New Canon Announcements - T5i (700D), SL1 (100D), 18-55 STM

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Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM

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Cannon announced several products yesterday- the T5i (700D), the SL1 (100D), the 18-55 STM and the SX280.  The 18-55 STM is arguably the most exciting of the bunch.  The previous 18-55 EF-S IS II lens, commonly refered to as the kit lens was sold with the T4i, T3i and earlier Rebels.  It is not a bad lens but certainly not exciting. (What makes a lens exciting- Video Coming Soon)  The new, STM version of this lens looks much improved in image quality and of course offers the silent AF during video.*Note  - Do not confuse the 18-55 EF-S STM lens with the 18-55 EF-M STM lens currently available on Amazon, that lens only mounts on the EOS-M camera, it will NOT work/mount on the Rebels like the T4i and T5i. The Improved 18-55 now offers STM and an extra aperture blade!Differences between the 18-55 EF-S (non-STM) and the NEW 18-55 STM

  • STM version has 7 rounded aperture blades (smoother background blur/bokeh) non-STM has 6 blades
  • STM offers Full Time Manual Focus - likely similar to the 18-135 STM trick
  • Improved sharpness, especially in corners and better contrast with updated lens coatings
  • Silent Autofocus - we will have to wait and see if it is truly silent like the 18-135 STM or only kinda quiet like the 40mm STM

*The usefulness of the full time Auto Focus depends on your needs and use scenarios.  Capturing your children and informal family events it works well enough and can be handy for a more camcorder like experience.  For anything that needs to look a bit more professional I really don't recommend that you rely on auto focus, there is just too great a chance that the camera will decide to focus on something other than your subject or needlessly refocus even if your subject hasn't moved.  This refocusing during the video is distracting and not professional.  Manual focus or basically tuning the auto focus off after getting initial focus is fine for many situations.  I talk a bit more about this in How I Shoot My VideosThe 18-55 EF-S STM Lens will be available April 30th  - Preorder for $249 from AmazonShould you buy?  If you are a parent and you want a decent lens that can double duty for good stills and silent video it is something to consider.  If you want to grow as a photographer your money is likely saved for other lens options.   Not sure if this lens is right for you? leave me a message here or on facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/Digital.Photo.RecommendationsI'd be happy to share my opinion. Please remember the more information you can give me about you and your photography skills, hopes and dreams, the more accurate a recommendation I can provide. 

Canon EOS Instant Rebates

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Canon Rebates February 17 2013

February and March Canon USA Rebates

Canon Camera Rebates (FULL PDF)New instant(no messy paperwork) rebates on Canon lenses and speedlites begins today, February 17, and runs until March 30th, 2013.A few choice offerings, rebate amount in brackets

50 f/1.4 vs 40 f/2.8

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This is a brief post to help folks decide which of the following prime lenses is right for them. There are plenty of other prime lenses to choose from but these three are all excellent values.     Why should I own a prime? 

50mm f/1.4 vs 40mm f/2.8 STM vs 50 f/1.8

The 50 f/1.4 offers a wider maximum aperture, letting in more light, slightly sharper at f/2.8 than the 40mm at f/2.8 and offers full time manual focus.  Really lovely focal length for portraits, especially on a crop sensor camera like a T4i/T5i. Very wide maximum aperture.The 40mm f/2.8 STM - tiny, makes the DSLR much more portable, quiet but not silent auto focus during video with smoother movement(most useful if you record audio with an external mic), Cheaper and not really noticeably less sharp at f/2.8. Above f/2.8 sharpness is on par with 50 f/1.4. Slightly wider focal length makes the lens a little more versatile. Wide maximum aperture.Best Prices on Amazon Buy the Canon 50 f/1.4 | Buy the 40  f/2.8 STMBuy the 50 f/1.8 (cheapest option) if budget is concern or you think you will only occasionally use this lens.One additional point - prime lenses almost always have excellent resale value- being sold for just a few dollars less than the purchase price years later- if you have taken good care of the lens. Quick illustration of the differences in bokeh between f/2.8 and f/1.4 using the 40mm f/2.8 and the 50mm f/1.4

Canon 24-70 f/2.8 Mark II vs Canon 24-70 f/4 IS vs Canon 24-105 f/4 IS

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Video and text from my review of the Canon 24 to something lenses.

Part I - My opinion of each lens and some summarizing thoughtsPart II - Some of the sample images and video that helped me form my opinionSome select thoughts taken from the two videos

I have the 24-105 f/4 IS, 24-70 f/2.8 mark II, and the new  24-70 f/4 IS

I think the most telling comment is that for the last week I have had my pick of these lenses to shoot with and every single time I picked up the 24-70 f/4 IS. I love the size and weight of this lens, the IS and the Macro mode. A quick disclaimer on that comment- I didn't shoot professionally over the last week, which for me is usually shooting a wedding. If I had I would have picked the f/2.8 mark II - in my opinion that extra stop of light is critical for the lower light situations. The IS of both the 24-70 and 24-105 is good and the 24-70 f/4 offers the newer hybrid IS but IS doesn't freeze people in motion.  And freezing people in motion is important, especially during the low light receptions where all that dancing is happening.

If I had to summarize each lens in a sound bite -

Canon 24-105 f/4 IS older work horse or a lens that offers excellent value, is relatively sharp(just don't look at the edges) and provides a useful range.Canon 24-70 f/2.8 Mark II - Razor sharp at all apertures and from corner to corner. Bright too- at f/4 it is noticeably (2/3 of a stop brighter than the 24-105) - you can see it in the images and you can see it on the exposure meter. But this performance comes at a cost, literally! This lens is $2200, fairly heavy and does not provide IS.Canon 24-70 f/4 IS - Very sharp though maybe not quite as sharp at f/4 as the f/2.8 version, similar brightness as the f/2.8 with an excellent macro mode, I mean really seriously good and a nice size- feel really nicely balanced and weight is quite good and it has IS!!Now what isn't here is the Tamron 24-70 F/2.8 VC - I have a video of my reboxing and return of that lens, I was unhappy with the sharpness, I had gotten a bad copy and I could try again but I was also getting numerous lens communication errors. Those two issues combined soured me and I didn't want to try again.  Now I know there are people that are quite happy and I have seen sample images that are much better than the one I got.  Even in sample images the corners are much softer than the Canon 24-70s but you do get IS or VC as Tamron calls it. There is also a Sigma 24-70 but it is a good bit softer than the other lenses, it is also the cheapest.

Which is best for you?

It depends ;)  If you are on a tight budget the 24-105 is a good lens, You get an L class lens for under $1000. Its a bit heavy but it does have IS and a nice range.If you have a bit more to spend the 24-70 F/4 is VERY versatile, sharp, excellent IS and that macro mode.  Because the glass is so durn good it lets in enough light that you are shooting faster than f/4, about 2/3 of a stop faster.  For $200 less you can pick up the Tamron, not quite as sharp, no macro mode but it does offer f/2.8 and IS.If you need the ultimate performance in low light with unrivaled sharpness in a zoom lens get the 24-70 f/2.8 Mark II. 

Sample Images from the 24-70 f/4, 24-70 f/2.8 Mark II and the 24-105 f/4 IS

" target="_blank">Canon Lens Guide.   Have a question not answered, want to offer a suggestion of another lens that should be considered?  Leave me a message on facebook on a comment below. I will answer!

Canon 24-70 f/4 IS vs 24-70 f/2.8 vs 24-105 f/4 IS

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My Video Review of the Canon 24-70 f/4 IS vs 24-70 f/2.8 vs 24-105 f/4 ISPart IPart IICURRENT CANON REBATES AND SAVINGS UPDATE -Since posting this information I have tested and reviewed the Sigma 24-105 f/4. Watch my review of the Sigma 24-105. It is significantly sharper than the Canon 24-105. 24-70 BattleEarly Thoughts - the new 24-70 f/4 is VERY nice - sharp, the IS works very well and I would have taken it over the 24-70 f/2.8 on my vacation travels without a second thought - it is lighter, smaller and offers an excellent macro feature.Macro Mode on the new Canon 24-70 f/4 My next question is would I prefer it at a wedding over the f/2.8?  A stop of light is hard to give up but if this lens had been available when I bought I think I would have picked it and been able to sleep a bit better at night saving a $1000 dollars.  Sharpness, color, contrast and chromatic aberration control all seem on par with the more expensive f/2.8 - so it really comes down to that stop of light.  Oh and the IS. I think the IS is excellent for general photography and of course travel, it is not as helpful on the wedding day dance floor.  And another OH - the Macro isn't going to be the Canon 100mm f/2.8, my go to standard for all Macro lenses but it certainly comes close, shockingly close for someone that just likes to dable in macro now and then. . .   I also thought I would see more bokeh difference shooting at f/4 vs f/2.8 and really see much less than I expected.  Checking the charts it makes sense - the differences in depth of field between the two at normal shooting differences is slight.f 2.8 on the left, f4 on the rightAll three lenses are excellent and they should be when we are talking about the cheapest(24-105 f/4 IS USM) being almost a grand.The Canon 24-70 f/2.8 Mark II is currently selling for $2200 (Buy from Amazon). I have shot several thousand wedding images with this lens over the last three months and it is a fantastic lens. Sharp wide open though I did have to slightly adjust focus.  Color rendition is gorgeous, contrast is top notch - it is really easy to run out of superlatives when describing this lens - Downside are price, no IS, it is a hefty piece of glass with a huge 82mm filter size and it is only so-so at close focusing.   I recently took it on  vacation and loved the images but felt I would have been happy with a smaller lens and or a lens with a bit more range.  Before I bought Canon's 24-70 I tried the Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 with VC (Buy from Amazon).  It required serious micro AF adjustments and I repeatedly got lens communication errors, something I have never seen with the Canon.  I know there are plenty of photographers happy with the Tamron lens and there are plenty of sharp copies out there.  For almost $1000 less you get f/2.8 and IS - you just are taking a bit more of a gamble, in my opinion. Some Tech Specs - 28.4 Ounces with 1 Super UD lens element and 2 UD lens elements and 9 bladed aperture.The new Canon 24-70 f/4 IS sells for about the same (Buy from Amazon)  It is a bit lighter, has a suprisingly great macro mode, very good Hyrbid IS and a nifty pinch cap(Bout Canon) this might seem silly but it makes removal of the lens cap MUCH easier when the lens hood is on and facing out.  You do lose one stop of light going from f/2.8 to f/4.   Filter size is a more wallet friendly 77mm.    Weighs 21 ounces - 2 aspheric and 2 UD elements and 9 bladed rounded aperture.The  24-105 f/4 IS(Buy from Amazon) has been around for sometime, it has been a while since I used it, last shot a wedding using it, great lens and an excellent value for an L lens, can be found for $860. filter size is also 77mm.  Weighs 23.6 ounces with 1 UD lens element and 8 bladed aperture. Close focusing with macro mode on Canon 24-70 F/4 IS

New Lenses from Canon - 24-70 f/4L IS and 35 f/2 IS

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Canon just announced a 24-70 f/4 L IS lens and an updated 35 f/2 ISBoth are available for Pre-orderCanon 24-70 f/4 L IS - $1499

  • Maximum Aperture: f/4.0
  • Hybrid Image Stabilization (IS)
  • Dual UD & Super UD Lens Elements
  • Dual Aspherical Lens Elements
  • Ring-Type Ultra Sonic Motor (USM)
  • Minimum Focusing Distance: 1.25'
  • Macro Mode With 0.7x Magnification
  • Weather Resistant to Dust & Moisture
  • Fluorine Coatings Reduce Fingerprints
  • Zoom Lock Lever

The EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM is the latest addition to Canon’s elite L-series, and expands the range of standard zoom EF lenses available for both professional and amateur photographers. Ideal for reportage and wedding photography, it combines an essential everyday focal range with a premium quality L-series construction, delivering consistently sharp, professional-quality stills in a range of different situations. A new macro function also optimises the placement of lens groups during macro photography, allowing shooting at a maximum magnification of 0.7x – reducing the need for photographers to carry a dedicated macro lens.Its first-class optical system includes two aspherical elements alongside two Ultra-low Dispersion (UD) lenses, each with optimised Super Spectra Coatings to minimise chromatic aberration, colour blurring and flare. A constant f/4 aperture throughout the zoom range provides photographers with exceptional creative control, allowing blurring of the background of a scene at all focal lengths. A nine-blade circular iris also assists photographers in making their subjects stand out, delivering beautiful out of focus highlights (bokeh) in the background blur to add atmosphere to a shot.The EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM also features a newly designed IS system, delivering blur-free images throughout the zoom range. Canon’s advanced optical IS offers a 4-stop light advantage, while Hybrid IS effectively compensates for angular and shift shake during macro shooting for stable close ups.Superfast AF performance is provided by a small, ring-type Ultrasonic Motor (USM). Working in combination with a high-performance CPU and advanced AF algorithms, USM technology enables accurate, silent and ultra-responsive autofocusing. Full-time manual focusing also ensures adjustments can be made even when AF is engaged.The EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM features a high grade, usability-focused design – both inside and out. The exterior features a high quality leather-texture coating, a revised shape ensures ease-of-use, and the focusing and zoom rings have been designed for optimal operation. Additionally, a dust and drip-proof construction is resistant to dust and moisture, a lock function protects lenses from knocks when travelling, while fluorine coating minimises the amount of dust, dirt and fingerprints that adhere to the front and rear lenses – helping to maintain superior image quality and reduce the need for cleaning.  Canon 35 f/2 L IS - $849 The new EF 35mm f/2 IS USM is designed to offer outstanding flexibility – allowing photographers to capture an even broader range of scenes and subjects in wide-angle. The lens is Canon’s first-ever 35mm prime to feature optical Image Stabilizer technology, which combines with high quality optics to offer outstanding performance from a lightweight, compact body. The 35mm focal length also provides the ability to capture everything from close-up portraits to wide-angle landscapes, making it an ideal companion for travel or general reportage photography.Its advanced specification offers photographers great flexibility to shoot a wider-range of scenes and subjects. A bright, fixed f/2 aperture also allows photographers to employ a shallow depth of field, and optical IS offers users a 4-stop light advantage, allowing the capture of blur-free images in low light conditions when shooting handheld. Intelligent detection of panning motion is also supported, with Panning IS mode automatically engaged to enable photographers to capture movement with greater accuracy.Designed to deliver exceptional image quality, the EF 35mm f/2 IS USM features an aspherical glass-moulded (GMo) element positioned at the rear of the optical path to correct aberration for the entire optical system. Additionally, each individual element features optimised Super Spectra coatings to reduce ghosting and flare – ensuring excellent colour balance with minimal need for post processing. A combination of a ring-type USM and high performance CPU also provides rapid AF performance, with full-time manual focus also available for users who want to retain maximum control.I will have more information soonTest