Canon EF 200mm f/2L IS Review – A Great Lens But Not Recommended

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Few of us can afford a $5,699 lens. Here is Canon EF 200mm f/2L IS review with a surprising verdict.

EF 200mm f/2L IS at a glance:

  • EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/2 to f/32
  • Fluorite & Ultra-Low Dispersion Elements
  • Super Spectra Coating
  • Ring-Type Ultrasonic Motor AF System
  • Optical Image Stabilizer
  • Weather-Sealed Construction
  • Detachable, Rotatable Tripod Collar
  • Rounded 8-Blade Diaphragm

Manny Ortiz posted his Canon EF 200mm f/2L IS review. While he states it is a great lens (it is), there are also some drawbacks according to Manny: price, huge size and working distance. See the review in the video below.

B&H Photo has the Canon EF 200mm f/2L IS at $5,699.

More about the after the break.

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A Canon Lens Is Never Too Old To Be Useful: Soldering Magnifier Hack

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Got an old Canon lens catching dust and are you into DIY hacks? Then this is for you. This is some serious hardware hacking.

A guy going by [Ad_w00000] on Instructables made a soldering magnifier using a Canon SLR zoom lens, the FD 70-210mm f/4, and the Canon Extender FD 2X-B.

[Ad_w00000] says:

Soldering was becoming more difficult for me and magnifying glasses weren’t much help. I saw on the net that someone used a zoom lens from cctv camera and attached it to a webcam. I didn’t have a cctv zoom lens. But I did have an SLR zoom lens! I liked the idea that there is alot of space between the lens and object. Space to work on. So I started this project. Besides I have lots of goodies lying around in my office and its getting more cluttered and now I got to use them up!

The whole thing is pretty complex and involves for sure some skills. For the Canon part of things, [Ad_w00000] took the lens out of the FD 2X-B extender. This allows to take off or change the lens without hassle. A recycled laptop webcam was fitted into a hole drilled into a Canon rear lens cap. Lens cap and lens mounted on the adapter.

The Canon FD 70-210mm f/4, with extender and mounted webcam (image courtesy of [Ad_w00000])

Curious? See everything explained step by step by [Ad_w00000] at Instructables. The story was spotted by hackaday. More Canon hacks are listed here.

If you want to learn more about this Canon vintage lens, check the video below by Mark Holtze.

Canon Is Field And Studio Lenses Provider For NBC Olympics

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Canon is very active at Olympics, providing gear for professionals. NBC Olympics is responsible for producing, programming and promoting NBCUniversal’s coverage of the Olympic Games.

Canon press release:

NBC Olympics Selects Its Field And Studio Lenses Provider For Its Production Of Olympic Games In Tokyo

Canon to Assist NBC Olympics in Providing Viewers with Outstanding 4K UHD and HD Picture Quality During Its Coverage of Tokyo Olympics

STAMFORD, CT, June 7, 2021– NBC Olympics, a division of the NBC Sports Group, has selected Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, to provide a wide variety of 4K UHD and HD Field, Portable and Studio lenses for its production of the Games of the XXXII Olympiad, which take place in Tokyo, Japan, from July 23 – August 8. The announcement was made today by Chip Adams, VP of Venue Engineering, NBC Olympics, and Kazuto Ogawa, President and CEO of Canon U.S.A., Inc.

A broad array of Canon broadcast lenses will be used, including the UHD-DIGISUPER 90 long-zoom field lens, which provides outstanding 4K UHD imagery. Canon’s 4K and HD lenses will be at every venue and studio in Tokyo, allowing viewers to see NBC Olympics’ presentation of all the action. In addition, Canon service technicians will be on-site in Tokyo to ensure that every piece of equipment is in peak operating condition at all times.

“We are honored to once again be able to showcase our finest broadcast digital imaging solutions and to be chosen as the broadcast lens provider for NBC Olympics,” said Kazuto Ogawa, president and CEO, Canon U.S.A., Inc.

“With today’s multi-format camera systems, Canon has shown that it is on the forefront of providing advanced optics for today’s UHD and HDR capable cameras, which we are utilizing at the Olympic Games,” said Adams. “The images, equipment and the support we receive from Canon are always exceptional and we look forward to partnering with them again for the Tokyo Olympics.”

About NBC Olympics
A division of NBC Sports Group, NBC Olympics is responsible for producing, programming and promoting NBCUniversal’s coverage of the Olympic Games. NBC Olympics is renowned for its unsurpassed Olympic heritage, award-winning production, and ability to aggregate the largest audiences in U.S. television history. NBCUniversal owns the U.S. media rights on all platforms to all Olympic Games through 2032. NBC Olympics also produces thousands of hours of Olympic sports programming throughout the year, which is presented on NBC, NBCSN, Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA, Peacock and NBC Sports digital platforms.

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Firmware 1.3.2 Has Been Removed From Downloads

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Thanks to the reader who tipped us with this.

The latest Canon EOS 5D Mark IV firmware version 1.3.2 has been removed from Canon sites. For the time being I have no idea what the reason might be. This is what Canon support says:

Thank you for contacting Canon. My name is ***** and I am happy to discuss firmware version 1.3.2 for the EOS 5D Mark IV.

We are aware of issues with firmware version 1.3.2 and that firmware update has currently been removed from our website. Once the firmware update is corrected it will be posed to the product page HERE. We are working to release the update as soon as possible. There is not a way to revert the camera to a previous firmware version, so it will need to be updated once the new version is released.

Anyone knows what the issue is?

More Talk About The New Canon EOS R3 Specifications

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Canon revealed a new (small) set of Canon EOS R3 specifications. Let’s see what they are about with the help of renowned camera reviewer.

Gordon Laing posted his impression about the newly revealed Canon EOS R3 specifications. Even better: he had the unique chance to have close look at the EOS R3. However, he was not allowed to turn the camera on or have a turned on camera in his hands. So most likely the EOS R3 was at least a preproduction model if not a prototype. Still, seeing the EOS R3 in person is still a good thing. In the video below he shares his impression.

New bits about the Canon EOS R3 came yesterday directly from Canon. We now know more about the specifications of the EOS R3. Here is what we learned yesterday from Canon:

  • Autofocus working down to -7.0 EV
  • Image stabilisation in lens + In Body Image Stabilisation deliver up to 8 EV
  • Head and eye detection have been improved
  • Autofocus detects eye, head and body
  • Autofous recognizes and tracks cars and motorcycles
  • Enhanced tracking for portrait and sports photography
  • CFExpress and SD cards
  • 4K Log 3 and 4K oversampling
  • RAW video internal recording
  • Video autofocus follows people, eyes, animals, and motorsports
  • Magnesium alloy body with weather sealing comparable to EOS-1D X series
  • 5Ghz WiFi
  • LP-E19 battery
  • New accessories for communication and power
  • File transfer supported via LAN and wireless

It’s still unknown what the image sensor resolution will be. So far 45MP have been rumored but I wouldn’t bet on it. All our Canon EOS R3 coverage is listed here, product images are here and here. There has been some discussion about who makes the imaging sensor of the EOS R3. You can get notified when the Canon EOS R3 will be available for preorder.

More about the EOS R3 after the break.

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Canon Announces Upcoming Firmware Updates (R5, C70, Cinema cameras)

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A lot of firmware updates are coming to Canon cameras and Cinema gear. First firmware updates coming in June, the rest in July.

Canon press release:

New Free Firmware Boosts Cinema and Live Production Capabilities of Canon Cinema EOS Equipment

Updates Bring Added Functionality and Features to Renowned Products

MELVILLE, NY, June 1, 2021– Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced upcoming firmware updates for several of its professional imaging products. Based largely on feedback from our users, these firmware updates provide improved workflow, ease-of-use, customization options, and enhanced lens compatibility and functionality for several popular Canon products. Some of the key free firmware updates are as follows:

  • EOS C70, EOS C300 Mark III, EOS C500 Mark II
    • Adds BT.709 Standard Gamma, Custom Picture Name Support of 16 Letters – A BT.709 Standard/BT.709 option has been added under Gamma/Gamut. Standard BT.709 will be set to CP File “C6.” Also, a Custom Picture file can now have a maximum of 16 letters.
  • EOS C300 Mark III and EOS C500 Mark II (View Video)
    • XC Protocol Functionality – Canon’s new IP Protocol for streaming and camera control. Developed specifically for live production, the XC Protocol allows for camera control with the Canon Remote Controller RC-IP100 and easier development for 3rd party product collaboration.
    • 12G-SDI Output Option for 2K/FHD – Adds the option to limit the 12G-SDI output to 2K/FHD when recording in resolutions at 4K and above. This allows compatibility from the SDI Out port with 3G-SDI devices.
    • MON. Out & HDMI Simultaneous Output –Adds the ability to use both the Mon. Out & HDMI output simultaneously. This brings the total number of monitor outputs to three, increasing flexibility in production.
    • Anamorphic 1.8x De-squeeze – Adds 1.8x de-squeeze function to further increase compatibility with anamorphic lenses.
    • “Look File” Feature – Originally introduced with the EOS C70, this feature allows the user to load a 3D LUT file onto the camera and apply the look to the recorded image. This allows the user to apply the results of a color corrected image to be recorded in-camera with no additional post-production necessary.
  • EOS C70 (View Video)
    • HDMI View Assist –Adds the View Assist feature, which allows for a WideDR/BT.709 LUT to be displayed over HDMI when shooting in a Canon Log gamma.
    • Improved AF Feature – This update adds a “Whole area” option to the AF Frame size, increasing the AF area to 80% of the frame. When “Whole Area” is selected the AF switches to “Tracking” by a single touch operation and switches to “Face Detection” when a face is touched.
    • When Using the EF-EOS R 0.71x adapter, the Possible AF Range Frame is now only momentarily displayed when selecting the AF Frame position.
    • Expanded EF Lens Support When Using the EF-EOS R 0.71x Adapter – adds the following lenses, fully compatible with DPAF, optical corrections, and metadata transmission:
      • EF16-35mm F2.8L II USM
      • EF16-35mm F4L IS USM
      • EF24-105mm F4L IS USM
      • EF70-200mm F2.8L IS II USM
      • EF70-200mm F2.8L IS III USM
      • EF70-200mm F4L IS USM
      • EF70-200mm F4L IS II USM
  • EOS C300 Mark III
    • 60p -> 24p/30p Pulldown Feature –This feature allows for seamless switching of the frame rate aesthetic without interrupting the output signal to a production switcher. This allows you to change the frame rate “look” quickly with the press of a button with no blackout or glitch.
  • EOS C500 Mark II
    • Anamorphic 4:3/6:5 Resolution Options When Sensor Mode is set to Full Frame Mode (Cinema RAW Light only) –Adds these resolution modes to allow for more options and simplify the anamorphic post-production process.
  • EOS R5
    • Support for Both the COMPACT-SERVO 18-80mm and 70-200mm Lenses[i] – Compact production now fits in the palm of your hand! The popular ENG lenses can now be used (via an EOS R adapter) on the dynamic EOS R5 camera when both the camera and lens firmware have been updated.

Firmware for the Canon R5 and C70 are expected to be available for download on June 30, 2021 and firmware for the EOS C300 Mark III and EOS C500 Mark II cameras is expected to be available on July 30, 2021.

To learn more about these and other just announced firmware updates and their availability, please visit, usa.canon.com/support. To learn more about Canon’s XC Protocol, please visit the Canon Developer Community at https://developercommunity.usa.canon.com/.