Canon announces Firmware Upgrades for Canon XF205 and XF200 Professional Camcorders

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Canon announces two free firmware upgrades for the Canon XF205 and XF200 professional camcorders. These updates will add a new image quality setting and support for IP streaming, and will be released respectively mid-April and late-June 2015. Press release:

Free Firmware Upgrades For Canon XF205 and XF200 Professional Camcorders Deliver Improved Basic Performance

MELVILLE, N.Y., March 4, 2015 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, announced today two free firmware upgrades1 that the company will make available for the Canon XF205 and XF200 Professional Full HD camcorders (released in July 2014), one of which adds a new image-quality setting to the camcorder and another that enables the streaming of video over an IP network.

Since their launch in July 2014, the Canon XF205 and XF200 camcorders have proven popular in a wide variety of fields, from the production of news and other broadcasting content to the recording of weddings and other events. In response to the needs of a wide range of users, the new firmware upgrades will add such features as a new image-quality setting that facilitates video recording with reduced noise even in low-light conditions2, as well as numerous functions that deliver enhanced basic performance, such as the ability to stream live video over an IP network.

New image-quality setting (upgrade to be released in mid-April 2015)

One of the new upgrades, to be released in mid-April 2015, will add an image-quality setting to the XF205 and XF200 camcorders that facilitates the recording of video with noise reduction even in low-light conditions. This feature will enable users to choose the optimal image quality based on their shooting requirements, providing a choice between a setting that prioritizes the high-resolution capabilities of the camcorder – the camcorders’ default setting – and a new image-quality setting that gives priority to video with noise reduction.

Support for IP streaming (upgrade to be released in late-June 2015)

The firmware upgrade to be released in late-June 2015 will enable the XF205 and XF200 camcorders to support video streaming over an IP network, a method that is widely used in the broadcasting industry to send and receive video signals. By sending video over the internet while it is being captured, users will be able to provide live transfers of footage to news programs and video-sharing sites. In addition, the upgrade will enable the camcorders to be used with Fujitsu’s video transmission equipment, the Fujitsu Network IP-900IID and IP-920D HD/SD Compact Video Decoders3 as well as software supporting IP streaming. Thanks to these new capabilities, users will be able to stream video over an IP network without having to alter existing video-capture and editing workflows, such as those employed at broadcasting stations.

Canon will exhibit prototype-versions of the firmware upgrades at the Canon booth during the 2015 NAB Show from April 13 to 16 in Las Vegas.

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Canon EF 24-105mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Review (photozone.de)

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Photozone reviewed Canon’s new [shoplink 25293]EF 24-105mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM[/shoplink] lens for full-frame DSLRs. This isn’t an “L” grade lens, it’s a more inexpensive version of this for full-frame sensors very popular zoom range. So how does it perform? Better than you may expect, especially if you take in account that this lens costs $599 on Amazon.

In the verdict they write:

The Canon EF 24-105mm f/3.5-5.6 STM IS has a couple of the “right ingredients” for being a potentially good performer – it doesn’t really have an ambitious zoom range, the max. aperture is very moderate and despite all this, it is a comparatively big lens resulting in only moderate optical constraints. So how’s the end result ? Pretty good … although not flawless. Technically the lens is surprisingly sharp. The image center is especially impressive at mainstream aperture settings. The borders/corners are also decent. However, the field curvature can spoil the corner results at the wide end of the range and near infinity focus. Distortions are visible at the extreme ends of the zoom range. Lateral CA are generally moderate except in the corners at 24mm. The 24mm setting is also a bit of a weak spot with respect to vignetting at max. aperture. The EF 24-105mm f/3.5-5.6 STM IS is obviously a slow lens and as such you shouldn’t expect wonders regarding its bokeh potential but the technical quality is comparable to other standard zoom lenses.

It’s a pretty good lens for those who are on a budget or just want to carry around less weight, and it has virtually silent, STM-driven auto-focus (good for the videographers). The EF 24-105mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens is the new kit option for the [shoplink 7139]EOS 6D[/shoplink]. Tech specs:

  • The first standard zoom EF lens for full frame sensor cameras to include a lead screw-type stepping motor (STM).
  • The focusing mechanism employs an inner focus lens, a stepping motor and lead screw to support the Canon EOS Movie Servo AF function and provide smooth and quiet continuous AF during video recording, as well as when shooting photos.
  • Optical Image Stabilizer provides up to four shutter speed stops of correction*.
  • New 7-group zoom optics allows for a conveniently compact design and outstanding optical performance.
  • Two aspheric lenses plus a UD lens combine to provide high-quality results for both still images and movies.
  • Circular aperture (7 blades) delivers beautiful, soft backgrounds.
  • Optimized lens placement and coatings deliver exceptional color balance, while minimising ghosting and flare.
  • Inner focusing system, high-speed CPU and improved AF algorithm allow high-speed autofocus.
  • Full-time manual focus allows manual focus adjustment while in AF Mode.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM price check: [shopcountry 25293] [via Photozone]

Bird and Wildlife Photography Tutorials by Canon (seven Videos)


Location scouting for the perfect shot

To promote their “Birds as Art” workshop, Canon posted seven (7) short tutorial videos with plenty of tricks and tips. The workshop and the tutorial videos are hosted by renowned bird photographer Arthur Morris.

Here are the videos. Enjoy.


One Shot and AI Servo AF


Sunrise and Sunset Blurs and Silhouettes


Getting the right exposure


Arthur Morris’ Gear Bag


Camera settings


Tele-Extenders

[via Imaging Resource]

Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L USM Lens Movie

CanonAsia on YouTube posted this movie. Witness the stunning shots captured using the EF 11-24mm f/4L lens and be astounded by the impressive landscapes delivered by Canon’s widest zoom lens ever and see how effortless such shots can be now.

Canon’s new EF 11-24mm f/4L is now available for pre-order at Amazon US. The Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L is available and ships for $2,999. More pre-order link: Adorama | DigitalRev | B&H Photo.

Sample pics at ephotozine, product images at Photography Blog and DPReview. David Norton on the EF 11-24mm f/4L. Sample pics at Canon UK.