Humor: The Ultimate Nikon vs Canon Underwater Shootout

Nikon vs Canon
Image used with permission – credit: wetpixel.com

Warning: don’t try this. Really, do not.

The folks at wetpixel.com is working on the ultimate Canon vs Nikon underwater shootout. Both companies produced special editions of their pro grade cameras, i.e. there is a Canon EOS 5D Mark III (price & specs) that can be used under water without housings of any kind. That opens new possibilities for underwater photography we haven’t seen before. The results of the comparison are still under embargo but I am confident wetpixel will soon share their findings with us.

This is a major breakthrough in underwater photography, and obviously the Canon is the better performing camera. Period. :-)

[via wetpixel]
Nikon vs Canon
Image used with permission – credit: wetpixel.com

Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EOS 6D, EOS 600D and More Deals

Ok, let’s start with this: Amazon US is selling the EOS 5D Mark III with bonus items for $2999 (click here) – with bonus items: spare battery and 32GB memory card.

Different Canon deals are live on eBay. Please note that eBay sellers often start with a lower price and later raise it. That’s to say that the prices shown below may change.

  • Well known eBay seller getitdigital (99.5% positive ratings) has the 5D Mark III for . USA model, USA warranty, free shipping, limited stock at this price.
  • Top Rated Plus seller bigvalueinc has the 5D Mark III for . Free shipping, new item in original box. Limited stock at this price.
  • eBay selle 6ave (99.2% positive ratings) has the Canon EOS 6D for . Bonus items: 2x spare battery, charger, 32GB memory card, bag. Free shipping, limited stock at this price. See pic above.
  • getitidigital (99.5% positive ratings) has the Canon EOS 600D/Rebel T3i for . USA model, USA warranty, free shipping, limited stock at this price.

But there is more! The Canon Direct Store has refurbished Canon EOS 5D Mark III bodies for $2719.20 (click here). You get an USB stick shaped like a mini 5D3 :-) They also have refurbished EOS 6Ds in stock. More Canon Direct Store refurbished gear here.

Finally: still on the fence for the excellent Canon EOS M? There are good EOS M kit deals on Amazon US.

 

Another Hint That There Will Be Lots of Canon Lenses in 2014

Canon Lenses

Another rumor suggesting that Canon will announce plenty of new lenses in 2014 surfaced on the web. Quoting Canon Rumors, there will be:

[…] a new worlds widest full frame zoom lens […], a wide angle zoom with IS (17-50 f/4L IS?), a new fast wide angle successor with “new technology” (35 f/1.4?). We can also expect two new tilt-shift lenses, a telephoto zoom successor (100-400?) as well as “budget high quality lenses”.

The rumor originates for the same place as the last one suggesting there will be 8 new Canon lenses in 2014. For the time being it is hard to say how reliable the rumor is. That Canon will announce new lenses next year can be taken for granted, we’ve yet too see how many.

Canon Rebel SL1/100D w/ 2 Lenses, PRO-100 Printer, Memory Card and Bag – $643 (after MIR)

Rebel SL1

Pretty cool bundle on offer at Adorama. The Canon Rebel SL1/EOS 100D with the 18-55mm IS STM and 75-300mm III lenses, a Sandisk 16GB memory card, PIXMA PRO-100 printer with 50 sheets photo paper, and a camera bag, all for $643 (click here) after a $400 mail-in rebate. Proceed as follows: click “Buy Together and Save” and chose the PRO-100 printer and add it to the cart.

Canon EOS 70D Review (Steve’s Digicam)

EOS 70D Review

Canon EOS 70D: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Specs (from B&H’s product page):

  • 20.2MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
  • DIGIC 5+ Image Processor
  • Dual Pixel CMOS AF with Live View
  • 3.0″ 1,040k-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen
  • Full HD 1080p Video with Movie Servo AF
  • Built-In WiFi Connectivity
  • 19-Point All Cross-Type AF System
  • Continuous Shooting Rate Up to 7 fps
  • ISO 100-12800 (Expandable to ISO 25600)
  • Scene Intelligent Auto Mode

Steve’s Digicam reviewed the Canon EOS 70D (price & specs), Canon’s latest mid-range APS-C DSLR with the awesome Dual Pixel AF. Some excerpts from the conclusion:

  • Canon’s introduction of the EOS 70D brings some new and exciting technology to the table. The revolutionary new Dual-Pixel CMOS AF gives the camera some abilities that are not possible on other dSLRs
  • great features […] combine with 103 Canon lenses (as of July 2013) to give you one of the most versatile and impressive collections of lenses available
  • Leading the way in the 70D’s new technology is the innovative 20.2-Megapixel Dual-Pixel CMOS AF imaging sensor. This sensor has greatly improved the camera’s video and Live View shooting
  • It has a fantastic feel in your hands, solid and sturdy with a comfortable slip-resistant grip. Shooting in any situation is has been made possible with the 3.0-inch, 1.04-Million dot Clearview II LCD screen. This incredibly sharp touch LCD screen flips and rotates to allow you to shoot over, under and around just about anything. Touch operation with the screen is as easy and accurate as the latest smartphones and tablets […]
  • Our performance tests for the 70D were fantastic. Amazingly, the camera is able to capture its first image after being turned on in just 3/10 of a second, so you will never have to miss the action
  • Canon’s new sensor has greatly improved the video capabilities of the 70D over any other EOS camera to date. It allows the camera to operate like a camcorder, giving you a fantastic continuous AF system, smooth shifting of focus while recording with an STM lens

And finally:

The Canon EOS 70D is a powerful dSLR camera with some new technology that has changed what we can expect from this class of camera. It’s new Dual Pixel CMOS AF has greatly increased the Live View and video recording performance, giving you options and abilities we have not seen before on a dSLR. This new technology did not hurt the image quality or performance in any way either, as the camera excels in both. […] This is a fantastic camera for anyone looking at upgrading from an entry-level camera or looking to jump right in with their first dSLR model.

Studio sample shots are here.

[via SD]

Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 Otus Distagon T* First Impression (it’s “scharf”)

Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 OtusZeiss 55mm f/1.4 Otus

Scharf is a German word that can mean “sharp” or “hot”, depending by the context. That’s the notion Roger Cicala starts his review of the Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 Otus Distagon T* lens – Zeiss’ latest $4000 optical marvel:

After testing our first copies of the Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 Otus lens I felt the term scharf was just perfect to describe this lens.

It’s a pity they tested the lens on a Nikon instead of a Canon. However, I think the test is interesting anyway. About building and handling:

I can’t say what you’ll think of the appearance, but I love it. Very sleek and minimalist. The focus ring has the typical smooth Zeiss throw with a cinema-like 248-degree rotation. I found it extremely accurate.

In the conclusion Roger writes:

I won’t try to say whether the Otus is worth $4,000 to you. But I can certainly say that Zeiss did what they said they had done: gave it exceptional performance even in the corners at widest aperture. From a resolution standpoint, it is, as Zeiss said it would be, “the absolute best SLR lens in the world today.”

As written before, this is a $4000 lens – not everyone’s toy. Check the price and availability of the Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 Otus: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 Otus
Shot with a Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 Otus Distagon T* – Image courtesy: lensrentals.com

[via lensrentals]