The Canon 1D X Mark III has been shipping for quite some time and with its capability to record up to 5.5k RAW video internally, it promises to be a leader in its class. Together with the upcoming EOS R5, Canon is showing muscle flexing and an explosion of technical generosity. To me, it looks like a true come back for the creator of the VDSLR segment and a former leader of that field.
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Before anyone gets the wrong idea, I should clarify that the title of this article is a suggestion and not a claim.
Recently, there has been some speculation about the price of the upcoming Canon EOS R5. Although no official numbers have been announced yet, there was a rumor that originated from an Australian retailer, suggesting the price will be $6,700. For many people, including myself, I’d say that’s a pretty reasonable price point, considering what this camera could offer. At that price point, the EOS R5 would be the cheapest full-frame 8K video camera on the market that also shoots raw. The few alternatives cost significantly more (when you consider the full setup required), and the R5 is likely to offer some brilliant options for photographers too.
I’m sure some of you will disagree with how fair that price is, however, it’s difficult to argue, considering what the camera is set to offer. Despite this, I still think the price of this camera, when released, should not be any higher than $4,000 mark.
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Buying a beautiful f/2.8 lens zoom is tempting. Large apertures are always better. If you’re using primes, a f/1.8 or f/1.4 is even better. But is that expensive large aperture lens really necessary for your photography?
The first lens I bought next to the one I got with my camera was the beautiful white Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM. Its name is a mouth full, basically meaning it has that amazing f/2.8 aperture over the complete focal range. It is white, it is large, it is heavy, it looked good on the camera, and people were impressed by this huge white expensive looking lens.
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VAXIS has announced that they are working on a new wireless video transmitter for the upcoming RED Komodo. The VAXIS ATOM 600 KV will connect to the camera via a dual Canon BP battery slot and provide a power pass-through for V-Mount batteries. It will offer up to 600ft transmission distance for up to 1080p video signal with less than 0.1s delay.
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Z CAM eND (electronic ND) Filter is a new product compatible with Z CAM E2 S6, F6 and F8 cinema cameras (EF or PL Mount versions). First introduced during the IBC 2019, the eND filter offers ND range from 1.7 to 6.7 stops in 1/3 stop increments. It is now available for pre-order.
Z CAM eND Filter Unit. Source: Z CAM
Last year during the IBC Show in Amsterdam, we stopped by at the Z CAM booth to talk about their new flagship cameras and we were happy to see the planned optional Electronic ND Filter unit. Make sure to check the video and the article itself.
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Sigma has announced a forthcoming firmware update for the full-frame mirrorless Sigma fp that will add some very impressive features including cinemagraph functionality, Full HD 120fps RAW video capture, HDR shooting, and more.
The official announcement was posted last night as a sort of “preview of coming attractions.” Slated to be released in Summer of 2020, the Firmware Update Ver.2.00 will improve the Sigma fp by adding support for six important features:
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The Micro Four Thirds System standard just added a few new members: YONGNUO, MEDIAEDGE and most notably Venus Optics just joined the standard. The latter company is responsible for the well-known Laowa brand. In the year 2008, Panasonic and Olympus originally jointly announced the Micro Four Thirds System. Since then, it has grown to 44 alliance partners, as listed on their https://www.four-thirds.org website.
Lens Collection from the MFT System Standard Group (Credits: Olympus Corporation / based on an image by four-thirds.org)
Some words about the companies that just joined the formation:
Venus Optics (i.e. Anhui ChangGeng Optics Technology Co., Ltd., better known under their brand Laowa) is a company that was formed by photography experts and lovers in China in 2013. Since then they have created a wide range of photography lenses with lots of specialized products. Among the newest photography lenses are the Laowa 4mm f/2.8 Fisheye MFT, Laowa 17mm f/1.8 MFT, Laowa 17mm f/4 Ultra-Wide GFX Zero-D and the Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO. The newest cine lens is the Laowa 12mm t/2.9 Zero-D Cine lens, which according to the company, is the widest t/2.9 lens that unrestrictedly covers full-frame and even vista vision size (larger than full-frame) at the same time. Among these specialty lenses, the brand presumably became best-known for their Laowa 24mm f/14 2X Macro Probe lens (our review here). For more information, feel free to take a look at https://www.venuslens.net
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I didn’t have a terribly long time with Fujifilm’s latest hybrid shooterbefore it was released—it was only about a week for what you see shot below—but thankfully, not too much has changed since the previous X-T3, and what has is obvious and easy to evaluate.
Compared to the X-T3, the X-T4 is still weather resistant, still shoots 10-bit 4k internal F-Log at 60p, and maintains much of what made its predecessor great. Fuji has simply added a few things that make it an even better tool for the hybrid creators like myself.
These additions are what I’d like to discuss. Furthermore, given my rather limited experience with the new gear, I want to keep these initial thoughts succinct.
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The new FUJIFILM X-T4 has just been released, promising to be one of the more interesting cameras to be delivered during 2020. If you are like me, an owner of the FUJIFILM X-T3 who wished for a little extra, then the wait is over. Enhanced performance, combining the advantage of the now discontinued X-1H (stabilised sensor) and articulating LCD screen, can now be found within this newcomer camera. Prepared to be impressed by what seems to be the best all around small and lightweight APS-C sensor camera that can shoot video, currently in the market?
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Blackmagic Design just released the new Camera V6.8 firmware update for both Pocket 4K and 6K cameras. The new firmware improves camera stratup times and USB PTP control performance, and it fixes the issue with slow mounting of media containing large number of clips. Further, it fixes the issue with EF lens stabilization for the Pocket 6K camera.
Blackmagic Design Camera v6.8 for BMPCC 4K and 6K released. Image credit: cinema5D
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and 6K both offer very nice image quality for the price. Although the cameras do have some shortcommings, which often need to be adressed by third party solutions (powering, media, etc.), they have gotten quite popular among filmmakers. To know more about these cameras, or to refresh some features and specs, make sure to check one of our older articles:
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The FUJIFILM X-T200 is the latest entry-level 24.2MP mirrorless camera with 4K video, capable of shooting 1:1 square format HD video and ‘Digital Gimbal’ stabilization. The standard video frame rates, flipped screen, faster autofocus and as a lightweight of only 370 grams, this new model improved in many ways compared to its predecessor.
FUJIFILM X-T200 – Image source: FUJIFILM
The latest mirrorless X-mount camera from FUJINON offers up a range of video features ideal for entry-level filmmaking and vlogging including 4K video up to 30p. A new 24.2MP sensor has a faster readout speed than the X-T100 which results in less rolling shutter. The inclusion of 1×1 ‘square’ aspect ratio in HD reflects a trend in shooting content for social media.
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We would all love to have the absolutely astounding supertelephoto primes that the pros use, but with prices well into five figures, they are simply not in the cards for most of us. Luckily, in the last few years, companies have been releasing better and better long zooms at more affordable prices. This great review takes a look at the Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens.
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I recently got the chance to use the new Hasselblad X1D II for a week. It was my first experience with medium format and required a bit of adapting on a learning curve. Here are my first impressions about the body, design, lenses, and general usability of the camera.
You know the feeling you get when you’re walking down the street and there’s a shiny new Lamborghini parked outside? You pull out your phone and snap a picture to send to your friends. You even look around to see if anyone is around and think to yourself: “how close can I get to it? Should I touch it? I wonder if it’s unlocked? Man, this leather is soft. Why are they putting me in handcuffs? I was just smelling it!?” Just me? Well, I get the same feeling when I see a Hasselblad. To be totally honest, I thought my chances of using a Hasselblad were about the same as getting to joy ride that Lamborghini. When Hasselblad agreed to send me an X1D II and a couple lenses to test out, I was kind of in shock, but obviously jumped at the chance. I’ve always said a camera is a camera is a camera. If you call yourself a photographer, I should be able to give you any camera and you should take a good picture. But there is something to be said about nice gear that inspires creativity. It puts you in a new mindset and excites you. This camera definitely did that for me.
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Venus Optics launched their Laowa 4mm f/2.8 Circular Fisheye lens in three new versions for popular mirrorless cameras. New mounts include Canon EF-M, FUJIFILM X-Mount, and Sony-E. The lens in all its versions is available now for around $199.
Laowa 4mm f/2.8 Fisheye lens for new mirrorless mounts. Source: Venus Optics
Back in August 2019, Venus Optics launched their unique Laowa 4mm f/2.8 Circular Fisheye lens for the Micro Four Thirds lens mount. Five months later, the company launches this lens also for other popular mirrorless mounts.
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In a continued attempt to woo vloggers and travel shooters, Sony today unveiled the GP-VPT2BT: a “wireless shooting grip” for mirrorless cameras that lets users switch seamlessly between shooting video and stills on the run.
The GP-VPT2BT is a “shooting grip with wireless remote commander” that’s compatible with all of Sony’s latest mirrorless cameras—the a9 II, a9, a7R IV, a7R III, a7 III, a6600, a6400, and a6100—as well as the RX100 VII and RX0 II, as long as you’re running the latest firmware. The grip allows you to securely use the camera at arm’s length, while putting control of key camera functions right on the handle.
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It appears that Fuji may have a busy couple of months coming up, with rumors that the X-T4, X100V, and X-T200 may be announced as soon as February 4. Is Fuji beginning to match Sony’s aggressive release schedule? Will we see some major changes to the successor of the incredibly popular X-T3?
FujiAddict reports that the X-T4 will be ⅓ of an inch thicker and up to 5 oz heavier than its predecessor, also touting 6K 60p with 10-bit internal recording and a fully articulating screen. The larger size would make sense, as the smart money is betting on the X-T4 having in-body image stabilization, one of the few features that videographers felt was missing from the X-T3. It would also accommodate a larger battery, which will be greatly welcomed by Fuji shooters used to carrying a handful of NP-W126S batteries with them, a model that’s been used across a wide range of Fuji bodies for several years now.
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Canon’s mirrorless lenses have been quite successful for the company, offering impressive optical quality that sets the bar quite high. However, Canon fans are still waiting for a stronger mirrorless body that pushes the boundaries a bit more from the company. The good news is that it seems that will be changing soon, as the company is likely to release two new mirrorless cameras in the coming months.
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