Posts Tagged ‘EOS’

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Seminar: Canon Cinema EOS System in TV Production by Alexander Buono from Saturday Night Live

Saturday, July 7th, 2012

Thanks to Canon’s invitation, I got to attend this interesting talk by the Director of Photography for Saturday Night Live Film Unit.

Alexander Buono shared his insights and experiences from his tight weekly schedule and workflow for shooting the longest running series in American TV.

* All photos taken with a handheld smartphone.

Alexander Buono from Saturday Night Live on TV production using Canon Cinema EOS.

Alexander Buono from Saturday Night Live on TV production using Canon Cinema EOS.

At the Lido Cineplex in Singapore, Buono gave some very down to earth and pragmatic tips and shared the setups and settings that he uses with his Canon equipment.

One of Alex Bruno's setups.

One of Alex Bruno’s setups.

Buono related how he began shooting for the popular Saturday Night Live (SNL) program in 1999 using film.

In 2009, he began using the Canon EOS 5D Mk II, before including the EOS 7D and Cinema EOS C300 in his digital video inventory.

Some interesting nuggets from his presentation and Q&A below.

To better understand and play with what the settings on the Canon EOS C300, check out the C300 Menu Simulator which emulates the menu system on the camera.

Alex Buono's rig

Alex Buono’s rig

If you’re into shooting video, here are some people to follow on Twitter.

The Hobbit was shot in 5k 3D video at 48fps, while James Cameron’s next installment of Avatar is being shot in 5k 3D video at 60fps.

These will likely look hyper-realistic, departing from the more surrealistic feel of film.

Buono recommends shooting at 24fps for the film look, even though videos for TV are typically shot at 30fps.

Another of Buono's setups

Another of Buono’s setups

Buono recommends keeping the shutter speed constant throughout a shoot. A good setting would be the reciprocal of twice the frame rate for the shoot.

So for a video shot at 24fps, a good shutter speed to use would be 1/48 second.

Overall, it was an interesting session for the attendees who packed Hall 5 of the cinema in which the workshop was held.

Alex Buono attended the School of Cinematic Arts under the University of Southern California, majoring in film production and still photography.

Alex Buono, Director of Photography for Saturday Night Live Film Unit.

Alex Buono, Director of Photography for Saturday Night Live Film Unit.

He spent his early post-college years as camera crew for studio films including Twister, Conspiracy Theory and Armageddon, learning from top ASC cinematographers and personal mentors like Don Burgess and John Schwartzman.

He soon became Director of Photography of the Saturday Night Live Film Unit.

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Posted in Cameras, Canon, DSLR, EOS, Events, Gadgets, Lens, Seminars, TV, Videocams | 1 Comment »

TODAY! Canon EOS 650D body, Kit 1 and 40mm pancake lens hits the shelves

Thursday, June 14th, 2012

Instead of end-June, the Canon EOS 650D Body and Kit 1 (EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II lens) are now available. The new EF40mm f/2.8 STM lens also hits the shelves today at S$299.

Canon EOS 650D Kit 1 (with EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II lens).

Canon EOS 650D Kit 1 (with EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II lens).

The Canon EOS 650D Kit II (with EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens) and the new EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens are still not available yet.

Canon EF40mm f/2.8 STM lens

Canon EF40mm f/2.8 STM lens

Available from today
Canon EOS 650D
Body S$1,149
Kit 1 S$1,299
EF40mm S$299

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Posted in Availability, Cameras, Canon, DSLR, EOS, Gadgets, Lens, Prices, Specifications | No Comments »

Two new Canon lenses: EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM and EF 40mm f/2.8 STM

Sunday, June 10th, 2012

Together with the launch of the new touch-screen EOS 650D DSLR, Canon is launching two new EF lenses. (Pricing & Availability to be announced later).

Canon EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens

Canon EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens

The Canon EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM features reduced chromatic aberration with the inclusion of one UD lens element and one PMo aspherical lens element.

When used with the Movie Servo AF of the Canon EOS 650D, it also offers smooth, speedy and quiet focusing while recording.

This is achieved with the development of a new six-group zoom system, and the adoption of a stepping motor and focus mechanism.

Along with it, the Dynamic IS system features an expanded correction range, with image stabilization equivalent to 4 stops of light, which proves very useful when shooting subjects on the move.

Canon EF40mm f/2.8 STM lens

Canon EF40mm f/2.8 STM lens

The EF40mm f/2.8 STM comes in an ultra-compact and lightweight design, with a diameter of 68.2mm, a thickness of 22.8mm and weighing 130g, making it the slimmest and lightest EF lens produced.

A fast f/2.8 aperture, 7-blade circular aperture and aspherical lens elements enable the lens to achieve a high level of image quality from centre to corner.

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Posted in Announce, Canon, Gadgets, Lens | 2 Comments »

New DSLR: Canon EOS 650D

Friday, June 8th, 2012

Canon has unveiled the EOS 650D, its entry-level DSLR that will replace the current EOS 600D. The 18-megapixel shooter will be available at the end of June (prices within).

Update (13 June, 2012):

Instead of end-June, the EOS 650D Body and Kit 1 will be available from tomorrow. The new EF40mm f/2.8 STM lens will also be available from tomorrow at S$299.

Canon EOS 650D has 18 megapixels and a touch screen monitor.

Canon EOS 650D has 18 megapixels and a touch screen monitor.

Canon boasts that the EOS 650D is the world’s first DSLR with a touch screen monitor.

The EOS 650D features a continuous AF (autofocus) Servo and the powerful DICIG 5 imaging processor.

Price & Availability of the Canon EOS 650D

Body only

  • S$1,149
  • end-June
  • 14 June
Kit 1 (EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II lens)

  • S$1,299
  • end-June
  • 14 June
Kit II (with EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens)

  • S$1,699
  • mid-July

Other enhancements include a wider ISO range from ISO 100 to 12,800 (expandable to 25,600), Multi Shot Noise Control, Handheld Night Scene, HDR Backlight Control, 9 cross-type AF points within 31 AF zones, and a Hybrid CMOS AF System.

I tried out the camera during the launch event at Klapsons The Boutique Hotel in Singapore.

It’s a nifty shooter for the amateur photographer looking to take his/her photography to the next level.

The EOS 650D can shoot continuously at 5 frames per second.

The continuous AF Servo was smooth and noiseless – a boon for those who zoom in and out while shooting video and don’t want the noise to be recorded.
“We are confident that the EOS 650D will be a compelling choice for amateurs looking to bring their photography to the next level,” said Andrew Koh, Senior Director and General Manager of the Consumer Imaging and Information Products Group, Canon Singapore.
What’s more, the autofocus continues working when zooming in and out, rather than stay on the original focus distance at the commencement of video recording.

Along with the EOS 650D, Canon also introduced two new lenses, the EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM and the EF40mm f/2.8mm STM, featuring a stepping motor for fast and quiet autofocusing.

Pricing & availability for these two lenses will be announced later.

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Posted in Cameras, Canon, DSLR, EOS, Gadgets, Lens, Prices, Specifications | 2 Comments »

What’s better than a Canon EOS-1D X? Ans: A Canon EOS-1D C!

Friday, April 13th, 2012

Canon has announced the EOS-1D C, a DSLR capable of recording video at 4K resolution (4,096 x 2,160 pixels) at a frame rate of 24p, or Full HD resolution (1,920×1,080 pixels) at 60p – whilst retaining the still image shooting prowess of the EOS-1D X.

This new flagship DSLR will be available from end October this year (prices TBA).

Canon EOS-1D C, flagship DSLR with 4K video - available in October 2012.

Canon EOS-1D C, flagship DSLR with 4K video - available in October 2012.

The Canon EOS-1D C is designed for use in motion picture, television and other high-resolution digital production industries.

The DSLR provides its users a physically compact yet digitally powerful machine to meet the high demands of today’s production standards.

The Canon EOS-1D C records 4K resolution video (4,096 x 2,160 pixels) at a frame rate of 24p, with 8-bit Motion JPEG compression, cropped to an APS-H-equivalent angle of view.

It can also record Full HD video (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) at a maximum frame rate of 60p, answering the demanding needs of industry professionals.

In addition, the EOS-1D C allows for efficient workflow during production and post-production, with features within the firmware and the accompanying software suite.

Connections panel on one side of the camera.

Connections panel on one side of the camera.

The camera records all video, including 4K, directly to the inserted CF card without having to use peripheral equipment such as external storage devices, bringing increased mobility to its user.

When required, captured video (excluding 4K video) can be output to an external recorder via an HDMI terminal, using an uncompressed YCbCr 4:2:2 signal.

For motion-picture productions, the camera incorporates a Super 35mm crop function, enabling video to be recorded in the industry-standard 35mm angle of view.

The Canon Log Gamma enables the recording of high-quality video with rich gradation expression.

This produces the impressive image quality required in motion-pictures by minimizing both shadow detail loss and highlight detail loss while retaining a high level of color-grading freedom.

Top view of the Canon EOS-1D C

Top view of the Canon EOS-1D C

The EOS-1D C ships with software applications such as EOS Utility and Picture Style Editor.

Canon EOS-1D C body

Canon EOS-1D C body

EOS Utility allows a whole host of camera operations to be controlled via a PC, while the Picture Style Editor allows users to edit and register customized image settings in the camera.

These two applications enable real-time processes such as editing the picture style and confirming results on a monitor during set up or even on the shooting set, increasing production efficiency.

Playback software that ships with the camera allows 4K/Motion JPEG and Full HD video at 60p shot on the EOS-1D C to be output on an external monitor with no loss in image quality.

It also enables video shot with the Canon Log Gamma to be output on a monitor with video gamma applied.

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Posted in Announce, Cameras, Canon, DSLR, Gadgets, Photography, Specifications | No Comments »

Canon EOS 5D Mark III in Singapore on 17 March

Thursday, March 15th, 2012

The Canon EOS 5D Mark III will be available at all authorised Canon dealers on Saturday, 17 March. Body only: S$4,699. Body + Kit lens: S$5,999. The kit lens will be the EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM.

 

The Canon EOS 5D Mark III will hit Singapore stores on 17 March, Saturday.

The Canon EOS 5D Mark III will hit Singapore stores on 17 March, Saturday.

Globally launched two weeks ago, the 22.3-megapixel DSLR from Canon will hit the stores in Singapore this Saturday – two days from now.

The online estimate of US$3,500 for the body turned out to be rather accurate.

The BG-E11 battery grip will be only be available in end April.

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Posted in Availability, Cameras, Canon, DSLR, Gadgets, Lens, Photography, Prices | No Comments »

IT Show 2012 promotions: Canon

Thursday, March 8th, 2012

Canon will be at IT Show 2012 in Suntec Singapore at Level 4, Hall 404, Booth 8101; with its entire range of digital imaging products. 5 cameras and one professional printer are also making their debuts at the show today.

Six new Canon products are debutting in IT Show 2012: Power Shot G1 X ($999), IXUS 125 HS ($399), PowerShot A4000 IS ($299), PowerShot A3400 IS ($249), PowerShot A2300 IS ($179), PIXMA PRO-1 ($1,399).

Canon has 5 new cameras and 1 new professional printer debuting in IT Show 2012

The new Canon products that are making their debuts at the IT Show 2012 are:

  • Power Shot G1 X ($999)
  • IXUS 125 HS ($399)
  • PowerShot A4000 IS ($299)
  • PowerShot A3400 IS ($249)
  • PowerShot A2300 IS ($179)
  • PIXMA PRO-1 ($1,399)

Below is a PDF compilation of Canon’s IT Show 2012 flyers for the following categories of products:

  • EOS & LEGRIA
  • Inkjet & Scanners
  • Inks
  • Laserjet
  • PowerShot & IXUS
  • Projectors

(more…)

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Posted in Cameras, Canon, Compact camera, DSLR, Events, Exhibition, Gadgets, IXUS, Photography, PIXMA, PowerShot, Prices, Printers, Projectors, Promotions, Specifications | 2 Comments »

New DSLR: Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Friday, March 2nd, 2012

The much awaited 22.3-megapixel camera will be available towards end of this month with prices to be announced (online estimate US$3,500). The BG-E11 battery grip will be available in end April.

Update (15 March 2012):

The Canon EOS 5D Mark III will be available at all authorised Canon dealers on Saturday, 17 March at the following prices.

  • EOS 5D Mark III body: S$4,699
  • EOS 5D Mark III kit (body + lens*): S$5,999
    *kit lens: EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM

The earlier online estimates turned out rather spot-on.

The Canon EOS 5D Mark III was launched globally today.

The Canon EOS 5D Mark III was launched globally today.

The EOS 5D Mark III at today's launch.

The EOS 5D Mark III at today's launch.

Canon has launched today the third DSLR in the EOS 5D series.

The worldwide launch was synchronised with that in Japan and other countries at 1pm Singapore time, at Ion Sky.

The original EOS 5D (first full frame DSLR) was launched in 2005 while the EOS 5D Mark II (first HD video capable DSLR) was launched in 2008.

Main features

The Canon EOS 5D Mark III with the EF 24-105 zoom lens.

The Canon EOS 5D Mark III with the EF 24-105 zoom lens.

– 36 x 24mm full frame CMOS sensor
– 22.3 megapixels
– 6 frames-per-second
– DIGIC 5+ processor
– ISO 100 – 25,600 (expandable to 50 – 102,400)
– Improved 61-point auto-focus system.

Additional features

– Multiple Exposures
– High Dynamic Range (HDR) shooting
– 1080P30 HD video
– 100% viewfinder coverage
– CF & SD (incl SDXC) cards
– In-camera optical corrections such as distortion, peripheral illumination, chromatic aberration.

The exterior design and layout is similar to the EOS 7D but it has inherited many of the new features introduced late last year in Canon’s flagship EOS-1D X, such as the 61-point auto-focus (AF) system.

The much awaited Canon EOS 5D Mark III.

The much awaited Canon EOS 5D Mark III.

This is a great enhancement over thE 9-point AF system of the previous two EOS 5Ds.

On top of that, 41 of the AF points are cross-type points, with the central five diagonally sensitive.

Canon also boasts that there has been a 2-stop improvement in low-light performance – so ISO 25,600 would have as little noise as ISO 6,400 previously.

The new Digic 5+ in the 5D Mark III is 17 times faster than the Digic 4 processor in the 5D Mark II.

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Posted in Cameras, Canon, DSLR, Events, Gadgets, Launch | 1 Comment »

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