Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM Review (slrgear)

22-2-1

EF-M 2mm f/2 STM core specs:

  • Moderate Wide-Angle Lens for EOS M
  • Bright f/2 Lens Aperture
  • Exceptional Low-Light Performance
  • One Aspheric Lens Element
  • Built-In Stepping Motor
  • Smooth & Continuous AF
  • Seven Blade Circular Aperture
  • Short Minimum Focusing Distance of 5.9″

slrgear reviewed the Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM lens (price & specs), part of the Canon EOS M (price & specs) ecosystem. For the time being there are only two lenses for the EOS M system, the other one is the Canon EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM(price & specs). I own this lens, and I have to say that I am overly satisfied by its performance, the featured review basically confirms my experience using the lens. Some excerpts:

  • The Canon EF-M 22mm ƒ/2 STM provided surprisingly sharp results.[…] Stopping down to just ƒ/2.8 provides very sharp images – for practical purposes, we would say it’s tack-sharp from corner to corner.
  • There is some significant corner shading with the 22mm ƒ/2: used at the ƒ/2 setting, the corners show up a full stop darker than the center of the frame.
  • The 22mm ƒ/2 provides excellent resistance to distortion
  • The lens, while not specifically built for macro, offers some usable close-up capability [max 0.21x]

In the conclusion they write:

For a small and relatively inexpensive lens, the Canon EF-M 22mm ƒ/2 STM provides an excellent result. Given the few options available […] for Canon EOS-M users, having this prime lens as an option is a no-brainer.

The Canon EOS M with the EF-M 22mm f/2 STM is now sold for $679 on Amazon (click here), for $699 at B&H (click here) and Adorama (click here).

Canon EOS M price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA Canon EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

[via slrgear]

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A Little Bit Of Everything

 

Canon Lens And Speedlite Rebates Live Again, And DSLR + Lens Bundle Rebates Extended

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The Canon Lens and Speedlite rebates are live again! Save up to $300 on selected Canon lenses and flashes, click here to see all items in the lens and Speedlite rebate program. The offer lasts until 3/30.

The savings on selected Canon DSLR and lens bundles have been extended. Click here to check the possible DSLR and lens combination that are discounted. Savings to up to $400. Bundles available for Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Rebel T4i/650D and Rebel T3. Expires 3/2.

Canon Lens And Speedlite Rebates

Canon Lens And Speedlite Rebates

HTC Teaser Suggests HTC One Smartphone Could Support Canon Lenses

HTC Teaser

Next Tuesday (2/19 2013) HTC is supposed to announce their new flagship smartphone, the HTC One. Since some time, they are teasing specs and features of the smartphone via Twitter. Yesterday they tweeted the image you see above. You can see the date of the announcement in green letters around the edge of the lens. The brand name is blurred out but it is easily identifiable as a Canon 50mm lens.

What does the teaser suggest? Speculation is that the HTC One could support a DSLR camera lens add-on. The image shows a Canon lens. Will the HTC One be able to use Canon lenses? A handset with interchangeable lenses?

[via androidspin via 9to5google]

New Underwater Housing For Canon PowerShot G15 (Nauticam NA-G15 )

 

 

Underwater Housing For Canon PowerShot G15

Nauticam will soon release the NA-G15, a new underwater housing for Canon PowerShot G15 (price & specs). Estimated release to the general public on March 1st, 2013, price $1050. Made of aluminum, it weights 1.8lbs (0.82kg) and has a depth rating of 100m. Dimensions:  155mm x 110mm x 106mm.

Canon PowerShot price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Nauticam’s press release:

Innovation Underwater 

Nauticam NA-G15 

Nauticam is proud to introduce the NA-G15 aluminum camera housing for the latest version of Canon’s iconic G series of compact cameras: The Canon Powershot G15. Once again, Nauticam brings the power of professional quality engineering and cutting edge design to those who enjoy the attributes of compact imaging systems. The NA-G15 should prove to be the ultimate housing for fans of Canon’s compact G15 camera. Both camera and housing are loaded with heavyweight features packaged in a lightweight, rugged and easy to operate system.

Underwater Housing For Canon PowerShot G15

Canon Powershot G15

When Canon introduced the Powershot G series many years ago, it quickly established itself as one of the first compact digital cameras to allow shooting in RAW and to come equipped with fast, high quality zoom lenses. In essence, this line of cameras were designed to be a enthusiast’s camera first and a compact second. The newest G15 is designed that way today and has been greatly improved on several fronts.

The Canon G15 utilizes the same 12.1mp Canon 1/1.7” CMOS sensor and Digic 5 processor as the hugely popular Canon S110 and is a proven performer. While the zoom lens equivalent focal length of 28-140mm with Intelligent Image Stabilization is the same as on the G 12, what really impresses is the fast variable aperture of f/1.8-2.8. This is fast by any camera standard, but remarkable on a compact camera. These kind of apertures open up interesting possibilities in low light conditions and shallow depth of field close ups.

The G15 maintains a lot of direct access controls and a very useable ISO range of 80 to 12,800. A 920k dot PureColor II 3.0” G Screen provides easy viewing, while the latest Canon processor serves up impressive burst rates of 10 fps without flash. Video is a proper 1080p @ 24FPS and 720p @30FPS in H.264 format with mini HDMI out on the camera. G series shooters will be thrilled with the addition of a dedicated movie record button on the G15. Aside from the extra fast lens, the other real headline with the Powershot G15 is a substantial jump in autofocus speed and accuracy. 53% faster according to Canon – that makes the G15 the fastest focusing Canon compact ever and should give fans of this venerable model line another reason to celebrate. No wonder these cameras have had such an avid following both above and below the water.

Underwater Housing For Canon PowerShot G15

Nauticam NA-G15 for the Canon Powershot G15

Nauticam designs and builds aluminum housings for compact cameras with the same uncompromising attention to detail and ergonomics as its acclaimed DSLR housings. That dedication to excellence shows in every aspect of the NA-G15. The Canon G series represents some of the most popular underwater compact camera systems of all time. Nauticam knew it had to meet the demands of an extremely devoted market segment and is pleased to have exceeded all expectations with this new housing.

All Nauticam products are constantly evolving and improving. Many of the industry leading features found on previous Nauticam housings are clearly evident on the new NA-G15. The comfortable and secure locking rotational latch, rugged machined aluminum case and 100 meter depth rating are now the base line. The rear mounted housing o-ring adopted from recent Nauticams makes maintenance easy and the progressive shutter release provides the best “feel” in the business. Like every Nauticam, the NA G-15 has controls ergonomically placed and clearly labeled just the way Canon does. The NA-G15 takes advantage of Canon’s excellent control set on the G15 and provides an extremely easy interface – even with gloves on. Programmable front and rear command dials are readily available to forefinger and thumb while never releasing grip. The mode dial is quickly accessed at any moment. Manual aperture and shutter speed adjustment is intuitive and thanks to the G15s unique exposure compensation dial – so is EV control.

Video functions are more easily engaged than on the G12 because of the new dedicated record button. Nauticam has provided a flash deployment lever and a window to allow for monitoring Canon’s indicator LEDs showing power, ready to shoot, flash activation status and a “cannot focus” warning. This housing is designed and field-tested to capitalize on the considerable potential from both camera and photographer alike.

Nauticam includes a 67mm port thread for mounting optional wet lenses as standard and they precisely engineer the optical glass port specifications for optimal wide angle accessory lens compatibility. This critical design criterion allows the NA-G15 to be the first Canon G series housing ever to be truly wide-angle wet lens compatible. The new Inon UWL-S100 ZM80 Wide Conversion Lens Is the perfect wide angle companion for the versatile NA-G15 (Inon adapter required) and will provide approximately 100° FOV when the camera lens is zoomed to an 80mm focal length. Even more exciting is the option to add the Inon Dome Lens Unit II for UWLS100 ZM80 for a stunning 150° FOV. Finally a true fisheye option for Canon G series underwater photographers!

Of course a good close up wet lens is always popular with compact macro shooters and the use of Nauticam’s new 67mm Flip Lens Holder makes this type of macro work easier than ever on the NA-G15.

For those underwater photographers who want classic performance, outstanding image quality and world class compact durability: Your housing just arrived – The NA-G15

Nauticam Build Quality

Only the finest materials and cutting edge manufacturing processes are used to make Nauticam housings.  The housing body is machined from solid aircraft grade aluminum, then hard anodized making it impervious to salt water and provides an impressive 100 meter depth rating. The large acrylic LCD window is treated with an anti-reflective, scratch resistant coating.

Optional Rubberized Ergonomic Handles

The optional Nauticam Flexitray or Easitray provide a lightweight, compact mounting solution for strobe arms and the NA-G15 housing. Nauticam uses a sophisticated over-mold process to produce extremely comfortable rubberized ergonomic handgrips.  The soft feel and comfortable design make the housing easy to grip and minimize hand fatigue on long dives.  Both single and double handle configurations are available for complete customization, and each handle can be adjusted laterally allowing the user to dial in perfect fit. A hand strap is also available for those wishing an even smaller profile.

Optical Flash Connectors for Inon S-TTL, and Sea & Sea DS-TTL

Reliable automatic flash exposure is available with the NA-S110 and a variety of optically fired flashes. The Inon Z-240, D-2000, S-2000, Sea & Sea YS-110 Alpha, YS-01 and YS-D1strobes provide automated lighting, precisely reproducing the camera’s onboard flash at a proportionally greater intensity.  This system yields accurate automatic TTL flash performance – even in manual mode – with no electrical sync cables to flood! The NA-G15 comes fiber optic ready and accepts standard Sea & Sea style bushing connections.

Strobes can be attached to the housing via optional strobe mounting balls secured to the handles of the Nauticam accessory tray systems or a single strobe mounting ball location on the housing. The housing also features a cold-shoe mount for a focus light or other accessory mounting options.

Specifications

  • Depth Rating:  100m
  • Dimensions:  155mm x 110mm x 106mm
  • Weight: .82kg (1.8 lbs.)

Model Number:  17310
MSRP: US$1050
Estimated Shipping Date: 1 March 2013 

USA Dealer List:

http://www.nauticamusa.com/nauticam-dealers/

Dealer Inquiries Outside of North & South America:

[email protected]

International Dealer Listing:

http://nauticam.com/dealer.htm

Artists Portraits Shot With The Original Canon EOS 5D

Original Canon EOS 5D
Image credit: Mike Kobal

Photographer Mike Kobal posted a series of portraits he shot using the original Canon EOS 5D (still on sale on eBay). As you probably know, the EOS 5D was a game changer, the first affordable full-frame DSLR. Lots of professional photographers were excited by the possibility offered by a full-frame sensor. Sure, it was not a perfect camera, it was a new kind of tool. As Mike Kobal writes:

A craftsman is only as good as his tools. Certainly a true statement, one could add, a good craftsman knows the limits of his tools. The 5D was the first affordable full frame camera, very exciting break through and the sensor beat pretty much anything out at the time except for a few medium format offerings. I loved mine because it was compact, I could easily pack two. I did not have to take out a loan either, all I had to do was sell my 1Dseries bodies. Af was not as good, well, it sucked but I found a way to work with it. Buffer, when shooting raw, wasn’t great either and neither was the LCD. But what mattered to me most was there, a full frame sensor, producing very sharp files thanks to a weak AA filter and it was damn good in low light compared to anything else available. Color depth and dynamic range weren’t great and it was a problem in underexposed beauty shoots.The answer to that was to not underexpose. The 5D was great for my type or work. As a sports photographer I would have never touched it. 12mp was plenty for most publications.

Check out Mike's work on his site.

A lot happened in the evolution of full-frame sensors since the days of the original Canon EOS 5D (it was 2005 when the original Canon EOS 5D was released). Digital sensor technology made leaps forward, and the tech is getting cheaper. Take the Canon EOS 6D (price & specs) for instance, Canon's entry level full-frame DSLR which is selling good and is becoming highly popular. DPreview published their in-depth review of the EOS 6D just a few days ago.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USACanon EOS 5D Mark III price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USACanon EOS 6D price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Original Canon EOS 5D
Image credit: Mike Kobal