Rumor: Canon EOS-1D C Firmware Update Problems

EOS-1D C Firmware Update

Just some days ago a screenshot of the upcoming firmware update for the Canon EOS-1D C showed up. We reported that the firmware update is undergoing field-testing. I have also been told that the firmware update for the EOS-1D C is set to be released immediately after NAB 2013.

Now it appears that there are some issues with the release candidate of the firmware update. The issues are said to be related to the use of external HDMI recorders: users have reported corrupted frames when externally recording the uncompressed output signal taken from the HDMI port.

There is no exact information about when the firmware update should be released, but it is expected for late April or beginning of May.

The EOS-1D C is sold for $11,999 at the following shops: B&H and Adorama, and you can rent it here.

[via CR]

Canon Opens New Support Center For Imaging Professionals In New York And New Jersey

Press release:

MELVILLE, N.Y., April 4, 2013 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the opening of its service and support center in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey. This facility is located just across the George Washington Bridge outside of New York City, and will provide comprehensive product repair and maintenance services for the growing customer base of Canon's professional imaging products.

The Ridgefield Park on-site repair operations include state-of-the-art camera and lens dark rooms, Canon's most advanced adjustment and calibration equipment, spare parts inventory, and an experienced repair staff that will work to quickly return Canon's professional products to their original factory condition and operation. This new facility, available exclusively for Platinum and Gold level members of Canon's Professional Services (CPS) program, including owners of Cinema EOS products, and broadcast lens clients, confirms Canon U.S.A.'s commitment to providing personalized and local service and support to imaging professionals in the New York/New Jersey metro region.

This facility is Canon's second service facility exclusively available to professional clients, joining the Canon Hollywood Professional Technology & Support Center that debuted in the heart of Hollywood, CA, early last year. Both facilities provide factory quality repair and maintenance service for Canon's extensive lineup of professional-grade cameras, including EOS Digital SLR cameras, Cinema EOS cameras, and high-definition camcorders. All of Canon's professional lenses, including EF series photography lenses, Cinema lenses, and broadcast and studio lenses are also supported at this new facility.

“The opening of another support facility that caters exclusively to imaging professionals signifies the growth and demand of Canon's professional imaging products and Canon's commitment to imaging professionals,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies and Communications Group, Canon U.S.A. “Opening this location illustrates our desire to bring Canon's industry-leading support directly to our clients in areas where they work and live. Being closer to our customers will help enable us to further improve on our outstanding repair processing times for professional products, which average less than three days in most instances.”

An advance reservation is required for all service and support requests handled by the Ridgefield Park, N.J. facility. Canon Professional Services (CPS) Platinum and Gold level members can make a reservation via the CPS hotline by calling 1 (888) CPS-4540. Owners of Cinema EOS, professional video cameras and broadcast lenses should call 1 (855) CINE EOS to schedule an appointment.

Additional camera and lens service facilities for both professional and consumer clients are located in Jamesburg, N.J., Irvine, C.A., and Newport News, V.A. Each of these facilities operates with the same Canon speed and quality that is unrivaled in the industry. By the end of the year, Canon plans to further expand its local service center presence to the Midwest with the opening of a new service and support facility to support imaging professionals in the Chicago market.

New Lens Arrivals (Tamron 70-200mm, Tamron 90mm) And Discounts (Bower 14mm)

Tamron 70-200mm

New lenses in stock at B&H and Adorama.

Let’s start with the Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 SP Di VC USD lens, sold for $1,499 (click here). Limited stock available. The core specs:

  • 70-200mm Telephoto Zoom Lens
  • Aperture Range: f/2.8-32
  • Ultrasonic Silent Drive Motor
  • Advanced Vibration Compensation
  • Extra Low Dispersion Lens
  • Moisture Resistant Construction
  • Compact Design

The lens can also be pre-ordered at Adorama (click here).

Next, we have the Tamron 90mm f/2.8 SP Di MACRO 1:1 VC USD Lens, sold for $749 (B&H | Adorama). Limited stock.

Tamron 70-200mm

The core specs:

  • 90mm Macro Prime Lens
  • Aperture Range: f/2.8-32
  • 1:1 Maximum Reproduction Ratio
  • Vibration Compensation
  • Internal Focus System
  • Ultrasonic Silent Motor Drive
  • eBAND Hybrid Lens Coating
  • Extra-low Dispersion Optical Elements
  • Moisture-Resistant Construction

Finally, it is worth to note that the Bower 14mm f/2.8 Ultra Wide Angle has a $50 instant rebate, and is sold for $329 (click here). Core specs:

  • For Canon EOS Digital SLR Cameras
  • Manual Focus – Fixed f/2.8 Aperture
  • Optimized for APS-C Size Sensors
  • 89° Angle of View (APS-C)
  • 114° Angle of View (Full Frame)
  • 14 Elements/12 Groups Construction
  • Two Aspherical & Two ED Lens Elements
  • Close Focusing Down to 11″ (0.28 m)

Tamron 70-200mm

Latest Canon Announcements (NAB 2013, EOS Cinema Firmware, Professional And Enthusiasts Camcorders)

There has been a series of press releases by Canon yesterday. After the announcement of a new 35mm cine prime lens, there have been more news.

Canon U.S.A., Inc. Delivers Its Latest Motion And Still Digital Imaging Solutions At The 2013 NAB Show

Highlights Include Live 4K Workflow Demonstrations in a Full On-Site DI (Digital Intermediate) Suite, Live 4K Broadcast Demonstrations for HD “Ultra-Zoom” Applications, and the Canon Theater
MELVILLE, N.Y., April 3, 2013 – At the 2013 NAB Show in Las Vegas, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, will showcase its full line of professional, high-definition imaging equipment for motion picture, television production, video content creation, and still photography at booths C3628 and C4325. Within this year’s booth, Canon will feature a live 4K Workflow Demonstration where visitors will have the opportunity to interact with industry-leading colorists and editors in a 4K DI (Digital Intermediate) suite. In a live color grading session of 4K footage from Canon’s groundbreaking C500 4K camera, on-site professionals will demonstrate the imaging possibilities of Canon’s 4K image capture technology and view the results on Canon’s prototype 4K reference displays, currently under development [read the whole press release here]

 

Canon U.S.A. Announces Free Firmware And Application Software Upgrades For Select Cinema EOS System Cameras

New Upgrades, Including Support for Industry-Standard ACES, Look to Help Deliver Greater Production Workflow Efficiency
MELVILLE, N.Y., April 3, 2013 – Canon U.S.A., Inc. a leader in digital imaging solutions, announced today new firmware and application software upgrades for the Company’s Cinema EOS System lineup of cameras. New ACES compatibility software for the Cinema EOS C500 and Cinema EOS C500 PL Digital Cameras will be available as a free download expected in June 2013. Additional Cinema EOS firmware upgrades, including a new 1,440 x 1,080 pixel recording mode at 35Mbps for the Cinema EOS C300 and Cinema EOS C300 PL Digital Cameras, are expected to be available as free downloads starting in October 2013, all from the www.usa.canon.com. [read the whole press release here]

The New Canon VIXIA HF G30 Camcorder Opens Up New Possibilities For Video Enthusiasts And Advanced Amateurs

Features Include a 20x Zoom Lens, Newly Designed HD CMOS Pro Sensor, MP4 Recording and Wireless Capabilities MELVILLE, N.Y., April 3, 2013 – Unveiling an outstanding device for video enthusiasts and advanced amateurs, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced a new flagship camcorder, the VIXIA HF G30 camcorder. This new camcorder features a powerful 20x Genuine Canon HD Video Lens, MP4 recording, and built-in Wi-Fi® capability with dual band wireless support, making the VIXIA HF G30 camcorder a great device to help preserve inspirational moments in stunning image quality. Whether capturing a once in a lifetime trip or creating a movie, avid videographers will enjoy the sophisticated capabilities of this powerful device in a compact body. [read the whole press release here]

Canon U.S.A. Introduces Two Ultra-Compact Professional Camcorders Enabling Wireless Digital Content Transfer And Remote Operation

New Canon XA25 and XA20 Camcorders Include a 20x HD Zoom Lens, Simultaneous MP4 and AVCHD Recording, a 3.5-Inch Organic LED Touch Panel Display, and Wireless Connectivity for Digital Content Uploading or Remote Operation Via Tablet or Smartphone
MELVILLE, N.Y., April 3, 2013 – Strategically integrating some of Canon’s sophisticated next-generation imaging and wireless technologies, the new XA25 HD and XA20 HD professional camcorders from Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, provide an impressive combination of professional features and optics in a compact design. Ideal for run-and-gun style videography, or electronic newsgathering (ENG), both models weigh only 2.6 pounds, allowing for extreme mobility and portability. Both camcorders feature multiple shooting-assist functions and enhanced key components such as a newly developed Genuine Canon wide-angle 20x HD zoom lens with an ENG-style “rocker” zoom control and built-in real-time optical image stabilization. Delivering outstanding low-light performance and image quality, the Canon XA25 and XA20 HD camcorders are equipped with a new high-sensitivity 2.91-megapixel 1/2.84-inch HD CMOS image sensor and the new Canon DIGIC DV 4 image processor. [read the whole press release here]

Canon

Canon’s Project 1709 – An Introduction, And How To Manage Albums And Share Pics

Project 1709

Last year Canon launched Project 1709, a cloud storage and photo management platform you use through a browser, that integrates with social networks (Flickr, Facebook etc) and allows you to manage your picture collection. And it is free!

The guys over at photoventure.com published three interesting articles about Project 1709. The fist post is an introduction to what Project 1709 can do for you. The second post talks about how to manage albums in Project 1709. Finally, a third post explains how to share pictures to Flickr. All worth to be read if you are interested in Project 1709.

[via photoventure]

Canon Announces Development Of 35mm Cinema Prime Lens

35mm Cinema

This came quietly. Yesterday Canon announced the development of a new 35mm prime lens for their cinema line-up. The lens is designed for 4k.

The press release:

Designed for Film-Style Operation, Canon Cinema Prime Lenses Deliver 4K Imaging Performance
MELVILLE, N.Y., April 3, 2013 – Canon Inc., the parent company of Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, has announced the development of a 35mm cinema prime lens for large-format single-sensor cameras employing Super 35mm, full-frame 35mm, and APS-C size imagers. The 35mm cinema prime lens will look to join Canon’s line of 14mm, 24mm, 50mm, 85mm, and 135mm EF-mount Cinema prime lenses. The 35mm cinema lens in development will look to become the sixth in the line, filling a strategic optical need between Canon’s 24mm and 50mm lens offerings. As with Canon’s precision-matched, competitively priced CN-E prime lenses, the 35mm lens under development will look to deliver 4K optical performance and inherit the professional operability of the existing CN-E prime lens line.

Canon Cinema prime lenses are part of the Canon Cinema EOS System of professional digital cinematography products, which also include the EOS C500 4K/2K Digital Cinema Camera, EOS C300 Digital Cinema Camera, EOS C100 Digital Video Camera, EOS-1D C 4K DSLR Cinema Camera, and four Canon Cinema zoom lenses. A development sample of the 35mm cinema lens will be on display in the Canon booth #C4325 during the 2013 NAB Show in Las Vegas, NV, April 8-11, 2013, and the lens itself is currently expected to officially launch sometime this year.

“Canon is committed to supporting cinematic culture and the continued advancement of tools for visual storytelling at all levels,” affirmed Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A. “During the past 18 months, Canon has brought our Cinema EOS product line to market, and in that time we have introduced HD, 2K, and 4K cameras, lenses and workflow solutions, as well as structured a comprehensive service and support network for professionals in the theatrical motion picture and television markets to enable customers to create and deliver exceptional imaging content and cinematic brilliance.”

Current Canon Cinema Lens Lineup

Each current Canon Cinema lens is equipped with an 11-blade aperture diaphragm, which is ideally suited to help achieve creative depth-of-field manipulation and pleasing “bokeh” effects. The Canon line of Cinema prime lenses is precision-matched for consistent and solid optical performance throughout the line, and the inner focus mechanism helps minimize focus-induced changes in the angle of view. All feature a full-frame image circle in a lightweight, compact design, and they incorporate proven Canon lens elements designed to fulfill contemporary 4K production standards. All Canon Cinema primes also deliver color tone and balance that matches Canon’s top-end Cinema zooms and compact Cinema zooms. Canon Cinema prime lenses deliver the operation and reliability required in professional film-style shooting environments.

All Canon Cinema prime lenses are fully compatible with the Canon EOS C500, EOS C300, EOS C100, and EOS-1D C digital cinema cameras. The EF-mount design of all Canon Cinema prime lenses provides communication with these cameras for such handy features as display of the ƒ number in the electronic viewfinder, recording of focus/zoom position and f number, and, later this year, Peripheral Light Compensationi.

Strategically integrated motion-picture style mechanical attributes (as opposed to those for still photography lenses) are also an important design feature of Canon’s series of Cinema prime lenses. These film-style characteristics include 300-degree rotation on the focus ring for precision focus control as well as large, highly visible engraved focus scales for convenient operation. These markings appear on the angled surfaces on both sides of the barrel, making them easy to read and to adjust the “stepless” focus and/or aperture settings of the lenses from behind or from either side of the camera for camera operators or focus pullers. Focus markings can be switched from standard labeling to metric, and control rings are engineered to maintain the proper amount of resistance with consistent operating torque and familiar tactile “feedback” for satisfying manual control. All of Canon’s current Cinema prime lenses also share the same uniform gear positions, diameters, and rotation angles, as well as front-lens diameters, making them compatible with a wide variety of matte boxes, follow focus gear, marking disks, and other third-party film-industry-standard accessories. Film crews can quickly change lenses without the need for accessory gear-position adjustments or other changes to the rig setup.

The versatility of image-capture options using Canon EOS digital cinema cameras can be further extended with Canon’s Cinema Zoom lenses (the CN-E14.5-60mm T2.6 wide-angle and the CN-E30-300mm T2.95-3.7 telephoto) and Compact Cinema Zoom lenses (the CN-E15.5-47mm T2.8 wide-angle and CN-E30-105mm T2.8 telephoto). All four lenses are available in both EF- and PL-mount versions, and the mount can be switched at a Canon service facility in the United States for added flexibility. Almost all of Canon’s EF Series photographic lenses can also be used with these Cinema EOS cameras, including Image Stabilized zoom, tilt-shift, and macro lenses.