Canon to support IAAF World Championships Beijing 2015 as official partner

p2015aug05a

Press release:

Canon, as Official IAAF Partner, to support IAAF World Championships Beijing 2015 through various activities

TOKYO, Japan, August 7, 2015—Canon, as an Official Partner of the IAAF World Championships Beijing 2015, will provide support for the event through a range of activities.

Canon is an Official Partner of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Athletics Series, sponsoring a total of 15 IAAF World Athletics Series events from 2013 to 2016. The IAAF World Championships Beijing 2015, which begins on August 22, is a global competition that will bring together more than 2,000 athletes from over 200 countries and territories. The previous Championships, held in Moscow in 2013, was broadcast in 192 countries and regions, attracting strong interest from a wide international television audience.

At the IAAF World Championships Beijing 2015, Canon will display the Company’s logo on signage within the venue, provide support through its products, technologies and services, and carry out a range of related activities, including those listed below.

Click here to open the rest of the article

Canon deals of the day: EOS 7D Mark II ($1,150), EOS 5D Mark III ($1,999), Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM ART ($740)

EOS 7D Mark II

I found some very good deals on eBay.

Top Rated Plus seller GetItDigital on eBay (99.7% positive ratings) has the Canon EOS 7D Mark II . Compare at $1,499. Free shipping in the USA. Please note: this is likely a grey import item.

Same seller also has the Canon EOS 5D Mark III . Compare at $2,499. Here too: most likely a grey import item, free shipping in the USA.

Authorised Canon dealer Camera Land on eBay (100% positive ratings) has the Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM ART lens . Compare at $849. Free shipping in the US. This is an in store demo unit.

More Canon deals on eBay.

Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM
Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM

 

Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC announced (pre-order available)

Tamron 18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC

Today Tamron officially announced the Tamron 18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC lens, available August 20. There is a dedicated microsite for the new Tamron 18-200mm. Price not yet defined. The new Tamron 18-200mm can be pre-ordered at $249,99: Adorama or B&H Photo.

Tamron press release:

New Tamron 18-200mm zoom is the lightest in the world

High-performance lens features VC image stabilization, improved AF and weighs just 400g (14.1 oz.)

18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC (Model B018)

August 6, 2015, Saitama City, Japan – Tamron Co., Ltd. (President & CEO: Morio Ono), a leading manufacturer of precision optics, today announces the introduction of a new high-performance lens that zooms from 18 to 200mm for APS-C DSLR cameras.

The new 18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC (Model B018) is the successor to AF 18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] MACRO (Model A14), which has been one of Tamron’s best-selling lenses since its introduction 10 years ago. The new 18-200mm VC uses the most modern optical and mechanical design to achieve compactness and high performance. Incorporating image stabilization, the 18-200mm VC delivers superior image quality and is the lightest zoom in its class. Tamron made full use of its long experience and expertise as a pioneering force in high-power zoom lenses to create an optimal all-in-one™ lens that opens up new photographic possibilities to all DSLR camera users.

Tamron 18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC
Tamron 18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC

No need to change lenses—shoot in a wide variety of settings, from true wideangle to telephoto, with a single lens

  • A zoom range of 18 to 200mm (35mm equivalent: 28-310mm) means there is no need to change lenses even when switching from wideangle shots in tight places to long telephoto shots of distant objects. Ideal for everything from large groups photos, family pictures, portraits, scenery, animals and school events—even for close-up shots (less than 0.5m / 19.7 in.) of food.

Greater portability at a weight of just 400g (14.1 oz.)—the lightest lens in its class

  • Covers the focal length range of 18 to 200mm and features Tamron’s VC (Vibration Compensation)*2, but weighs a mere 400g (14.1 oz.). Tamron designed the 18-200mm VC to be as user-friendly as possible by emphasizing portability and convenience. Users will appreciate the incredible balance and comfortable feel of this lens—even when used with the newest APS-C DSLR cameras.

Features VC and AF, providing valuable support for DSLR camera novices

  • Camera vibration is magnified in telephoto shots and when a slow shutter speed is used because of dim lighting. Even beginners can take great photos at long distances, at night, and indoors—and avoid camera shake—thanks to Tamron’s acclaimed VC mechanism. By incorporating a newly designed autofocus drive module with optimal DC motor-gear train integration, the 18-200mm VC also focuses much more quickly and quietly than models with conventional DC motors.

Delivers enhanced imaging performance in a lightweight package

  • Featuring 16 elements in 14 groups, the 18-200mm VC uses an LD (Low Dispersion) lens element to minimize chromatic aberrations. Although light and compact with VC, Tamron’s new offering also delivers amazing overall optical performance for an all-purpose lens. A circular, seven-blade aperture diaphragm maintains an almost perfectly round shape even at two stops down from its maximum aperture, providing desirable and beautiful bokeh with point light sources blurring into naturally rounded shapes.

Works great as an easy-to-use lens for day-to-day use

  • For added dependability and longer life, Tamron’s new lens features moisture-resistant construction that helps prevent damage caused by accidental exposure to wetness. The lens also comes with a Zoom Lock feature to prevent unwanted barrel extension when users carry their lens and camera body combinations with the lens pointed toward the ground.
Model B018
Focal Length 18-200mm
Maximum Aperture F/3.5-6.3
Angle of View (diagonal) 75°33′ ~7°59′
Optical Construction 16 elements in 14 groups
Minimum Object Distance 0.49m/19.3 in. (at 180mm)~0.77m/30.3 in. (at 35mm)
[at f=18, 200mm: 0.5m /19.7 in.]
Maximum Magnification Ratio 1:4 (at f=200mm: MOD 0.5m)
Filter Size Φ62mm
Maximum Diameter Φ75mm
Length* for Canon 96.6mm (3.8 in.)**
for Nikon 94.1mm (3.7 in.)**
Weight 400g (14.1 oz.)**
Aperture Blades 7(circular diaphragm)*3
Minimum Aperture F/22-40
Standard Accessories Flower-shaped lens hood, Lens caps
Compatible Mounts Canon, Nikon, Sony
  • Specifications, appearance, functionality, etc. are subject to change without prior notice.
  • * Length is the distance from the front tip of the lens to the lens mount face.
  • ** Length and weight are based on figures for the Canon and the Nikon-mount lens.
  • *3 The circular diaphragm stays almost perfectly circular up to two stops down from maximum aperture.

The story behind the Canon Powershot G3 X told by the men who made it

Powershot G3 X

Canon Professional Network posted background information about the Canon Powershot G3 X by interviewing the masterminds behind it.

The launch of the PowerShot G3 X saw further technical advances made in compact camera lens technology and engineering. Thanks to a superb 25x zoom – offering the 35mm equivalent of 24-600mm – an unrivalled focal length was offered in a premium compact boasting meticulous levels of engineering and design. In an in-depth interview, CPN discovers the technical challenges faced by the highly-experienced PowerShot development team – Tatsuya Yamada (product planner), Hiroshi Saruwatari (lens R&D manager), Shuichi Terada (product operations manager), Kenji Takahashi (image processor development manager), Hiroshi Kaibara (sensor development senior engineer), Koji Sudo (UI development engineer), Yasushi Matsumoto (body designer) and Yoshihiro Miyazawa (lens designer) – as they took an impressive concept and turned it into reality. Read the interviews at CPN.

Canon’s new large, 1″ sensor and 25x zoom (24-600mm equivalent) compact camera, the Canon PowerShot G3 X ($999), is aimed at enthusiast photographers. The Canon Powershot G3 X is shipping at $999: Adorama | B&H Photo | Amazon.

g3x.2

Specs:

  • 20.2 MP 1″ High-Sensitivity CMOS Sensor
  • DIGIC 6 Image Processor
  • 25x Optical Zoom f/2.8-5.6 IS Lens
  • 24-600mm (35mm Equivalent)
  • 3.2″ 1.62M-Dot Tilting Touchscreen LCD
  • High-Speed AF with 31 Focus Points
  • Full HD Video at 60p; HDMI Output
  • Built-In Wi-Fi Connectivity with NFC
  • ISO 12,800 & 5.9 fps Continuous Shooting
  • Control Ring, Wheel, and Physical Dials

Canon patent for 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens

canon patent

Canon filed a patent for a 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens. Most likely a lens for full-frame sensors.

  • Patent Publication No. 2015-132637
    • Published 2015.7.23
    • Filing date 2014.1.9
  • Example 4
    • Zoom ratio 4.76
    • Focal length 24.73 55.13 117.60
    • Fno. 3.60 4.91 5.83
    • Half angle of 41.18 21.43 10.42
    • Image height 21.64
    • Overall length of the lens 149.01 170.43 200.01
    • BF 38.67 61.21 74.86
  • Canon patents
    • Anti-vibration (Group 6)

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS deal – $589 (reg. $999, white box)

Ef 24-105mm F4L IS

DiitalRev has the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS lens on sale at $589 (or €672). Compare at $999. DigitalRev ships worldwide and the price is inclusive of taxes and customs.

  • L-series optics
  • Lightweight 4.3x zoom
  • Constant maximum f/4 aperture throughout zoom range
  • Three-stop Image Stabilizer
  • Super UD and aspheric lens elements
  • Fast autofocus
  • Super Spectra coatings
  • Circular aperture provides pleasing background blur