other RAW processing software. Photographers can now transform the source through mirroring, rotating, and scaling, or use brushes to fine-tune the area they’re editing into a more accurate shape. The new tool ensures fewer trips outside of DxO PhotoLab for complex cloning and healing tasks, and speeds up workflow while ensuring that editing never moves away from the original RAW file and therefore remains non-destructive.

A refined library system for smarter workflow

Building on its simple but powerful PhotoLibrary system, DxO PhotoLab 6 extends its range of Exif and IPTC tags, adds nesting for Projects, and introduces color labels for easier organization and management of files — all without clumsy, time-consuming catalogs.

Comprehensive and precise lens and camera profiles

Core to DxO PhotoLab 6 are DxO’s pioneering Optics Modules. Almost 20 years ago, DxO patented the concept of lens corrections and since then, the analyses performed in its purpose-built laboratory have set the standard for the digital photo editing industry. The quality and precision of DxO’s Optics Modules remain unmatched by its competitors, partly because lenses and cameras are tested in combination, giving photographers profiles that are tailored specifically to their equipment. With all the latest modules automatically downloaded to DxO PhotoLab 6, you’ll be assured of the best quality results every time.

Price and availability

The ESSENTIAL and ELITE editions of DxO PhotoLab 6 (Windows and macOS) are available to download now from the DxO website (https://shop.dxo.com/en) at the following prices:

  • DxO PhotoLab 6 ESSENTIAL Edition: $ 139
  • DxO PhotoLab 6 ELITE Edition: $ 219

Owners of DxO PhotoLab 4 or 5 can take advantage of a special upgrade price:

  • DxO PhotoLab 6 ESSENTIAL Edition upgrade price: $ 75
  • DxO PhotoLab 6 ELITE Edition upgrade price: $ 99

Canon To Build A $345M Chipmaking Factory In Japan

Viltrox Eos R7 Eos R10 Canon Cameras Europe Canon Eos R1 Eos R Rf 14-35mm Olympic Games Ef-mount Rudy Winston
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It seems the long ongoing chip supply issues might have convinced Canon to build their own chipmaking plant.

Nikkei Asia reports that Canon is planing to build a chipmaking factory worth $345 million.

Canon will build a new semiconductor equipment plant in eastern Japan, Nikkei has learned, as the company mirrors big investments by chipmakers in the U.S., South Korea and Taiwan.

The new plant will be built in Tochigi prefecture and begin operating in the spring of 2025. The investment will total more than 50 billion yen ($345 million), including construction costs and installation of production equipment. The company aims to double its current capacity.

Canon plans to raise production of lithography equipment, which is part of the key process of etching circuits in semiconductors. The company will also consider producing next-generation systems capable of creating cutting-edge fine circuits at low cost.

Canon currently makes similar equipment at two factories in Japan. The equipment is used to produce chips for applications such as automotive control systems.

The new plant will be built on a vacant lot measuring around 70,000 sq. meters on the grounds of an existing plant. It is to be the first new plant for lithography equipment built by Canon in 21 years. Construction will begin in 2023.

Well, I guess it is better not to depend by others for stuff you need for your own production.

Canon EOS R5 C Firmware Update Released (version 1.0.2.1)

Canon Eos R5 C
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Canon released a firmware update for the Canon EOS R5 C, version 1.0.2.1.

Firmware Version 1.0.2.1 incorporates the following fix and enhancements:

  1. Built-in Mic Audio Off The internal microphone on the camera body can now be turned off. (VIDEO mode)
  2. Fixes an issue, in which, in rare instances, the camera cannot be normally operated when operating the REC button with the camera set to the [Continuous Recording] function.(VIDEO mode)
  3. Fixes minor issues when using the CINE-SERVO lens. (VIDEO mode)

Download Canon EOS R5 C firmware version 1.0.2.1 here.