Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM Video Review (DigitalRev)

DigitalRev’s Kai has a look on Canon’s new EF 35mm f/2 IS lens. This lens has rather high price tag, $849, and  people is questioning if it is worth the money. Have a look at the video above to learn what Kai thinks about.

There are alternatives to the [shoplink 8253]Canon’s EF 35mm f/2 IS USM (price & specs)[/shoplink] to choose from if you are looking for a 35mm lens, as the [shoplink 8892]Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM[/shoplink] which comes with f/1.4 and is getting very good reviews, or the manual aperture and focusing [shoplink 10145]Rokinon 35mm f/1.4 (price & specs)[/shoplink]. The Rokinon is a very interesting lens, with a price tag of $479. For featured reviews of the Canon and Sigma lenses see here, here, and here. For the Rokinon see here.

Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG price check: [shopcountry 8892] Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM price check: [shopcountry 8253] Rokinon 35mm f/1.4 price check: [shopcountry 10145]

[via dslcamera]

Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM
Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM

[shoplink 8253][/shoplink]

Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM
Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG
[shoplink 8892][/shoplink]

Canon EOS 6D vs EOS 5D Mark III Comparison (ephotozine)

[shoplink 2431]EOS 6D vs EOS 5D Mark III Comparison[/shoplink] Interesting Canon EOS 6D vs EOS 5D Mark III comparison. Both full frame DSLRs, the 6D is noticeably cheaper than the 5D Mark III and obviously misses some of the features of its bigger sibling. Never the less, the EOS 6D is a full frame DSLR that is becoming highly popular.

Over at ephotozine they wanted to know how the [shoplink 7139]Canon EOS 6D (price & specs)[/shoplink] holds up against the [shoplink 2431]Canon EOS 5D Mark III (price & specs)[/shoplink]. While the latter tops on speed (not just fps, check the table with the speed comparison), the former is known to have a very good high ISO performance. The EOS 6D definitely beats the 5D Mark III at ISO 25600 and ISO51200. Check the image below:

EOS 6D vs EOS 5D Mark III Comparison
Image courtesy: ephotozine.com

ephotozine’s comparison goes through all the functionality and feature set of both cameras, there are lots of lab test shots to compare. Many information for those who are uncertain which one of Canon’s full frame DSLRs is the right one to buy. In the verdict they conclude:

The Canon EOS 6D may deliver lower resolution images (20mp vs 22mp), however this gives the 6D the benefit of lower noise at higher ISOs. The Canon EOS 6D also benefits from a smaller body, as well as built in GPS and Wi-Fi, although these last two features do have a negative effect on battery life when used. The Canon EOS 6D has noticeably less focus points, just 11 compared to 61 on the 6D, which could be another concern for some.

The optical viewfinder in the Canon EOS 6D isn’t a full size (97% vs 100%) viewfinder like the 5D Mark III, however it does have the benefit of allowing it to be swapped out for an alternative viewfinder if required. The 6D also features a slightly smaller 3inch screen, instead of the 3.2inch screen on the 5D Mark III, as well as slower continuous shooting. Another potentially off-putting negative of the 6D is the lack of a headphone socket on the 6D which could be of concern for video recording (although this could be resolved by an external audio recorder).

Just recently, Mosaic Engineering released an anti-aliasing filter for the EOS 6D. The filter eliminates one of the shortcomings ofthe EOS 6D, and is useful especially for videographers.

The price of the EOS 6D has gone down to $1899  (Amazon | B&H | Adorama) for the body only, and to $2499 (Amazon | B&H | Adorama) for the 6D with the EF 24-105 f/4L IS lens.

Canon EOS 5D Mark III price check: [shopcountry 2431] Canon EOS 6D price check: [shopcountry 7139] [shoplink 7139]EOS 6D vs EOS 5D Mark III Comparison[/shoplink] [via ephotozine]

Digital Zoom Removed From Canon EOS M Firmware Before Release

[shoplink 6091]Digital Zoom Removed From Canon EOS M Firmware [/shoplink]

hdcamteam spotted a curious detail about the Canon EOS M. Before releasing the EOS M to the general public, Canon removed the 3x-10x digital zoom from the firmware. This feature was available with the [shoplink 333]Rebel T3i/EOS 600D[/shoplink] and is no longer available on the [shoplink 5623]Rebel T4i/650D[/shoplink]. The digital zoom feature was available only for video mode, same on the [shoplink 6091]Canon EOS M (price & specs)[/shoplink]. Among other reviews on the web, this is confirmed by dpreviews hands-on preview on a pre-production model (still online here), see image below.

Digital Zoom Removed From Canon EOS M Firmware
Image courtesy: hdcamteam.com

Reason for the removal? Who knows. What do you think?

Canon EOS M price check: [shopcountry 6091] [via hdcamteam]

Firmware Fix Announced For Speedlite AF Assist Beam Issue On EOS 5D Mark III and EOS-1D X

[shoplink 4119]Speedlite AF Assist Beam Issue[/shoplink]

Concerning the Speedlite AF assist beam issue occurring with Speedlites used with a Canon EOS 5D Mark III or Canon EOS-1D X, there will soon be a firmware fix. In the EOS forum at Canon USA, a forum moderator wrote:

Canon has confirmed that, depending upon the shooting conditions, it may take slightly longer for the EOS 5D Mark III and EOS-1D X digital SLR cameras to acquire focus when using the Speedlite’s AF Assist Beam, compared with that of the EOS 5D Mark II and EOS-1D Mark IV digital SLR cameras using the Speedlite’s AF Assist Beam. We are developing a firmware update to enhance the focusing feature for the EOS 5D Mark III and the EOS-1D X. The schedule for release of this firmware update will be announced shortly.

“Announced shortly” could mean in April, when Canon is set to release a firmware update for the EOS 5D Mark III. Don’t think they will release another one before.

Canon EOS 5D Mark III price check: [shopcountry 2431] Canon EOS-1D X price check: [shopcountry 4119]

There Will Be Wider And Longer Canon STM Lenses With IS, Says Canon Exec

[shoplink 5686]
Canon STM Lenses
Canon’s 40mm f/2.8 STM pancake lens (price & specs)
[/shoplink]

There will be more Canon STM lenses, wide angles and telephotos, and they may have image stabilization. In an interview Masato Okada, Executive Officer – Deputy Chief Executive – ICP Group 1 Canon Inc., confirmed Canon’s commitment to STM (Stepping Motor) lenses and videography. As you most probably know, STM lenses focus near to silent, avoiding disturbing noise when continuously autofocusing while shooting video. Mr. Okada said that “it is possible that [there will be] STM lens [with] wider and longer focal length“, and that Canon “consider producing wider and longer STM lenses after passing through optical design process“. Another Canon executive, Naoya Kaneda, Senior General Manager ICP Development Center 1, added: “it’s also possible that STM lenses will be equipped with IS”.

Currently there are four Canon STM lenses:

  • Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM – check price at the following shops: [shopcountry 5686]
  • Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM – check price at the following shops: [shopcountry 6295]
  • Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM – check price at the following shops: [shopcountry 6093]
  • Canon EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM – check price at the following shops: [shopcountry 6095]

[via Exposure Magazine] [shoplink 6295]Canon STM Lenses[/shoplink]

EU Deals: Canon EOS 60D w/17-85mm And EOS 650D w/18-55mm (eBay Germany)

[shoplink 10427 ebay] [/shoplink]

Two good deals for all of you who are located in Europe. Two top rated sellers on eBay Germany have the following Canon DSLR kits in offer. Free shipping in Germany.

  • Canon EOS 60D with EF-S 17-85mm IS USM lens for [shoplink 10427 ebay] 919 Euro (click here)[/shoplink] by seller technikdirekt (99.9% positive ratings)
  • Canon EOS 650D with EF-S 18-55mm IS II lens for [shoplink 10430 ebay] 595 Euro (click here)[/shoplink] by seller monbeck (99.8% positive ratings)
[shoplink 10430 ebay][/shoplink]