UPDATE – The Sigma 24-105mm f/4 DG OS Is Real (and featured on Sigma’s site)

Sigma 24-105mm f/4 DG OS

Update: the linked page is no longer online :(

No longer a rumor. Sigma lists their latest addition to the “Art” line on their homepage. Planned date available: September 2013 for Canon. All details and product features are online. Sigma writes:

Access the full power of your camera’s image sensor. This new zoom fulfills Sigma’s uncompromising pursuit of high resolution.

The image sensors of digital SLR cameras continue to offer higher and higher resolution, and photographers are looking for high-performance lenses that leverage these sensors’ full power. In the case of zoom lenses as well, which are a dependable go-to in a wide variety of photographic conditions, photographers want convenience combined with exceptional optical performance. The new SIGMA 24-105mm F4 DG OS HSM zoom lens more than fulfills these requirements, offering exceptionally stable high resolution from wide-angle to medium telephoto photography.

While featuring a large-aperture 82mm filter size, this lens minimizes optical aberrations and avoids reduced peripheral brightness, an issue that tends to affect lenses with similar specifications. Each lens is checked with Sigma’s proprietary A1 MTF (modulation transfer function) measuring system to ensure it offers exceptional quality for the high-megapixel era. Try this new high-performance zoom for yourself, and experience Sigma’s uncompromising pursuit of high resolution.

The full realization of the Art product concept for you to hold in your own hands and appreciate with your own eyes.

Designed with a focus on sophisticated optical performance and tremendous expressive power, our new Art line of lenses delivers top-level image quality. With unsurpassed expressive performance, these lenses reach the high standards demanded by photographers with an artistic, creative inclination. Along with landscapes, portraits, still-life, close-up and casual snaps, they’re perfect for the kind of photography that unleashes the inner artist. Ideal for studio photography, they offer just as much expressive scope when capturing architecture, starry skies, underwater shots and many other scenes. The full realization of the Art concept, the Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM is the perfect flagship. Hold it in your own hands and appreciate it with your own eyes.

Sigma 24-105mm f/4 DG OS

[via PR]

Filmmaker Alastair Lee travels to Antarctica with the EOS C300

Canon Professional Network published an article about mountaineering filmmaker Alastair Lee and about how he took two Canon EOS 300C Cinema DSLRs to Antartica, along with two [shoplink 2431]EOS 5D Mark III[/shoplink]. The results are spectacular.

In January 2013, mountaineer and filmmaker Alastair Lee joined a group on a unique mission in Antarctica to climb Ulvetanna’s north east ridge, one of the few significant rock features in the world yet to be surmounted by human beings. Shooting with a pair of Canon EOS C300s, he has produced a stunning documentary about the epic adventure called ‘The Last Great Climb’.

About the EOS C300, Lee says:

The C300 was ideal for ‘The Last Great Climb’ for a couple of reasons […] We had to do stills as well as videos because of the way these things are funded [by the sponsors]. It’s really valuable for them to have stills that they can use in marketing. It’s hard enough shooting a film in a location like the Antarctic, but having a list of still shots to get as well makes it even more complicated! This trip had the best setup we’ve had – the C300 digital cinema cameras and two EOS 5D Mark III DSLRs – because they share the same lens mount and EF lenses.”

Lee used the following lenses for his assignment:

  • [shoplink 246]EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM[/shoplink]
  • [shoplink 177]EF 50mm f/1.2L[/shoplink]
  • [shoplink 252]EF 14mm f 2.8L II USM[/shoplink]
  • [shoplink 8658]EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM[/shoplink]
  • [shoplink 106]EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM[/shoplink]

Canon EOS C300
B&H (click here) | Adorama (click here)

EOS C300
Canon EOS C300
[via CPN]

For Limited Time Only: Canon EOS 70D w/ 18-135mm IS STM – €1,274/$1,469

EOS 70D

It will last for another 22 hours, one of the “limited time only” sales by DigitalRev. This are not earthshaking discounts but still discounts that make a difference. So, on the fence for a EOS 70D kit with the EF-S 18-135mm IS STM lens? DigitalRev has it for the next hours for €1,273.80/$1,469 (click here). Please note that the check-out price may vary depending where you are located. I computed the price for a typical country in Europe (Germany) and for the US. Moreover, be aware that, at least if you are located in Europe or Asia, there are no additional taxes or custom duties to pay – the price is comprehensive of it all. If you are located in the US please check since taxes varies by the State you are living.

Want to learn more about the amazing Dual Pixel Auto-Focus of the EOS 70D? According to photographic authority dpreview it outperforms conventional AF.

Printed Pictures Are Pretty Cool (Canon says)

That’s what Canon, Common and The Walking Dead want us to remind.

In a campaign where Canon is promoting their new PIXMA Pro printer, they are touring the US with with celebrity guests/hobbyist photographers Common, Chef Tyler Florence, and Norman Reedus (The Walking Dead). The purpose of the campaign is to remind us that photography is more than the everyday instagram feed of food and cat pics. The  main theme was “the five senses”.

Read more at mediabistro.

Bring Printed Images To Life: Canon USA PIXMA PRO City Senses Interactive Galleries

Canon USA press release:

Canon U.S.A. PIXMA PRO City Senses Interactive Galleries Help Bring Printed Images To Life

Canon Partners with Celebrities Norman Reedus, COMMON and Tyler Florence for Hometown Galleries in New York City, Chicago and San Francisco

MELVILLE, N.Y., October 10, 2013 – Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, recently brought the five senses to life with the PIXMA PRO City Senses gallery experience, a three-city gallery series aimed at encapsulating an emotion and moment-in-time through the power of printed images. Inspired by their hometown pride and love of photography, actor Norman Reedus (AMC’s The Walking Dead), multi-Grammy award-winning hip-hop artist and actor COMMON, and notable chef Tyler Florence, each hosted gallery exhibits in New York, Chicago and San Francisco, respectively. These exhibits featured images created by the celebrity hosts and two local professional photographers, which were then printed on the PIXMA PRO family of professional printers for display.

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