Technology

Canon has introduced its next generation of full-frame mirrorless cameras – the EOS R5 and EOS R6. These ground-breaking cameras are the result of many years of collecting and listening to feedback from Canon users and are sure to meet the needs and demands of a variety of creators. The EOS R5 is a camera designed for professional applications featuring a new 45-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor and uncropped 8K video recording up to 29.97 fps. The EOS R6 is geared towards advanced amateurs and features a 20.1 megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor and 4K video recording up to 59.94 fps. The addition of the EOS R5 and the EOS R6 cameras within the EOS R series line-up further solidifies Canon’s commitment to providing the equipment needed for creators to bring their content to the next level.

Canon have announced the imagePROGRAF PRO-300, a pro photo printer packed with innovations and features that enable you to create your own colour-accurate and gallery-quality prints up to A3+.

The Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 uses Canon’s LUCIA PRO pigment-based ink technology for print permanence, rich colours including a new matte black and a wider colour gamut.

Giving you more creative options, the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 can produce borderless photo prints on any media, and can print panoramic photos on cut-sheets up to 990.6mm long. It’s also compact, with a 15% decrease in volume and a smaller footprint than its predecessor, the Canon PIXMA PRO-10S.

“The Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 is an expansion of our imagePROGRAF PRO series, which is the pinnacle of our photo printer range, with models up to 60 inches, and we’re opening up that technology to the A3+ segment,” says Canon Europe Inkjet Specialist and printing expert Suhaib Hussain.

Read the full article by by Kevin Carter at: https://www.canon.co.uk/pro/news/introducing-imageprograf-pro-300-printer/

Canon has introduced a variety of new RF lenses and accessories to accompany the newly announced EOS R Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera System. The four new RF lenses are built around Canon’s new RF mount, which features a large 54mm diameter and shorter back focus distance than on current EOS DSLR cameras. The new RF mount enables new possibilities in optical design and lens formulation, allowing for faster and lighter lenses with higher performing optics.

The four new lenses, the Canon RF 28-70mm F2 L USM, RF 50mm F1.2 L USM, RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM and RF 35mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM capitalize on the robust optic foundation of Canon’s new EOS R system. The design behind Canon’s new EOS R camera and RF lens system started with the concept of the optimal rear lens element diameter and shorter distance (back focus) for a Full-Frame image sensor.

With over 130 million EF lenses in circulation since Canon launched the mount in 1987*, the Company is enhancing the possibilities for its loyal customers who own and love their EF glass. Canon is introducing three RF Lens Mount Adapters that expand the capabilities of existing EF lenses when paired with the EOS R camera. The Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R allows photographers to utilize the full breadth of Canon’s EF, EF-S, TS-E, and MP-E lenses on the newly introduced EOS R camera system. The Control Ring Mount Adapter adds a customizable control ring via the adapter that provides photographers with added functionality to their fingertips. The Drop-in Filter Mount Adapter now easily places circular polarizing or variable neutral density filters behind the lens, opening up new options for lenses such as the EF 11-24mm where using optical filters were previously not an option.

“Knowing exceptional optics are a vital tool in shaping the image a photographer captures, Canon designed the EOS R camera system from the ground up with optics as the starting point,” said Kazuto Ogawa, president and chief operating officer, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “Canon is very excited about the world-class optics we have developed to marry with the new RF mount. With our rich history and more than 130 million EF lenses being used across the globe, Canon optics will continue to be at the forefront of our digital imaging development now and into the future.”

New Canon RF Series Lenses

Three of the newly announced Canon RF lenses are counted among Canon’s top-of-the-line L-series optics; incorporating rugged, dust and water-resistant construction. All four new RF lenses feature a customizable control ring that allows photographers to adjust exposure compensation, shutter speed, aperture or ISO.

The Canon RF 28—70mm F2 L USM lens, the world’s first standard zoom lens with an f/2 aperturei is excellent for capturing landscapes, weddings and portraits with its large aperture for stunning bokeh. Initial testing within Canon has shown this new lens to produce better optical image quality and sharpness over similar focal length EF-series lenses, including the extremely popular and highly regarded EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM.

A portrait photographer’s must-have, the Canon RF 50mm F1.2 L USM lens sports an ultra large-diameter f/1.2 aperture and Canon’s Air Sphere Coating (ASC) technology to dramatically reduce flares and ghosting.

Photographers seeking an all-around utility lens for the new EOS R camera system need to look no further than the Canon RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM lens. Coming in nine percent shorter in length than the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM, this compact lens employs a CIPA standard of 5 stops of IS and is equipped with NANO USM technology, the first L-series lens with the technology. This small chip-shaped ultrasonic motor is engineered to help deliver high-speed, smooth, precise and near-silent operation, plus full-time manual focus (when using one-shot AF).

A fast, wide-angle single focus lens, the Canon RF 35mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM lens is an excellent option for photographers looking for an affordable compact lens. Featuring a maximum shooting magnification of 0.5x, the lens can easily shoot macro photography of subjects such as flowers, food and even insects. The lens also utilizes a CIPA standard of 5 stops of IS and is compatible with Hybrid IS, compensating for both angular and shift camera shake.

Enhanced Capabilities for Canon EF Lenses

Thanks to its large lens mount design, Canon’s new EOS R series camera system delivers new capabilities in both design and function, but for existing Canon lens owners it does something incredible. It enhances the capabilities of existing EF and EF-S lenses with full compatibility and in some cases, enhanced functionality when paired with one of three RF mount adapters.

Canon lenses are historically top-rated, and the Company is looking to help customers gain even more value in their investment with three new RF mount adapters.

The Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R is a standard adapter that provides full compatibility with EF lenses. Autofocus, metadata, and Optical Image Stabilization on EF lenses all continue to work seamlessly with the new EOS R camera through this adapter.
The Control Ring Mount Adapter EF-EOS R continues full EF lens compatibility with the addition of a customizable control ring. Functions that can be assigned and adjusted by the control ring include aperture, shutter speed, ISO speed and exposure compensation.
In addition to full EF lens compatibility, the Drop-In Filter Mount Adapter EF-EOS R allows for lens filters to be used behind any EF lens and help photographers conveniently utilize variable ND and circular polarizing filters with any EF lens.
New Speedlite Series

Canon is also introducing a new compact and lightweight Speedlite, the EL-100. Designed for photographers who are just beginning to use an external flash or are in need of a secondary unit, the new Speedlite delivers both soft and natural lighting reproduction. In addition, the EL-100 can rotate upwards and to the left and right enabling photographers to bounce the flash off of nearby ceilings, walls or surfaces.

Additional Features of the Canon Speedlite EL-100 include:

Maximum Guide Number of Approx. 85 ft./26m at ISO 100
24mm Wide-angle Coverage
Optical Wireless Flash Function (Sender and Receiver)
Flash Exposure Control Including Support for Stroboscopic Flash and Continuous Shooting Camera-linked Functions Including Interlocked External Flash Power On/Off
Mode Dial with AUTO Position
Availability and Pricing

The Canon RF 50mm F1.2 L USM will be available in October 2018 for an estimated retail price of $2299. The Canon RF 28-70mm F2 L USM, RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM and RF 35mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM will all be available for purchase in December 2018 for an estimated retail price of $2999, $1099 and $499.99 respectively.

The Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R and Control Ring Mount Adapter EF-EOS R will be available for purchase in October 2018 for an estimated retail price of $99.99 and $199.99 respectively. The Drop-in Filter Mount Adapter EF-EOS R will all be available for purchase in February 2019 for an estimated retail price of $399.99 with a variable ND filter or $299.99 with a circular polarizing filter.

The Canon Speedlite EL-100 will be available for purchase in October 2018 for an estimated retail price of $199.99.

Edelkrone has launched another motion control product for videographers. The SliderPLUS X & Motion Kit is a slider and motion head combo that offers 4 axes of control – slide, pan, tilt and focus, all controllable via a smartphone app.

The system allows you to lock the lens and focus onto a subject for a slide. You can program complex motion by movements the head and slider manually to ‘record’ the motion and it’s possible to create looping sequences as well. Edelkrone is still working on a number of features that will be added at a later stage via app and firmware updates respectively. Eventually users will be able to convert programmed motion paths into time-lapse or stop-motion animations and the camera will be controllable during live recordings. You’ll also be able to program your lenses into the system, so focus calibration can be saved for future use.

The SliderPLUS X & Motion Kit will set you back $3,700, $1,000 for the slider and $2,700 for the Motion head. That’s a serious investment, but given the rig might help set your videography apart from the competition it could well be worth it from a business point of view.

More info: https://www.edelkrone.com/p/138/slider-plus

Canon have announced the new 800D (EOS Rebel T7i in the USA) for pre-order, which slots into the Canon range just above the EOS 750D, and below the EOS 77D.

Developed and designed to meet the varying needs of entry-level and advanced amateur photographers, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions,announced a new addition to the celebrated EOS system – the EOS Rebel T7i DSLR camera, which adds to the popular Rebel series of entry-level DSLR cameras. Canon also introduced the new EF-S 18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM lens and Wireless Remote Control BR-E1, as well as added functionality for the Canon Connect Station CS100.

The EOS Rebel T7i is the first camera in the EOS Rebel series with a 45-point, all cross-type AF system* within the Optical Viewfinder. It is also the first in the series with Dual Pixel CMOS AF with Phase-detection and the first with a DIGIC 7 Image Processor. Creative filters for both still images and video will allow users to customize the look and feel of their content in new and imaginative ways.

When designing the new EOS Rebel T7i, Canon took into consideration feedback from entry-level photographers who expressed interest in learning to go beyond the program mode of a DSLR camera. Users will now be able to see on-screen how switching modes on the mode dial or tweaking settings can alter the image they are about to capture, guiding photographers on their way to capturing more compelling images, such as ones with a shallower depth-of-field or being able to give moving-subjects a frozen or flowing look.
The Canon EOS Rebel T7i is scheduled to be available in April 2017 for an estimated retail price $749.99** for the body only, $899.99** with the new EF-S 18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM lens and $1,299.00** with the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens respectively. For more information please visit, usa.canon.com/eosrebelt7i.

Features:
24.2MP APS-C-size CMOS sensor
DIGIC 7 processor
EF/EF-S lens mount
45-point phase-detection AF system
100-25,600 native ISO range
1/4000-30sec mechanical shutter
6fps burst shooting
Full HD video recording at 60fps
Pentamirror viewfinder with 95% coverage of the frame
3-inch 1,040K-dot rear vari-angle touchscreen
Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth connectivity
600-shot battery life

Full spec: http://www.canon.co.uk/cameras/eos-800d/specifications/

Comparison between 800D and new 77D: http://www.wexphotographic.com/blog/canon-eos-800d-and-eos-77d

Pentax have launched the Pentax-DA 55-300MM F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE Lens.

The new lens features a pulse motor (PLM) and adopts a ‘rear-focus’ system – both of these changes result in faster autofocus acquisition times (8.3x at wide angle and 1.7x at telephoto), as well as quieter overall autofocus performance when compared to its predecessor. Ricoh also claims that, when the lens is mounted on the new K-70 DSLR, a new autofocus algorithm ensures greater precision and faster operation with dimly lit subjects.

The lens is 10% lighter than the old 55-300mm, is fully weather-sealed and focuses down to 0.95m/3.1ft Rounding out the key specs and changes is an electromagnetic diaphragm control system, which, according to Ricoh, will provide smoother aperture control during video recording.

The HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE lens list price is $399.95/£399.99.

Full features: https://www.dpreview.com/news/8852527391/affordable-reach-ricoh-announces-pentax-55-300mm-f4-5-6-3-lens

Ricoh has launched the PENTAX K-70 digital SLR camera, with a compact, dustproof and weather-resistant body designed for all types of outdoor photography.

The PENTAX K-70 is designed to be an all-weather camera, thanks to its outstanding dustproof, weather-resistant construction and dependable cold-proof performance down to temperatures as low as -10°C. It incorporates a newly developed accelerator unit, which performs high-level noise processing in collaboration with the PRIME MII imaging engine and allows super-high-sensitivity photography at a top sensitivity of ISO 102400. It also features a new Hybrid AF system, which harmonizes the advantages of both the image-plane phase-matching AF system and the contrast detection AF system, in order to assure the maximum speed and accuracy of AF operations during Live View shooting. It even provides a range of advanced, upper-class-equivalent features, including the PENTAX-developed Pixel Shift Resolution System; an innovative AA (anti-aliasing) filter simulator with the same moiré reduction effect as an optical AA filter; an optical viewfinder with nearly 100 percent field of view; and an in-body shake reduction mechanism with a shake reduction effect equivalent to approximately 4.5 shutter steps. For remote shooting operation and easy transfer of captured images to smartphones and tablet computers, it also features a built-in wireless LAN (Wi-Fi) module.

Main features: http://news.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/rim_info2/2016/20160609_011731.html

Pentax K-70 Review: https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentax-k-70

Pentax 55-300mm WR Review: http://www.kenrockwell.com/pentax/55-300mm-wr.htm

The Moto G4 Plus is a recently launched smartphone with a 5.5-inch screen.

There are single and dual sim versions and extra price options with fingerprint scanner, a better 16 MP camera with laser focus, updated ram to 3 Gb and 32Gb storage. The higher priced version includes a Turbo charger giving up to 6 hours of power for just 15 minutes of charging.

Features:
5.5in IPS screen, 1920×1080, 400ppi, Gorilla Glass 3
1.5GHz octacore Snapdragon 617 processor
Adreno 405 GPU
2/3/4GB RAM
16/32/64GB storage
microSD card up to 128GB
Fingerprint scanner
16Mp rear camera
5Mp front camera
3000mAh battery (with TurboPower)
Colours: Black / White
Dimensions: 153x77x7.6-9.8mm
Weight: 155g
Dual-SIM model available via Moto Maker

If you fit an sd memory card in the dual sim version, one sim slots is unusable.

You can also use Motorola’s Moto Maker to build your own customised Moto G4 Plus with range of coloured backs and accent colour.

Read more at http://www.trustedreviews.com/moto-g4-plus-review#EGezsWu7rXq1lxwg.99

Canon have announced a new EF lens the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM scheduled to be available in November 2016.

Featuring NANO USM technology for high-speed and near-silent focusing in both still and video modes. The lens also features a new LCD information display and four-stop image stabilization.

Other features include:
High-speed autofocus for shooting stills and smooth, near-silent autofocus when shooting video is achieved by incorporating NANO USM technology.
New Lens Information Display shows focusing distance, focal length and shake amount.
One UD Lens helps reduce chromatic aberration and delivers outstanding high resolution and high-contrast results.
Image Stabilizer effect at up-to-4* stops of shake correction helps capture sharp images.
Circular aperture (9 blades) helps deliver beautiful, soft backgrounds.
Full-time manual focus allows manual focus adjustment while in AF Mode.

More info: http://www.canon.co.uk/lenses/ef-70-300mm-f-4-5-6-is-ii-usm/

The AOC Q2770Pqu is a 27 inch Widescreen S-PLS LED Multimedia Monitor with a resolution of up to 2560×1440 and VGA, DVI-D, HDMI, USB 3.0, USB 2.0, audio inputs.

The display panel uses Advanced High-performance In-Plane Switching (AH-IPS) technology, ensuring superior clarity,colour accuracy and consistency even at wide viewing angles. Ultra-high Dynamic Contrast Ratio (DCR) of 80,000,000:1 reveals darker areas of content with greater depth.Included Screen+ software can snap PC windows into four self-contained panes for improved productivity, with support for multiple monitors.The LED backlight contains no mercury, contributing to saving the environment, while requiring 50% less energy than traditional 4 CCFL panels.DisplayPort, HDMI and Dual Link DVI inputs deliver high performance digital connectivity with WQHD support.An integrated USB hub includes USB 3.0 ports, and provides sufficient power to fast-charge mobile devices. The 4-way adjustable stand easily positions the screen for comfortable viewing.