Cameras
Canon RF 35mm F1.4 L VCM specs
Technical Data Manufacturer Canon Model RF 35mm F1.4L VCM Web www.canon.co.uk Elements/construction 14 elements in 11 groups (2x UD, 2x Asph) Angle of view 63° (diagonal) Max aperture F1.4 Min aperture F16 Min focus distance 0.28 m (11.02 in) Mount RF mount Filter size 67mm Length 99.3 mm (3.9 in.) Diameter 76.5 mm (3 in.) Weight 555 g (1.2 lb) Price £1699 inc VAT ($1,599) Read our review here. Check specs against the Canon EF 35mm F1.4L II USM here. Specs compared with the Nikon Nikkor Z 35mm F1.4 here. This is a much more affordable offering, so it’s not necessarily a fair comparison (made by a third party,…
Leica Q3 review: the quintessential Leica
Leica’s Q series is the company’s best-selling digital camera to date and it’s not all that difficult to see why. Kevin Carter looks at the latest iteration, the Leica Q3 Small, light and unobtrusive the Leica Q embodies all that’s attractive of the Leica M with added the benefit of a Kabe-designed Leica autofocus 28mm F1.7 lens. This is the closest we have to an autofocus M series camera, and unless you’re adept at using one of those you’ll be more successful shooting at the initial aperture or close to it and far more discrete using a Leica Q. What’s more, the latest iteration the Leica Q3 is the fastest…
Canon announces three new RF lenses for the EOS R system
Canon has announced three new lenses for the EOS R system, a high-speed RF 24-105mm F2.8L IS USM Z priced at £3,440 inc VAT, aimed at sports photographers and hybrid operators, an RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM targeting sports and birders which is not unreasonably priced at £2,299 inc VAT and an RF-S 10-18mm (16-35mm equiv.) F4.5-6.3 IS STM designed for APS-C EOS R cameras at £379, inc VAT. Particularly interesting, to me at least, is the high-speed RF 24-105mm F2.8L IS USM Z, a lens that was once expected with an EF mount but was never put into serial production. It makes much more sense as an RF model.…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
