Canon patent to automatically switch from OVF to EVF in a hybrid viewfinder

canon patent

Canon patent for a hybrid viewfinder that can automatically switch from OVF (optical viewfinder) to EVF (electronic viewfinder).

  • Patent publication number 2016-173443
    • Release date 2016.9.29
    • Application date 2015.3.17
  • Canon patent
    • Equipped with OVF and EVF
    • Trackable AF
    • Switching to EVF when it is out of the effective range of the AF sensor

In “patentish”:

[Claim(s)] [Claim 1] An image sensor (103),
A distance measurement means (110, 111) by an image sensor other than the aforementioned image sensor,
A photometry means (108) by a photometry sensor,
An optical finder (105, 106, 109) which displays an object image optically without passing the aforementioned image sensor,
An electronic view finder (114, 115) which displays a captured image obtained in the aforementioned imaging means,
Object detecting means (112) which detect a position of an object based on a picture signal acquired from the aforementioned image sensor or the aforementioned photometry sensor,
It has a tracking means (112) to track an object detected by the aforementioned object detecting means,
Based on position information on an object detected by the aforementioned object detecting means, An imaging device having a control means (101, 112) by which the aforementioned distance measurement means and ranging operation by the aforementioned image sensor are switched, and the aforementioned optical finder and the aforementioned electronic view finder are simultaneously switched for a display of a finder.
[Claim 2] It has a calculating means (112) which computes movement magnitude of a tracking object,
The photographing instrument according to claim 1 having a control means (112) which controls a decision threshold to which AF and imaging surface AF by an AF sensor are switched with movement magnitude of a tracking object computed by the aforementioned calculating means.

canon patent

[via Egami]

First Magic Lantern hack on the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is working

Magic Lantern

This new is 10 days old but I totally missed it. Thanks to Lawrence for pointing me to it.

The skilled hackers over at Magic Lantern managed to make a first bit of their code work on the new Canon [shoplink 40051]EOS 5D Mark IV[/shoplink]. Unless some sites are reporting, this does not mean we are even close to a working release of Magic Lantern for the EOS 5D Mark IV. However, it is a first step in the right direction, and it will take a long time until a fully working version of ML for 5D4.

If you want to try Magic Lantern on your Canon DSLR, a good place to start is here. The video below gives you an overview about Magic Lantern.

 

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS and more refurbished deals at Canon Store

EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS
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The Canon Store has many refurbished items in stock. The deal in the title may be one of the best deals, but I recommend you check the listings to see if your favourite Canon lens or DSLR is available. Since the catalogs appears to be all stocked up, chances are you may find what you are looking for.

Refurbished Canon gear from the Canon Store comes with 1 year Canon US warranty.

Canon Rebel T6 in gray to be announced soon [CW4]

Rebel T6
Canon will soon announce a grey Rebel T6 (image by Nokishita)

Canon may soon announce a new color option for the Canon [shoplink 37727]Rebel T6[/shoplink], a gray camera body with a brown grip. Canon’s Rebel T6 is EOS 1300D in Europe and Kiss X80 in Japan

Please note that this grey Rebel T6 may well be one of the Canon DSLRs that have been registered at certification authorities a few weeks ago. These Canon DSLRs that have been registered are currently rumored to be the Rebel T7i and Rebel T7s.

[via Nokishita]

Do you have the sensor banding issue on your Canon EOS 5D Mark IV?

eos 5d mark iv
Weird banding issues on the EOS 5D Mark IV experienced by some users.

It seems some users are experiencing a weird sensor issue with their Canon EOS 5D Mark IV.

The issue was first discovered by Michael Andrew. He noticed sort of ghosting artefacts across the frame while doing some dynamic range tests. You can see the artefact in the image above. It is a horizontal banding going across the entire frame.

He discovered the following:

  • The defect doesn’t happen on a 5D3, A7rii, Nikon D500 or Fuji XT-2 under the same conditions.
  • It only happens on the very far left 1/3 of the frame when over-exposing a certain amount of it, about 1/4-1/3 of the frame, and it typically needs to start on the very far left side, and extend minimum about 1/4 into the frame. Overexposing in the center, the right, or smaller portions of the left side have no effect and seem normal.
  • The defect is strictly horizontal, even when the over exposure is oriented diagonally.
  • The defect is not visible until raising the shadows. You won’t see it until then.

For the time being it is unclear how many Canon EOS 5D Mark IV models are affected by this issue. If you want to check yours, proceed as follows:

  1. Use your hand or a piece of cardboard to over-expose in the left 1/3 part of the frame shooting RAW
  2. Bring the file into Camera RAW
  3. Bump up the exposure +1 or more (this makes it easier to see)
  4. Raise shadows. It will look like the images below if you have it:

The video below introduces you to the issue and how to test for the thing. More information and pictures of the phenomenon can be found on Michael’s site.

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV at a glance:

At a glance:

  • 30.4MP Full-Frame CMOS Sensor
  • DIGIC 6+ Image Processor
  • 3.2″ 1.62m-Dot Touchscreen LCD Monitor
  • DCI 4K Video at 30 fps; 8.8MP Still Grab
  • 61-Point High Density Reticular AF
  • Native ISO 32000, Expanded to ISO 102400
  • Dual Pixel RAW; AF Area Select Button
  • Dual Pixel CMOS AF and Movie Servo AF
  • 7 fps Shooting; CF & SD Card Slots
  • Built-In GPS and Wi-Fi with NFC

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV: [shopcountry 40051]

Canon EOS 6D Mark II introductory price to be $1,999? [CW3]

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Next Canon EOS 6D Mark II tidbit. I have been told (thanks) that the Canon EOS 6D Mark II will have an introductory price of $1,999.

Is this plausible? It is to some degree. The [shoplink 7139]EOS 6D[/shoplink] started at $2,099. May Canon have decided to give their entry level full-frame DSLR a lower price tag? Entirely possible. The EOS 6D was a best seller for years. If Canon manages to make another DSLR with so much appeal and is able to sell it below $2,000, well then they might well have a real blockbuster.

Please be aware that it is too early for reliable EOS 6D Mark II rumors. All the specifications leaked so far, while being plausible, should be taken with a grain of salt. Dual Pixel AF, touchscreen, 1080p/60fps, full tilt-able display, a new AF system, and that the EOS 6D Mark II will not have 4K are all specs leaked first here on Canon Watch. They are now reported all over the web. Unfortunately many big sites do a shitty research job and cite the wrong sources for their news. That sucks but I guess I have to live with it. However, below is the list with the EOS 6D Mark II specs that are rumored:

  • 24MP or 25MP sensor
  • Dual Pixel AF
  • 1080p/60
  • Dual SD card slots
  • NO 4K
  • Full tilt-able display
  • Touchscreen
  • NFC
  • Wifi
  • GPS
  • New AF system (19 points?)
  • Slightly smaller and lighter
  • Introductory price $1,999
  • Announcement expected Q2 2017

All Canon EOS 6D Mark II rumors.

Stay tuned…