31/08/2012 The iconic Hasselblad H4D-40 Ferrari Limited Edition camera has been nominated for the German Design Award ahead of the IFA (Internationale Funkausstellung) trade show for consumer electronics and home appliances (Aug 31-Sep 5).

 

Now the 21,499 Euro masterpiece will be exhibited at the Berlin show - the biggest of its kind in the world and visited by almost a quarter of a million people last year.

Hasselblad will sell just 499 units of its H4D-40 Ferrari Limited Edition which comes painted in Ferrari's own 'rosso fuoco' and sports the legendary Ferrari Racing Shield emblem. The camera itself boasts all the Hasselblad H4D-40 model features, including the company's world-acclaimed True Focus technology. It ships with an 80mm lens and its own, bespoke glass display box.

The German Design Award is the international premium prize of the Rat für Formgebung (German Design Council).

Uwe Moebus, Managing Director Hasselblad Germany said: "We are delighted to have been nominated in the 'Lifestyle' category of this prestigious design awards programme, which is celebrated and revered the world over for its commitment to product design excellence.

Just to be nominated is an honour in itself because you can't just submit entries to these awards. The German Design Council selects the product shortlist and its members are committed to the unassailable principle that design is a crucial component for business and cultural success."

"We teamed with a legendary supercar brand to engineer a supreme camera that not only looks stunning but provides the ultimate in quality and performance just as customers would expect from both Hasselblad and Ferrari."

The German Design Council runs a total of ten categories in its programme including Lifestyle which encompasses leisure, entertainment and communications technology. Other categories include: industrial goods and materials; architecture and interior design; audio-visual and digital media, print media, and transportation and public space.



Press Contact

Mavyreen Andres
Communication & Public Relations Department
Hasselblad
385 Centennial Avenue, Centennial Park
Elstree, Herts WD6 3TJ
United Kingdom

Phone: +44 (0) 20 8731 3253
E-Mail: press@hasselblad.com
Web:   www.hasselblad.com
 

Hasselblad and Broncolor Announce Free Studioday Tour

Hasselblad and Broncolor have teamed up for a new 8-venue UK-wide Studioday tour. The launch event, to be held on 10th Octoberat the Hasselblad Studio in Hoxton, London, will provide the first chance in the country for photographers to see latest Hasselblad and broncolor products. The eight Studiodays at venues from Glasgow to Exeter are completely free and open to any photographer interested in test driving Hasselblad/Broncolor equipment in a professional studio setting complete with professional fashion models. Click through / scroll down for exact dates, times and locations.
Hasselblad Press Release
Hasselblad and broncolor hit the road for free Studioday Tour with events from Glasgow to Exeter
30/08/2012 Hasselblad and broncolor are hitting the road this autumn for a new eight venue nationwide Studioday tour.
The launch event, to be held on Wednesday October 10 at the Hasselblad Studio, in Hoxton, London, will provide the first chance in the UK for photographers to see latest Hasselblad and broncolor products.
Mark Witney, Hasselblad Marketing Executive said: “The London Studioday will be the first opportunity for both UK press and photographer visitors to find out more about products to be unveiled by both companies at the photokina trade show 2012 in Cologne.
The eight Studiodays at venues from Glasgow to Exeter are completely free and open to any photographer interested in ‘test driving’ Hasselblad/broncolor equipment in a professional studio setting complete with professional fashion models.
Added Witney: “These special days provide a unique and totally sales-free, chilled out chance for photographers to test equipment and talk about their own workflow and shooting challenges with experts that will be on hand all day. These are perfect opportunities for photographers to get up close and personal with the world’s most advanced camera system.
We are travelling the country and the London Studioday agenda will be replicated at all venues so photographers not local to the capital will miss nothing - they can just catch us at the nearest event to them.”
The autumn Studioday event venues and times:
Wednesday October 10th: Hasselblad Studios
London, 10am - 5pm
Tuesday October 30th: Grain Store Studios
Glasgow, 10.30am - 4pm
Wednesday October 31st: NDP Studios
Leeds, 10.30am - 4pm
Thursday November 1st: Hire2 Studios
Manchester, 10.30am - 4pm
Friday November 2nd: White Room Studios
Birmingham, 10.30am - 4pm
Tuesday November 6th: Photodrome
Cardiff, 10.30am - 4pm
Wednesday November 7th: Prime Film Productions
Exeter, 10.30am - 4pm
Thursday November 8th: Create Studios
Brighton, 10.30am - 4pm
Friday November 9th: Hasselblad Studios
London, 10.30am - 5pm
Photographers wishing to attend one of the events must register at http://www.handsonahasselblad.com

Samsung Galaxy Camera Officially Unveiled

After a leaky past couple of days, Samsung took the wraps off of its new Galaxy Camera today.  The new Android 4.1 Jelly Bean camera features a 1/2.3″ 16MP back-illuminated CMOS sensor and a 21x optical zoom lens (23-480mm equivalent).

The backside of the camera is all touch screen with a 4.8″ LCD that shows off camera apps and widgets, as well as other Android-powered widgets.  You can also use popular Android-based camera apps like Instagram with Galaxy Camera.  (Hopefully, the coming onslaught of Android-powered point and shoot cameras like the Galaxy Camera and recently announced Nikon S800c will pave the way for a more robust camera app base in the Google Play Store.)

The Galaxy Camera also features Auto Cloud Backup, which saves images to Samsung’s AllShare portal as soon as they are taken.  Additionally, ‘Share Shot’ allows images to be automatically shared on social networks as soon as they are taken.  Samsung achieves this connectivity through WiFi and cellular connections over 3G and 4G network – separate 3G and 4G models will be available.

Expect to see the camera available in October; however, there’s no word yet on pricing.

Samsung Galaxy Camera Key Specs

• 16.3MP 1/2.3″ BSI CMOS sensor
• 21x zoom (23-480mm equivalent f/2.8-5.9) lens
• 1080/30p HD video
• 720 x 480 video at 120fps
• 8GB internal storage and micro SDXC memory
• ISO 100-3200
• 1.4GHz quad-core processor
• Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean)
• GPS
• WiFi a/b/g/n, WiFi HT40
• Bluetooth 4.0

Amazing Time Lapse of Paris

Mayeul Akpovi shot this incredible moving time lapse of Paris. The video is a culmination of 3000 images captured with a 5D Mark II and 5D Mark III. The the moving shots, he physically picked up the tripod and moved it for each shot. The resulting parallax created a beautiful dolly-esque camera move it what feels like an impossible time lapse of these great Paris scenes. Lenses used include the Sigma 15mm f/2.8 EX DG Fisheye, Samyang 14mm f/2.8 and Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD, along with a range of ND2 to ND400 filters. Thanks for sending this in Mayeul. You can check out more of Mayeul’s work here on Vimeo.

My Book VelociRaptor Duo

WD has just announced its fatest My Book external HDD system ever - the My Book VelociRaptor Duo. Comprising two 1TB 10,000 RPM hard drives and two Thunderbolt ports, the My Book VelociRaptor Duo is billed as “the fastest and most reliable high-performance consumer storage device on the market today.” Photographers, graphic designers and post-production professionals can conduct several high-intensity tasks such as video editing and 3D rendering, while completing other graphics-intensive projects. My Book VelociRaptor Duo customers will now have the ability to transfer 22 GB full-length HD movies in less than 65 seconds and 2000 5 MB pictures in less than 33 seconds, the company claims. The My Book VelociRaptor Duo dual-drive storage system is currently available at $899.99.
WD Press Release
WD® Introduces Its Fastest My Book® External HDD System Ever
My Book® VelociRaptor™ Duo Combines Extreme Speed of Two 1 TB 10,000 RPM Hard Drives with Revolutionary Thunderbolt™ Technology
IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/—WD®, a subsidiary of Western Digital Corporation (NASDAQ: WDC), and a world leader in external storage and connected home solutions, is combining two high-speed technologies to produce one of the fastest and most robust dual-storage systems ever offered. Supported by the Mac OS X operating system, the new My Book® VelociRaptor™ Duo dual-drive storage system becomes the ultimate storage drive for performance hungry Mac computer users and creative professionals.
My Book VelociRaptor Duo provides ultimate speed and performance with two 1 TB 10,000 RPM WD VelociRaptor drives along with two Thunderbolt™ ports. The 2 TB dual-drive storage system is ideal for editing high resolution video, 3D rendering, graphic design, and other demanding digital media applications. This boost in performance delivers solid state drive (SSD) -like data transfer rates of up to 400 MB/s for greater work-flow productivity. The dual-drive storage system offers RAID 0 for performance or RAID 1 for protection; and the twin Thunderbolt ports offer daisy-chaining multiple My Book VelociRaptor Duo drives and other high performance peripherals without impacting data transfer speeds or performance. The My Book VelociRaptor Duo also comes complete with a Thunderbolt cable in the box and is user-serviceable.
Photographers, graphic designers and post-production professionals can conduct several high intensity tasks such as video editing and 3D rendering, while completing other graphics-intensive projects. My Book VelociRaptor Duo customers will now have the ability to transfer 22 GB full-length HD movies in less than 65 seconds, 2000 5 MB pictures in less than 33 seconds and over 500 5 MB songs in less than 8 seconds. 
“The My Book VelociRaptor Duo is the fastest and most reliable high performance consumer storage device on the market today,” explains Jody Bradshaw, senior director of WD’s consumer storage solutions group.  “Creative professionals now have access to a super-charged storage drive that will keep pace with even the most demanding projects. Daisy-chaining multiple My Book VelociRaptor Duo devices together offers even greater speed, more capacity and flexibility.”
While RAID 0 maximizes the drive’s speed and capacity, RAID 1 support allows users to create a second copy of their digital content on the drive for added protection, security and peace of mind. The drive also provides a JBOD (just a bunch of disks) option for users running a Windows® operating system on a Mac.
Additional features found on the My Book VelociRaptor Duo dual-drive storage system include out-of-the-box compatibility with Apple Time Machine and HFS + Journaled for Mac computers; capability for multi-stream workflows; and a 3-year limited warranty.
Price and Availability
The My Book VelociRaptor Duo dual-drive storage system is currently available at select U.S. retailers and online at http://www.wdstore.com, starting at $899.99 MSRP USD. Additional information can be found on the WD website at http://www.wd.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=860
About WD
WD, a Western Digital company, is a long-time innovator and storage industry leader. As a storage technology pacesetter, the company produces reliable, high-performance hard disk drives and solid state drives. These drives are deployed by OEMs and integrators in desktop and mobile computers, enterprise computing systems, embedded systems and consumer electronics applications, as well as by the company in providing its own storage products. WD’s leading storage devices and systems, networking products, media players and software solutions empower people around the world to easily save, store, protect, share and experience their content on multiple devices. WD was established in 1970 and is headquartered in Irvine, California. For more information, please visit the company’s website at http://www.wd.com.
Western Digital Corp. (NASDAQ: WDC), Irvine, Calif., is a global provider of products and services that empower people to create, manage, experience and preserve digital content. Its companies design and manufacture storage devices, networking equipment and home entertainment products under the WD, HGST and G-Technology brands. Visit the Investor section of the company’s website (http://www.westerndigital.com) to access a variety of financial and investor information.
Western Digital, WD, the WD logo, and My Book are registered trademarks in the U.S. and other countries; VelociRaptor is a trademark of Western Digital Technologies, Inc. Thunderbolt and the Thunderbolt logo are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Apple, Mac, Time Machine, and OS X are trademarks of Apple Inc. Other marks may be mentioned herein that belong to other companies. Pictures shown may vary from actual products. Not all products or services may be available in all regions of the world. As used for storage capacity one terabyte (TB) = one trillion bytes. Total accessible capacity varies depending on operating environment. As used for transfer rate or interface, gigabit per second (Gb/s) = one billion bits per second. Examples of transfer time for songs and HD videos are provided for illustrative purposes only. Your results will vary based on file size and format, settings, features, software and other factors.

Hama Quick Shoot Strap SC

Hama has announced the launch of its Quick Shoot Strap SC, a smaller version of the original Quick Shoot Strap. Featuring a three-point safety lock, the Hama Quick Shoot Strap SC allows the camera to be “moved from the carrying position to the ready position in a snap, without even moving the strap.” In addition, fourteen air cushions are integrated into the neoprene shoulder pad in order to absorb shocks. The Hama Quick Shoot Strap SC carries a recommended retail price of €45.
Hama Press Release
“Quick Shoot Strap SC” Convenient Camera Strap:
Your system camera at your fingertips
Those who want to have their single lens reflex camera ready to go at all times generally wear it on a strap around their necks. Since this results in great strain for the neck muscles over time, many swear by wearing the strap diagonally across their upper body. This is the basis on which the “Quick Shoot Strap” from Hama was developed. At photokina, the accessories specialists will be presenting the somewhat smaller model, the “Quick Shoot Strap SC”, which has been designed for more compact system cameras. Just like its older brother, the new version offers a number of impressive and practical features.
The strap with numerous possibilities
The camera can be moved from the carrying position to the ready position in a snap, without even moving the strap. The slider can be locked with one quick movement so that the camera stays fixed in any position and unwanted sliding is prevented. The 3-point safety lock allows you to release the camera from the strap quickly and securely. The wearer releases the camera by pressing the three buttons simultaneously. This prevents the camera from being released accidentally and protects against theft.
The patented “Aircell Technology” makes the “Quick Shoot Strap SC” especially comfortable. Fourteen air cushions are integrated into the neoprene shoulder pad in order to absorb shocks and ensure that even the longest photo shoots are enjoyable.

DxO Optics Pro 7.5.4

DxO Labs released DxO Optics Pro v7.5.4 for Mac and Windows. With this update, DxO Optics Pro 7 now supports the Pentax K-30 (pictured) and the Sony DSC-RX100 cameras, and adds 400 new DxO Optics Modules, meaning the program now offers a total of 8,000 camera/lens combinations in its library. This update is free of charge for all owners of DxO Optics Pro 7, as well as for photographers who purchased a license for DxO Optics Pro 6 after 1 September 2011.
Dxo Press Release
DxO Optics Pro v7.5.4 surpasses 8,000 available DxO Optics Modules
Support for Pentax K-30 and Sony DSC-RX100
August 29, 2012 - DxO Labs announces the immediate availability of DxO Optics Pro v7.5.4 for Mac and Windows, its image processing software of reference for all serious photographers. With this update, DxO Optics Pro 7 now supports the Pentax K-30 and the Sony DSC-RX100.
More than 8,000 DxO Optics Modules
Since the previous version, DxO Optics Pro v7.5.4 has added 400 new DxO Optics Modules for additional Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, Samsung, Sigma, Sony and Tamron lenses for Canon, Fuji, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic Pentax and Sony cameras.
DxO Optics Pro surpasses the benchmark of 8,000 camera/lens combinations in its library. This unrivaled database allows DxO Optics Pro to automatically correct all lens defects - distortion, vignetting, chromatic aberrations, lens softness - with an incomparable level of quality.
Developed in the laboratory following a scientific calibration process for all combinations of cameras and lenses, DxO Optics Modules contain tens of thousands of data points about the intrinsic limitations of each piece of equipment, resulting in corrections that are perfectly adapted to every image.
Availability and prices
The Standard and Elite editions of DxO Optics Pro 7 for Mac and Windows are available for purchase in DxO Labs’ online store (http://www.dxo.com) and at photo resellers, at the following prices:
USD:
DxO Optics Pro 7 Standard Edition: $ 169
DxO Optics Pro 7 Elite Edition: $ 299
EUR:
DxO Optics Pro 7 Standard Edition: 149 €
DxO Optics Pro 7 Elite Edition: 299 €
(Suggested retail prices, including VAT)
BGP:
DxO Optics Pro 7 Standard Edition: £ 135
DxO Optics Pro 7 Elite Edition: £ 269
(Suggested retail prices, including VAT)
This update is free of charge for all owners of DxO Optics Pro 7, as well as for photographers who purchased a license for DxO Optics Pro 6 after September 1, 2011.
A fully-functional trial version of DxO Optics Pro v7, good for one month, is available on the DxO Labs website (http://www.dxo.com/intl/photo/free_trial_version).

Carl Zeiss Compact Prime CP.2 25/T2.1

Successor to the Compact Prime CP.2 25/T2.9 and designed with professional cinematographers in mind, the new Carl Zeiss Compact Prime CP.2 25/T2.1 is a faster lens with virtually no chromatic aberrations. By using the interchangeable mounts for PL, EF, F, MFT and E, the lens can be easily adapted to numerous camera systems, ensuring compatibility with future cameras as technology changes. Carl Zeiss will start shipping the new Compact Prime CP.2 25/T2.1 on October 1st, 2012. The expected retail price is €3,300 (+VAT) or $ 4,500.
Zeiss Press Release
Carl Zeiss presents new Compact Prime CP.2 25/T2.1 lens at IBC 2012 in Amsterdam
All eight lenses in focal length range 25-135mm now have aperture T2.1
OBERKOCHEN/Germany, 30.08.2012.
Carl Zeiss will present a new cine lens from the Compact Prime CP.2 lens family during the IBC 2012 in Amsterdam, the leading international trade show for film, radio and television, from September 7 to 11, 2012, in hall 11 booth G64. With an even larger aperture, the new Compact Prime CP.2 25/T2.1 lens from Carl Zeiss achieves outstanding images in challenging lighting conditions.
The Compact Prime CP.2 25/T2.1 succeeds the Compact Prime CP.2 25/T2.9, which will continue to be available as long as supplies last. “We are responding to the wish of many cinematographers and video producers who would like a high-speed CP.2 lens with a maximum aperture of T2.1 for the 25mm focal length range as well,” says Anna Rausch, Product Manager Cine Lenses in the Camera Lens Division of Carl Zeiss AG. “Our optical experts have virtually eliminated the chromatic aberrations on these lenses through a special design and selection of materials. We can now offer a constant max T-Stop of 2.1 for all of our CP.2 lenses in the focal length range of 25-135mm.” This gives users even more possibi- lities to compose their images and requires less effort with the lighting. The biggest advantage on set is that the light does not have to be adapted when switching lenses because they all have the same F-Stop. The lens speed is ideal for playing with the depth-of-field.
The Compact Prime CP.2 lens series, extremely popular among ambitious cinematographers thanks to its 14 fixed focal lengths from 15 to 135mm, will again be the center of attention during Carl Zeiss’s presence at the IBC 2012. By using the interchangeable mounts for PL, EF, F, MFT and E, the lenses can be easily adapted to numerous camera systems, ensuring compatibility with future cameras as technology changes. Thanks to the interchangeable mounts and the 36 x 24mm image-circle illumination the Compact Prime CP.2 lens family is versatile to use — on HDSLR and HD video cameras as well as on professional cine cameras. The lenses are characterized by their robustness, a standard focus rotation angle of 300 degrees and uniform measurements. This combination makes the lenses ideally suited for every demand on the film set. All Compact Prime CP.2 lenses have a standard cine-style housing with gearing that allows the attachment of any standard follow-focus system.
All the new features that Carl Zeiss presented at the NAB Show in Las Vegas in April will now enjoy a European debut at the IBC 2012: two Compact Prime CP.2 lenses (CP.2 15/T2.9 and CP.2 135/T2.1), three Compact Prime CP.2 Super Speed lenses as well as the Compact Zoom CZ.2 70-200/T2.9. The new focal lengths 15mm and 135mm expand the offering of the Compact Prime CP.2 family and open up many new creative possi- bilities, from super wide angle to tele. The three Compact Prime CP.2 Super Speed lenses have an aperture of T1.5 and are available in focal lengths 35mm, 50mm and 85mm. These high- lights as well as other cine and camera lenses can be experienced and tried out on the spot during the IBC.
Alongside the new features, Carl Zeiss will display behind a huge glass case all of its cine and camera lenses that are currently available on the market — lenses that guarantee images of the highest quality, regardless of whether they are used on cameras to shoot Hollywood movies, on HDSLR cameras or HD video cameras. The dis- play will include the well-known Master Prime, Ultra Prime, Compact Prime CP.2 and Compact Zoom CZ.2, DigiPrime, Lightweight Zoom LWZ.2 lenses, as well as SLR camera lenses, which are ideal for getting started in the HD video segment.
In addition, Carl Zeiss and its partner ARRI will present the long-awaited anamorphic lens to public. Visitors to the Carl Zeiss stand will have an opportunity to try out a prototype of the lens that is currently in the final design phase on an ARRI Alexa Studio camera.
Carl Zeiss will start shipping the new Compact Prime CP.2 25/T2.1 on October 1st, 2012. The expected retail price is EUR 3,300 (excl. VAT) or US$ 4,500 (excl. VAT)*.

Carl Zeiss Compact Zoom CZ.2 28-80/T2.9

The new Compact Zoom CZ.2 28-80/T2.9 is the second Compact Zoom CZ.2 lens from Carl Zeiss, complementing the Compact Zoom CZ.2 70-200/T2.9 presented in April. Thanks to the five different mounts (PL, EF, F, MFT and E), this new zoom lens can be easily adapted to numerous camera systems both now and in the future, for use on HDSLR cameras, HD video cameras and professional cine cameras. “Thanks to the interchangeable mount and the 36x24mm image-circle illumination, the new Com- pact Zoom CZ.2 28-80/T2.9 is highly versatile and a future proof investment,” says Michael Schieh- len, Director of Sales of the Camera Lens Division of Carl Zeiss AG. The recommended retail price is €14,900+VAT or US$19,900. Availability is slated for Q2 2013.
Zeiss Press Release
Carl Zeiss presents new Compact Zoom CZ.2 lens at IBC 2012 in Amsterdam
Maximum creative flexibility for cinematographers in focal length range 28-80mm
OBERKOCHEN/Germany, 30.08.2012.
Carl Zeiss will display the new cine zoom lens Compact Zoom CZ.2 28-80/T2.9 at the IBC in Amsterdam, the leading international trade show for film, radio and television, from September 7 to 11, 2012 in hall 11 booth G64. The new Compact Zoom CZ.2 28-80/T2.9 by Carl Zeiss is a cine zoom lens ideally suited to a wide variety of shooting situations. It is easy to handle, compact and versatile. It takes pictures in 4K resolution — in full format. This is the second Compact Zoom CZ.2 lens from Carl Zeiss, complementing the Compact Zoom CZ.2 70-200/T2.9 presented in April at the NAB Show 2012 in Las Vegas for the longer focal length range. For color rendition, contrast and other parameters such as great flare suppression, calibrated focus scales, consistent aperture over the zoom range, round iris the new CZ.2 family is closely aligned to one another, making these lenses ideal for attaining a con- sistent optical performance when changing lenses.
With a length of 196 millimeters and weighing in at 2.5 kg (5.5lbs), the Compact Zoom CZ.2 28-80/T2.9 is sleek and lean. Thanks to the five different mounts (PL, EF, F, MFT and E), this new zoom lens from Carl Zeiss can be easily adapted to numerous camera systems both now and in the future, as well as on HDSLR cameras, HD video cameras and professional cine cameras.
“Thanks to the interchangeable mount and the 36 x 24mm image-circle illumination, the new Com- pact Zoom CZ.2 28-80/T2.9 is highly versatile and a future proof investment,” says Michael Schieh- len, Director of Sales of the Camera Lens Division of Carl Zeiss AG. “With focal lengths from 28 to 80mm and outstanding image performance, it offers professionals as well as ambitious cinema- tographers a lot of room to explore their creativity in many types of shooting situations. The Com- pact Zoom CZ.2 70-200/T2.9 has already proven that there is no comparable zoom family on the market with full frame coverage and interchangeable mount.”
With its slim build, the Compact Zoom family follows the current market trend towards smaller and lighter lenses that are perfect for handheld cameras, Steadicam systems, or for shooting in tight spaces. The Compact Zoom CZ.2 is espe- cially comfortable to use thanks to its ergonomi- cally designed and partly rubber-coated surface, which allows both precise manual focusing as well as mechanical focusing via follow-focus systems. The Carl Zeiss T* anti-reflective coating ensures maximum contrast and color rendition by minimizing stray light and ghosting within the lens. The Compact Zoom CZ.2 lenses delivers flare- free results and has no focus shift over the whole zoom range.
During the IBC, Carl Zeiss will display in a huge glass case all of its camera lenses that are currently available on the market — lenses that guarantee images of the highest quality, whether used on Hollywood movie cameras, HDSLR or HD video cameras.
The Compact Zoom CZ.2 28-80/T2.9 will be delivered in the second quarter of 2013. The recommended retail price is €14,900 or US$19,900 (excluding VAT)*.

Sony Action Cam HDR-AS10 and Action Cam HDR-AS15

Sony have officially announced their HD sports video camera, the Action Cam HDR-AS10. Weighing in at approximately three ounces (with battery), the new Action Cam will ship with a rechargeable battery, adhesive mounts, and a ruggedised waterproof case featuring a universal tripod mount built to handle extreme environments. Within the case, the camera is waterproof down to 197 feet and has a shock resistance rating for up to five foot drops plus dirt and dust resistant seals that help make it impervious to mud, snow, rain, and grime. Sony will add a Wi-Fi® enabled version of the HD video action camcorder (HDR-AS15, pictured) to its new lineup as well. The HDR-AS10 and the HDR-AS15 will be available in September for about $199.99 and $269.99 respectively.
Sony Press Release
SONY DEBUTS ACTION SPORTS HD VIDEO CAMERA FOR PREMIUM POINT-OF-VIEW SHOOTING WITH WI-FI® CAPABILITY
SAN DIEGO, August 29, 2012 – After much anticipation, Sony today announced that its industry-leading image quality will now be found in a new, wearable point-of-view video camera for action sports filming in premium full HD 1080p.
Weighing in at approximately three ounces (with battery), the new Action Cam (HDR-AS10) will be an ultra compact point-of-view shooting solution for adventures on the mountain, in the water, and anywhere else the action happens.  It will ship with a rechargeable battery, adhesive mounts, and a ruggedized waterproof case featuring a universal tripod mount, built to handle extreme environments so you can concentrate on safety and composition while capturing full HD videos.  Within the case, the camera is waterproof down to 197 feet and has a shock resistance rating for up to five foot drops plus dirt and dust resistant seals that help make it impervious to mud, snow, rain, and grime.
Sony will add a Wi-Fi® enabled version of the HD video action camcorder (HDR-AS15) to its new lineup as well.  The built-in Wi-Fi® works with the free PlayMemories Mobile™ application that allows users to instantly share their content to a smartphone and also allows control of the camera with any compatible device.  Additionally, Wi-Fi®-enabled mobile phones and tablets running the app can pull optimized movies and photos from the HDR-AS15 camera without requiring a special cable.  Once copied, you can use an available 3G or 4G cell network to upload your memories and share them via email or social media networks.
“Only Sony can deliver a technology-packed point-of-view action camera that provides simple operation, high quality content, and Wi-Fi capability in a durable package.” said Hidenori Toyoda, director of
the camcorder business at Sony Electronics. “And with various mount options, the Action Cam lineup is so versatile it can easily keep up with even the most extreme lifestyle.”
Both models will offer Sony’s hallmark SteadyShot® image stabilization, found in its portfolio of digital imaging products, which compensates for greater degrees of camera shake to deliver stunningly smooth video.  In addition, innovative technology adds roll stability for even smoother video capture.  An ultra-wide angle Carl Zeiss® Tessar® lens captures all the action in a 170-degree wide field view with pin-sharp clarity whether you are on the slopes or hitting the trails.  No other mountable camera combines such advanced image stabilization and optics with a rugged exterior and convenient Wi-Fi connectivity.
Five video modes can capture all the glory, with a class-exclusive 4x slow mode in 720p HD.  Extreme sports athletes and enthusiasts will enjoy HD SLOW 2x (1280 x 720, 60p) and HD SLOW 4x (1280 x 720, 120p) that shoot slow motion, which is ideal for studying and refining form and technique.  For traditional shooting methods, the camcorder also offers several different resolutions to suit your needs: Full HD (1920x1080 30p), STD HD (1280x720, 30p), SD VGA (640x480, 30p).
The camera also features Interval Still Recording mode for photo capture.  When activated, the device automatically takes still images at pre-set intervals for impressive time-lapse photography.
The video camera’s compact, lightweight body will also house a 16-megapixel “Exmor® R” CMOS image sensor to realize stunning low-light sensitivity with improved image clarity and drastically reduced grain.  Operation is as simple as pressing a large start/stop button.  The camera also features expandable memory with a Memory Stick Micro™ and Micro SD/SDHC card slot, a built-in stereo microphone to capture all the exciting sounds of your adventure, and an HDMI® output to share your video with friends and family on your HDTV (HDMI cable required, not included).  Sony’s new device is also Mac® and PC compatible with upload to social sharing sites like Facebook® and YouTube™.
In addition to the adhesive mounts to secure Action Cam easily to flat and curved surfaces, Sony will offer a suite of mounting attachments to suit all types of active pursuits such as:
A Waterproof Head Mount Kit to use with the included waterproof case for all types of water/snow sports; can also be secured to your own pair of goggles
A Headband Mount to use without its waterproof case for the lowest profile solution; the supplied light strap is perfect for skateboarding or other street sports
A Handlebar Mount that can easily attach the camera to any type of bike or bar apparatus
A Suction Cup to mount the device in/on a vehicle for a variety of motor sports or on any other smooth, non-porous surface
In the coming months following the camera’s launch, its portfolio of compatible accessories will expand to include:
A Tilt Adaptor to adjust the device’s angle up or down on mounts for more viewpoint options
A Handheld Grip with LCD Screen adding a camcorder-style 2.7” wide rotatable LCD for instant playback, monitoring during filming, and self-recording
Anti-fog sheets to help stop condensation build-up in the waterproof case during marine or winter sports, reusable for approx. 2,000 times by natural drying
A Replacement Door Pack that offers three different housing door options to deliver improved picture or sound quality for suitable environments: HD Dive Housing - door with flat lens for diving/underwater focus, HD Skeleton Housing - door with opening over the microphone for improved audio, Replacement HD Housing - door with curved lens for scratch replacement

The HDR-AS10 Action Cam and the HDR-AS15 Action Cam with Wi-Fi will be available in September for about $199.99 and $269.99 respectively.  These cameras and their accessories will be sold at http://store.sony.com, Sony retail stores and other authorized retailers nationwide.  Visit blog.sony.com/sonyactioncam for a video first look and follow #ActionCam on Twitter for the latest Action Cam news.

Canon EOS C100 & C500

Canon has expanded its Cinema EOS line-up with two new cameras, the Canon EOS C100 Digital Video Camera and the Canon EOS C500 4K Digital Cinema Camera. As promised back in April, the Canon EOS C500 (pictured) is Canon’s high-end professional 4K (4096x2160-pixel) cinema camera capable of originating uncompressed raw output for external recording to meet the demands of premium cinematic productions and other top-quality production markets. The C100 digital video camera is a compact, “entry-level” model delivering Full HD video using the AVCHD codec. The C500 will be available in both EF- and PL-mount versions; while the C100 will be offered in EF mount only. The Canon EOS C500 and C500 PL 4K Digital Cinema Cameras are scheduled to be available in October for an estimated list price of $30,000. The Canon EOS C100 Digital Video Camera is scheduled to be available in November 2012 for an estimated list price of $7,999.
Canon Press Release
Canon U.S.A. Adds Two New Cameras To The Cinema EOS System: The EOS C500 4K Digital Cinema Camera And The EOS C100 Digital Video Camera
Two New Camera Models Fill Out a Well-Rounded Cinema EOS Line-up with High-End 4K and Entry-Level HD Camera Solutions
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., August 29, 2012 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, continues its commitment to the advancement of tools for visual expression and expand its contribution to cinematic culture with the introduction of the new EOS C500 4K Digital Cinema Camera* and the EOS C100 Digital Video Camera*. The C500 will take its place as the flagship camera model in Canon’s Cinema EOS System while the C100 provides another option for beginning filmmakers working on a budget. The C500 is Canon’s high-end professional 4K (4096 x 2160-pixel) cinema camera capable of originating uncompressed RAW output for external recording to meet the demands of premium cinematic productions and other top-quality production markets. The C100 digital video camera is a compact, affordable entry-level model delivering full 1920x1080 HD video and integrating the popular AVCHD codec for universal compatibility with laptop and desktop editing systems. The C500 will be available in both EF- and PL-mount versions; while the C100 will be offered in EF mount only and will be compatible with the more than 70 zoom and prime lenses in Canon’s EF, EF-S and EF Cinema lens lineups. All products in the Canon Cinema EOS line are engineered to provide exceptional image creation capabilities for professionals in the motion picture, television, and other diverse high-resolution digital production industries.
“We developed the Cinema EOS C500 digital cinema camera to deliver the benefits of full 4K motion capture to Hollywood’s premier filmmakers, while the C100 is designed for economical productions that need sophisticated HD capabilities and optical lens diversity. As we said in November of 2011, the C300 was just the beginning to our Cinema EOS system and we now offer a more complete system of imaging solutions with a range of cameras for every level of production,” stated Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies and Communications Group, Canon U.S.A., Inc.
The EOS C500 4K digital cinema camera and EOS C100 digital video camera join Canon’s Cinema EOS System which includes two other camera models, the EOS C300 digital cinema camera for mainstream HD production and the EOS-1D C 4K Digital SLR cinema camera for 4K and HD filmmakers favoring the SLR form factor. The Cinema EOS System also offers filmmakers optical diversity with seven EF Cinema lens models: the compact and lightweight CN-E15.5-47mm T2.8 L wide-angle cinema zoom and the CN-E30-105mm T2.8 L telephoto cinema zoom (available in EF and PL versions); the CN-E14.5-60mm T2.6 L wide-angle zoom and CN-E30-300mm T2.95-3.7 L telephoto zoom (also available in EF and PL versions); and the CN-E24mm T1.5 L, CN-E50mm T1.3 L, and CN-E85mm T1.3 L prime lenses for EF-mount cameras, in addition to the more than 60 lenses in Canon’s EF and EF-S lens lines (which include macro, fisheye, telephoto, and tilt-shift models).
4K, 2K, and Full HD Image Quality
The Canon EOS C500 and C500 PL digital cinema cameras are designed to provide a versatile high-quality 4K imaging solution to high-end productions. High-quality 4K resolution imaging has become the new standard for advanced effects and is particularly important for big-budget motion pictures that include scenes compositing live-action cinematography with high-resolution computer-generated imagery. The C500 and C500 PL cameras output 4K resolution to external recorders as a 10-bit uncompressed RAW data stream, as well as offering the additional versatility of being able to output quad full-HD (3840 x 2160), 2K (2048 x 1080), full HD (1920 x 1080), and other imaging options. All of these digital image source formats fully conform to established SMPTE production standards. All 4K formats can be selected to operate from one to 60 frames per second. When shooting in 2K, the C500 and C500 PL cameras employ a 12-bit RGB 4:4:4 signal format from one to 60 frames-per-second (fps) as well. For high-speed shooting and slow motion capture the cameras can be set to a 10-bit YCrCb 4:2:2 mode, and can output 4K or 2K video up to 120 fps.
While outputting 4K or 2K video to an external recorder, the Canon EOS C500 and C500 PL digital cinema cameras simultaneously record a 50 Mbps Full HD video file in-camera to the user’s choice of one or two CF cards. The 8-bit 4:2:2 in-camera recordings can be used as a proxy for offline editing of 4K projects, and they are also suitable for various projects that do not require 4K resolution. Equipped with Canon’s exceptional Super 35mm 8.85-megapixel CMOS sensor, both C500 camera models are compatible with a wide range of interchangeable Canon lenses - the C500 is compatible with EF, EF-S and EF Cinema lenses for Canon SLR cameras, while the C500 PL is compatible with PL-mount EF Cinema lenses and other PL-mount lenses. Highly mobile and compact, the C500 digital cinema camera provides the same ergonomic features as the C300 model, with the exception of a fixed hand grip that incorporates a pair of 3G-SDI ports for 4K video output and another pair of video ports for monitoring purposes. Canon is working with several independent manufacturers of external video recorders to support smooth workflow options, and these recorders are expected to be available by the time the EOS C500 and C500 PL 4K digital cinema cameras ship to authorized dealers later this year.
One-Person Full HD With Automatic Functions
A cost-effective camera solution for a wide range of everyday users, the EOS C100 digital video camera is ideal for many full HD applications such as:
Low-budget television production and independent moviemaking
Museums, galleries, and film schools that utilize Full HD video
Wedding, corporate and event videography
The EOS C100 digital video camera is approximately 85% of the size of the EOS C300 model, for maximum mobility. Designed for professional operability, the C100 includes a push auto iris function, one-shot auto focus (or full manual focus and exposure control), a multi-angle 3.5-inch LCD control panel, a high-resolution electronic viewfinder (EVF), built-in ND filters, dual XLR inputs, and a locking HDMI output. These features combine with such advanced technologies as reduced rolling shutter artifacts in 60i mode, enhanced gamma modes (including Wide Dynamic Range (DR) Gamma and Canon Log Gamma), cinematic depth of field characteristics, and excellent low-light performance. The C100 records to dual SD cards contributing to the camera’s reduced size and convenience.
Like its C300 sibling, the EOS C100 employs Canon’s uniquely designed Super 35mm 16:9 CMOS sensor that captures individual R, G, and B channels for each full HD 1920 x 1080 frame. This high-sensitivity CMOS sensor provides creative depth of field capabilities for an excellent “bokeh” effect, and provides an ISO range of from 320 to 20,000, enabling the capture of images in low light with minimal picture noise. The Canon DIGIC DV III image processor in the C100 helps ensure high color fidelity and smooth color gradations. The camera’s AVCHD codec utilizes MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 compression similar to the codec used in Canon’s XA10 professional HD camcorder. AVCHD features a maximum recording bit rate of 24Mbps in full HD 1920 x 1080 and 4:2:0 color space for sharp, vivid images. Multiple recording modes, resolutions, and frame rates (including 24p) make the C100 creatively flexible for many production environments. The C100 also offers enhanced gamma modes (including Wide DR Gamma and Canon Log Gamma) for a peak dynamic range of 800% and the wide exposure latitude needed for creative post-production image processing, color correction, and contrast manipulation.
Designed for extensive operational versatility, the Canon EOS C100 digital video camera features a mobile core configuration that allows users to flexibly add accessory parts to the main camera body according to their production needs. A removable side-mounted rotating grip with start/stop button and miniature “joystick” menu control provides traditional SLR camera-style operation. A detachable handle unit connects to the top of the C100 and includes dual XLR connectors, a built-in stereo microphone, a bracket for an external microphone, audio-input level adjustments, and a tally light. The C100 records linear PCM two-channel audio or Dolby digital two-channel audio.
In addition to its ability to record to both SD cards simultaneously, or relay-record from one card to the other, the Canon C100 Cinema EOS camera can also output uncompressed digital HD to an external recording device via its locking HDMI connector. This HDMI output includes superimposed time code and 2:3 pull-down marker information. Additional outputs include a USB connector and stereo headphone jack.
Pricing and Availability
The Canon EOS C500 and C500 PL 4K Digital Cinema Cameras are scheduled to be available in October for an estimated list price of $30,000. The Canon EOS C100 Digital Video Camera is scheduled to be available in November 2012 for an estimated list price of $7,999.
About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions. With approximately $45.6 billion in global revenue, its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), ranks third overall in U.S. patents registered in 2011† and is one of Fortune Magazine’s World’s Most Admired Companies in 2012. Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based consumer service and support for all of the products it distributes. Canon U.S.A. is dedicated to its Kyosei philosophy of social and environmental responsibility. To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company’s RSS news feed by visiting http://www.usa.canon.com/rss.
* This device has not been authorized as required by the rules of the Federal Communications Commission. This device is not, and may not be offered for sale or lease, or sold or leased, until authorization is obtained.
† Based on weekly patent counts issued by United States Patent and Trademark Office.
All referenced product names, and other marks, are trademarks of their respective owners.

Canon Develops New Cinema EF Primes

Canon today announced the development of two new cinema prime lenses, the EF 14mm T3.1 (pictured) and the EF 135mm T2.2. “Both the 14mm T3.1 and 135mm T2.2 cinema prime lenses will be engineered for exceptional optical performance for Canon’s latest large-format single-sensor 4K and 2K digital cinematography cameras,” the company said in a statement. “As part of the Cinema EOS System, the lenses will be compatible with standard sensor sizes including Super 35mm, the standard format in the motion picture industry, as well as HD-compatible EOS Digital SLR cameras using 35mm full frame, APS-H and APS-C image sensors.” The 14mm T3.1 and 135mm T2.2 EF cinema prime lenses are expected to be available in the first half of 2013, and will be showcased from 6-11 September 2012 at IBC2012 in Amsterdam.
Canon Press Release
Canon U.S.A. Aims To Expand The Cinema EOS System With The Development Of New EF Cinema Prime Lenses
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., August 29, 2012 – Further contributing to the evolution of the motion picture industry, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the development of two new cinema prime lenses, the 14mm T3.1 cinema prime lens and 135mm T2.2 cinema prime lens, adding to the Cinema EOS lineup consisting of 11 EF Cinema Lenses.
Both the 14mm T3.1 and 135mm T2.2 cinema prime lenses will be engineered for exceptional optical performance for Canon’s latest large-format single-sensor 4K and 2K digital cinematography cameras. As part of the Cinema EOS System, the lenses will be compatible with standard sensor sizes including Super 35mm, the standard format in the motion picture industry, as well as HD-compatible EOS Digital SLR cameras using 35mm full frame, APS-H and APS-C image sensors.
“In November of 2011, Canon pledged to offer high-end professional solutions to filmmakers, cinematographers, and television production professionals. Our pledge included a commitment to this industry and a promise of future product development and solutions to meet industry needs. Today’s announcements prove that we intend to deliver on that pledge,” stated Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A.
The 14mm T3.1 and 135mm T2.2 EF cinema prime lenses are expected to be available in the first half of 2013, and will be showcased from September 6 - 11, 2012 at IBC2012 in Amsterdam.
For more information on Canon’s lineup of EF Cinema Lenses and the full Cinema EOS System, please visit http://www.usa.canon.com/cinemaeos
About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions. With approximately $45.6 billion in global revenue, its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), ranks third overall in U.S. patents registered in 2011† and is one of Fortune Magazine’s World’s Most Admired Companies in 2012. Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based consumer service and support for all of the products it distributes. Canon U.S.A. is dedicated to its Kyosei philosophy of social and environmental responsibility. To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company’s RSS news feed by visiting http://www.usa.canon.com/rss.

Canon CN-E15.5-47mm T2.8 L S/SP and CN-E30-105mm T2.8 L S/SP

Coinciding with the launch of the EOS C100 and C500 cameras, Canon has announced the addition of two new zoom lenses to its Cinema EOS system. Available in both EF- and PL-mount versions, the CN-E15.5-47mm T2.8 L S/SP wide-angle cinema zoom lens (pictured) and the CN-E30-105mm T2.8 L S/SP telephoto cinema zoom lens are engineered to deliver exceptional optical performance for the latest large-format single-sensor 4K and 2K digital cinematography cameras. The Canon CN-E15.5-47mm T2.8 L S/SP wide-angle cinema zoom lens is expected to be available in November 2012 and the CN-E30-105mm T2.8 L S/SP telephoto cinema zoom lens is expected to be available in January 2013, both for an estimated list price of $24,500 each.
Canon Press Release
Canon U.S.A. Introduces Two Compact Lightweight Cinema Zoom Lenses For 4K and 2K Digital Cinema Cameras
New Precision-Matched Wide-Angle and Telephoto Zoom Lenses in Both EF and PL Mounts Enhance Canon’s Cinema EOS System
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., August 29, 2012 – As the production of motion pictures, episodic television shows, commercials, documentaries, and other program content increasingly transitions to digital, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, continues to provide innovative Cinema EOS products designed to enable the most discerning filmmakers and producers to capture their unique creative visions. The latest of these Canon products, two new compact and lightweight cinema zoom lenses available in both EF- and PL-mount versions, were first announced at NAB 2012 and have now been officially added to the Canon Cinema EOS product line. Designated as the CN-E15.5-47mm T2.8 L S/SP wide-angle cinema zoom lens and the CN-E30-105mm T2.8 L S/SP telephoto cinema zoom lens, both are engineered to deliver exceptional optical performance for the latest large-format single-sensor 4K and 2K digital cinematography cameras. Both lenses feature a compact, lightweight design to facilitate handheld and SteadicamTM shooting while also covering a wide range of focal lengths.
“These two new compact lightweight cinema zoom lenses provide exceptional optical and operational performance for creative film and television professionals. The Canon Cinema EOS line of high-resolution cameras and lenses is engineered to affordably serve the highest-performance needs of the production community and enable it to truly ‘Leave No Story Untold,’” noted Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A.
A leading maker of precision lenses for professional digital photography, broadcast HDTV sports and news coverage, and many other markets, Canon has leveraged its years of expertise as a world leader in optics and imaging to develop the compact and lightweight CN-E15.5-47mm T2.8 L S/SP wide-angle cinema zoom lens and the CN-E30-105mm T2.8 L S/SP telephoto cinema zoom lens. Each lens will be available in both EF- and PL-mount configurations. (The EF-mount version is designated by the letter “S” at the end of the model name; the PL-mount version by the letters “SP”.)
Main Features: CN-E15.5–47mm T2.8 L S/SP and CN-E30–105mm T2.8 L S/SP
1. High optical performance for use with 4K-resolution cameras
Supports 4K (4096 x 2160 pixels) production standards, with a level of resolution exceeding four times the resolution of Full HD.
Offers compatibility with industry-standard Super 35 mm-equivalent image format as well as APS-C-size sensors.i
The optimal placement of low-refraction, low-dispersion UD (ultra-low dispersion) glass corrects for axial and lateral chromatic aberrations to realize exceptional imaging performance without color blurring.
With a T-number of 2.8, the new lens lineup offers bright performance and, with no changes in brightness during zooming, enables the use of attractive blur effects when employing a shallow depth of field.
Each lens is equipped with an 11-blade aperture diaphragm for soft, attractive blur characteristics.
The lenses minimize focus-induced changes in the angle of view and, through the latest advances in anti-reflective coating and related technologies, reduce the occurrence of ghosting and flare.
2. Broad focal-length coverage despite compact, lightweight design
Designed with hand-held shooting in mind, each lens weighs just approximately 2.2 kg, less than half the weight of the top-end zoom lens models that went on sale earlier this year.
Combining the wide-angle and telephoto zoom lenses as a set enables users to cover a wide focal length range, from 15.5 mm (wide-angle end) to 105 mm (telephoto end).
Because the lenses provide a long focal length at the telephoto end, they enable the magnification of scenes shot from a distance and the use of attractive blur effects when employing a shallow depth of field.
3. Designed to deliver high operability
With a focus rotation angle of approximately 300 degrees, the lenses facilitate precise focusing performance.
Zoom, focus and iris markings all appear on angled surfaces for improved readability from behind the camera.
Features a unified front lens diameter and uniform gear positions, doing away with the need to adjust or reposition accessory gear when switching between the two lenses.
By removing the cover ring, users can easily perform flange-back adjustment.
4. Functionality to realize increased shooting convenience
The new lenses can be used with matte boxes and other standard manual and electronic movie industry accessories widely used in the motion picture production.
Each lens offers a reduced minimum object distance (0.5 m for the CN-E15.5-47mm T2.8 L S/SP and 0.6 m for the CN-E30-105mm T2.8 L S/SP) that makes possible tighter close-ups and facilitates shooting in limited-space environments.
The EF-mount version lenses, when combined with Cinema EOS System cameras, support lens-camera communication enabling the recording of zoom and other settings along with video data, making possible the effective management of shooting conditions. Additionally, a future camera firmware update (release date to be decided) will enable automatic image correction along with other benefits.
The Canon Cinema EOS System of professional digital cinematography products includes the EOS C300 and EOS C500 digital cinema cameras (available in EF- or PL-mount versions), the EOS C100 digital video camera, the EOS-1D C DSLR camera, the CN-E14.5-60mm T2.6L S/SP wide-angle zoom and CN-E30-300mm T2.95-3.7L S/SP telephoto zoom lenses (EF and PL versions available), and the CN-E24mm T1.5 L F, CN-E50mm T1.3 L F, and CN-E85mm T1.3 L F prime lenses for EF-mount cameras. Cinema EOS cameras are also compatible with the more than 60 lenses in Canon’s EF lens line (which includes macro, fisheye, telephoto, and tilt-shift models) for maximum creative versatility. Canon continues to enhance its Cinema EOS System product line to support diverse image creation in motion picture, television, and other high-resolution digital production industries.
Pricing and Availability
The Canon CN-E15.5-47mm T2.8 L S/SP wide-angle cinema zoom lens is expected to be available in November 2012 and the CN-E30-105mm T2.8 L S/SP telephoto cinema zoom lens is expected to be available in January 2013, both for an estimated list price of $24,500 each.
About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions. With approximately $45.6 billion in global revenue, its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), ranks third overall in U.S. patents registered in 2011† and is one of Fortune Magazine’s World’s Most Admired Companies in 2012. Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based consumer service and support for all of the products it distributes. Canon U.S.A. is dedicated to its Kyosei philosophy of social and environmental responsibility. To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company’s RSS news feed by visiting http://www.usa.canon.com/rss.

Adobe Revel 1.5

Adobe has updated Revel, a set of photo viewing, browsing and editing applications and cloud-based storage service formerly known as Adobe Carousel, to version 1.5. “We’ve added many great improvements to Revel with this latest update, but the one we are most excited about is the addition of Albums,” Adobe said in a blog post. “You can now organize all the photos in your library by creating albums for family vacations, photos of the kids, or even random photos you take everyday.  And just like everything else in Revel, albums are synced automatically everywhere you have the Revel app.”

Rollei Fotopro X-5M and X-6M Tripods

RCP-Technik GmbH has unveiled two tripods made of carbon fibre and magnesium; the Rollei Fotopro X-5M and the Rollei Fotopro X-6M. With a height of 1.48 metres when extended and a folded size of just 42.5 centimetres, the X-5M carbon-fibre tripod (€599.95) weighs just a little over 1.3 kilograms, including a ball-head, yet it boasts a maximum load capacity of 15kg. The tripod shoulder is made of magnesium, which saves a great deal of weight while giving the tripod increased stability, the company says. The X-6M model (€699.95) with a height of 1.74 metres when extended, is no more than 56 centimetres long when folded, and with a weight of 1.5 kilograms it is the bigger brother of the X-5M. It has a load-bearing capacity of up to 25kg including the head. Both tripods will be available from early November 2012.
Rollei Press Release
Carbon meets magnesium: Rollei Fotopro tripod X-5M and X-6M

Hamburg 27 August 2012 – Rollei Fotopro presents two new tripods made of carbon and magnesium, bearing the names Rollei Fotopro X-5M and X-6M. With a height of 1.48 metres when extended, the X-5M carbon tripod weighs just a little over 1.3 kilograms, including ball-head. The ultra-light and very well made carbon tripod has a ball-head and can handle loads of up to 15 kilograms in weight.
The tripod shoulder is made of magnesium, which saves a great deal of weight while giving the tripod increased stability. The head is not only beautiful in terms of technical design, as you can also adjust the ease of movement of the ball. This mechanism is regulated by a simple wheel with an attractive metallic finish. For accurate alignment of the tripod legs, each upper leg segment has a scale for ultraprecise adjustment. With a minimum working height of 13.5 centimetres and a folded size of just 42.5 centimetres, the X-5M is the ideal companion for professionals. Outdoor fun with a lightweight and sturdy companion: perfect for use in the cold while wearing gloves, thanks to the twist mechanism which locks the leg segments in place. The same applies to the mechanism that changes the leg angles The carbon tripod provides high stability with beautiful simplicity. The X-6M model, with a height of 1.74 metres when extended, is no more than 56 centimetres long when folded, and with a weight of 1.5 kilograms it is the bigger brother of the X-5M. It has an unbelievable load-bearing capacity of 25 kilograms including the head. The lowest working height is 14.5 centimetres.

The ball-head is made of T6 aluminium, which originates from aircraft construction. With a large quick-release plate and two spirit levels, it has everything you could expect from a ball-head. Its most appealing details include the ability to adjust the ease of movement of the ball head - this gives tremendous stability, especially for the big cameras used by professionals – as well as the screw mechanism which locks the camera plate in place along its whole length, and the graduated angle indicator for panning shots.

Availability and price: The X-5M including ball-head and bag will be available for a recommended retail price of EUR 599.95. The X-6M will also include a ball-head and bag – for an RRP of EUR 699.95. Both tripods will be available in stores from the beginning of November 2012.

About Rollei: Rollei‘s history began in 1920 in a workshop in Brunswick. With the twin-lens Rolleiflex, a groundbreaking roll-film camera, Rollei quickly established its international reputation as a precision manufacturer, became an iconic brand and coined its own style of photography in the 50s and 60s. In 2007 RCP-Technik GmbH, with its headquarters in Hamburg, acquired the Europe-wide Rollei brand licensing rights and since that date has marketed the Rollei consumer products with growing success. Rollei products are currently available on the market in more than twenty European countries. The current Rollei product range includes digital cameras, camcorders, action camcorders, digital photo frames, slide film scanners, Fotopro tripods and photo and iPhone accessories Excellent service is available for all Rollei products: the 24-month care-free package provides customers with the possibility to exchange the product for a new device within eight days in the event of damage. In the case of publication or editorial reference, we would be happy to receive a link or a specimen copy.

Gary Fong Lightsphere Collapsible Snoot & Coloured Dome Kit

Gary Fong has announced two new products; the Lightsphere Collapsible Snoot and the Colored Dome Kit. The Lightsphere Collapsible Snoot ($49.95 on its own or $59.95 with a PowerGrid) gives photographers maximum efficiency and directional control over strobe lighting when mounted off-camera, allowing one to create cutting edge, “fashion style” special effects, while the Coloured Dome Kit (pictured)includes a Red, Blue and Green Dome for creating special effects as well as a Gray Dome for white balancing. Compatible with the renowned Lightsphere Universal and Lightsphere Collapsible, the Coloured Dome Kit is available for $24.95.
Press Release
Lightsphere Collapsible Snoot (sold with or without PowerGrid)- MAP $49.95/$59.95
Similarly to the PowerSnoot, the Lightsphere Collapsible Snoot gives photographers maximum efficiency and directional control over strobe lighting when mounted off-camera, allowing one to create cutting edge, “fashion style” special effects. The black finish of the Lightsphere Collapsible Snoot blocks the light spilled out of the sides of the diffuser so instead of filing a room with soft light, the photographer can project the light directly onto the subject with a controlled yet soft burst that is great for hair highlighting, selective lighting of subjects, or highlighting a subject against a busy background. In other words, the Lightsphere Collapsible Snoot allows you to focus light into the areas you want to highlight, and more importantly away from the areas you don’t.
Colored Dome Kit- MAP $24.95
Designed for photographers looking to elevate their creativity and gain accuracy, the Colored Dome Kit includes a Red, Blue and Green Dome for creating special effects as well as a Gray Dome for white balancing. The Domes easily snap in place and are compatible with the renowned Lightsphere Universal and the highly acclaimed Lightsphere Collapsible so that all Gary Fong Lightsphere users can explore the possibilities that the Colored Dome Kit has to offer. The Red, Blue and Green Domes can be used on an off-camera auxiliary flash to ‘paint’ the sky a dramatic color or to add dimension and flare to an otherwise flat, boring background. Photographers already using the popular Lightsphere Collapsible Colored Gel Kit will have an exponential amount of creative allowances by either adding two like colors to deepen the chosen hue or by mixing and matching colors to achieve secondary colors, such as purple.

Verbatim 600x UHS-I SDXC Memory Cards

Verbatim today introduced a range of SDHC and SDXC Cards with UHS-I specificationand bus interface speeds up to 104MB/s. Conforming to standards set by the SD Association, the UHS-I SDHC and SDXC Cards from Verbatim offer read speeds of up to 600x (90MB/sec) and write speeds of 166x (25MB/sec). Verbatim’s UHS-I SDHC Cards are available to buy now and cost £24.99 for a 16GB card and £39.99 for a 32GB, while the UHS-I SDXC Card (pictured) will be released in 64GB capacity later this year.
Verbatim Press Release
Verbatim launches fastest type of SD card available with up to 64GB capacity
UHS-I SDHC and SDXC Cards are ideal for capturing and transferring high-definition video and digital photography
London, England – August 28, 2012 – Meeting the increasing demand for high-performance memory cards, Verbatim introduces a range of SDHC and SDXC Cards with UHS-I specification – the fastest category of high-performance SD cards available today with bus interface speeds up to 104MB/s.
Conforming to standards set by the SD Association, the UHS-I SDHC and SDXC Cards from Verbatim offer extremely fast read speeds of up to 600x (90MB/sec) and very quick write speeds of 166x (25MB/sec).
With a write protect feature to prevent accidental erasure of data and generous data storage capacities of up to 64GB available to capture and transfer high-definition (HD) movies and high-resolution digital photos, the memory cards from Verbatim enable professional photographers and videographers to use SDHC or SDXC-based cameras and camcorders rather than relying solely on Compact Flash or SSD. The increasing use of mobile applications also demands higher storage capacities and faster data transfer rates.
“The new Ultra High Speed designation UHS-I has been announced recently by the SD Association”, explains Chris Chalder, Business Development Manager for Verbatim EUMEA. “Our new SDHC and SDXC Cards meet this specification, set the standards for next-level performance and are designed to store hours of high definition video.”
Verbatim’s UHS-I SDHC Cards are available to buy now and cost £24.99 for a 16GB card and £39.99 for a 32GB, while the UHS-I SDXC Card will be released in 64GB later this year.

Samsung Galaxy S Camera Coming?

When Polaroid dropped its Android-based compact camera at CES 2012, we knew it was a sign of what was coming.  Honestly though, I didn’t think it would take as long to see an Android-powered camera from another manufacturer.  This month, however, Nikon introduced the Coolpix S800c compact camera that runs Android 2.3 under the hood.  I think we’re about to see an onslaught of these in the next few months – particularly at CES 2013.
The latest rumor of a non-phone Android-powered camera comes from Samsung.  The electronics giant (who just got spanked by Apple over patent infringements regarding Samsung’s popular smartphones’ similarity to the iPhone) may be putting together the “Samsung Galaxy S Camera.”
Rumored specs of such camera include a 4.8″ touch screen on the back and Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich powering the hybrid point and shoot.  Additional specs are rumored to include a 16MP sensor, 10x optical zoom and a pop-up flash.
Moreover, the Samsung Galaxy S Camera is rumored to be offered with built-in WiFi or WiFi + 3G connectivity.
[via PetaPixel]

Datacolor Announces Dates and Times for Free Autumn/Winter Webinars

Datacolor has just announced a number of additional dates to their series of free monthly webinars on colour calibration. The next scheduled webinar in the series, taking place on 12th September from 3:00 PM to 4:15 PM EDT, addresses colour management for fine art reproduction. Other webinars will highlight such topics as calibration for display devices including iPhones and iPads, using Spyder technology for colour management, and holiday gift ideas from Datacolor. Click through / scroll down for a detailed list of webinar dates and times.
Datacolor Press Release
Datacolor Announces Fall/Winter Dates and Times for Free Color Management Webinars
Step-By-Step Color Calibration Instructions and Holiday Ideas
Lawrenceville, NJ – August 27, 2012 – Datacolor® (http://www.datacolor.com), a global leader in digital color management technology, announced today additional dates to their series of free monthly webinars featuring hands-on instruction aimed to demonstrate the simplicity of color calibration. The next scheduled webinar in the series, taking place on Wednesday, September 12 from 3:00 PM to 4:15 PM EDT, addresses color management for fine art reproduction. Other webinars will highlight such topics as calibration for display devices including iPhones and iPads, using Spyder technology for color management, and holiday gift ideas from Datacolor.

Hosted by Datacolor’s Global Product Technology Manager David Tobie and noted landscape and fine art photographer, David Saffir, author of “Master Digital Color,” the monthly webinars continue to provide in-depth discussions and step-by-step demonstrations using Datacolor’s Spyder line of color calibration devices. In this expanded series, attendees will gain insight on various topics including how color calibration can help yield higher quality photo results and what product makes the best holiday gift.

“As we continue our monthly webinar series, we are able to not only provide a step-by-step explanation of color calibration solutions for professional photographers, but also helpful tips and tricks for the photo enthusiast,” said David Tobie. “From fine art reproduction to improving your family’s holiday photos, photographers of all levels can learn about the tools to produce color-accurate results and ultimately improve their images.”

Upcoming topics for the Datacolor color management webinar series to include:
September 12, 2012 3:00 – 4:15 p.m. EDT: Color Management for Fine Art Reproduction
September 19, 2012 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. EDT: Introduction to Color Management Using Spyder Technology
October 16, 2012 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. EDT: Calibration for All of Your Display Devices, Including iPhones, iPads, and More
November 14, 2012 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. EST: Holiday Stocking Stuffers from Datacolor
December 12, 2012 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. EST: Getting the Most Out of Your Holiday Photos

Registered attendees will be able to view the monthly webinars free of charge, and have the chance to interact with the speakers in a Q&A format. All attendees will also be automatically entered to win a Datacolor Spyder product coinciding with the webinar topic. Guests can register now at http://spyder.datacolor.com/webinars/.

About Datacolor
Datacolor is a global leader in color management solutions and color communication technology. The world’s leading brands, manufacturers, creative professionals and consumers have been choosing Datacolor’s innovative technology and solutions to consistently achieve the right color for nearly 40 years. A Swiss held company, Datacolor’s global presence encompasses a sales, service and support network serving customers in more than 65 countries throughout Europe, the Americas and Asia, along with 13 worldwide operation and production facilities. Industries served include apparel and textile, paint and coatings, automotive, plastics, photography, home theater and others. For more information about Datacolor and its products or services, visit http://www.datacolor.com.

Photokina 2012: tutte le informazioni su biglietti, espositori e il programma degli eventi

Certo andare al Photokina 2012, che apre i battenti dal 18 al 23 Settembre, per noi italiani non è facile come andare al Photoshow di Roma o Milano. Ma il viaggio fino a Colonia in Germania ci ripagherà con una fiera di rilevanza internazionale, dove le aziende mostrano spesso per la prima volta le fotocamere ed i prodotti più innovativi del loro catalogo.
Inoltre la fiera si tiene ogni due anni, quindi se manchiamo quest’anno dovremo aspettare fino al 2014 per poter partecipare alla prossima edizione. Per aiutare chi vuole e chi ha la possibilità di andare al Photokina 2012 vi dò una serie di informazioni utili. Innanzitutto, ovvio ma importante, tenete d’occhio il sito ufficiale: lì trovate tutti gli aggiornamenti in tempo reale.
Secondo punto: i biglietti. Sono cari, parecchio cari. Costa a persona € 45 per un giorno, € 75 per due giorni e ben € 120 per l’intera durata della fiera. Questi però sono i prezzi per chi acquista al botteghino. Acquistandoli online al Photokina Ticket Shop i prezzi scendono rispettivamente a € 29, € 47 ed € 76. Per chi volesse risparmiare ancora c’è l’opzione weekend: entrando sabato 22 o domenica 23 si paga € 16 in prevendita ed € 22 al botteghino, ma sono in pratica i giorni conclusivi.
L’elenco degli espositori previsti è enorme: ad occhio nessuna azienda nonostante la crisi economica ha voluto mancare all’evento. Scorrendo la mappa dei vari padiglioni troviamo subito nomi come Leica, che gioca giustamente in casa, Canon, Nikon, Hasselblad, Fujifilm e via dicendo.
Ovviamente non sono presenti solo le aziende produttrici di fotocamere, ma anche le aziende che producono accessori, dagli stativi fino ai fotolibri. Abbiamo quindi nomi come la Impossibile Project, che ha riportato in vita le pellicole Polaroid, la specialista dell’illuminazione da studio Elinchrom oppure la Epson con i suoi dispositivi dedicati alla scansione ed alla stampa.
Infine come non parlare degli eventi: il programma è a dir poco sterminato, e per poter partecipare anche ad una minima parte di essi rende quasi obbligatorio l’acquisto del biglietto per l’intera durata del Photokina 2012. C’è di tutto, dai concorsi alle mostre, dai seminari alle sessioni fotografiche. Giusto per fare qualche esempio c’è la possibilità di farsi fotografare in un ring di macchine fotografiche in puro stile Matrix. Oppure ci sarà la possibilità di provare le ottiche da fotografia naturalistica sfruttando come modelli anche un’aquila con apertura alare di oltre due metri.

Nikon Coolpix P7700: a chi serve più il mirino?

Le cosiddette compatte evolute si distinguono dalle sorelle minori per la presenza di numerosi comandi manuali, utili per avere facilmente un controllo creativo su parametri come quelli dell’esposizione, e per la presenza di parti come la slitta per il flash esterno e come il mirino ottico. Quest’ultimo però spesso è davvero di scarsa utilità, come ho avuto modo di dire nella mia recensione della Canon G1 X.
Un mirino ottico dove l’inquadratura è imprecisa, parzialmente occultata dal barilotto dello zoom e priva di conferme dell’autofocus è praticamente meglio perderlo che averlo. Sembrano della stessa opinione gli ingegnieri della Nikon, che hanno presentato la nuova Nikon Coolpix P7700 dotata di un comodissimo monitor LCD da 3″ completamente orientabile, inserito eliminando dal corpo proprio il mirino ottico.
Queste le altre caratteristiche principali della nuova compatta evoluta:

• sensore CMOS 12 Megapixel da 1/1,7″ retroilluminato
• zoom ottico 7.1x equivalente 28-200mm con luminosità f/2.0-4.0 e stabilizzatore VR
• sensibilità ISO da 80 a 6400
• raffica da 8 fps (fino a 6 fotogrammi), 4 fps (fino a 6 fotogrammi) e 1 fps (fino a 30 fotogrammi)
• riprese video Full HD (1080p) con audio stereo

Via | Nital
Nikon Coolpix P7700

Fujifilm X-E1: addio mirino ibrido

Si tratta ovviamente solo di un rumor, ma le foto della nuova mirrorless ad ottiche intercambiabili Fujifilm X-E1 sembrano davvero realistiche. Si tratta dichiaratamente di un’evoluzione della Fujifilm X-Pro1, a cui sostanzialmente è stato semplicemente rimosso il mirino ibrido.
Il mirino ibrido infatti è molto costoso data la sua complessità di realizzazione: un classico mirino elettronico risulta più economico e molti utilizzatori lo preferiscono in quanto si ha maggiore sicurezza durante la messa a fuoco.
Sempre in base ai rumors dovrebbe essere in arrivo anche un nuovo zoom, il Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R OIS. Le principali novità sono la stabilizzazione ottica e la ghiera dei diaframmi non più con scatti preimpostati ma libera.
Si nota infatti nell’immagine il selettore che permette di disattivare, lasciando quindi in automatico, oppure attivare il controllo dei diaframmi.
Via | Photo Rumors
Fujifilm X-E1

Fujifilm XP1 o forse Fujifilm XF1: in ogni caso sarà un successo!

Oggi i rumors sonon davvero in fermento per quanto riguarda la Fujifilm: dopo aver mostrato le prime immagini della mirrorless ad ottiche intercambiabili Fujifilm X-E1 è subito il turno della compatta sottile Fujifilm XP1 o forse Fujifilm XF1.
Purtroppo infatti non si hanno altre informazioni oltre a quelle che si possono ricavare dalle immagini. Quasi sicuramente l’elettronica è derivata dalla sorella maggiore Fujifilm X10, rispetto alla quale però manca del tutto il mirino. L’intenzione sembra palesemente quella di realizzare un corpo il più compatto possibile.
Dovrebbe però rimanere il controllo manuale dello zoom, almeno a giudicare dalle serigrafie sul barilotto. Sempre dalle scritte si vede che ci sarà uno zoom 4x probabilmente equivalente ad un 25-100mm con luminosità f/1.8-4.9.
Il design infine è quello letteralmente sposato dalla Fujifilm, ovvero quello vintage, rivelatosi ultimamente davvero vincente. Notate poi anche voi la somiglianza con la Leica X1?
Via | Fuji Rumors
Fujifilm XP1 o forse Fujifilm XF1

Nikon Coolpix S800c: la fotocamera diventa smart con Android

Ormai anche per i fotografi più attenti alla qualità non è così raro prendere il telefono ed utilizzarlo per realizzare degli scatti, magari apprezzando gli effetti facilmente aggiugibili tramite applicazioni dedicate come il ben noto Instagram.
Ecco che alcune piccole aziende hanno iniziato a valutare l’idea di realizzare una fotocamera basata su Android, come nel caso della Polaroid SC1630, dichiaratamente derivata dall’Altek Leo. L’idea è stata ripresa dalla Nikon Coolpix S800c, la prima compatta della casa giapponese con a bordo per l’appunto Android versione 2.3.
Grazie alla presenza di connettività Wi-Fi sarà possibile quindi collegarsi a Google Play e scaricare applicazioni fotografiche ma anche social media e giochi. L’interazione è resa possibile anche dal generoso monitor OLED antiriflesso da 3.5″ e 819.000 pixels ovviamente di tipo tattile.
Dopo il salto trovate le altre caratteristiche principali.

• sensore CMOS da 16 megapixel retroilluminato
• zoom 10x equivalente 25-250mm stabilizzato
• GPS incorporato
• riprese video Full HD (1080p) con audio stereo
• 1,7 GB di memoria interna per immagini e filmati, 680 MB per le applicazioni, espandibili tramite schede memoria SD

La Nikon S800c sarà disponibile nei colori bianco e nero ad un prezzo di lancio di circa $ 349.95.
Via | Nital
Nikon Coolpix S800c