Lens Maker Irix Reaches For The Stars, Literally

Irix
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Lens manufacturer Irix announced the Irix 300 SR, a lens ready for outer space.

Press release:

Young photographic company Irix is reaching infinity…literally.

Irix, young company which successfully entered photography world just few years ago with innovative and properly designed products is reaching another level of evolution. Quality, durability and precision were always strong points of Irix. It has been just proven. Irix has been selected as cooperating company in exciting, high technology project.

Irix Team is proud to announce its participation in the project of the first Polish Earth observation satellite named Światowid. Nanosatellite equipped with the test platform of future Irix 300SR lens, on April 17, 2019, will be elevated to Earth’s orbit.

The collaboration between the manufacturer of Irix lenses and SatRevolution company began in mid 2017. The result of this collaboration is the first prototype of the Irix 300 SR experimental lens, which, combined with the camera installed in the Światowid nanosatellite, will provide the best possible quality of Earth’s images from space.

Irix 300 SR – the first Space Ready Irix lens

The technical requirements for the lens design were a real challenge for the Irix R&D department, as they included strictly defined optical parameters such as: focal length, f-number, optical resolution and very low level of optical aberrations. The design of the lens has to be also modular in order to provide the possibility of use with satellites equipped with cameras of a different resolution and specific diagonal size of the sensor. Such an optical system has to fit designed place for optical system in satellite’s construction. Maximum diameter, but what is more important in case of nanosatellites weight must be strictly controlled. (Światowid’s optical system limit is 300 grams / 0.66 lbs).

Very important for the success of the satellite’s mission are launching standards. Launching into orbit and working in open space is a complicated process. Extremely high standards of materials and technologies used must be fulfilled. The same requirements were applied to the Irix 300SR lens. Design and construction process must follow NASA guidelines for materials and technologies permitted for space flight. In other words, the Irix 300SR has to meet requirements much higher than lenses used on a daily basis by astronauts photographing from the board of the International Space Station.

Today’s launch is a first step in research project supported by EU funds (Polish National Centre for Research and Development). Irix R&D center in Poland for next several months will be preparing lens for next launch. Except optical performance which will be on highest level individual components of the lens as well as the complete lens will have to pass various tests. Among other things resistance to overload as well as mechanical and acoustic vibrations occurring during the launch of the rocket will be tested. The aging tests will verify the lens’ resistance to a wide temperature range of -50°C to 150° (-58°F to 302°F), UV radiation and extreme vacuum conditions.

Knowledge and technologies of this project will be used in other lenses and products intended for the “civil” photographic market. In other words, Irix product will become even better and more innovative.

Ready for the mission

The satellite Światowid with the test platform of future Irix 300SR lens onboard will be delivered to the International Space Station via the NanoRacks operator as part of the Cygnus NG-11 Commercial Resupply Service. The launch of Antares 230 rocket is planned for April 17, 2019 at 4:46 PM EDT (20:46 UTC) from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Wallops, Virginia (US).

Irix Team cordially invites you to visit the special website dedicated to Irix 300SR lens available at https://space.irixlens.com

We also invite you to visit the SatRevolution website at www.satrevolution.com, where you will find more details about the Światowid satellite project.


Canon EOS R vs EOS RP Comparison Review

Canon Eos R
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The folks over at Mirrorless Comparison posted a pretty exhaustive comparison between the Canon EOS R and the Canon EOS RP. As far as I know this is the first serious EOS R vs EOS RP comparison review.

Most of you likely know that the image sensors of the EOS R and EOS RP are derived form the image sensors found in the EOS 5D Mark IV and EOS 6D Mark II, respectively. This reflects in the sensor performance, and is clearly visible in the image below where 4 stops of exposure recovery have been applied.

+4Ev, +50 shadows, -100 highlights (Lightroom Classic CC) – Image © mirrorlesscomparison.com

The EOS RP holds up better to the EOS R when it comes to high ISO performance.

Image © mirrorlesscomparison.com

If you’re interested in 4K video have a look at the video below to learn more about how both cameras perform.

Mirrorless Comparison sums up:

Strengths of the Canon EOS R:

  • more dynamic range
  • better ergonomics thanks to the larger grip
  • a bit more advanced in terms of ease of use (top LCD panel, memory card access, bigger battery)
  • larger and more detailed viewfinder which helps with manual focus
  • faster AF with 4K video
  • more settings for video including C-Log

Strengths of the Canon EOS RP:

  • less expensive
  • more compact yet almost as easy to use
  • as of now, it has some extra features the EOS R doesn’t have (intervalometer, focus bracketing, eye detection in Servo AF)

To consider:

  • 4K crop is severe on both models
  • not the best options for action due to viewfinder lag and slow burst shooting in C-AF
  • Canon is building a very interesting lens selection for the RF mount, but many of them are large and will suit the EOS R ergonomics better

Choose the Canon EOS R if:

  • you prefer a larger and more robust body
  • you want extra options for video
  • you find it at a good price

Choose the Canon EOS RP if:

  • you want an affordable full-frame camera

Mirrorless Comparison’s review examines every feature in both cameras and compares them. If you are on the fence and don’t know which camera is best for you, be sure to have a look at the review.

Canon EOS R full frame mirrorless system:

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

Canon EOS R Firmware ver. 1.2.0 Available To Download

Canon Eos R Firmware Update
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The firmware update (ver. 1.2.0) for the Canon EOS R is available to download at Canon Canada.

Canon EOS R firmware Version 1.2.0 incorporates the following fixes and enhancements: 

Eye-detection AF 
1. Supports Servo AF when shooting still images. 
2. Now available when shooting movies regardless of “Movie Servo AF” setting. 
Small AF Frame Size 
Supports Servo AF when shooting still images. 
3. Now available when shooting movies regardless of “Movie Servo AF” setting. 

4. Under certain conditions the electronic level displayed in the electronic viewfinder did not display properly. 
5. Under certain conditions information displayed in the electronic viewfinder was not properly rotated. 
6. Under certain conditions updating the firmware for the wireless file transmitter WFT-E7 was not possible. 

This firmware update is for cameras equipped with firmware up to Version 1.1.0. If the camera’s firmware is already Version 1.2.0, this update is unnecessary. When updating the firmware of your camera, please first review the instructions thoroughly before you download the firmware. 
The firmware update takes approximately 6 minutes. 

Caution: 
The user guide has been revised to reflect the functional improvements to the product. Please download the latest version of the user guide together with the new firmware. The latest version of the user guide can be downloaded from Canon’s Web site. 

Canon Knows Phones Are Cutting Camera Profits, Other Segments Perform Well

Canon Rumors Color Calibration
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Canon is set to cut profit outlook as smartphone photography is sacking camera market profits. But Canon isn’t just investing in consumer imaging products.

Nikkei Asian Review reports not only that Canon’s mirrorless offerings are currently one of the company’s more successful products, they also remind us that Canon isn’t just a consumer camera company.

Nikkei (emphasis mine):

Canon is expected to downgrade its earnings guidance for 2019, Nikkei has learned, with operating profit likely to fall short of the current forecast by about 50 billion yen ($447 million) as digital cameras lose ground to increasingly sophisticated smartphone cameras.

The Japanese company’s operating profit is on track to drop 20% to slightly above 270 billion yen, compared with the projected 325 billion yen. Sales for this year likely will undershoot the standing projection of 3.9 trillion yen as well.

Global shipments of digital cameras contracted by more than 20% last year, according to the Camera & Imaging Products Association, a Tokyo industry group. Canon’s digital camera sales are shrinking in the key market of China.

Read Nikkei’s report.

But Canon is alive and kicking (emphasis mine):

The company’s four new growth businesses have performed well, including the medical device unit acquired from Toshiba. Sales of security cameras in particular are projected to grow by more than 10%. New businesses are anticipated to produce 25% of the group’s full-year sales, up from 23% in 2018.

Yeah, Canon security cameras which according to a report are hidden in vacuum cleaners by the DEA.

ZY Optics Launches Mitakon Speedmaster 50mm f/0.95 III (Canon RF and other mounts)

Mitakon Speedmaster
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At a glance:

  • Sony E, Canon RF and Nikon Z-Mount Full-Frame Lens
  • Aperture Range: f/0.95 to f/16
  • Four Extra-Low Dispersion Elements
  • One Ultra High Refraction Element
  • Stepless, Silent Aperture Control
  • Manual Focus Design
  • Depth of Field and Distance Scales
  • 11-Blade Aperture
  • Minimum Focusing Distance: 1.6′

ZY Optics released the Mitakon Speedmaster 50mm f/0.95 III for Canon RF, Nikon Z and Sony FE mounts.

Press release:

ZY Optics releases the Mitakon Speedmaster 50mm f/0.95 mark III, designed for Sony FE, Canon RF & Nikon Z cameras

Shenyang China, Apr 17, 2019 – Zhongyi Optics (ZY Optics) have released the new Mitakon Speedmaster 50mm f/0.95 version III for full frame Sony E, Nikon Z and Canon RF cameras.
Offering a natural 50mm perspective along with an ultra-fast f/0.95 maximum aperture, the Mitakon 50mm f/0.95 is a compact prime characterized by its bright f/0.95 aperture to suit working in low-light conditions. It also affords a great degree of control over depth-of-field for isolating subjects from the background and producing selective focus effects.
The new version III features a new optics design which offers a slightly more compact size and a better flare resistance. A carefully-designed 10 elements in 7 groups optics system with 1pc of HRI (High Refractive Index) & 5pcs of UD (Ultra-low dispersion) elements successfully minimizes the chromatic aberrations and delivers exceptional image quality.
An eleven-blade diaphragm helps to produce a softly diffused out-of-focus rendering (bokeh). The enclosure of the lens is made of metal to strengthen its durability.

Pricing & Availability
Mitakon Speedmaster 50mm f/0.95 III is now available to ship and purchase at ZY Optics official website (http://www.zyoptics.net/). The Recommended Retail price (before tax) is USD 799/pc.

About ZY Optics
Shenyang Zhongyi Optical and Electronic Company (ZY Optics) is a leading Chinese camera lens & adapters manufacturer. We currently manufacture lenses and lens turbo adapters under the brand name of ‘Mitakon’ & ‘Zhongyi’.
For more information about Shenyang Zhongyi Optical and Electronic Company Limited and our products information, visit our official website http://www.zyoptics.net

Product Page
http://zyoptics.net/product/mitakon-speedmaster-50mm-f-0-95-iii/

Canon Not Raising Resolution On Future APS-C Cameras, Keeping 24MP?

Canon Eos M5 Mark II
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A new rumor from the series of tubes says that the next Canon APS-C cameras will feature an image sensor with the same resolution as currently the latest APS-C Canon cameras have, i.e. 24MP.

The 24MP sensor is said to be “all-new” but there are no specifications so far. The “all-new” sensor is supposed to be featured in the upcoming replacements for the EOS 80D, 7D Mark II, and the EOS M series.

What “all-new” means is unclear. Although we spotted some patents referring to Quad Pixel AF and stacked sensor technology, it’s unlikely Canon will feature it in upcoming cameras.

Stay tuned.

Source: Canon Rumors