Canon vs Nikon – A Comparison to Make the Right Choice (Canon, obviously)

Jared Polin of FroKnowsPhoto made this video where he compares a bunch of Canon and Nikon cameras. While I strongly suggest you go for a Canon (surprised?) it is never the less interesting to see what Nikon has to offer.

Just a few observations. As Jared Polin points out, Nikon’s mount type does not allow for an auto-focusing lens as fast as f/1.2 (there is more about this in his article):

What many people are not aware of is that Nikon can not produce the F1.2 lenses like Canon can. Nikon’s mount simply wont allow for it to make auto focus lenses similar to Canon’s  [shoplink 135]85mm f/1.2[/shoplink]and shoplink 177]EF 50mm f/1.2[/shoplink]. You have to take this into consideration when you are searching out a camera.

A  winning point for Canon imo. Moreover, have you heard about Nikon D750’s flare shading issue? The issue is caused by an internal component in the camera housing that’s blocking part of the light that is reflected from the AF sensor, blocking it from reaching the sensor. Oh, and do you remember the Nikon D600’s oil spilling issue? Want a seriously engineered camera? Go for a Canon. Just my 2 cents…

[via FroKnowsPhoto]

First Review of Yongnuo’s Canon Nifty-Fifty Clone

y1

PetaPixel reviewed the Yongnuo YN50mm F1.8, a lens that looks pretty much like Canon’s EF 50mm f/1.8 (aka the Nifty-Fifty, one of Canon’s best selling budget lenses). The Yongnuo sells for around $40, the Canon for around [shoplink 173]$100-$125[/shoplink] .

They got two copies of the Yongnuo, one only to be teared apart. The reviewer says:

[he] can confirm, having repaired a dozen or so Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II lenses, that the internals have significant differences. There are some similarities in the glass elements, but the overall construction is quite different

So it looks “cloned” from the outside, but it is not inside. The reviewer used a [shoplink 333]Rebel T3i/EOS 600D[/shoplink] for the test, and for a good reason since he assumes (correctly, I guess) that this $40 super-budget lens will be used on entry level DSLRs, and not on full-frame, pro-level gear.

The Yongnuo performs on the same level as the Canon:

For AF speed, noise, accuracy, etc, I noticed nothing different between the two at any time

As the reviewer writes in the conclusion, for those who do not want to spend $125 for the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8, the $40 Yongnuo 50mm f/1.8 is a good option. PetaPixel’s review comes with sample shots.

The Yongnuo is available on Amazon and eBay. 

  • Angle Range: Diagonal 46° /Vertical 27° /Level 40°
  • Lens structure:5 groups 6 slices
  • Minimum aperture: f/22 /Filter diameter/Number of available:52mm/1
  • Closest focusing distance: 0.45 meter
  • Maximum magnification and field of view:0.15×160×240mm (when located to 0.45 meter)

Yongnuo

Canon EOS 7D Mark II In-Depth Video Tutorial Series

CanonUSA on YuoTube posted a set of in-depth tutorial videos about the top features and functions of Canon’s brand new EOS 7D Mark II. The video above highlights the broad coverage of the 7D2’s auto-focus system. The other videos:

Want to know more about the game changing EOS 7D Mark II? Read more about the EOS 7D Mark II’s excellent weather sealing, the highly advanced AF, and the industry leading high ISO performance (have a look here too). All our coverage on the EOS 7D Mark II can be seen here (and there is a lot).

Canon EOS 7D Mark II price check: [shopcountry 22664][shoplink 22664] EOS 7D Mark II Tutorial[/shoplink]

Canon CINE-SERVO 50-1000mm T5.0-8.9 Lens Overview Video

CanonUSA on YouTube posted this video where Canon USA’s Larry Thorpe discusses features and benefits of the Canon cine-servo 50-1000mm lens. The lens is yours if you have some $70,000 you don’t need (better you ask your wife before purchasing).

  • Covers up to Super 35mm Sized Sensors
  • 50 to 1000/75 to 1500mm Zoom
  • ENG-Style Zoom, Focus, Iris Servos
  • For Broadcast or Cinema Shooting Styles
  • 180° Focus Ring with Knurled Grip
  • Double Focus Markings in Feet and Meters
  • Detachable Drive Unit
  • Zoom Speed: 1.5 to 180 Seconds
  • Programmable Zoom, Focus, Iris Positions
  • 11-Blade Aperture Design

50-1000mm

[via TDP]

Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 USM IS Review (Photozone)

[shoplink 25486]24[/shoplink]

Photozone.de reviewed the 2 years old Canon [shoplink 25486]EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM[/shoplink] lens. The lens didn’t score very well.

From the conclusion:

The Canon [shoplink 2165]EF 28mm f/2.8 USM IS[/shoplink] and [shoplink 8253]EF 35mm f/2 USM IS[/shoplink] delivered pretty impressive results in our lab. Can the Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 USM IS continue this tradition? Unfortunately it doesn’t quite convince as much. The image quality is far from being bad in general but it could be clearly better at f/2.8 at least. The quality in the image center is great but the corners are soft and there’s a quite massive degree of vignetting. At medium aperture settings the quality is much better but it doesn’t provide anything extraordinary here either. On the positive side, the lateral CAs are low and bokeh fringing is not an issue. The bokeh itself is very decent within its class. Image distortions reach a slight to medium degree only.

Never the less, the build quality is excellent and this is a light-weight lens that may appeal to many photographers. The lens has a $50 mail-in rebate to take advantage of, and sells for $549 at Adorama and B&H Photo, but not on Amazon (where it is $599).

Specs:

  • EF Mount Lens
  • Aperture Range: f/2.8-22
  • Aspherical Lens Elements
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • Ultrasonic Focus Motor
  • Rear Focusing System
  • Fulltime Manual Focus Override
  • Lens Coatings Minimize Ghosting & Flare
  • Minimum Focusing Distance: 7.9″
  • 58mm Filter Thread Diameter

EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM price check: [shopcountry 25486] [via Photozone.de] [shoplink 25486]244[/shoplink]

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II Review (Photozone)

EF 100-400mm

Photozone.de posted their review of the brand new Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II lens. And it is a very positive one.

From the conclusion:

The king is dead, long live the king! Seems as if Canon wanted to show the new mirrorless kids who is still the boss around. The Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 USM L IS was already good but the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 USM L IS II is even better. Canon managed to improve the image sharpness substantially (mostly in the lower range). The image center is now dead sharp and the borders and corners are easily very good at mainstream settings. The very low amount of CAs (at and beyond 200mm) is highly impressive. The vignetting remains rather typical for a lens in this class, so you will be able to spot some light falloff at fully open aperture (300/400mm). Image distortions are well controlled. The quality of the bokeh is good although the best prime lenses continue to have an edge here. Bokeh fringing is not an issue due to the relatively small max. aperture.

Photozone’s review comes with test charts and sample pictures. The EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 USML IS II is shipping since last week, and can be ordered at B&H Photo and Adorama. Price is $2,199.

  • EF Mount L-Series Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • One Fluorite and One Super UD Element
  • Air Sphere and Fluorine Lens Coatings
  • Ring-Type USM AF Motor, Internal Focus
  • Optical Image Stabilizer with 3 Modes
  • Rotating Zoom Ring & Torque Adjustment
  • Weather-Sealed Design
  • Detachable, Rotatable Tripod Collar
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm

See if the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 USML IS II is available in your country: [shopcountry 25455]

EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II