Firmware Fix Announced For Speedlite AF Assist Beam Issue On EOS 5D Mark III and EOS-1D X

[shoplink 4119]Speedlite AF Assist Beam Issue[/shoplink]

Concerning the Speedlite AF assist beam issue occurring with Speedlites used with a Canon EOS 5D Mark III or Canon EOS-1D X, there will soon be a firmware fix. In the EOS forum at Canon USA, a forum moderator wrote:

Canon has confirmed that, depending upon the shooting conditions, it may take slightly longer for the EOS 5D Mark III and EOS-1D X digital SLR cameras to acquire focus when using the Speedlite’s AF Assist Beam, compared with that of the EOS 5D Mark II and EOS-1D Mark IV digital SLR cameras using the Speedlite’s AF Assist Beam. We are developing a firmware update to enhance the focusing feature for the EOS 5D Mark III and the EOS-1D X. The schedule for release of this firmware update will be announced shortly.

“Announced shortly” could mean in April, when Canon is set to release a firmware update for the EOS 5D Mark III. Don’t think they will release another one before.

Canon EOS 5D Mark III price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA Canon EOS-1D X price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

There Will Be Wider And Longer Canon STM Lenses With IS, Says Canon Exec

Canon STM Lenses
Canon’s 40mm f/2.8 STM pancake lens (price & specs)

There will be more Canon STM lenses, wide angles and telephotos, and they may have image stabilization. In an interview Masato Okada, Executive Officer – Deputy Chief Executive – ICP Group 1 Canon Inc., confirmed Canon’s commitment to STM (Stepping Motor) lenses and videography. As you most probably know, STM lenses focus near to silent, avoiding disturbing noise when continuously autofocusing while shooting video. Mr. Okada said that “it is possible that [there will be] STM lens [with] wider and longer focal length“, and that Canon “consider producing wider and longer STM lenses after passing through optical design process“. Another Canon executive, Naoya Kaneda, Senior General Manager ICP Development Center 1, added: “it’s also possible that STM lenses will be equipped with IS”.

Currently there are four Canon STM lenses:

[via Exposure Magazine] Canon STM Lenses

Video Of CP+ Interview With Canon’s Top Executive Masaya Maeda

Found a video of the interview with Masaya Maeda, Chief Executive — Image Communication Product Operations — Canon Inc on YouTube (user fotografernet). Parts of this interview have been posted previously in written form. The video has English subtitles and Masaya Maeda’s answers are translated. The discussed topics:

  • Cinema EOS
  • Canon EOS 6D (price & specs) (he would buy one for himself)
  • Challenges of the compact camera segment, the PowerShot N (price & specs) as an answer to this
  • How Canon will increase revenues in 2013
  • The advanced technologies actually implemented in top-end gear will come to entry level gear
  • All regional markets are equally important to Canon

Amazon Gold Deal: Canon Powershot S100 For $249

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Canon has the Powershot S100 for $249 (click here) as a Gold Box Deal, it just got live. although there is already the successor available, the [shoplink 10422]PowerShot S110[/shoplink], the GPS enabled and highly popular PowerShot S100 can still hold up. The new S110 has WiFi connectivity, but no more GPS receiver.

  • 12.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor combined with the new DIGIC 5 Image Processor createsthe Canon HS SYSTEM for improved low-light performance up to ISO 6400 and enhanced image quality.
  • Capture stunning Full HD 1080p video in stereo sound with a dedicated movie button; zoom while shooting and play back videos on an HDTV via the HDMI output.
  • 5x Optical Zoom with 24mm wide angle allows you to capture more in your frame, and a bright f/2.0 lens makes it ideal for low-light conditions or using shallowdepth-of-field for dramatic, soft backgrounds.
  • Intelligent IS automatically chooses from six different modes to optimize image stabilization for the shooting condition.
  • High-Speed Burst HQ allows for continuous capture at a maximum of 8 frames* while maintaining superb image quality and Super Slow Motion Movie records videoat high speeds to allow playback in slow motion.
  • Full range of shooting and recording modes including RAW + JPEG for the ultimatecreative control, and a control ring for intuitive manual adjustment.
  • Built-in GPS tracker records your location, and a logger allows easy viewing of the locations on a map to help you remember where images were taken.
  • Large 3.0-inch wide LCD enables easy viewing.
  • Face Detection Technology & Smart Shutter
  • Special Scene Modes
  • Best Image Selection

Refurbished Canon DSLR Round-Up (5D3 $2,839, 7D $979, And 11 More Items)

Big Refurbished Canon DSLR Round-Up
Canon EOS 5D Mark III is for $2839.95

B&H has a refurbished Canon DSLR and lenses sold-out. There are 13 among DSLR and lenses to choose from (click here).

For instance…

Good chance to buy refurbished Canon gear from an official seller. There is also a discounted memory card sale going on, see below:

Big Refurbished Canon DSLR Round-Up
Canon EOS 7D for $979
Big Refurbished Canon DSLR Round-Up
Canon EOS 60D DSLR Camera Kit with Canon EF-S 18-135mm for $899.95