The original Canon EOS M can shoot 2.5K raw video with Magic Lantern, and it’s impressing

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Warning: the sd_uhs module referenced below is currently highly experimental and can destroy your sd card or camera. There have been instances of sd cards breaking. Magic Lantern does not recommend its use at the moment because of the risk involved.

I’m reporting this because Magic Lantern‘s work deserves it, and because I’m an old school hacker and can’t help getting excited by stuff like this. Computer science was made by this sort of guys, not by fancy dudes like Apple’s or the likes. I’ve been there since the beginning and I am pretty sure to understand the value of what these skilled hackers are doing.

So, here is another amazing hack by the Magic Lantern team, showcased by Synth & Sundry in the video below. It’s truly impressing: a Magic Lantern SD UHS overclock hack test on a the first Canon EOS M (2013). Shot at 2520×1080, 5x zoom mode, 24 fps, 12 bit lossless compressed raw using sd_uhs module. Not bad, eh?

It may be true that Canon cripples their tech when they want it, but still, this code hacking proofs what Canon’s sensor tech can deliver. Even on the so much disgraced original Canon EOS M (which I still proudly own and never will get rid off).

Again: do not try this if you don’t exactly know what you are doing. This is experimental stuff and it may seriously harm your camera, I do not encourage you to try to apply this hack.

Kudos Magic Lantern for the hacking! If you dare and want to know more, have a look at Magic Lantern’s download page.



We covered Magic Lantern’s work, and they have a forum where you can learn more.

Canon to reframe the business, scared by further smartphone disruption, report suggests

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Canon actively being worried about the future, and about what the smartphone (photographic) revolution could mean for the Japanese giant.

Marketing Week reports:

It is almost exactly a year since Canon relaunched its brand with the aim of making it “accessible” to a wider group of customers. The shift was predicated on a realisation that the organisation needed to move from being product-centric to more customer-centric, focusing more on how its cameras and printers meet consumers’ needs rather than shouting about the latest specs.

The most obvious sign of this was a TV ad [editor’s note: see below], ‘Live for the story’ created by VCCP, that positioned Canon as a storytelling brand. That was followed up by work with influencers such as Zoe Kravitz to tap into particular genres of photography, including family, travel and food.

“The underlying premise was how do we help you tell the best story of your life,” explains Lee Bonniface, marketing director at Canon Europe. “It’s an integration of the brand owning the space of storytelling and then the integration of our products and services to allow customer to be able to tell their story in the best way possible.

Off Brand: Fujifilm instax Square SQ6 announced

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  • Accepts instax SQUARE Instant Film
  • Produces 2.4 x 2.4″ Square Images
  • Optical Viewfinder
  • Selfie Mirror Integrated on Lens
  • Built-In Flash and Auto Exposure Mode
  • Includes Colored Flash Gels

Fujifilm launched the instax Square 6, an inexpensive photographic gadget that captures the heart of many. Pre-order for the Fujifilm install Square 6 are open at $129, three color options: B&H Photo | Amazon.

Press release after the break.

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New Yongnuo YN50mm f1.8 II lens announced

Yongnuo YN50mm f1.8 II
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Yongnuo released a new version of their inexpensive 50mm lens, the YN50mm f1.8 II. The new Yongnuo YN50mm f1.8 II is available on eBay. Yongnuo products can be found at Amazon.

Yongnuo press release:

Small Lens with Super Bokeh Effect

YONGNUO YN50mm F1.8 II

Supports USB-free Firmware Upgrade 

Firmware of the lens can be upgraded through camera instead of using USB port, which not only meets the requirements of firmware upgrade and appearance design, but also avoids the incompatibility problems caused by different computer operating systems.（Note: this function needs to be supported by camera）

F1.8 Bright Aperture

Maximum aperture F1.8,bokeh effect is easily achieved ,which brings you more fun during photographing.

New Mechanical Structure, New Coating Technology

YN50mm F1.8 II has all the product advantages of the last generation. By improving the mechanical structure and coating technology, its focus accuracy, auto-focus speed and light transmittance are increased. Furthermore, it can control backlight ghost and glare.

Durable Metal Mount

YN50mm F1.8 II adopts chrome-plated and high-accuracy metal mount. It’s wearable, corrosion-resistant, and highly consistent with the body of the camera.

0.35m Closest Focusing Distance

Compared with the first generation, the closet focusing distance of YN50mm F1.8 II is shortened to 0.35m.You can get closer to the object for photography and enlarge the object.

Focus Modes: Auto Focus (AF) and Manual Focus (MF)

YN50mm F1.8 II supports auto focus and manual focus. The focus mode can be selected according to practical requirement.

Focus Distance Indicator is convenient for you to estimate the distance and the depth of field.

YN50mm F1.8 II has 7pcs of aperture blades, which helps to take picture of circular defocused spots or helps to stop down and take picture of 14-star effect.

Yongnuo YN50mm f1.8 II
Yongnuo YN50mm f1.8 II

Sigma 70mm f/2.8 DG Macro Art price revealed, it’s $569

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Sigma 70mm f2.8 DG Macro Art at a glance:

  • EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/22
  • Two FLD Elements, Two SLD Elements
  • Low Dispersion and Aspherical Elements
  • Super Multi-Layer Coating
  • 1:1 Magnification, 10.2″ Min. Focus
  • Coreless DC AF Motor, Manual Override
  • Weather-Sealed, Brass Bayonet Mount
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
  • Compatible with Sigma USB Dock

Sigma just announced the price of their brand new Sigma 70mm f2.8 DG Macro ART lens, it’s $569. Another very promising Sigma lens at an affordable price. The new Sigma lens should start shipping at the end of May 2018.

Pre-order the Sigma 70mm f/2.8 DG Macro Art: Adorama | B&H Photo | Amazon

Press release:

Sigma Announces Pricing & Availability for Its 70mm F2.8 DG MACRO Art Lens

Ronkonkoma, NY – May 11, 2018 – Sigma Corporation of America, a leading still photo and cinema lens, camera, flash and accessory manufacturer, today announced that its 70mm F2.8 DG MACRO Art, the first prime macro lens to be adorned with the Art badge, will be available in Canon mount in the end of May for $569.00 USD through authorized US retailers. The Sigma mount model is expected to ship in June. The release of the Sony E-Mount version will be announced later.

The First Macro Lens in the Sigma Global Vision Art Line
Elevating the legendary Sigma 70mm F2.8 EX DG to the Art line, the brand new Sigma 70mm F2.8 DG MACRO Art prioritizes optical performance that defines the Sigma Art line, delivering stunning resolution and incredible clarity, while at the same time offering extremely smooth autofocus performance for a weightier, high-performance lens.

To achieve optimal results at every shooting distance, the lens features an extending, floating, two-group focus mechanism, which minimizes aberration at all focal lengths. In addition, the lens’ optical elements design increases resolution at close shooting distances, allowing for a razor-sharp in-focus area contrasted with a bokeh area free of color streaking.

Other feature highlights include focus-by-wire system featuring newly developed coreless DC motor for comfortable and precise focusing typically required for macro photography; compatibility of the Canon mount lens with the Canon Lens Aberration Correction function; and compatibility with Sigma Electronic Flash Macro EM-140 DG and Sigma Teleconverters.

Full technical specifications can be found on the Sigma website at: https://www.sigmaphoto.com/70mm-f2-8-dg-macro-a.

Off Brand: DJI Introduces V2.0 Edition Of The Phantom 4 Pro

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We do not usually talk about drones here on CW. However, this one appears to excite a lot of people, and made some heat while in the rumor stage.

DJI announced the new version of the Phantom 4 Pro drone, already available at $1,499 at DJI’s Store.

Press release:

DJI Introduces V2.0 Edition Of The Phantom 4 Pro

With DJI OcuSync Transmission, 60% Propeller Noise Reduction And Simultaneous Wireless Connectivity For An Enriched FPV Experience

Fans of the iconic DJI Phantom drone can look forward to the release of the Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 (P4P V2.0), the latest variation of the Phantom 4 Pro. Packed with the powerful features of the P4P, the P4P V2.0 uses DJI’s OcuSync transmission technology for high-resolution and low-latency digital video transmission and improves the flight experience by reducing propeller noise by up to 60%. Users who utilize the first-person-view experience for work or for play, can directly connect the P4P V2.0 with their DJI Goggles for an immersive FPV flying experience.

With 30 minutes of flight time, 7 km transmission range[1], 5-directional obstacle sensing system and 1” CMOS Sensor with 4k@60p video recording capabilities, the P4P V2.0 is a drone fit for prosumers and professionals who need a reliable and powerful imaging solution that can cater to diverse filming needs and mapping operations.

Retaining its iconic white airframe, the P4P V2.0 also has a Phantom 4 Pro+ V2.0 version, which comes with a 5.5-inch, 1080p resolution screen built-in to the remote controller for operators who often fly outdoors under direct sunlight.

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