Photographic Tidbits And News

Photographic tidbits and news for you…

Update – Interview With Canon’s Masaya Maeda (7D Mark II not a story of the day so far)

7D Mark II not a story of the day so far

The Canon EOS 7D – When will the successor be announced?

Update: Reader DePaula (thanks!) was so kind to translate the EOS 7D part. Here is the translation:

DKW: As for the readers of DigiKame Watch, there are many who are waiting for the EOS 7D’s sucessor. Up through the release of last year’s major firmware update, there were many who felt that a new model with even better specs would be released shortly…

MM: Yes, they would be correct. For us, it’s about looking at what the camera has the potential to be and then adding that to what it can currently do. I do think the current model is still very attractive to buyers. And while we are, of course, developing its successor, it’ll be one that incorporates a certain number of innovative technologies. We will not be putting out a product with merely better specs, but one that has evolved into new territory. But then again, we’re not talking about something a long time from now either.

DKW: For example, your rival, Sony exceeded some of the limits that had been holding them back last year by asking themselves, “How far can we go?” They pursued the RX Series which is now in the market and delivered the goods, literaly, to their customers. And while Canon cameras will always be known for things like their high image quality, functionality, and great performance, somewhere along the line I get the impression that Canon began behaving as if it were the be-all and end-all in the camera world. The 7D seemed, in a sense, to be Canon’s attempt at showing its sensitivity and desire to go beyond its limits but, Mr. Maeda, do you personally have an interest in pursuing such “extreme” products like your competitors?

MM: Naturally, I want a camera to be something you put in your hand, peer out in the world with, and become happy with. And I absolutely want them to get smaller. I will refrain from commenting on other companies’ products, but speaking of our own, while cameras like the PowerShot S Series are considered small, they are still massive in my mind. We want to change that. And we will continue to pursue improvement in areas like production quality and the overall quality of our products in addition to high image quality.

Japanese dc.watch.impress published an interview with Canon’s managing director Mr. Tian Rong Makoto Masaya Maeda (thanks kohashi). The interview is long and touches various aspects of Canon’s strategies. You can read it here, and machine translated here.

We are particularly interested to know what is going on with the EOS 7D Mark II, the highly anticipated successor of the EOS 7D (price & specs). Caveat: the interview is machine translated, so you have to take some efforts for interpretation. The post title gets translated with «the successor [of the] EOS 7D is “not a story of the day so far“». More tidbits can be extracted from the interview: the 7D Mark II will not be announced at CP+. On the other hand: the development of the EOS 7D Mark II gets an official confirmation in the interview.

Below is the summary posted on digicame-info, also machine translated:

  • Last year was the Year of top reinforcement in each product category, the Prestige model. I believe that the technologies developed in the Prestige model per each genre, increasing the sophistication of the feature, this year, we will try to fall into the lower models.
  • purely to pursue while maintaining high-quality and high-sensitivity performance EOS has, how far can be reduced. This is the theme of the first one of the first (EOS M). However, I think the future will continue to expand because variation in the mirror-less machine, various types of product will come out.(The successor to the EOS 7D that does not appear immediately) is per premonition.
  • Although the development of the successor of course, it is “the product innovations put some kind.” Instead of that issue as a successor to the product that you spec up a little, it will be what has evolved towards a new area. However, it is not the story of the day so far.

The interview delivers more on Canon’s now to next strategies and philosophy. Covered topics include

  • Cinema EOS and video features of DSLRs
  • EOS-1D C
  • Mirrorless camera strategy
  • PowerShot N

Although the machine translation is far from being even somewhat understandable, I re-post the EOS 7D Mark II part here, for your interpretative pleasure. :-)

– In terms of audience of the digital camera Watch, very many who are looking forward to the successor of the EOS 7D. That last year, it was the latest model specifications second to put the big firmware update, I have also been feeling or the successor is that? Maybe not yet out soon ……

“The development has been of course I think feeling is that derive from is per. Potential and exploit the power of existing models. It attractive products yet. Well successor model, it is” innovation of some sort products put “instead of that issued as a successor will be. products that spec up a little, be something that has evolved towards a new area. though, I’m not talking about the Sun far too much”

– Sony’s rival last year released the RX series, remove the limiter of some sort, was pursued how far you can, for example? It was also supported by the consumer. Canon cameras are high quality and feel of the usual basic functions, the goodness of the performance, on the other hand, I have the impression of acting with a “moderation” somewhere. I think these remove the limiter, it was part of the appeal and sensibility was EOS 7D, You may also be interested in the product along the “Extreme” is Tian Rong’s own truth?

The camera, I want to to something nice to look at and pick up, comment want a product that was downsizing thoroughly. Of company and product but refrain, even PowerShot S series he is speaking in our products still ” , although small, but still I think big. course, while raising the quality of production as. things that you want to somehow as Canon, a sense of quality, it will continue to pursue higher quality “

[via digicame-info]

Canon EOS 7D price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Canon And Sigma 35mm Lenses Reviews Round-up

Canon And Sigma 35mm Lenses Reviews

Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM (price & specs) and Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM (price & specs) reviews round-up. The Canon 35mm used with a low-light champ like the Canon EOS 6D (price & specs) becomes a “low-light shooter’s dream ticket” (see below).

Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM tech specs:

  • Aperture Range: f/1.4-16
  • Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM)
  • Floating Internal Focus System
  • Minimum Focusing Distance: 11.8″
  • Anti-Flare Super Multi-Layer Coating
  • USB Dock: Adjust AF & Update Firmware
  • Special & “F” Low Dispersion Elements
  • Front Filter Thread Diameter: 67mm
  • SIGMA Optimization Pro Software
  • 9x Circular Aperture Blades

Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM tech specs:

  • Aperture Range: f/2.0-22
  • Hybrid Image Stabilization (IS)
  • Glass Molded Aspherical Element (GMo)
  • Rear Focusing & Ultra Sonic Motor (USM)
  • Full-Time Manual Focus in AF Mode
  • Micro‐Stepping Drive Aperture
  • Minimum Focusing Distance: 9.48″
  • Ring USM Low-Speed Drive for Video
  • Eight Circular Aperture Blades

Canon and Sigma 35mm lenses reviews…

Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM at The Online Photographer (excerpts from the review):

  • Autofocus on the 35mm works like it should: fast and nearly silent. The focusing takes place inside the lens. Nothing moves on the outside.
  • […] produces sharp pictures at all apertures
  • The biggest surprise […] is how effective the image stabilization is on this lens
  • […] this might be the best low-light lens around
  • […] could reliably shoot a 35mm lens at 1/15th of a second

Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM at Photography Blog (highly recommended), quoting the conclusion:

Despite it’s lack of an L-series billing and plastic construction, the Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM build quality is reassuringly good […]

The capable image stabilisation system used in conjunction with a high-ISO monster like the EOS 6D is a low-light shooter’s dream ticket […]

Image quality is generally very good. Chromatic aberrations are well controlled, geometric distortion is impressively low for a wide-angle lens, and the Super Spectra coatings successfully prevent contrast loss attributable to flare. The only real optical issues are obvious corner shading at the maximum aperture.

Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM at The Digital Picture, excerpts:

  • The combination of an f/2 aperture, 35mm focal length and 4-stop IS makes the 35 IS, at review time, arguably the most low-light-handholdable full frame format Canon lens available (just ahead of the 24 f/2.8 IS). And the 35 f/2 perhaps equals the most handholdable Canon lens available.
  • The Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM Lens does have image quality that challenges Canon’s best L lenses covering 35mm.
  • The Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM Lens shows impressively little CA (Chromatic Aberration). The f/2 IS’s performance is better than both the 35 f/2 non-IS and the 35 f/1.4 L in this regard.
  • The Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM Lens shows very little distortion

Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM at The Phoblographer (with dozens of sample images, also shot using film). Excerpts from the review:

  • The 35mm f1.4 feels as if the exterior was made from metal; but indeed it wasn’t. It’s a hard plastic that just feels very Zeiss and Hasselblad like. The Germans must be shaking in their boots with the introduction of this lens.
  • Pro: Very affordable, Extremely sharp, Fast focusing, Stellar build quality
  • Cons: May need some micro adjustment out of the box, No weather sealing
  • Conclusion:
    • Overall, we can’t really say anything very terrible about the Sigma 35mm f1.4 EX. Even though it doesn’t have weather sealing, there are options out there that can do this for you. Otherwise, it has a wonderful build quality, eye-popping image quality, and is a relative speed demon when it comes to focusing.

      For quite a while, I loved my Canon 35mm f1.4 L USM. But after some time, I started to believe that the company needed to update it with sharper optics. In my opinion though, they’re taking a bit too long and when I used the new 24-70mm f2.8, I was very disappointed. With that said, Sigma offers users not only a better and more affordable option, but one that you’ll end up proudly carrying around with you all the time.

      This lens gets our Editor’s Choice award and our highest recommendations for DSLR user

That’s it!

Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA Canon And Sigma 35mm Lenses Reviews

A Little Bit Of Everything

 

Canon EOS M Makes It Into Canon Camera Museum

 EOS M Makes It Into Canon Camera Museum

Yes, the Canon EOS M (price & specs) made it into the “design hall” of the Canon Camera Museum:

“Bringing the EOS concept into a mirrorless camera.”
This was the overall approach adopted by the design team for the EOS M camera, which comprised Seishiro Takano, who was responsible for the body and interchangeable lenses; Shingo Yamazaki, designer of the user interface; Megumi Inazumi, in charge of accessories and other parts; and Shosaku Kawashima, the team leader.

Mr. Kawashima – who sought to carry forward the speed, comfort, and picture quality of the EOS series – remained committed to the clear EOS advantage of imbuing a compact body with strength and durability. In other words, the goal was to develop a mirrorless compact camera that incorporated the DNA of EOS.
The design team set a high hurdle for themselves by setting out to combine miniaturization with increased functionality. As a result, all members of the team took on bold challenges in their respective assignments.

Canon EOS M price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA Canon EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

[via The Digital Picture]