Canon Live Learning: to empower and inspire

Canon Live Learning Inspires Attendees to Develop Their Personal Creative Vision

Lake Success, N.Y., May 12, 2009 – Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging, today announced the launch of Canon Live Learning, a new on-site education program targeted towards photographers who currently use or are interested in Canon's popular line of EOS photographic products. Canon Live Learning (CLL) will offer high-quality classes and workshops conducted by a number of the industry's leading professional photographers, Canon's Explorers of Light. CLL attendees will learn how to get the most out of their gear while also having the opportunity to try out Canon's latest line of EOS products. "Through the Canon Live Learning program we are hoping to empower and inspire our customers to further enhance their skills and passion for the art of imaging," said Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A. "Canon Live Learning adds value to the experience of owning and using Canon photographic products." CLL will consist of two distinct educational opportunities: EOS Essentials and EOS Extras. EOS Essentials is a two-day weekend program which will start on Saturday with a mini-conference for participants to learn about a variety of topics, followed by optional hands-on workshops. On Sunday, participants will be organized in smaller groups and take part in workshops conducted by a Canon Explorer of Light professional photographer. The EOS Extras program is a series of exciting, two-day hands-on workshops with a Canon Explorer of Light. Participants will go on location in order to learn about photographic techniques and try Canon's latest EOS equipment. Potential participants can go online to learn more about each program and register at this Web page: www.usa.canon.com/canonlivelearning EOS Essentials The Canon Live Learning EOS Essentials program is ideal for photographers who are interested in learning how to get the most out of their EOS and other photography equipment. During the first day of the program, four topics will be covered, at approximately 90 minutes per topic. Canon Explorers of Light, local professional photographers and Canon instructors will present each topic through an inspirational blend of on-screen content and live demonstrations. After each presentation, questions and answers will be encouraged to further discussion and elicit new ideas. Topics in 2009 will include: "Creative Lighting with Speedlites," "HD Video with EOS DSLRs," "Landscape/Nature Photography," and "Maximizing Your EOS." The optional second day of the EOS Essentials program will offer a choice between two different hands-on workshops, each with an attending Explorer of Light photographer and other professional instructors. These workshops will be interactive and limited to 16 participants each. Participants will also be able to try out Canon's latest line of EOS products during these workshops. Workshop topics will vary according to the location, and are posted on the Canon Live Learning Web site. In 2009, the Canon EOS Essentials program will be held in the following cities: Location Dates New York, N.Y. May 30th – May 31st Chicago, Ill. June 13th – June 14th Los Angeles, Calif. June 20th – June 21st San Francisco, Calif. July 18th – July 19th Boston, Mass. TBD Seattle, Wash TBD Atlanta, Ga. TBD Dallas, TX TBD Confirmed Canon Explorers of Light who are scheduled to deliver at least one program are: Vincent Laforet, Bruce Dorn, Bob Davis, George Lepp, Darrell Gulin, Adam Jones and Jennifer Wu. Various local professional photographers, such as Carol Dragon, Richard Koci Hernandez and Paul Kennedy, are also scheduled to participate. Canon U.S.A. instructors will include Brian Matsumoto, Carl Peer and James Rose. All EOS Essentials presentations will be shown using Canon REALiS multimedia projectors for superb image quality, and each location will feature an equipment demonstration area where participants will be able to handle and try a wide range of Canon imaging products, including EOS cameras, EF lenses and Canon imagePROGRAF and PIXMA Pro photo printers. EOS Extras In addition to the EOS Essentials program, Canon Live Learning is offering EOS Extras where participants will have the opportunity to take part in a weekend of instruction on location at an interesting site with a Canon Explorer of Light. In this program, participants will get even more extensive hands-on experience and come away with an increased knowledge and understanding of their Canon EOS equipment. Participants will have the opportunity to use additional EOS equipment as well. The first EOS Extras weekend program is scheduled for June 6th through June 7th in Aspen, Colorado with Explorer of Light Tyler Stableford. Additional destinations will be announced in the coming weeks. Explorers of Light The Explorers of Light concept came out of Canon USA in the mid 1990's as a broad-ranging initiative for photographic education and inspiration. Today, the group is comprised of more than 60 of the most influential photographers in the world, each a master of their own creative specialty. The Explorers share their photographic passions and technical expertise with eager audiences of photo professionals, hobbyists and enthusiasts in a variety of personal appearances, seminars and gallery showings throughout the United States. Examples of the Explorers' work may be found online at the Explorers of Light Gallery as well as numerous museums, galleries and publications. Explorers of Light use Canon EOS photographic equipment. For more information, please visit the Canon Digital Learning Center: www.usa.canon.com/dlc Via Canon press release

Canon Breaks the $1,000 Mark Again with the First EOS Rebel Camera to Feature HD Movie Recording Capabilities

CANON U.S.A. INTRODUCES THE EOS REBEL T1i DIGITAL SLR CAMERA THE FIRST REBEL DSLR TO FEATURE HD VIDEO CAPTURE

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., March 25, 2009 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, today introduced a new addition to its Rebel lineup, the EOS Rebel T1i Digital SLR camera, the first in the Rebel line to feature Full HD video capture. The new Canon Rebel T1i SLR incorporates some of the best technologies from the EOS 50D and EOS 5D Mark II models into an entry-level juggernaut. With a 15.1 megapixel CMOS sensor and HD video capture, along with the DIGIC 4 Imaging Processor, the Rebel T1i gives aspiring photographers plenty of reason to step-up to the latest and greatest model in the Rebel lineup.

The new Canon EOS Rebel T1i raises the entry-level bar with a host of enhanced Canon technologies now available in an entry-level DSLR. Along with the boost in megapixels and Canon's most advanced imaging processor to-date, this latest Rebel camera has also been enhanced with HD video capture, a 3.0-inch Clear View LCD (920,000 dots/VGA) monitor and user-friendly functions such as Auto Lighting Optimizer, Creative Auto Mode and Canon's Live View modes, all the right tools to open new doors for imaging enthusiasts. From high-resolution to high-definition, the new EOS Rebel T1i Digital SLR camera helps to give creative consumers a jumpstart on the next evolution in digital imaging.

"We are witnessing the emergence of a new phase in digital imaging history, as high-resolution still images and HD video can now both be produced in a hand-held device, for under $1,000. This is truly a great time to be involved in digital imaging as the advent of online communities are helping usher in this next great era in imaging," stated Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A.

The muscle behind Canon's new EOS Rebel T1i camera is the DIGIC 4 Imaging Processor with 14-bit analog-to-digital conversion and the ability to process full HD video. The Canon EOS Rebel T1i Digital SLR offers continuous shooting at 3.4 fps for up to 170 large/fine JPEG images or up to nine RAW images in a single burst when using a class 6 or higher SD or SDHC memory card. Whether capturing wildlife on the run or a child mid-stride on the soccer field, users will appreciate the fast shooting capabilities of the Rebel T1i Digital SLR camera.

With the combination of its 15.1-megapixel APS-C size CMOS image sensor and the powerful new DIGIC 4 image processor, the Canon EOS Rebel T1i camera provides ISO speeds from ISO 100 up to ISO 3200 in whole stop increments, along with two additional high-speed ISO settings – H1: 6400 and H2: 12800.

The EOS Rebel T1i Digital SLR utilizes a precise nine-point Autofocus (AF) system and AF sensor for enhanced subject detection. The new EOS Rebel T1i DSLR provides a cross-type AF measurement at the center that is effective with all EF and EF-S lenses, while providing enhanced precision with lenses having maximum apertures of f/2.8 or faster. The cross-type AF measurement reads a wider variety of subject matter than conventional single-axis AF sensors and thus increases the new camera's ability to autofocus quickly and accurately when shooting still images.

The EOS Rebel T1i camera is compatible with Canon's complete line of over 60 Canon EF and EF-S lenses, to help provide an incredible variety of visual effects to both still and video imaging capture, including ultra-wide-angle and fish-eye to macro and super-telephoto. This includes all of Canon's large-aperture EF L-series professional lenses.

HD and SD Video Capture

After the introduction of the EOS 5D Mark II in September 2008, the Company's first HD video DSLR, Canon has integrated this must-have feature into the new entry-level flagship EOS Rebel T1i camera. The camera features 16:9 720p HD video capture at 30 fps as well as a Full HD 1080p video capture at 20 fps, and a third option to record 4:3 standard TV quality (SD) video capture at 640 x 480 pixels and 30 fps. The video capture mode is part of the camera's Live View function, using the Picture Style that has been set for Live View still image shooting. The camera allows skilled photographers and enthusiasts to adjust image sharpness, contrast, color saturation and white balance, and have those settings apply to the movie image as well. When recording video, the camera's rear LCD screen is letter-boxed by a semi-transparent border to match the aspect ratio of the movie recording size.

Like the EOS 5D Mark II model, the EOS Rebel T1i camera will record video up to 4GB per clip equaling approximately 12 minutes of Full HD video, 18 minutes of 720p HD video, or 24 minutes of SD video depending on the level of detail in the scene.i Video clips are recorded in .MOV format using an MPEG-4 video compression and sound is recorded using linear PCMii without compression. The camera features a built-in monaural microphone to record sound. To help show off those fantastic movies as well as still photos, the EOS Rebel T1i camera includes an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) output to display crisp, clear images on a High-Definition TV.

Live View Shooting

Much like the EOS 5D Mark II, the Canon EOS Rebel T1i camera features Live View for both still images as well as video. The Rebel T1i features the Company's three Live View AF modes – Quick, Live and Face Detection Live mode – which can be used to capture still photos or video images. Quick mode automatically sets One-Shot AF using the camera's phase detection AF system. It also allows users to select the AF point, even while the Live View image is displayed. Although the camera's reflex mirror must be lowered briefly to take an AF measurement in Quick mode, it is the fastest way to set focus automatically when the Rebel T1i camera is set for Live View.

Live mode uses contrast-detection AF with the image sensor and here, as with Quick mode, users can change the location of the active AF point using the Multi-controller. Face Detection Live mode uses contrast AF to recognize human faces. When multiple faces are detected, the largest face closest to the center of the frame is targeted as the AF point. While Live View is engaged, users can still change settings including the AF mode (Quick, Live, Face Detection Live mode), drive mode, ISO speed, Picture style, White Balance and more.

Auto Lighting Optimizer

Canon's Auto Lighting Optimizer technology helps ensure that the subject of each picture is clearly visible by analyzing image brightness and automatically adjusting dark areas in images so they appear brighter. This is ideal when shooting high-contrast situations that include harsh shadow areas, such as landscape images where the foreground is brightly lit and the background detail blanketed in dark shadow. In a scene such as this, the EOS Rebel T1i camera's Auto Lighting Optimizer technology maintains exposure of the highlight areas while lightening shadow areas for a more enjoyable and evenly illuminated image. The EOS Rebel T1i also supports Peripheral Illumination Correction for up to 40 Canon EF and EF-S lenses.

Canon's Creative Auto Mode
Canon's "CA" Creative Full Auto setting available on the EOS Rebel T1i, EOS 50D and EOS 5D Mark II cameras allows users to make image adjustments such as exposure compensation, aperture or shutter speed through a simple navigation screen on the camera's LCD screen, allowing them to "blur the background" or "lighten or darken the image" with ease. These easy-to-understand image options allow learning-photographers to experiment with image options while still shooting in an automatic mode.

EOS Integrated Cleaning System

With the introduction of the EOS Rebel T1i camera, the entire Canon EOS system is now equipped with the highly acclaimed EOS Integrated Cleaning System. The Self-Cleaning Sensor Unit for the Canon EOS Rebel T1i has been upgraded with a fluorine coating on the low-pass filter for better dust resistance.

Pricing and Availability

The Canon EOS Rebel T1i Digital SLR Camera is scheduled for delivery by early May and will be sold in a body-only configuration which includes a rechargeable battery pack and charger, USB and video cables, a neckstrap, an EOS Solutions Disk CD and a 1-year Canon U.S.A., Inc. limited warranty at an estimated retail price of $799.99. It will additionally be offered in a kit version with Canon's EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS zoom lens at an estimated retail price of $899.99.

Canon Speedlite 270EX

The new Canon Speedlite 270EX, the successor to the 220EX Speedlite model, is a compact, lightweight external flash option for Canon cameras including select Canon PowerShot models. Ideal for use with the new EOS Rebel T1i, the new Speedlite 270EX uses only two AA batteries and enables bounce flash shooting with four position steps from 0 degrees to 90 degrees. Like Canon's high-end Speedlite flash models, the 270EX allows users to control flash functions and input settings using the camera's LCD monitorv. The flash also features a quick-lock mechanism and a metal mounting foot for secure and easy attachment and reliable contact.

Via Canon press release

Mamiya DL33 medium size DSLR

Gizmodo says:
Medium format wizards Mamiya are continuing their legacy of huge-sensored digicams with the new DL33—33 megapixels spread across a 36mm x 48mm sensor, which is twice the size of a full-frame DSLR's chip.

From the Mamiya press release page:

Success of Mamiya DL28 Spawns Bigger Brother

The successful introduction of the Mamiya DL28, in addition to requests from professional photographers throughout the U.S., has prompted Mamiya America to announce the next level in high-end digital camera systems – the Mamiya DL33.

“In the world of medium format digital photography, many photographers have to choose between price and performance,” states Jeff Karp, Mamiya Product Marketing Manager. “The new Mamiya DL33 Digital Camera System offers the best of both worlds by providing medium format performance at a price that serious photographers can afford.”

The Mamiya DL33 Digital Camera System offers professional features and benefits that are not found in other camera systems. For example, even though the DL33’s resolution is an impressive 33 Megapixels, its large sensor allows a pixel size of 7.2 microns. At 36 x 48mm, the DL33’s sensor is twice the size of full frame DSLR cameras. Larger pixels also produce images with unmatched richness and color accuracy, smooth, subtle transitions from tone to tone and striking highlight and shadow detail. In addition, the larger format produces images with a more three-dimensional look. The 3.5-inch touch screen, the largest in the industry, offers a bright, high-contrast display ideal for outdoor or indoor work.

The DL33 combines the professionally proven Mamiya 645AFD III camera system with the innovative 33 megapixel Aptus-II 7 Digital Back from Leaf. Together they work as an integral unit with an intuitive ease that virtually any photographer will appreciate. The 645AFD III body has a new coreless motor for faster, more accurate autofocusing and an enhanced interface system that provides total communication between the camera, lens and digital back.

With 16-bit capture, 12-stop dynamic range and an ISO range of 50-800, the Mamiya DL33 is a full-featured professional digital solution. The 33 MP back produces a huge 67Mb RAW file that can be converted into jpegs, 8-bit or 16-bit tiff files (a 16-bit tiff file is 190 Mb). Files of this quality deliver the information needed for striking enlargements of virtually any size. And for those times when you can’t get close enough to your subject, you’ll have the confidence to crop a small portion of the image without a noticeable loss in quality.

In addition to using the included Leaf Capture 11.2 software, you can also open Leaf RAW files with commonly used programs including Adobe Photoshop CS3/4 (with the latest version of ACR software), Lightroom 2 and Apple Aperture 2.

When utilizing the fastest compact flash media storage currently available, the Aptus II 7 back can capture images at approximately 1 frame per second. You can also use the included FireWire cable and Leaf Capture 11.2 software to shoot directly to your computer.

“Many digital photographers are realizing that they need the increased performance that only medium format can offer,” says Karp. “That’s why Mamiya is continuing to receive requests for higher resolution digital systems. With the new Mamiya DL33, we can satisfy their demands today.”

Buy Mamiya - Wide-angle lens - 50 mm - f/4.5 ULD

Canon announces the new PIXMA Pro 9000 Mark II Professional Photo Inkjet Printer

High Performance Photo Printing up to 13" x 19" for Professional Quality.
Prepared to step-up and produce professional quality photo prints? The PIXMA Pro9000 Mark II possesses the functionality and technology you need for high-quality output so you can be the photographer you've always wanted to be. Its 8-color ink system widens your color palette along with advanced Easy-PhotoPrint Pro software to fine tune your prints plus Ambient Light Correction¹ which optimizes color output to match the specified lighting condition you would display in. This fantastic printer does all of this and more while supporting Canon Fine Art Photo Papers up to 13" x 19" with two separate paper paths, including a front feeder for heavyweight paper types.

Terrific Resolution —This level of quality is achieved by 4800 x 2400 maximum color dpi³ thanks to Canon Full-photolithography Inkjet Nozzle Engineering (FINE) with a patented printhead firing ink droplets as small as 2pl. This delivers professional quality and detail for all of your photos.

High-Performance Individual Ink System —This 8-color dye-based system features Photo Cyan, Photo Magenta and Red ink tanks for incredible colors bringing your images to life.

ChromaLife100 — For true printers of photos, this brilliant system combines FINE Technology with genuine Canon papers and inks which promotes outstanding color vividness and long-lasting prints for up to 100 years when stored in an archival quality photo album.

Check the PIXMA Pro9000 Mark II page at Canon USA.

Buy a Canon Pixma Pro9000 Professional Large Format Inkjet Printer (9995A001)

News via Canon press release.

Panasonic DMC-GH1: D-SLR Photo Quality and Full-HD Movies

The new DMC-GH1 is called a CREATIVE HD HYBRID because it records not only high-quality photos but also high definition 1080/24p or smooth 720/60p HD (High Definition) movies in AVCHD* format. Continuous AF can be used while recording movies, to further boost operating ease. Taking advantage of its system camera design, the DMC-GH1 features the potential for unlimited photo expression by allowing the use of different lenses for specific shooting situations and subjects. High-quality sound recording with Dolby® Digital Stereo Creator and a host of other creative options, including manual settings, giving the DMC-GH1 even greater versatility.

In addition to its high levels of performance for both photos and movies, the DMC-GH1 incorporates the iA (Intelligent Auto) mode,** a hallmark of LUMIX cameras that now includes Face Recognition,*** a function that "remembers" faces once the faces are registered. When a familiar face appears in the frame, the camera will prioritize the focus and exposure to capture it beautifully. This clever function makes it easy to get sharp and clear photos of special subjects in a group of people. iA mode is also available in movie recording. It automatically selects the most suitable scene mode and helps to correct hand-shake, focus and brightness problems -- making it a one-stop solution for capturing beautiful photos and movies.*

Operating ease is an important element of the LUMIX G Micro System identity, and it is highly evident in the DMC-GH1. For example, the clever design of the DMC-GH1 helps to prevent missed shooting opportunities for both photo and movie recording. To start recording a movie during shooting photos, the user simply presses a special, one-touch movie recording button. Most of the settings used for photo shooting carry over to movie recording without requiring any additional setting.

Via Panasonic Press Release

Hasselblad Announces New Products,Technology and Directions

At photokina 2008, Hasselblad introduced a new pricing strategy and exhibiting a range of new high-end products, including a new flagship camera, the H3DII-50, a versatile zoom lens in the HCD 4.0-5.6/35-90mm, and the HTS 1.5 Tilt and Shift adapter.


Two new Hasselblad cameras put the world’s largest sensors into the hands of the pros
Hasselblad’s new H3DII-50 is the first camera on the market to feature Kodak’s 50 megapixel sensor, measuring 36×48mm and twice the physical size of the largest 35mm DSLR sensors. The H3DII-50 provides full 48mm coverage and has been designed to provide an ideal solution for commercial shooters, who demand the highest image resolution, and for any photographer who demands both creative flexibility and ultimate image quality.

Hasselblad HC/HCD lens line expands its leading market position
Hasselblad is also launching a new versatile zoom lens, the HCD 4.0-5.6/35-90mm, to join its expanding HC/HCD lens line. The HC/HCD lenses equal or outperform even the legendary Hasselblad/Zeiss lenses, including the iconic CF 3.5/100mm and CF 5.6/250mm SA, considered by most experts to be the finest lenses ever made for professional photographers.

New HTS 1.5 Tilt and Shift Adapter brings new control and creative possibilities
A revolutionary new tilt and shift adapter, the Hasselblad HTS 1.5, is also joining the Hasselblad line-up. The HTS 1.5 allows photographers to use tilt and shift functionality with most of their existing or new HC/HCD lenses.

Revitalizing the medium format industry
Following the launch of the H3D camera line at the last photokina, Hasselblad has continued to drive the medium format industry towards a more integrated and complete camera solution.

Hasselblad launches a new price model for all digital products
“Hasselblad’s success with our classic film based cameras was partly due to pricing true professional products at a level that was high, but still affordable, for both serious pros and enthusiasts,” explains Poulsen. “In these early days of large sensor DSLRs, our initial high pricing has been one of the main barriers to entry, keeping many high-end 35mm photographers from making the leap to the superior quality of a Hasselblad system.”

Christian Poulsen, CEO of Hasselblad

Read full press release at Hasselblad website.