Tuesday 27 April 2010

Nikon News: new 200–400mm f/4G ED VR II lens

Nikon have launched new zoom lens - the AF-S NIKKOR 200-400 F/4G ED VR II:
Key features:

  • Versatile super-telephoto zoom lens
    Powerful super-telephoto zoom lens that’s perfect for sports and wildlife shooting offering constant maximum aperture and VR II Image Stabilization.

  • Nikon VR II (Vibration Reduction) Image Stabilization
    Vibration Reduction, engineered specifically for each VR NIKKOR lens, enables handheld shooting at up to 4 shutter speeds slower than would otherwise be possible, assuring dramatically sharper still images and video capture.

  • Nano Crystal Coat
    Further reduces ghosting and interior flare across a wide range of wavelengths for even greater image clarity.

  • 4 Extra-low Dispersion (ED) Elements
    Offers superior sharpness and color correction by effectively minimizing chromatic aberration, even at the widest aperture settings.

  • Three Focus Modes
    A/M mode joins the familiar M/A and M modes, enhancing AF control versatility with fast, secure switching between auto and manual focus to accommodate personal shooting techniques.

  • Internal Focus (IF)
    Provides fast and quiet autofocus without changing the length of the lens, retaining working distance throughout the focus range.

  • Exclusive Nikon Silent Wave Motor (SWM)
    Enables fast, accurate and quiet autofocus.

  • Nikon Super Integrated Coating (SIC)
    Enhances light transmission efficiency and offers superior color consistency and reduced flare.

  • Rugged Construction
    Featuring enhanced dust and moisture-resistance, magnesium die-cast barrel construction and a protective meniscus front lens.

  • Close Auto Focusing to 6.6 feet at all focal lengths
    Focus to 6.6 feet using AF or 6.4 feet using manual focus enabling striking image perspectives.

  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
    Renders more natural appearance of out-of-focus image areas.

  • Compatible with TC-14EII (AF/MF), TC-17EII (MF), TC-20EII (MF) and TC-20EIII (MF) Teleconverters.



More details available
here.

What (and when) will Canon respond with...?

Thursday 15 April 2010

Canon News: EOS 7D Firmware 1.2.1 released

Canon have released a firmware update to their EOS 7D DSLR. The following updates have been included:
  • Extends the timing at which the high temperature warning indicator is displayed and the timing of automatic shut down of the camera due to a rise in internal temperature during Live View or EOS Movie functions.
  • Optimizes program shift when the ISO setting of the camera is set to AUTO.
  • Corrects a misspelling in the French-language menu.
  • Corrects a phenomenon in which vertical magenta-colored banding appears in still images taken in movie-shooting mode.
    (This only occurs when in Manual exposure mode and when the ISO speed is set to "H". Note that this phenomenon only affects units with Firmware Version 1.2.0)
Avilable to download from here.