Canon ME20F-SH review by B&H Explora (the Canon camera that can see in the dark)

B&H Photo Explora posted their review and thoughts about the soon to be released Canon ME20F-SH, the full-frame camera that literally can see in the dark.

While the technology featured on the ME20F-SH will likely not find its way into the EOS-1D X Mark II and the EOS 5D Mark IV, it’s good to know that Canon has the engineering skills to develop and build such a camera. Even if this tech is not going to spill over into other parts of the Canon lineup in the near future, Canon shows once more who is the leader. Writes B&H Explora:

The Canon ME20F-SH presents itself as a unique tool for a wide range of applications. Part cinema camera, part surveillance tool, part studio camera, the camera is ready to serve anyone who wants to capture images in extremely dark conditions without having to sacrifice color or resort to infrared lighting and sacrifice nature color reproduction. While it isn’t necessarily meant to be an “A” camera for most productions, I’m sure wildlife and nature documentarians, cave and deep-sea videographers, and astrophotographers in particular, will be champing at the bit to try out the camera. With its ability to capture previously impossible shots, the ME20F-SH could help reinvent the very look and feel of ultra-low-light videography. Exciting times are ahead. Read the review…

Yes, I agree: such technology is exciting, and there are big things to come from Canon in the future.

[we always quote where we find our news, this time: Mirrorless Rumors. Other sites do not care and just repost, we care about ethics]

Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM review (ephotozine)

ephotozine posted their Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM review. Another review that praises the [shoplink 34159]EF 35mm f/1.4 II[/shoplink], though it outlines also some weakness.

From the conclusion:

There is no doubt that the Canon EF 35mm f/1.4 L II USM is a very pleasant lens to use and has a very attractive “character” to the images, that indefinable look. This is aided by its high contrast that gives a crisp appearance to images.

This is concentrated on the centre without a doubt, the edges lagging behind, but the fine detail is very good indeed at the centre of the field. The edges are a little disappointing, as is the relatively poor flare control. Overall, a very good lens, not a perfect one, but an excellent, reliable choice for Canon users. Read the review…

Canon EF 35mm f/1.4 II [shopcountry 34159]

Canon EOS 5Ds and 5Ds R review by DPReview

eos 5ds r
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Photography authority DPReview posted their very exhaustive review about Canon’s EOS 5Ds and EOS 5Ds R.

From the conclusion:

Without a doubt, most photographers don’t need 50MP but some do, and this places the 5DS and especially the 5DS R firmly in medium-format territory for studio and fashion photographers. Canon has an excellent family of glass and accessories that pros trust: for example, Canon’s radio-triggered TTL flash system (600EX-RT / ST-E3-RT) is simply unparalleled in its versatility among Speedlites. Landscape photographers are always looking for more resolution for larger prints, and Canon’s excellent new glass in the 11-24 F4L, 16-35 F4L IS, and 70-200 F2.8L II potentially make this camera an easy sell for nature shooters. But the 5DS/R don’t exist in a vacuum, and that makes them a bit of a conundrum. Read the review…

Canon EOS 5Ds: [shopcountry 27765] | Canon EOS 5DS R: [shopcountry 27766]

Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens sample pictures posted

Sigma 20mm f/1.4
Shot with Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM and Canon EOS 5Ds R (image: Sigma/Wataru Nakamura)

Sigma posted a set of 22 sample photos shot with the new Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM “Art” lens. A Canon [shoplink 2431]EOS 5D Mark III[/shoplink] and [shoplink 27766]EOS 5Ds R[/shoplink] were used for the sample pics. The Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM performance is stellar.

Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM: [shopcountry 36336]

Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM key features:

  • EF Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/1.4 to f/16
  • Two FLD Elements and Five SLD Elements
  • Two Aspherical Elements
  • Super Multi-Layer Coating
  • Hyper Sonic AF Motor, Manual Override
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
  • TSC Material, Brass Bayonet Mount
  • Built-In Petal-Shaped Lens Hood
  • Compatible with Sigma USB Dock

Sigma 20mm f/1.4

Canon EF 35mm f/1.4 II build like a tank where it counts (LensRentals teardown)

EF 35mm f/1.4L II
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Roger Cicala of LensRentals tore down Canon’s new EF 35mm f/1.4 II lens.

[…] we’re impressed with the Canon 35mm f/1.4 Mk II. The weather resistance appears better than most weather resistant lenses. […] The mechanical construction is beyond impressive. This lens is massively over-engineered compared to any other prime we’ve ever disassembled. It’s built like a tank where it counts; on the inside. Moving parts are huge and robust. Six big screws are used in locations where 3 smalls screws are common in other lenses. Heavy roller bearings move the focusing group, it doesn’t slide on little nylon collars. Read the review (and see the many pics of the teardown)…

All this engineering wizardry comes with a price. The [shoplink 34159]EF 35mm f/1.4 II[/shoplink] is not a budget lens, selling at $1,799. But then, I guess this is part of the “you get what you pay for” category. The EF 35mm f/1.4 II features Blue Spectrum Refractive Optics, an optical technology developed by Canon that corrects chromatic aberrations at an extremely high level.

Canon EF 35mm f/1.4 II: [shopcountry 34159]. Key features:

  • EF Mount L-Series Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/1.4-22
  • Blue Spectrum Refractive Optics
  • Two Aspherical Elements, One UD Element
  • Subwavelength and Fluorine Coatings
  • Ultrasonic Autofocus Motor
  • Full-Time Manual Focus Override
  • Weather-Sealed Design
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm