Sigma Will Release 2 MTF Charts For Lens Measurement

Sigma press release:

Sigma Corporation of America to Release Two MTF Charts for Measurement of Lenses

Company releases the data of Geometric and Diffraction MTF charts for Global Vision Lenses

RONKONKOMA, N.Y., — February 3, 2014 – Sigma Corporation of America, a leading researcher, developer, manufacturer and service provider of some of the world’s most impressive lines of lenses, cameras and flashes, today announced that the company will now release a Geometrical MTF (Modulation Transfer Function) chart in addition to a Diffraction MTF chart when measuring the performance of all new Global Vision lenses.

MTF charts are important because they help photographers better understand the optical quality of lenses. Sigma has traditionally released Diffraction MTF data because it takes the diffraction quality of light into consideration, which can dramatically affect the data outcome. Diffracted light exists at every aperture, giving photographers a more accurate measurement of how the lens will perform in real life. Although Geometric MTF data is easier to measure and calculate since it does not consider the diffraction quality of light, it tends to show higher values in the graph and less defined results.

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Canon Going To Attend The Photography Show in March 2014

Canon UK press release:

United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, 3rd February 2014 – Canon, world-leader in imaging solutions, will be attending The Photography Show 2014 with an aim to excite everybody with a passion for photography. With talks from special guests, access to Canon experts and a vast interactive display of innovative products, Canon is set to bring photography to life (Stand B10). Hear first-hand and delve into the journeys of seasoned professionals that have been operating in the industry for years. Learn of their experiences and tips with talks from Canon photographers across different areas of the show, including:

  • Jeff Ascough, Wedding Photographer & Canon Ambassador, at The Student Conference
  • Clive Booth, Fashion Photographer & Canon Explorer, at The Catwalk
  • David Noton, Landscape Photographer & Canon Explorer, at The Studio
  • Danny Green, Wildlife Photographer & Canon Explorer, at The Studio
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Canon Patent For 70-400 f/4.5-5.6 Lens

2014_21256_fig05

Egami (translated) spotted another patent filed by Canon. It appears that Canon is working on a 70-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens.

  • Patent Publication No. 2014-21256,2014-21257
    • Publication date 2014.2.3
    • Filing date 2012.7.18
  • Example 2
    • Zoom ratio 5.45
    • Focal length f = 71.33-144.71-388.95mm
    • Fno. 4.63-4.84-5.83
    • Half angle ω = 16.87-8.50-3.18 °
    • Image height Y = 21.64
    • 240.00-284.68-303.83mm overall length of the lens
    • BF 75.92-79.30-95.93mm
    • 6-group zoom of positive and negative positive and negative positive and negative
    • (Part of the fourth group) anti-vibration
    • Rear Focus (Group 6)

Canon Powershot G1 X Successor and Other Gear To Be Announced February 12th?

Powershot G1 X

I have been told (thanks) that Canon will announce new gear on February 12th, one day before CP+ starts. One of the cameras that is going to be announced should be the successor of the Canon Powershot G1 X, the others should be DSLRs. The possible announcement of the G1 X replacement showed up also on other places.

No new specs of the [shoplink 1785]PowerShot G1 X[/shoplink] successor have been leaked so far, but we can expect something similar to the specs leaked some time go on the Chinese Xitek forum:

  • Same design as the G1X, with a slightly longer lens
  • DIGIC 6 Image Processor
  • 24 – 120mm f/2.8-5.8 lens
  • 20.2MP 1.5″ CMOS sensor
  • New optical zoom viewfinder with better image quality
  • 3.0″ LCD touch screen with 922,000 dots

Additionally [source: CR], it is now also rumored the G1 X successor could have WiFi and GPS. The camera should be available to the public at the end of April or beginning of May.

No word about the other gear that Canon might announce for CP+. Short time to wait, and then we will know.

Canon PowerShot G1 X price check: [shopcountry 1785]