Archive for the ‘Lens’ Category

Nikon launches 6 new cameras in Singapore

Thursday, August 23rd, 2012

Nikon spearheaded its Autumn 2012 collection of cameras with 6 new cameras, 1 lens and 1 waterproof casing. Among these cameras are the super compact S01 and the Android-equipped S800c.

All will be available in September. Prices TBA.

Update (4 September, 2012):

The COOLPIX L610 is now available in Singapore at S$339.

Nikon launched 6 new cameras and accessories in Singapore to spearhead its Autumn 2012 collection.

Nikon launched 6 new cameras and accessories in Singapore to spearhead its Autumn 2012 collection.

Most camera launches roll out more of the same, with slight improvements in features or specifications.

The Nikon P7700 is the new flagship of the COOLPIX lineup. 12.2MP, 7.1x Zoom, f/2.0-4.0 lens.

The Nikon P7700 is the new flagship of the COOLPIX lineup. 12.2MP, 7.1x Zoom, f/2.0-4.0 lens.

So its most refreshing to see Nikon trying to innovate by launching cameras that genuinely push the boundaries.

My favourite among the slew of cameras launched in Singapore today is the S01.

You’ve got to see it to believe it and you’ve got to handle it to appreciate it.

The S01 is smaller than a credit card!

It’s thicker than the card of course, but it’s like one of those charms people dangle from their keychains, although I wouldn’t want the camera slamming against the dashboard as I drive.

And people with big hands might not appreciate the compactness as much.

The Nikon COOLPIX S01 is smaller than a credit card. 10.1MP, 3x Zoom, 77 x 51.2 x 17.2mm

The Nikon COOLPIX S01 is smaller than a credit card. 10.1MP, 3x Zoom, 77 x 51.2 x 17.2mm

It’s a bold step for Nikon to take – pushing the limits of camera miniaturisation.

Nikon COOLPIX L610 has 16MP and 14x Zoom.

Nikon COOLPIX L610 has 16MP and 14x Zoom.

I’m sure smartphone makers would be very keen to adopt some of the technologies developed to make their smartphone cameras perform even better.

Already, these camera phones are encroaching into the market share of compact cameras with the only difference being image quality, which is made up for by the convenience of having the smartphone camera being available and handy at all times.

I won’t be surprised if some of Nikon’s sub-contractors are already talking to smartphone makers on possible collaborations.

The Nikon COOLPIX S800c runs Android 2.3 and has Wi-Fi connectivity.

The Nikon COOLPIX S800c runs Android 2.3 and has Wi-Fi connectivity.

On the same front, Nikon is hitting back at the smartphone camera sector with the S800c – a compact camera with an Android OS (2.3) and Wi-Fi connectivity.

So you can use photo-editing apps (such as Photoshop, Instagram and PicsArt) from the Google Play store to edit photos taken with the camera, and share it online on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter.

You can also use any of the other 500,000 apps on the Google Play for gaming or other purposes.

The Nikon COOLPIX S6400 has 16MP and 12x Zoom

The Nikon COOLPIX S6400 has 16MP and 12x Zoom

What the S800c doesn’t have yet is 3G connectivity, to give it 3G data connectivity in case there’s no Wi-Fi connectivity.

Who knows, you might even see a Nikon camera-phone (in that order) in the future!

The other products launched today are more run-of-the-mill cameras and accessories.

These include three new compacts from the COOLPIX family: COOLPIX P7700, L610, and S6400.

The Nikon 1 J1 MIL camera has been upgraded to the J2, with new Creative Modes, a new 1 NIKKOR 11-27.5mm f/3.5/5.6 lens, and an Underwater Case.

The Nikon 1 J1 MIL camera has been upgraded to the J2, with new Creative Modes, a new 1 NIKKOR 11-27.5mm f/3.5/5.6 lens, and an Underwater Case.

For its mirrorless interchangeable lens line, Nikon has launched the Nikon 1 J2, 1 NIKKOR 11-27.5mm F/3.5-5.6 lens, and the Nikon 1 water proof case.

I’ll be posting more details of each camera so you can check the tech specs in those articles.

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.

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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.

Nikon to release 800mm super-telephoto lens

Thursday, July 12th, 2012

Nikon has announced that it will be introducing a new fixed focal length, super-telephoto 800mm NIKKOR lens. The lens will have a maximum aperture of f/5.6 and be compatible with Nikon FX-format cameras.

Schematic from a Nikon patent for the new lens.

Schematic from a Nikon patent for the new lens.

This lens will be on display at Photokina 2012 – one of the world’s largest photo and imaging exhibitions – which will be held in Cologne, Germany from September 18–23, 2012.

The discontinued Nikkor 800mm f/5.6 IF-ED.

The discontinued Nikkor 800mm f/5.6 IF-ED.

The patent for this new lens was filed in March 2010 and released October last year.

At the moment, the longest telephoto lens from Nikon is the AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4G ED VR.

Previously, there was the Nikkor 800mm f/5.6 IF-ED which was announced in September 1986 but discontinued in December 2005.

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.

New NIKKOR lenses: Nikon 24-85 lens and 18-300mm lenses

Thursday, June 14th, 2012

Nikon has announced, worldwide, two new NIKKOR lenses: AF-S NIKKOR 24-85mm F/3.5-4.5G ED and AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR. Pricing & availability TBA.

Nikon has more than 70 lenses in its NIKKOR range.

Nikon has more than 70 lenses in its NIKKOR range.

The AF-S NIKKOR 24-85mm F/3.5-4.5G ED is a compact, lightweight Nikon FX-format standard zoom lens suitable for a variety of shooting situations.

Nikon has produced more than 70 million NIKKOR lenses to date.

Nikon has produced more than 70 million NIKKOR lenses to date.

The AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR has the world’s highest 16.7x zoom ratio for an interchangeable zoom lens for DSLR cameras.

The total production of NIKKOR lenses for Nikon interchangeable lens cameras has reached 70 million at the end of May 2012.

The current NIKKOR brand offers a broad lineup of more than 70 lenses, including fisheye lenses, super wide-angle to super telephoto lenses, zoom lenses, Micro lenses, and PC-E lenses.

Read more about the two new lenses below.

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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

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.

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.

PC Show 2012 promotions: Nikon

Friday, June 8th, 2012

Nikon will be at the PC Show 2012 at Suntec Singapore at Level 4, Hall 401; and Level 6, Hall 603.

Nikon's PC Show 2012 promotions for compact digital cameras, DSLRs, MILs, lenses, and accessories.

Click on picture to view/download Nikon's PC Show 2012 brochures.

Here’s the brochure for Nikon’s PC Show 2012 promotions for compact digital cameras, DSLRs, MILs, lenses, and accessories.

Check out the Nikon 1 promotion where you can redeem up to $200 worth of Nikon 1 accessories with purchases of any Nikon 1 kit set.