Giveaway: Win A CosySpeed Photohiker 24 Backpack For Photographers

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We have a new giveaway, and it’s a pretty cool one. My friend Thomas from COSYSPEED sponsors one of his new backpacks and you can win one.

You can win a COSYSPEED Photohiker 24 backpack. The COSYSPEED Photohiker 24 is a professional Vaude backpack for mountaineering modified by COSYSPEED to work best for photographers. It’s very comfortable to wear for long times, it’s sturdy, it’s a quality product. I personally own other COSYSPEED products and they never let me out in the rain.

You can learn more and back the COSYSPEED Photohiker project on Kickstarter. Have a look at all COSYSPEED products.

Enter the giveaway to win a COSYSPEED Photohiker 24 backpack:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Here is COSYSPEED’s press release:

PHOTOHIKER Hiking Backpack for Photographer

A camera backpack build around a prograde carrying system from high-end hiking backpacks

The global backpack market was valued at USD 18 billion in 2019 and is expected to reach USD 22 billion by 2026. Over the last few years, photography and adventure sports have witnessed a significant increase in the number of participants contributing to the growth of the backpack market. One such new market entrant is Cosyspeed’s new outdoor photography backpack called the Photohiker.

Cosyspeed has collaborated with German outdoor equipment specialist, Vaude, to bring photographers a sturdy backpack that can withstand rough use while safely storing sensitive photography equipment such as cameras and laptops. The unique feature of the PHOTOHIKER is the carrying system which is normally used in high-end hiking and trekking packs. COSYSPEED has turned around the design process of a camera backpack by designing the carrying system first and in a second step the photo functionality. This gives landscape and nature photographers maximum comfort on extensive photo-hikes. The Photo Cube XL accessory ensures the photo functionality of the backpack is utilized to its maximum capacity. In addition, Photohiker comes with sturdy plastic panels installed on the sides that provide crucial protection for expensive camera systems and lenses against tripods stored in the side pockets.

The collaboration with Vaude enables the Photohiker to boast a pro-grade carrying system for challenging photography conditions. With up to two removable Photocubes and a laptop compartment, the bag offers enough space and protection for the equipment of photographers. It accepts system cameras and medium-sized DSLRs, as well as standard and telephoto lenses and accessories. Smaller accessories can be stowed in zip pockets nestled inside the bag’s inner flap. The optionally available Photo Cube M fits into the upper compartment of the Photohiker and can thus increase the capacity for photo equipment storage. In the back, there is a padded zip compartment that has enough space to hold a MacBookPro 16” comfortably. The side pockets and underbody are outfitted with a rubberized material on the inside that can hold a tripod each. Available in two different capacities of 44 and 24 liters, the Photohiker is a perfect companion to bring onboard aircraft for your mid-travel photo editing sessions as both sizes are in accordance with IATA guidelines.

The carrying system features a very well-ventilated Aeroflex 3D back system with an integrated metal frame. Comfortable ErgoShape straps and adjustable back length allow for comfortable carrying, and uncomplicated adjustment to different body sizes even for extended outdoor sessions without having to take breaks to manage equipment.

The bag is made with tough nylon materials with a rain hood at the bottom that gives it the ability to withstand heavy rain showers. The bag is made in compliance with high environmental standards and is free of PFC, meaning that it meets the stringent criteria for the Green Button Alliance Certification, the government seal for environmentally sound production, and fair working conditions.

Has The Canon EOS R3 Been Delayed Because Of Production Issues?

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We were expecting the Canon EOS R3 announcement this week. It didn’t happen. The reason might be a production issue.

It seems that the Olympics do not play a role in the Canon EOS R3 announcement. Also, it is not sure that the EOS R3 was delayed. It might well be that Canon didn’t plan to release it in June 2021. If there was a delay, Canon Rumors suspects it’s due to production issues. This most likely means supply chain issues. There is a chip shortage going on. It’s real and it is reported even on Wikipedia (see here too for more information).

Hard to say if the chip shortage is really affecting Canon’s production chain. It’s entirely possible, though.

Here are are the known and rumored EOS R3 specification in one list:

  • 30.1mp backside illuminated image sensor (resolution is not confirmed yet)
  • Multi-Controller & Smart Controller
  • Vari-Angle Touch Screen
  • NEW accessory shoe
  • Wifi 5GHz
  • High speed 30fps electronic shutter with AF/AE tracking + RAW shooting at this speed
  • AF down to -7.0 EV
  • 8 Stops Coordinated Control IS with Optical IS and In-Body IS
  • 4K Canon Log3​
  • Oversampling 4K
  • Internal RAW video
  • Inclusion of cars and motorbikes in AF tracking technology
  • RAW internal movie recording
  • Speedlite shooting with electronic shutter
  • The same weather sealing as the EOS-1D series
  • LP-E19 Battery
  • Dual card slot SD & CFExpress

All our Canon EOS R3 coverage is listed here, product images are here and here. There has been some discussion about who makes the imaging sensor of the EOS R3. You can get notified when the Canon EOS R3 will be available for preorder.

More about the EOS R3 after the break.

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Yongnuo YN RF 85mm f/1.8R DF DSM For Canon EOS R Announced

YN RF 85mm
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Yongnuo announced a new lens, it’s for the RF mount and it’s the YN RF 85mm f/1.8R DF DSM.

YN RF 85mm f/1.8R DF DSM press release:

Small body, lightweight

This product is designed for RF mount mirrorless camera，the maximum diameter and length of the lens is about 67×88mm, and the net weight is only about 380g. The lightweight design is good for long-term handhold shooting and video recording.

Equipped with a control ring, supports silent operation

Users can assign common functions such as aperture, shutter speed, ISO sensitivity, etc. to the control ring according to their needs. Rotating the control ring can quickly adjust the corresponding parameters, greatly improving operation convenience creative efficiency.

The lens is also designed with a “Click” switch: After Click is turned on, turning the control ring will have a clear sense of gear and a “click” sound; When the Click is turned off, turning the control ring will not make any noise, which is helpful during video recording.

Note: The control ring and manual focus ring are integrated designs, please set the switch to the corresponding position when using.

Equipped with AF/MF focus mode switch，supports full-time manual focus.

Through the AF/MF focus mode switch, you can quickly switch the focus mode. When the autofocus operation is set to [ONE SHOT], you can focus manually after you keep pressing the shutter button halfway to complete the focus (full-time manual focus).

Note: The full-time manual focus function can only be used normally after enabling the corresponding settings on the camera. For detailed operations, please refer to the camera manual.

Equipped with quiet DSM stepping motor

Digitally controlled stepping motor (DSM) has a quick start-stop response, high focusing accuracy, and quieter focusing action, which is suitable for photo shooting and video recording.

The lens mount is equipped with a dust-proof and water-proof rubber ring

The lens mount is equipped with a dust-proof and water-proof rubber ring，which can effectively resist the entry of dust and water droplets.

Note: The mount position of this lens has a certain degree of waterproof performance, but it is not completely waterproof. If you are shooting in rainy weather, please try to keep the lens from getting wet.

YN RF 85mm

Equipped with a low-dispersion lens

Equipped with one low-dispersion glass, which can effectively suppress the dispersion problem.

With 9 optical lenses in 8 groups, the nano-multilayer coating process

The lens adopts an optical structure of 9 lenses in 8 groups, and the lens has a nano-multilayer coating process, which can effectively increase the light transmittance and suppress back-light ghosts and glare.

F1.8 large aperture, 7 aperture blades

Flexible use of F1.8 large aperture, easy to obtain soft blur effect, highlighting the subject.

The lens is designed with 7 aperture blades. It can shoot circular diffuse spots. It can also take pictures with 14 starburst effects if the aperture is appropriately reduced.

USB firmware upgrade

Equipped with a USB Type-C interface, you can download the latest firmware to upgrade the lens to keep the lens at its best performance.

Metal bayonet, gold-plated contacts

The lens adopts high-precision metal bayonet and gold-plated contacts, which can effectively improve the signal conductivity and corrosion resistance. At the same time, it can maintain reliable communication between the camera and the lens, and realize functions such as autofocus, aperture control, and EXIF information transmission.

[via Canon Rumors]

Canon EOS C70 Firmware Update 1.0.1.1 Released

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Canon released Canon EOS C70 firmware version 1.0.1.1.

Canon EOS C70 firmware version 1.0.1.1 incorporates the following fix and enhancement:

1. Adds ITU-R.BT.709 standard compliant Gamma[BT.709 Standard / BT.709] the to the Custom Picture. 
2. Adds [Whole Area] to the AF Frame option so the camera focuses automatically on a subject at the center of the screen. 
3. Object or Face Tracking can now be initiated by touching the LCD monitor during 'Whole Area' AF. 
4. Adds [2x] option to the Magnification.
5. Adds [Mask 100%] to the [Aspect Marker] and [Safe Area Marker].
6. Adds "B&W during Magn." as an option to the Assistance Function menu.
7. Adds View Assist function to video output from the HDMI OUT terminal. 
8. Adds EF lenses compatible with EF-EOS R 0.71x Mount Adapter.*1
  EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
  EF16-35mm f/4L IS USM
  EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM
  EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM
  EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM
  EF70-200mm f/4L IS USM
  EF70-200mm f/4L IS II USM
9. Changes to display the AF frame only when operating the AF, while using with EF-EOS R 0.71x Mount Adapter 
10. Adds Wi-Fi adapters tested for use with the camera.
  ASUS USB-AC68
  TP-LINK Archer T9UH

Download Cannon EOS C70 firmware version 1.0.1.1 here.

Canon Interview – EOS R3, Lenses, RF Mount, Computational Photography

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Here is an interview with Mr. Go Tokura, Chief Executive, Image Communication Business Operations. The Canon EOS R3 is also discussed.

DPReview hold the the interview with Mr. Go Tokura. Here are some excerpts. Don’t expect too much since Canon rarely tells a lot in these interviews.

Will the EOS R3 be capable of high resolution video as well as stills?

We cannot provide detailed information at this point, but we can confirm that oversampled 4K video capture will be possible.

[…]

Can you give examples of some of the technologies used in your RF lenses which are only possible because they’ve been designed for mirrorless?

The optical designs of the RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM and RF 70-200mm F4 L IS USM fully leverage the advantages of the RF mount’s large diameter and short flange-back distance to achieve a significant reduction in length compare with their EF mount counterparts (EF 70-200mm F2.8L IS III USM and EF 70-200mm F4L IS II USM, respectively).

Additionally, the RF 600mm F11 IS STM and RF 800mm F11 IS STM lenses would only have been possible with mirrorless cameras. Thanks to Dual Pixel CMOS AF, which performs well in low-light environments, AF is still usable even at slower apertures (higher F-numbers).

[…]

Will dual-pixel CMOS AF evolve to include ‘quad-pixel AF’ with cross-type AF points?

We are certainly considering the idea of cross-type AF and quad-pixel AF. Autofocus is a relatively broad term, technologically speaking, so we are looking at its potential evolution in three ways: (Evolution in) AF sensitivity, ultra-high speed and AI-powered tracking. Cross-type AF and quad-pixel AF are possible themes we will consider.

Read the interview at DPReview.

Nikon Announces Retro Looking Nikon Z fc Mirrorless Camera

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No Canon EOS R3 today, but Nikon released a new mirrorless camera with APS-C sensor, the Nikon Z fc.

At a glance:

  • 20.9MP DX-Format CMOS Sensor
  • EXPEED 6 Image Processor
  • UHD 4K and Full HD Video Recording
  • Eye Autofocus
  • Built-In Wi-Fi
  • USB Type-C Connectivity

Preorder are available starting at $965.95: [shoplist 66579]

Nikon press release:

Nikon releases the Z fc DX-format mirrorless camera

A heritage-design model that further enhances the joy of shooting and ownership

TOKYO – Nikon Corporation (Nikon) is pleased to announce the release of the APS-C size (Nikon DX-format) Nikon Z fc mirrorless camera, as well as two lenses: a silver-color variation of the standard zoom NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR lens, and the prime NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8 (SE) special edition lens for which a heritage design that matches the Z fc body has been adopted.
Details regarding the NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8 (SE) can be found in the following press release, issued today: https://www.nikon.com/news/2021/0629_lens_02.htm

The Z fc is the first Z-series camera to adopt a heritage design, while simultaneously supporting various advanced features. In addition to the enjoyment of shooting great stills and videos, it is designed with particular attention paid to delivering the pride and joy of ownership. Its compact, lightweight body is highly portable but packs superb operability and rendering capability, making it easy to handle even for first-time mirrorless camera users.

The Z fc’s exterior adopts a heritage design inspired by the iconic Nikon FM2 SLR film camera released in 1982. It features a Nikon logo from the 1970-80s as well as a body size and dial positions that are similar to the FM2. It also incorporates a circular eyepiece, and three dials and a display panel on the top body: the passion of this heritage design is present everywhere. Furthermore, two lenses that match the Z fc’s heritage style will also be released.

The letter “f” in the Z fc’s name is a reference to models with symbolic importance in Nikon’s history, while also being inspired by the word “fusion,” representing the coming together of tactile precision mechanics and high image quality. The letter “c”, meanwhile, conveys Nikon’s wish for this camera, with all its inherited tradition, to be used by anyone, anywhere, “casually”.

Nikon will continue to pursue a new dimension in optical performance while meeting users’ needs, contributing to the development of imaging culture, with the hope of expanding possibilities for imaging expression.

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