Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4 To Come For Photokina 2014?

Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4
The Zeiss Otus 55mm f/1.4

Two hints point in this direction. First, diglloyd posted a notification coming from Zeiss USA, saying:

We confirm the Otus 1.4/85 lens and our intention to introduce sometime in the near future.

Next, Photo Rumors reports that Zeiss is rumored to announce the Otus 85mm f/1.4 at Photokina in September. Photokina would fit perfectly into the “sometimes in the near future” schedule of Zeiss USA.

Actually there is only one Zeiss Otus lens on sale, the 55mm f/1.4 (see how it compares to the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art)

Remote Tethering Software Kuuvik Capture Version 1.3 Released

Kuuvik Digital released version 1.3 of Kuuvik Capture, an advanced Canon EOS remote control application for Apple MAC OS X computers. This version extends camera support and introduces a more economical licensing scheme. New cameras are also supported:

  • Canon EOS 100D/Rebel SL1/Kiss X7
  • Canon EOS 700D/Rebel T5i/Kiss X7i
  • Rebel and Kiss variants of all previously supported xxxD/xxxxD models

A 15-day free trail version of Kuuvik Capture can be downloaded here. For the complete list of new features and changes consult the release notes. You can learn more about Kuuvik Capture here, or watch a series of video.

Supported cameras, system requirements, pricing and more after the break.

Click here to open the rest of the article

More Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art Real-World Sample Pics (dpreview)

Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art

Dpreview published a set of 41 real-world sample pics shot with the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens. Interestingly, the Sigma was used with a Canon EOS 5D Mark II (yes, not Mark III). Seems weird to me considering the exceptional optical performance of the Sigma.

The hot news of the day is DxOMark’s test of the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens, and how it compares to the four times pricier Zeiss Otus 55mm f/1.4 (this time using an EOS Mark III). Well, the Sigma comes seriously close to the Zeiss.

Pre-orders for the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM can be made at B&H Photo and Adorama.

[via Dpreview]

Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art

DxOMark Confirms Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art Performs Very Close To Zeiss 55mm f/1.4

With all this hype about Sigma’s new 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM “Art” lens, it’s fine to see that also DxOMark confirms the exceptional optical properties of this lens, and that it can hold up to the Zeiss Otus 55mm f/1.4 – a lens you have to pay $4,000. And now compare that to the $949 that you have to pay for the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art lens. And then: the Zeiss is manual-focusing, the Sigma has auto-focus. Pre-orders for the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 “Art” lens can be made at B&H Photo and Adorama, stocks are limited for the time being.

The Sigma scored 35 vs the 38 of the Zeiss. Says DxOMark about the comparison between the two lenses:

[…] the extreme performance of the Zeiss is noticeable in some subtle ways. At wider apertures, the Art lens can’t quite match the sharpness of the Zeiss in the outer field but that won’t be a concern for all but the most fastidious of users.

At f2 the Sigma is almost on a par with the Zeiss, only it can’t quite match the Zeiss in the corners – though the difference in real world terms is trivial. The new Sigma can boast of slightly better control of vignetting and, arguably, chromatic aberration at maximum aperture, though there’s some fringing evident in the extreme corners.

Not bad for a lens that costs a fourth of the Zeiss :-)

[via DxOMark]

Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art

Canon Powershot G1 X Mark II First Impression Review (DPreview)

Powershot G1 X Mark II

DPreview posted a first impression review of the Canon Powershot G1 X Mark II. The review isn’t entirely positive, have a look in the “shooting experience” section of the review. Among other notes, the reviewer writes:

The camera can certainly be held with one hand, though I preferred the more solid feel of the ‘custom grip’. There are a lot of buttons that surround the thumb rest so you have to be careful, as some buttons can be easy to bump. Speaking of buttons, I found myself scratching my head as to why there are two Wi-Fi-related buttons, and I kept pressing the upper one thinking it was for playback mode. […]

In nearly all situations, the autofocus system performed admirably. While I wasn’t blown away by its speed, I didn’t have to wait for it to lock on its subject

About the built-in WiFi:

Some manufacturers do better than others when it comes to setting up Wi-Fi, and Canon is one of the worst. To be brief, the Image Gateway website leaves much to be desired, there are too many steps required, and the camera takes a long time to connect to a network. The bottom line is that Canon’s Wi-Fi feature, while comprehensive, could be a lot more user-friendly.

I agree about how poorly Canon integrates WiFi functionality in their cameras. This could definitely be done better, and more user friendly.

To see all the Powershot G1 X Mark II coverage click here. A few days ago DxOMark posted their sensor scores for the G1 X Mark II. Well, the G1 X Mark II doesn’t shine.

Powershot G1 X Mark II

The Canon Powershot G1 X II has been officially announced February 12th, and can be pre-ordered for $799 at Amazon | B&H Photo | Adorama.

[via dpreview]