Canon News: Clutch of new lenses

Canon have upgraded some of their 'big dog' white lenses, a new 'not-sure-who-will-buy-it' L-series zoom, the two extenders and also a fish-eye zoom too!  They're also on the case updating the 500mm and 600mm f/4 lenses too (Due December 2011)...

Canon EF 300 f/2.8 L IS II and 400 f/2.8 L IS II

As a wildlife photographer, these are the most exciting lenses.  I've hired the 300 f/2.8 L IS for trips to the Arctic and Namibia and would struggle to fault its quality.  Well, it's been improved alongside its closest brother, both with new design and materials meaning a welcome weight saving too.

300mm f/2.8L IS II

• 300mm f/2.8 high-performance super-telephoto lens
• Part of Canon’s acclaimed L series
• Durable, rugged and lightweight
• 4 stop Image Stabilizer
• Enhanced image quality with SWC coating
• 3 IS modes
• Quiet and fast autofocus 

More details here 

Due Late August 2011

400mm f/2.8L IS II

• 400mm f/2.8 ultra-high-performance super-telephoto lens
• Part of Canon’s acclaimed L series
• 4 stop Image Stabilizer
• 3 IS modes
• Durable, rugged design
• Enhanced image quality
• Quiet and fast autofocus 

More details here.

Due Late August 2011

Canon EF 70-300mm f4-5.6L IS USM

• High performance telephoto zoom lens
• Part of Canon’s acclaimed L series
• 4 stop Image Stabilizer
• Two UD elements
• Highly resistant to dust and water
• 8 blade circular aperture
• Quiet & fast autofocus
• Compatible with a tripod collar 

(If this tickles your fancy, you may also want to check out one of the 70-200 L IS lenses (there's a new f/2.8 version, or the f/4 one), alongside a 1.4x extender)

More details here. 

1.4x III and 2x III Extenders

• Extends the master lens focal length by 1.4x/ 2.0x
• Outstanding image quality
• Highly resistant to dust and water
• Improved communication between lens and camera
• Optimised lens coatings
• Compatible with L-Series telephoto and telephoto zoom lenses

 More details here.

EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM

• Circular or full frame Fisheye zoom lens
• Part of Canon’s acclaimed L series
• Durable and rugged design
• Quiet and fast autofocus
• Full-time manual focusing
• Easier lens cleaning 

Due late July 2011.

More details here.

Canon News: EOS 60D released

Canon have finally released the replacement to the Canon 50D, in the form of the 60D.  It's trying to squeeze inbetween some very similar siblings in the 550D and 7D - and borrows features from both. 

Features include:

• 18 MP APS-C CMOS sensor
• Advanced creative features
• Vari-angle 7.7cm (3.0”) 3:2 ratio LCD
• Full HD movies
• DIGIC 4
• ISO 100-6400, H:12800
• 5.3fps shooting for up to 58 JPEGs
• 9-point cross type AF System
• iFCL metering with 63-zone Dual-layer Sensor 

Unfortunately, it looks like the featureset does NOT include weather-sealing, or a magnesium body (it's plastic).  There's also no micro AF lens adjustment, although it's possible it will be included in revised firmware before its launched, as people are rightly kicking-up a fuss that it isn't included. 

Here it can be ordered, or price compared to its nearest siblings:

Some more details here.

Canon News: Trio of compacts released

Canon have released three new compact cameras.  I've always found Canon's range of compact cameras bewildering and this hasn't helped!

Canon PowerShot S95

• HS System and f/2 lens
• High-sensitivity 10.0 MP CCD
• 28 mm wide, 3.8x zoom lens, Hybrid IS
• Lens Control Ring, Full Manual and RAW
• 7.5 cm (3.0") PureColor II G LCD
• HD movies, HDMI
• High Dynamic Range mode
• Smart Auto
• Multi-Aspect Shooting
• Optional Waterproof Case

More details here.

Canon PowerShot SX130 IS

• 12x, wide-angle (28 mm) lens with IS
• 12.1 MP sensor
• Smart Auto and Easy modes detect 28 scene types
• 7.5 cm (3.0") LCD
• HD movies
• Smart Shutter with Wink Self-Timer
• Shooting modes include Miniature Effect movie
• Hints & Tips
• Full Manual control
• i-Contrast 

More details here.

Canon IXUS 1000HS / PowerShot SD4500 IS

• 10x optical zoom with IS
• Compact, stylish metal body
• HS System, 10.0 MP CMOS sensor
• Full HD movies, Dynamic IS
• 7.6 cm (3.0") PureColor II G LCD
• Super Slow Motion Movie
• Smart Auto and Smart FE
• Shooting modes, Best Image Selection
• Wink Self-Timer
• Hints & Tips

More details here.

Nikon News: new Nikkor lenses

Four new lenses from Nikon:

AF-S NIKKOR 85MM F/1.4G

• Fast f/1.4 aperture
• Newly-developed optical system with 10 elements in 9 groups
• Incorporates Nikon’s exclusive anti-reflection Nano Crystal coat, drastically reducing ghosting and flare
• Dedicated Silent Wave Motor (SWM) to ensure quiet and accurate focusing
• Magnesium body and sealing against moisture and dust 

More details here

AF-S NIKKOR 24-120MM F/4G ED VR

• 5x zoom lens for FX format D-SLR photographers
• Excellent value and performance in a compact package for adventurous photographers everywhere
• Second generation Vibration Reduction system (VR II)
• Design uses Nano Crystal coat, two ED glass elements and no less than three aspherical lens elements to maintain bright, high contrast images
• Very discreet autofocus performance with instant Manual override possible in M/A mode

More details here

AF-S NIKKOR 28-300MM F/3.5-5.6G ED VR

• Huge 10.7 zoom ratio makes it the ultimate ‘walkabout’ lens.
• Two ED and three aspherical elements to effectively manage the risk of aberrations that can occur with super-zoom lenses
• Second generation Vibration Reduction system (VR II)
• Can focus as close as 50cm at all focal lengths for added flexibility
• The Silent Wave Motor (SWM) was designed specifically to deliver quiet and accurate AF operation across the extended zoom range with intuitive manual override

More details here

AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300MM F/4.5-5.6G ED VR

 

• 5.5 times zoom ratio offers flexibility by drastically extending the telephoto reach
• Incorporates high quality ED and new HRI (High Refractive Index) glass elements to help deliver crisp images, even under harsh lighting conditions.
• Second generation Vibration Reduction system (VR II)
• Weather sealed mount, which prevents moisture and dust infiltrating the lens or camera sensor

More details here

Nikon News: D3100 DSLR launched

Nikon have launched a new entry-level DSLR, the not-that-snappily-named D3100:

Features are as follows:

• 4.2 megapixel DX-format CMOS image sensor delivers lifelike images with vivid colors, reduced noise and smooth tonal gradations.
• EXPEED 2 image processing engine provides enhanced movie recording, high-sensitivity performance and maximum image quality.
• High ISO (100-3200) light sensitivity - extendable up to 12800: features an Auto ISO setting and is manually extendable up to ISO 12800 using the Hi2 setting. Enables faster shutter speeds, significantly reducing the risk of blurred images when you shoot fast-moving subjects or take pictures in low light.
• GUIDE mode: quick and easy-to-use in-camera assistance. Asks you about the picture you want to take and automatically optimizes settings for superior results. Sample images appear on the display to show you what will happen to your image if you apply the suggested settings.
• D-Movie – full HD (1920 x 1080) movie clips: record beautiful high-definition (HD) movie clips with sound. The camera’s large image sensor and high ISO sensitivity offer exceptional image quality. NIKKOR lenses can be used to obtain cinematic effects and you can make simple edits of your clips in-camera by deleting scenes or saving specific frames as still images.
• Live View with Scene Auto Selector: makes it easy to compose images using the LCD monitor. Scene Auto Selector will select the best mode for the scene and subject you want to capture, and Fulltime servo AF (AF-F) mode keeps subjects in focus without the need to press the shutter release button.
• Large 7.5 cm (3-inch), high-resolution LCD monitor makes it easy to view essential camera information, and a pleasure to review and edit your photos and movies.
• Razor-sharp 11-point Autofocus system offers fast and precise autofocus coverage across the frame. Four AF-area modes, including 3D-tracking AF, deliver sharp results, whether your subject is off-center, moving fast or completely unpredictable.
• Active D-Lighting automatically retains details in highlights and shadows for stunning images with natural contrast.
• Picture Controls lets you set the look and mood of your images before you shoot. Choose from six settings: Standard, Vivid, Neutral, Monochrome, Portrait and Landscape.
• Extensive in-camera editing functions let you edit and enhance images and movies in the camera. Offers techniques such as Red-Eye Correction and Quick Retouch, as well as a range of Filter Effects.
• Dual Integrated dust reduction system: Image Sensor Cleaning and Airflow Control systems keep dust away from the camera’s image sensor for clear, spot-free images.
• Lightweight body and superior ergonomics: a secure grip makes the camera comfortable to handle. Dedicated controls for frequently used functions like Live View, D-Movie and shutter release make it a joy to operate.

More details here.