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S IGN ME UP
Canon certainly can
EDITOR’S LETTER WILL CHEUNG
Imaging giant Canon is moving forward across several fronts
Welcome to our bumper double issue withmore news and product reviews than you can shake a Christmas cracker at. To explain, Photography News comes out every month except December, so we have an extra-big issue the month before. If you’re wondering about the logic behind that, just think about how frantically busy you are in the run-up to the festive period. Coming out during that frenzied period just doesn’t make commercial sense. To be honest the past six weeks have been pretty hectic at the office as manufacturers launch kit ready to grace the dealers’ shelves in time for Christmas. Canon, Fujifilm, Leica, Nikon, Olympus, Sigma and Sony have all introduced new kit recently and that’s why we have somany tests this month. For sure, covering all the launches has meant a heavy carbon footprint for PN’ s team this month. If a new camera is on your shopping list – for a loved one or yourself – the choice at all price points has never been better. At the lower end of the price spectrumCanon and Nikon offer £300 DSLRs and that’s with a standard zoom, while for those with deeper pockets there,s any number of products vying for your attention. It is a great time to be a keen photographer – or content creator, to use more contemporary parlance! From everyone at Photography News , have a great Christmas and we hope 2020 gets off to a peaceful, healthy and inspirational start. Until we meet again – the next issue will be available from 15 January 2020.
In preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games, Canon has revealed some early details of the EOS-1DXMark III. Top of the list is a Canon- developed CMOS sensor and DIGIC processor giving 10-bit stills as well as 10-bit Canon Log and Raw video, and significantly faster frame rates with full AF and AE tracking – 16fps with the mechanical shutter and optical finder and 20fps with live view. Canon is also promising better low-light performance and the Dual Pixel CMOS AF uses 525 AF areas in live view, covering approximately 90x100% of the sensor, while using the same AF algorithmas when shooting with the optical finder gives enhanced flexibility. Another improvement, important to pros, is the camera’s ability to transfer data at twice the speed of theMark II using the built-in ethernet, or the new optional wireless file transmitter.
Canon is looking to the stars with the EOS Ra, amirrorless model very similar to the Canon EOS R, but featuring a host of specs designed for astrophotography. Low-light autofocus capabilities down to -6EVwill certainly be of use to astro photographers using Canon lenses, while used on a telescope, functions like focus peaking andmagnification up to an impressive 30x ensure focusing is simple and quick. Next on the list of new features is the Ra’s infrared blocking filter. The IR filter allows even higher hydrogen alpha light to reach the imaging sensor – four times as much as the
R, in fact. Photographers can capture the distinct red colour of nebulae, impossible to capture on traditional cameras which block the IR light that gives these nebulae their red colour. The Canon EOS Ra is released in early December and can be preordered now at £2599.99. Two R lenses have also been announced, the RF 70- 200mm f/2.8L IS USM and the RF 85mm f/1.2L USM DS, priced at £2699.99 and £3249.99 respectively. The RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM is the world’s lightest and shortest lens of its aperture/ range while the RF 85mm f/1.2L USMDS uses Canon’s unique DS
coating for soft, smooth bokeh – it alters light transmission characteristics. Finally, on the camera front, firmware. Following the firmware update for the G7 XMark III, Canon has announced the same update will be rolled out to the G5 XMark II by the end of 2019. The EOS 90D and EOS RP also have a firmware update available. This time, it’s the videographers that will be receiving the benefits, as the new update allows 24p (23.98fps) recording in both 4K and Full HD. The firmware updates are free to download from the Canon support website. canon.co.uk
FEATURES ATA GLANCE: CANON EOS Ra
Followus:
› Optimised infrared filter › 30.3-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor
› IS0 100-40,000 › Autofocus to -6EV › Vari-angle LCD
› 4K and 10-bit movies › Bluetooth andWi-Fi › USB 3.1
@photonewsPN @photonewsPN
@photonewsPN
Big test: Canon EOS 90D page 34 Canon’s latest DSLR has a brand-new 32.5-megapixel sensor Make the switch page 41 PN reader gets to spend a fortnight with the Fujifilm GFX 50S Buyers’ guide: printers &papers page 44 Our selection of great papers and printers for you to try
EastwoodPS clubprofile page 23 A behind-the-scenes look at one of the country’s leading camera clubs PN Awards 2019 page 26 Vote for your favourite gear of the year
Big test: OlympusOM-D
Big test: Sigma fp
page 60
E-M5Mark III page 48 On the face of it, the changes from its predecessor aren ’ t massive, but they are significant – we put it to the test Big test: FujifilmX-Pro3 page 54 It’s the camera with the hidden monitor: great idea or gimmick? We have the answer
It’s the world’s smallest full-frame mirrorless camera, and good value too Buyers’ guide: Christmas gifts page 66 It’s time to treat someone close to you – or yourself! – to something nice First tests page 71 A selection of the new kit tested, from lenses and filters to a photo waistcoat
News page 3 All the latest product news from the world of imaging Wordsearch page 15 A Samsung microSD card to be won in our prize wordsearch Clubnews page 17
– and you could win a prize DougChinnery onprinting Leading pro Doug explains why printing is so important
page 30
Club exhibitions to visit and interesting talks to attend
Issue 72 | Photography News 3
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