The Photography Show always provides opportunity for experimentation with the assorted photographic sets. I stepped away from my normal practice to shoot Panasonic’s Formula E car:
Canon have yet to announce their full-frame mirrorless body, so I was drawn more to their display of flowers:
In 2010 Canon first revealed that a CMOS sensor was under development with a pixel count equivalent to the number of photoreceptor cells in the human eye. At approximately 60x that of Full HD, it would have a resolution of 120MP. By 2015 this was a working reality on display at CP+ Camera & Photo Imaging Show, designed for rather more industrial applications: monitoring, video production, aviation and space.
The 29.2mm x 20.2mm sensor contains 120 million pixels at 2.2µm pixel pitch, and is capable of 9.4fps – a video resolution of 13.2K that would eclipse current 4K standard!
Canon have at last released a short feature on the sensor’s capabilities:
Photographer Kent Krugh’s project Speciation is a series of X-ray photos of cameras that provides a brief history of photography, as told through the evolution of the camera.
“This work uses x-rays to explore the micro-evolution of cameras and is a metaphor about the limits of evolution,” Krugh writes. “While form and media may have changed, the camera is still a camera: a tool to create images by capturing photons of light.”
While the basic concept of what a camera is and does has not changed, the outward appearance and inner workings have, and Krugh’s images offer a look into the wide range of camera designs that have appeared over the years.
“While making these x-rays, I have been surprised and astonished by what I found inside the cameras,” Krugh says. “[A] camera is still a camera, though tremendous diversity exists.”
31 Canon AE1 2018 © Kent Krugh
Speciation of Cameras 2018 © Kent Krugh
30 May 2018 marked the end of an era for Leica as they discontinued the M7 film camera after 16 years of service. However, film lovers will still be able to purchase the Leica MP and Leica M-A cameras.
This image is of the stunning 2004 titanium special edition set (worth over £200,000), launched to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Leica M system, with a production run of just 50 pieces.
Just minutes after Leica’s announcement, Canon broke similar news with the discontinuation of their last film camera, the EOS-1V:
Thank you very much for your continued patronage of Canon products.
By the way, we are finally decided to end sales for the film single lens reflex camera EOS – 1V.
We will also take repair measures until October 31, 2025, even after the repair correspondence period of our company’s repair service contract for the purpose of improving service and support for customers who use this product.
From Canon Japan (Google Translated)
The antithesis of this news came from Kodak Alaris who have just launched a new single-use disposable camera in Europe. The Kodak Daylight Single Use Camera has a 33mm f/10.0 lens with fixed focus from 1m to infinity and a somewhat unusual 39 exposure 800 ISO film. Priced at £7.99 you could buy 250 for the list price of the Canon EOS-1V!
Since 2010 Canon has drip-fed information about their large CMOS sensor (further information HERE). However, they have now released a little more information and given an indication of its huge size, by placing The Large Ultrahigh-Sensitivity CMOS Image Sensor alongside their EOS 600D (Rebel T3i) digital SLR camera.
Full article HERE.
Both Nikon and Canon are set to announce their first full frame mirrorless cameras in the build up to Photokina (in late September).
Rumours suggest that Nikon may jump the gun with a possible announcement in late July. There are two models purportedly, both with a new mirrorless mount and 5-axis in-body stabilization, allowing for smaller lenses. The flagship 45MP model will be around $4000 with 24-70mm kit lens and a 25MP version will be under $3000 with kit lens. These may ship as early as 23 August 2018.
Far less has been rumoured about Canon’s entry into the fray. It is anticipated that it will release two full frame mirrorless cameras before mid-2019, with one being announced and on sale before the end of 2018. There is likely to be a 30.4MP flagship model and a 24MP secondary model. As to the camera mount, little is known besides the suggestion that there is a “sexy” solution to the EF mount problem.
Nikon’s July announcement was to confirm the development of a new system:
Development of a next-generation full-frame mirrorless camera and NIKKOR lenses – featuring a new mount – that pursues a new dimension in optical performance
July 25, 2018
TOKYO – Nikon Corporation (Nikon) is pleased to announce the development of a full-frame, Nikon FX-format, mirrorless camera and NIKKOR lenses featuring a new mount.
The mirrorless camera and NIKKOR lenses that are in development have enabled the pursuit of a new dimension in optical performance, with the adoption of a new mount. The mirrorless camera is the result of Nikon’s advanced optical and manufacturing capabilities gained through over a century of heritage, as well as superior image-processing technology. The expertise built up through the development of Nikon’s digital SLR cameras has also critically contributed to this development.
With this new mirrorless camera and NIKKOR lenses, we are committed to providing photographers with the ability to capture images that are richer and more vivid than ever before.
Additionally, a new mount adapter is being developed for the new mirrorless camera. This will work with the NIKKOR F mount lenses that are part of the Nikon digital SLR system, adding to the variety of choices for photographers.
Nikon will continue to lead imaging culture with the launch of this new mirrorless camera, as well as with the continued development of Nikon digital SLR cameras, providing consumers with the choice of enjoying the unique values of either system.
Nikon now have a ‘special event’ site HERE, presumed to be associated with the launch of their new mirrorless system. The timer on the site is counting down to 0500hrs UST, 23 August.
Today’s release from Nikon focusses solely on the new lens mount. Interesting to note that all DSLR bodies featured in the teaser video are professional models…
The much anticipated anouncement of Canon’s flagship DSLR, the EOS-1D X Mark III did have some suprises. Typically such announcements contain only the briefest data together with a carefully conceived silhouette image, giving away almost no information about the product.
On this occasion, the data was far more detailed, covering most areas other than resolution and a selection of high resolution product images were also released.
Of particular interest to me is the inclusion of an all new, Canon-developed CMOS sensor and DIGIC processor, that will deliver greater image quality at even higher ISOs, with the ability to capture stills in 10-bit using the HEIF (High Efficiency Image File) format. This produces wider dynamic range and greater colour representation than JPEG – undoubtedly beneficial in the photography of stained glass windows.
In my more usual practice of sports photography, a new autofocus sensor that will better accommodate brighter and darker situation with greater precision, will be well received. Frame rates of 16fps using the optical viewfinder and mechanical shutter, increasing to 20fps in Live View, with mechanical or electronic shutter will be extraordinary, and a dramatically improved battery life will be most welcome,
Having worked my way through most of the EOS-1D range, it is highly likely that I will move from the Mark II to the Mark III, and I look forward to hearing more news of the product in the coming months prior to its release, which in keeping with their previous models, will I expect be immediately prior to the Olympics.
