Cameras
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Canon reveals new UWA zoom: the RF 10-20mm F4L IS STM
Canon today announced the RF 10-20mm F4L IS STM, their intended replacement of the EF 11-24mm F4L USM and the third L-series RF lens that covers the UWA 14-20mm range. What sets this lens apart from its EF predecessor is its small size (112mm vs 132mm in length) and lighter weight (570g vs 1180g). Besides the inherent portability, the new RF lens has IS and features ‘peripheral coordination control’ when used with supported cameras. Currently, this is limited to the EOS R5, however, when used handheld at slow speeds it’s claimed the algorithm-based ‘peripheral coordination control’ mitigates areas of blur (image deformation) in the periphery. I’m assuming here that the…
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Leica M11 Monochrom Review
Why Black & White? Photographing in Black & White or mono or greyscale or whatever you want to call it requires you to think differently than when photographing in colour. With a film camera, you can switch to B&W from colour and vice versa ad infinitum: the operation remains unchanged allowing you to become accustomed to the camera and ‘see’ either in light and shadows or in colour. In that respect, a modern digital colour camera echoes its predecessor, allowing you to choose between B&W and colour at will. However, a dedicated B&W camera like the Leica M11 Monochrom doesn’t; you’re forced to think in terms of light and shadows…
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Leica Summilux-M 50mm F1.4 ASPH Close Focus 2023 model: First impressions
The new Leica Summilux-M 50mm F1.4 ASPH Close Focus 2023 (11728) model follows the recent update to the Summilux-M 35mm F1.4 ASPH CF last year and adopts the built-in rangefinder decoupling or “double-cam” feature of the focus ring. The feature enables focusing down to 0.45m from the usual 0.7m – the former is the typical minimum focus of DSLR/mirrorless lenses of this focal length (50mm). The double-cam feature was first introduced on the Leica Summilux 35mm F2.0 APO and was quite stiff on the model I tried. To disengage rangefinder focusing, you push the focus ring through some slight resistance at the minimum focus distance marked at 0.7m in orange-coloured…
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Leica Q3 announced: 60MP BSI CMOS sensor and Tilting Screen
Update: Read my review of the Leica Q3 here. The Leica Q3 has been announced with a similar (but not identical) 60MP BSI CMOS sensor as the Leica M11 (and Sony A7 IV and V). The new model also features a fold-out LCD which is the first significant departure in design for the Q. The price is £5,300 inc VAT. The new Leica Q3 features the triple-resolution feature (pixel binning from the native 60MP, giving a choice of 18MP and 36MP options) seen in the Leica M11. Leica says RAW files are around 70 MB depending on the ISO/content, which appears to be lossless compressed RAW (DNG). In any case,…
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Leica M11 review
Leica M11 – what came before? The Leica M11 is the successor to the Leica M10, indeed to the uninitiated it looks practically identical. This is just as well as the Leica M10 was in effect a refinement of the Leica M (Typ 240), particularly with the larger, more durable rangefinder, more logical button layout, and improved menu operation. However, while there were some slight gains in noise and DR the M10 sensor’s similar pixel count likely hindered sales. Still, it wasn’t until the introduction of the M10-R some 18 months or so ago that we saw the real successor to the Leica M (Typ 240) models. As good as…
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Leica M11 announced: Leica’s best and most-rounded M to date
Leica has announced the latest update to its rangefinder camera, the M11. After numerous leaks online the Leica M11 is now official. Rather than go over what’s been leaked already, after speaking with Leica today at the press launch, I’m going to outline what I’ve learned. The price is confirmed as £7,500 body only, £600 for the new Visoflex 2. Both are inclusive of VAT. My concise review of the Leica M11 can be read here.
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Videos surface of the new Leica M11
Two new videos have surfaced showing some of the design elements on the forthcoming Leica M11. The rear screen is not flush, as I had hoped for but on the plus side the new battery looks large, which bodes well for capacity. Also shown is the rumoured new Visoflex. It is rather boxy looking but it is hinged for overhead viewing and it has built-in dioptric control. At present there are no details on the spec’s but the inferred low-light capabilities are encouraging. https://vimeo.com/661857936 https://vimeo.com/661857745
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Canon EOS R3 to be launched soon
The Canon EOS R3 will be with us shortly and it marks a significant change in Canon’s line up – serial leaker Nokishita has stated that the resolution is 24MP. Given Nokishita Camera is likely a retailer in Japan, and/or has access (perhaps as a reseller) to one of the big online stores, the native resolution can no longer be contested. Evidently, Canon is feeling the pressure from Sony as this is destined to give the Sony a9 and a9 II a run for the money (or perhaps not at $5,999, at least initially anyway). As a sports-oriented camera, the EOS R3 likely won’t disappoint but what does that say…
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Canon EOS R3 accessories to be launched with new camera
In addition to the Canon EOS R3 and two new lenses mentioned yesterday, according to serial leaker Nokishita, there’s also a number of dedicated accessories that will be announced alongside. Most of these will likely be for the new multi-function ‘digitised accessory shoe’, which is built-into the hotshoe on the EOS R3. From Tascam’s recent announcement for the up-coming CA-XLR2d-C audio adapter, we know the device allows direct digital audio transmission via a digitised accessory shoe with built-in AD converter. So it’s fair to presume Canon will be offering something along similar lines with XLR support, perhaps offering as many as three different versions (ER-XX). I also expect a directional stereo…
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Canon EOS R3 and two lenses to be announced soon
According to a well-known source*, the Canon EOS R3 and two new lenses, a RF16mm F2.8 and RF100-400mm are expected to be announced shortly; I would expect in the next two weeks. Both lenses are likely to be non L-series, but that’s not confirmed. Canon hasn’t introduced a 16mm prime before in its history that I can recall, so this could follow one of several themes. Manufacturer’s like to follow established trends, but the RF system seems to be about breaking with the past. The most outlandish scenario would be a tilt-shift, replacing the current 17mm TSE F4L. The grapevine has been talking of an autofocus TSE, but with a…