Canon accessories & lenses

Faithful to its age-old fame, Carl Zeiss shows us a new wide-angle lens aiming at the high-end of the market, at least because of the “widigantic” aperture of f/1.4.

Available in Canon and Nikon mounts at 1385€, from the first quarter of 2011.

Canon EOS 60D

This month of August 2010 is definitely rich in news of importance for the expert photographer. After Nikon and Sony, Canon is ready to present its new offering. Where Sony had 4 new DSLR cameras, Canon has one new Canon EOS 60D and 4 high-quality new lenses.

Canon EOS 60D

This is a very coveted market segment where Canon places its new Digital SLR photo camera, the EOS 60D. It comes right after the Canon EOS 50D and brings a nice set of improvements that will be welcomed by all Canon lovers.

More pixels (as usual) with an 18 mega-pixel APS-C CMOS sensor (borrowed to the Rebel T2i or EOS 550D), continuous shooting at 5.3 frames/s, a sensitivity range of ISO 100-6400 (extendable to ISO 12800) and the Canon EOS 7D metering system. These are systematic improvements to the existing EOS 50D. Canon is used to small increments in this camera range, but they decided to be more consistent than usual.

On the other side, to avoid direct competition with the EOS 7D, the new EOS 60D is actually a smaller, lighter body than the 50D, and it sports a new articulated tilt-and-swivel LCD screen.

In the same direction, we can no longer be surprised to see than the EOS 60D uses SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards.

Canon EOS 60D

Main features:

• 18 MP CMOS sensor (APS-C)
• Digic 4
• Sensitivity: 100-6400 ISO (Hi: 12800 ISO)
• Exposure Metering: iFCL system (already used in the EOS 7D)
• Continuous shooting: 5.3 frames/s
• Viewfinder: 98% with 0,95x (interchangeable focusing glass)
• Full HD Video mode (from 1080p @ 30 fps) with manual control
• 9-point AF system (new system all Cross-type Sensors, all f/5.6 except for f/2.8 center)
• Improved Autofocus for Video capture and supporting LiveView mode
• LiveView mode
• In-camera RAW image processing: brightness, contrast, white balance or correct distortion or chromatic aberration
• Tilt-and-swivel 3″ LCD screen (1040k pixels)
• Integrated flash GN13 (able to control distant flashes)
• SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card slot
• 800g

This is nice to see Canon able to reposition the elements of its DSLR camera offering after the introduction of the EOS 7D which was temporarily reducing the readability of the whole range. Now, the EOS x0D (with 60D now) is clearly positioned between the 550D and the 7D. And it is a damn-good camera, too.

New lenses

EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM

“Lightweight, compact and versatile”, this is a good description of a zoom lens that is covering an important product range.

A little more than 1000g and a price that should be accessible (let’s see when Canon gives a precise figure).

EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM

Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM

Simultaneously a zoom lens and a fisheye! And it is opening at f/4!

This lens will probably be expensive (the L marking and the red ring is a sure sign), but there is not much competition here.

EF 300mm f/2.8 L IS II USM

Even more expensive, here comes a prime lenses that needed a little refreshing:

EF 300mm f/2.8 L IS II USM

Many a wildlife photographer will be interested by what is often considered as the last reasonable prime lens (wide opening and long focal length). AF speed and price will be a deciding factor (we have to already assume exceptionally good optics, in part due to the 2000 g of glass and metal).

EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM

You still have money and pro needs, here comes the heavy-weight:

EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM

I would even be frightened to ask for the price. The quality will probably be superlative and the weight is not for everybody: 3850 g.

That’s not all!

If you still don’t have enough (I know that the YLovePhoto readers are exceptionally demanding, but I hoped you would already be satisfied…), Canon has other ideas to appeal to you. They announced new focal extenders (EF 1.4x III & EF 2x III).

And they have been showing the first pictures of what will be the new 500mm and 600mm pro L tele-lenses (500mm F/4L IS II USM & 600mm F/4L IS II USM).

Did you notice? Canon will soon have fully renewed its range of white tele-lenses with the same high-level quality of optics, improved AF, and improved image stabilization. It’s time to go and attack a bank (your account will certainly not be enough).

An enormous overhaul of the Canon offering for pro and expert photographers.

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As we all know, the upcoming Photokina in September is already the center of rumours coming from all parts. I have been trying to give an idea of what could be coming for the major brands in the DSLR market, concentrating mostly on the new bodies to be seen. But there is no end to the list of rumours about lenses. So, let’s try to make a summary of the most common ones, with no order or no probability figures.

photo credit: nhuhoai

• Samsung NX line would receive 3 new lenses according to Korean DDaily: Pancake 20mm, 20-50mm zoom and Macro 60mm lens.
• Canon could come with 3 lenses of its own: Possibly including an EF 16-50 f/4L H-IS.
• Panasonic already announced a 3D lens for the micro-4/3 (Lumix G-series). It should be visible in September and available in December.
• Samyang (the new company you should consider for compatible lenses) is readying a 35mm f/1.4 with manual focus, for the Samsung NX line. 8mm (fisheye) and 85mm have been rumored too.
• Nikon is said to be preparing at least three lenses: Nikkor AF-S 85mm f/1.4G N, Nikkor 24-120 f/4 ED VR N, Nikkor 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6 ED VR DX. They could possibly add a 18-200mm f/5.6 or a 28-300mm f/5.6.
• Sony has already said that we will see a 500mm f/4 G (big grey tele-lens for rich pro photographers) and a wide-angle lens Zeiss Distagon T* 24 mm f/2 ZA SSM, but the rumour has that it will not be the only lenses for the Alpha series. Sony could also present one or two lenses for the NEX line, on top of the 18-200mm already promised for mid-September 2010.

Of course, those could be announced a little before the Photokina show (brands try to steal the wind from the other by moving ahead of time).

photo credit: davidgsteadman

When buying a photo camera, we often research in order to decide if this is the best camera, if its features will be goo enough, but will it be robust enough? Will it be useful or necessary to purchase a warranty contract extension? Will it fail very soon?

When somebody asks me these questions (and it happens quite often since I consider myself some kind of photography expert), I am usually without good answers; Nobody really speaks about this dirty little secret: Reliability of photo cameras is a taboo issue. In most cases, talking only happens for very extreme situations (I will not mention any pro camera events in the past few years). But on a daily basis, will my camera follow me everywhere? will it survive the bad treatment I will apply? Or will it fail at the sight of the first cloud (of dust or rain)? Preferably just a couple of days after the end of the warranty period?

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The best of all worlds, the miracle combination. But, most of all, a great little trick of engineering: a radio remote control for your photo camera which communicates with a small gadget fixed in the flash shoe of your SLR camera and transmitting the image right from the SLR direct AV connector.

Really smart thingy.

LV-W1 Wireless Live View Remote Control de PixelHK.

It works for Nikon and Canon cameras (two different models, though). You can buy it online from PhotoAddict.

Thanks to smithore.

The video has just been updated (it was removed by the user for some short time).

Canon has just presented its newest zoom lens. The 70-200mm range is quite important because at f/2.8 it is one of the most coveted high-quality lenses.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II USM

The new features:

• Faster AutoFocus algorithms
• Min focusing distance: 1.2m
• Wider focusing ring
• Weather-sealing
• Magnesium allow barrel for a better reliability at the small cost of only 1490g weight

This small marvel does not have a price yet, and will only be available in April 2010.

When you use an expensive SLR camera you are often tempted to purchase a specialty lens like a ultra-wide angle (fish eye) lens.

But, apart from the rare occasions when you really need it, it’s too expensive for you and me. Why not build it yourself? Instructables does the demonstration with a Nikon D90, but it could be done with any other camera.

How to make a fish eye lens for a Nikon D-90 Digital SLR for $16

If you don’t know, you may be interested in this video from Canon.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

Canon adds to the EOS 7D a set of new lenses that will be attractive to enthusiast, expert and pro photographers:

• Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
• Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
• Canon EF 100mm F2.8L IS USM macro, with Hybrid IS system which is claimed to provide up to 2 stops stabilization at 1.0x magnification, and up to 4 stops at longer shooting distances.

Tamron rewrote its web site. This was the occasion to move the Lens Comparison Tool but it is still useful to compare a 400mm with a 500mm (or a 35mm with a 50mm).

Tamron - Lens Comparison Tool (based on focal length)

But you can also find a similar tool at Olympus (and it takes into account the specificities of 4/3 sensor format, of course): Perfect Lens finder.

Olympus Perfect Lens Finder

Canon EOS 500D / Rebel T1i / Kiss X3

After a second half of 2009 where Nikon has been putting a lot of competitive pressure on Canon, here comes the new Canon dSLR photo camera: Canon EOS 500D (also known as Canon Rebel T1i) and, boy! did they react well.

The Canon EOS 500D is definitely a great step forward where Canon is redefining many features that will be included in entry-level SLR cameras. Essentially, the EOS 500D is including many features that were previously only expected from the models at EOS 50D level or similar mid-range models.

Canon felt the pressure from the Nikon D90; They answer with a camera which has been improved in many different aspects, starting with:

• Video capture up to 1080p
• Improved LCD screen, totally orientable
• More than 15MP sensor, a lot of pixels in a low-cost camera

This is so high an expectation, that you feel surprised not to find such features as per-lens micro-adjustments.

You may not be interested in switching to Canon from your current preferred brand, but all this is good news: All SLR cameras are going to be better just because the Canon EOS 500D is obviously an excellent product.

All the features of the Canon EOS 500D.

Also to be noticed: Canon is simultaneously introducing other related products: two photo printers PIXMA Pro9500 Mark II & PIXMA Pro9000 Mark II printing up to A3+ and a compact flash, Speedlite 270EX.

According to Canon Rumors (but with a low certainty level):

1. The Canon EOS 500D would be launched June 23,
2. A 30mm f/2 lens with an EF-S mount would be presented on the same day.

Sony lens - 'Hiding' by Scoobay

I recommend reading a nice little post titled “All lens tests are wrong” that concludes that the only good test for a lens is to use it during a full year.

Not wrong, but I still recommend to also check my list of web sites with photo lens reviews.

Today, Canon as well as Sony did announce several new products for this beginning of a recession year (plenty of point-and-shoot cameras). Of course, this is the preparation of the next PMA fair in Las Vegas. But SLR enthusiasts will stay waiting for more. No new SLR body. Only Tilt-Shift lenses in Full Frame ability at Canon. The frontline of reasonably-priced SLR cameras is very quiet.

Canon TS-E 17mm Æ’/4L tilt-shift lens

Simultaneously, those who were hoping a revolutionary new large-format photo announcement from Nikon in WPPI failed to hear anything.

Sony 70-400mm

Lovers of Sony digital SLR cameras (Alpha 700 et Alpha 900, in particular) were awaiting eagerly to see Chasseur d’Images magazine testing fully the most recent additions to the Sony lens range. So, they will be delighted to discover in the March 2009 issue that the Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 Apo G SSM scores 5 stars on the Alpha 900 as well as the all-new and superb Sony 70-400mm f/4-5.6 Apo G SSM on the Alpha 700. This grey lens even gets the flattering comments of “nice surprise” (“belle surprise“) and of “bargain to get” (“coup à réaliser“). On the Alpha 900, about sharpness, CdI tells “this is certainly the best lens in its category” (“c’est assurément le meilleur de sa catgorie“).

Also tested on the Alpha 700 and Alpha 900 are the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA T* SSM and the Sony 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G SSM. No score is below 4 stars!

Fifteen other lenses from Canon (on a EOS 5D MkII), Nikon, Olympus and Tamron are tested in detail by Chasseur d’Images. 5 stars are also attributed to the Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM, to the Olympus Zuiko Digital 9-18mm f/4-5.6 and the Olympus Zuiko Digital 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 ED II.

Thanks to Tamron, it is possible to easily compare photo lenses of different focal length and their effect on the size of an image.

Tamron focal length comparison (click on the image)

Tamron focal length comparison