Rob Galbraith has discovered some important information about the focusing screen updates for the 1-series digital SLR and EOS 5D line of cameras.

Canon is in the process of expanding the range of accessory focusing screens available for its line of 1-series digital SLR cameras and the EOS 5D. The new screens are based on the standard screens for each model, but incorporate a crop line or mask to aid in shooting to a fixed aspect ratio.

Several sets of focusing screens are already either shipping or planned. Each set consists of two screens, one delineating a square format and the other a 4x5/8x10 format. The Crop Lines set, as the name suggests, is comprised of screens with the aspect ratio area marked with a thin border. Both screens are otherwise identical to the standard screen for that camera and no adjustment is required for proper ambient or flash metering. The two screens in the Black Mask set are an opaque black outside the aspect ratio area. Both ambient and flash metering are affected when using this screen type. [ more ]

Posted by Mark Anderson at 3:14 PM | Permalink

Brisk sales of digital cameras and the strong dollar lifted Canon's net profit 34 percent in the fourth quarter and to record annual earnings for a sixth straight year.

The Japanese manufacturer of cameras and copying machines said Monday that group net profit for the last quarter totaled 108.2 billion yen ($922 million), up from 80.8 billion yen the same quarter a year ago. [ more ]

The shares of Canon are trading higher this morning and should open up with a greater than 6% gain once the NYSE starts trading this morning. This is another reason why I like Canon. They have been very profitable for my portfolio as well since I'm also a Canon stock owner.

Posted by Mark Anderson at 8:32 AM | Permalink

The focal length of this prime lens from Canon is on the edge of ultra wide angle when used on a full frame sensor or the 35mm film it was originally designed for. Even on a cropped sensor, it provides a good angle of coverage. We take a look at how it performs. [ more ]

Posted by Mark Anderson at 8:55 AM | Permalink

Fortune magazine yesterday named Canon president Fujio Mitarai as its Asian business leader of the year, hailing him for turning around a Japanese company where others have sought foreign bosses.

Mitarai, who takes over in May as head of the Japan Business Federation, the country's top industry lobby, "may be the best Japanese CEO in a decade," Fortune's Asia editor Clay Chandler said. [ more ]

Posted by Mark Anderson at 8:50 AM | Permalink

The Canon PowerShot SD430 Digital ELPH lets you print and transfer images wirelessly. You simply connect the supplied Wireless Print Adapter to a Canon PictBridge printer, such as the Canon SELPHY CP510 or CP710 models, and press the blue lit Print/Share button on the back of the camera. Seconds later, the image is sent wirelessly to the printer and a photo-lab quality print is produced in about one minute. [ more ]

The addition of the wireless features to the PowerShot family is interesting. I'm not sure how many typical users of the PowerShot camera would actually use this feature. I currently have the Canon WFT-E1 Wireless Transmitter on my wishlist to go with my 5D. In a studio setting this can be a dream. However, as my family's dedicated computer support guy and experience with most non-technical users, adding wireless transfer to the typical point and shoot crowd is probably more complicated than the average person can handle.

I'm not saying that it was a bad decision for Canon to add this to the PowerShot line. I just wonder how many people will actually use it.

Posted by Mark Anderson at 8:32 AM | Permalink

I was scanning the nets for news about Canon this morning and was very suprised to find a review of the Pixma iP90 Printer by a website that specializes in the Treo Phone. I currently use a Treo 700W and this story caught my eye. The review is tailored on how you can use this printer to print photos and text from you Treo phone. Neat idea.

As a Treo owner, you’ve probably wondered how to print from it. You might also have a newer digital camera, and a laptop and your aging printer just doesn’t cut it any more. If you’ve been considering an upgrade to your old printer, something small, portable, super-fast, and ultra high quality, that can print on dozens of kinds of paper ranging from regular letter bond, to photo prints so good you can’t tell they didn’t come from a camera store, in other words, a printer that will work with both your Treo and your computer and do it quietly with ease and style and take up hardly any space, read on. The Canon iP90 could be exactly what you’re looking for. [ more ]

Posted by Mark Anderson at 8:22 AM | Permalink

Canon calls all of its desktop ink jet printers photo printers, but most them are good choices as all-purpose printers for text and graphics as well, even if you rarely print a photo. The Canon Pixma iP6600D Photo Printer ($199.99 direct) is a photo printer in a more classic sense. It can function for text and graphics if it must, limping along with fair-quality text and poor speed. But when it comes to photos, the printer shines, with excellent speed, high-quality output, and an assortment of features specifically designed to make photos easy to print. [ more ]

I personally own this printer and I have been very happy with the quality of the photo output. As the reviewer states, I wouldn't recommend this printer as an all-in-one device.

Posted by Mark Anderson at 7:59 AM | Permalink

Fantasea has introduced an underwater housing for the Canon Digital Rebel 350D. This new housing is for sale now at a price of $999 and is expected to ship on February 20th.

It has extensive automatic & manual control options, including zoom control for standard lens port. It has an operating depth to 60 meters/200 ft. Price includes anti flooding insurance and standard lens port. You can order at the following website link: Fantasea DSLR Housings

Posted by Mark Anderson at 1:59 PM | Permalink

Adobe Camera Raw & the DNG Converter have been updated to version 3.3 and can now be downloaded for Mac and Windows.

This update adds support to the following new Cameras:

• Canon EOS 5D
• Canon EOS 1D Mark II N
• Canon EOS 20Da
• And other cameras for those people that like that Nikon and Kodak stuff.

Important Note: The Camera Raw 3.3 plug-in is not compatible with versions of Photoshop earlier than Photoshop CS2 or versions of Photoshop Elements earlier than Photoshop Elements 3.0.

Posted by Mark Anderson at 9:40 AM | Permalink

Canon today celebrates the cumulative production milestone of 30 million interchangeable EF lenses, in less than twenty years since the launch of Canon’s EOS camera system and the EF lens mount. Indicative of the accelerating popularity of SLR photography, 10 million EF lenses have been produced in the last five years.

The EF lens mount revolutionised SLR photography in 1987 by replacing mechanical links between camera and lens with electronic contacts and providing for an internal auto focus motor. Even with continued development and evolution of focus systems, Image Stabilizer technologies, lens element materials science, weather sealing and design, the EF mount remains consistent. Every EF lens is compatible with every EOS camera ever produced, including all new digital EOS cameras .

“This milestone is symbolic of our strength in lens research, design and manufacture. These are core competencies for Canon,” remarked Mogens Jensen, head of Canon Consumer Imaging Europe. “Lens expertise gives us a strategic advantage in almost every field in which we compete and is fundamental to our current success in the digital SLR market.”

Unequalled range

There are more than 50 current model EF lenses, with focal lengths ranging from 14mm to 600mm and a range of specialist macro, tilt/shift, fisheye and Image Stabilizer models. Professional photographers are catered for with 22 current model L series EF lenses. With special optical elements, build quality and weather sealing, the L series represents the pinnacle of Canon’s lens operability, imaging performance and weather resistance. More than 70% of registered professional photographers at the Athens Olympics shot on EOS .

Heritage of precision optics

The 30 million EF lens milestone adds to the millions of FD lenses produced prior to 1987, replaced with the EF mount introduction. It complements the tens of millions of Canon compact camera and camcorder lenses, and wide range of Canon broadcast lenses favoured for their image fidelity by the film and television industries.

World firsts

• The history of Canon lens development is described by a string of world-first technologies. These include:First commercialisation in 1987 of the Ultrasonic Motor (USM) for use in interchangeable SLR camera lenses. Now employed in the majority of EF lenses, USM provides high-speed, near-silent auto focus with good holding torque for accurate, rapid-response stopping with no overshoot.
• First appearance of an aspherical lens element in an interchangeable SLR lens, introduced to eliminate the spherical aberrations that soften the image quality of conventional lenses.
• First introduction of fluorite, UD (Ultra-dispersion) and Super UD lens elements in interchangeable SLR lenses in order to correct chromatic aberrations.
• First interchangeable lens to incorporate an Image Stabilizer (IS). Converted into shutter speed, the effect of Canon’s latest IS is to allow for handheld photography at about three stops less, with no perceptible increase in image blur. IS is now incorporated into twelve current model EF lenses.
• First and still the only company in the world to incorporate a diffractive optical (DO) element into an interchangeable SLR lens. Using diffraction rather than refraction as the primary means of focusing light, Canon’s EF400mm f/4 DO IS USM and EF70-300 f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM lenses produce outstanding image quality, yet are significantly lighter and smaller than similarly specified conventional lenses.
• First 10x zoom (EF35-350mm f/3.5-5.6L USM)
• Longest focal length at largest aperture (EF1200mm f/5.6L USM)

The EF lens evolution

Matching advances in camera technology, EF lenses continue to evolve. Lens element shaping and Super Spectra coatings are employed to suppress and prevent the effect of reflections off digital camera sensors. The EF-S lens mount has been developed to take advantage of the compact sensor size of cameras such as the EOS 350D and EOS 20D, paving the way for a new range of compact, lightweight and high image quality lenses.

Posted by Mark Anderson at 8:56 PM | Permalink

Canon Celebrates Its 14th Consecutive Year as One of the Top Three Patent-Receiving Organizations

Underscoring its commitment to pioneering information and imaging technologies and innovations that revolutionize workstyles and lifestyles, Canon Inc. today announced that it has captured the number two position on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's Top 10 Rankings for 2005.

In 2005, Canon received 1,828 patents,* rising one position from its 2004 third-place ranking. Canon has been one of the top three patent-receiving organizations for the past 14 consecutive years and number two for the total number of patents received in the past 10 years. Canon spends nearly eight percent of its yearly sales on research and development, allowing the company to constantly be a leading innovator in many consumer and business markets.

"Canon has a long heritage of imaging excellence and innovation that has helped us earn the trust of customers around the world," said Joe Adachi, president and chief executive officer, Canon U.S.A., Inc. "With that heritage as our foundation, Canon leads the market in bringing quality and original digital imaging technology to a broad range of consumers, businesses and industries."

Canon's heritage of innovation extends back to the company's founding in the 1930s. Canon released the first 35mm camera in 1936 and the first Single-Lens Reflex (SLR) camera in 1959. In addition, Canon's AE-1 (1976), which was the first SLR with a built-in microprocessor, was the best selling 35mm SLR camera in history. Also, in the mid-1970s, Canon's innovative Bubble Jet printing technology was born in the Canon Labs.

From the original laser-based copier to the networking and digitalization of the workplace to today's shift to color documents, Canon has set the standard for digital imaging in departmental, workgroup environments and high-end production applications. Canon entered the business machines industry in the 1960s and went on to achieve world-class status for its technological innovations. In 1968, Canon introduced a plain-paper copying machine. Canon also further improved electrophotography technologies to create the full-color copying machine family—the CLC Series—and the award-winning imageRUNNER Series of networked digital MFPs, both benchmarks for imaging innovation.

*The patent counts are preliminary and are subject to correction. The final listing should be available from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in April 2006.

Posted by Mark Anderson at 9:15 PM | Permalink

All the new ZR and Elura models include Canon's Widescreen HR (high resolution) feature that allows users to enjoy a full-screen image on their widescreen TV with vivid detail and clarity. Canon's Widescreen HR feature not only delivers a wider picture, but in contrast to other systems, uses a wider area of the CCD image sensor to strike more pixels and deliver higher resolution for superior widescreen image quality.

Each Widescreen HR model uses a 2.7-inch Widescreen display panel making it easy to compose shots in cinema style. As widescreen television sets begin to replace standard TVs, consumers can appreciate the ability to frame and record in Widescreen HR and later enjoy full-screen playback on their widescreen TV for a theatre-like experience at home.

"Consumers bought widescreen TVs in droves this past holiday season and the latest ZR and Elura camcorders from Canon are the perfect products for showing off life's precious moments in true widescreen," said Yukiaki Hashimoto, senior vice president and general manager of the Consumer Imaging Group at Canon U.S.A., Inc. "From celebrations to graduations, Canon's camcorders can capture life's fast, fun and fleeting moments which is why we're branding all of our new single CCD image sensor camcorders as 'The Official Camcorder of Life.' With the launch of our latest camcorders that have single CCD image sensors and SD memory card slots we are also launching 'DoubleShot.' A Canon DoubleShot camcorder shoots excellent quality video and incorporates many of the same features found on Canon cameras for amazing photos too."

Canon's New ZRs - Feature-Rich, Sleek Design, Incredibly Affordable

Designed for the beginner but with enough features to handle a variety of situations, the new Canon ZR camcorders offer a great camcorder package at an affordable price. Retailing for estimated selling prices of $299*, $349* and $399* respectively. If consumers don't have a widescreen television at home, the video they shot in Widescreen HR will be displayed in letterbox format on their TV, just like movies they buy or rent.

To access the camcorder menu system, playback and manual controls, the new ZR camcorders feature a handy joystick on the housing of the display panel which makes recording and playback even easier.

Keeping It Steady...Controlled Zooming Capabilities

In addition to their widescreen capabilities, the new ZR camcorders feature Genuine Canon 25x Optical Zooms, Canon's longest optical zoom ever in a camcorder (800x Digital Zoom featured in the ZR500 and ZR600 models, and 1000x Optical Zoom featured in the ZR700). To prevent jerky zooms, the new ZR models offer a feature called Smooth Zoom Control that lets the user pick one of three fixed zoom speeds for professional-style zooming just like in a Hollywood motion picture.

Consumers can also avoid shooting crooked video when they use the Level Shot Control feature that overlays a horizontal marker and center indicator on the viewscreen. The marker, which acts as a guide for the user, can be turned on or off at the touch of a button. Of course, all the new models come with Image Stabilization so users can shoot rock-steady video even when they're at maximum telephoto without a tripod. Image Stabilization is also effective while panning or zooming.

First-Rate Photo Features

In addition to being able to capture digital photos to an SD memory card, the new ZR600 and ZR700 camcorders come with a variety of photo features to ensure outstanding results. Both models have 9 Point AiAF system that provides reliable autofocus anywhere in the frame. Also new to these models are Special Scene Modes, which help users get great results in a variety of shooting conditions such as at the beach, during a snowy afternoon or when capturing a fireworks display. On the ZR600 and ZR700 models, users can add Image Effects to their photos to give them extra creative flare, while Progressive Photo technology helps deliver sharp detail. The new ZR600 and ZR700 camcorders are classified as official Canon DoubleShot camcorders offering, not just video and photos but the best of both.

Sleek New Designs and Cool Colors

Canon's new ZR camcorders are approximately 16 percent smaller and approximately 12 percent lighter in weight than their predecessors, and boast sleek, contoured designs that fit comfortably in the hand. The new models are offered in three cool colors - the ZR500, Blue Mist; the ZR 600, Silver Frost; and the ZR700, Grey Smoke. All models have built-in lens covers so there is no dangling lens cap to lose.

The ZR700 and ZR600 camcorders both have PictBridge support to connect directly to compatible photo printers, along with USB and IEEE 1394 terminals. The ZR500 model is equipped with a microphone terminal, while the ZR700 and ZR600 models feature a Remote Control, Canon's Zoom Browser Software and Audio Dubbing. Additional benefits of the ZR700 model include a higher capacity battery, built-in video light, an Analog to Digital Converter and 1000X Digital Zoom.

The Canon ZR500, ZR600 and ZR700 camcorders are all Windows Certified and Mac compatible, and will be available at the end of January 2006. The estimated street prices include: ZR500 - $299*, ZR600 - $349* and the ZR700 - $399*.

The Elura 100 Camcorder- Stylish, Simple, High Tech

Many of the new features introduced on the latest ZR models are also incorporated into Canon's new Elura 100 camcorder. As with the ZR Series, the Elura 100 camcorder includes Widescreen HR Recording, 2.7-inch Widescreen display panel, easy-to-use Joystick, Smooth Zoom Control and Level Shot Control. Advanced Photo features, include 9 Point AiAF autofocus, Special Scene Modes and Image Effects. The Elura 100 also allows the user to display widescreen video on a standard television and comes with a built-in lens cover.

When stepping up to the Elura 100 camcorder consumers get Megapixel Resolution for crisper video and photos. Like the ZR600 and ZR700 models, the Elura 100 has an SD Memory Card slot for capturing photos and short movie clips.

The new Elura is also compact, offering a sleek but stylish design that is 35 percent smaller and 26 percent lighter than the previous Elura models. It features Genuine Canon 20x Optical Zoom/800x Digital Zoom. Genuine Canon Optics helps ensure that video and photos are clear and rich with color and detail.

Other enhanced features also available on the ZR700 model include a Mega Video Light for enhanced low light illumination, a Higher Resolution LCD screen at 123,000 pixels, Advanced Photo Features including Motor Drive Mode and autoexposure bracketing, a microphone terminal and the ability to use optional lens accessories, such as filters and converters.

The Canon Elura 100 camcorder is both Windows Certified and Mac compatible and will be available at the end of February 2006 for an estimated selling price of $399*.

Posted by Mark Anderson at 9:04 PM | Permalink

New Canon All-In-One Printer Offers High Quality Photos, Home Office Functionality and Class-Leading Performance for Only $89.99.

The PIXMA MP150 Photo All-In-One can print a borderless 4 x 6 inch photo in approximately 55 seconds(1), thanks to Canon's Full-photolithography Inkjet Nozzle Engineering (FINE) print head technology utilizing 1,472 nozzles. Photos are printed at up to 4800 x 1200 dpi(2) in color with a class-leading ink droplet size as small as two picoliters to help provide crisp and clear image quality. The PIXMA MP150 Photo All-In-One also makes quick work of printing documents, at a maximum of 22(1) pages-per-minute (ppm) for monochrome and 17(1) ppm for color, making it one of the fastest all-in-one devices in its class.

The new model also includes a PictBridge port so users can print their photos directly without a computer from any PictBridge compatible digital camera or DV camcorder, which until now was an added convenience on more costly devices. The PIXMA MP150 Photo-All-In-One adds further value and functionality to the home office with the addition of high-end copy-friendly features. The "Fit to Page" setting enlarges or reduces a scan to fit loaded media. The "Borderless Copy" function allows the user to make edge-to-edge copies of borderless photos.

The PIXMA MP150 Photo All-In-One is a photo and document scanner that utilizes a high quality CIS scanning element that provides a maximum optical resolution of up to 1200 x 2400 dpi (19200 x 19200 dpi interpolated). The Advanced Z-Lid(TM) expansion top makes scanning thicker items, such as books, easier by lifting vertically to lie flat on the item being scanned for complete clean scans from edge to edge. Plus, the PIXMA MP150 Photo All-In-One utilizes a USB 2.0 Hi-Speed interface enabling faster image transfers and scanning speeds.(3)

The new sleek and compact design of the PIXMA MP150 Photo All-In-One brings together several desktop components into one easy-to-use machine. Ink installation is easy because of the improved cartridge loading system. The FINE cartridge allows for improved accuracy and ink level detection for consumers. [ more ]

Posted by Mark Anderson at 9:00 PM | Permalink