Three New Samyang VDSLR Lenses To Be Released Soon (14mm, 24mm and 35mm)

Video making with a DSLR is having a big momentum. No surprise that Samyang just announced three new VDSRL lenses (with Canon mount). The lenses are  35mm T1.5 AS UMC , 24mm  T1.5 ED AS IF UMC and 14mm T3.1 ED AS IF UMC. The lenses will be released “in sequence”: the 35mm starting next week, the 24mm at the end of August and the 14mm in September. No prices have been communicated so far.

PRESS RELEASE 9th AUGUST 2012

Soon on sales!

SAMYANG T1.5 35mm AS UMC SAMYANG T1.5 24mm ED AS IF UMC SAMYANG T3.1 14mm ED AS IF UMC

Cracow, 9th August 2012 – Samyang Optics gladly informs, that Samyang Family has been enlarged by three new lenses dedicated for digital cinema purpose.

Lenses with focal 35mm, 24 mm and 14mm will be available on sales in sequence next week, at the end of August and in September.

The construction of the new lenses has been based on previous types dedicated for photography. Their main feature are racks co-operating with follow – focus system, and a ring rotated continously. Thanks to these alterations it is possible to precisely and silently operate focus and depth of field. Another facility is putting aperture and focus scale parallel to the axis of the lens and aperture marked with number of transmission T. Lenses are compatible with Nikon and Canon cameras.

Prices will be announced soon.

14mm
24mm
35mm

EOS M and EF-M Lenses Availability In Germany (Amazon DE)

Image credit: Jet Daisuke

Since short Amazon DE has more EOS M related items in offer.

Moreover, Amazon DE has the EF-S 18-135mm 1:3,5-5,6 IS STM in stock (just 4 items) for €509 (click here).

Canon USA Starts Its Own YouTube Channel

Good news for all of us who are Canon fans. Canon USA started a YouTube channel to showcase its products. For the time being there are four sub-channels, named How to use your Canon camera (5 videos), How to use your Canon printer (5 videos), Movie/inspiration (5 videos) and Advertising/promo (3 videos). Some videos explain specific camera functions (as AF-settings), others present products and features. Lots of things are covered, including service and support. Check it out!

[via IR]

[Hacks] Magic Lantern Installation And Operation On A Rebel T2i/550D (And Links For Refurbished 5D2 And 7D)

Found this little, 5 min video on YouTube. The installation of Magic Lantern is covered, plus an overview of operations. NOTE: Proceed at your own risk. Setting up Magic Lantern is easy and straightforward, but it is a firmware replacement and as such voids your guaranty. There should not be any problems, but I have to say this. :-) The video contains enough hints to teach you how to install Magic Lantern on other supported Canon DSLRs: EOS 5D Mark II (get it refurbished at the Canon Store for 1,759.20), EOS 60D, EOS 50D, Rebel T3i/600D. Unfortunately, and that’s a pity, the EOS 7D is not yet supported. But then: the 7D just got a massive firmware update, introducing new features and tweaking others. The EOS 7D can be found refurbished at Canon Store for $1,359, click here) and on eBay too, starting refurbished from , and new from (.

Click here to learn more about Magic Lantern, or click here to proceed straight to the download.

[via almostrocketscience on YouTube]

EF 40mm f/2.8 STM Autofocus Problem – Product Advisory

Canon released a product advisory for the EF 40mm f/2.8 STM lens. Looks as if there is a problem with the AF-system: If pressure is applied to the lens barrel while the lens is mounted to the camera (pressure can be applied even while attaching the lens cap or while carrying the camera with the lens attached in a bag), the autofocusing function of the lens may stop working. The issue does not affect all lenses (according to the digital picture). Firmware releases that will address the issue are expected for August.

From Canon USA:

To Users of the EF40mm f/2.8 STM Interchangeable Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras

Thank you for using Canon products.

It has been confirmed that the autofocusing function of the EF40mm f/2.8 STM lens, which was released in June 2012, may not operate correctly.

The details of this phenomenon are described below.

Affected Product

EF40mm f/2.8 STM

Phenomenon

If pressure is applied to the lens barrel while the lens is mounted to the camera (pressure can be applied even while attaching the lens cap or while carrying the camera with the lens attached in a bag), the autofocusing function of the lens may stop working.

*This phenomenon does not occur during normal shooting.

*This phenomenon does not result in a malfunction of the lens.

Workaround

When the above phenomenon occurs, detach and reattach the lens, or remove and reinsert the camera battery to restore the operations.

Market Support

The firmware to address this phenomenon will be available for download in late August, 2012.

Once this firmware is ready, we will make an announcement on our Web site.

Support

This information is for residents of the United States and Puerto Rico only. If you do not reside in the USA or Puerto Rico, please contact the Canon Customer Support Center in your region.

[via thedigitalpicture]

[Review] Rebel T4i/650D With 18-135mm IS STM Reviewed And Compared

Cameralabs published a detailed review of the Rebel T4i/650D with the EF-S 18-135mm IS STM lens. One of the highlight of the T4i/650D is the Auto-Focus system (emphasis mine):

The hybrid CMOS AF sensor combined with improvements to the stand alone phase detect AF provides the T4i / 650D with one of the most sophisticated focusing systems of any Canon DSLR, particularly for continuous autofocus during movie recording. Coupled with one of the new quiet STM lenses its movie autofocusing is on a par with that offerred by touch-screen mirrorless compact system cameras.

It’s the same AF that is featured on the recently announced EOS M. We wrote before about how much the Rebel T4i/650D was a testbed for the technologies later employed on the EOS M. Camerlabs compares the T4i/650D to Nikon’s D3200. The Rebel T4i/650D gets a “highly recommended” final score. From the verdict:

With the Rebel T4i / EOS 650D Canon has neatly addressed […] issues. The Hybrid CMOS AF sensor improves AF capability in Live view but, more importantly, makes this the first Canon DSLR to provide truly effective continuous AF during movie recording, putting it on a par with Sony’s SLT models and touch-screen mirrorless CSC’s like the Olympus PEN E-P3 and Panasonic Lumix GX1.

Its 3 inch touch-screen […] is intended to pull in compact upgraders and will succeed, but even those who love to use physical controls will find it enhances the handling characteristics in a very positive fashion. Other enhancements, like built-in stereo microphones, 5fps continuous shooting, the Multi shot noise reduction stacking mode and built-in correction for chromatic aberration make the Rebel T4i / EOS 650D an excellent all-round performer and a hard act to beat for first time buyers with a little extra in the budget or those looking to move up to the next level. I highly recommend it.

[via Cameralabs]