Kickstarter: Benro Theta, The Intelligent Modular Travel Tripod

Benro Theta

Welcome the Benro Theta, a self-proclaimed intelligent modular travel tripod. It’s on Kickstarter and it looks like a good idea (to me).

If you like the idea behind the Benro Theta, have a look on their Kickstarter page to learn more.

As technology advances, we’re constantly moving toward a future where devices can do more with less. The Benro Theta is no exception to this rule. Theta is a highly innovative product that combines portability, stability, efficiency and intelligence. Theta offers the same stability a regular tripod does, but with many extras to assist photographers in taking the perfect shot with ease. From rapid leg deployment and automatic leveling, to remote camera control, automatic exposure adjustment, and livestreaming – Theta is designed to elevate your photographic journey.

With Theta’s level function, you can turn the ball head into a platform that is always level. Instead of having to take care of whether the framing is horizontal during the shoot – it is horizontal at all times. So you can stay focused on your composition.

In fact, we initially wanted to design an electric tripod head with built-in leveling that would be travel-friendly. However, the torque of an electronic tripod head is quite high, and making it smaller would give up its stability. With lots of testing, we redesigned Theta’s legs and ball head to make it a truly portable, self-leveling tripod. All without compromising stability and practicality.

More here….

Canon EOS R5 C Approved For Netflix Productions

Canon Eos R5 C

The Canon EOS R5 C has been approved by Netflix, i.e. it satisfies their requirements to be used for productions for the streaming service.

Canon press release:

Canon EOS R5 C Now Approved for Netflix Productions

New Firmware Update Enhances Operation & Image Quality of the Hybrid Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera

Canon’s EOS R5 C has been added to Netflix’s list of approved cameras. This allows filmmakers to use Canon’s full-featured, hybrid full-frame mirrorless camera for Netflix productions.

Version 1.0.3.1 firmware elevates the overall image quality and camera operability for content captured by filmmakers and creators using the EOS R5C.

The EOS R5 C approval brings the number of Canon Cinema EOS camera models approved for use on Netflix productions to eight.

Canon Cinema EOS camera models on the Netflix approved camera list include:

  • Canon EOS R5 C
  • Canon EOS C500 Mark II
  • Canon EOS C300 Mark III
  • Canon EOS C70
  • Canon EOS C300 Mark II
  • Canon EOS C700 FF
  • Canon EOS C700
  • Canon EOS C500

The new firmware update strengthens Canon’s commitment to the filmmaking and content creation market.

To download the new firmware update, please visit EOS R5 C Firmware Version 1.0.3.1

For more information on the Canon EOS R5 C camera, please visit EOS R5 C Product Page

Please visit Netflix’s site for more information about approved cameras:

Cameras & Image Capture: Requirements and Best Practices

Canon Develops Another Imaging Sensor That Can See In The Dark (the MS-500)

Ms-500

Another highly specialized imagining sensor developed by Canon’s laboratories, the MS-500. Canon plans to commence sales of the MS-500 in 2023.

Canon press release:

Canon developing world-first ultra-high-sensitivity ILC equipped with SPAD sensor, supporting precise monitoring through clear color image capture of subjects several km away, even in darkness

TOKYO, April 3, 2023—Canon Inc. announced today that the company is developing the MS-500, the world’s first1 ultra-high-sensitivity interchangeable-lens camera (ILC) equipped with a 1.0 inch Single Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) sensor2 featuring the world’s highest pixel count of 3.2 megapixels3. The camera leverages the special characteristics of SPAD sensors to achieve superb low-light performance while also utilizing broadcast lenses that feature high performance at telephoto-range focal lengths. Thanks to such advantages, the MS-500 is expected to be ideal for such applications as high-precision monitoring.

There is a growing need for high-precision monitoring systems for use in such environments as national borders, seaports, airports, train stations, power plants and other key infrastructure facilities, in order to quickly identify targets even under adverse conditions including darkness in which human eyes cannot see, and from long distances.

The currently in-development MS-500 is equipped with a 1.0 inch SPAD sensor that reduces noise, thus making possible clear, full-color HD imaging even in extreme low-light environments. When paired with Canon’s extensive range of broadcast lenses, which excel at super-telephoto image capture, the camera is capable of accurately capturing subjects with precision in extreme low-light environments, even from great distances. For example, the camera may be used for nighttime monitoring of seaports, thanks to its ability to spot vessels that are several km away, thus enabling identification and high-precision monitoring of vessels in or around the seaport.

With CMOS sensors, which are commonly used in conventional modern digital cameras, each pixel measures the amount of light that reaches the pixel within a given time. However, the readout of the accumulated electronic charge contains electronic noise, which diminishes image quality, due to the process by which accumulated light is measured. This leads to degradation of the resulting image, particularly when used in low-light environments. SPAD sensors, meanwhile, employ a technology known as “photon counting”, in which light particles (photons) that enter each individual pixel are counted. When even a single photon enters a pixel, it is instantly amplified approximately 1 million times and output as an electrical signal. Every single one of these photons can be digitally counted, thus making possible zero-noise during signal readout—a key advantage of SPAD sensors4. Because of this technological advantage, the MS-500 is able to operate even under nighttime environments with no ambient starlight5, and is also capable of accurately detecting subjects with minimal illumination and capture clear color images.

The MS-500 employs the bayonet lens mount (based on BTA S-1005B standards) which is widely used in the broadcast lens industry. This enables the camera to be used with Canon’s extensive range of broadcast lenses which feature superb optical performance. As a result, the camera is able to recognize and capture subjects that are several km away.

Going forward, Canon will continue to pursue R&D and create products capable of surpassing the limits of the human eye while contributing to the safety and security of society by leveraging its long history of comprehensive imaging technologies that include optics, sensors, image processing and image analysis.

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Sony Announces The ZV-E1, Full-frame Camera For Content Creators

ZV-E1

Sony released a full frame mirrorless camera, the Sony ZV-E1, aimed at the video making folks.

Sony ZV-E1 at a glance:

  • Designed for Content Creators
  • 12MP Full-Frame Exmor R CMOS Sensor
  • UHD 4K 120p / FHD 240p / 10-Bit 4:2:2
  • 5-Axis SteadyShot Image Stabilization
  • 15+ Stops Dynamic Range, AI Auto-Framing
  • Multi-Face Recognition, Time-Lapse
  • Product Showcase Setting
  • S-Log3, S-Gamut3, S-Cinetone, User LUTs
  • Extended ISO 80-409,600
  • Internal Mic + Inputs, USB Streaming

Sony press release:

Sony Electronics Announces the ZV-E1, a New Full-Frame, Interchangeable Lens Camera for Video Creators

A Compact Lightweight Body Designed to Give Creators the Ultimate Video and Content Creation Tool

SAN DIEGO, March 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Electronics announced today the new ZV-E1, an interchangeable lens camera with a high performance 35mm full-frame image sensor for the ultimate video creation experience. Newly positioned in Sony’s ZV vlog camera line-up, the ZV-E1 boasts a 12MP full-frame image sensor, Sony’s latest BIONZ XR image processing engine, a dedicated AI (artificial intelligence) processing unit, compatibility with over 70 Sony E-mounti lenses, and other advanced technologies for capturing cinematic imagery with rich colors, low noise and high precision. The world’s most compact, lightweight full frame interchangeable lens cameraii , the ZV-E1 offers outstanding mobility, with refined operation to give video creators maximum creative freedom and versatility.

“The ZV-E1 has been designed to deliver a premium content creation tool for video creators who want to elevate their content,” says Yang Cheng, Vice President, Imaging Solutions, Sony Electronics Inc. “We are constantly listening to feedback from our customers, pushing to innovate to meet their demands. We have taken all the information into mind with our development of this new camera – with more sophisticated video features, a streamlined user experience and an extremely compact design, the ZV-E1 offers a whole new way for today’s creators to create top level video content.”

Expressive imagery that emphasizes the subject
The ZV-E1 is a dedicated content creation camera that features a 35mm full-frame back-illuminated CMOS Exmor R™ sensor, with approximately 12.1 effective megapixels, delivering high sensitivity, low noise and gorgeous bokeh.

With up to eight timesiii more processing power than previous Sony processors, the new BIONZ XR™ image processing engine markedly boosts high-sensitivity performance, gradation rendering, color reproduction, low-noise performance, and more. The high volume of data generated by the image sensor can be processed in real time, even when shooting 4K (QFHD: 3840 x 2160) footage at 120piv. The BIONZ XR processor also contributes significantly to improved AF speed and precision.

High-quality 4K (QFHD) video can be recorded with full pixel readout at 10-bit 4:2:2, without the need for pixel binning and with very high speed to minimize rolling shutter. This makes the expressive advantages of the full-frame format available for video recording while delivering high-resolution 4K footage. Users can upgrade from 4K 60p to 4K 120pv through the Creators’ Cloud for extraordinarily smooth 5x (max.) slow-motion imageryvi. Direct playback for video in slow or quick motion in the S&Q modevii boasts outstanding image quality.

With 15+ stop latitudeviii, it’s possible to capture natural looking images in a wide variety of lighting to capture natural looking images even in extraordinarily low light situations without losing highlight or shadow detail. The standard ISO range extends from 80 to 102400 for both stills and movies. The expanded range for stills is 40 to 409600, and the expanded range for movies is 80 to 409600.

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Canon Recalls Some Batches Of EOS R10 Cameras And EF 50mm F1.2 Lenses

Canon Eos R10 Review

Canon Japan published a customer advice about some batches of Canon EOS R10 cameras and EF 50mm f/1.2L lenses.

Canon found the following issue with Canon EOS R10 cameras:

A small part of this product makes a loud noise […] when the built-in strobe fires.

Is your Canon EOS R10 part of this batch? Find out this way:

[EOS R10 cameras] with the serial number (on the bottom of the camera) of which the two digits from the left are “01” to “10”.

(For products sold in Japan, some products from “01” to “03” are eligible.)

See here to learn more…

CANON EF 50mm f/1.2L

Some units of the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L lens might have this issue:

When shooting in a high temperature environment, the exposure may not be as intended, resulting in variations in the brightness of the images shot in the same scene, or an error “Err01” may occur.

How to find out if your lens is affected? Check the serial number. Canon states:

Some of the EF50mm F1.2L USM interchangeable lenses for single-lens reflex and mirrorless cameras produced in 2022.

Lenses with the 10-digit serial number printed on the lens body (see the figure on the right) whose four digits from the left are “1840”, “1940”, “2040”, “2140”, and “2240” are eligible.

See here to learn more…

[via asobinet]

Canon EOS-1DX Mark III Firmware Update (version 1.7.1)

Canon Eos-1d X Mark Iii Sensor

Canon released a firmware update for the Canon EOS-1DX Mark III, version 1.7.1. Please note: at time of writing the firmware update was available on Canon Japan, we link there.

Canon EOS-1DX Mark III firmware 1.7.1 (download):

  • [Save/load communication settings to card] has been added to the menu. Network settings can now be inherited between cameras of the same model.
  • You can now trim and resize images while transferring them to the FTP server.
  • Corrected the phenomenon that some cameras that meet certain conditions may not turn on immediately after updating to firmware version 1.7.0.
  • Fixed minor bugs.