A Bit Of Everything

In Stock Advisory: Pocket Wizard Plus X Transceiver

Pocket Wizard Plus X Transceiver

B&H has the new Pocket Wizard Plus X Transceiver in stock and ready to ship for $99 (click here). Product description:

• Auto-Sensing Transceiver: Easy to use. No settings to make.

• 10 Channels: 1-4 Classic plus 5-10 low-traffic channels

• Backlit Channel Dial: Easy to set channels in the dark

• Internal Antenna: Compact, more rugged design

• Auto-Relay Mode: Trigger remote camera & flashes simultaneously

• Transmit Only Mode: Positive operation in large groups

• Side View Design : Better subject view on camera

• PocketWizard reliability:  PocketWizard compatibility

Pocket Wizard Plus X Transceiver

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Canon EOS 70D By The End Of March?

EOS 70D

On of the prediction made by Nippon Magazine we reported first here at Canon Watch got a confirmation. Possible announcement dates for the EOS 70D that are rumored are 19th or 26th of March 2013. Nippon Magazine predicted an EOS 70D announcement for March. There are no specifications for the upcoming successor of the Canon EOS 60D (refurbished with the EF-S 18-135mm IS lens for $829 at B&H and Adorama), except that it should bring the xxD line-up to a more pro level, as the EOS 50D still was. In other words: compared to the EOS 60D the EOS 70D will push specification to a higher level.

Canon EOS 60D price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA [via CR]

Canon Releases Firmware Update For PowerShot S110

The firmware for the PowerShot S110 (price&specs) can be downloaded here.

Firmware Version 1.0.2.0 incorporates the following fixes and improvements:

1. Fixes a phenomenon in which the focal length may not change when the control ring's function is to control the step zoom, and the control ring is turned slowly, click-by-click.

(In AUTO, SCN, or Movie mode, the default function for the control ring is to control the step zoom.)

* Please note that this phenomenon does not always occur with every affected product.

2. Changes the camera's specification in accordance with the specification of iOS 5/6 so that the Wi-Fi connection between the camera and an iOS device will not disconnect after one minute, when the PowerShot S110 is set as an Access Point and an iOS device is connected to that Access Point.

The latest version of Canon Camera Window iOS App (1.2.0 or later) is available for download from Apple's App Store. Please perform this update. Sharing images on social media sites may not be possible with Canon CameraWindow. However, sharing images on social media sites is possible through the application installed in the iOS device, at this time.

Firmware Version 1.0.2.0 is for cameras with firmware Version 1.0.1.0 or Version 1.0.0.0. If the camera's firmware is already Version 1.0.2.0, it is not necessary to update the firmware.

Please note that, once the camera is updated to the latest version, it cannot be restored to a previous version.

How to Identify Cameras eligible for the Firmware Update:

Please check the serial number on the bottom of the camera.

This firmware update is for products with the following serial numbers.

Serial number

Products whose sixth digit from the left is “4” or less [*****4******]

Products with eligible serial numbers that contain a blue marking inside the battery cover near the hinge have had this firmware update already applied.

Q&A Section:

Preparations for the firmware update:

After the downloaded compressed file (zip file) is extracted, a firmware folder is created.

* Extracting the downloaded file:

Right-click the zip file, and then select [Extract All] to extract the file.

The extracted folder contains the firmware (file name: PSS110.FI2 / file size: 5,849,504 bytes), and instructions on the firmware update procedures (a PDF file in five languages: Japanese, English, French, Spanish, and Simplified Chinese). Before starting the firmware update operations, please confirm the contents of the download, and carefully read through the firmware update procedures.

The following things are required to perform this firmware update:

1. A PowerShot S110 digital camera

2. A computer (OS: Windows)

* OS Requirements: Windows 8, Windows 7 (Service Pack 1), Windows Vista (Service Pack 2), or Windows XP (Service Pack 3)

3. A 32 MB or higher-capacity SD Memory Card, an SDHC Memory Card, or an SDXC Memory Card (all commercially available)

4. A memory card reader (commercially available) or an SD card slot on the computer

5. A fully-charged, dedicated battery pack in the camera or a dedicated AC adapter kit

6. The firmware (the file downloaded from the Web site)

Q1: What are some changes of Firmware Version 1.0.2.0?

A1:

1. Fixes a phenomenon in which the focal length may not change when the control ring's function is to control the step zoom, and the control ring is turned slowly, click-by-click.

(In AUTO, SCN, or Movie mode, the default function for the control ring is to control the step zoom.)

* Please note that this phenomenon does not always occur with every affected product.

2. Changes the camera's specification in accordance with the specification of iOS 5/6 so that the Wi-Fi connection between the camera and an iOS device will not disconnect after one minute, when the PowerShot S110 is set as an Access Point and an iOS device is connected to that Access Point.

The latest version of Canon Camera Window iOS App (1.2.0 or later) is available for download from Apple's App Store. Please perform this update. Sharing images on social media sites may not be possible with Canon CameraWindow. However, sharing images on social media sites is possible through the application installed in the iOS device, at this time.

 

Canon U.S.A. Strengthens Its imageFORMULA Line With The New DR-G1130 and DR-G1100 Production Document Scanners

Press release:

Melville, N.Y., February 27, 2013 – With the notion of maximizing production efficiency in mind, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, announced two new imageFORMULA production document scanners, the DR-G1130 and DR-G1100. These scanners have been designed to generate both high-speed and high-quality imaging, while being able to withstand the day-to-day rigors of production-level scanning. They allow companies to improve flexibility and efficiency, maintain business continuity, and increase overall productivity.

“Canon knows there is a demand for reliability when it concerns production-level document scanning for businesses,” said Sam Yoshida, vice president and general manager, Business Imaging Solutions Group, Canon U.S.A. “These new imageFORMULA document scanners will provide companies with the flexibility, and the reliability to reduce production costs and save time, all while consistently delivering outstanding speed and robust image quality.”

Enhanced Speed and Performance

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Canon EOS 5D Comparison (Original vs Mark II vs Mark III)

EOS 5D Comparison
Image courtesy: ephotozine.com

ephotozine published an interesting comparison between the three iterations of the Canon EOS 5D, i.e. the original one, the Mark II and the Mark III. Purpose of the comparison is to see “how far we’ve come since the first affordable full frame digital SLR was announced and released in 2005“. Well, yes, a lot happened since the first EOS 5D, things changed even more with the EOS 5D Mark II (price & specs), and then came the Canon EOS 5D Mark III (price & specs). The Mark III was seen by most people as a rather evolutionary update, not as the big step forward represented by the Mark II (though I do not agree, the Mark III for many aspects was also a totally new camera).

ephotozine’s conclusion:

Each successive Canon EOS 5D has been revolutionary in its own way, with exception, perhaps of the latest, the Mark III, which in appearance at least has been a much more evolutionary update. However, from the images produced and the additional advances made in speed, image processing and quality of the camera, it is by far the biggest upgrade to the 5D yet. While it hasn’t seen the megapixel number jump as much as from the Mark I to the Mark II, it has seen nearly every feature and function updated and improved. The Canon EOS 5D Mark III, looking at the additional specifications, features and upgrades, is a completely refreshed camera, and if the 5D Mark II was one of the best Digital SLRs available, then the Mark III is also one of the best Digital SLRs currently available.

The only problem being faced by the 5D Mark III being the obvious Canon choice, is the recent introduction of the Canon EOS 6D (price & specs) (have a look at our 6D vs 5D Mark III comparison), available for much less than the 5D Mark III, and offering some of the best low-light performance of any Digital SLR yet. We’ve come a long way since the Canon EOS 5D was first introduced, and whether you’re buying a new or second hand camera, the choices available are now more vast than ever before, making it even more affordable to enter into full frame photography, with great results possible.

There is more in ephotozine’s review, as performance charts, sample pics etc. There are two cool deals for refurbished 5D Mark II and Mark III in the Canon Direct Store (expires today), the Canon EOS 5D Mark III for $2799.21 (click here) and the Canon EOS 5D Mark II for $1407.36 (click here).

Canon EOS 5D Mark II price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA Canon EOS 5D Mark III price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA