Canon EOS 7D Mark II Review (highly recommended, Photography Bay)

7d2_king

Photography Bay reviewed the Canon EOS 7D Mark II. Once more, a review confirms that the 7D2 is the state-of-the art APS-C DSLR.

From the conclusion:

The image quality improvements over the prior generation are better than expected. The AF system is state-of-the-art. The control and customization possible with this camera is more than you would expect for a $1800 asking price.

The spec sheet and feature highlights of the 7D Mark II can seem underwhelming at first glance. However, once you use this thing, you realize just how much is under the hood. I have to tip my hat to Canon for producing a solid, professional-grade camera at a very attractive price point.

As a sports and action camera, it is the best bang for your buck on the market. Nothing else comes close.

As an all-purpose DSLR, it is a strong offering that won’t slip up in just about any circumstance. Sure, there are cameras that offer more resolution or more video features; however, the 7D Mark II is very balanced from top to bottom.

Photography Bay give the EOS 7D Mark II a “highly recommended”. The review comes with sample pics, analysis of the highlight features, high ISO samples etc. Different lenses are tested and reviewed for their use on the 7D2.

Read more about the EOS 7D Mark II’s highlights: the 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: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

7D Mark II

Adobe Lightroom 6 Coming Soon (listed on Amazon UK, yet not available)

Looks like the announcement of Adobe Lightroom 6 is not far away. LR6 DVD edition is already listed on Amazon UK (though it isn’t yet available). Adobe Lightroom 6 will work only with 64-bit operating systems. Announcement is expected somewhen between March and May 2015.

Adobe Lightroom 5 price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA [via PR]

Deal Alert: Canon EOS 7D Mark II with 18-135mm IS STM lens – $2,000

  Reputable seller Camera Land on eBay (99.8% positive ratings) has the Canon EOS 7D Mark II with 18-135mm IS STM lens . Compare to $2,149 on Amazon. This appearsto be an US model. The seller says:

This camera was shown for the opening of our Camera Store on Long Island, therefore we would never sell it as a NEW Never Opened item. No battery was ever inserted, no actuations.

Free shipping in US and limited quantity. More good deals on Canon gear on eBay. Please note: this may be a grey import item.

Canon Patent for 24mm f/2.8, 50mm f/1.3, and 300mm f/4 Lenses with Optimised Refractive Index Distribution (EF 300mm f/4L IS replacement?)

pat

Egami (translated) spotted a patent filed by Canon that could point to the next iteration of the EF 300mm f/4L IS lens (announced 2004). A 50mm and 24mm lens are also mentioned. If I got it right these lenses are also featuring optimised refractive index distribution.

The lenses described in the patent feature an optical unit with an optimised refractive index distribution over the lens’ optics. The described optical system consists of a first lens unit with positive refracting power, a second lens unit with negative refracting power, and a third lens unit that has positive refracting power. The aforementioned refractive-index-distribution element is arranged at the first lens unit. Such an optical system should be able to reduce various optical aberrations like chromatic aberrations.

  • Patent Publication No. 2015-28551
    • Published 2015.2.12
    • Filing date 2013.7.30
  • Example
    embodiment
    Example Focal distance Fno. Half angle Image height Overall length of the lens BF
    One 294.00 4.14 4.21 21.64 239.07 83.42
    Two 24.48 2.86 41.47 21.64 92.00 38.00
    Three 51.70 1.30 22.71 21.64 94.01 37.50
    Four 294.00 4.14 4.21 21.64 240.00 82.95
    Five 6.15 20.45 71.28 2.88 3.71 3.69 30.34 9.98 2.89 3.60 84.11 86.12 90.41 11.74 15.68 8.50
    Six 293.97 4.14 4.21 21.64 239.98 85.34
  • Canon patent
    • The use of refractive index distribution element

EF 300mm f/4L IS 

 

[via Egami]

Actor Josh Hutcherson Joins Canon USA And Ron Howard For Project Imagination

 canonlogo

Actor Josh Hutcherson Joins Canon U.S.A. And Ron Howard For Project Imagination: The Trailer; He Will Star In A Hollywood Film Inspired By A Winning Trailer

The Contest Opens February 25, Inviting Consumers of All Skill Levels to Submit Trailers of Their Everyday Life Moments
NEW YORK, N.Y., February 17, 2015 – Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, announced that actor, Josh Hutcherson, star of The Hunger Games franchise, has partnered with Canon U.S.A. Inc. and Ron Howard for Project Imagination: The Trailer, and for the first time ever, anyone’s life moments can become a movie trailer and inspire a Hollywood film. The user-generated experiment invites consumers of all skill levels to create and submit trailers of their everyday life moments, resulting in one winning trailer selected by Ron Howard and Josh Hutcherson, which will ultimately inspire a short film in which Hutcherson will star and produce.

“Josh Hutcherson is going to be a great addition, empowering a whole new generation to pick up a camera and realize they are far more creative than they give themselves credit for in their everyday life moments,” said Ron Howard. “I encourage people to really have fun with their storytelling; who knows, the kid’s birthday party might end up looking like a horror film or a trailer for a fantastic thriller that could truly captivate us.”

“I’m fascinated by filmmaking and recently sat down with Ron Howard to hear about the history of Project Imagination,” said Josh Hutcherson. “The creative process truly excites me, as does officially joining the cast of Canon’s Project Imagination: The Trailer. I’m really looking forward to starring in a film inspired by user-generated trailer submissions.”

Submissions will open on February 25 at imagination.usa.canon.com. Until then, consumers can visit the website and get inspired by watching “The Trailer of Your Life” – a 45-second trailer about the project, leveraging everyday footage from everyday consumers. The site also includes Ron Howard’s tips for creating trailers.

Project Imagination: The Trailer marks Ron Howard’s third time partnering with Canon, a brand that aligns with his conviction that people’s everyday lives are visually and cinematically worth recording.

“We’re delighted to continue our great partnership with Ron Howard and welcome Josh Hutcherson to the project,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, president and COO Canon U.S.A.

The Evolution of Project Imagination

In 2011, Ron Howard and Canon U.S.A. launched Project Imagin8ion, the first photo contest in history to inspire a Hollywood short film. Project Imagin8ion resulted in one film, “When You Find Me,” directed by actress Bryce Dallas Howard, inspired by eight winning photographs.

In 2012, Howard and Canon U.S.A. teamed up again for Project Imaginat10n, the first photo contest in history to inspire a film festival. Project Imaginat10n resulted in the production of 10 films, five of which were consumer directed and five of which were directed by influential celebrities from five diverse backgrounds, Jamie Foxx (entertainer), Eva Longoria (actress), Georgina Chapman (co-founder of Marchesa; fashion), James Murphy (formerly of LCD SOUNDSYSTEM; music) and Biz Stone (co-founder of Twitter; technology). The collective project was inspired by 91 winning photographs, one from each of 10 core tenets of storytelling. The 91st photo from the tenth theme, Discovery, was selected by Ron and woven into all films to create a common thread.

Grey New York, Canon’s agency partner for more than thirty years, is developing the creative and digital elements of Project Imagination: The Trailer. Grey Activation & PR is managing the partnerships with Ron Howard and Josh Hutcherson, as well as the promotional, event and public relations efforts.

Click here to open the rest of the article