Everything has already been told and written (you’ll find below a list of announcement papers in other blogs), except the price: A whooping 11769 US Dollar! Even a little higher than what was expected.

The first lenses will be available at the end of May, but Canon sources confirm that the quantity will be very limited at first.

• PetaPixel
• PhotoCritic
• Canon rumors
• DPreview

And the case is 649 US dollars more…

Since then, the rumors extended beyond reason. The lens was seen several times in the hands of various photographers (in particular, during some sports events around the world). But it seems that Canon evidenced a serious issue last Summer, significantly delaying the launch. It’s impossible to know what it was, but the reality is that the lens exists and that it’s not available yet.

Despite a formidable price (forecast to be further than 11000 US dollars, or more than 10000 euros), it attracted the interest of many people because it exhibits an extraordinary set of features (extraordinary, even in the world of mega-zooms):

1. A 200-400mm zoom lens with a f/4 aperture, or a diaphragm very wide open without reaching the ridiculous price and weight of a f/2.8 aperture.
2. This combination has already been visible in the Nikon lens line for several year in the guise of the AF-S Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED VR which is already in its second generation (mainly for an upgrade of the optical image stabilization).
3. Its wide aperture allows to use a focal multiplier; but this kind of tool is often unpleasant to handle. The new Canon integrates a 1.4x multiplier in an internal mechanism that appears like a sort of side bulbous bump. The multiplier, thus, becomes always available at the minuscule cost of pushing a lever with a finger to bring it into the optical path. Nothing could be simpler!

This last item is clearly the innovation that shocked people into attention and could have a nice future if Canon learns how to handle the small associated mechanism (they do have the needed knowledge, of course).

According to Canon Rumors (which previously distinguished itself with a number of unfounded rumors about this lens and about other Canon products), the official announcement will happen in a few days (15th of May?) with full availability around Fall 2013. Nothing is certain, but if you want some more to feed your impatience, there is an Australian photographer, Joshua Holko, who has been authorized to publish a video review of a few minutes.

Thanks to Luminous Landscape.

Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM

• Dust-proof and splash-proof construction
• High image quality close to fixed focal length lens
• Focus limiter button (to speed AF up)

Sigma also disclosed that they want this lens to be the first in a long (and new) line of “sports-oriented” lenses (read: lens line of big focal lengths, and possibly relatively inexpensive… for long lenses).

So, we will have to wait until we can see if these features are accompanied with excellent optical quality (or not) for this Sigma new 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM lens.

Source: PetaPixel.

We are not alone. Plenty of people on the web have the same objective and they brought us exactly that: A wealth of comparisons, parallel tests and face-to-face reviews for the newest contenders for the title of “Most attractive enthusiast-targeting photo camera with a Full Frame sensor”.

• Low Light Comparison of the Canon 5D Mark II, 5D Mark III, and Nikon D800 from Joe Marine (via PetaPixel): It’s an impressive show of the Canon video performance (even calling the old 5D MkII in)
• DxOLabs does a number of reviews and comparisons aiming at the sensor quality (D800 & 5D MkIII): does not leave any doubt about the photo ability of the Nikon sensor (or should I say Sony sensor?).



• Nikon D800 vs. D3s and D7000 comparison by Cary Jordan: is obviously impressed by the D800 performance (as an excellent FX camera and as a very good DX/APS-C camera, too.)
• Canon EOS 5D Mk III Vs Nikon D800 at PhotoAnswers: is rather balanced but shows very nice D800 pictures.

However, based on the results of extensive testing this change in exposure value will not noticeably affect the captured image.

This is right: the discrepancy seems to be limited to 1/3 of a diaphragm. This is not much. But the users of a camera designed for experts, enthusiasts and pros may appear more difficult to convince than the wider audience of entry-level cameras.

We’ll see what the final outcome will be. Maybe not a full-fledged scandal (Canon is still OK to check your camera up in After Sales if you feel this is critical), but some bitter comments and a mild irritation…

Nevertheless, there is now an added surprise while Canon announced putting on hold the shipments of this new camera in most (all?) markets. It is also clear that Canon does not intend to organize a recall (at least right now), but it seems rather clear that the problem will not go away with a mere firmware update.

All that being said, it is important to remind ourselves that the issue is only occurring in rather extreme conditions: While shooting at high ISO (with very low light) but when a light source is illuminating the top of the camera. This is obviously not common. So, it is quite normal that Canon prefers to take very cautious steps while analyzing the situation.

Nikon D800 vs. Canon EOS 5D MkIII

It’s clear that the most recent launches by Canon and Nikon are fighting more or less each other on a market of experts and pros. So, in the recent days, I collected a number of comparisons between the Nikon D800 and the Canon EOS 5D MkIII to help you check this out by yourself:

• Video shootout: Nikon D800 vs. Canon 5D mkIII by Dan Chung
• Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs Nikon D800 noise at CameraLabs
• Bob Atkins: Pixel Matters – Canon EOS 5D MkIII vs Nikon D800
• Canon EOS 5D Mark III: primeras muestras y breve comparativa con la Nikon D800 (de QueSabesDe.com)
• CrisisLab: The F%^&ing Nikon D800 vs. Canon 5D mkIII Shootout with a YouTube video

Of course, these will stay in the pages specific to these two cameras.

Canon EOS 60Da

If you are an astronomy photography buff, you certainly know that most current photo cameras include a digital imaging sensor which is very sensitive to Infra-Red light but which is covered with a filter to remove this. As a matter of fact, the IR sensitivity is annoying in most day-to-day photography situations. But astronomers like to be able to capture the light associated with some hydrogen atom emission (very common in the galaxies around us).

In the past some astronomers grabbed their tools and modified their cameras (yes removing parts from them!) but Canon is known to be willing to help (see the EOS 20Da a few years ago). Now, they offer a modified Canon EOS 60D where the IR filter has been modified substantially to keep it sensitive to most of the useful IR light. The Canon EOS 60Da should be marvelous for most astronomers at the price of US$1500 and with its sensitive 18 MP sensor.

Press Release

New Canon EOS 60Da DSLR Camera For Astronomy Enthusiasts Captures The True Colors Of The Cosmos

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., April 3, 2012 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today introduced the EOS 60Da Digital SLR Camera, a long-awaited successor to the EOS 20Da that is optimized for astrophotography. This DSLR caters to astronomers and hobbyists who enjoy capturing the beauty of the night sky by offering a modified infrared filter and a low-noise sensor with heightened hydrogen-alpha sensitivity. These modifications allow the camera to capture magnificent photographs of “red hydrogen emission” nebulae and other cosmic phenomena.

“The EOS 60Da is a testament to the constant desire to meet the needs of every customer, including those in specialized fields,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A., “This new camera enables an accurate depiction of a part of our solar system which is hard to achieve with conventional cameras but should be enjoyed and celebrated.”

The Canon EOS 60Da camera packs a powerful 18-megapixel CMOS sensor (APS-C) that produces sharp and high-contrast images of astronomical objects, a major enhancement over the EOS 20Da model’s 8.2-megapixel sensor. The improved infrared-blocking filter is a modification suited specifically toward astronomy enthusiasts to achieve a hydrogen-alpha light sensitivity that is approximately three times higher than that of a normal Canon DSLR camera. This produces a 20-percent higher transmittance of Hydrogen Alpha line, or H α wavelength, allowing astronomers to capture crisp, clear images of reddish, diffuse nebulae.

Enhanced Features
Crisp images of the stars and planets can be viewed on the EOS 60Da’s improved 3.0-inch Clear View LCD screen with 1,040,000 dots for detailed focusing. The flip-out Vari-angle screen allows photographers to adjust the screen for easy viewing without straining even while the camera is mounted to a telescope via a third-party T-ring adapter. Optimized for stargazing with friends or in an educational setting, astronomy enthusiasts can connect the camera to a TV with the provided AVC-DC400ST Stereo AV Video Cable and display the night sky on a TV monitor using the camera’s Live View mode. Moreover, the EOS 60Da’s Live View mode is equipped with a Silent Shooting feature that eliminates shutter-induced vibration for maximum camera stability when the camera is mounted to a telescope or super-telephoto EF lens.

Enhanced noise reduction on the EOS 60Da sensor offers photographers the ability to experiment with the wide array of ISO settings and increased ISO speeds up to 6400 expandable to 12800. Other features include an intelligent nine-point autofocus system, full manual controls, and RAW, JPEG, and RAW+JPEG image recording capabilities.

Accessories
The EOS 60Da helps capture the wonders of the night sky with its use of Canon’s award-winning EF and EF-S lenses along with other EOS accessories. Additionally, the EOS 60Da is packaged with Canon’s RA-E3 Remote Controller Adapter, providing the ability to connect a Canon Timer Remote Control such as the TC-80N3 (optional accessory). The TC-80N3 is ideal for controlling time exposures longer than 30 seconds as well as capturing a series of consecutive time exposures that can be composited during post-processing for improved image quality. This is especially useful when the camera body is connected to a telescopei or an EF super telephoto lens.

Canon has also included an AC adapter kit with the EOS 60Da, allowing the camera to be powered through an AC wall outlet or a battery-powered inverter, ideal for long exposure image or video capture at home or in the field.

Availability
As a specialized product, the EOS 60Da is only available to order from select authorized dealers. The estimated retail price is $1,499.00 and it is expected to be available this month.