Canon Firmware Updates: EOS R3, EOS R5, EOS R6, EOS 1D X Mark III

Canon Eos R3 Firmware Sample Picture User Manual
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Canon released a bunch of firmware updates today. See below.

Please note: I am linking Canon Japan through machine translation, because at time of writing the firmware updates are live on Canon Japan’s site.

EOS R3 Firmware Version 1.7.1

  1. When the power zoom adapter PZ-E2/PZ-E2B is attached to a compatible lens, servo zoom can now be performed remotely from EOS Utility and Camera Connect
  2. CF Express cards with a capacity greater than 2TB can now be used up to 2TB
  3. Fixed an issue where the camera would occasionally stop working while using the GPS function
  4. Corrected a phenomenon where error 70 may occur when taking flickerless shots with a shutter speed of 1 second or more
  5. Enhanced security during FTPS connection
  6. Fixed an issue where Mobile File Transfer could not be used when connected to an iPhone that supports USB 3.0 or higher
  7. Fixed a phenomenon that occurred only under certain conditions, where the image was not displayed properly on the viewfinder or monitor and the camera became inoperable (Error 70 may be displayed)
  8. Fixed minor bugs

EOS R5 Firmware Version 2.0.0

  1. When the power zoom adapter PZ-E2/PZ-E2B is attached to a compatible lens, servo zoom can now be performed remotely from EOS Utility and Camera Connect
  2. CF Express cards with a capacity greater than 2TB can now be used up to 2TB
  3. Corrected a rare phenomenon where the camera took a long time to start up, such as when returning from auto power off
  4. Fixed a phenomenon that occurred only under certain conditions, where the image was not displayed properly on the viewfinder or monitor and the camera became inoperable (Error 70 may be displayed)
  5. Fixed minor bugs

EOS R6 Firmware Version 1.8.4

  1. Corrected a rare phenomenon where the camera took a long time to start up, such as when returning from auto power off
  2. Fixed a phenomenon that occurred only under certain conditions, where the image was not displayed properly on the viewfinder or monitor and the camera became inoperable (Error 70 may be displayed)
  3. Fixed minor bugs

EOS-1D X Mark III Firmware Version 1.9.0

  1. CF Express cards with a capacity greater than 2TB can now be used up to 2TB
  2. Fixed an issue where the camera would occasionally stop working while using the GPS function
  3. Enhanced security during FTPS connection
  4. Fixed a phenomenon that occurred only under certain conditions, where the image was not displayed properly on the viewfinder or monitor and the camera became inoperable (Error 70 may be displayed)

Canon Patent: 24-70mm f/4, 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6, 20-60mm f/2.8-4 And 50mm f/1.4 (composite opticals)

Canon Patent
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A new Canon patent application for RF-mount lenses with composite optical elements.

Canon patent 2024039231 (Japan, published 3/22/2024) discusses optical formulas and methods for four lenses with composite optical elements:

  • 24-70mm f/4
  • 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6
  • 20-60mm f/2.8-4
  • 50mm f/1.4

Guess the most interesting of the bunch is the 50mm f/1.4 lens. From the patent literature:

  • An object of the present invention is to provide a composite optical element that is small and lightweight and has high optical performance.
  • BACKGROUND ART: In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for shorter overall length and lighter weight of photographic optical systems. In order to reduce the overall length and weight of the photographic optical system, there is a method of increasing the refractive power of each lens and introducing an aspherical lens to correct various aberrations that occur as a result.
  • As an aspherical lens for a photographic optical system, there is a composite element formed by molding a resin layer onto a glass lens.
  • Composite elements have a high degree of freedom in selecting the glass material for the glass lens, and are easy to mold, so they are characterized by being easy to introduce into photographic optical systems.
  • Patent Document 1 discloses an optical system in which chromatic aberration is corrected by using a material with a low partial dispersion ratio for the glass of a composite lens and combining it with a resin having a high partial dispersion ratio. If resin is used as an aspherical lens, chromatic spherical aberration and chromatic curvature of field will increase, which is undesirable.
  • Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a composite optical element that is small and lightweight and has high optical performance.

Example 1

  • Focal length: 24-67.90
  • F value: 4.12
  • Half angle of view: 41.33-17.67
  • Image height: 19.39-21.64
  • Total length: 108.50-142.13
  • Back focus: 20.95-50.49

Example 2

  • Focal length: 15.30-45.00
  • F value: 4.12
  • Half angle of view: 41.68-16.51
  • Image height: 11.60-13.65
  • Total length: 83.50
  • Back focus: 17.67

Example 3

  • Focal length: 50.03
  • F value: 1.44
  • Half angle of view: 23.39
  • Image height: 21.64
  • Total length: 113.51
  • Back focus: 13.51

Example 4

  • Focal length: 28.40-197.00
  • F value: 2.90-5.70
  • Half angle of view: 37.30-6.27
  • Image height: 18.97-21.64
  • Total length: 151.14-220.00
  • Back focus: 13.50-47.04

Example 5

  • Focal length: 21.00-60.00
  • F value: 2.90-4.10
  • Half angle of view: 45.79-19.29
  • Image height: 18.37-21.62
  • Total length: 135.70-126.50
  • Back focus: 22.43

Example 6

  • Focal length: 390.03-275.02
  • F value: 2.91-3.08
  • Half angle of view: 3.21-4.52
  • Image height: 21.84-21.72
  • Total length: 347.00
  • Back focus: 46.20

More Canon patents are listed here.

[via asobinet]

Breaking: Nikon Acquires Cinema Camera Maker RED

Nikon Z 6 Mark Iii Full Frame Mirrorless Camera Nikon Rumors
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Nikon press release:

Nikon to Acquire US Cinema Camera Manufacturer RED.com, LLC

Accelerating Expansion in Professional Digital Cinema Camera Market

TOKYO – Nikon Corporation (Nikon) hereby announces its entry into an agreement to acquire 100% of the outstanding membership interests of RED.com, LLC (RED) whereby RED will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nikon, pursuant to a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement with Mr. James Jannard, its founder, and Mr. Jarred Land, its current President, subject to the satisfaction of certain closing conditions thereunder.

Since its establishment in 2005, RED has been at the forefront of digital cinema cameras, introducing industry-defining products such as the original RED ONE 4K to the cutting-edge V-RAPTOR [X] with its proprietary RAW compression technology. RED’s contributions to the film industry have not only earned it an Academy Award but have also made it the camera of choice for numerous Hollywood productions, celebrated by directors and cinematographers worldwide for its commitment to innovation and image quality optimized for the highest levels of filmmaking and video production.

This agreement was reached as a result of the mutual desires of Nikon and RED to meet the customers’ needs and offer exceptional user experiences that exceed expectations, merging the strengths of both companies. Nikon’s expertise in product development, exceptional reliability, and know-how in image processing, as well as optical technology and user interface along with RED’s knowledge in cinema cameras, including unique image compression technology and color science, will enable the development of distinctive products in the professional digital cinema camera market.

Nikon will leverage this acquisition to expand the fast-growing professional digital cinema camera market, building on both companies’ business foundations and networks, promising an exciting future of product development that will continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in film and video production.

Topaz Labs Released Brand New Photo AI 2.4

Topaz Photo AI
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A new version of the popular Topaz Photo AI software has been released. You can learn about the new version here. What’s new at a glance:

All-new UI – All-new Control

We’ve overhauled Photo AI’s user interface and added more features to make your favorite photo enhancement and upscaling tool your go-to editor. New workflow. Better results.

Say hello to stacked enhancements

Control the processing steps. The right panel displays the order so you get the best results. Every time.

All-new edit capabilities

Edit any photo by adding just the enhancements you want–or run autopilot to analyze your image and start with our recommendations.  Selectively clean, sharpen, brighten/darken, and color correct different parts of your photos.

Faster and customizable interface

More responsive and customized. Drag panels out and place them where they work best for you. Preview updates faster when new edits are added. Switching between your current edit and previous edits is now faster than ever.

Remove it

Remove can also be easily edited or deleted. Giving you greater control. Use it however you want. You choose the workflow that’s best for you.

Straighten. Simple.

Change the angle of your image. Just like that. It’s a simple tool that every every photo editor needs access to.

Learn more and order Topaz Photo AI here.

Interview With Canon Execs At CP+ 2024 (R1 at Olympics?)

Nab 2023 Canon Eos R5 Mark Ii Canon Eos R8 CP+ 2024 Mark Ii Canon EOS Rf 24-50mm R6 Mark Ii Rf Mount Eos R6 Mark Ii Rf 300mm Rf 35mm Canon Eos R100 Rf 24mm F/1.8 Rf-s Canon Eos R7 Eos R100 Canon High Resolution Eos R R10 Eos C5 Canon Canon Eos R1 Eos R5c Canon Rf 16mm Rf 35mm F/1.2L EF Lenses Tilt-shift Lenses Rumor
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French site Phototrend sat down with a bunch of Canon executives for an interview at CP+ 2024.

While the interview is in French, you can get all the content with a machine translation. Here are some of the discussed topics:

  • Canon plans to feature artificial intelligence and deep learning technologies in future cameras
  • Canon claims to have a 48% share in the global market of interchangeable lens cameras
  • There will be more RF-S lenses
  • Canon does not have any real plan to open the RF mount specifications to other manufacturers but there are non-disclosure agreements with other manufacturers regarding certain types of lenses and their positioning in the market
  • Third party lens manufacturer do not have the same access to camera functions as Canon lenses have, ergo: Canon lenses do perform better than third party lenses
  • Artificial Intelligence will come, and has the primary function to improve autofocus, to assist with subject recognition and with in-camera image processing (low light, noise, aberration corrections)
  • Global shutter doesn’t seem to come to consumer cameras any time soon
  • Canon has been asked many times about the EOS R1, the execs say, but they can not say when it will be released. However, this is the year of the Olympics and from what I got from the machine translated interview, some select photographers might testing the EOS R1 during the games.

For more head over to Phototrend.

Canon Patent: RF 24-105mm f/2.8 Z And RF 15-60mm f/2.8 Z Lenses

Canon Patent
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A new Canon patent application for two lenses featuring Canon’s new silent USM zoom technology (hence the “Z”).

Canon patent application 2024025100 (Japan, published 02/26/2024) discusses optical formulas and methods for two zoom lenses:

  • RF 24-105mm f/2.8 Z
  • RF 15-60mm f/2.8 Z

From the patent literature:

  • The present invention provides a zoom lens that is compact, has a high zoom ratio, and a large aperture ratio, yet achieves high image quality and high-speed zoom operation.
  • BACKGROUND ART: As a zoom lens used in an imaging device, there is a demand for a zoom lens that is small and lightweight, and has high optical performance that can satisfactorily correct various aberrations such as chromatic aberration. Additionally, there is a demand for a zoom lens that has a short focal length at the wide-angle end, a large zoom ratio, a small F number, a large aperture ratio, and is easy to manufacture. Additionally, there is a demand for a zoom lens that allows high-speed zoom operations. Patent Document 1 discloses a zoom lens that includes, in order from the object side to the image side, a lens group with positive refractive power, a lens group with negative refractive power, and a rear group having a plurality of lens groups. .
  • Although the zoom lens disclosed in Patent Document 1 is small, has a high zoom ratio, and a large aperture ratio, it is difficult to achieve high image quality and high-speed zoom operation.
  • Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a zoom lens that is compact, has a high zoom ratio, and a large aperture ratio, yet achieves high image quality and high-speed zoom operation.

Example 1

  • Focal length: 24.72-101.86
  • F value: 2.90
  • Half angle of view: 41.19-11.99
  • Image height:
  • Total length: 212.40
  • Back focus: 11.98-21.74

Example 2

  • Focal length: 15.45-58.20
  • F value: 2.90
  • Half angle of view: 41.48-13.21
  • Image height:
  • Total length: 143.99
  • Back focus: 11.90

More Canon patents are listed here.

[via asobinet]