Venus Optics announces Laowa 9mm f2.8 Zero-D lens for Canon EOS M

Laowa 9mm
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Focal Length 9mm
Max. Aperture f/2.8
Angle of View 113°
Format Compatibility APS-C
Lens Structure 15 elements in 10 groups
Aperture Blades 7
Min. Focusing Distance 12cm
Max. Magnification 1:7.5
Filter Thread 49mm
Dimensions 60 x 53mm
Weight 215g
Mounts Fuji X, Sony E, Canon EF-M

 

Venus Optics announced an ultra wide prime lens for the Canon EOS M system (and other mirrorless systems), the Laowa 9mm f2.8 Zero-D lens. “Zero-D” stays for “zero distortion”.

The new Laowa 9mm f2.8 can be pre-ordered at Venus Optics’ site for $499.

 

This exciting prime provides ultra wide-angle coverage up to 113° angle of view which is the widest in its class. The tiny size & light weight match perfectly with mirrorless cameras and are suitable to use with gimbals. 2 aspherical elements plus 3 extra-low dispersion elements successfully correct the chromatic aberration, realize a close-to-zero distortion & deliver a corner to corner sharpness.

laowa 9mm

New concept cameras from Canon: 100-400mm smartphone cam & 360-degree intelligent cam

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All images © photographyblog.com and used with permission.

At The Photography Show 2018 Canon displayed some new, conceptual stuff: a 360-degree intelligent camera and a 100-400mm smartphone camera.

Photography Blog was on location, and shot a set of product images of both cameras. They write:

The Canon Smartphone camera has a 100-400mm zoom lens and attaches to a smartphone via a flip-out Lightning port, yet it weighs a mere 100g. There’s also an optional clip-on viewfinder that uses magnets to snap onto the main device, which along with the zoom differentiates it from the DxO One camera. A non-working prototype was on show.

The second Canon concept model is the so-called “Intelligent Compact Camera” which automatically shoots stills and video, using AI to decide when and what to shoot (a bit like Google Clips). It has a 3x zoom lens and can pan and tilt through 380-degrees, there’s a small tripod attachment too, and it can even be mounted on the hotshoe of your EOS camera. A fully working prototype was on display.

Check out the gallery.

Below: Canon’s 100-400mm smartphone camera.

Image © photographyblog.com

It’s just the beginning, says Sigma CEO Kazuto Yamaki

sigma

DPReview interviewed Mr. Kazuto Yamaki during CP+. Most of the interview revolves around Sony and the E mount. Never the less, it’s an interesting interview.

Here are some excerpts:

The new 14-24mm F2.8 joins the 14mm F1.8 at the wide end of Sigma’s lineup – how do these two lenses compare, optically?

In terms of performance, the two lenses are equivalent. When it comes to zoom lenses, a standard zoom lens [like a 24-70mm] is quite challenging to design. We have to make compromises. However, the performance of wide and telephoto zoom lenses is very good, and [can be] equivalent to prime lenses. […]

If you have a choice between designing a lens that will be large, heavy, but optically amazing, or designing one that might be optically less impressive but smaller and lighter, how do you make that decision?

I personally want to develop excellent lenses, at the cost of size and weight […]

Is there a lens that does not exist right now, which you think should exist?

We successfully developed F1.8 zoom lenses for APS-C. This kind of lens did not exist before. Similarly our F2 zoom for full-frame. That kind of lens did not exist before, either. I can’t give you specific details but we would like to explore that path [further] […]

Read the interview at DPReview.

Well, I am very happy Sigma developed an f1.8 lens for APS-C cameras. It’s the incredible 18-35mm f/1.8 ART lens (canon rumors), a lens I like a lot.

Worth more than all rumors: Sony exec says Canon and Nikon will launch a FF mirrorless within a year

Canon Rumors

Among all the swirling rumors about Canon’s full frame mirrorless camera, there is some lining on the horizon. And it comes no less than from Mr. Kenji Tanaka, Sony Senior General Manager of the Digital Imaging Business Group.

Interviewed by DPReview, Mr. Kenji Tanaka said:

This is just my personal opinion, but I think that maybe by next year’s CP+ you’ll see full-frame mirrorless cameras from Canon and Nikon. I think [by then] they will be participating in this market.

Just look at our technologies, like eye focus. All of that data comes from the imaging sensor. In DSLRs, the data comes from separate sensors. The main imaging sensor is blanked out, 90% of the time by the mirror. The sensor is turned off. But the imaging sensor is very important. So if cameras are going to develop, and be more able to capture the moment, manufacturers have to develop mirrorless technologies. So within one year, I think.

Well, folks, believe me: it means a Canon full frame mirrorless camera is coming (not that there is someone left having doubts about that). I’m pretty sure Sony has a close eye on anything the competition does.

Canon too clearly stated that they will go “on the offensive and work to expand our sales in the mirrorless camera market” (see this report too).

It’s coming folks. Stay tuned.

[via Sony Alpha Rumors]

Canon wants 50% market share of interchangeable-lens camera market, goes on the offensive with mirrorless

Canon
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Thanks to our friend EdinaMN Guy for tipping us.

Canon posted documents from the company’s Corporate Strategy Conference. Not only the giant is alive and kicking, but there is a clear statement by CEO Fujio Mitarai about Canon’s plans with mirrorless, and with interchangeable-lens cameras in general (emphasis mine):

Within existing businesses, there are market areas that are growing, such as color devices in MFDs and laser printers, and mirrorless in cameras. In these segments, by launching differentiated products that only we can provide, we will stimulate the market, grow our sales, and secure additional market share. For example, in our core camera business, in addition to our overwhelming share of the DSLR market, we will go on the offensive and work to expand our sales in the mirrorless camera market, which is exhibiting remarkable growth. This will allow us to reach our goal of 50% market share of the entire interchangeable-lens camera market.

This is a clear statement. Canon is now taking mirrorless seriously (see this report too). Canon is already the leader in the camera market, aiming at 50% of market share of the entire interchangeable-lens market appears to be a move to challenge all of the competition, or to warn them what is going to happen in the near future.

The conference documents are available online:

I’m always interested in your opinion, so feel free to sound off in the comment section.

A few of the slides of the presentation can be seen below.

Canon U.S.A. Lends Its Support to “Women Photograph”, to Promote the Representation of Female Photojournalists

Canon Rumors

Canon press release:

Canon U.S.A. Lends Its Support to Women Photograph, an Initiative Created to Promote the Representation of Female Photojournalists

Association Will Help Elevate the Voices of Female and Non-binary Photographers

MELVILLE, N.Y., March 8, 2018 – In conjunction with International Women’s Day (IWD), the global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, is excited to announce their association with Women Photograph, a movement created to promote the representation of female photojournalists. Canon will work with Women Photograph to aid their travel grant program which funds female and non-binary photographers to attend workshops, hostile environment trainings, festivals, and other developmental opportunities.

Launched in 2017 and founded by photojournalist Daniella Zalcman, Women Photograph is an initiative to shift the gender makeup of the photojournalism community. A private database that includes more than 700 independent female documentary photographers based in 91 countries, any commissioning editor or organization can utilize the database for their photojournalistic hiring needs.

“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate this year’s IWD than to support an initiative that is enriching the professional advancement of female and non-binary photojournalists,” said Elizabeth Pratt, director of professional client development and support and Canon Professional Services. “Women Photograph has created a home for professional women photojournalists to showcase their work for potential clients and Canon is honored to help continue the momentum of this initiative.”

Canon Professional Services will host a Women Photograph Workshop at the Canon Customer Experience Center in Orange County, CA in December. Dates and details will be provided by Women Photograph.

“Canon is an ideal strategic partner as we ensure that our industry’s chief storytellers are as diverse as the communities they hope to represent,” said Daniella Zalcman, founder and director of Women Photograph. “So much of breaking into the photojournalism industry relies on networking and professional development events that can be prohibitively expensive and the generous support from Canon will help our photographers access these resources.”

For more information about Women Photograph or to learn more about the travel grant program and the upcoming workshop, log onto: https://www.womenphotograph.com/.

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