Canon Revises Profit Forecast, Things Going Better Than Expected

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Canon corrected their profit forecast for 2021. They corrected it upwards. Inkjet printer sales are going strong since people is working from home because of the pandemic.

Canon Global released a note where they state that profit forecasts have been corrected upwards. That’s the new situation:

Camera and printer sales are going very well, according to Canon (emphasis mine):

In the second quarter of 2021, as was the case in the first quarter, sales of inkjet printers, which continue to be in high demand due to more people working and learning from home globally, grew strongly. Additionally, even amid restrictions on activities linked to the COVID-19 pandemic, interest in and demand for cameras increased, resulting in sales remaining strong in each region, particularly for full-frame mirrorless cameras and interchangeable lenses. The Company is also posting sales growth of other products, such as medical and semiconductor lithography equipment, thanks to favorable market conditions. Amid inflation caused by a shortage of goods, we expect the favorable market environment to continue in the second half
of the year. Additionally, more people getting vaccinated is expected to bring the number of people commuting to offices back, resulting in print demand recovering in the office market. Based on these assumptions, the Company has revised its full-year consolidated results forecast.

Thanks Edina for the tip.

Canon And IBM Announce Partnership To Promote Art using Volumetric Video

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One of Canon’s many efforts. Learn more about the Noh volumetric video here or watch a Ted Talk about volumetric video technology.

Canon press release:

Canon and IBM Japan form joint business operation utilizing volumetric video technology to promote the visual and performing arts, release video for inaugural project: a performance of the Noh play Lady Aoi, directed by the Hoshokai.

TOKYO, July 2, 2021—Canon Inc. (Headquarters: Ohta-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Fujio Mitarai; heretofore: Canon) and IBM Japan Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Akio Yamaguchi; heretofore: IBM Japan) announced today that, starting in July, the two companies will form a business partnership based on the use of volumetric video technology to promote the visual and performing arts.

Volumetric video technology entails the use of digitalized 3D spatial data, which is rendered by computers to create a virtual space in which video can be generated from any angle. This technology has attracted significant interest in the sporting world and is becoming increasingly widespread in the entertainment industry. In addition, Canon has implemented this technology during an international rugby tournament in 2019 as well as other sporting events. In July 2020, the company established its Volumetric Video Studio – Kawasaki, to expand its range of activities in the entertainment industry.

In this joint project both companies have leveraged their combined technologies, products and networks to propose a volumetric video solution for the visual and performing arts community, with the aim of exploring new business opportunities and creating and growing new value for audiences. In particular, Canon contributes its volumetric video technology, which makes possible nearly simultaneous video capture and generation of high-resolution video. Through this technology, the company provides a new method for video content production and audiovisual experiences, in addition to passing on valuable cultural traditions.
Leveraging its know-how and experience in the field of art, IBM Japan provides consulting services that include business strategies and project execution support for companies involved in the arts in order to help the visual and performing arts achieve a digital transformation.

In addition, using its IBM Power System AC922 for accelerated computing and IBM Elastic Storage System broadband storage technology, the company can provide technological support through high-quality, high-speed and secure visual data processing and streaming technology, thus increasing the value of services using volumetric data.

The first project created through this corporate partnership is the release today of a performance of the Noh theatre work “Lady Aoi,” produced by Hoshokai and utilizing volumetric video technology. Directed by Kazufusa Hosho, Head of the Hosho Noh Style, the performance gracefully flows between scenes of the Noh stage and the spiritual world. For the creation of the video, Canon obtained 3DCG data of a real-life Noh stage, generated dynamic backgrounds and CG animations, and captured video of the Noh actors’ performance at the Volumetric Video Studio – Kawasaki. These resources were then smoothly integrated into the completed product, right there at the studio. IBM Japan provided high-speed infrastructure and technological support through its IBM Power Systems AC922 advanced dedicated parallel processing server and IBM Elastic Storage System broadband storage technology, enabling the use of essential responsiveness required for real-time video rendering.

Through this partnership, both Canon and IBM Japan will aim to create new value within the visual and performing arts world while expanding the potential use cases of volumetric video technology.

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New Version Of Canon DPP And EOS Utility, Support For EOS R6 and 1D X Mark III

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Canon released new versions of their Digital Photo Professional and EOS Utility software.

The new versions add support for the Canon EOS R6 and the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III. To be precise it’s support for the latest firmware versions.

  • Supports Firmware Version 1.5.0 or later for the EOS-1D X Mark III
  • Supports Firmware Version 1.4.0 or later for the EOS R6

Download the latest version of DPP and EOS Utility here.

Canon Pulls Olympics Promotional Booths Along With Other Sponsors, Report

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A different kind of rumor today. It seems many Japanese sponsors of the Olympic Games 2021 are cancelling promotional events and booths. Canon is also rumored to pull their promotional booths from the Olympics.

Sources told Reuters that sponsors are “frustrated by ‘very last minute’ decisions by organisers and a delay on whether spectators would be allowed“. It’s less than two weeks to go until the Olympics start. Citing two “people familiar with the matter”, Reuters reports:

Camera maker Canon Inc […] have scrapped plans to set up promotion booths along the “Olympic Promenade”

According to Reuters’ sources, Canon planned to set up a photo spot for visitors along the Tokyo waterfront. With no spectators allowed, it wouldn’t make much sense. Canon declined to comment to Reuters about the rumor.

Thanks Edina for the tip.

Firmware Update: Canon EOS R6 & EOS-1D X III Get Log 3 And Simultaneous Video Recording To 2 Cards

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New firmware updates for the Canon EOS R6 and the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III.

Canon EOS R6 firmware 1.4.0 incorporates the following enhancements and fixes (download):

1. Adds [Canon Log 3] to [Canon Log settings]. 
2. Simultaneous movie recording on card 1 and card 2 has been added.
3. Improves operation stability when using the RF400mm F2.8 L IS USM and RF600mm F4 L IS USM.
4. Fixes an issue in which, during HDMI connection, if the camera's screen turns off, a zebra pattern
is displayed via the HDMI output.
5. Fixes an issue in which sufficient image stabilization effects may not be attained immediately after the start of shooting.

Canon EOS-1D X Mark III firmware 1.5.0 incorporates the following enhancements and fixes (download):

1. Adds [Canon Log 3] to [Canon Log settings]. 
• Support for RAW movies shot with Canon Log 3 and RAW (Light) will be available in a future version of Cinema RAW Development and in Digital Photo Professional software.
• Support for the processing of RAW movies shot with Canon Log 3 and the application of Viewing LUT will be available in a future version of Digital Photo Professional software.
2. Simultaneous movie recording on card 1 and card 2 has been added, however RAW movies and RAW(Light) movies cannot be recorded simultaneously on card 1 and card 2.
3. Support for the VPG 400(Video Performance Guarantee Profile), a standard based on the CFexpress 2.0 specification, has been added.
4. Fixes an issue in which there are rare instances where the shooting settings for Still Photo mode are retained when a user switches to Movie mode.

Canon RF 14-35mm f/4L IS Added To List Of Lenses Having Supply Shortage

RF 14-35mm f/4L IS
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It seems demand for the new Canon RF 14-35mm f/4L IS is higher than Canon can fulfill.

Canon Japan posted a product notice where they point out that the Canon RF 14-35mm f/4L IS (and other lenses, see below) are having supply shortage.

We have received more orders than expected for each of the following products, and it will take some time before delivery.

We thank you for your many orders and apologize for any inconvenience caused to our customers. Thank you kindly look forward for your understanding.

[Applicable products]

・ RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 IS USM

・ RF 100mm F2.8 L MACRO IS USM

・ RF4 00mm F2.8 L IS USM

・ RF 600mm F4 L IS USM

・ Ring type tripod mount E (B)

・ RF 14-35mm F4 L IS USM

Pre-orders for the Canon RF 14-35mm f/4L IS are available but it seems uncertain when the lens will be delivered. An August 2021 shipping start was predicted by Canon. If you are interested in the Canon RF 14-35mm f/4L IS it might be a good idea to act quickly.

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[via asobinet.com]