[Deal] Huge Professional EOS 5D Mark III Starter Kit

Adorama has a big EOS 5D Mark III bundle in offer. It’s discounted to $7,199.95 instead of $8,450.85, but: after the $500 rebate you get on the included printer, the whole bundle is yours for $6699.95 (click here). Shipping is free in the US. The kit contains all of the following items:

  • EOS 5D Mark III Body
  • EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM AF Lens
  • EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Lens
  • Speedlite 600EX-RT
  • Canon Backpack
  • 77mm Filter Kit
  • Canon Pixma Pro9000 MII Printer
  • Mini SoftBox Diffuser
  • Eyecup Eb
  • Wide Neck Strap EW-EOS5DMKIII
  • Camera Cover R-F-3
  • Stereo Video Cable
  • USB Interface Cable IFC-200U
  • Battery Charger LC-E6
  • Battery Pack LP-E6
  • EOS Digital Solution Disk
  • Canon 1 Year Limited Warranty
  • 4 AA NiMH Batteries/Charger

[Firmware] Next EOS 7D Firmware Upgrade Gives You (Almost) A New Camera

A firmware update for the EOS 7D was rumored, now it is official. Canon dedicated a page to this (major) update. Let’s see what it is about with the “next evolution”. The update brings some new features, enhances others.

The next evolution of the EOS 7D has arrived! Firmware Version 2.0.X brings the EOS 7D up to speed with the best technologies Canon has to offer, delivering performance and features befitting the flagship APS-C EOS DSLR. Firmware Version 2.0.X keeps the EOS 7D on the cutting edge of technological innovation by adding user-requested innovations developed for Canon’s high-end EOS cameras: A higher maximum burst rate for continuous shooting, definable maximum limit for ISO Auto, compatibility with the Canon GPS Receiver GP-E2, and manual audio level adjustment during video shooting and during review. Additional enhanced features include faster scrolling of magnified images, quick control during playback, in-camera RAW image processing, JPEG image resizing and ratings, plus customization of file names and time zone settings. A significant upgrade, Firmware Version 2.0.X raises the performance on one of the most popular Canon EOS DSLRs ever created. Prepare to experience the power of the EOS 7D on a whole new level.

Maximum burst rate was raised to 25 (instead of 15), max ISO Auto has been expanded up to ISO 6400 and now there are 64 manual audio level adjustments. The firmware update will be available in August. See more details, including a video, on Canon’s homepage.

EOS 7D price check: [shopcountry 337]

eBay live ticker for EOS 7D deals:

[shariff]

[Deal] Canon EOS 7D and 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM for $1,636.67

CircuitCity on Amazon has the excellent EOS 7D with an EF 28-135mm f/3.4-5.6 IS USM lens for $1,636.67 (click here). That’s approximately $110 less than usual. See a review of the EOS 7D here. Core specs:

  • 18MP APS-C CMOS sensor
  • 8 frames per second continuous shooting
  • 1080p HD video recording with manual controls
  • 3.0 inch Clear View II LCD screen with 920,000 dots
  • 19-point AF system (all cross-type)
  • 1.0x magnification and 100% coverage viewfinder
  • Wireless flash control
  • Environmental sealing

I coded an eBay live-ticker to check possible EOS 7D deals. Check the box below (you may want to come back: the live-ticker updates automatically):

[shariff]

[Review] Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM Reviewed By Photozone (Yet Another Pancake Review – Update)

UPDATE: Cameta Camera on Amazon has some cool pancake bundles (15 items available for each kit – act quickly):

  • EF 40mm f/2.8 STM + 3 (UV/FLD/CPL) Filters + Hood + Cleaning Kit for EOS 60D, 7D, 5D Mark II III, Rebel T3, T3i, T4i DSLRs $214.95 (click here)
  • EF 40mm f/2.8 STM + 3 (UV/FLD/CPL) Filters + Hood + Tripod + Accessory Kit for  EOS 60D, 7D, 5D Mark II III, Rebel T3, T3i, T4i DSLRs for $224.95 (click here)
  • EF 40mm f/2.8 STM + Canon 62″ Tripod + 3 (UV/FLD/CPL) Filters + Hood + Accessory Kit for  EOS 60D, 7D, 5D Mark II III, Rebel T3, T3i, T4i DSLRs for $259.95 (click here)
  • EF 40mm f/2.8 STM + UV Filter + Hood + Cleaning Kit for EOS 60D, 7D, 5D Mark II III, Rebel T3, T3i, T4i DSLRs for $209.95 (click here)
  • EF 40mm f/2.8 STM + 3 (UV/FLD/CPL) Filters + Hood + Backpack + Accessory Kit for EOS 60D, 7D, 5D Mark II III, Rebel T3, T3i, T4i DSLRs for $249.95 (click here)
  • EF 40mm f/2.8 STM + Canon 2400 Case + 3 (UV/FLD/CPL) Filters + Hood + Tripod + Accessory Kit for EOS 60D, 7D, 5D Mark II III, Rebel T3, T3i, T4i DSLRs for $259.95 (click here)

Another review of what seems to be Canon’s most exciting new gear of the year (at least so far), the nifty EF 40mm f/2.8 STM pancake ($199, click here). This is not the first pancake review I feature here on CanonWatch, but it is one more (professional made) review that points out how much high quality glass you get for $199. This time photozone.de had the pancake under its finger and provides a comprehensive review of the lens. If you are still wondering if you should get the 40mm pancake, then this may be the definitive review for you. I am always a little bit surprised that all the reviews are praising the good build quality (“on a very high level” – don’t forget it’s a $199 lens). From the conclusion:

[the 40mm] is just too cute […]. Other than that it has also several hard arguments on its side. The optical performance is certainly very impressive. […] bitingly sharp center but even the border and corner quality is on a very high level straight from f/2.8. The very low amount of lateral CAs contributes to the very high sharpness perception and the barrel distortion is nothing to worry about either. The lens produces some light falloff at max. aperture but this is nothing unheard of on full format cameras anyway and stopping down helps[…] Bokeh fringing is generally a non-issue. The EF 40mm f/2.8 STM suffers a bit from a focus shift when stopping down (residual spherical aberration). In very shallow depth-of-field situation (thus at close focus distances) this may be noticeable because DSLRs take AF readings at max. aperture only so the guidance for the other aperture settings can be very slightly off.

EF 40mm f/2.8 STM availability and price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

[Review] Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM vs Voigtländer 40mm f/2 SL-II

The new Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM ($199, click here) is getting very good reviews, so it’s time to compare it to other lenses, in our case to the Voigtländer 40mm f/2 SL-II ($499, click here) lens. The comparison was done by Photo Pensieve.The Voigtlander is a manual focus lens, has faster aperture, better build quality and costs $300 more. Nevertheless, I think the comparison is interesting. The little Canon pancake doesn’t fall short when it comes to positive surprises (as seen in previous reviews, here and here). The review/comparison is fairly exhaustive, with lots of sample images and technical details. From the conclusion:

 […] I did not expect that it beats the sharpness of already excellent Voigtlander 40mm F2.0, but it did. It is also showed more resistance to flare. […]The canon is much cheaper than the Voigtlander, but its built quality is not in the same league as the Voigtlander’s. Although the Canon is built very well, and at least considerably better than the 50mm F1.8 and 35mm F2.0. The only shortcoming that I can see with the Canon is that it does not focus fast, like the Canon 85mm f1.8, for example. But if you compare the autofocus speed on the Canon with “your” manual focus speed with the Voigtlander, it’s a no-brainer.[…]
So all in all, if you need f2.0, shallower depth of field, love the metallic lenses, and are ok with focusing manually, the Voigtlander is the choice. Otherwise, the Canon is a tiny bit Sharper (specifically in the corner, wide open), more resistant to flare, punchier, slightly wider, considerably cheaper and lighter, and it does AUTOFOCUS.[…]
Sounds good, doesn’t it? No wonder the little Canon pancake is selling that good.
Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM availability and price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Voigtlander 40mm f/2 SL-II availability and price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

EOS 1D-X Finally Hitting Retailers In Singapore (And Soon In The Rest Of Asia)

Someone got the EOS 1D-X – Image: clubsnap forum

According to the clubsnap forum (see here too), first copies of the EOS 1D-X arrived to resellers in Singapore and should soon be available elsewhere in Asia. It should go over the counter in Singapore starting by today, June 22 (and this means engadget’s prediction was true). If you want to have a look in the 1D-X user guide click here. For the time being the EOS 1D-X can be pre-ordered for $6,799.00 at Adorama (click here), B&H (click here), Amazon US (click here) and DigitalRev (click here).

[via CR]

Unpacked – image: clubsnap forum