Canon Prototype Full-Frame Sensor Captures Fireflies at Less than 0.01 Lux

Screenshot taken from the video mentioned below

Canon published a press release about a prototype 35mm sensor (announced in March 2013). This sensor is capable to capture images in extreme low light, less than 0.01 lux. To give an example the full moon provides approximately 0.3 lux, the crescent moon approximately 0.03 lux. If you follow this link there is a sample video that shows what it is about.

The press release:

TOKYO, Japan, September 12, 2013—Canon Inc. has successfully captured video footage of Yaeyama-hime fireflies flying in darkness, a feat made possible by the high-sensitivity 35 mm full-frame CMOS sensor developed by Canon for video capture that was announced in March 2013.


  • Yaeyama-hime fireflies amid jungle vegetation
    (Photomontage created from video footage)

  • 35 mm full-frame CMOS sensor for
    Full HD video capture

The high-sensitivity, low-noise video-shooting capabilities of the dedicated 35 mm full-frame CMOS sensor1for Full HD video capture were made possible not only through the integration of the high-performance sensor technologies employed in Canon’s digital SLR cameras, but also through the incorporation of new pixel and readout circuitry technologies that reduce noise.

Using a camera prototype equipped with the CMOS sensor, Canon, in cooperation with ZERO CORPORATION,2 succeeded in capturing video3 of the Yaeyama-hime fireflies that inhabit Japan’s Ishigaki Island, located off the northeastern coast of Taiwan. No artificial lighting was used during shooting, which took place after sunset amid the island’s mountains. Despite an exceptionally dark shooting environment4 of less than 0.01 lux, a level in which the naked eye would have difficulty discerning surrounding objects, the CMOS sensor was able to capture not only the color of the light emitted by the fireflies, each of which measures only a few millimeters in length, and their movements, but also the surrounding vegetation in which the species lives. Plans call for the footage to be used to benefit future research into the Yaeyama-hime firefly.

In addition to astronomical and natural observation, Canon is looking into applying this CMOS sensor to medical research purposes as well as surveillance and crime-prevention equipment. Through the further development of innovative CMOS sensors, Canon aims to expand the realm of photographic possibilities while cultivating the world of visual expression.

Rokinon 16mm T2.2 Cine Lens in Stock and Ready to Ship

Rokinon 16mm T2.2

B&H has the Rokinon (or Samyang or Bower) 16mm T2.2 Cine Lens in stock and ready to ship for $529 (click here). Free shipping in the US, and B&H now ships worldwide too. The specs:

Focal Length 16 mm
Comparable 35mm/Full-Frame Focal Length: 25.6mm
Aperture Maximum: T2.2
Minimum: T22
Iris Blades 8
Mount Type Canon EF
Format Compatibility Covers APS-C or smaller sensors
Angle of View 79.5° (Canon APS-C)
Lens Construction 13 elements in 11 groups (1 x aspherical element, and 1 x hybrid aspherical element)
Filter Size 77 mm
Minimum Focus Distance 7.87″ (20.00 cm)
Gear Pitch 0.8
Dimensions (Diam. x L) 3.3 x 3.5″ (83.0 x 89.4 mm)
Weight 20.6 oz (583.0 g

 

Product description after the break or check the B&H in-depth article about the Rokinon 16mm T2.2.

Click here to open the rest of the article

Deal: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS – $660

Canon EF 24-105mm

Pretty good deal by eBay seller bigvalueinc: get the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS workhorse lens for [shoplink 15708 ebay]$659.99 (click here)[/shoplink]. Free shipping. The lens will soon be discontinued by Canon, read a related rumor about an upcoming Sigma 24-105mm lens here. Please note what the seller says:

  • This lens is 100% brand new.
  • These are lenses that were originally packaged with Canon Camera Kits. We sold the Canon Kits in a quantity order, and we had simply removed the Lenses and placed them in their own box with all original foam packaging.These Lenses are limited quantity only.

All Possible Sigma Lenses for 2014

35mm Comparison

Sigma 35mm f1.4 DG
B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Photorumors compiled a list of the lenses that Sigma could possibly announce in 2014. Take everything with a grain of salt, though there will be new Sigma lenses next year. The list:

  • Sigma 24-105mm f/4 OS
  • Sigma 24-70mm f/2 OS HSM
  • Sigma 300mm f/2.8 OS
  • Sigma 400mm f/2.8 OS
  • Sigma 500mm f/4 OS
  • Sigma 600mm f/4 OS
  • Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG OS
  • Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG
  • a new Sigma 50mm f/1.4 lens is also a possibility

Would be great if Sigma can deliver more outstanding lenses like the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM (price & specs). Let’s hope and wait. In the meantime you could like to read about the interview with the engineer that designed the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 and 35mm f/1.4 lenses.

Moreover, German site Valuetech reports a rumor related to an upcoming Sig,a 24-105mm OS lens. This is a very interesting rumour. Since Canon will stop the production of the highly popular Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM (price & specs) lens, it makes sense for Sigma to step in. Valuetech writes:

We’ve been told that lens manufacturer Sigma is close to announce a 24-105mm f/4 lens for fullframe DSLRs (the announcement could been expected some time in 2013), which might be a good replacement for the EoL Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS. Right now it’s not for sure if we’ll see an optical image stabilizer (OS) in it as well as if it will become a C-, A- or S-series lens regarding to Sigmas very own nomenclature.