Philip Bloom Talks About Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF On The EOS C100 (Video)

Canon recently announced the possibility to unlock the innovative Dual Pixel CMOS Auto-Focus technology on the Canon EOS C100 (and C300) via a firmware update. We had a first impression about how Canon’s new AF technology works on the C100. Now it is Philip Bloom who tested Dual Pixel CMOS AF on the C100, and he shares his impressions in the video above (posted by Vimeo user Canon Pro).

Canon EOS C100: Adorama | B&H

Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology was first seen on the amazing EOS 70D [shoplink 14246](price & specs)[/shoplink].

Dual Pixel CMOS AF

An Introduction To Samyang’s New Lenses (8mm, 10mm, 12mm, EF and EF-M Mount)

Samyang 8mm f/2.8 UMC Fish-Eye II Lens for Canon EF-M Mount

  • Canon EF-M Mount Lens
  • Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/22
  • 12.8mm (35mm Equivalent)
  • Designed for APS-C Sized Sensors
  • Fisheye Design, 180° Angle of View
  • Three ED and Two Aspherical Elements
  • UMC Coating

B&H Explora posted a nice introductory article about Samyang’s new prime lenses, the 10mm f/2.8 ED AS NCS CS, 12mm f/2.0 NCS CS, and 8mm f/2.8 UMC Fish-Eye II lenses. The former comes with Canon EF mount, the latter with Canon EF-M mount.

Please note that Samyang lenses are branded with various names ([shoplink 19633 ebay]Samyang[/shoplink], [shoplink 19635 ebay]Walimex[/shoplink], [shoplink 19636 ebay]Rokinon[/shoplink], [shoplink 19637 ebay]Opteka[/shoplink], [shoplink 19638 ebay]Falcon[/shoplink], [shoplink 19639 ebay]Vivitar[/shoplink], [shoplink 19640 ebay]Bower[/shoplink]).

Rokinon has announced several new manual focus lenses for both still photography and HD video capture. Starting with the photo lenses, there is the new second-generation 8mm f/2.8 for mirrorless cameras, a 10mm f/2.8 lens for mirrorless and APS-C format DSLR cameras, and a 12mm f/2.0 lens for mirrorless cameras. Also for photo are new Sony E and Micro Four Thirds mounts for existing 24mm f/1.4 and a 35mm f/1.4 lenses. The Cine lenses include a new 8mm T3.1 for mirrorless mounts and a 14mm T1.5, 24mm T1.5, 35 T1.5, and an 85mm T1.5 for Micro Four Thirds.

 

 10mm f/2.8 ED AS NCS CS Lens for Canon EF Mount

  • Canon EF Mount Lens
  • Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/22
  • 16mm (35mm Equivalent)
  • Designed for APS-C Sized Sensors
  • One ED and Two Aspherical Elements
  • Nano Coating System
  • Manual Focus Design
Samyang Announcement 12mm f/2.0 NCS CS Lens for Canon EF-M Mount

  • Canon EF-M Mount Lens
  • Aperture Range: f/2.0 to f/22
  • 19.2mm (35mm Equivalent)
  • Designed for APS-C Sensors
  • Three ED and Two Aspherical Elements
  • Nano Coating System

Specifications after the break.

Click here to open the rest of the article

Canon Publishes Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX II Guidebook

Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX II

The Canon Digital Learning Center published the Canon Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX II Guidebook (download here):

Have you been intrigued by the possibilities of close-up and macro shooting, but felt limited by your understanding of lighting? Canon has long provided the EOS photographer with two specialized flashes for close-up shooting, but their operation and possibilities have been a bit of a mystery to users who haven’t experienced them first-hand.

With the launch of Canon’s latest macro flash — the Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX II — Canon, Inc. has developed a guide that explains the unit’s operation and how it can be realistically applied in different situations. Whether you simply want to document a hobby, photograph small objects to display or sell on-line, or even shoot portraits, the combination of this new Macro Ring Lite and a Canon macro lens may be all you need to get creative results.

Written for the photographer who is new to macro shooting, this opens the door to how macro flash may be a lot easier to use than he or she may have previously thought. Examples are as easy to understand as the manner in which the guide is written. Canon’s hope is that with this guidebook, the possibilities and fun of macro shooting with flash will be even more within reach of the casual EOS photographer, as well as the dedicated macro enthusiast.

The Canon MR-14EX II Macro Ring Light can be purchased for $549 at B&H Photo and Adorama.

Canon Powershot G1 X Mark II Technical Article (Canon Camera Museum)

Powershot G1 X Mark II

The Canon Camera Museum published a technical article about the Canon Powershot G1 X Mark II (price & specs).

Developed as the successor to the PowerShot G1 X, the PowerShot G1 X Mark II (Photo 1) is a new model that delivers a higher level of image quality and functionality thanks to the synergy of the DIGIC 6 imaging processor and the 1.5-type CMOS sensor with approximately 12.80 effective megapixels (maximum image size).

The development aim of this new model is stated as:

• Realize a flagship compact camera packaged with uncompromising image quality and functionality

The article’s index:

The Canon Powershot G1 X II has been officially announced February 12th, and can be pre-ordered for $799 at Amazon | B&H Photo | Adorama.

Tamron SP 150-600MM F/5-6.3 Di VC USD Review (Steve’s Digicams)

Tamron SP 150-600mm

Steve’s Digicams reviewed the Tamron SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD lens, Tamron latest image-stabilized ultra-zoom. The Tamron sells for $1069 and offers a lot of bang for the money. Good sharpness, a great telephoto range, and accurate and quick auto-focus are among the highlights of this lens.

They list what they liked about the Tamron 150-600mm:

  • Amazing zoom range, perfect for shooting from a distance
  • Vibration Correction adds up to 4 stops of correction when shooting handheld
  • Although large, it is compact for this class of lens
  • Smooth, easy rotating rings for zoom and focus
  • Weather-sealed for shooting in all conditions
  • Affordable price tag (for a lens in this category)

From the conclusion:

Tamron’s new ultra-zoom lens, the SP 150-600MM F/5-6.3 Di VC USD, is a large and powerful zoom lens for anyone that is looking to get up close and personal with their subjects. This large lens can be used with either Full-Frame or APS-C sized image sensors, although with an APS-C sensor you are looking at 240mm-960mm (with Canon’s 1.6x crop factor). This provides excellent zoom for extreme situations, distant sport photography and it is outstanding for wildlife photography. The ability to get close to your subjects without actually getting close to them allows you to photograph them without disturbing them and their natural habits. Weather-resistant construction allows you to be out in most weather conditions with the confidence that the lens will come through with no trouble, even in high moisture or rain.

The Tamron SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD lens can be pre-ordered at Adorama or B&H Photo. Specifications and description after the break.

Click here to open the rest of the article

An Introduction To Canon Tilt-Shift Lenses By Vincent Laforet

Canon Tilt-Shift Lenses
Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II

The Canon Digital Learning Center posted the first video of a 3 parts series about the basics of tilt-shift lenses. The host is no less than Canon Explorer of Light Vincent Laforet.

Join Explorer of Light Vincent Laforet on location in New York City as he shares practical examples of how to use Canon’s tilt-shift lenses for architecture, portrait, lifestyle, and tabletop photography. Learn how a tilt-shift lens can correct, enhance and dramatically change a composition.

In Episode 1, Vincent gives an overview of what a tilt-shift lens is and how it differs from other lenses in the EOS lineup.

In Episode 2, Vincent talks about the shift property of the lens and how it can be used to correct distortion and also aid in multi-shot stitching by showing a few practical examples from around the city.

In Episode 3, Vincent shows a few examples of how the tilt functionality of the lens can shift the plane of focus to create a miniature look as well as increase the focus plane.