Canon’s EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM Telephoto Lens In Stock At B&H

Canon's EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM Telephoto Lens In Stock At B&H

[source: The Digital Picture]

B&H has the Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens in stock and ready to ship for $12,999 (click here).

Specs:

 

  • Fluorite optics for sharper images and less chromatic aberration.
  • Lighter weight due to magnesium and titanium construction elements.
  • Three IS (Image Stabilization) modes offer a 4-stop shutter speed advantage.
  • Advanced image stabilization Mode 3 activates only when shutter button is fully pressed, allowing for panning to follow fast-moving subjects.
  • Inner focusing system with focusing cam
  • Power Focus mode allows smooth focus change when shooting video.
  • Dust and water sealing for shooting in the most challenging environments.

More Canon Powershot G15 Reviews

More PowerShot G15 (price & specs) reviews, both detailed and exhaustive, and with lots of sample pictures. Photographyblog writes:

The new Canon PowerShot G15 is the most well-balanced G-series camera to date. It may not offer the admittedly more versatile articulating screen of its predecessor, the G12, or the DSLR-like image quality of its big brother, the G1 X, but the combination of greater portability, faster lens, higher-resolution screen and smaller size is a winning one.

Cameralabs says:

[…] the G15 still has plenty to offer. Its bright f1.8-2.8 lens combined with excellent optical image stabilisation not only provides it with great low light performance, the 1cm close focus distance at the wide angle setting together with it’s ability to focus reasonably close when zoomed in, makes it possible to achieve a fairly shallow depth of field on macros and portraits, something that’s often proved elusive on small sensor cameras. The abundance of physical controls will continue to endear it to enthusiasts and while dropping the articulated screen may not meet with universal approval, for me, the more compact lightweight form that results is well worth the sacrifice.

More Canon Powershot G15 Reviews

Canon PowerShot G15 price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

 

Does The EF 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4x Have A Design Issue?

200-400

The EF 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4x is still an entity without price (though >$10000 are rumored), with no release date, and not available for those who would like to have it. The latest murmuring about the reasons for the delay are suggesting that there could be a design issue. Quoting CR:

The latest […] is that the lens has needed a redesign in regards to the “bump” that holds the built-in 1.4 TC. […] it was brought to the attention of Canon at the Olympics that some pros were complaining that the “bump”, or a function of the “bump” got in the way of something. Again, what the something was wasn’t elaborated upon.

[via CR]

 

A New Forum For Canon Users (By Canon Itself)

Canon's press release:

New Canon Forum Provides A Platform To Ask Questions, Get Answers And Share Experiences With Peers

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., November, 13, 2012 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the launch of the Canon Forum, where enthusiasts can communicate with one another to trade personal tips and techniques to get the most out of their Canon products and post personal product experiences.

“We are very excited to offer our customers a place to ask questions, interact and learn more from their fellow Canon users,” stated Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A. “With the rise of social media, Canon recognizes the importance of connecting users to each other for information-sharing purposes.”

Users can browse the Canon Forum page, forums.usa.canon.com, and then register to join or start a conversation. To help organize the various topics being discussed in the Canon Forum, there are five boards now open: Camera, Printer, Cinema EOS, Camcorder and General Discussion.

The addition of the Canon Forum adds to the growing number of Canon U.S.A. social media sites that are currently available. The other sites you can visit directly from the Internet and through links provided within the forum are:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/canonusa

YouTube: www.youtube.com/canonusa

For more information about Canon U.S.A., please visit: www.usa.canon.com

Rumor: Canon’s 2013 Roadmap (Lenses, New Rebel, EOS 70D, High Res DSLR)

One of my sources informed me about Canon's 2013 roadmap. The source is reliable, was right in the past. So, here comes the rumor:

  • New EOS video lenses before the end of January 2013. No hints about specs or focal lengths
  • New EOS-M lenses in Q1 (February-March). The source was referring to prime lenses, possibly a 35mm or 50mm faster than f/3.5 (f/2.8 was suggested), could have image stabilization.
  • At least two new DSLRs before March 2013. One being a new Rebel, the other most probably the EOS 70D
  • And finally: the rumored high megapixel DSLR (at least 46MP) could be announced during Q3. Unfortunately no specs here, except that it will have 6fps, and a newly designed sensor with very good low ISO performance. No hints about the name, but it will not have the “D” in the name. It's said to be something “very new” and specifically aimed at studio photography. Prototypes already undergoing tests.

My take: sounds all plausible. Unfortunately, without specifications it's hard to get an idea. Moreover, translation was difficult and I can't be sure something didn't get lost in translation. Nevertheless:

  • Canon will most probably announce some more lenses for the EOS-M mount. At least they should, imo.
  • The EOS 60D is definitely due to be replaced by an EOS 70D. I think this is the most reliable of the rumors listed above
  • The high resolution DSLR was already rumored in the past. The only new spec (6fps) is credible. The previous rumor was about 10fps, which sounds weird to me. A 10 fps camera with 46MP needs lots of processing power, and a very performing hardware. 6fps are more close to what is feasible with a 46MP sensor.