Sun-Damaged Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III and the Perils of Lens Testing
I was testing a Canon EF 600mm f/4 IS USM Super Telephoto Lens on a Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III Camera body for a new lens comparison tool (coming to the site in the near future). After completing a short test procedure, I removed the 600mm lens from the body - only to be greeted with a very-dishearteningly-noticeable amount of smoke. I obviously had the 600mm lens framed too close to the sun for too long of a period of time - which I'm guessing was a minute or so. Here is a look at the blistered plastic in the 1Ds III. Imagine taking a $8k lens off of a $6k camera and seeing a plume of very-black smoke come out. Wish I had video'd that! The good news is that the camera is fine - just cosmetic damage was done.
Canon HK Reveals New IXUS 1000 HS Digital Compact Camera
Details of the camera can be found in the Canon HK IXUS 1000 HS Digital Compact Camera Press Release. (thanks David)
ZEISS Compact Prime CP.2 Lenses in Nikon F-mount
Cine Lenses with Maximum Flexibility Compact Prime CP.2 lenses from Carl Zeiss now also with F-mount OBERKOCHEN/Germany, 08.09.2010. In 4th quarter of 2010, ZEISS Compact Prime CP.2 lenses will be available with F-mount. The Compact Prime CP.2 series, presented last April, were the first lenses developed especially for shooting with HDSLR cameras. Since then, the lenses have been highly sought after by cinematographers and film photographers alike. In addition to the PL-, EF- and F-mount, Carl Zeiss will soon also be offering the Compact Prime CP.2 lenses with Micro 4/3 and A-mount. The Compact Prime CP.2 lenses’ inter- changeable mount means the lenses can be used for many purposes. The lenses have a compact and robust build so that they can handle any demand on the film set. “With the new enhancement of mounts we want to meet the needs of our customers”, says Michael Schiehlen, Head of Sales of Carl Zeiss AG Camera Lens Division. “The possibility of using our CP.2 lenses flexibly for three different camera systems is not only interesting for new customers. Stores that rent cameras and camera equipment also benefit from the lenses’ enhanced flexibility.” Just in time for the IBC in Amsterdam, Carl Zeiss has announced two new focus lengths that will also be available with F-mount: Compact Prime CP.2 50 mm/T2.1 Makro and CP.2 100mm/T2.1 CF. They complement the seven focal lengths from 18 to 85 millimeters that are already available.
SD Association Announces New Memory Card Design
The SD Association has announced a new memory card design. This is "... a new, dual-row pin memory card design achieving bus interface speeds of up to 300 megabytes per second for SDXC and SDHC devices and memory cards. It is fully backwards compatible, allowing equipped devices full use of any SD, SDHC and SDXC memory cards." "New high speed interface signals will be assigned on the second row of pins of select SDXC and SDHC memory cards offering the new speed. This option will be available in both full-size and micro form factors and does not change the physical size or shape of the cards. This design will be part of the forthcoming SD 4.0 specification, expected in early 2011."
Nikon DSLR + Lens Combo Rebate Deals at B&H - Save up to $1,100.00
B&H has packaged the Nikon DSLR + Lens Combo Rebates. Savings are as much as $1,100.00.
Deal: Canon EOS 1D Mark IV Refurb - Only $4,199.00 Shipped
Adorama has the Canon EOS 1D Mark IV in refurbished condition (like new in my experience) for only $4,199.00 shipped. Act fast if you want one of these!
20+ Additional Canon Refurbished Items Available Now
The Canon Refurbished inventory at Adorama has just been updated. About 20 additional items are now available.
Zeiss Filters and Camera Strap Announced
Just announced: Zeiss Filters and Camera Strap. I could easily see the filters coming, but I have to admit that the camera strap blind-sided me.
B&H now has Current Canon Combo Rebate Deals Loaded - Canon Rebates Ending Sep 11th
B&H has added the current Canon DSLR + Lens or Flash rebates to their site. They were unusually slow getting these deals loaded, so if you were looking for one of these combinations, hit one of the buy buttons below:
Model Rebate Amount Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens $100.00 Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8 L II USM Lens $200.00 Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II USM Lens $280.00 Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM Lens $220.00 Canon TS-E 45mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift Lens $160.00 Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM Lens $200.00 Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens $60.00 Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 L II USM Lens $260.00 Canon EF 100mm f/2.0 USM Lens $60.00 Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L IS USM Macro Lens $130.00 Canon EF 135mm f/2.8 With Softfocus Lens $70.00 Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flash $80.00 Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flash $50.00The rebate form is available for download. Remember, these rebates end Sep 11th.
B&H Photo Closing for Holidays
We are approaching holiday season for B&H. To receive prompt shipment of your order, standard-shipping orders must be placed before 6:00 PM EDT today and rush-shipping orders must be placed before 11:00 AM EDT Wed. Orders placed after these cut-off times will be shipped when B&H reopens. Online ordering will not be available during this holiday. Order your gear now: B&H Photo
Tamron Announces Limited Time Super Rebates
End of Summer Super Rebates of Up To $100 on Six of Tamron's Most Popular Lenses Valid Through October 10, 2010 September 3, 2010, Commack, NY— Tamron USA, Inc. announced today an End of Summer Super Rebate program that gives consumers extra cash incentive when purchasing one of the select lenses included on the program. The limited time offer is valid on purchases made September 3 through October 10, 2010. New Super Rebates on Six Top Lenses Included in this special offer are:• Tamron AF18-270mm Di-II VC (model B003) at $100• Tamron AF18-200mm Di-II (model A14) at $100• Tamron AF28-300mm Di at (model A20) at $50• Tamron SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 VC (model B005) at $100• Tamron SP AF10-24mm (model B001) at $100• Tamron SP AF60mm F/2.0 1:1 Macro (model G005) at $100 The End of Summer Super Rebate form can be found on Tamron USA's website. The lenses can be found at B&H Photo.
Canon EOS 60D Owners Manual Available for Download
The Canon EOS 60D Owners Manual (9 MB PDF) is now available for download.
Datacolor SpyderLensCal Announced
Datacolor has announced the SpyderLensCal - "New Tool Enables Photographers to Measure and Improve Autofocus Performance"
Canon USA Launches Why Do You Love Football Challenge 2010
It's back. Canon USA's Why Do You Love Football Challenge 2010 is on.
New Tamron Lens Rebates - New 70-300 VC Lens Included
Tamron has launched a new lens rebate program. Get the full details from the Tamron Rebate Form. Of note is that the new Tamron SP AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC Lens (Adorama) is only $399.00 after the just-announced $50 rebate.