Jonathan
10-08-20068th October 2006, 04:52 PM
This is from NathanLake over on fredmiranda. Seemed like some good information.
A couple weeks ago I told you about an Expo taking place near Seattle and that Canon would have sales and tech reps there. I solicited your questions and comments to take to the reps....here is my report.
ADDITIONAL INFO AS OF SUNDAY - OCTOBER 8TH - See HIGLIGHTED TEXT INSERTED BELOW
Upcoming announcment schedule - All new product announcements for 2006 have been made. There will be no further new products announced until March of 2007.
Expaned ISO - Expanding the ISO range (on the cameras that do this) does not impact the normal ISO range at all. Making this a custom setting is purely a safety issue to prevent the expanded range from being used accidentally. There is a loss of image quality when using the expanded ISOs. On the slow end (ISO 50) there is a significant decrease in the dynamic range that the sensor can capture.
Mirror lock up - The tech rep says he hears this more than any other single request. What he expects to happen is that the new "Custom" setting on the 5D (30D? - I am not sure which he said) will be included in most future Canon bodies and "might" include a setting for mirror lockup. He claims there is some issue with the way the mirror is lifted (electronic rather than mechanical) that makes a simple button for that purpose a problem. I did not get any other details.
Future of EF-S lenses - The 1.6x sensor is expected to remain as the entry level Canon DSLR sensor due to the realtively low cost of making it. Therefore, there will be further EF-S lenses and continued support, but there will never be as many EF-S lenses as there are EF.
"L" series EF-S lens - By definition, this can never be made. Part of the L-series requirement is that it be usable on a FF sensor. The current EF-S line has optics equivalent to the L-series, but without the heavy duty construction and weather seals.
Foveon-like sensor - The rep was not aware of any immediate plans to build a Canon DSLR with a foveon-like sensor, but said he would probably not be made aware even if they had such plans. He did say that Canon owns a patent on a Foveon-like design and that some research had been done on this sensor type.
CMOS vs CCD - Canon believes that CMOS is inherently superior to CCD and has no plans to change. The CMOS sensor design removes noise at the sensor level. The CCD design requires that all noise is removed by software in the processor and is therefore noisier. Expect further reduction in noise levels at high ISO in future bodies.
Emulating in-camera processing - The "Raw Image Task" software, which he describes as the "slowest RAW converter on the planet" is capable of perfectly emulating the in-camera processing from RAW to JPG for any Canon DSLR. He does not recommend the RIT software for day-to-day work, but does suggest that you use it to play with RAW images in order to decide how picture styles in the 5D and 1DIIN should be configured.
RAW image conversions - The rep again stated that Canon does not divulge its RAW image color tags to any other software vendor (i.e. Adobe, Capture One, etc) and strongly recommends that for best color reproductoin you use Canon DPP for conversion and then Adobe PS for other post-processing.
Sensor cleaning - The rep stated very clearly and without hesitation that Canon will clean the sensor on any Canon DSLR purchased from an authorized Canon dealer ONE TIME for free. You just pay shipping. After that one time, it is $30.
Sensor dust - It is expected that the automatic sensor cleaning on the XTi will be include in most future Canon DSLR products. It appears to be working even better than expected.
In-body IS - Canon has no plans at all for an in-body IS. The reason for this is that the IS mechanism they use is customized based upon lens length. The longer the lens, the more correction is required. There is insufficient room in the current DSLR body designs to do IS for longer lenses.
IS in the new 70-200 f/4 - Suposedly gives 4 stops worth of stabilization when handheld and SHOULD be left on when tripod mounted. It somehow senses the lack of movement from being on a tripod and adjusts itself for even greater stability.
Canon production scheme - When Canon starts producing a new body, they make a certain number a day, every day through the life of the body. Sort of a "just-in-time" production scheme. They do not hold huge stockpiles of the bodies. That is not true for lenses. When they start making a new lens, they will make 6-8 years worth in the first year of production and then stop. This means that new lenses come out less often than new bodies. They estimate they can do about 4 new lenses a year at most.
I questioned the rep more about the Canon production scheme for lenses. He backtracked from what he said yesterday and now is uncertain of the production timetable for producing lenses.
Turning off camera before removing lens - Some people claim that you should turn off the body when you remove the lense so that the sensor is discharged and will not attract dust. This is not necessary. Even through the camera stays on when you remove a lens, the sensor is discharged automatically as soon as the pins lose contact.
Rebates - The fall rebates for 2006 will be available starting next week (October 15th). For this show only they will apply to anything purchased today or tomorrow. I have the complete list. As in the past, if you buy one rebated item, you get the standard rebate. If you buy 2 or more, you get double the rebate on each item. Here they are....
Canon 5D $300
Canon 30D $100
EF 20 f/2.8 USM $20
EF 28 f/1.8 USM $40
EF 50 f/1.4 USM $20
EF 85 f/1.2 II USM $50
EF 85 f/1.8 USM $20
EF 100 f/2 USM $20
EF 135 f/2L USM $25
EF 200 f/2.8L IIUSM $35
EF 300 f/4L IS USM $45
EF 400 f/5.6L USM $45
EF-S 10-22 f/3.5-4.5 USM $15
EF 16-35 f/2.8L USM $50
EF 17-40 f/4L USM $45
EF-S 17-85 f/4-5.6 IS USM $15
EF 24-70 f/2.8L USM $50
EF 24-105 f/4L IS USM $50
EF 28-135 f/3.5-5.6 IS USM $20
EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS USM $50
EF 70-200 f/2.8L USM $45
EF 70-200 f/4L USM $35
70-300 f/4-5.6 III USM $10
EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS USM $40
EF 15 f/2.8 Fisheye $30
EF-S 60 f/2.8 macro USM $10
EF 100 f/2.8 Macro USM $30
EF 180 f/3.5L Macro USM $50
Speedlite 580EX $15
Speedlite 430EX $10
Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX $30
Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX $15
There is no rebate on the 1DsII or the 1DIIN, but when purchased with other items, those other items will get double rebates.
Edited by nathanlake on Oct 07, 2006 at 02:47 PM GMT
Edited by nathanlake on Oct 07, 2006 at 06:04 PM GMT
Edited by nathanlake on Oct 07, 2006 at 06:17 PM GMT
Edited by nathanlake on Oct 08, 2006 at 02:11 PM GMT
A couple weeks ago I told you about an Expo taking place near Seattle and that Canon would have sales and tech reps there. I solicited your questions and comments to take to the reps....here is my report.
ADDITIONAL INFO AS OF SUNDAY - OCTOBER 8TH - See HIGLIGHTED TEXT INSERTED BELOW
Upcoming announcment schedule - All new product announcements for 2006 have been made. There will be no further new products announced until March of 2007.
Expaned ISO - Expanding the ISO range (on the cameras that do this) does not impact the normal ISO range at all. Making this a custom setting is purely a safety issue to prevent the expanded range from being used accidentally. There is a loss of image quality when using the expanded ISOs. On the slow end (ISO 50) there is a significant decrease in the dynamic range that the sensor can capture.
Mirror lock up - The tech rep says he hears this more than any other single request. What he expects to happen is that the new "Custom" setting on the 5D (30D? - I am not sure which he said) will be included in most future Canon bodies and "might" include a setting for mirror lockup. He claims there is some issue with the way the mirror is lifted (electronic rather than mechanical) that makes a simple button for that purpose a problem. I did not get any other details.
Future of EF-S lenses - The 1.6x sensor is expected to remain as the entry level Canon DSLR sensor due to the realtively low cost of making it. Therefore, there will be further EF-S lenses and continued support, but there will never be as many EF-S lenses as there are EF.
"L" series EF-S lens - By definition, this can never be made. Part of the L-series requirement is that it be usable on a FF sensor. The current EF-S line has optics equivalent to the L-series, but without the heavy duty construction and weather seals.
Foveon-like sensor - The rep was not aware of any immediate plans to build a Canon DSLR with a foveon-like sensor, but said he would probably not be made aware even if they had such plans. He did say that Canon owns a patent on a Foveon-like design and that some research had been done on this sensor type.
CMOS vs CCD - Canon believes that CMOS is inherently superior to CCD and has no plans to change. The CMOS sensor design removes noise at the sensor level. The CCD design requires that all noise is removed by software in the processor and is therefore noisier. Expect further reduction in noise levels at high ISO in future bodies.
Emulating in-camera processing - The "Raw Image Task" software, which he describes as the "slowest RAW converter on the planet" is capable of perfectly emulating the in-camera processing from RAW to JPG for any Canon DSLR. He does not recommend the RIT software for day-to-day work, but does suggest that you use it to play with RAW images in order to decide how picture styles in the 5D and 1DIIN should be configured.
RAW image conversions - The rep again stated that Canon does not divulge its RAW image color tags to any other software vendor (i.e. Adobe, Capture One, etc) and strongly recommends that for best color reproductoin you use Canon DPP for conversion and then Adobe PS for other post-processing.
Sensor cleaning - The rep stated very clearly and without hesitation that Canon will clean the sensor on any Canon DSLR purchased from an authorized Canon dealer ONE TIME for free. You just pay shipping. After that one time, it is $30.
Sensor dust - It is expected that the automatic sensor cleaning on the XTi will be include in most future Canon DSLR products. It appears to be working even better than expected.
In-body IS - Canon has no plans at all for an in-body IS. The reason for this is that the IS mechanism they use is customized based upon lens length. The longer the lens, the more correction is required. There is insufficient room in the current DSLR body designs to do IS for longer lenses.
IS in the new 70-200 f/4 - Suposedly gives 4 stops worth of stabilization when handheld and SHOULD be left on when tripod mounted. It somehow senses the lack of movement from being on a tripod and adjusts itself for even greater stability.
Canon production scheme - When Canon starts producing a new body, they make a certain number a day, every day through the life of the body. Sort of a "just-in-time" production scheme. They do not hold huge stockpiles of the bodies. That is not true for lenses. When they start making a new lens, they will make 6-8 years worth in the first year of production and then stop. This means that new lenses come out less often than new bodies. They estimate they can do about 4 new lenses a year at most.
I questioned the rep more about the Canon production scheme for lenses. He backtracked from what he said yesterday and now is uncertain of the production timetable for producing lenses.
Turning off camera before removing lens - Some people claim that you should turn off the body when you remove the lense so that the sensor is discharged and will not attract dust. This is not necessary. Even through the camera stays on when you remove a lens, the sensor is discharged automatically as soon as the pins lose contact.
Rebates - The fall rebates for 2006 will be available starting next week (October 15th). For this show only they will apply to anything purchased today or tomorrow. I have the complete list. As in the past, if you buy one rebated item, you get the standard rebate. If you buy 2 or more, you get double the rebate on each item. Here they are....
Canon 5D $300
Canon 30D $100
EF 20 f/2.8 USM $20
EF 28 f/1.8 USM $40
EF 50 f/1.4 USM $20
EF 85 f/1.2 II USM $50
EF 85 f/1.8 USM $20
EF 100 f/2 USM $20
EF 135 f/2L USM $25
EF 200 f/2.8L IIUSM $35
EF 300 f/4L IS USM $45
EF 400 f/5.6L USM $45
EF-S 10-22 f/3.5-4.5 USM $15
EF 16-35 f/2.8L USM $50
EF 17-40 f/4L USM $45
EF-S 17-85 f/4-5.6 IS USM $15
EF 24-70 f/2.8L USM $50
EF 24-105 f/4L IS USM $50
EF 28-135 f/3.5-5.6 IS USM $20
EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS USM $50
EF 70-200 f/2.8L USM $45
EF 70-200 f/4L USM $35
70-300 f/4-5.6 III USM $10
EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS USM $40
EF 15 f/2.8 Fisheye $30
EF-S 60 f/2.8 macro USM $10
EF 100 f/2.8 Macro USM $30
EF 180 f/3.5L Macro USM $50
Speedlite 580EX $15
Speedlite 430EX $10
Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX $30
Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX $15
There is no rebate on the 1DsII or the 1DIIN, but when purchased with other items, those other items will get double rebates.
Edited by nathanlake on Oct 07, 2006 at 02:47 PM GMT
Edited by nathanlake on Oct 07, 2006 at 06:04 PM GMT
Edited by nathanlake on Oct 07, 2006 at 06:17 PM GMT
Edited by nathanlake on Oct 08, 2006 at 02:11 PM GMT