Firmware Upgrades For Wireless Transmitter WFT-E5A And 4 Lenses

Canon has recently released two new product advisories. The first one concerns the WFT-E5A Wireless Transmitter. The firmware upgrade (ver. 1.0.7) doesn’t tackle problems or malfunctions, it was released to support the just released, massive firmware update for the [shoplink 337]EOS 7D[/shoplink].

Next, Canon also released a product advisory for the following lenses: [shoplink 1002]EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM[/shoplink], [shoplink 112]EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM[/shoplink], [shoplink 108]EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM[/shoplink], and [shoplink 106]EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM[/shoplink]. The firmware update (ver. 1.1.1) will be performed by Canon Service Centers and brings the following enhancement:

Changes the control algorithm of the focus drive, and enhances the drive’s responsiveness for more precise focus and adjustments. In particular, the new firmware enhances the AI servo AF capability of the lenses to track objects that move irregularly in sports events, such as soccer or rugby.

Canon Recalls 68,200 T4i/650D Due To Possible Allergic Reactions

Image Credits: engadget.com

These are news I do not like, Holy Whatever! The [shoplink 5623]Rebel T4i/650D[/shoplink] is a cute little DSLR, I played around with it and didn’t get any skin rash. Engadget reported it first, let me quote the core of the message:

Hazard: A chemical used in the camera’s rubber grips can result in a reaction that changes the grips from black to white and poses a risk of skin irritation to the consumer.

Ok, no reason to panic. Check if you are involved (click here for the whole story):

Description: This recall involves EOS Rebel T4i digital SLR cameras with a 12-digit serial number that contain a second digit that is a “3” or “4” and a sixth digit that is a “1.” Serial numbers are printed on the bottom of the camera. The Canon logo and the model name are printed on the front of the camera.

Sold at: B&H Photo, Best Buy and camera and mass merchandise stores nationwide and Amazon.com and other online retailers between June 2012 and July 2012 for between $850 and $1,200.

Canon will replace the rubber grips free of charge. In the USA you can ring 855-902-3277.

For the time being, according to reports, there is only one customer affected by a «minor rash» after having touched a Rebel T4i.

[cpsc.gov, via engadget]

Want To Use EF Lenses On A Sony NEX? You Can, With The Metabones EF Mk II Adapter

Not satisfied with E-mount glasses? Want to use the outstanding Canon EF lenses line-up on a [shoplink 5712]Sony NEX[/shoplink] or [shoplink 4953]Sony FS100[/shoplink]? With the Metabones EOS E-Mount Mark II adapter you can, and you get all the electronic for IS, and for P, A, T and M exposure modes and AF. The adaptor is expected to be released in August 2012. However, I found a [shoplink 6401 ebay]bid going on on eBay, for this very adaptor (actually $414 $435, 1 day 13h 7h left, click here[/shoplink]). The adapter fits the following Sony cameras: NEX-7, NEX-5N, NEX-FS100, NEX-FS700, NEX-5, NEX-3, NEX-VG20. Click here to see all specs of the adapter, and supported Canon lenses.

  • True electronic integration of aperture diaphragm – let camera automatically choose aperture in P or S exposure modes, or dial in yourself on the camera body in A or M modes.
  • Powered by camera body. No external power source required.
  • Wide open button (opposite of depth-of-field preview function) makes manual focusing easy.

Canon Japan Execs Interviewed By CPN Europe

EOS 1D-X bodies at the London Olympics (image credit: inkiboo)

Therefore we have two points that we always keep in mind for professional photographers – Canon contributes to photo culture and also Canon develops products. Those are the two roles Canon has.

Canon Europe published an interview with Mr. Ken-ichi Shimbori (Advisory Director, Group Executive, Photo Products Group). The focus is on the EOS system and professional photographers. Discussed topics include video modes on the [shoplink 254]EOS 5D Mark II[/shoplink] and what Canon thinks about DSLR video making, the development and philosophy of the EOS system, the EF200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x lens, and more. The interview is worth to be read.

CPN: Do you have a dream EOS camera that you’d like to develop and have in the EOS range, or is there something that the EOS System has achieved that you are most proud of?

KS: “My personal dream to develop EOS would be that EOS can do more than what a human eye can do. Just for example, at high ISO the human eye cannot sense lightness or darkness, so actually EOS with high sensitivity can recognise the subject and can shoot – that is one example.

For example, in the film ‘Blade Runner’ a picture is enlarged and enlarged with no reduction in the high quality, so even when it’s enlarged, enlarged and enlarged again the detail still remains. That is also a dream – high pixel count technology.”

[Review] EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM and EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM (and why it is better to have newer lenses for new gear)

ephotozine reviewed Canon’s new [shoplink 2163]EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM ($850, click here)[/shoplink] and [shoplink 2165]EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM ($800, click here)[/shoplink]. Both lenses are the second iteration, adding Image Stabilization and USM to its features. They replace some rather old, and affordable, lenses, the EF 24mm f/2.8 ($374, click here) and the EF 28mm f/2.8 ($259, click here). These lenses are somewhat discussed. They have good performance but it is common opinion that the price tag is a little exaggerated. However, all reviews I saw are crediting these lenses having good optical properties and overall performance. These lenses are particularly useful for videographers. ephotozine wanted to have a closer look on both lenses.

Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM Pros (click here for the review)

  • Good build quality
    Lightweight
    Image Stabilisation
    Excellent sharpness
    Focuses close

Canon EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM Pros (click here for the review)

  • Good build quality
    Lightweight
    Image Stabilisation
    Outstanding sharpness
    Focuses close

Finally, I want to feature a post by Scott Bourne about how important new glasses are for new DSLRs. The article takes AF performance as an example: if you are not using pro glasses on pro gear you can’t expect that your DSLR will perform as expected. And there is more (emphasis mine):

I spoke with Canon representatives who prefer to remain unnamed and they admitted that the new AF systems on the [shoplink 2431]5D Mk III[/shoplink]and [shoplink 4119]1DX[/shoplink] are optimized to work with the newest, fastest glass.

So the thing to know is this. If you expect a remarkable improvement in AF just because you buy a new 5D MK III or 1DX you may be slightly disappointed. You need that fast, new glass too.

Simple, isn’t it? :-) Good that there is a huge Canon lenses August discount program going on (click here)!

EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM price check: [shopcountry 2165] EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM price check: [shopcountry 2163]