Canon Announces Canon XF705, New Flagship Professional Camcorder with 4K Video

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The Canon XF705 professional camcorder is scheduled to be available in December 2018 with a suggested retail price of $6,999.

Pre-order the Canon XF705 for $6,999 at B&H Photo | Adorama

Press release:

Canon Launches New Flagship XF705 Professional Camcorder Featuring 4K Video Recording at 60P/4:2:2/10-Bit

Professional Camcorder Produces HDR Video to On-Board SD Cards

MELVILLE, N.Y., September 12, 2018 – Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the new flagship model for the Company’s XF-series professional camcorders, the XF705. The camcorder features 4K (3840 x 2160) video shooting enabling users to record high-image quality at 60p/4:2:2/10-bit/HDR1 video to on-board SD cards. Ideal for broadcast and video production applications in addition to capturing video content at events and concerts, the 4K camcorder meets the needs of users who require high-quality video capture and more efficient video production workflows.

“The ability to capture high-quality video on-the-go in a compact and lightweight form factor is extremely valuable to videographers of all skill levels,” said Kazuto Ogawa, president and chief operating officer, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “This camcorder was designed to help professionals take their productions to the next level with 4K video recording and a wide-range of advanced features.”

The XF705 features an L-Series 15x optical zoom lens (35 mm film equivalent: 25.5 mm–382.5 mm), 1.0-inch CMOS sensor and a Dual DIGIC DV 6 image-processor providing greater image quality and performance. In addition, users can easily choose between two HDR formats—Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG), ideal for such scenarios as broadcasting and live video transmission and Perceptual Quantization (PQ), which is well-suited during web transmission and film production. The camcorder features Canon’s newly developed XF-HEVC video format that enables users to record HDR video to SD cards while delivering a high compression ratio. It also allows HDR (internal SD card) and SDR (external recorder) simultaneous recording. Delivering smaller file sizes allows for more efficient workflows across various stages of the production process, from shooting to editing.

When shooting 4K video, focusing precision is vital, the XF705, featuring Canon’s revolutionary Dual Pixel CMOS AF2 enables users to maintain smooth autofocus operation through enhanced touch-panel operations. The XF705 meets a wide range of professional demands, with Canon Log 3, 12G-SDI, Built-in Wi-Fi, 4-channel audio, 3 density ND filter and 5 axis image stabilization for its 15x optical zoom lens. It is also compatible with the current leading non-linear editing software, as well as Canon XF Utility, a software that supports the new XF-HEVC video format, as well as XF-AVC and XF-MPEG, and is used for import, playing back and managing video data as well as cropping still-image data.

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Pre-orders for the Canon EOS R and the new RF mount lenses start today

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Today, September 12, 2018, pre-orders for the Canon EOS R start go live. Shipping is expected to start in October 2018.

Pre-order in the USA, Canon EOS R: B&H Photo | Adorama | Canon USA | Amazon

Pre-order in the USA, Canon RF mount lenses: B&H Photo | Adorama | Canon USA | Amazon

Canon EOS R world-wide pre-order links:

[shoplist 52287]

 

Canon RF mount lenses world-wide pre-order links:

[shoplist 52325]

Sigma Adds 3 Lenses to Cine Lens Lineup (28mm T1.5 FF, 40mm T1.5 FF, 105mm T1.5 FF)

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Press release:

Sigma Adds Three New Lenses to Its Cine Lens Lineup

Brand new introductions to the FF High Speed Prime Line – 28mm T1.5 FF, 40mm T1.5 FF and 105mm T1.5 FF – will be debuted at IBC2018

September 11, 2018 – Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the development of three new Sigma Cine lenses in the FF High Speed Prime Line: 28mm T1.5 FF, 40mm T1.5 FF and 105mm T1.5 FF. With these additions, the FF High Speed Prime Line now includes ten lenses covering 14mm to 135mm and T1.5 to T2, giving cinematographers even more options to empower their artistic expression and take their cinematic vision to the next level.

Available for test-shooting at the 2018 IBC Show in Amsterdam from September 14-18, 2018, attendees are welcome to visit the Sigma booth 12.D64 to get hands-on with the new cine lenses.

New Models in the Sigma Cine FF High Speed Prime Line
All the lenses in the FF High Speed Prime Line, including the brand new 28mm T1.5 FF, 40mm T1.5 FF and 105mm T1.5 FF, are compatible with full-frame image sensors and optimized for ultra-high-resolution 6K-8K shooting.

All three lenses come in PL, EF and E mounts with lens support foot and cap included. The 105mm T1.5 FF is expected to start shipping in October 2018, the 40mm T1.5 FF in the end of 2018, and the 28mm T1.5 FF in early 2019. Pricing for each new model will be announced at the time of availability. For further technical specifications and lens characteristics and high-resolution product images, please download the full announcements here: https://bit.ly/2O46Gen.

Development of LPL Mount
In the future, the Sigma Cine lens series will include an LPL mount, the new lens mount optimized for the large format sensor released by ARRI in 2018. The planned release date for the Sigma Cine lenses in LPL mount is 2019 or later.

Off Brand: Fuji Announced the Fuji X-T3 Mirrorless Camera

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Fuji X-T3 at a glance:

  • 26.1MP APS-C X-Trans BSI CMOS 4 Sensor
  • X-Processor 4 with Quad CPU
  • UHD 4K60 Video; F-Log Gamma & 10-Bit Out
  • 2.16m-Point Phase-Detection Autofocus
  • 0.75x 3.69m-Dot OLED Viewfinder
  • 3.0″ 1.04m-Dot Tilting LCD Touchscreen
  • Extended ISO 80-51200, 30 fps Shooting
  • Bluetooth and Wi-Fi; Sports Finder Mode
  • Weather-Sealed Magnesium-Alloy Body

Just to remember the industry how to make a cool and feature-packed mirrorless camera, Fuji released the Fuji X-T3.

Fuji X-T3 pre-orders: B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon

Press release after the break.

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Canon EOS R To Get New Functionality Trough Firmware Update a Few Months After Release?

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We are not sure what to think about this rumor. A massive firmware update that brings new functionality a few months after the Canon EOS R has been releases isn’t very much Canon like. It’s something we are used to see from Fuji.

Canon Rumors suggests that a Canon EOS R firmware update might bring the following functionality:

  • Eye detect AF in continuous shooting. The EOS R launches with the ability to do this in one shot.
  • Additional touch bar functionality added.
  • Continuous shooting in silent shutter mode. The EOS R only allows this feature in single shot at launch.
  • A “few tweaks” to video functionality. The 4K crop will not be changed, nor will the maximum frame rate in 4K.

Some bug fixes will also be addressed.

More Canon EOS R information, hands-on reviews, first impressions, videos etc we collected so far are listed here.

Pre-orders for the Canon EOS R will start September 12, 2018, you can get notified by B&H Photo or Adorama when they are available. For pre-order notification at B&H for all new Canon gear announced today see here.

If you’re based in UK you can already pre-order the EOS R:

Canon Announces Redesigned EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III and EF 600mm f/4L IS III Lenses

Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III
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I missed this on Canon EOS R announcement day. So here it is. The Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM is scheduled to begin shipping in December 2018 with an estimated retail price of $11,999. The Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM is scheduled to begin shipping in December 2018 for an estimated retail price of $12,999. Pre-orders are not open yet but you can get notified when they are available.

Canon press release:

Canon Redesigns Premium L-Series Super-Telephoto Lenses With Its New EF 400MM F/2.8L IS III USM AND EF 600MM F/4L IS III USM Lenses

New Compact and Lightweight EF Super-Telephoto Lenses Are Well Suited for a Variety of Photographers’ Needs

MELVILLE, N.Y., September 5, 2018 – Most professional photographers need to carry multiple lenses in their camera bags. Helping to lighten their load, Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, introduces two new super-telephoto lenses, the EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM and EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM. Both lenses possess a dramatic weight reduction and high-image quality, making it ideal for shooters to easily transport and capture images during action-driven scenarios, such as sports and wildlife. Both lenses now hold the title of world’s lightest in their respective focal length*. The weight of the EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM and EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM lenses has been reduced by 2.2 lbs. (more than 25 percent) and 1.9 lbs. (more than 20 percent) respectively.

“When developing updates to some of Canon’s most popular legacy lenses, one common question that is asked by photographers was ‘can they be lighter,’” said Kazuto Ogawa, president and chief operating officer, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “The significant reduction of weight in these two lenses addresses this customer need and delivers thoughtfully designed, high-quality optics .”

The new lenses are must-haves for advanced and professional photographers shooting wildlife, aviation, sports and news with Canon’s new EOS R full-frame mirrorless camera (with use of one of the three new Canon mount adapters), as well the EOS 1D and 5D series of DSLR Cameras. Both lenses feature two of Canon’s most advanced propriety lens technologies – Air Sphere Coating (ASC) and Super Spectra Coating (SSC), helping to reduce flaring and ghosting, and suppressing the reflection of light, leading to vivid images. These updated lenses inherit the excellent overall build-quality and ruggedness photographers have come to expect and admire from the Canon EF L series of lenses. In addition, the minimum focusing distance has been improved for both lenses, from 2.7m to 2.5m (8.8ft to 8.2ft) for the EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM and 4.5m to 4.2m (14.8ft to 13.8ft) for the EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM.

Additional noteworthy features of the lenses include:

  • Upgraded Optical Image Stabilization from three-and-a-half stops to five shutter speed stops1 of correction over the previous f/2.8 lens
  • Improved, flexible focus control with a customizable electronic-focus ring
  • Two fluorite lenses and one super UD lens, helping to provide high image quality
  • Circular nine-blade aperture
  • 17 lens elements in 13 groups
  • Heat-shielding paint helps prevent lens temperature from rising during excessive exposure to sun
  • Fluorine coating on front and rear optical elements, helps to reduce smears and fingerprints
  • Inner focusing system with Ring Ultrasonic Motor

Availability and Pricing

The Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM is scheduled to begin shipping in December 2018 with an estimated retail price of $11,999. The Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM is scheduled to begin shipping in December 2018 for an estimated retail price of $12,999^. For additional information regarding the lenses predecessors please visit, visit usa.canon.com.

The Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM Lens