AWU

Pre-PMA 2006: Canon has today announced an interesting new constant aperture 'digital' (EF-S) lens. The new EF-S 17 - 55 mm F2.8 IS is designed specifically for the dimensions of a 'cropped sensor' (1.6x crop) and hence can be made smaller than a 35 mm equivelant lens. It features a maximum aperture of F2.8 throughout the zoom range which means it's a faster alternative to other EF-S lenses. On an EOS 30D this lens would provide a 27.2 - 88 mm equivelant field of view. This lens should be available in May for approx. US$1150.



FOR 20D, 30D, 300D & 350D ONLY

Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 21 February, 2006: Canon today strengthens its EF-S lens series with the Image Stabilized wide angle EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM. With image quality and construction approaching that of Canon’s renowned professional lenses, the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM becomes the fastest standard focal length zoom for EF–S mount cameras such as the new EOS 30D. Combining constant f/2.8 aperture throughout the zoom range with Canon’s latest 3-stop Image Stabilizer, it delivers outstanding wide angle performance and framing flexibility in low light conditions. Specialist optics such as UD glass and aspherical elements help deliver exceptional clarity, sharpness, contrast and colour accuracy.

EF-S mount
The lens fits exclusively on those EOS cameras with an EF–S lens mount – the new EOS 30D, EOS 350D, and earlier EOS 20D and 300D models. (see appendix ‘Technologies Explained for further information on the EF–S mount). The 1.6x multiplication effect of these cameras’ APS-C size sensor gives the lens an effective focal length of approximately 27-88mm.

Image quality
To improve image clarity over the total image area, two Ultra-Low Dispersion glass (UD) elements are employed to eliminate secondary chromatic aberrations that otherwise reduce sharpness and introduce colour fringing. To ensure crisp, high contrast from one corner of the frame to the other, two aspherical lens elements have been introduced to avoid spherical aberrations that can soften images, especially at wider apertures. In combination with digital EOS CMOS sensor and DIGIC II image processor technologies, the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM delivers image quality surpassing that required for many commercial applications.

Fixed f/2.8 from 17 - 55mm
Superb optical quality with no change in aperture over the full focal length range allows photographers to set exposure at the widest aperture and concentrate on framing, without concern for adjusting shutter speed at longer focal lengths. The lens employs an almost perfectly circular barrel aperture, helping create attractive, even background blur.

Image Stabilizer
The lens features Canon’s latest 3-stop Image Stabilizer (IS) for dramatically reduced image blur caused by camera shake. IS significantly extends scope for shooting in low light conditions without flash, or for gaining depth of field. The 3-stop advantage allows a photographer shooting in low light to use a shutter speed of just 1/15 sec instead of 1/125, with no perceptible increase in image blur.

IS automatically detects when the camera is mounted on a tripod, thus preventing feedback loops between the IS sensor and stabilizer motor vibrations.

(See more information on Image Stabilizer, see appendix ‘Technologies Explained’).

Fast, silent auto-focus
The lens’ USM motor employs ultrasonic frequency vibrations to drive auto focus with speed and near-silent operation. The constant torque motor moves the focus group at high speed, stopping with precision, accuracy and without overshoot the instant the lens arrives at the correct focus point. Photographers can switch to manual focus instantly and at any time simply by moving the manual focus ring without first having to switch out of auto focus mode.

Harmful reflections eliminated
By optimising Super Spectra lens coatings and lens element shaping, Canon’s engineers have been effective in suppressing flare and ghosting – more prone to occur with digital cameras due to reflection off the image sensor. By increasing light absorption, coatings reduce reflections off lens element surfaces to deliver crisp, undistorted images with natural colour balance.

EOS system integration
When used in conjunction with Canon’s range of EX Speedlite flash units and the internal flash of the EOS 350D, EOS 20D and new EOS 30D, the lens passes distance information to the E-TTL II flash algorithm to improve flash exposure metering.

An optional lens hood, made exclusively for the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM, and pouch are available.

In keeping with Canon’s Kyosei philosophy of living in harmony with the environment, the lens features only lead-free glass.

Technologies Explained

EF-S lens mount
The compact APS-C size sensor of select EOS cameras such as the EOS 30D, EOS 20D, EOS 350D and EOS 300D has paved the way for a range of relatively compact and lightweight EF-S mount lenses. These lenses project a smaller image circle than would otherwise be necessary to cover a full frame sensor or a frame of 35mm film. The ‘S’ in the EF‑S nomenclature stands for the term ‘short back focus’. This describes the system that allows for both a smaller image circle and positioning of the rear lens element closer than normal to the camera’s sensor.

Cameras with an EF-S lens mount can accept both EF lenses and EF-S lenses, while EF-S lenses can only fit to cameras with an EF-S lens mount. A white lens mount index differentiates the lens from other EF lenses, which retain their traditional red marking. A rear rubber ring prevents any damage in the event that an inadvertent attempt is made to mount an EF-S lens to a camera with an EF mount.

Image Stabilizer
IS works by using gyro sensors and circuitry to detect and measure unwanted vibrations. Tiny servo motors then create corresponding movement of a correcting lens group perpendicular to the optical axis. This alters the light path, returning the image to its correct position on the sensor or film plane. Unwanted movement is corrected fast enough to suppress effectively the vibrations of moving vehicles and aircraft such as helicopters.

[ Last edited by AWU on 2006-2-22 at 03:16 AM ]

AWU

Canon has today announced the 'Mark II' version of its (monster) professional EF 85 mm F1.2 L II lens. This new version includes improvements to auto focus speed and communication of distance information for use with the E-TTL II flash metering algorithm. This lens should be available in March for approx. US$2100.



Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 21 February, 2006: Canon today releases its latest professional L-series prime lens: the exceptionally fast EF 85mm f/1.2 II USM. With the widest aperture of any lens in the current EF range, the new model becomes Canon’s definitive portraiture lens, offering extremely fine control over depth of field and consummate low light performance. With vastly improved auto focus speed, the lens replaces the popular EF 85mm f/1.2L USM. As with all L-series lenses, the EF 85mm f/1.2 II USM incorporates the very finest standards of precision optics.

EF 85mm f/1.2 II USM - €2,049

The EF 85mm f/1.2 II USM features:
Canon’s finest standards of image quality
Latest Ultrasonic Motor (USM) for fast and near silent auto focus
Full-time electronic manual focus override
Super Spectra coatings and optimised lens element shaping to suppress flare and ghosting
Large circular aperture diaphragm for good background bokeh and ‘removal’ of distracting backgrounds
Distance information passed back to the new E-TTL II flash algorithm of all current model digital EOS cameras
Lens hood and pouch included in the box
L-series construction

The L-series is Canon’s flagship professional lens range, designed and built to meet the needs of the most demanding professional photographers. The superb optics of the EF 85mm f/1.2 II USM and other L-series lenses represent the pinnacle of optical performance, enabling focal length/speed/quality combinations not readily attainable using traditional optical technologies.

Portrait photography
The combination of an almost circular aperture diaphragm for attractive bokeh (evenly graduated blurring of out-of-focus areas) and the extremely narrow depth of field at its widest aperture combine to make this an ideal portraiture and studio lens. With the lens’ aperture at f/1.2, photographers can create dramatic effects such as keeping a model’s eye sharp while blurring the eye lash ends.

Low light shooting
The maximum f/1.2 aperture is the widest in Canon’s current range and provides for shooting in low light conditions without the need for flash or slow shutter speeds. With improved auto-focus speed from Canon’s latest Ring-type Ultrasonic Motor (USM), the lens is expected to be popular with professional photographers shooting indoor sports. The USM holds the lens with precision and accuracy, the instant it arrives at the correct focus and without overshoot, and features full-time electronic manual focus override*. Super-fine control over depth of field afforded by the lens’ large aperture allows sports photographers to deliberately ‘blur out’ crowds, hoardings and other distracting backgrounds.

Aspheric element
Wide aperture lenses using traditionally manufactured elements suffer from spherical aberration which causes an overall softening and optical ‘smearing’ of the image. To ensure high corner-to-corner sharpness and contrast of in-focus subjects throughout the focus range and at wide apertures, the

EF 85mm f/1.2 II USM incorporates a large aspherical lens element with precise variable curvature and a floating group construction.

Super Spectra coatings
In addition to optimised lens shaping to reduce reflections and the use of anti-reflective material inside the lens barrel, the EF 85mm f/1.2 II USM employs Canon’s patented Super Spectra lens element coatings. These suppress flare and ghosting – more prone to occur with digital cameras due to reflection off the image sensor. By increasing light absorption, coatings reduce reflections off lens element surfaces to deliver crisp, undistorted images with natural colour balance.

E-TTL II flash integration
The EF 85mm f/1.2 II USM transmits distance information to the E-TTL II flash system of all current model digital EOS cameras, improving flash exposure metering when used in conjunction with Canon’s range of EX Speedlite flash units.

The EF 85mm f/1.2 II USM comes with a cylindrical lens hood and lens pouch.

In keeping with Canon’s Kyosei philosophy of living in harmony with the environment, the lens features only lead-free glass.

* With P, Av, Tv and M camera modes only

AWU

似乎防手震功能將會成為小型 DC 的一個新標準，繼 Canon 剛剛發表設有 IS 防震的 IXUS 800 IS 後，Nikon 亦於 PMA 前推出新的 VR 防手震相機 Coolpix P3 和 P4，兩部新機同時擁有 810 萬像的 CCD，3.5 倍 VR 防手震鏡頭，2.5" LCD 螢幕，而 P3 更提供 Wi-Fi 無線傳相功能。小巧輕便的機身和強大的功能，加上比對手有更高的像素，相信全新 P 系不難成為大家的選擇。





Nikon Coolpix P3 / P4 特點包括︰
810 萬有效像素 1/1.8 吋 CCD。
使用 3.5 倍 VR 防手震變焦 Nikkor 36-126mm f/2.7 - 5.3 鏡頭。
VR 防手震設有 Normal 及 Active 兩種模式，前者可以防止一般情況下之手震，後者可以抵消頻繁、密集的震動（如乘車）。
4cm 微距拍攝。
11 點寬區對焦。
配備 2.5" 150,000 像素 LCD。
640 x 480 @ 30 fps 無間斷有聲影片拍攝 (MOV 格式)。
內置 23MB 記憶體。
使用專用鋰電: EN-EL5，可拍攝大約 200張。
ISO 感光度可選擇 50/100/200/400。
1.8 fps 連拍 5 張。
無線傳輸功能︰IEEE 802.11b/g (僅 P3 提供)。
尺寸︰92 x 61 x 31mm。
重量︰170 g。

AWU

細機的鏡頭設計往往因為要遷就機身的大小而不能同時擁有高倍 Zoom 和廣角焦距，上一代的 R3 經已打破了這些極限，成為最細而同時有 7.1X 光學變焦及 28mm 廣角的相機。今次 Ricoh 推出的 R4 就沿用 R3 這支優良的鏡頭，而 CCD 則用上比 R3 高的 600 萬像級數，同時 2.5" LCD 亦用上比較高清晰度的 150,000 萬像。功能方面，不少得的當然是 Ricoh 的 VC 光學防手震，令快門在比較慢的時候仍舊可以拍得到 Sharp 的影像，另外 R4 還加入了 3:2 的相片格式，曬相時大家不再需要擔心 Cut 頭 Cut 腳的問題。電源方面，R4 用上和 R3 相同的 DB-60 鋰電池，但電力維持更長，一枚 DB-60 可以一口氣拍下 330 張相片。細機身加上高倍廣角 Zoom，相信會成為不少玩家的心水選擇。



Ricoh Caplio R4 特點包括︰
配備一枚 1/2.5" 600 萬像 CCD。
採用 7.1x VC 防手震光學變焦鏡頭，等效焦距 28mm - 200mm；最大光圈 f/3.3 - f/4.8。
無間斷有聲影片拍攝；320 x 240 @ 30fps。
1cm 微距拍攝。
ISO 感光度可選擇 64/100/200/400/800。
使用 DB-60 鋰電池，一次充電可拍攝約 330 張。
使用 SD 記憶卡，擁有 26 MB 內置記憶。
尺寸︰95 x 53 x 26 mm。
重量︰135 g