Tamron announces DIY firmware updates through TAP-in Console

TAP-in Console

After the Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 Di VC USD 1:1 MACRO and SP 85mm f/1.8 Di VC USD lenses, Tamron also announced the TAP-in Console for firmware updates. Tamron press release:

TAMRON ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF ACCESSORY THAT ENABLES FIRMWARE UPDATES AND CUSTOMIZED SETUPS FOR SELECTED LENSES

Tamron TAP-in Console™TM (Model TAP-01)

February 22, 2016, Commack, New York – announces the launch of the Tamron TAP-in Console™ (Model TAP-01), a new lens accessory that enables firmware updating and customized setups for selected Tamron lenses. The TAP-in Console™ is expected to be available in March. The price will be announced shortly.

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS

For the first time, customers can update firmware in selected Tamron lenses and customize various lens functions to meet their needs simply by attaching a Tamron TAP-in Console™ and running the Tamron TAP-in Utility software on their PC or Mac. Previously, firmware updates could be performed only at a Tamron Customer Service Center. Using the new accessory and an internet connection, customers can access a dedicated website and update firmware themselves anytime, anywhere. In addition, selected lenses can be customized by changing various settings (described below) to match the customer’s preferences based on how they like to use the lens, making it even more versatile and user-friendly.

1. Custom Options

With a Tamron TAP-in Console™, customers can do the following things.

  • Update firmware
  • Update the firmware of compatible lenses
  • Update the firmware of the TAP-in Console™ itself
  • Customize functions of selected lenses
  • Focus adjustment
  • Focus distance limiter customization (only for lenses that have the Focus Limiter feature)
  • Full-time Manual Focus override customization (only for lenses that have the Full-time Manual Focus feature)
  • VC adjustment (only for any lenses with VC)
  • Save customized data files
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Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 Di VC USD 1:1 MACRO officially announced

Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 Di VC USD 1:1 MACRO
Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 Di VC USD 1:1 MACRO

The other lens Tamron announced today is the Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 Di VC USD 1:1 MACRO.

Tamron press release:

TAMRON 90MM MACRO LENS: REBIRTH OF A CLASSIC WITH A LEGACY OF SUPERIOR OPTICAL PERFORMANCE

Enhanced VC functionality and advanced features

February 22, 2016, Commack, New York – Tamron, a leading manufacturer of optics for diverse applications, announces the launch of the SP 90mm F/2.8 Di VC USD 1:1 MACRO (Model F017). The new 90mm macro has been enhanced with advanced features and builds upon a legacy of superior optical performance. XY-Shift compensation has been newly added to reinforce VC functionality, further improving image stabilization from infinity to macro. Advancements in USD control software have also increased AF focusing speed, and optimally fine-tuned for various framing conditions. In addition, a high standard of Moisture-Proof and Dust-Resistant Construction has been added to prevent intrusion of dust or moisture, and a highly durable Fluorine Coating has been applied to the top element surface to prevent condensation and repel smudge-causing substances.  The lens will be on sale in the U.S. starting in March 2016 in Canon and Nikon mounts (the Sony mount to be launched at a later date). The on-sale date in the USA is February 25, 2016 at an approximate price of $649.

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS

1.  Built upon the outstanding optical performance of the legendary Tamron 90mm Macro

Inheriting the optical design of the previous 90mm Macro lens (Model F004), the new Model F017 delivers the same excellent resolving power and remarkably soft background blur effects (bokeh). The advanced construction includes one LD (Low Dispersion) specialized glass element that maximally limits the dispersion properties of light and two XLD (eXtra Low Dispersion) glass elements that correct dispersion properties to an even greater extent. The special elements optimally compensate for on-axis and lateral chromatic aberrations from macro shooting range to infinity. Furthermore, the design ensures the best imaging performance at any range by adopting the Floating System that shifts the location of a group of elements to the best possible position as the focusing group travels relative to shooting distances. From 1:1, life-size close-ups to the most distant horizon, this new 90mm Macro lens achieves outstanding image quality.

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Tamron SP 85mm f/1.8 Di VC USD officially announced

SP 85mm F/1.8 Di VC USD
SP 85mm F/1.8 Di VC USD

Tamron made if official and announced the SP 85mm f/1.8 Di VC USD lens.

Tamron press release:

THE WORLD’S FIRST1 85MM F/1.8 LENS WITH VC FOR FULL-FRAME DSLR CAMERAS

Ultimate correction of aberrations and excellent resolving power with balanced bokeh

February 22, 2016, Commack, New York – Tamron, a leading manufacturer of optics for diverse applications, announces the launch of the SP 85mm F/1.8 Di VC USD (Model F016), the world’s first fast-aperture telephoto lens with VC (Vibration Compensation). Tamron’s acclaimed VC makes it possible to take handheld photographs in dim light or at night. The 85mm SP lens uses LD (Low Dispersion) and XLD (Extra Low Dispersion) glass elements in the optical design to minimize color fringing and to achieve sharp and clear image quality with high-fidelity color. It also achieves attractive bokeh that draws attention to the image foreground subject. In addition, Moisture-Resistant Construction has been added to prevent intrusion of moisture, and a highly durable Fluorine Coating has been applied to the top element surface to prevent condensation and repel smudge-causing substances. This new lens joins the 35mm F/1.8, 45mm F/1.8 and 90mm Macro in a lineup of SP series prime lenses that has been expanding since 2015. The lens will be on sale in the U.S. starting in April 2016 in Canon and Nikon mounts (the Sony2 mount to be launched at a later date). Pricing and delivery will be announced shortly.

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS

1. The world’s first 85mm fast-aperture lens with image stabilization

Tamron’s VC image stabilization system enables handheld use in dim light without flash. Camera movement—often too minute to be perceptible to the photographer—is the leading cause of unpleasant photographs. In addition, newer DSLR cameras with higher resolution and higher pixel densities are even more susceptible to subtle camera shake. The VC System, Tamron’s time-proven Vibration Compensation, keeps the sharpness at hand, even in moody, dim light when shutter speeds tend to be longer.

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Canon EOS 80D articles by Canon Professional Network

APS-C EOS 80d Canon Eos 90d
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Canon EOS 80D at a glance:

  • 24.2MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
  • DIGIC 6 Image Processor
  • 3.0″ 1.04m-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen
  • Full HD 1080p Video Recording at 60 fps
  • 45-Point All Cross-Type AF System
  • Dual Pixel CMOS AF
  • Expanded ISO 25600, Up to 7 fps Shooting
  • Built-In Wi-Fi with NFC
  • RGB+IR 7560-Pixel Metering Sensor

The Canon Professional Network (CPN) posted a bunch of articles about the Canon EOS 80D‘s new features, and an introduction video too.

Pre-orders for the EOS 80D are live now:

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

Why does the Canon EOS 80D have “4k Movie” listed under image formats

EOS 80D

This was noted by one of our readers on Twitter (thanks @giupipia).

If you head over to the Canon EOS 80D specification page, then have a look under “Specifications -> Recording System”, you’ll see that the following is stated (emphasis mine):

Video: MOV (4K Movie: Motion JPEG, Full HD Movie: MPEG4 AVC/H.264*; Audio: Linear PCM), MP4 (Movie: MPEG4 AVC/H.264*; Audio: AAC)

The EOS 80D does not have a 4k video mode. I wonder why “4K Movie” is there. Is this a special time-lapse mode?

Any ideas?

Canon EOS 80D $1,199: B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon | Canon Store

Canon EOS 80D with EF-S 18-55mm IS STM $1,349: B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon | Canon Store

Canon EOS 80D with EF-S 18-135mm IS USM $1,799: B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon | Canon Store

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM $599.99: B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon | Canon Store

EOS 80D

Pre-order links for all countries after the break

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What happened to the camera industry in 2015? (infographic & video)

The folks ar LensVid posted an interesting article about what happened to the camera industry in 2015. The infographics above gives you a quick overview.

More interesting, the people at LensVid put together some predictions for 2016:

  • 2016 will be a better year for the photography market. With that said, we still expect the total number of cameras sold in 2016 to be below 30 million – or around 15% decrease compared to 2015.
  • On the other hand, we expect more DSLR sales in 2016 – with a one digit increase, and more or less the same increase in mirrorless cameras.
  • We are predicting that compact cameras will drop below 20 million and may even get close to 15 million (compared to 22 million in 2015).
  • Finally, Looking a bit ahead in the next 2 years DSLRs and mirrorless cameras will have a bigger market share than compact cameras, which we are predicting – will become a niche market before the end of this decade.

Read the article at LensVid.