[Deal] Discounted Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro Bundle & Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Bundle

Adorama has the Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro Lens discounted at $199 (click here), and even better: the lens comes with some useful accessories, such as a Tiffen 58mm UV Filter, a Lens Cap Leash, and a Professional Lens Cleaning Kit. Hurry up ’cause such deals usually won’t last long (click here to see al Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG deals). Technical specifications:

Construction 10 Groups /14 Elements
Angle of view 34.3°-8.2°
F stop range 22-32
Closest Focusing Distance 150 macro (95)cm/59.1 macro (37.4)”
Maximum Magnification Macro (1:2)
Filter Size 58mm
Dimensions (Length x Diameter) 4.7″ x 2.9″
Weight 545g / 19.2oz.

Cool travel lens IMO. Free shipping in the US.

There is more. Adorama also has a nice EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM kit available (see pic below). The kit includes a Tiffen 77mm Wide Angle Filter Kit, a Lens Cap Leash and a Professional Lens Cleaning Kit. The whole bundle is yours for $1,099 (click here)

[Rumor] First EOS 1D-X Bodies Shipping Next Week (Limited Quantity – According To Engadget)

This news comes from engadget.

[…] The latest details suggest that the flagship shooter [i.e. the 1D-X] should be hitting stores on June 20th, along with a clutch of accessories. […] CNET reports that a US representative for the firm told them that, while stocks will be available, they’d initially be in limited supply. Full stocks, however, should be here in time for […] Olympics.

For the time being the EOS 1D-X can be pre-ordered at Adorama (click here), B&H (click here), Amazon US (click here).

[Rumor] EOS 70D Will Be Top Of APS-C Line-Up, EOS 7D Mark II Will Be Entry Level Full-Frame

Got two new, hot rumors. From reliable sources (can’t name them, can just confirm they are indeed reliable) is told that the EOS 70D (expected in September for Photokina) will move upmarket regarding features (note: I got a similar rumor at the end of May, but it was about the 7D2). Following the rumor, the EOS 70D should replace both the EOS 7D and the EOS 60D, becoming the top model of Canon’s APS-C line-up. An EOS 70D with more pro features, better construction and increased performance. That would mean that Canon is putting the x0D line-up under a new light, after having split the line with the 60D (which wasn’t really the follower of the EOS 50D) and the 7D (which, in some sense, took the X0D heritage).


But it’s getting even hotter. :-) The EOS 7D Mark II (also expected for Photokina) is said (by my source) to be Canon’s rumoured entry-level full-frame camera!! It may sound somewhat strange that the next iteration of the 7D line will change the sensor type (bigger), but it is not entirely in the domain of absurdities. On the other hand, the [shoplink 2431]5D series[/shoplink] has always been Canon’s full-frame line. If the 7D Mark II will be a FF camera, that would mean that Canon is introducing a new FF line-up, or that the 7D2 will be aggregated to the 5D line (sounds a little weird). Whatever, we only can wait, and conjecture. :-)

Have a nice day (or night), wherever you are.

EOS 7D price check: [shopcountry 337] EOS 60D price check: [shopcountry 335] EOS 50D price check: [shopcountry 1286] EOS 5D Mark III price check: [shopcountry 2431] [shariff]

Is Canon Testing Its Mirrorless Technology On The Rebel T4i/650D/X6i?

Techradar had this pretty smart intuition: The T4i/650D/X6i features technologies that are needed in mirrorless cameras, and that, therefore, the T4i/650D/X6i could be Canon’s testbed for its upcoming mirrorless system cam. Well, there is something in that. As techradar writes:

[…] the EOS 650D [Rebel T4i/Kiss X6i] is Canon’s first DSLR to feature full-time autofocusing in Live View and video mode. Both of these modes require the reflex mirror to be lifted out of the way, so the camera in effect emulates a mirrorless model.

Right. The T4i/650D/X6i sports a new Hybrid AF system, combining phase detection and contrast detection. Hybrid AF system are already featured on mirrorless cameras such as Nikon’s J1 and V1. techradar again:

[…] the technology […] doesn’t have to be DSLR specific. In Live View and movie mode, the camera’s reflex mirror is lifted, and Canon uses a dedicated AF system on the image sensor instead of the independent AF sensor in the camera’s mirror box. It’s a hybrid system that uses both contrast and phase detection to get superfast, precise autofocus. That’s important because it means Canon has built a sophisticated AF system that already works without a mirror.

Next, it’s the touchscreen that captures our attention. Mirrorless cameras are smaller than DSLR yet delivering all the advanced features of the latter. In other words: little room for buttons and controls. A touchscreen would solve that problem.

What do you think? Is the Rebel T4i/650D/X6i showing technologies that are perfectly suited for a mirrorless camera, and could this be a hint that Canon’s mirrorless system camera is really around the corner?

See here for more information (and pre-order links) about the new Rebel T4i/650D/X6i, here for hands-on videos, here for a comprehensive first impressions review.

[techradar via gizmodo]

Canon Mirrorless Concept by D. Riesenberg

[Gear] The New Apple MacBook With Retina Display – A Game Changer For Photographers?

I think it is, or at least will be in the next future. Since Apple’s new MacBook Pro with Retina display was announced yesterday at WWDC in San Francisco, the hype is big, and it’s getting bigger by the day. Apple really had a radically innovative approach when engineering the new MacBook Pro flagship. Not only it’s thinner and lighter than all its predecessors and does it have sheer power never seen before on a portable computer, the real innovation, the thing that each and everyone would like to have is the Retina display. Let me explain this. The new MacBook Pro Retina has a resolution of 2880×1800 pixels (3 million more than HDTV) on 15.4 inches; that’s over 5 million pixels! Amazing, isn’t it? It’s easy to figure out what that means for photographers. It means that you can see every detail in your image, at a level you couldn’t before. Moreover, Apple claims that the Retina display has better contrast, better viewing angle, less reflections. Apple also updated its photo applications, iPhoto and the more professionally oriented Aperture. Both will very soon be ready for the Retina Display. Others are following, Photoshop CS6 is already amazing on this new display.  And now the good news: B&H has a limited quantity of Retina MacBook Pros available for pre-order (click here to see all available MacBook Pro Retina models):

  • 15.4″ MacBook Pro Notebook Computer with Retina Display, nVIDIA GeForce GT 650M Graphics (1GB), 2880 x 1880 Native Resolution

There are lots of hands-on reviews and people sharing its thoughts about the new Retina MacBook Pro (I list some made from a photographers point of view): British Journal of Photography, DPreview, fstoppers, and engadget’s review: We just know one thing: the new display is gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous. Text is incredibly sharp and clear, 1080p video is amazing and images, of course, look great.

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