Interview With The Mastermind Behind The Canon EOS-1D X Mark III

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DPReview interviewed two senior executives at Canon about the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III, Mr. Toshio Matsumoto, Senior Principle Engineer, and Mr. Kazuyuki Suzuki, Chief of Operations, from Canon’s Image Communication Business group.

Of the two, Mr. Toshio Matsumoto is known as the ‘father of the EOS-1‘. Here are some excerpts from the interview:

How did you decide which features to update compared to the EOS-1D X Mark II?

There were a variety of factors. We get a lot of requests from our professional users, and we’re always listening to what they need. Their demands are sometimes very detailed! But we have to listen to their requests. In addition, we have to look at our technology – what kind of technology can meet those demands.

[…]

This is the first high-end camera Canon has released since the EOS R. Are your high-end and professional customers asking for a mirrorless solution?

Of course some professional photographers are asking for a mirrorless solution. But as of now, we also see a lot of demand from photographers asking for DSLRs, specifically [because of] the benefits of an OVF. So this time around we decided to go for a DSLR. Of course we understand that there are huge benefits to mirrorless, and we implemented, or combined as much of that [technology] as we could into the [EOS-1D X Mark III].

[…]

As a camera manufacturer making products for a professional customer, what does a DSLR allow you to provide that a mirrorless camera does not?

At this point in time the biggest difference is the finder. The fact that you can see everything in real time, without any layers in the way. That’s really big for a lot of professional sports photographers. On the other hand, we do see a lot of the younger generation of professionals favoring EVFs, because what you see is what you get. We understand that there is a demand for that benefit of mirrorless cameras. So what we always do is we strive to make a perfect solution out of these different demands.

Read the interview at DPReview

Although Canon announced the development of the Canon EOS-1D X MArk III, we still do not know about all the features. This is what we know for sure so far about the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III (all rumors):

  • All-new CMOS sensor
  • Dual-pixel 525-point CMOS AF with 90/100% coverage horizontally and vertically
  • New Digic Processor
  • 10-bit HEIF file capture (in addition to JPEG and Raw)
  • Max 16fps capture via viewfinder, and 20fps in live view (with AF)
  • Dual CF Express card slots
  • 10-bit, 4:2:2 4K/60 video with C-Log
  • Backlit buttons

No reliable intel about the resolution but 24MP is likely.

Stay tuned.

Here Is A Complete Canon EOS 90D User Guide (Video)

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Want to watch a Canon EOS 90D user guide instead of reading it? Here you are.

Jared Polin posted a 1 hour Canon EOS 90D user guide on YouTube. He helps you understand all the buttons on the outside of the camera, how to put the lens on, take it off, where the battery and card goes and how he would set up the EOS 90D.

The EOS 90D is Canon’s latest APS-C DSLR, and it’s packed with powerful features (4K video included). More Canon EOS 90D review stuff is listed here.

EOS 90D: [shopcountry 58163]

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Canon Firmware Updates For EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III and EF 600mm f/4L IS III Lenses

canon firmware update Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS III
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Here are Canon firmware updates for two big white telephoto lenses.

Canon released firmware 1.1.2 for the Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III lens (download) and firmware 1.1.2 for the Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS III lens (download). Both Canon firmware updates deal with the following issues:

Firmware Version 1.1.2 incorporates the following enhancements:

  1. Increases the manual focus speed when the manual focus speed switch is set to 1 or 2.

*The speed when the switch is set to 3 (slowest speed) will be unchanged.

  1. Improves the image stabilization effect during handheld shooting with a slow shutter speed when used with EOS 5D Mark IV, EOS 6D, or EOS R.

*Enables a full-time manual focus function during Servo AF when used with the EOS-1D X Mark II. The lens must be sent to the Factory Service Center in order for this funcion to be enabled.

If the lens’ firmware is already Version 1.1.2, it is not necessary to update the firmware.

The lens’ firmware version can be checked from the camera’s menu.

These are big and heavy professional lenses with a equally big and heavy price:

Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III: B&H Photo | Adorama

Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS III: B&H Photo | Adorama

Canon firmware update Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III

Adobe Premiere Pro And Final Cut Pro X Now Support H.265/XF-HEVC Recording For The Canon XF705

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H.265/XF-HEVC Recording is now supported in Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro X.

Canon press release:

Canon Announces Adobe Premiere Pro And Final Cut Pro X Will Now Support H.265/XF-HEVC Recording For The XF705 4K Professional Camcorder

Adobe Update Also Includes Compatibility for Canon EOS C500 Mark II Cinema RAW Light Files

MELVILLE, NY, November 6, 2019 – Stepping up to meet the latest needs of end-users, Canon U.S.A., Inc. a leader in digital imaging solutions, is thrilled to announce that the new version of Adobe® Premiere® Pro and the current version of Final Cut Pro (version 10.4.7) include support for the H.265/XF-HEVC recording format of Canon’s award-winning XF705 4K professional camcorder. The new format brings improvements over the previous H.264 standard, such as improved file compression and bit-rate reduction.

“Software updates like these from Apple and Adobe for the Canon XF705 are critical for working professionals who come to expect and require the very best from their Canon equipment,” said Kazuto Ogawa, president and chief operating officer, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “Canon is excited to continue working with companies like Apple and Adobe to ensure that the updates needed to meet the needs of our end-users are available.”

XF-HEVC, sometimes referred to as MPEG-H Part 2 or ITU-T H.265 is the latest video coding standard presented by the ITU-T Coding Experts Group and the ISO/IEC Moving Picture Experts Group organizations. The new format incorporates many improvements over H.264/MPEG-4 AVC including the ability to allow for significantly improved file compression performance relative to the existing standards. Users can experience up to a 50 percent bit-rate reduction over the prior format with equivalent image quality.

The new release of Premiere Pro also provides support for Canon’s newly announced EOS C500 Mark II cinema camera. The new camera can record in Canon’s proprietary Cinema RAW Light format, which provides the benefits of RAW recording in a more compact file size. The Canon RAW Plugin for Final Cut Pro will be updated in December to enable support for Canon Cinema RAW Light files from the EOS C500 Mark II cinema camera.

Final Cut Pro version 10.4.7 is currently available from the Mac App Store and the latest Adobe Premiere Pro release will be available in early November 2019. For more information, please visit pro.usa.canon.com.

Canon Announces Company’s First 8K Capable Broadcast Lenses

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Why do these professional broadcasting lenses have to have such weird monikers? Canon just announced two 8K capable broadcast lenses, the UHD-DIGISUPER 51 and 7×10.7 KAS S 8K lenses.

Canon press release:

Canon U.S.A. Introduces Its First Two 8K Broadcast Lenses

UHD-DIGISUPER 51 and 7×10.7 KAS S Lenses Provide Cutting Edge Imagery Solutions for Sports and Event Production

MELVILLE, NY, November 6, 2019 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the launch of its first two 8K Broadcast lenses: the UHD-DIGISUPER 51 (SP51x15.5B), a long-zoom field lens, and the 7×10.7 KAS S, a portable zoom lens. These two new zoom lenses are compatible with 8K broadcast cameras equipped with 1.25-inch sensors.

“8K broadcasting equipment is the newest frontier for covering sporting events and documentary productions around the globe,” said Kazuto Ogawa, president and chief operating officer, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “Through the addition of our first 8K broadcast lenses, Canon is cementing our position on the cutting edge of the latest ultra-high resolution digital imaging solutions.”

broadcast lenses

UHD-DIGISUPER 51 8K Lens

The UHD-DIGISUPER 51 8K field zoom lens provides high-quality optical performance for 8K broadcast cameras from the center to the periphery of the screen. The lens is built with the world’s highest1 51x zoom, as well as the world’s longest1 focal range from the wide-angle end of 15.5mm to the telephoto end of 790mm. In addition, the lens also features a built-in 1.5x extender that increases the maximum focal length to 1185mm. With the ability to realize high magnification, this lens provides users the same operability as a conventional 2/3-inch HDTV or 4K field zoom lens, allowing them to switch to 8K video shooting and production without changing the shooting style.

7×10.7 KAS S 8K Lens

Featuring a 7x zoom that covers a focal range of 10.7-75mm, the new 7×10.7 KAS S is ideal for a variety of broadcasting applications. From the center of the screen to the corners of the periphery, this lens has the resolution and contrast compatible with 8K broadcast cameras, while also having the same operability as a conventional 2/3-inch HDTV or 4K portable zoom lens. The 7×10.7 KAS S is equipped with key features designed to provide customers with a high-quality, user-friendly experience, including the mobility required for on-the-move shooting.

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Canon EOS Ra For Astrophotography Official Announcement

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Well, possibly the quietest Canon announcement ever.

Canon officially announced the Canon EOS Ra, a modified EOS R camera dedicated to astrophotography. The Canon EOS Ra will be available mid December at $2,499, preorders are open. [shoplist 59313]

Here is a B&H Explora article about the Canon EOS Ra.

Press release:

Capture The Beauty Of The Night Sky With Canon’s First Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera For Astrophotography

Introducing the EOS Ra Camera with Specialized Filtration that Delivers Four Times Greater Hydrogen-alpha Wavelength (656.3 nm) Transmittance Compared to the EOS R

MELVILLE, NY, November 5, 2019 – In the words of poet Quintus Ennius, “No one regards what is before his or her feet; we all gaze at the stars.” Helping to gaze and capture the beauty of the stars and beyond, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the company’s first full-frame mirrorless camera for astrophotography, the EOS Ra. This new camera was built off the EOS R system combining new features, such as four times greater transmittance of hydrogen-alpha (Hα) light of 656.3 nm compared to the original EOS R. For astrophotographers and hobbyists who enjoy capturing the detailed splendor of the night sky, the new EOS Ra will be an ideal camera to shoot with.

“Since the introduction of the EOS R full-frame mirrorless camera system last fall, Canon has remained committed to launching a line of impressive and innovative EOS R models and a strong variety of RF lenses and accessories to meet the needs of every skill level of photographer,” said Kazuto Ogawa, president and chief operating officer, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “As a group of photographers who are passionate about capturing what we can’t see with our naked eyes, the new EOS Ra is designed for astrophotographers looking to capture vivid imagery of the night sky.”

Targeting the needs of astrophotographers, the new EOS Ra full-frame mirrorless camera incorporates many advanced features of the EOS R, such as RF mount design, a 30.3MP CMOS sensor, high-precision electronic viewfinder, high-sensitivity, low-noise performance and 4K time-lapse shooting. Optional accessories include an AC adapter kit, which allows the camera to be powered through an AC wall outlet or a battery-powered inverter, a BG-E22 battery grip and three EF-EOS R mount adapters to accommodate the entire range of over seventy EF & EF-S lenses.

Other features include:

  • Enhanced transmission of Hα rays (656.3 nm wavelength) through an infrared cutoff filter, helping to capture high-precision images of the deep-red wavelengths emitted by nebulae in vivid color, without any special camera alterations.
  • A 30x maximum magnification, allowing users to make extremely precise manual focus adjustments*.
  • Support for all Canon RF, EF and EF-S lenses (with the use of an optional EF-EOS R mount adapter), including more than 70 lenses from the EF series as well as RF series lenses, which deliver superb image quality. The variety of lenses, such as the large-diameter f/1.2 lenses, ultra-wide-angle lenses, and super-telephoto EF lenses, among others, are all well suited to help photographers to choose the best match for their specific astrophotography purposes.

Availability and Pricing

The Canon EOS Ra full-frame mirrorless camera is scheduled to be available in mid-December 2019 for an estimated retail price of $2,499.00 for the body only