Update – What’s That? A “1” Series Camera Body with no Model Marking Pointing to a Canon Event in October?

Canon Event in October

Update: thanks to Keith I was able to get the (German) text of the flyer. It says: […] seien Sie live dabei. Erleben Sie die Highlightprodukte von Canon begleitet von einem spannenden Bühnenprogramm und Seminaren rund um das Thema Professional Imaging. Einen dieser Termine sollten Sie sich unbedingt vormerken, jeweils 13-20 Uhr. Translated it means: […] be there with us. Experience the Canon product highlights along with exciting stage performances and seminars around the topic of Professional Imaging. You should absolutely save one of these dates, each at 13-20pm. The flyer refers to several dates. Could this just be a Canon event for pros where Canon shows all their professional stuff?

Intriguing image spotted by Northlight Images. According to NL there are ‘professional’ Canon events in Germany in October, starting on the 12th in Berlin. Why intriguing? Because it shows an “1” series camera body without any model designation. However, checking Canon Germany’s homepage I could find only three events scheduled for October, none appears to be related to DSLRs, let alone to a camera announcement. The three events are:

  • Canon InMotion2013 @ Druck+Form in Sinsheim
  • Canon Business Lounge in Mülheim/Ruhr
  • Fotobookfestival in Kassel

So before you (and me) are hoping to see a big announcement it is better to slow down expectations. :)

New Tokina Cinema Lenses First Impression (The Phoblographer)

Tokina Cinema Lenses
Image courtesy: The Phoblographer

The Phoblographer was CineGear Expo NY and met up with Tokina, and they had a chance to try out Tokina’s three new Cinema lenses: the 11-16mm T3, 16-28mm T3, and 50-135mm T3 – all prototypes. The lenses will be available for PL mount and Canon EF mount, the 11-16mm T3 will be available also for m43 mounts. The three Cine lenses are equivalent to the Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8, Tokina 16-28mm f/2.8, and Tokina 50-135mm f/2.8; the differences are all in the ergonomics needed for a cinematographic use. Build quality appears to be very good. This is a first impression about the three lenses, The Phoblographer writes:

We spent a total of around 20 minutes with the lenses, and so far we think that many folks who spring for the purchase will be in for a treat. To date, these might be the most affordable cinema zoom lenses with a constant aperture on the market. And considering just how good Tokina’s glass is, we think that potential buyers should first be able to justify the purchase to themselves and figure out how they’re going to make money from the purchase. Otherwise, Rokinon’s cinema zooms may be more in your price range.

[via The Phoblographer]

Tokina Cinema Lenses

Canon Mail-In Rebates on Selected L Lenses

Canon Mail-In Rebates Canon Mail-In Rebates

Canon announced a mail-in rebate program for a big bunch of their “L” lenses. The mail-in rebates (up to $300) end January, 14, 2014. Things appear a little bit confusing to me, since not all lenses seem to have the same kind of mail-in rebate (Amazon appears to differ from Adorama and B&H). After clicking the links check how much mail-in rebate you will get.

To see all lenses with mail-in rebate at Adorama click here, to see all discounted lenses at B&H click here.

A sample selection for you:

This is just a selection, check all lenses at Adorama or at B&H.

Canon Mail-In RebatesCanon Mail-In Rebates

Amazon Offers Instant Savings on Selected Canon Cameras and Lenses

Amazon is offering instant savings up to $100 on selected Canon Lenses and SpeedLites (click here) and up to $200 on selected Canon cameras (click here). Among the selected cameras there are the following kits

  • Canon EOS Rebel T5i 18.0 MP with 18-55mm EF-S IS STM Lens – save $50 – pay $849 (click here)
  • Canon EOS 60D 18 MP with 3.0-Inch LCD and 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS UD Standard Zoom Lens – save $200 – pay $999 (click here)
  • Canon EOS 60D 18 MP with 3.0-Inch LCD and EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Standard Zoom Lens – save $200 – pay $1099 (click here)
  • Canon EOS 60D 18 MP with 3.0-Inch LCD (Body Only) – save $200 – pay $699 (click here)

Among the lenses, there are:

  • Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM UD Standard Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras – save $100 – pay $699 (click here)
  • Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Standard & Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras – save $60 – pay $339 (click here)
  • Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5X Macro Lens for Canon SLR Cameras – save $100 – pay $949 (click here)
  • Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens for Canon SLR Cameras – save $50 – pay $549 (click here)

Canon Ranks 35th on Interbrand’s Best Global Brands Ranking 2013

Interbrand's Best Global Brand

Every year Interbrand ranks what they think are the 100 most important global brands. Well, Canon ranks 35th (last year: 30th), Nikon doesn’t even show up. Canon’s brand value is estimated in 10,989 million dollars. Although there are other brands in the list that are involved in the photographic business, Canon is the only major photo-gear manufacturer in the list. Others brands in some way involved in the photo business are: Samsung (rank 8), Sony (rank 46), Panasonic (rank 68), Adobe (rank 79). And the leader of the list? Well, it’s a manufacturer that builds one of the most popular cameras out there: Apple.

Interbrand also ranked the best “green brands”. Canon ranks on position 30. If you want to learn about their methodology click here.

About Canon they write:

Despite the yen’s volatility, the leadership of returning President Fujio Mitarai helped keep Canon steady through challenging times. This past year has seen a heady schedule of product launches, entry into new markets, and expansion of sales and manufacturing bases outside Japan. Since launching an entry-level digital SLR in 2003, Canon has become synonymous with the camera category. The high-end market continues growing, but the global market for compact digital cameras has collapsed as smartphones have become commonplace. Canon continues to innovate with products like the EOS M, employing a non-reflex operating system, as well as new additions to the PowerShot lineup and high-end, high-definition video cameras. The brand is also advancing into online photo management with Project 1709, a cloud-based service that promises deep social and product integration. To expand the imaging systems business domain, Canon also recently entered the growing retail photo printing business with DreamLabo 5000. In its core office business, Canon sees significant potential from the integration of Océ, made a wholly owned subsidiary this year, helping it become a leader in the printing industry. High-profile marketing campaigns and sports sponsorships, such as becoming the official partner of the IAAF World Athletics Series, help keep the brand top of mind with consumers. Still, with its core markets changing fast as technology advances and consumer behaviors evolve, Canon will need to increase its pace of innovation even more.

[Interbrand via photoscala]

More Canon Medium Format Tidbits

Canon Medium Format
Canon Medium Format Mock-Up

Another rumor concerning Canon’s supposedly upcoming MF system surfaced. The MF system will be part of the EOS family, Canon wants to do that because they want to be recognized as a brand that covers the broad market. How to position Canon in the global market thru the MF system is considered a “key aspect”.

Moreover, the medium format EF lenses are supposed to work on other EOS systems (full-frame) by the means of an adapter (same as happens with the EF-M adapter for the EOS M system [shoplink 6091](price & specs)[/shoplink]). Development announcement is expected for Photokina 2014.

I am still rather sceptical about this rumor. How many medium format cameras are sold around the world? Is it really worth to make such a (strategic) investment for what at the end is a niche market? Will this really be profitable? What do you think?

[via NL]