Venus Optics Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D lens reviewed by Photozone

Laowa 12mm
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Laowa 12mm f/2.8 specifications:

  • Image circle: 24×36
  • Field of view: 121.96°
  • Optical formula: 16 elements, including 2 aspherical elements and 3 elements made of glass with anomalous dispersion, in 10 groups
  • Number of aperture blades : 7
  • Aperture range: f/2.8 – f/22
  • Manual focus
  • Minimum focusing distance: 0.18m
  • Maximum magnification: 0.2x
  • Maximum diameter: 74.8mm
  • Length: 82.2mm
  • Weight: circa 570g.

Venus Optics will soon announce a new lens, the Laowa 12mm f/2.8. The announcement is expected for July 30, 2016. Lens reviewing site Photozone appears to already have a copy of the lens. “Zero-D” stays for “zero distortion”.

From the conclusion:

[…] the lab-based results are quite promising. Given the extreme nature of the lens we can’t expect a uniform performance across the image field. The center performance is nothing short of outstanding straight from f/2.8 whereas the outer image region is soft at this setting. The corners/borders improve the more you stop down and they reach good to very good levels at medium apertures with a peak at f/8. Please keep in mind that the mighty Canon EF 11-14mm f/4 USM L struggled somewhat more on the EOS 5Ds R. Lateral CAs are impressively low for such a lens. Laowa claims zero image distortions (thus the “Zero-D” in the name). Well, it comes close at least. We measured a barrel distortion of just 1.1% (at a close focus distance to be fair here) which is substantially less than what we’ve seen from the competition.

[via Photozone]

Tamron patent for 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 DiII VC USD lens

Tamron 10-24mm
Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 DI II VC USD

Another rather interesting Tamron patent. This time we have a Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 DI II VC USD ultra wide-angle lens for APS-C DSLRs. The patent appears to point to the replacement for the Tamron SP AF 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 DI II lens, which doesn’t feature image stabilisation.

  • Patent Publication No. 2016-126280
    • Published 2016.7.11
    • Filing date 2015.1.8
  • Example 1
    • f 10.303 15.199 23.483
    • FNO = 3.6 -. 4.1 – 4.6
    • 2ω = 111.70 – 86.59 – 62.07
  • Tamron patent
    • Negative positive and negative positive
    • Anti-vibration (third group)
    • Inner focus (rear group of the first group)
Tamron 10-24mm
Tamron SP AF 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 DI II lens
[via Egami]

 

A Bit of Everything (mostly Canon news)

Above: Prisma App Turns Standard Timelapse into Incredible Flowing Painting – PetaPixel

Today’s Gold Box deals at Amazon US, Amazon DE, Amazon UK, B&H Photo, eBay and Adorama

Isle of plenty: capturing magical Madagascar [with an EOS-1D X Mark II] – Canon Professional Network

Canon UK supports local environment with the big butterfly count – Canon UK

Out of this world: Shooting 3D in space with Cinema EOS – Canon Professional Network

Canon U.S.A. Helps Maximize Small and Home Office Business Efficiency with New Series of Wireless Inkjet Printers – Canon USA

Canon U.S.A. Announces AirPrint Support for Five New Models in the MAXIFY Inkjet Printer Lineup – Canon USA

7 Tips for Taking Better Photos of Your Kids – Adorama

Canon EOS 5DS and 5DS R field test – Amateur Photographer

Canon G7X II Image Quality Comparison: Going up against the G7X, RX100 IV, LX100 and more – Imaging Resource

Below: Deep dive: the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II is an underwater ace – DPReview

Below: Wildlife and the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II – Canon Europe

Canon Celebrates Its Home Run Relationship with NCMEC, New York Yankees at 13th Annual Promo Night

canon rumors

Canon press release:

Canon presents check to NCMEC for funds raised to help protect and save missing children.

MELVILLE, N.Y., July 27, 2016 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, recently joined with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and the New York Yankees for the 13th annual Canon Promotional Night at Yankee Stadium to help raise awareness about the importance of child safety. In recognition of Canon Promotional Night, the first 18,000 fans that entered the stadium received a Canon and Yankees co-branded baseball cap.

As part of the evening’s festivities, Toyo Kuwamura, executive vice president and general manager, Business Imaging Solutions Group, Canon U.S.A., Inc. presented a check in the amount of $466,392 to John Walsh, co-founder of NCMEC, representing the total amount of money raised and donated, as well as the approximate retail value of products donated by Canon U.S.A. to NCMEC in 2016. Joining them for the check presentation was New York Yankees pitcher Chasen Shreve.

Click here to open the rest of the article

Giveaway: Win a copy of David Busch’s Canon EOS 80D Guide (2 print and 3 ebooks)

eos 80d
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I am happy for a new giveaway together with the folks at Rocky Nook. We are giving away 2 print copies and 3 ebooks of David Busch’s Canon EOS 80D Guide to Digital SLR Photography.

All you have to do is following Rocky Nook and/or Canon Watch on Twitter and Facebook. The more you follow the more probability you have to win the book. You can enter the giveaway both for the print edition and the ebook edition of the book (just switch from one to the other by clicking the small arrow between the title and the follow options):

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The giveaway is open to all countries, and is over in 6 days!

About the book:

David Busch’s Canon EOS 80D Guide to Digital SLR Photography is your all-in-one comprehensive resource and reference for the Canon EOS 80D camera. This upgraded 24-megapixel model features an enhanced autofocus system with twice as many focus points as its predecessor. The Dual Pixel CMOS hybrid autofocus brings lightning-fast phase detect AF to live view and high-definition movie modes, too. The 80D has Wi-Fi/ NFC connectivity to allow linking the camera to a computer and iOS or Android smart devices, and an improved swiveling touch screen LCD. With this book in hand, you can quickly apply all these advanced features to your digital photography, while boosting your creativity to take great photographs with your Canon EOS 80D.

Filled with detailed how-to steps and full-color illustrations, David Busch’s Canon EOS 80D Guide to Digital SLR Photography covers all this upscale camera’s features in depth, from taking your first photos through advanced details of setup, exposure, lens selection, lighting, and more, and relates each feature to specific photographic techniques and situations. Also included is the handy 80D “roadmap,” an easy-to-use visual guide to the camera’s features and controls. Learn when to use each option and, more importantly, when not to use them, by following the author’s recommended settings for every menu entry. With best-selling photographer and mentor David Busch as your guide, you’ll quickly have full creative mastery of your camera’s capabilities, whether you’re shooting on the job, as an advanced enthusiast, or are just out for fun. Start building your knowledge and confidence, while bringing your vision to light with the Canon EOS 80D today.

Canon EOS 80D: [shopcountry 37471]