Canon Patent for Mixed Metal and Resin Mount (less weight, less abrasion)

Canon Patent

Egami (translated) spotted a patent for a DSLR mount made of metal and resin. The metal part is the “inner part” of the mount, the “resin part” the outer part. The advantages are lower weight and lower abrasion. Another advantage could consist in smoother mounting/unmounting of lenses, with less abrasion of the lens-side part of the mount, since high quality resin is more abrasion resistent than metal. Be aware that when talking about resins we are not talking about mere plastic.

  • Canon patent
    • Of bayonet mechanism mount
    • Mounting an inner peripheral portion of the body has a concave rail surfaces of metal
    • Mount the outer periphery of having a rail surface of the convex shape in the resin
    • That resin rail than the metal rail, I have a narrow width and high height

More from the machine translated patent description:

If a metallic material is used for the construction material of camera mount, the strength of mount will be secured, but if attachment and detachment of a taking lens (lens device) are repeated, a mount surface will be worn out and appearance grace will be spoiled by the abrasion. Wear becomes a cause, the slidability of a mount surface is deteriorated, attachment-and-detachment torque becomes high, and an operation feeling becomes less good. In order to secure the abrasion resistance of mount, and slidability, when a resin material is used as construction material of the whole mount, as compared with the case where a metallic material is used, strength is weak.

and

In order to compensate the characteristic of a metallic material and resin mutually, the mount which molded metal and resin integrally is proposed. The Patent[shows a] mount of composition of having the mount main part which constituted the mount surface from a synthetic resin excellent in abrasion resistance and a sliding feel, and a metal ring component for reinforcing this mount main part.

[via Egami]

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II in Stock and Ready to Ship (limited quantity)

EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II

B&H Photo told me the have a limited stock of the new Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II lens in stock. The lens sells for $2,199 (click here).

  • EF Mount L-Series Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • One Fluorite and One Super UD Element
  • Air Sphere and Fluorine Lens Coatings
  • Ring-Type USM AF Motor, Internal Focus
  • Optical Image Stabilizer with 3 Modes
  • Rotating Zoom Ring & Torque Adjustment
  • Weather-Sealed Design
  • Detachable, Rotatable Tripod Collar
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm

Canon High-Megapixel DSLR Going Beyond the 50MP Mark?

Canon High-Megapixel DSLR
At Northlight Images a speculation surfaced suggesting the high-megapixel DSLR that Canon themselves confirmed being in the works may have a 52MP sensor.

The speculation is based on the assumption that Canon’s new sensor might be based on the same 4.2 micron pixel design used for the sensor in the Canon EOS 70D and EOS 7D Mark II. This would translate to 52MP when applied on a full-frame sensor.

52MP would be a good marketing argument, considering that Sony/Nikon sensors reach 46MP. If true, Canon is on the way to win the megapixel race. We will see.

[via NL]

 

Canon EOS C100 Mark II Kits Ready for Pre-Order

EOS C100 Mark II

B&H Photo has four Canon EOS C100 Mark II kits available for pre-order. Shipping is expected for the end of January.

Canon Powershot G16 Review (still a great performer)

g16

While the Canon PowerShot G16 is not the latest model of the series (it’s the Powershot G7 X, though somebody may object) it is still a great performing camera, and still worth a review.

Carl Garrard of Photographic Central felt the pulse of this little, WiFi-enabled compact camera, which was released to the public in August 2013. Let’s start with the core specs:

  • 12.1 Megapixel 1/1.7″ CMOS Sensor
  • Canon 5x Optical Zoom Lens (28-140mm)
  • Optical Zoom Viewfinder and 3.0″ LCD
  • Full HD 1080/60p Video
  • DIGIC 6 Image Processing Engine
  • Enhanced Wi-Fi Capabilities
  • Continuous Shooting at 9.3 fps
  • Intelligent IS Image Stabilization
  • ISO 12800 and Canon HS SYSTEM

As you can see these are respectable specifications. You do not always need the newest gear, especially not if “older” cameras still perform very good (well, it’s just a bit more than a year old, but in this industry it is a long time). Carl highlights the features he liked most:

  • A fast lens with an excellent all purpose range and macro capabilities that gives you a surprising amount of photographic creativity and control for a compact camera
  • Extremely effective optical image stabilization ( I shoot hand held easily down to 1/5th second with no blur) in stills and video
  • A dual axis electronic level that you can calibrate (excellent option Canon)
  • Good low light image quality by any standard (and improved over G15)
  • Superb build quality (and improved over G15)
  • Excellent ergonomics (grip/placement of controls, balance, again improved over G15)
  • Excellently implemented and placed external controls
  • Blazingly fast autofocus (much improved over G15)
  • Raw Files (Supported by popular convertors)
  • Excellent battery life (360 shots per charge or more)
  • Included AF assist lamp
  • Excellent glass covered LCD screen
  • Pocketable (just)
  • Affordable price compared to other serious compacts (as the price dropped)
  • Comfortable spacious grip on the front and rear (better than G15)
  • Optical viewfinder when you need one
  • Quick start up and shut down, and really fast overall operation (image scrolling, accessing menus, in camera development, etc.)
  • Hot shoe and fast sync speeds with external flashes
  • Mostly customizable menu system
  • Two custom menu settings on the mode dial (use them!)
  • Addition of XFine Jpegs, and some NR control of high ISO shots (low to high)
  • New Night Display Function (turns down LCD and changes color so you don’t blind yourself during night shooting)

If you are interested in this camera I suggest you have a look at Carl Garrard’s in-depth review, it’s really covering every aspect you may want to learn about. Sample shot are also provided.

The Powershot G16 sells for $449 on Amazon | B&H Photo | Adorama. Be aware that there is $50 instant discount that will expire on January 3.

[via Photographic Central]