Canon patent for augmented Optical Viewfinder (OVF)

canon patent

Another Canon patent for an optical viewfinder able to display all sorts of information. This is not the first patent of this kind, or that refers to viewfinder technology: 1 | 2 | 3

  • Patent publication number 2016 – 191759
    • Release date 2016.11.10
    • Application date 2015.3.31
  • Canon patent
    • Provide the variable reflectance mirror in the optical path of the finder optical system
    • In-screen information display is superimposed and displayed via reflectance variable mirror

canon patent

Excerpt from the patent literature:

[Claim(s)] [Claim 1] In a finder internal display which displays an information display in a screen on an object image in a finder in piles via a variable reflectance mirror,
A camera, wherein the aforementioned variable reflectance mirror has a finder internal display which can change reflectance and transmissivity arbitrarily.
[Claim 2] The camera according to claim 1 provided with a finder which has an optical system which observes an image formed on a focusing plate with a taking lens via an image inversion optical system and an ocular optical system.
[Claim 3] The camera comprising according to claim 2:
A photometry optical system which measures a luminosity of an image formed on the aforementioned focusing plate.
A finder optical system setting up transmissivity and reflectance of the aforementioned variable reflectance mirror from an output of the aforementioned photometry optical system.

[Claim 4] It has an amount setting-out means of information display light in a screen to set a light volume ratio of the aforementioned information display in a screen to an object image in the aforementioned finder, The camera according to claim 3 provided with a finder optical system setting up transmissivity and reflectance of the aforementioned variable reflectance mirror from a preset value of the aforementioned amount setting-out means of information display light in a screen.
[Claim 5] The camera according to claim 2 providing the aforementioned camera with line of sight detection equipment which detects the direction of a look of an observer whom a finder observes, and setting up transmissivity and reflectance of the aforementioned variable reflectance mirror from a result of the aforementioned line of sight detection equipment.

Canon joins space race by building a low-cost “mini-rocket” for Japan

canon rumors

Nikkei Asian Review reports:

Canon is helping Japan build a low-cost “mini-rocket” for future satellite launches as private companies seek to give the country’s lagging space industry greater thrust.

Engineers from Canon Electronics, a unit of the Japanese imaging devices maker, have joined a team led by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, that is building what stands to be the world’s smallest satellite launch vehicle — about the size of a utility pole.

The company’s experience designing and manufacturing devices such as digital cameras will help the team choose the best rocket parts as well as make key control instruments smaller and lighter. Read the article…

Well, wow, Canon is expanding to the universe! :-) They may be late on the mirrorless bandwagon but they might be the first to shot beautiful JPGs in space.

Photolemur announce the world’s first AI Based Photo Enhancement Tool

photolemur

Photolemur for Mac is available for pre order for just $29

Press release:

Photolemur – The World’s First AI Based Photo Enhancement Tool

Delivers Professional Looking Images for Everyone

Built On Artificial Intelligence to Constantly Improve Enhancements

Photolemur for Mac, the world’s first fully automatic photo enhancement solution has been launched. Designed for anyone who takes photos, Photolemur gives users the ability to rapidly process dozens of photos, giving great results on a whole range of images in minutes. Photolemur ensures that anyone who takes photos, but doesn’t want to waste hours editing them, no longer needs to.

Using groundbreaking technology and AI, Photolemur delivers natural image enhancements automatically and then uses Artificial Intelligence to learn the enhancements that you like or dislike to improve in the future. 

Find out more at www.photolemur.com

What Makes Photolemur different from Photo enhancement tools

Photolemur doesn’t have any hard coded filters, rather, it applies specific enhancements to each image. Powered by new technology which recognizes objects, faces, trees, sky, foliage and more, Photolemur differentiates between portraits, landscapes and macro photographs and applies the right enhancements for those images. There is almost no human involvement. Just load your images and let Photolemur do the work for you.

Why Photolemur?

Everyone wants great photos. Whether they’ve been taken on cameras or on their smartphones, those images are memories and snapshots of special moments. But photo editing is a time intensive task and most people simply don’t get round to it. Millions of great photos never get shared or even looked at again. Non use of photos can be because the idea of editing outs people off, or because when they look back at an image the shot doesn’t capture the scene as vividly as they remembered. The details that make an image great are often missing.

Photolemur is the fastest way for you to enhance any photo. It brings natural, vivid looks to photos, just the way we see with our eyes, and the way we remember a scene. Photolemur doesn’t change the image or bring in effects, it reveals the hidden details that made the image great in the first place.

Unlike photo editing tools, Photolemur does everything by itself, removing the need for manual control and heavy human involvement. However Photolemur doesn’t use preset settings to make changes, it uses previous experience to identify borders, objects, sky, foliage and more, and makes the necessary adjustments to the image.

Once Photolemur has done its work, you can share your images immediately to social media. This simple process means more great images and memories can be shared.

How Does It Work?

Photolemur is designed to have the least human involvement possible. Behind the scenes, Photolemur analyses millions of pixels per second, identifying individual features such as trees, faces, foliage etc. and automatically makes enhancements which make your image stunning.

As you bring in more images, every saved or shared photo builds a database of successful enhancements, and every non-saved image goes into an unsuccessful database. This ensures that all future enhancements are built on a record of success. Photolemur is constantly learning what you like and don’t like.

For the user, it’s simple.  Open an image in Photolemur, or drag an image into the application from anywhere on your Mac.

Photolemur will make its enhancements and from there you can crop your image as you need to, and then save it or automatically share to social media.

Key Enhancements

Photolemur runs a number of key enhancements, including:

Automatic color recovery brings back lost colours and makes your images pop in the way you remember the scene

Sky Enhancement delivers more natural and vivid clouds and skies

Exposure Compensation automatically detects and compensates for inaccurate exposure settings that may have affected your photos, making dark images brighter and vice versa.

Smart Dehaze automatically detects and removes unnatural haze, fog, mist, dust or smog, enhancing the colors and overall look of your photos without being unrealistic

Natural Light Correction considers the time of day of your photos and adjusts tones, exposure and contrast to bring out the natural colors and lighting

Foliage Enhancement automatically picks out individual trees, leaves and any other kind of plant or shrub and adjusts colors, sharpness and other features to bring the beauty back to your image. 

Noise Reduction automatically finds and removes unwanted digital noise that is most often created by slow shutter speeds in low light situations.

Tint Perfection automatically analyzes your photos to find the best tint. Dependant on several variables, including the image and its composition

JPG Fix automatically brings back the lost detail that can happen when you save to jpeg format

Face recognition automatically detects faces, then works to clean up any imperfections or blemishes. From portraits to team photos or even selfies

Horizon Straightening automatically analyzes and adjusts for any slightly crooked horizons or backgrounds. Photolemur easily aligns that perfect sunset.

In addition to these enhancements, Photolemur also features:
  • Batch Processing up to 40 Photos

  • Plug Photolemur into Apple Photos Extension

  • RAW Processing (800+ cameras)

More from The Photolemur Team

Photolemur for mac is launching December 17th, with pre-orders starting now. A Windows version will be available in early 2017. Mobile, online and corporate versions of Photolemur are being developed for launch during 2017.

Preorders

Photolemur is available for pre order for just $29 from www.photolemur.com

Canon release free EOS-1D X Mark II Auto-Focus Setting Guidebook

Eos-1d X Mark Ii

Canon EOS-1D X Mark II: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

At a glance:

  • 20.2MP Full-Frame CMOS Sensor
  • Dual DIGIC 6+ Image Processors
  • 3.2″ 1.62m-Dot Touchscreen LCD Monitor
  • DCI 4K Video at 60 fps, 8.8MP Still Grab
  • 61-Point High Density Reticular AF II
  • Native ISO 51200, Expanded to ISO 409600
  • 14 fps Shooting, 16 fps in Live View
  • Dual Pixel CMOS AF and Movie Servo AF
  • Built-In GPS, CFast & CF Card Slots

Canon Professional Network released the AF settings guidebook for their flagship, the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II.

The 148-page guidebook explains in detail the technical elements of the AF system and highlights other key functionalities that photographers need to know and understand in order to get the very best from Canon’s pro-series flagship, such as Movie Servo AF, using Auto ISO and much more.

In the guidebook are detailed overviews and explanations of the new AF algorithm and AI Servo AF III+ along with a list of the AF Configuration Tool and Presets, with comprehensive explanations on how each Case Setting works and when to choose them.

The guidebook is divided into six parts, consisting of two chapters on the AF Configuration Tool (Presets and Parameters), as well as chapters on AF area selection modes, 61-point reticular AF cross-type points, release property settings and anti-flicker shooting plus utilising the AF and Movie Servo AF and other useful functions.

Click here to download the AF settings guidebook.

Canon releases firmware updates for many DLSRs because of issues with EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II and EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lenses

EF 70-300mm F/4-5.6 IS II

Canon released firmware updates for almost every DSLR released before 2015. It’s because many Canon DSLRs have issues with the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II and EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lenses.

The firmware update…

Corrects a phenomenon in which when using the camera with the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM or EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM lens, even if lens aberration correction is set to “”Enable””, correction will not be applied.

To download the firmware update for your Canon DSLR, click here and then choose your Canon DSLR, and then follow instructions.

Thanks Lawrence.

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV firmware update released

Eos 5d Mark V

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Canon released firmware 1.0.3 for the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV. Download it here.

Changes in the Firmware Firmware Version 1.0.3 incorporates the following fixes and improvements:

1. Corrects a phenomenon in which the color of images varies depending on the metering mode selected during flash shooting.

2. Improves the reliability of communication when using the EF1.4X III or EF2X III extender.

3. Corrects the level display when the camera is held in the vertical orientation with the hand grip pointing downward.

4. Improves the reliability of communication via USB cable when using the Lens Data Registration function with EOS Utility 3.

Firmware Version 1.0.3 is for cameras with firmware Version 1.0.2 or earlier. If your camera’s firmware is already Version 1.0.3, it is not necessary to update the firmware. When updating the firmware of your camera, please review the instructions thoroughly before you update the firmware. The firmware update takes approximately 4 minutes.

Thanks Lawrence