Canon Germany Cashback Action: Last Days to Save up to Euro 300

Canon Germany Cashback

Until July 31, then it is over. Canon Germany has a cashback program going on (only for customers located in Germany). Depending by the item you purchase the cashback goes up to Euro 300. Too see how it works click here (German). On Amazon Germany, these are the items on offer (list is not complete since there are too much items):

  • €50 cashback for the EOS 700D, EF 40mm pancake, Speedlite 430EX – click here
  • €70 cashback for the EF 70-300, EF-S 18-200, EF-S 60mm macro – click here
  • €80 cashback for the EOS 60D and various 60D kits – click here
  • €100 cashback for the EOS 7D, 7D kits, EF-17-40, EF 100mm f/2.8, and more lenses – click here
  • €200 cashback for the EF 16-35mm, EF 8-15mm fisheye – click here
  • €300 cashback for the EF 24-70 f/2.8L II and the EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS II – click here

Canon Rumor: Canon’s Big Megapixel DSLR Set To Be Announced in August?

Canon Rumor[shoplink 4119]Canon Rumor[/shoplink]

Lots of rumors regarding the fabled high resolution DSLR Canon is supposed to release sooner or later. The latest rumor again comes from Photography Bay, and suggests that Canon’s big megapixel DSLR will have 44.7MP and could be announced by the end of August. Again, it is said the camera will have an EOS-1 form factor (see pics above).

Previous rumor had word about a 75MP and a non-Bayer sensor. The 44MP DSLR should output 4K and be able to do UHDTV. It appears Canon is challenged to engineer a camera that has high processing speed (to stream video at full bandwidth) without draining batteries too fast. The source of the rumor also suggests that Canon will favour dynamic range and image quality over high resolution. This is perfectly in line with Canon’s conservative approach to sensor tech. The camera is also supposed to have a port for an external, electronic viewfinder. The rumor I am reporting here does not exclude Canon is indeed field-testing a 75MP camera.

 

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM Lens Review (ephotozine)

Sigma 30mm f/1.4

ephotozine reviewed the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM lens, a fast prime that’s interesting especially for Canon APS-C shooters. In the conclusion they write:

During this test, we did have issues with inaccurate focusing, which may be down to a flaw with the samples provided for review, and were able to resolve using the Sigma USB Dock. Presuming this problem isn’t widespread, then this lens is a great choice for owners of Canon cameras, after a high quality, standard lens with a fast maximum aperture.

The Sigma 30mm f/1.4, part of Sigma’s “Art” line-up,  retails for around $500/€490. The reviewers liked the good sharpness and build quality of the Sigma. However, they noticed that sharpness towards the edges is deteriorating, and some chromatic aberrations at maximum aperture. The review comes with test charts and sample pics.

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Lens specs after the break.

Click here to open the rest of the article

Silent Upgrades – Internal Changes on Gear that are not Announced

Roger Cicala
A 6 month old Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 on the left, and an 18 month old copy on the right (image courtesy of lensrentals.com)
What are “silent upgrades”? These are internal changes that a manufacturer may apply without announcing them. The picture above shows two copies of the EF 85mm f/1.8 lens (price & specs) – the changes are immediately visible. Roger Cicala at lenrentals.com – a guy who disassembled lots of lenses – wrote a post about this issue. Often these silent upgrades are due to a change in subassembly suppliers, just to make an example. Good read if you want to know how manufacturers operate (and why).

Canon Deals: EF-M 18-55mm IS STM, EF-M 22mm f/2 STM, EOS M Kits, Refurb Rebel T4i

B&H still has Canon EOS M kits on fire sale, plus new discounts on the lenses. Let me sum it up:

  • EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens is discounted to $199 (click here), same price also on Amazon US.
  • EF-M 22mm f/2 STM pancake lens discounted to $199 (click here)
  • Canon EOS M with 22mm f/2 lens and 90EX Flash (black EOS M body) on sale for $399 (click here) – expires 7/31
  • Canon EOS M with 18-55mm Lens and 90EX Flash (black, red & white EOS M bodies) on sale for $419 (click here) – expires 7/31

Needless to say that the kits are your best bet, a steal. And another thing: I got a production sample of the EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM lens and are preparing a review. But there is one thing I want to anticipate: the EF-M 11-22mm is a tack sharp piece of lens!

Some more deals that may be of your interest, both from Adorama and both set to expire 7/29:

Canon EOS 70D Moire Test (video, DicaHub)

Korean site DicaHub (translated), after having provided the second independent Dual Pixel CMOS AF test I know about, produced another video to show and test how the Canon EOS 70D deals with moire artifacts. A pre-production model of the EOS 70D was used, along with the EF-S 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 IS STM. Is stunning the right adjective here?

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

Image courtesy: dicahub.com