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

Camera News: Leica SL2 Announced, Sells For 6 Grands

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Leica announced another exclusive and expensive photographic gadget, the Leica SL2.

The Leica SL2 is available beginning November 21, 2019. If you have $6000 to burn you may preorder the Leica SL2 at B&H Photo or Adorama. We recommend you get a Canon EOS R instead.

Leica SL2 at a glance:

  • 47.3MP Full-Frame CMOS Sensor
  • Maestro III Image Processor
  • 5.76m-Dot 0.78x-Mag. EyeRes OLED EVF
  • 3.2″ 2.1m-Dot Touchscreen LCD
  • 5K/DCI 4K Video; HLG & 10-Bit Recording
  • ISO 100-50000, Up to 20 fps Shooting
  • Contrast-Detect 225-Area AF System
  • 5-Axis Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization
  • 187MP Multishot, Dual SD UHS-II Slots

Leica press release:

A NEW ICON: LEICA CAMERA ANNOUNCES THE NEW LEICA SL2, SUCCESSOR TO THE TRAILBLAZING LEICA SL

Building on the foundation established in 2015 with the visionary Leica SL-System, Leica Camera proudly introduces the Leica SL2, the storied brand’s new icon and next evolutionary step towards building the perfect all-purpose camera. By listening closely to the valued feedback of photographers and existing SL owners, Leica made many efforts to push the envelope of technological innovation and performance while respecting its heritage of design and legacy. In addition to a technical marvel of pure performance and unmatched build quality, the Leica SL2 is also a joyous experience to use with improved ergonomics and more comfortable grip married to the well-established, simplified three-button control layout, further unifying the Leica design language across multiple product lines. While cutting-edge new features such as in-body image stabilization unlocks newfound potential from legendary Leica M-Lenses, it simultaneously augments the growing selection of SL-Lenses which are some of the finest optics Leica has ever produced. The Leica SL2 is the natural evolution of the innovative Leica SL, serving as a groundbreaking embrace of the future of digital photography and videography while paying homage to its respected history and lineage.

  • leica sl2
  • leica sl2

Crafted with conscience

The SL2 is the only mirrorless camera designed and crafted in Germany, with an unmatched all metal solid construction and elegant leather wrap to withstand the time and deliver years of photographic pleasure, thanks to the sustainability guaranteed by consistent firmware updates.

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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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