Canon Expands imagePROGRAF PRO Series With Four New Models

imagePROGRAF PRO
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Canon press release:

Canon Expands imagePROGRAF PRO Series With Four New Models For The Fine Art, Photographic And Production Signage Markets

MELVILLE, N.Y. – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the expansion of the imagePROGRAF PRO Series with four large format inkjet printers. The extension of the Series includes the 11-Color plus Chroma Optimizer 44-inch imagePROGRAF PRO-4000 and 24-inch imagePROGRAF PRO-2000, designed to provide spectacular image quality for the fine art and photographic markets, as well as the eight-color 60-inch imagePROGRAF PRO-6000S and 44-inch imagePROGRAF PRO-4000S, two affordably priced models to economically create eye-catching posters and vivid displays for the production signage industry.

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Do you want to contribute to the development of the COSYSPEED Camslinger Outdoor bag? You can!

CAMSLINGER Outdoor
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If you follow my blog you likely know that I am a big fan of COSYSPEED CAMSLINGER bags. I own a CAMSLINGER 160 Street Edition and it always is my choice for run and gun photography with the [shoplink 29518]EOS M3[/shoplink]. It’s a smart concept, it looks cool, and it works well for me.

I am happy that my friend Thomas from COSYSPEED wrote me asking to involve you in a new cool project they have: a CAMSLINGER Outdoor bag. A first prototype is already under development, and is being tested by Swiss climber and photographer Stephan Wiesner.

[At COSYSPEED we] are developing a CAMSLINGER bag for outdoor active photographers, like climbers, hikers or bikers. The CAMSLINGERs are especially designed for mirrorless cameras. The first step of a „CAMSLINGER Outdoor“ prototype is currently under a field test by Swiss photographer and climber Stephan Wiesner. It would be really cool, if your readers could support us with their comments, ideas and suggestions. So we could develop the next step of prototypes using your readers comments and share the results. It would be  great if you could share the video Stephan Wiesner made during a mountain tour in the Alps [editors note: the video below, the same video in German can be found at the bottom of the post]. 

Note: the German video is at the end of the post.

You can sound off your suggestion in the comment section, or visit COSYSPEED’s Facebook page. Below is a small gallery with images of the CAMSLINGER Outdoor prototype.

Laowa 105mm F2 STF lens announced

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UK Optics announced the new Laowa 105mm f/2.0 STF lens. Press release:

LAOWA 105MM F2 (T3.2) STF LENS

UK OPTICS (LAOWA UK) is pleased to present the Laowa 105mm F2 STF Lens. STF stands for Smooth Trans Focus, in reference to its special optical system, which is intended to deliver smooth transitions between crisp in-focus areas and creamy defocused background or foreground areas. This unique manual focus only lens has an integrated apodisation filter that provides superior bokeh rendering and crystal sharp images.

Full frame compatible lens featuring 11 elements in 8 groups with a 14 blade aperture* and a minimum focus distance of just 0.9M. All metal alloy construction housing multi-coated glass elements throughout. At a focal length of 105mm and with the inherent softly diffused bokeh, this lens is perfect for portraiture.

The Laowa 105mm F2 STF lens is one of only a few lenses currently offering an apodisation effect. Available later in March with an MSRP of £649.99, in the following mounts: Nikon, Canon, Sony A, Sony E and Pentax.

See us at The Photography Show, NEC 19th to 22nd March Stand B91. For more details visit www.laowalens.co.uk

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Bildschirmfoto-2016-03-02-um-15.15.00-700x690

 

Canon interview at CP+ (increasingly important that we do increase development speed)

EOS M3
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DPReview interviewed Mr. Go Tokura, Group Executive ICP Group 2, Image Communications Products Operations, Canon Inc. Some excerpts:

Dual Pixel AF is a technology which has huge potential for mirrorless cameras. A lot of our readers are still very hopeful for future Canon enthusiast mirrorless models. Is there anything that you would like to say to them?

Obviously I can’t be particularly concrete when talking about our future product planning, but this is something that we are looking at. Something that is under consideration. There are some features, such as AF, which have not yet caught up with DSLRs, so given the current state of affairs it would be a little unrealistic to say that we will suddenly start offering a professional mirrorless camera. There’s still a performance gap that needs to be addressed.

If we assume that at some point in the future Canon will create an enthusiast or professional mirrorless camera, what are your benchmarks?

This is just my personal opinion. In my view there are two key features that have to be addressed. The first is autofocus, particularly tracking of moving subjects. The other is the viewfinder. The electronic viewfinder would have to offer a certain standard. If those two functions were to match the performance of EOS DSLR camera performance, we might make the switch. Tremendous progress has been made in electronic systems.  However in terms of AF, pro-level AF functions, and the range of shooting situations that professional photographers can respond to, there’s still a gap between DSLRs and mirrorless systems.

One of the areas where we’ve been pleased to see improvement from Canon is in sensors. What are your priorities in terms of sensor development in the future?

Increasing resolution and increasing sensitivity are ongoing objectives and that’s not going to change, but on top of that, as I’ve mentioned there’s an emphasis on merging stills and movie functions. So two priorities for future sensors are lower power consumption and increasing processing speed.

Read the interview…

There is a part in the interview where Mr. Tokura says ” […] it’s becoming increasingly important that we do increase development speed”. :-)

Canon USA Announces New Executive Appointments

Canon U.S.A. Announces New Executive Appointments

MELVILLE, N.Y. – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, announces several executive appointments and promotions. Effective today, Mr. Toyo Kuwamura will become the Senior Vice President and General Manager, Business Imaging Solutions Group and Mr. Yoshinori Shimono joins the company as Senior Vice President of Finance and Accounting.

Mr. Toyo Kuwamura, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Business Imaging Solutions Group (BISG) – Mr. Kuwamura, who succeeds Mr. Junichi Yoshitake, will continue to build the BISG business into an industry leading solutions, services and support business. Mr. Kuwamura has spent over 35 years in the “Copier” business since joining Canon Inc. in 1980. He has spent his career in Japan, the United States, and Canada, focusing on all areas of the business from marketing, product planning and sales administration. In addition, Mr. Kuwamura will retain his current position and responsibilities as President and CEO of Canon Solutions America (CSA) where his strong leadership has directly contributed to CSA’s establishment and growth.

Mr. Yoshinori Shimono joins Canon U.S.A., Inc. as a Senior Vice President of Finance and Accounting, succeeding Mr. Kunihiko Tedo. Mr. Shimono joined Canon Inc. in 1985, and was assigned to Canon Europe N.V (The Netherlands) and Canon Europa Ltd. (U.K.). Most recently, he was General Manager of Finance and Accounting, Image Communications Products Operations at Canon Inc. In addition, Mr. Shimono will assume the position as President of Canon Financial Services, Inc. (CFS).

“Mr. Kuwamura brings tremendous experience in the business imaging market and through his proven leadership skills at CSA coupled with the position he is now assuming, I am confident he will continue to build a stronger position for Canon ,” said Joe Adachi, chairman and CEO, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “I welcome Mr. Shimono and congratulate all these executives for their strong leadership. I look forward to their continued success as they help expand our business across our markets and position the Company for enhanced future success.”

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Canon USA Debuts New Flagship EOS-1D X Mark II At 2016 WPPI Show

eos-1d x mark ii
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Canon EOS-1D X Mark II at a glance:

  • 20.2MP Full-Frame CMOS Sensor
  • Dual DIGIC 6+ Image Processors
  • 14 fps Shooting, 16 fps in Live View
  • DCI 4K Video at 60 fps, 8.8MP Still Grab
  • 61-Point High Density Reticular AF II
  • 3.2 inch (1.62m) Touchscreen LCD Monitor
  • Dual Pixel CMOS AF and Movie Servo AF
  • ISO 100-51200 (Expanded to 409600)
  • Built-In GPS
  • CFast & CF Card Slots

Canon EOS-1D X Mark II [shopcountry 37157]

Canon press release:

Canon U.S.A. Debuts New Flagship EOS-1D X Mark II DSLR Camera At 2016 WPPI Show

Attendees Will Be Treated to Demonstrations by Canon’s Prominent Explorers of Light at WPPI Booth #401

MELVILLE, N.Y. – At this year’s WPPI Wedding & Portrait Conference + Expo on March 7-9 at the MGM Convention Center in Las Vegas, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, will challenge attendees with Canon See Impossible at booth #401. Show attendees can get a first look at the new Canon EOS-1D X Mark II DSLR camera, as well as the latest lenses, the latest in Canon printers including the imagePROGRAF PRO-1000 and a Canon Explorers of Light photo gallery. Those in attendance will also be invited to print up to five of their own photographs using Canon’s DreamLabo 5000 inkjet production photo printer, which produces quality prints with high image resolution and enhanced color range. Additionally, several of Canon’s renowned Explorers of Light photographers will be providing live informative demonstrations both on stage at the Canon booth and during show seminars.

“We are excited to debut our new flagship DSLR at a show like WPPI, which hosts some of the most passionate imaging enthusiasts,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, president and COO, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “We plan to provide inspirational lectures and an assortment of innovative products for them to experience so that they have the ability to see the impossible.”

Canon EOL Speaker Schedule
The main stage in the Canon booth will feature presentations from Canon Explorers of Light (schedule subject to change), including one of Canon’s newest Explorers, Portrait Photographer Sue Bryce, who will also be delivering the Expo’s keynote speech on Tuesday, March 8th at 8pm.

  Monday, March 7 Tuesday, March 8 Wednesday, March 9
10:00 a.m.   Bob Davis

Live Shoot
Lighting on Location:
Big Light Out of a Speedlite

 Lindsay Adler

Live Shoot
Creative In-Camera Techniques
with the Canon EOS 5D Mark III

 Denis Reggie

Lecture
Flash Secrets Exposed
10:45 a.m.  Denis Reggie

Lecture
Quiet Wedding Witness

 Denis Reggie

Lecture
Gear Bag Unzipped

 Sue Bryce

Lecture
Canon EOS 5DS
11:30 a.m.  Lindsay Adler

Live Shoot
5 Tips for Striking
Beauty Photography

 Sue Bryce

Live Shoot
Photographing Dance Style
and Fine Art Portraits

 Peter Hurley

Live Shoot
The Hurley Headshot System
12:15 p.m.  Joe Bussinick

Lecture
“P” Could
Be for Professional

 Joe Bussinick

Lecture
Sell Yourself, Not the Images

 Bob Davis

Lecture
Event Photography with Speedlites:
The Triangle of Light
1:00 p.m. Peter Hurley

Live Shoot
Shabanging Lenses
for Headshot Portraits

 Roberto Valenzuela

Live Shoot
Make It Speedy!
Speedlight Techniques on the Go

 Joe Buissink

Lecture
Staying Fresh and
Keeping the Passion
1:45 p.m. Clay Blackmore

Lecture / Live Shoot
The Complete
Canon Wedding Package

 Sandy Puc’

Live Shoot
Working With Children:
It’s the Little Things That Count

 Roberto Valenzuela / Michele Celentano

Lecture
The Power of Perspectives
in Storytelling

Live Learning Stage
The Live Learning stage in the booth will feature live shoots by Explorers of Light and other accomplished photographers (schedule subject to change).

Monday, March 7 Tuesday, March 8 Wednesday, March 9
10:00 AM Peter Hurley

Live Shoot!

Capturing Expression in a Headshot

 Laura Tillinghast

Live Shoot!

Great Portraits Every Time

 Liza Gershman

Live Shoot!

Weddings: Capturing All the Important Details
11:00 AM Sandy Puc’

Live Shoot!

Pinup Portraits: A Temptation You Can’t Resist! 

 Clay Blackmore

Live Shoot!

From Start to Finish Canon

 Michael Ori

Live Shoot!

Stills From Motion With the New 4K EOS-1D X Mark II
12:00 PM Michele Celentano

Live Shoot!

The Magic of Speedlites and Reflectors

 Sandy Puc’

Live Shoot!

Bellies to Babies: Pregnancy and Beyond

 Lindsay Adler

Live Shoot!

Creativity on a Budget!
1:00 PM Laura Tillinghast

Live Shoot!

Great Portraits Every Time

 Michael Ori

Live Shoot!

Stills From Motion With the New 4K EOS-1D X Mark II

 Moshe Zusman

Live Shoot!

Perfect Venue Lighting
2:00 PM Michael Ori

Live Shoot!

Stills From Motion With the New 4K EOS-1D X Mark II

 Moshe Zusman

Live Shoot!

Perfect Venue Lighting

 Clay Blackmore

Live Shoot!

From Start to Finish Canon
3:00 PM Lindsay Adler

Live Shoot!

Creative Explorations with Macro Photography

 Liza Gershman

Live Shoot!

Weddings: Capturing All the Important Details
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