Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Video Review

Tony Northrup reviewed the awesome Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 lens (using a Canon EOS 70D). The video review lasts 23 minutes and comes with lots of comparisons with other lens, sharpness tests and more. If you are on the fence for this phenomenal lens, then the video may deliver the answers you are looking for.

If you want to get an idea how well the Sigma performs, have a look at our coverage of the lens.

The Canon EOS 70D is currently discounted at B&H (up to $200 for the kits). Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Pics and specs after the break.

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Amazon Says The Canon Powershot G1 X Mark II Ships May 9th

Powershot G1 X II

Amazon’s pre-order page for the Canon Powershot G1 X Mark II says shipping will start May 9th. That’s a bit later than the “end of April” stated by Canon.

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.

Specs, description and more after the break.

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Canon Patent For New Macro Lenses With Hybrid IS (180mm, 200mm, 300mm)

Canon Patent
180mm f/3.5 Macro IS
Canon Patent
200mm f/3.5 Macro IS

 

Canon Patent
300mm f/3.5 Macro IS

Egami (translated) spotted another patent filed by Canon, this time for new macro lenses with hybrid image stabilization: 180mm f/3.5 IS, 200mm f/3.5 IS, and 300mm f/3.5 IS.

  • Patent Publication No. 2014-41224
    • Publication date 2014.3.6
    • Filing date 2012.8.22
  • Example 1
    • Zoom ratio 1.37
    • Focal length f = 180.03-167.06-131.08mm
    • Fno (3.6-4.8-5.8 actual aperture). 3.6-3.3-2.59
    • Half angle ω = 6.85-7.38-9.37 °
    • Image height 21.64mm
    • The overall length of the lens 228.39mm
    • BF 68.14mm
  • Example 2
    • Zoom ratio 1.58
    • Focal length f = 198.49-164.7-125.48mm
    • Fno (3.6-4.8-5.8 actual aperture). 3.6-2.99-2.28
    • Half angle ω = 6.22-7.48-9.78 °
    • Image height 21.64mm
    • The overall length of the lens 231.65mm
    • BF 71.4mm
  • Example 3
    • Zoom ratio 1.92
    • Focal length f = 289.97-213.39-151.33mm
    • Fno (3.6-4.8-5.8 actual aperture). 3.6-2.65-2.21
    • Half angle ω = 4.27-5.79-8.14 °
    • Image height 21.64mm
    • The overall length of the lens 294.36mm
    • BF 68.05mm
  • Canon patents
    • Inner focus
    • (Part of the fourth lens group) antivibration
    • Supports Shifutobure
    • Floating

 

Canon EOS 70D Deals At B&H Photo

EOS 70D Deals

B&H Photo has Canon EOS 70D bodies and kits discounted at a very good price. All items ship free in the US and get you 2% rewards. Note that the final price shows up when the item is added to the cart:

  • Canon EOS 70D body – $1049 (click here) – compare to $1199
  • Canon EOS 70D + 18-55mm IS STM lens – $1149 (click here) – compare to $1349
  • Canon EOS 70D + 18-135mm IS STM lens – $1249 (click here) – compare to $1549. This kit comes with free accessories:
    • Ruggard Commando 36 DSLR Shoulder bag
    • Watson LP-E6 Lithium-Ion Battery Pack
    • SanDisk 16GB SDHC Extreme Class 10 UHS-1 Memory Card

Another Tidbit About An EOS 7D Replacement With Hybrid Viewfinder

EOS 7D Replacement

I reported about a possible new Canon EOS 7D (price & specs) replacement with a hybrid viewfinder before. Now another bit of information showed up on the web suggesting Canon’s next APS-C flagship might feature a hybrid viewfinder. While the rumor I am reporting here suggests that the hybrid viewfinder may not make into the final production model, I have been told that it will.

Some news on the specs front too: a sensor just below 25MP (24MP are rumored), dual card slots (SD + CF), and the 7D replacement is said “to have the most features at the software level of any Canon DSLR ever”. That fits with  earlier rumors, especially with those suggesting the 7D replacement will have innovative video features.

Take all with a grain of salt. The rumors concerning the EOS 7D replacement are somewhat contradicting, and so far nothing is sure. Not even the announcement date, which, seconding the latest rumors, should be somewhen during Q2 2014.

[via CR]

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS vs Sigma 24-105mm f/4 OS Comparison (Lensrentals)

Sigma 24-105mm f/4Sigma 24-105mm f/4

Lensrental’s Roger Cicala compared two 24-105mm lenses for full-frame DSLRs, the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS (price & specs) and the Sigma 24-105mm f/4 OS (price & specs).

It’s a pretty technical article, yet it is understandable also for people not into engineering. In the conclusion Mr. Cicala writes:

Sigma has made a very nice zoom here at a very good price. It’s obviously not going to create the stir that occurred with their 35mm f/1.4 or 18-35 f/1.8 lenses, but it’s a nice addition to their lineup.

Canon shooters who have a 24-105 f/4 IS have no reason to change based on optics as long as the promotional pricing remains in effect. The Sigma and Canon 24-105s are nearly identical. Similarly the Nikon 24-120 has been available on discount lately, so I don’t see a big motivation for Nikon shooters to change, either.

Of course, if the pricing changes I wouldn’t hesitate to buy the Sigma instead of the name brands. If nothing else, I think the presence of the Sigma will keep Canon and Nikon prices reasonable.

[via LR]