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)

[shoplink 14246]EOS 70D Review[/shoplink]

Canon EOS 70D: [shopcountry 14246]

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 [shoplink 14246](price & specs)[/shoplink], 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”)

[shoplink 16664]Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 Otus[/shoplink][shoplink 16664]Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 Otus[/shoplink]

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 [shoplink 16664]Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 Otus Distagon T*[/shoplink] 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: [shopcountry 16664]

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

[via lensrentals]

[shoplink 16664][/shoplink]

Refurbished Canon DSLRs and Lenses Deals, and Canon Store Discounts

Refurbished Canon DSLRs

Adorama has refurbished Canon EOS 7D bodies for $959 (click here). This is Canon refurbished gear, and it gets 1 year USA warranty. There is more refurbished Canon gear on offer at Adorama.

More great deals on refurbished Canon gear are life at the Canon Direct Store (click here). A selection of the offered DSLRs:

There are also plenty of refurbished lenses on offer (click here).

Canon is offering a special discounts program: get $10 off $100, $25 off $250 and $50 off $500 of your purchase – have a look here to see what is on offer.

Refurbished Canon DSLRs

Interview With Canon Cinema EOS Global Product Manager (and EOS C100 Dual Pixel AF Test Video)

The interview was taken at Inter BEE 2013 by newsshooter’s site editor Dan Chung. The video above is a 25 minutes interview with Mr. Yoshinari Onda, Canon Cinema EOS global product manager. Mr. Onda is in charge of the Canon Cinema EOS line since the beginning, in the video he gives some insights about the development of the EOS C100, EOS C300, EOS C500, and EOS-1D C cameras.

The video below shows how the Dual Pixel CMOS AF works on the EOS C100. As you most probably know, Canon is going to offer a paid upgrade for the EOS C100 in order to have the ground-breaking Dual Pixel AF on board. The video below shows how the Dual Pixel AF performs on the C100. It’s the first I have seen so far. If you want the Dual Pixel AF but can’t afford a C100, there is always the [shoplink 14246]Canon EOS 70D[/shoplink], the DSLR where Canon introduced their innovative auto-focus technology.

[via newsshooter]