Canon EOS 70D Interview With Canon South Africa

Roger Machin from Canon South Africa talks about the new [shoplink 14246]Canon EOS 70D[/shoplink] and what exactly Dual Pixel CMOS Autofocus means.

EOS 70D specs:

  • 20.2MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
  • DIGIC 5+ Image Processor
  • Dual Pixel CMOS AF with Live View
  • 3.0″ 1,040k-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen
  • Full HD 1080p Video with Move Servo AF
  • Built-In Wireless Connectivity
  • 19-Point All Cross-Type AF System
  • Continuous Shooting Rate Up to 7 fps
  • ISO 100-12800 (Expandable to ISO 25600)
  • Scene Intelligent Auto Mode

The following shops accept pre-orders for the Canon EOS 70D:

Or check if the EOS 70D is available in your country: [shopcountry 14246]

EOS 70D

[via photocomment]

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II Lens Review (ephotozine)

[shoplink 1627]EF-S 55-250mm[/shoplink]

Canon EF-S 55-250mm 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II
[shopcountry 1627]

ephotozine reviewed the Canon [shoplink 1627]EF-S 55-250mm 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II[/shoplink], an inexpensive (it’s usually less than $300), lightweight and popular zoom lens with a 4 stop image stabiliser. In the conclusion they write:

For a budget lens, this optic performs pretty well, striking a good balance between build, image quality and price. The light weight of the lens makes this lens no hassle to keep stowed in a camera bag for when it’s needed and the four stop image stabiliser will help users to make the most of the telephoto reach on offer. Although this is a basic lens, it will still win over many fans due to its ability to deliver sharp images.

The review comes with test charts and sample pictures.

EF-S 55-250mm

Samyang 16mm f/2 ED AS UMC CS Lens Review (ephotozine)

Samyang 16mm f/2.0 ED AS UMC CS
Canon EF-S and M mount: [shopcountry 14432]

  • For DSLRs with APS-C Sized Image Format
  • Aperture Range: f/2.0-22
  • 25.6mm Equivalency in 35mm Format
  • Two Aspherical Lens Elements
  • One Extra-low Dispersion Element
  • UMC Lens Coating
  • Manual Focus

ephotozine published the first review of the [shoplink 14432]Samyang 16mm f/2.0 ED AS UMC CS[/shoplink] lens. This lens may also be branded Rokinon, Bower, Walimex, and a with few more names. The Samyang 16mm is an all manual lens (no electronic coupling with camera) that has an interesting price tag of $479, and is available for both Canon EF-S and M mounts. Build quality and optical performance usually is very good on this lenses. In the conclusion they write:

Those looking for wide aperture lenses for the APS-C or smaller format camera need not continue looking at full frame lenses, that generally cost and weigh more now this lens is available. Although some photographers may find manual focusing off putting, spending a little time practising and getting used to how the lens behaves will pay dividends in the long run. This is especially true when considering how little this lens costs for what you get.

They liked the sharpness and build quality of the lens. The review comes with test charts and sample pics.

How Small Is The Canon Rebel SL1 (EOS 100D)? Follow The Matrioshka Approach To Learn (Video)

Cute little video by Canon Korea on YouTube that shows how small the [shoplink 11240]Canon Rebel SL1 (EOS 100D)[/shoplink] is, particularly when compared to other Canon DSLRs. Canon touts the Rebel SL1 as the world’s smallest DSLR.

Rebel Sl1 specs:

  • 18.0MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
  • DIGIC 5 Image Processor
  • 3.0″ Clear View II Touchscreen LCD
  • ISO 100-12800, Expandable to 25600
  • Full HD 1080 Video with Continuous AF
  • 4.0 fps Continuous Shooting
  • 9-Point AF System
  • Scene Intelligent Auto Mode
  • Compact and Lightweight; Weighs 0.8 lb
  • Compatible with Canon EF and EF-S Lenses
Canon Rebel SL1 (EOS 100D) price check: [shopcountry 11240]
[shoplink 11240][/shoplink]

Don’t Harm Your Gear: A Torture Test On The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8

How fragile is a Canon glass? That’s the question photographer Richard Choi tried to answer. He took a Canon [shoplink 173]EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens[/shoplink], one of Canon’s most inexpensive lenses, all made of plastic, with a price tag around $100, never the less a lens with great optical performance (and good value for the money). He used a lens that was no longer working. At the end he used a hammer. You will be surprised to see that the damage is less than you may expect. Just a few scratches.

The “nifty fifty” lens is a no brainer for every Canon shooter. All plastic, that’s true, not an “L” lens, that’s also true, but still a lightweighted lens with an excellent performance for the price tag. And you have f/1.8. All for around $95 here on Amazon.

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II price check: [shopcountry 173] [via PetaPixel] [shoplink 173][/shoplink]

Rokinon 24mm Tilt-Shift Lens Reviewed (The Phoblographer)

Rokinon 24mm

Rokinon Tilt-Shift 24mm f3.5 ED AS UMC
[shopcountry 13627]

  • Fast Wide-Angle Lens
  • Full-Frame Coverage
  • Geared Focus and Aperture Rings
  • “Declicked” Aperture Ring
  • Aspherical Lens Elements
  • UMC Multi-Coating
  • Detachable Petal Shaped Lens Hood

The Phoblographer reviewed the Rokinon/Samyang/Bower [shoplink 13627]Tilt-Shift 24mm f/3.5 ED AS UMC[/shoplink] lens. This inexpensive, manual-focus tilt-shift lens is a good alternative to the brand-products. Optical quality is good, and if you can live with a manual focus lens (not really a problem on a TS lens), then the Rokinon is a valid alternative for those on a budget. They tested the Nikon-mount version, but did it using an [shoplink 254]EOS 5D Mark II[/shoplink] through an adapter.

In the conclusion they write:

What this Rokinon has done is open the floodgates to the world of Perspective Control imagery for photographers that have otherwise avoided these magnificent lenses due to to the sheer cost of them. For instance, Canon’s mkII version of the 24mm f3.5L TS-E costs a whopping $2200, a full $1200 MORE than the Rokinon. When you consider what they have accomplished with their lens and delivered it for under $1k, I find that to be pretty astonishing personally. […]  I have to say though, I am slightly conflicted over this lens. I think that it is a great opportunity for photographers who are new to tilt-shift photography to get into it, and for those of us on a budget it allows us to have a pretty decent lens for the price of entry.

The review comes with lots of sample pictures.

[via The Phoblographer]