Cameras
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Canon reveals new ultra-wide 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 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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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…
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From the past: Leica M9 review
[The following is a review I was commissioned to write for HotShoe magazine back in late 2009 when the Leica M9 had just been released. I’ve republished it here, with thanks to Leica UK for the loan of the M9.] Hot Gear Review Leica M9 Photography has taken a nostalgic twist as Leica has announced the first full-frame digital model, the Leica M9. However, the switch to digital from the all-electronic M7 film model wasn’t seamless or without detractors. As well as a few minor shortcomings, the APS-H format, 10-megapixel M8 rangefinder was widely criticised for its sensitivity to UV light, producing ruddy skin tones and purple tints to black…
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Is the Canon EOS R3 sensor really only 24MP?
With the Olympics underway in Tokyo we’ve started to see some images taken with the upcoming Canon EOS R3 (prototype or more likely a pre-production model), which isn’t really surprising as the camera has been in the hands of a few select photojournalists for a few months now. Equally unsurprising is that a few images from one photographer have been found with the camera EXIF data intact. While they could have deleted it quite easily, even with the pressured environment of the games, it’s unlikely a working photographer is going to remove it. More importantly, Canon would know that and know that people would try looking for it. A few…
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More details of Canon’s EOS R3 revealed: BSI ‘stacked’ sensor for high-speed AF
Canon has released more details on the Canon EOS R3. While Canon hasn’t revealed the sensor’s pixel count the Canon EOS R3 will feature a new Canon ‘developed’ back illuminated stacked CMOS, giving a hike in AF performance. Curiously the information released in the PR and on the Canon Japan site [auto-translated] talks of a ‘Canon in-house developed’ sensor rather than a ‘Canon-made’ sensor, which lends credibility to the working theory that they’ve outsourced the chip. Still, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a derivative of the 30MP CMOS sensor found in the Canon EOS R. They are however being tight-lipped about it, much like they were about the Canon R5,…
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Images leak of the Canon EOS R3 showing fold out screen
Images have leaked of the Canon EOS R3 showing the front and, more importantly, the rear of the camera. If these images are genuine, the EOS R3 has a fully-articulated screen, and possibly a touch-sensitive AF-On button that can be used for focus point selection, like the EOS-1DX Mark III. Although I can’t be sure from this, it also looks as if the memory card door isn’t lockable, like the EOS-1D series. Built-in LAN looks like a possibility and a voice memo feature also seems to be part of the feature set. One further feature that’s apparent, besides the sharing of the EOS-1 battery, is the enormous viewfinder. Let’s hope…
