Canon EOS-1D X Mark II overview and tutorial video

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Canon EOS-1D X Mark II: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

EOS-1D X Mark II at a glance:

  • Fastest shooting EOS-1D, capable of up to 14 fps full-resolution RAW or JPEG, and up to 16 fps in Live View mode with new Dual DIGIC 6+ Image Processors.
  • Achieves a maximum burst rate of up to 170 RAWs in continuous shooting at up to 16 fps, and 4K movies using CFast cards in the new CFast 2.0 slot.
  • Experience less noise in higher ISO images via a new 20.2 Megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor, with an ISO range of 100 51200; expansion to ISO 409600.
  • Improved AF performance through 61-point, wide area AF system with 41 cross-type points, improved center point focusing sensitivity to -3 EV and compatibility down to f/8
  • Accurate subject tracking for stills and video with new EOS Intelligent Tracking and Recognition AF with 360,000-pixel metering sensor.
  • 4K video (4096 x 2160) up to 60 fps (59.94), with an 8.8-Megapixel still frame grab in camera. Full 1080p HD capture up to 120 fps for slow motion.
  • Dual Pixel CMOS AF & Movie Servo AF for high speed, high frame rate and continuous autofocus during video shooting.
  • View and control high quality stills and videos via the 3.2-inch touch panel LCD with 1.62 million dots.
  • Increased resolution and fine detail, with lens aberration correction and diffraction correction via new in-camera Digital Lens Optimizer technology.
  • Built-in GPS provides geotag information including auto time syncing with Universal Time Code via satellites.
  • The new optional Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E8A is compatible with IEEE 802.11ac/n/a/g/b, supporting both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands.
  • Durable and rugged magnesium alloy body with dust- and-weather resistance for demanding shooting situations.

Guess if you have something left you want to know about the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II, then this 1 hour video by Tony & Chelsea Northrup will provide all the answers you were looking for.

Canon CN-E 18-80mm T4.4 L IS servo zoom first sample footage (pre-production model)

CN-E 18-80mm T4.4 L IS
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Canon C300 Mark II (B&H Photo | Adorama) at a glance:

  • Covers Super 35 & APS-C Formats
  • EF Mount
  • T4.4 Constant Maximum Aperture
  • 9-Blade Iris
  • Parfocal with Minimized Focus Breathing
  • Compatible with Servo Lens Controllers
  • Optional Control Grip
  • Image Stabilization & Auto Focus Support
  • 180° Rotation for Focus
  • Lightweight at only 2.65 lb

Canon’s CN-E 18-80mm T4.4 L IS servo zoom is a hot piece of gear for news and documentary shooters. Even if it is selling for over $5,000, it has to be considered “affordable” compared to other cine zoom lenses.

Newsshooter posted some exclusive video footage shot with a pre-production CN-E 18-80mm T4.4 L IS. They used a Canon C300 Mark II for the tests. The C300 Mark II had beta firmware on board to make it work with the CN-E 18-80mm T4.4 L IS.

They write:

If the pre-production sample is anything to go by then I think Canon have a winner on their hands. It might not be as long, or as wide as the ideal lens, but then it isn’t the price of a Fujinon Cabrio or Canon’s own CN7. It is a much more usable run-and-gun lens than the average stills zoom and the range is very usable. And for the price there are currently few alternatives. Read the review…

Canon EF 85mm F1.2 vs Sony 85mm F1.4 GM comparison

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Canon EF 85mm F1.2: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Gary Fong compares Canon’s tried and true EF 85mm F1.2 lens against Sony’s latest G Master 85mm F1.4 lens. The Sony 85mm F1.4 got a lot of press lately and it’s interesting to see how it compares to one of Canon’s most regarded lens.

Please note that there is a small typo in the video: the Canon images are shot at f/1.2 and not f/1.8. You can download all test shots from Gary Fong’s dropbox folder, and compare them by yourself.

[via Sony Alpha Rumors via PetaPixel]

Zeiss Milvus Distagon 50mm F1.4 review (dressed to impress)

Zeiss Milvus 50mm F1.4
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Zeiss Milvus Distagon 50mm F1.4: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Zeiss Milvus Distagon 50mm F1.4 at a glance:

  • EF Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/1.4 to f/16
  • 4 Anomalous Partial Dispersion Elements
  • 1 Aspherical Element
  • Distagon Optical Design
  • Zeiss T* Anti-Reflective Coating
  • Manual Focus Design
  • Anodized Metal Barrel, Rubber Focus Ring
  • Weather-Sealed Construction

Another interesting review by photographer and reviewer Dustin Abbott. The Zeiss Milvus Distagon 50mm F1.4 lens is examined.

The 11 minutes video above is all about first impression, handling and build of the Zeiss Milvus 50mm. The 18 minutes video-review below is the review itself and will tell you all the rest you want to know about the Zeiss Milvus 50mm F1.4, and breaks down the image quality.

If you prefer you may go for the written review. From the conclusion:

Zeiss lenses are for connoisseurs, and those that own them deeply appreciate them. I’ve appreciated the Milvus 50 for its beautiful build, being great to handle, and for a wonderfully artful rendering. I’m so glad that the Milvus 50 was able to bring a whole new level of resolution to their 50mm focal length without losing the beautiful “Zeiss look” of the images. The Milvus manages to be artful rather than clinical and manages to retain a lot of the goodness of the Otus series with a whole lot less sticker shock. At $1199 (US Market) the Zeiss Milvus Distagon T* 1.4/50mm is expensive, but not unreasonably so. It is heavy, but so is the Sigma 50mm f/1.4. It has a superb build that also now has excellent weather resistance and excellent optics. If you don’t mind (or even prefer) manually focusing, it’s probably the next best thing to the Otus 1.4/55…and it will hurt your wallet a lot less.

Dustin Abbott’s review comes with many sample pics and comparisons with other lenses.

zeiss milvusZeiss Milvus Distagon 50mm F1.4: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

[via Dustin Abbott]

Canon EOS 80D review (ephotozine)

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Canon EOS 80D: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Canon EOS 80D at a glance:

  • 24.2MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
  • DIGIC 6 Image Processor
  • 3.0″ 1.04m-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen
  • Full HD 1080p Video Recording at 60 fps
  • 45-Point All Cross-Type AF System
  • Dual Pixel CMOS AF
  • Expanded ISO 25600, Up to 7 fps Shooting
  • Built-In Wi-Fi with NFC
  • RGB+IR 7560-Pixel Metering Sensor

ephotozine posted their Canon EOS 80D review. The EOS 80D is getting pretty good press out there. From the conclusion:

Live view focus and shutter response has been improved and there is now almost no difference between shooting through the optical viewfinder and rear screen in terms of speed and camera responsiveness. With new auto white balance options, you can choose whether you want warm results or more accurate white results, which is excellent for product shots, and it’s great that you have the choice of both, without having to set white balance manually, or correct images later, which could save someone hours of additional work. There are also new options regarding image sharpness, and with the new 24 megapixel sensor you can get sharp, detailed images straight from the camera, with lower levels of noise than the 70D. Read the review…

The Canon EOS 80D user manual can be downloaded (click here). Good if you want to have a closer look to the EOS 80D’s features.

Canon EOS-1D X Mark II vs Nikon D5 (video)

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Canon EOS-1D X Mark II: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Canon EOS-1D X Mark II at a glance:

  • 20.2MP Full-Frame CMOS Sensor
  • Dual DIGIC 6+ Image Processors
  • 14 fps Shooting, 16 fps in Live View
  • DCI 4K Video at 60 fps, 8.8MP Still Grab
  • 61-Point High Density Reticular AF II
  • 3.2 inch (1.62m) Touchscreen LCD Monitor
  • Dual Pixel CMOS AF and Movie Servo AF
  • ISO 100-51200 (Expanded to 409600)
  • Built-In GPS
  • CFast & CF Card Slots

11 minutes video by Tony & Chelsea Northrup, Canon EOS-1D X Mark II vs Nikon D5. Two flagships for sport and wildlife photography (and obviously much more).