With the largest image sensor to date for a Canon PowerShot model, Canon’s announcement of the new PowerShot G1 X has enthusiasts itching to get their hands on one.

The camera packs a large 1.5-inch (18.7 x 14mm), 14.3-megapixel High-Sensitivity CMOS sensor, delivering exceptional shallow depth of field, a wide dynamic range and incredible light gathering ability up to ISO 12800. The camera is also equipped with an amazing 4x Optical Zoom lens, featuring a 28mm-equivalent wide-angle setting, with an incredible f/2.8 to f/16 aperture range for beautiful images that make an impact. The PowerShot G1 X shoots 1080p Full HD video with optical zooming and continuous AF, includes HDR Shooting and comes fully equipped with Canon’s latest DIGIC 5 processor that enables the High-Speed Burst HQ feature.

Key Features:

• A newly developed Canon 1.5-inch, 14.3 Megapixel High-Sensitivity CMOS sensor combined with the DIGIC 5 Image Processor creates Canon’s HS SYSTEM for outstanding low-light performance up to ISO 12800.

• Full range of shooting and recording modes including 14-bit RAW + JPEG, as found in Canon DSLR cameras for the ultimate creative control.

• Shoot beautiful 1080p Full HD video in stereo sound with a dedicated movie button; zoom while shooting and play back videos on an HDTV via the HDMI output.

• 4x Optical Zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer, plus a 28mm Wide-Angle Lens delivers exceptional image quality and allows you to capture more in your frame.

• Intelligent IS automatically chooses from six different modes to optimize image stabilization for the shooting condition.

• Bright 3.0-inch Vari-Angle PureColour System LCD with 922,000 dots for shooting at a variety of angles plus an optical viewfinder.

• High-Speed Burst HQ allows for continuous capture at a maximum of 6 frames while maintaining superb image.

• Compatible with Canon Speedlite flashes for additional creative lighting options.

• Mode Dial and Front Dial provide intuitive manual adjustment.

• High Dynamic Range scene mode combines multiple shots into one picture showing greater image detail

Available: February 2012; MSRP: $799.99

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The folks over at Film & Digital Times have posted an amazing profile on Canon and the exciting new Canon C300.

If you’re at all curious about this exciting, groundbreaking camera – you MUST check out this cover story! We’ve got it for you here.

But why not head over to their site and check out the full issue – you can read the Year End issue (as a PDF) in its entirety right HERE.

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Thailand plays host to a number of electronics manufacturing plants for hundreds of companies, including Canon, Nikon and Sony. Due to the widespread flooding that is occurring there, production at those plants is being disrupted. Supply is already becoming an issue with many retailers.

Like most camera stores, Vistek has a limited supply of cameras in stock. And, unfortunately, once that stock runs low there is no way of knowing when more will be attainable.

At present, however, Vistek does have a selection of the following DSLRs in stock: the Nikon D7000, the D5100 and the amazing new Nikon V1 mirror-less compact. There is also a selection of Canon 7D, T3i and T2i in stock.

Unfortunately, there’s no guarantee how long this stock will last – so, to avoid disappointing those on your list, we suggest (at least this year) you don’t wait until the very last minute.

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See it at ProFusion 2011!

 
Brian Young, Product Manager for Video & Production Technology at Vistek Ltd., introduces the revolutionary new Super 35mm, interchangeable-lens NXCAM camcorder from Sony. In this video preview, Brian provides a detailed list of the new features found on this highly anticipated camcorder, as well as describing the benefits of this new feature set for both amateur and professional videographers.

The NEX-FS100 is the first prosumer camcorder to offer a full Super 35mm CMOS sensor. This sensor is complemented by Sony’s E-Mount interchangeable lens system. This system allows videographers to attach any of Sony’s NEX lenses or, through the use of adapters, lenses manufactured by Canon, Nikon, Carl Zeiss and others, to the camcorder. By attaching these photographic lenses, videographers can achieve the coveted shallow-depth-of-field look of Hollywood cinematographers. The FS100 records full 1920 x 1080/60p, AVCHD video at 28 Mbps. For the first time on a camcorder at this price level, the FS100 also features 1920 x 1080p Slow & Quick Motion which allows over- and under-cranking to be performed in-camera, producing high-definition slow- and fast-motion effects.

The FS100 employs a modular design. The viewfinder/diopter can be detached to reveal the 3.5” XtraFine LCD screen; the side grip can be detached to expose a mounting hole for mounting the camera vertically for portrait-style displays and digital signage; and there are numerous 1/4” and 3/8” mounting holes on both the top and bottom of the camera to accommodate any rigging system. The camcorder also features Memory Stick or SDHC/SDXC recording, dual XLR audio inputs, and an HDMI 4:2:2 uncompressed output.

The NEX-FS100 will be shipping in June and will also be available as part of Sony’s K kit, which includes their NEX 18-200mm 20x Zoom Lens.

See it at ProFusion 2011!

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The Cotton Carrier is an exciting new product line that is now available in all Vistek stores throughout Canada. This is an incredibly unique system that allows you to wear your camera – either on a waist belt harness or on a chest belt harness. After carefully reviewing both versions of this product, I would say that both have their own unique set of characteristics that will appeal to active photographers.

Here is a skateboarder in action – using a Cotton Carrier.

The other system, Cotton Carry Lite, will probably appeal to Photojournalists, Wedding, and Event photographers, as it is a belt system worn around the waist. It allows you to quickly ‘holster’ your camera and lock it in. I ran up a few flights of stairs with my Canon 1DS Mark III to test this sucker out (and you know that’s a pretty heavy camera) and it didn’t move on me at all. The picture below illustrates the belt system.

If you need help getting started with your Cotton Carrier there are some great tutorial videos here for you to learn how to set everything up.
 

 

 

 
We hope you’ll all enjoy this new and exciting product. I personally, give it 2 thumbs up and I’m looking forward to using mine in the upcoming months.

-Gary Goldberg

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Canon recently announced that there’s a new telephoto lens in the works for its lineup of EOS DSLR cameras. Currently in development is the EF200-400mm f/4L IS USM EXTENDER 1.4x zoom – that features an integrated focal length extender to take its zoom range to 280-560mm.

The lens will be showcased Feb. 9 – 12 at the CP+ event in Yokohama, Japan and is being developed as part of Canon’s acclaimed L-series of professional lenses. The new lens – featuring an enhanced weatherproof construction – will be an ideal addition for sports and wildlife photographers who require high performance, fast aperture and a flexible telephoto range. It will also enable photographers to shoot a greater breadth of subjects using a single lens, delivering the best possible image quality at all focal lengths.

The EF200-400mm f/4L IS USM EXTENDER 1.4x is scheduled for launch later this year.

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Photographer Timur Civan recently posted some AMAZING photographs on the Cinema5D forum.  When an upcoming project of his called for a vintage look he enlisted a lens technician friend’s help. Not only did his friend find him an incredible 1908 (possibly earlier) 35mm lens (“Still functioning, mostly brass, and not nearly as much dust or fungus as one would think after sitting in a box for over a hundred years”), he helped him to fit it to his EOS 5D Mk II… seriously!

With the Wollensak 35mm F5.0 Cine-Velostigmat hand-cranked cinema camera lens, it looks like he got the look he was going for.

Check out the rest!

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This week Canon released the SX30 IS & the  G12 as  the newest additions to its Powershot arsenal – bringing to the party high def video capture as well as the world’s first point & shoot 35x wide angle optical zoom lens!

In addition to its INSANE 24-840mm ultra-wide lens with 35x optical zoom, the 14.1-megapixel SX30 IS also features a 2.7″ rear LCD (230k-dot resolution), HDMI connectivity and 720p HD video recording.

Other SX30 IS highlights include:

• Improvements to Movie modes: Dynamic mode enables users to use the Optical Image Stabilizer while shooting video in the wide-angle setting, and the Optical Zoom is now available while shooting video
• Canon’s first high-powered 35x Wide-Angle Optical Zoom (24-840mm) with Optical Image Stabilizer reduces camera shake to achieve amazing images whether you are up close or far away.
• The SX30 IS is equipped with Canon’s acclaimed Optical Image Stabilizer Technology that automatically detects and corrects camera shake – one of the leading causes of fuzzy or blurred shots. Even when zoomed in, you can get the steady, crisp, brilliant images you’ll be proud to shoot and share.
• Shoots superb 720p HD video with stereo sound so you can fully capture those fun, memorable moments, and then view them with an HDMI output connector for easy playback on your HDTV
• Using the new Zoom Framing Assist button aids the user in tracking and capturingsubjects during super telephoto photography
• Advanced Smart AUTO intelligently selects the proper settings for the camera based on 28 predefined shooting situations.
• This classically-styled camera has a powerful DIGIC 4 Image Processor and 14.1 Megapixels, which makes it a perfect device for any shooter!
• Large 2.7-inch Vari-angle LCD enables easy viewing.
• For the first time, this camera comes with Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, which makes powering up simple.

Picking up where the G11 left off, the new G12 adds 720p high-definition video capture, stereo microphones, new shooting modes for both stills and video, as well as revamped image-stabilization & Auto mode features.

Key G12 features include:

• 10 Megapixel sensor combined with the DIGIC 4 Image Processor create Canon’s HS SYSTEM for improved low light performance and better image quality.
• Shoot beautiful 720p HD video in stereo sound and play back on an HDTV via the HDMI output.
• Full range of shooting and recording modes including RAW + JPEG for the ultimate creative control.
• Utilizes Canon’s Hybrid IS to compensate for angular and shift camera shake during close-up shooting.
• Large, bright 2.8-inch Vari-angle LCD with 461,000 dots for shooting at a variety of angles plus an optical viewfinder.
• A high-powered 5x Optical Zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer, plus a 28mm Wide-Angle Lens gets you up close and personal to your subjects, as well as capture more in your frame.
• A host of optional accessories including Speedlite flashes, underwater housing and Tele-Converter Lens are available.
• High Dynamic Range scene mode combines multiple shots into one picture showing greater image detail.

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Vistek’s Michael Beckley does a walk-through of Canon’s new 60D.  Check it out!

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Canon Canada Inc., a leader in digital imaging, today announces the new Canon XF105 and XF100 Professional Camcorders for mobile HD video capture in a compact form factor.

Canon’s smallest professional camcorders, the new XF105 and XF100 utilize the same Canon XF Codec featured in the Canon XF305 and XF300, introduced earlier this year.  The Canon XF Codec is an MPEG-2 4:2:2 50Mbps codec used for exceptional high-definition image quality, full non-linear editing (NLE) systems
compatibility and efficient, robust workflow.

These camcorders include in-camera features enabling the easy set-up and capture of high-definition 3-D video when two XF105 or XF100 camcorders are paired, as well as Canon’s built-in infrared low-light feature enabling the capture of HD video in complete darkness. Both models record to Compact Flash (CF) cards and feature hot-swappable card slots for maximum performance.

Differentiating the two models are industry-standard HD-SDI output and genlock in/SMPTE time code (in/out) terminals available on the Canon XF105. The XF105 and XF100 camcorders are ideal for Electronic News Gathering, documentary and independent filmmaking and event videography.

“Whether used as a companion to the XF305 or XF300, or as a stand-alone camcorder, the XF105 and XF100 are geared for a wide range of applications where high image quality, extreme portability and efficient workflow are of the utmost importance. And with true stereoscopic 3-D production and infrared recording capabilities, they allow users to expand into new markets,” stated Ian Macfarlane, Vice President of the Consumer Imaging Group at Canon Canada Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Canon U.S.A., Inc. “This week we will be exhibiting both the Canon XF105 and XF100 at Canon EXPO 2010 in New York and demonstrate the versatile low-cost capabilities.”

The Canon XF105 and XF100 Professional Camcorders feature a Genuine Canon 10x HD Zoom lens which provides the mobility and optical performance required by the most demanding professionals. Each model includes a Canon developed and designed native Full HD 1920 x 1080 CMOS image sensor and the new Canon XF Codec for extreme colour detail required for accurate chroma-keying, colour-grading and compositingfor digital filmmaking.

For finer transitions in tone and colour, 4:2:2 colour sampling offers twice the colour resolution of HDV and other 4:2:0 formats.  And to maximize compatibility with existing industry infrastructure,
video, audio and metadata are combined in an MXF (Material eXchange Format) File Wrapper, a widely supported open-source format.

The Canon XF Codec is currently compatible with leading software programs widely used within the video production and broadcast industries including those available from Adobe, Apple, Avid, and Grass Valley.

For more information, download the offical Canon press release below!

Canon XF-Series Professional Camcorder XF105 and XF100 PDF

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