Archive for the ‘EOS’ Category

New Android app: CanonSGLens

Thursday, August 16th, 2012

The Android version of the free CanonSGLens app is now available on Google Play.

The free CanonSGLens app is now available on both iOS and Android.

The free CanonSGLens app is now available on both iOS and Android.

The Android app features detailed lens specifications of all 66 Canon EF and EF-S lenses sold in Singapore with a unique interactive simulator that allows users to compare the field of view of two camera-lens combinations.

CanonSGLens Android app on Google Play.

CanonSGLens Android app on Google Play.

It also contains interactive educational content about depth of field and exposure, which is useful for DSLR users, whether they are beginners, amateurs or professionals.

The CanonSGLens for Android app now comes with 7 new lenses for users to test out. It is compatible with smartphones and tablets running Android 2.1 and up.

Canon Singapore first launched the CanonSGLens app for DSLR users as an iOS app on 22 December 2011.

Based on monthly averages, the app has been in the top 50 downloads for iPads and top 100 downloads for iPhones in the Photo and Video category.

(more…)

Live Event: “The Arrival of a New Milestone” – Canon launches the EOS M

Monday, July 23rd, 2012

After much anticipation and speculation, Canon has finally launched its first mirrorless interchangeable lens camera – the EOS M (79,800 yen including the EF-M 22mm f/2.0 STM lens).

It is the last of the major camera makers to join in the fray. The camera will be available in early October.

Canon's first mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, the EOS M. Available in four colours.

Canon’s first mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, the EOS M. Available in four colours. Looks like a typical compact camera?

14:00 The launch has ended. This marks the end of the Livecast. I’ll be adding photos and press releases of the EOS M as they become available.

Canon EOS M

Red Canon EOS M

13:50 The EOS M records Full HD video. Able to shoot at high maximum ISO of 6,400, and has Movie Servo AF (like in the EOS 650D) which enables continuous auto-focus during movie shooting.

Also comes with Video Snapshots feature (common in Canon LEGRIA camcorders), which records short video snippets of 2, 4 or 8 seconds, before stitching all of them sequentially into video snapshot albums.

13:40 Seven built-in creative filters: Graniny Black & White, Soft Focus, Toy Camera, Miniature, Art Bold, Water Paintin,g and Fish-eye filters.

White Canon EOS M, with 18.1MP APS-C CMOS sensor. To sell in Japan for 79,800 yen (S$1,280 including the EF-M 22mm f/2.0 STM lens).

White Canon EOS M, with 18.1MP APS-C CMOS sensor. To sell in Japan for 79,800 yen (S$1,280 including the EF-M 22mm f/2.0 STM lens).

13:30 Multi Shot Noise Reduction takes four consecutive shots, then merge and align into single shot (in-camera) for cleaner final image.

Black Canon EOS M, with an EF-M 22mm f/2.0 STM lens.

Black Canon EOS M, with an EF-M 22mm f/2.0 STM lens.

13:20 HDR Backlight Compensation brackets three shots and merges in-camera.

13:10 Multi FlexiZone AF divides the scene into 31 AF zones. Single FlexiZone allow users to move the AF point via the LCD touchscreen.

13:00 Hybrid CMOS AF system combines Phase-difference AF and Contrast AF. Face Tracking tracks moving objects by switching AF points.

12:50 The Speedlite 90EX is a compact and lightweight flashgun equipped with wireless master function via optical transmission.

Silver Canon EOS M with EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5/5.6 IS STM lens.

Silver Canon EOS M with EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5/5.6 IS STM lens.

12:40 Lenses launched together with the EOS M are the EF-M 18-55mm f3.5/5.6 IS STM and the EF-M 22mm f/2.0 STM. These lenses have been specially designed for this camera.

12:30 The Canon EOS M will be available in early October, local prices will be announced later, but the camera will go on sale in Japan from 79,800 yen (S$1,280 including the EF-M 22mm f/2.0 STM lens).

12:20 Weight 265 g. Dimensions: 108.6 x 66.5 x 32.3 mm. 3-inch Touch screen. Four colours available – black, red, silver and white.

12:10 18.1-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, DIGIC 5 imaging processor, ISO 12,800 (expandable up to ISO 25,600), 4 fps continuous shooting. Full compatibility with existing Canon EF/EF-S lenses with adapter (EF-EOS M) without any impact to FOV etc. Update: Canon tells Bloomberg that the adapter will cost about 12,000 yen – that’s about S$195.

12:00 Andrew fishes out the Canon EOS M from his pocket!

Andrew Koh fishes out the EOS M from his pocket. Koh is the Senior Director and General Manager of the Consumer Imaging and Information Products Group, Canon Singapore.

Andrew Koh fishes out the EOS M from his pocket. Koh is the Senior Director and General Manager of the Consumer Imaging and Information Products Group, Canon Singapore.

11:45 MC Gene Danker giving a run down of Canon history. Andrew Koh is going to make THE announcement now.

MC Gene Danker giving a run down of Canon history.

MC Gene Danker giving a run down of Canon history.

11:30 Lunch has started. Canon still tight-lipped about the product. But my sources tell me it’s a mirrorless indeed. I believe it’ll be able to leverage on the current system of Canon lenses.

11:25 Going up to Level 62 now to Stellar, 1-Altitude on top of OUB Centre.

11.00: Heading out to Canon’s event at Raffles Place, Singapore.

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.

Adventurer Khoo Swee Chiow to climb K2

Monday, June 25th, 2012

Singaporean adventurer and motivational speaker Khoo Swee Chiow will attempt to scale the summit of K2, the world’s second highest mountain, with the support of title sponsor Seagate Technology.

Khoo Swee Chiow will climb K2, one of the most notorious mountains in the world. Photo by Kevin Mayea.

Khoo Swee Chiow will climb K2, one of the most notorious mountains in the world. Photo by Kevin Mayea.

The Seagate K2 2012 expedition, from 20 June to 20 August, will see Khoo Swee Chiow join an international team of 13 climbers from China, South Korea, USA, Turkey, Macedonia, Serbia, Spain, Nepal and Singapore.

“Swee Chiow has shown incredible tenacity and determination in realizing his dreams. His expeditions have made it possible for him to instill confidence, leadership and excellence in thousands of people through motivational talks,” said BanSeng Teh, senior vice president and managing director for Asia Pacific & Japan, Seagate Technology.Khoo Swee Chiow and his team will be climbing the mountain along the Abruzzi Ridge, otherwise known as the Southeast Ridge, from the Pakistani border.

On this climb, Khoo Swee Chiow is taking Seagate Backup Plus hard drives to store and backup his photos, videos and journal files for him to share his story when he returns.

Seagate’s newly designed external storage – Backup Plus hard drives – deliver easy setup, one-click backup and the ability to save and share content on Facebook and Flickr.

In addition to Seagate Technology, they will be supported by other sponsors including Microsoft, Canon, Millet, Adventure21, Iridium, Energizer, Oakley, Touch&Print, Banana Boat, Powertraveller, GoPro and Meteorological Service Singapore.

“K2 will be the hardest climb of my life, much harder than Everest. After more than 20 years of climbing, I feel the time has come for me to give it a go,” said Khoo Swee Chiow, who first climbed Everest in 1998.Standing at an elevation of 8,611 metres above sea level, K2 is known for its high level of difficulty and notoriously high casualty rate.

It has a daunting death rate of 26 percent per ascent, six times higher than that of the world’s tallest mountain, Mount Everest.

To date, only 302 climbers have successfully reached K2’s peak, a number that pales in comparison to Everest’s 3,500.

TODAY! Canon EOS-1D X available in Singapore

Friday, June 22nd, 2012

Canon’s flagship DSLR is now available in Singapore at S$9,299 (body only).

Canon EOS-1D X is available in Singapore from today at S$9,299 (body only).

Canon EOS-1D X is available in Singapore from today at S$9,299 (body only).

First announced in October last year, the Canon EOS-1D X is now available in Singapore from today.

Key features include:

  • Record-breaking continuous shooting speed of 12 frames-per-second, making it the world’s fastest full-frame DSLR
  • New Dual DIGIC 5+ image processor
  • 18.1MP full-frame (35mm) sensor
  • Image noise control improved by 2 stops
  • Next generation high-density reticular 61-point AF system

Find out more about the Canon EOS-1D X here.

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

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.