1D mkIV

There are some rumours floting around the web regarding a true 1D mkIII upgrade (instead of IIIN). The main reason for a larger step forward, is without a doubt the embarasing 1D3 AF issues (not to mention Canon's shameful way of "undoing the damage") and Nikon D3. I think even Canon was surprised by D3's awesome features and performance, especially when it comes to High ISO.

Anyway, here are the rumoured 1D4 specs:

* Same form factor as current 1 Series
* Full Frame 16MP sensor (end of 1.3 crop cameras)
* ISO 100 to 6400 (expandible 50 and 12800)
* Live View with contrast detection AF and HD Video capture (It is considered this will revolutionise photo journalism and meet growing requirement for web news video and cross media feeds).
* Stills can be grabbed from HD Video capture but only at 2MP resolution.
* 1.3x crop mode with viewfinder masking and reduced size RAW (10MP) with significantly improved buffer for cropped RAW images
* 10 fps, buffer similar for FF images.

6D

I've spoken with a Canon rep today and got the info on 6D (the final designation isn't knon yet). From what I've been told, they're trying various versions of the 5D's successor, but most likely they'll put the "real" upgrade on the market, not just a 5D mkII. It's going to be announced in the second half of January a week or so before PMA.

Final specs should be very similar to those (as always there might be some last minute changes):
- 16 mpix
- ISO 3200, extended to 6400
- highlight priority with respectable DR boost (1+ EV)
- AF similar to the 40D's, 9 cross type AF points (invisible central AF points are going to be included like in 5D)
- 3" LCD with live view
- dust reduction
- 4 fps, larger buffer
- weather sealing

450D in early January

There are a lot of rumours about the 450D, that is due in early January 2008 for PMA. Canon is going to add some P&S features like the facial recognition.

The software final feature list will depend on what they get working well in the DSLR environment.

* Live View
* Movie Mode
* DIGIC III and 14 bit processing
* ISO 3200
* Larger LCD screen
* Still 10.1 MP

I've also heard that a 12MP version is engineered, but it should be announced in August 2009 after the 50D in February 2009. If the stakes get to high, Canon might reconsider and put a 12 mpix version on the market instead of the 10 mpix - and it wouldn't be the first time that Canon put a higher mpix sensor in the entry level DSLR, than in its XXD grade.

Canon's main competitor to announce more FF DSLRs?

There are quite a few rumours floating around the net regarding more and more FF Nikon DSLRs. Here are some interesting quotes:

"I think you'll see other FX products. It's a sensor size we're committed to," by Steve Heiner, senior technical manager of Nikon SLR marketing.

When he was asked about a 5D equivalent, he replied: "doesn't take a rocket scientist" to see the D3 has tantalized some photographers who aren't served by the D3. "That leaves a lot of other photographers out there intrigued."

It's really nice to see things are moving towards affordable consumer FF DSLRs.

7D confirmed?!

It's already in the UPC database.

It is said to have the spec as below:

-12mp
-5fps,Up to 21 RAW files
-dust removing system
-15-point TTL CMOS sensor
-Center point additionally sensitive with lenses of F2.8 or faster
-96% frame coverage
-Magnification: 0.71x
-3.0 " 640×480 TFT LCD (920,000 pixels)
-ISO 50-3200 extended to 12800 and 25600
-DIGIC III, 14-bit
-Canon EF lens mount (not EF-S)
-Live View Mode
-The Body Is Much Identical to 5D, Could Share The Handgrip
-Surprisingly cheap, US: $ 1,899

5D mkII

I've found quite a few rumours about the so called 5D mkII on various photo forums and sites. So far the rumour that seems most likely is, that it could be launched as soon as November 2007 to "take the edge off" D300 availability – otherwise it will be January 2008 for PMA.

Specifications:

* DIGIC III
* 14 bit RAW
* 16 MP sensor using the same technology as the 1D III
* 3 inch screen, live view etc.
* Body very similar to the 40D except for different pentaprism / viewfinder etc.
* Upgraded AF (like the 40D but with assist points)
* Limited weather sealing etc. (like the 40D)
* Still not a sports camera – it will be 4 or 5 fps.
* Same firmware features as 40D (highlight tone priority etc.)
* Image quality beats the current 1Ds II
* Pricing still being finalised. Will be 'a bit more than the D300'

A few 1Ds3 ISO 1600 shots

Those shots were posted on DPR forums, CLICK to go directly to the thread. It's a shame the poster didn't post 100% crops, which would really show "the real picture".

1Ds mkIII also on Amazon

Check it out click.

Amazon has 40D listed on their site

The price is 1299.99$, full specs are also available on this link. Another great move from one of the major retailers, putting full specs and the price on their site before the announcement. I'm sure they'll get quite a few more buyers than they would if they waited until the announcement.

Nikon D3 announced!!!

A typical sunday post. Funny, amusing and not serious at all. A poster over at DPR forums posted that, and here's the complete post:



Monday, August 20th, 2007 (Tokyo) — Nikon Corp. of Japan this morning unveiled their newest digital SLR targeted toward professionals, the Nikon D3. But while Nikon maintains that the D3 is a groundbreaking development in the world of digital imaging, photographers and analysts alike seem to be scratching their heads.

"It's a brick, a frickin' brick," said an obviously agitated Tommy Hogan, professional photographer.

"Yes, it's a brick," admitted Nikon President, CEO and COO Michio Kariya. "However, research showed us that we were rapidly losing market share in the professional realm to Canon. Here at Nikon, we're not so prideful that we refuse to admit when we're wrong. If photographers want a camera like Canon offers, we'll build a camera like Canon offers. In this case, the brick was the closest we could come to achieving the ergonomics found in Canon's 5D."

Jerry Yamamoto, Nikon's Chief Designer, had a different take. "Today, it seems that more and more of our customers are using their gear to photograph brick walls. Nikon cameras have always been about transcending the equipment—the camera becoming part of your environment. It's easier to think artistically when you aren't using a tool that seems out of place. The brick design of the D3 is part of a move toward better fusion with the photographer's surroundings."

But the brick design isn't the only feature of the D3 that has left potential customers scratching their heads. The D3 will be Nikon's first digital SLR that prevents the user from changing lenses. "I don't get it," Nikon enthusiast Rory Bjornlett said. "How is that supposed to be a 'feature'?" Kariya had the answer.

"By shipping the D3 with the lens welded to the body, we've eliminated the sensor dust problem. In fact, we guarantee that you will never get dust on the sensor for the life of the camera. And now, you can order exactly the camera you want. Your D3 can be customized with a wide assortment of Nikon and even third-party lenses. Just tell us what you want, and we'll weld it to the camera and ship it to your door within a couple of weeks."

When asked for clarification about third-party lens options, Kariya pointed out that companies like Sigma and Tokina fill niches that Nikon doesn't have the time to bother with. "A few of our more demanding customers have been asking for a fast AF-S prime in the 30-35mm focal range. But this doesn't fit into our long-term plans. There are still three or four more consumer zooms in the 18-70mm focal range that we need to get to market before we can worry about a prime lens that only a few professionals and enthusiasts will ever use. Since Sigma offers such a lens now, we've decided to go ahead and offer it as a customization option for D3 customers. Maybe that will shut them up. This is off the record, right?"

Photographer and writer Rockwell Kenneth, an attendee at Nikon Corporation's D3 media event, was distressed to learn that all D3 lenses will only allow for manual focusing. "Getting rid of autofocus seems like a serious step backward. I can understand the less-is-more mentality, but this? Looks like I'm going to have to stock up on more D40s and 18-200 VRs. It's all you really need, anyway."

Nikon designer Jack Kogaku explained Nikon's reasoning behind removing autofocus. "We're trying to build a camera that can compete with the competition, and it's tough. We had our work cut out for us. Our moment of epiphany came when we received a shipment of Canon EOS 1D Mark IIIs. We quickly realized that manually focusing the D3 was just as fast as autofocusing the Mark III, and about 277% more accurate. Out with the old and in with the new, ya' know? Manual focus is the new black!"

Other improvements include better digital noise performance. "We've heard the complaints about the noise of Nikon cameras versus their Canon counterparts for a couple of years now," Kogaku said. "We've done our very best with the D40, D80, and D200 to provide better noise performance, and while I feel we succeeded, the public apparently disagrees. For this reason, we've completely removed the mirror from the D3. No mirror slap means no noise whatsoever. If you thought the D40 or D80 had low noise, wait 'til you hear this! The silence is deafening."

The removal of the mirror from the D3 means that users must frame the image using one of the two holes in the brick on either side of the lens. This design move by Nikon has also ignited debate over whether the D3 is an SLR at all.

"That's not an SLR, it's a rangefinder," insisted one indignant media correspondent who had flown in from the United States. But a source within Nikon who asked not to be named due to his corporate espionage activities on behalf of Leica disagreed passionately: "If that's a rangefinder, then my name isn't Wolfhausen!"

Missing from the announcement was Nikon's rumored full-frame digital SLR. "Foo-frame? What dat?" asked Nikon spokesman George Takiyama when the rumor was brought up. Several reporters tried to explain the term to Takiyama, at which point he said, "No Engleesh. Speaky Japanese." When a Japanese reporter pressed the issue in Takiyama's native language, he responded in English, "Oh, you never need do dat! No foo-frame 'cause no need foo-frame! We defy laws of pheesics. Canon no can do, so dey need foo-frame."

The D3 comes equipped with a convenient carry handle and hundreds of lens customization options. The camera will begin shipping next week, though widespread availability isn't expected until the end of next year. The estimated retail price of a D3 with a welded, manual focus Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 is $4995.
Filed by Jonathan P.

A bunch of news

I've found this intriguing post on northlight images. I'll keep it short and get straight to the point:

* 40D - it's ready, but they did have a 40D ready in Feb/March, but it was regarded as just a bit to similar to everything else. It seems that Canon have put a lot into the 'new' 40D to get back market leadership in this segment from Nikon.
* Features include: 14 bit processing, highlight preservation, multiple custom functions, faster, half the noise level of the 30D, more weatherproofing. Lots of 'trickle down' features from their pro models.
* Their marketing campaign is really going to emphasise the semi-pro angle and the marketing will emphasise the 'pro' heritage.
*
* 1Ds3 - it's ready and production of the 1Ds2 has stopped. To be announced fairly soon. Several studios in New York now have production versions (under strict NDA ;-) and it is supposed to be 'just amazing'
*
* 5D replacement - Now 'feature complete'. Canon is working on the timing, most likely early 2008 [PMA is Jan 31 to Feb 2] Features include 16MP, Digic III and 14 bit.
*
* 400D replacement - March 2008. 14 bit, Digic III, highlight preservation. IS lens as standard.
*
* Sensor technology - Canon have mentioned that full frame sensor chips need two stepper passes. Sony now has the technology to do this in one pass and are preparing their own sensors and selling to them Nikon. However, Canon have a new 'one pass' technology too. What's more, it can do even larger than 35mm (36x24mm) in a single pass.
* Canon are very excited about a next generation CMOS sensors they are working on. Two full frame versions have 40M and 50M pixels at the -same- noise level as the current 1D series. Low power supply voltages give cooler chips and lower noise even with smaller pixels. Different circuit fabrication techniques also promise to make close to 100% of the sensor area active pixels. This technology won't make any of the upcoming models, but is expected in 2009/10.
*
* The competition - Canon were somewhat shocked by the success of the Nikon D80, D40 and D40X. Hence the 'improved' 40D and the improved 400D replacement in the works. Canon know what Nikon have coming (D300 and D3) and have planned the 40D, 1Ds III and 1D III as their answers.
* However Nikon are moving to CMOS sensors to over the next couple of years. Sony are moving CMOS to a near full frame (1.25 or so) and full (35mm) FF, so Canon are getting serious and starting to plan some aggressive upgrades.
* Sony worries Canon somewhat, since with their manufacturing capabilities, they could move the whole price base down for SLRs. So far they haven’t and their lens prices and range are not a worry for Canon. The current Sony Alpha has been less than astounding in the market.
* Moreover, Nikon have the camera credibility and certainly won’t stop with the D3 and D300. Their plans for the lower end (D40-D80 as well) are to replace them in much shorter timeframes than their previous 3-4 years. Nikon have moved emphasis from the low end 'point and shoot' digital into R&D on the DLSRs. They've found this to be 3-4 times as profitable (note Nikon's record profits over last 12 months). Nikon are more than happy with trouncing Canon for the last 12 months in Japan (not so world wide). So the next 2-3 years will see a major DSLR feature 'war'.
*
* IS Technology - This is being introduced in some of their consumer grade lenses. The technology has matured to the point that it can be added at only a small price premium. It gives product differentiation - a reaction to Sony and keeps them ahead of Nikon.
*
* Digic IV - Digic III just won't cut it for the new high density sensors. Digic IV can deal with with the transfer rates for higher bit per pixel images. One Digic IV chip beats the two Digic III in the 1D3.
*
* 16 bit RAW - Canon's target for their next generation of sensors is 16 bits per channel giving true HD quality. They are also looking at processing formats to retain that extra definition.
*
* ISO sensitivity - Canon see their next generation lower voltage CMOS as easily doing ISO6400, with a boost to 12800.

30D&G7 discontinued

I've just came across this post on DPR forums. Here's the quote:

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Confirmed by Canon rep today - There is a announcment MONDAY in australia.

G7 is also discontinued - Announcement monday
30D is also discontinued - Announcement monday.

Monday.
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I wonder what G8 is going to be like. What could they possibly improve? 12 mpix? I wouldn't be surprised to see that kind of madness, because I know how mpix affect the consumer psyche. Yeah it's on, it's so on! Sad but true. What they could do to really improve it is to make it with the f2-f3 legendary lens which was a part of the G family for quite some time.

40D specs are more or less known. But I did hear, that it's going to compete with D200, so it might also be a step up. Feature and price wise. I'll wait for 40D to be announced, to see what I'm (not) missing and then buy 30D, when prices will drop even more. But I won't wait to long, since it has been discontinued a while ago (not like the above quoted rumour states - actually this fact will become official on the day of the 40D announcement).

1Ds mkIII photo?

I've found the photo below on the digicombo site. Pretty funny stuff, it's above the 1D mkIII specs. I really don't know what they are thinking. But one thing is for sure. They're going to get a lot of visitors and it's a huge promotion for them as well. As most of you probably know, there is no bad promotion...

New Sony Alpha models

It's not really a Canon rumour, but might be their main competitor. To see what I mean, read this quote from Dyxum forums:
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I already told you that my brother-in-law works for Sony on the Alpha project. Here is some more info, some is repeated from my previous posts. The advanced model will be 14.* MP and close to FF. It will have 1.25x factor and a switch for lenses with 1.5 factor. It will be called A300. Because of the pixel pattern similar to Sony ClearVid CMOS sensors, Sony will claim up to 2x effective pixel resolution. The flagship model will be called A500 and will be 100% full frame. Nikon is supplying Sony new steppers to create FF sensors in one shot. Sony first joined forces with Konica Minolta, now with Nikon. This gives to both Sony and Nikon advantage over Canon, which Sony believes will eventually drop to a 3rd place; Sony will move up to 2nd place in overall volume of DSLR's sales. The least expensive Sony DSLR will not have optical viewfinder and will be called A50. The flagship model will be 20 MP, 40 effective. That is the reason why Sony concentrates on top quality glass. Sony's advantage will be fact that they are the foremost sensor maker; their output is several times higher than Matsushita, which is second largest CCD maker.
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Here's an rather interesting post to that rumour on slo-foto.net, it's in slovene, so I'l translate it to you:
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1. Nikon, that has so much experience with FF sensor, oh yeah...
2. It looks like Sony has finally ruled out Konica Minolta and new Alpha will have a Nikon body?!
3. Nikon can't be the first when it comes to DSLR sales, it' impossible...Not to mention Alpha can't beat Canon "over night" (eg in a heartbeat etc).
4. That spy (who wrote the post) forgot to put down the year that Canon bankrupted.

Proudly user of Nikon ...But I'm still being realistic.

40D ad?

I've found this on the Photography-on-the-net forum. A poster claims this ad is going to be published in October's Shutterbug edition.

40D available at your local dealers by the end of August!

Here's a scan of a today's newspaper article:



Specs translation:
-10 mpix
-3" LCD
-antidust
-sRAW
-6 fps

5D mkII

I came across an interesting rumour at POTN forums. The OP claims, a Vistek rep told him that the 5D MkII would be out this fall with the same 16MP full-frame sensor as the Canon 1Ds Mk II. He got the confirmatin that 40D would be out in a matter of weeks.

40D photos

Those photos were published on a Spanish site, but the content is no longer there. I won't bore you with speculations and will get right to the photos this time:

Canon's 50 mpix camera

I've read on Dpreview forums that, september's edition of UK magazine T3 has mention on page 60 of a 50Mp Canon camera coming in 2008 to definitively bury 35mm film.

The only way this could be true is, if Canon is developing a MF camera (there were a lot of MF rumours before last year's Photokina).

30D prices are lower then ever

I was just checking the prices on geizhals yesterday and found out that prices dropped below 800 EUR (that's $1090 US). There was an offer for 773 EUR, but it wasn't there today anymore. Price are dropping fast, so I can only conclude that 40D is really close. I'd say August 20-23 are the most possible dates for announcement. Since I really don't expect it to be revolutionary (check all the previous rumoured specs), I'll buy a 30D after the announcement, which will drive the prices down even further. I hope below 700 EUR.

An article about september 40D announcement

I found it on Chasseur d' Images site (which is a magazine as well). It doesn't say anything about specs, just that 40D and Nikon D300 are going to be announced in september.

There are currently many rumoured specs on various sites and forums. All of them are pretty much the same, some differentiate only by mpix count, everything else seems to be the same (5 fps, no weather sealing, same body and LCD...). I just hope that VF is going to be bigger.

Without at least one of the following features, I think it's going to have a hard time competing with Nikon D300, besides that they might loose a small percentage to Pentax k10d:
-weather sealing (D300 will have it, k10D has it)
-larger VF (D300 will have it, k10d has it)
-image stabilisation (that won't happen, but k10d has it)

40D announced on 6th september?

I just read the info posted on FM Forums, that says:

I was told yesterday that the 40D will be announced on September 6, that this is a firm date, and that there likely will be no further camera announcements this year .

CIPA put 40D on their list

I've found thi info on microstockgroup. Here's the quote:

CIPA has updated its PictBridge Certified Model listing dated July 17, 2007.

And there is a new listing for a camera called EOS 40D!

Check it out:

http://www.cipa.jp/pictbridge/CertifiedModels/PictBridgeCertifiedModels_E.html#DSC_CANON

30D prices are going down down down...

Prices dropped below 800 EUR in some European contries. That makes me confiedent about late august (rumors say 20th) 40D announcement.

It looks like I'll have to hurry up and buy 30D before it goes out of stock (one of the largest Canon dealers in Slovenia said they aren't going to order 30D unless it's for a know buyer(s)). I guess the ideal timing would be end of august, a week or so after the announcement so that I can get it for the lowest price possible. 40D won't be revolutionary anyway and I don't think 10 mpix (which is a minimal resolution increase), antidust and perhaps a few really minor tweaks is worth another few hundres euros/$ (I expect a price around 1300 EUR/$ right after the announcement). Besides that, I will be able to use my favourite raw convereter Raw shooter with 30D.

Another rumour about 40D specs

This was posted on a spanish site. Like expected it has 10 mpix and a few tweaks already seen in 400D. No weather sealing this time (I don't think Canon will offer at the expected price). It seems like 18-55 kit lens is getting an upgrade (I wonder what will that be, probably it will be marked as 10 mpix compatible:D). 6,25 fps sounds like a nice framerate, but with the same AF it's still not a real sports camera.

* Sensor 1,6x de 10 Mpx.
* Limpieza de sensor.
* Pantalla LCD de 3 pulgadas.
* LiveView.
* Formatos habituales, JPG, RAW y aparece un nuevo formato llamado sRAW.
* ISO 100 a 1600 en pasos de 1/3.
* Velocidad de disparo 6,25 fps, 75 JPG o 17 RAW.
* Se podrá usar el grip BG-E2 (el de la Canon 30D).
* Parece que el 18-55 se renueva.

1Ds mkIII in october, priced at $13k (AUS)

I've come across this rumour on POTN. If that will be the price tag, then I guess Nikon will sell a lot more of their D3's (rumors are that it'll priced around $8k (US)). And people were complainig 8k is too much...

Here's the quote:

I was chatting to Sam at D & D Photographics (Sydney Australia) and he mentioned they are taking pre-orders for the 1Ds III.

He said it will be announced in October sometime, 22MP and around $13k (Aus).

40D specifications? 18-200 IS?

I found this on DPR forums. It seems like 40D will have the same ISO range as 1D mkIII (100-3200 + 6400 expansion), weather proof and 3" live view LCD. Everything else was already expected. Here are the specs (translated):

EOS-40D

10,100,000 pixel 5 scene/second 40 shot buffer
iso100-3200 (Hi6400 expansion)
Digic3 dust reduction
Live view photographing
3 inch liquid crystal
Highlight brightness priority setting loading
Drip-proof dustproof

Actual sale 168000 Yen 10% restoration
7 end of the month sales

EF-S 18-200mm f3.5-5.6 IS USM
Simultaneous sale.

Here is the original link:

http://translate.google.com/... ...ndow%3D1%26rls%3DGGLJ,GGLJ:2006-33,GGLJ:en

30D production stopped

Apparently someone got the official info form Canon. I found this in DPR forum. Here's the quote:
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I heard from Canon that they offically stopped production of the 30D. They are gearing up for the "40D". Will be in stores by Q4.
They will also be winding down the 5D production over the next couple of months.
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It's also interesting to see that Canon is winding down the 5D production as well. I hope we can expect the 6D announcement in the near future. I guess the Nikon D3 announcement in August (I got info from Nikon Slovenia representative), speeded things up a bit.

40D pics

The rumour about July announcement is still alive and kicking. Besides that I found this "40D" photos
.

1Ds mkIII and13-52 f1.8

A qouote of one of the most unusual info that I found on FM forums:

One of the oldest Canon dealers in Mexico City hosted a Canon Day yesterday, I had a chance to spend quite a bit of time with a Technical guy and he indicated that -even though he couldn't confirm anything- the 1Ds Mk III was scheduled for an October 1st release and the prototype with the best chance of making it to production had a 22 MP sensor. He was not a sales rep, so I think there's a good chance he could be right.

I also saw, with my own eyes, a 13-52 mm f/1.8 Canon lens. Unfortunately it was not an EOS mount, but some sort of weird Video Capture camera that had a CCD sensor.

Canon 1Ds mkIII waiting list

Someone claims to be on the waiting list for 1Ds mkIII. I've came across the info about the 1Ds3 launch at Berlin’s IFA show, that is taking place 31.8.07-5.9.07. The launch date is supposed to be 31.8.07.

First 1D mkIII shipments

This week the shipments of Canon 1D mkIII began. The dealers report that they received only a fraction of their order. For example Ritz in the US ordered 300 and only got 10 in the first delivery.

Interesting 40D scenarios

I found yet another interesting post on FM forums, posted by Tentacle (which is known for his interesting posts and educated gueses):
40D: There are 3 scenarios...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Do the usual, tweak a bit, squeeze more Mpixel from the sensor, 10.1 Mpixel from APS-C. This would only be catch-up, and a poor one at that, to the rest of the 10 Mpixel dSLRs out there. The D40x, the D80, the D200, the Alpha 100 and the K10D. I don't think Canon would do this.
2. Bump the resolution to 12 Mpixel from APS-C. Can you say "Sensor out-resolving most glass"? The only current 12 Mpixel (from 1.5x crop instead of 1.6), the Nikon DX2(s), is already hitting the limits of high quality glass at the full frame equivalent of 27 Mpixel. Putting 12 on 1.6x crop would be the equivalent of 31 Mpixel at full frame. Will Canon be that silly?
3. Take the sensor from the Mk III, halve the number of output channels, put it in the 40D and link it to a single DIGIC III instead of 2. That means 10 Mpixel, 5 fps, APS-H, with native ISO 3200 and extended ISO 6400.


Now, let the "Canon will NEVER drop EF-s!!!111" flames begin...

Canon has stated, by words of Brian Worley, dSLR productmanager for Canon Europe, that Canon will eventually go to full frame on all dSLRs, except entry level. (Source here.)

So if you ask me ... Canon might just use the 40D to ween the xxD users from EF-S. They do this by using the 50% larger APS-H size sensor (compared to APS-C) to bump high ISO performance to new levels. The 1.25x crop sits at the production sweet spot of being the biggest slab of silicon that can be processed in single lithography exposure passes. That makes them only 50 to 70% more expensive than APS-C. (Compared to 10 -20 times for full frame sensors that need yield-wrecking field-stitching in its lithography production.)

Yes yes, that would relegate EF-S to entry level ... Boohoohoo! Well, Tough luck. The future is Full Frame anyway. It's my educated guess that Canon will take this route. Okay, maybe not untill the 50D.

1Ds Mk III:
Just look at the 1D Mk III and extrapolate: Bump in reso, assume the same 1.25x increase (from 8 to 10) so you'd get 21 Mpixel. Double DIDIG III, 5 fps, ISO 3200 and extended to 6400. Add Live preview.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Someone else even stated a very exact date: 17th July.

A nice one:D.

Another 40D rumour

That I found on CDP forums:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A salesman at my favorite camera store told me that he has personally seen pre-production units of the 40D and was told that it will be released on a Monday in late August. He said it would match the XTi's 10 megapixels and have the sensor dust removal technology. It will also supposedly be equipped with the latest processor, but only one of them (unlike the Mark III that was just released with dual processors). He also said that it would indeed be called the "40D". He's a great photographer that knows the Canon and Nikkon lines intimately, so I don't believe he is mistaken.
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I still hope it's going to be a 1.3x crop 10 mpix. That way the IQ could be much higher then competition's. Higher DR, lower noise and better DOF control.

40D specs, that I would prefer

Canon always states that they listen to their users. I hope that's true and that they'll come across this (wannahave) specs:
-1,3x crop sensor, same as in 1D mkIII
-DIGIC III, ISO 6400, 5 fps
-Slightly improved body, especially grip, a bit larger (10D style)
-dust reduction
-2.5 oled display
-improved AF (at least accuracy if not speed), or even better AF from the old 1 series (now that they have a new AF system in 1D mkIII)

I intended to go FF (5D+135L+28-75 2.8 Tamron, new bag and memory card), but I've done numerous calculations, but the sum is still to high. Almost 3x higher then remaining on APS-C, where there's no need for new lenses, bags, memory cards...

Canon 1D mkIII hands on preview

Unfortunately a 5 minute preview. But enough to see the significant step forward, that Canon has made with this model. The size remains the same, while being a lot lighter. The specs don't show the real picture regarding the camera weight. It feels like it's half as light as its predecessor. They finally got rid of the clumsy controls, AF is even faster, now it's insanely fast. And the sound of the shutter at 10 fps is orgasmic.

When production model (this was pre-production) will be available, I'll do a complete test. I guess sometime in June...

More 40D speculations

Here's an interesting quote of the post from FM forums:
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Spoke with 2 Canon reps, over the last 6 weeks or so, and one of the major retailers' store owners over here.

The 40D is expected in store at the end of June, and at the latest the beginning of July. This is what they said. No specs, though.

Furthermore, the replacement for the 1Ds MkII is expected in September, and at the latest beginning of December.

Oh, and all in this year, 2007 .
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I still hope there will be a 6D/5D mkII announcement, but if there's going to be a 1Ds mkIII announcement (40D will be anyway, there so question if, but when in 2007), I'm afraid there's no room for 4th announcement this year. Even Canon is not that big...

40D available in july?

I've just read this on FM forums. As this is one of the most anticipated Canon's cameras, I'm sure lots of people would buy it and Canon's sales would increase significantly. Here are the quotes I mentioned earlier:

The Canon retailer in Paris where I bought a lot of stuff just told me that Canon has annonced them the 40D will the there in July. They did not get any details (except it will be an EF-S compatible camera), but they say that the 5D replacement will not ship this year.
For what it is worth...

And:

I got told the same as well from my source.

PMA's ending...

...nothing earth shattering except Canon 1D mkIII was announced, to me, PMA was a disappointment. Nikon and Olympus introduced a few slightly modified entry level DSLRs, when it comes to lenses Sigma with its 200-500 2.8 and Pentax with new supersonic lenses are the only companies with truly new announcements. Canon announced the 16-35 2.8 II, 580 EX II flashgun and a bunch of kits, that should make us happy. But I don't think Canon made Canon users happy, we really expected more for its double anniversary.

I guess the fast development and 18 month true new models announcements cycle have come to an end. It started with 30D (which was a moderately improved 20D, which should be marked as 20D mkII) and it countinues with lack of 1Ds mkIII (1Ds mkII is 30 months old now), 6D (5D is 18 months old) announcements. But hey, that could be a good thing, we'll think less about equipment and more about taking photos:).

1Ds mkIII speculations

I found this interesting post on FM foums:

Canon were testing a FF sensor last year with the same 6.4 x 6.4 pixel pitch as the 30D but with larger photodiodes and better pixel lenses. Compared to the current 1Ds II’s 7.2 x 7.2 sensors this gave a pixel density increase of 1.266 giving a sensor size of 21.8mp with an effective size of 21mp. This sensor also had a built in 1.25 crop mode, giving a 16.7mp 1D IIn equivalent picture. The sensor (with dual DIGIC III etc) could do 5 FPS at FF and 8 FPS in crop mode…. The photodiodes were approximately the same size as those in the 1Ds II’s 7.2 x 7.2 pixels and with the next generation noise reduction etc this sensor delivered 3200 ISO native and 6400 with High mode enabled…

And (surprise ) they were also testing a FF 16.6mp sensor with the 7.2 x 7.2 pixel size, new micro lenses and close to 5D sized photodiodes (presumably for the new high end 5D replacement). What is interesting is if you reverse the maths, for the 1.255 crop this gives you exactly the 1d III sensor when cut down from FF…. Which makes a lot of sense

Now what remains to be seen is what they release… But if I were a betting man it will be dam close to the above (ie IDs III with 21mp and the 3D or 5D Mark II with 16.7mp)

Oh and BTW the testers LOVED the image quality on both cameras…
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And another interesting post, that was posted in the same thread. I totally agree with the poster, he described the FF camera I wanted Canon to announce for quite a long time. The benefit of only 8 mpix FF camera would be higher dynamic range and lower noise (because the pixels would be much larger, almost twice the size as those on 1Ds mkII), files would be smaller, so you wouldn't need large capacity memory cards and hard disks. And most of us don't even need more than 8 mpix (it's enough for up to A3 print, so it's usually more than enough for commercial photography as well). Anyway, here's the post:

I think a lot of beginners would jump for the FF 8 mp chip, that would be a great camera. Most of them don't need anything more than 5 fps or the rugged frame of the 1 series. Canon would sell tons, heck, it would be a great camera to take to the park.

That's officially it for PMA

Since Canon stated that 1D mkIII is the only announcement on PMA, the Canon rumours blog could be closed. But I've decided to keep it online and to post some new speculations from time to time. After all it still has a lot of visitors and people will be able to check it in the future to see what the speculations were like (like in the pre-announcment PMA time, people were also writing what the pre-Photokina speculations were), which were true, which were far off etc. And I'll also keep it, so that I can continue with rumours posting before the next PMA.

So now we know, that the only new camera is 1D mkIII, we can speculate on what will Canon announce in (or before) the fall. Since their flagship camera 1Ds mkIII wasn't announced, as well as 40D which most people expected, especially because it has some stiff competition and because its sales went down. Besides that 30D was only a minor evolution of 20D, in my opinion it should be designated as 20D mkII. I admit, that Canon surprised me, by announcing 1D mkIII. It's the one camera that needed to be replaced the least. After all Canon was the king of PJ class with Canon 1D mkII N. Besides that we all expected more announcements form Canon, because of its double anniversary. I expected 6D to be realeased only simultaneously with 1Ds mkIII (which is already 30 months old), because a 16 mpix (or so) 6D would kill the 1Ds mkII sales. So I think we can expect 40D and 1Ds mkIII in the fall. I wonder when will 6D be announced. Because 3 announcements at the same time may be too much even for Canon.

Here's a short summary of possible announcements (probably just 2 of those):
-40D (I hope the specifications will be a bit better that those rumored for PMA announcements). If Canon wanted to bump up the resolution higher than the competition, than moving to APS-H sensor (1,3x crop) would be a reasonable decision. The sensor size would be doubled, resolution of 12-14 mpix easily achieved, while the camera could gain in dynamic range and high ISO performance (because pixels would still be larger even though the resolution would be 12-14 mpix). In that case 6D would have to be announced, because it would kill the sales of 5D (which are poor anyway, at least in Europe).
-1Ds mkIII, 22 mpix, much smaller and lighter body (1v sized).
-6D, 16-17 mpix, weather sealed body, improved AF, and some minor adjustments (larger buffer, better LCD, a bit larger VF magnification)

But maybe time has come for all the companies to gain more profit, to get back all the billions of dollars that were spent for R&D since the beginning of the digital era. Who knows, but it seems that pace is dropping (except for entry level DSLRs). I still hope that the competition will be stiff and that it will announce some killer cameras (like Nikon D3H, Pentax k1d in the fall etc), so that also Canon will be forced into higher pace. Only that brings greater technological advancements and dropping of prices.

Another 1Ds mkIII rumour

I found this rumour on the Online photograper site:

The new Canon 1Ds Mk. III is a very interesting camera. Although it has a considerably slower frame-rate and a considerably smaller (effective) buffer than the new 1D Mk. III, its full-frame, 22-MP CMOS sensor is state of the art for image quality in a DSLR-type camera, making its $5,800 pricetag seem like a runaway bargain. It is only 30% heavier and not much larger than the 5D—far smaller than the 1D Mk. III. The sensor has better high-ISO performance than any previous DSLR, using a completely new and unique technical strategy, and very good dynamic range. Finally, the new camera has outstanding low-light AF capability.

New Canon kits?

I found a rumour, that Canon is introducing 13 new photo kits and 8 new lens kits. I must say some kits are really interesting, especially the 5D kits (which interest me the most). Here's the link to the PDF, that's in poor quality click.

Canon 1D mkIII announced

As I wrote in one of the previous posts, 22nd February is the announcement date for one or more of Canon's new DSLRs. For now Canon announced only one new model, Canon 1D mkIII. It still has APS-H sized sensor (1.3x crop), but they bumped the resolution up to 10 mpix and frame rate to 10 fps. They also introduced a new (finally!) AF system with 19 cross type sensors and 63-zone exposure metering. The speculation regarding 3" live view monitor was also correct as well as dual DIGIC III (to be honest I didn't expect it). However the body stays the same, but they changed button layout and functions.

Here are the key features:
* 10.1 Megapixel APS-H CMOS sensor
* 10 fps continuous shooting for up to 110 frames
* Dual “DIGIC III” processors
* New auto focus system with 19 cross type sensors
* EOS Integrated Cleaning System
* ISO 3200 (expandable to H:6400)
* 3.0” LCD with Live View mode
* Wider, brighter viewfinder
* Picture Style1

A new Canon pro camera in UK store on March 6th

I found this on Bob Atkins site. Another rumour about Canon pro camera announcement (which will happen anyway). The date that everyone is waiting now is Feb 22nd, yeah that's tomorrow. Will there be announcements and if how many. Someone should make a countdown (do you still remember the pre-Photokina Canon countdown?). Anyway here are the rumours:

Not exactly earth shattering news, but a UK store (theflashcenter.com) has sent out a flier announcing they will be showing a new professional Canon DSLR in their store on March 6th. This is after the "Focus on Imaging" UK trade show (25th-28th Feb) and just before PMA (March 8th-11th), so the timing is right. The only real surprise would be if Canon didn't announce a new professional DSLR before PMA...

Other current rumors are suggesting that Canon will be saying something on Thursday February 22nd at 5pm Tokyo time (8am London, 3am New York), so if that's true we won't have to wait much longer!

New lenses

I found a Belgium online shop which has a couple of new lenses on their site. The first is the Canon EF 400 f5.6L IS USM priced at EUR 1995,00 and the second is Canon EF 100-400 f4 L IS USM priced at EUR 2498,00. I think that photographers that are shooting birds will be pleased with them. I find 400 5.6L IS particularly interesting, because it's a lighter (it can be handheld) and much cheaper alternative to the 400 2.8.

Is Canon going MF this year?

The Canon rumours were floating around the web already last year before Photokina. In this pre-PMA time, I also found some MF rumours, I find this one pretty interesting:


Medium format digital costs $12K - $30K+ currently, I believe...That's real money, current manufacturers are making a profit hand assembling these cameras in almost a boutique environment - see the Luminous Landscape Videos' Phase One visits, where they show a very small assembly room with only a few work benches...Wouldn't a company already making it's own 35mm format digital sensors and bodies/lenses be in a pretty good position to expand into the larger format? Wouldn't additonal development costs to create a new product line be much more affordable than for an entirely new start-up company?

If conventional wisdom barks out that all those white super-telephotos seen in photog gallery shots at sporting events are a fantastic sales tool, would it be a good thing for Canon to point to studio and landscape world class pros using Canon MF equipment? You may only be looking to buy an entry-level camera, but you've heard Annie Leibovitz uses Canon, and you want to buy the company the pros use...

I think they are going MF this year. They won't devalue their 35mm line by just coming out with a new line of high resolution lenses and ever-more pixels jambed on a sensor. It's going to be something new, probably announced at PMA, but not available until later this year, they will want to hype it's exclusivity first...They made a 50 f/1.0 for bragging rights, they will do something similar again (granted, that's not a direct example for my argument as it really was a trick lens that didn't stay in the catalogue for long - but they spent a lot for something they knew wouldn't earn back it's development costs).

Canon 1 Ds mkIII photo

Here's a photo of what's supposed to be the 1Ds mkIII. In my opinion it's 99% fake, I think the body should really be updated and I'm sure they'd mount the top of the line 50 mm lens on it (Canon 50 1.2L).

Predictions, predictions...

Today FM has a lot of interesting rumours. This is another one, that I've found:


1) Canon will release the successor of the 1D Mk IIn as a 16 MPix full frame frame camera, able to crop by factor of 1.3 to perform 10 fps resulting in 10 mp files. The camera is able, due to its internal buffer and in conjunction with high speed memory cards, to shoot an unlimited number of pictures in high speed mode (only limited by the size of the used memory cards).?The pricing should be around 4.500€.


2) Canon will also introduce a new „Medium Format“ EOS system, that will be compatible with current EF mount in a sort of crop mode and uses a new line of lenses to leverage the bigger sensor. The successor of the 1Ds MK II is intended to build the starting point of this new production line for Canon and the sensor will have at least 22 mp.
The rumor goes that this beast will ship around 13 T€.



With this move Canon solves several issues and therefore this prediction makes sense to me:

1) Canon want to go „Full Frame“ with 1D series, so the native crop of the 1D has to go away.

2) Due to pricing issues its not possible the merge the 1D and 1Ds line into one. For sport shooters and journalists there‘s no need for 20+ mp, and some are already shooting digital for years. So their lens park is collected on the fact having 1.3 crop. Therefore the „dynamic crop“ of the 1D MK III will support a smooth migration path for them.

3) The current 1Ds Mk II challenges the existing EF lenses and it attacks the low end of the medium format market (studio, landscape, ...) already. So to extend the ship size to enter the „cropped medium format digital backs“ while introducing new high quality lenses makes perfect sense to me.

Announcement on Feb 22?

I found a yet another rumour on announcement(s) that are supposed to happen at the end of next week. A post from FM:

10am GMT, Feb 22 is the announcement of the new EOS DSLR!

Local time in Tokyo is 5pm.
Local time in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore is 6pm.
Local time in New York is 6am.
Local time in London is 12noon.

And this is the reply to the post (my thoughts exactly:):

So are we talkin' one lousy camera now? I hope it's the one I want
How about the lighter, better glass? Seriously, if it's a 40D, I'm not going to Vegas...
But I would be really surprised if they decide to keep 1Ds unchanged...
Maybe their calculations are showing them little benefit in upgrading it
comparing to the mass market stuff. But a big anniversary, big booth PMA with
one lousy 40D would be a sad joke...

And another. Seems reasonable to me (for Canon to do). They could announce the new Canon 1D, with more mpix and no grip (a lot of people would like to have a lighter and smaller camera) and just drop the prices on 5D (30% or so):

If the 'Little Erwin' rumour is right, then Canon have kind of killed two birds with one stone at 12MP and FF but weatherproofed and with 1 series AF and a high fps, this is both the 1DII replacement and the rumoured 'high-end' 5D
For the low-end 5D, there is really no great rush to replace the 5D - until manufacturing progress means they can take more cost out.
In the same way, the 1DsIII replacemt can easily wait until the fall.
I don't know if what has been said about just one camera being announced on the 22nd in any way precludes another being announced later on in PMA.
I would suspect in this case it would be the 40D.

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And an interesting guess, also from FM forums:

1. The new 12MP pro body is introduced next week.
2. The new 22MP body is announced but not introduced yet.
3. No update to 5D, but maybe a lower price? (Either by announcement or attrition...)
4. No update to the 30D

By the end of the year...

1. The folks dying for the 12MP pro body have gotten one.
2. The 22MP body is available.
3. Those waiting for a 40D move towards a less expensive 5D.
4. A 16MP "3D" is introduced, now that the pro body that was 16MP has moved to 22MP.

With a rather competent 400D and a less expensive FF 12MP body, a 40D is never going to be a big seller.

Latest rumours

I found this latest prediction on Canon PMA announcements on FM. I'm not sure about 800 f5.6 DO, since the photo floating on the web two weeks ago was a fake, but the rest of the stuff is more likely to be announced, at least when in comes to the 2 cameras mentioned below:


40D=10Mp, anti dust, new display, 5fps, 9+2 AF points pricing: 100-1600+H, EF-S,x 1.6, SD, new viewfinder, DIGICIII, option: Wifi grip

1DsmkIII= 22mp, 2,5"lcd, PS, 45AF, DIGICIII, 100-3200+H+L, 1.0, 4fps, high speed crop mode 8,5fps

12-24EF

17-135EF-S IS

800/5.6 IS DO

Pixma ip6xxx: wireless pictbridge,

Selphy ipES miniprinter wireless pictbridge,

Powershot A740 IS wireless 10Mp DIGICIII, 6x zoom, WiFi.

IXUSi10 zoom 10Mp lifestyle, IXUS 70 edition,

DC50 DVD camcorder

New mount?

There's a lot of rumours about new mount floating around the web. Some say that the 20th anniversary of EOS system is the perfect time to announce it. On the other hand, most of the EF lens wouldn't be able to resolve the 22 mpix Canon 1Ds mkIII sensor (if those would be the actual specifications). Here's one of the posts from FM, about the new mount:

I think when you reach Canon's position you have to step back and look at clean design. Then the EOS product manager freaks out and you look at clean design with backward compatibility.

A new mount is an engineering decision. This would be a significant if the lens designers wanted a larger opening. If it's electrical only, they might be able to get away with not even calling it a new mount.

But I would expect EF lenses to mounts on EFX. EFX lenses do not mount on EF

A new lens line is a product positioning decision. This year or next I expect them to come out with primo lens line. Going high-end creates skilled Japanese jobs. The appetite for highest end glass is greater than it has ever been (I'm guessing).

The most expensive R&D is done anyways, whether of not they compete directly with MFDB. Going into this market segment takes jobs from western europe and the U.S. and moves them to Japan.

Why? High margins, prestige, right kind of jobs (offsets kicking other japanese company's around), and probably, most importantly, not leaving potential future competitors with the high-end reputation among top photographers. Annie Liebovitz shoots with a 1DsII, and then is handed a medium format camera. Ten years ago, Canon would be thrilled to be used by her. Today, they probably most want to knock that other camera out of her hand.

So this is how I reconcile the rumors of the last 18 months. This would be an all Japanese manufacturing effort, and would not involve certain other Asian countries. If it's announced, I expect it will be expensive, they will have announced a really good EF zooms and other lenses first (to show they are not abandoning EF), and announce one of more new EF cameras.

As I said before, a new high end does not necessarily replace the 1DsII. There could be a new 1DsIII and a new high end camera.

I've stopped worrying about when. I was sure of a 1DsII upgrade at photokina.If there's a new mount this year, little Erwin in an EF mount would come first. Little Erwin might look like Crappy Erwin if announce after an ubercamera.

So I expect Little Erwin at PMA, I guess. I would put 1Dv on its birth certificate. If Canon has improved sensor technology to the point of competing with MFDB using a 22mp 35mmish sensor, then some of that good mojo may make 12mp Little Erwin special too.

How many FF cameras will Canon announce?

This is also one of the hottest topics on the forums. Will it stay at 2 FF cameras, move up to 3 (with Canon 1D mkIII), or even plan to have (in the future, not right after PMA) all its DSLR's FF (save from the cheapest).

5D Mk II: 12 Mpixel entry level full frame
1D Mk III: 12 Mpixel 8-10 fps full frame sports shooter in pro body
1Ds Mk III: 22 Mpixel 4 fps full frame studio / reportage shooter in pro body

3 full frame cameras, without internal conflict or competition, 3 separated markets.

Lets not forget: If Canon ups the high ISO performance of 5D-sized photo sites, which seems likely since the pixel pitch would stay the same, yet process enhancements would lower the noise floor, then every sports shooter can simply take a 1.4x extender and up the ISO a notch, if they want more reach.

Canon 1D mkIII - FF or not?

There's debate going on FM whether Canon 1D mkIII should be FF or not. Here are some of the most interesting post favouring either FF or 1,3x/1,25x crop format:

if you really think the 1D series cameras will be full frame, you're wrong. The 1D series camera is made for sports and it will not be FF for a long time, if ever because sports shooters love their 1.3 crop factor.

That's why there's a 1Ds and the 5D. there's NO point to making the 1D full frame. none.

the 1Ds is a studio camera made for commercial photographers and the 5D is made for wedding photographers who wanted FF bought didn't want to spend the extra $$ for the 1Ds because they didn't really need the extra MP's either.

you heard it here first. the new 1D will NOT be full frame. get used to it. if you want FF, get a 1Ds or 5D.

I disagree.
It's only a technical problem to combine a FF and high FPS. Once that is solved, the 1.3X format will be gone.

And Erwin hinted that such a thing actually does exist: "the 1D has no memory buffer, presumably wring directly to the flash card".



dude... the reason the 1D won't be a FF has NOTHING to do with a technical issue about FF sensors and fps. It's about CROP FACTOR!

Even if they solved the technical issue and were able to make a FF camera and a high fps rate they wouldn't do it to the 1D. Maybe the 1Ds... and that's a BIG maybe.

Sports shooters like the extra length they are getting out of their long glass without having to add extensions.

Replies to that post:

FIRST REPLY: I do not think any of this has anything to do with Canon's considerations.

Let's assume they can make a 1D Mk III with the 5D sensor and keep FPS intact and keep it at the same price level.
1. I think they will do it.
2. I think that sports shooters will like the extra MP and the bigger and brighter viewfinder much more than they like the "extra length".

Please do not forget that:
1. The sole reason for creating the cropped sensors was price. Once that is reduced to minimal levels (it can never be eliminated), we will see much more FF sensors, from all manufactures.
2. Canon stated that its aim is to have all its DSLR's - save from the cheapest - to be FF.
3. The "extra length" is not a real one. It looks like it but it actually isn't.

SECOND REPLY: Remember the 70% center of a FF imager is equivalent to the 1.3 factor you're speaking of. So anyone that wants the sweet middle (or the not so middle) of a shot can simply crop to the sweet-spot. This is the reason Canon will DROP the 1.3x imager. It was a temporary imager until Canon could improve its fabrication capability and costs thereof, including the processor capacity which I believe the DIGIC-III is designed to handle; Timing, this upcomming 2007 release or the release thereafter.

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And at the end a picture of what is supposed to be the new Canon 1D NRS. It looks like a fake to me...



The text says:
The birth of the legend
New Canon EOS 1DNRs.
12 mega pixels, 8 fps a second.
full frame

5D's succesor

There are numerous rumours floating around the web, on what specifications should the Canon 5D N or 6D have. I'll post the most interesting rumours below:

5D sales figures are much worse than were expected. Good news is that 5DN will remain at the same resolution, but the speed increased to 4 or perhaps even 5 fps. Bad news is that it may be in a dumbed down body of 30D (smaller grip, smaller viewfinder, buil-in flash) or even plastic as in EOS-3. The anti-dust and Digic III are given, of course.

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It is no secret that Canon expected better sales of 5D as the least expensive FF DSLR. But they overestimated consumers' willingness to part with an extra grand. Everyone wants FF for under $2K while $3K remains out of reach for most, but a handful of pros. If Canon could go back in time and do it all over again, I believe, 5D now would be 1.3x crop. But they can't. So now they face a difficult choice to renew the model while reducing the cost. To me this is bad news, because they may put it in an inferior body of 30D with a worse grip, smaller viewfinder and worthless pop-up flash or make it all plastic. I'd really hate to see 5D going down, because it was an outstanding camera and a miracle that it was released FF.

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This rumour is not just about the 5D's succesor, but about the complete Canon lineup:

You may be right, but unlikely, because PMA is the biggest photo event of the year and it is Canon's 70-year anniversary and 20-year anniversry of the EOS system. 1Ds Mark III is expected as a statement of superiority, 30D failed in the market and 5D was also close to the same. This was the reason for the rebates. As far as 1D Mark III, I would expect it later in fall, because Canon cannot upset its distribution by releasing more than 2 or 3 DSLR's at a time. The fact that the rebates were extended points to a conclusion that it may be 3 new cameras at PMA, all with anti-dust and Digic III:
1Ds Mark III 21.0 mp 4 or 5 fps
5DN 12.7 mp 4 or 5 fps
40D 10.4 mp 5 or 6 fps

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I hope people from Canon are reading this. We WANT SUB 2k euro/$ FF.

Smaller series 1 predictions

Here's an interesting prediction regarding Canon 1D and 1Ds mkIII I found on FM:

Ok, after no real rumours for some time I am going to make my predictions for the 1 Series for 2007.

A new 1D series camera will be announced for PMA. It will have a size similar to the 1V, and will be 8.5 fps with a full frame 12.8MP sensor. ISO will now be 100-3200 (extendable to 50 and 6400). There will be a refinement of the 45 focus point system, with more cross sensors.

There will be multiple grips available for the camera, including a WiFi grip, and a basic grip that simply adds battery capacity.

There will be a customiseable button that can be set to MLU.

The camera will be very water-resistant and will have a shutter rated for 200,000 cycles.

Price will be approx US$4500, dropping to under $4,000 within 12 months.

Approximately 3 months later the new 1Ds will be announced. It will be effectively the same camera, but with a 22MP sensor, and a maximum frame rate of 5fps. Price will be $7500, dropping to $7,000 within 12 months

Neither camera will feature internal storage. Neither camera will feature a larger than 24mm x 36mm sensor. There will be no further 1.3x cameras.

Canon will also issue a 40D at PMA - not prepared to speculate re. that.

OK, now this is all speculation, but I reckon it is very close to what is going to happen this year.



And reply to that post. It looks like public opininon is split, when it comes to 1,3x crop. Half of them think it's dead and want a FF with a crop mode (like Nikon D2X), the other half want to stick with the 1,3x crop. Anyway, here's the reply:

Well since we are speculating, The 1Dsmk2 is long(er) over due for updating, if any logic can be applied for this 30 month update cycle.

My next guess, would be a refrined 16MP imager will be used in the next re-vision to the 1Dmk2N, coupled to the processing power of the DIGIC-III; This will also provide more room for the 5D development.

ALSO, the 1.3 imager is OVER; that was a temporary step, until FF imagers could be fabricated at necessary cost levels, and the processing power of the DICIG engine could handle the massive amount of image information, for over 8fps peformance levels.

D1 and D1S?

Another interesting interpretation of what is supposed to be a real leak (shortened version) from FM forums. People wonder if Edwin Puts broke the NDA (non disclosure agreement):

Here’s my short ‘interpretation’ of the leak by Edwin Puts, which I understand to be very close to reality I think he has broken his NDA (or someone has)

What he calls the D1 doesn’t have the 5D’s sensor (too slow in data transfer for more than the 3 FPS in the 5D) but does have a much faster FF sensor of similar resolution to the 5D by using a next generation CMOS design. This has larger micro-lenses (as per 400D) and modified electrics to reduce the noise and increased sensitivity at a hardware level allowing higher ISO at acceptable noise levels.

When Edwin refers to the “mysterious comment that the 1D has no memory buffer”, this is not quite true. It does in fact have an very sophisticated memory buffer. What it does have (thanks to the speed of DIGIC III) is the ability to write unlimited continuous JPEG at full frame rates as long as the memory card transfer rate is fast enough. Ideal for sports / action shooters. The buffer kicks in for slower memory cards or thing like RAW + JPEG etc.

When Edwin states that “Canons statement that from now on there will be no more 1.3 crop sensors” I understand that the missing item that Canon will be emphasising is their dynamic crop mode which delivers the equivalent of the 1.25 crop from the FF sensor on demand for that extra sense of reach….

Similarly what Edwin calls the “D1s” is a next generation low noise sensor etc like the “D1” above but with much higher resolution and all the features to be a serious challenge to MF (which is why Edwin is excited)… As you would expect, noise performance while very good, is not quite up to the new “D1” as the area of each pixel sensor is almost half that of the “D1” However the ISO 3200 is very usable indeed (think similar to the 400D at 1600.

And yes, my “understanding” is that Canon have tried very hard to make these two cameras have everything that could be keeping a top end film photographer from moving to digital…. You can expect a range of accessories / grips etc to match..

Why the "delay" of 1Ds mkIII

I've found this on FM, could be the reasons for "delaying"(there really is no timeframe for 1Ds mkIII) the announcement of Canon 1Ds mkIII:

We do know the elements of what CAnon are working on to put in future cameras.
What we don't have the info on is which are ready, but we can perhaps make some estimates - or guesses!
1.OLED -Canon said sometime in 2007. likely this will come in, but will not make much difference in likely early applications - just reduces power drain from the present LCD as technology 2 is unlikely to be ready
2.EVF instead of OVF - a decent screen for this at the moment costs $20,000 - it seems doubtful Canon have cracked this - perhaps in five years - potentially revolutionary.
3.Better batteries - AFAIK they have only just figured out how to make Lion batteries which are likely to meet Canon's specs for pro use - good shelf life, temperature operating range and so on:
http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/18054/page1/
http://www.technologyreview.com/read_article.aspx?id=17653&ch=energy
This would really make a major difference to cameras - it would mean that tehy could re-package the 1 series into something much more compact if they want to.
Unless Canon have stolen a March on everyone else it could be a year until such batteries are ready - but actually, if Canon wanted to, they are under no pressure at all to bring out the new 1 series - they dominate the market with both the 1DsII and the 1DII
Fuel cells, micro-turbines and so on are still likely a long ways off.
4. Foveon-like sensor - last I heard it was not being thought of for this iteration, but could explain waiting instead of releasing a 1 series last fall.
5. Better AF and so on - a no-brainer

The really urgent one for replacement would seem to me to be the 30D, which is not selling well against the Nikons

Announcements on Feb 23rd?

I've read on numerous pages and forums, that Canon is briefing the dealers regarding new models on February 23rd. So I hope we'll see some leaks right after the briefing, at least on which new models will be announced, but if the complete specifications on the models leaks, that would be even better.

This information is supposed to come from a reliable source, so let's hope we won't have to wait untill PMA to get the news on the models that going to be release in the spring.

40D rumours

I've found this on FM forum:

Now, while I can't argue against your logic, it is pretty safe to say that the likelyhood of the 40D coming out this year is so high that it borders on certainty. 30D sales are hurting, that has been shown several times already. The competition has surpassed it on all sides, most importantly the pixel count. A potential xxD user switching brands hurts more than just the loss of the sale of one body, it will also hurt in lost lens sales.

The 30D is still using the same sensor as the 20D (as far as I know, save a few tiny tweaks maybe) so that particular sensor technology is definately 2.5 years old. Ample time to complete the bump to a new resolution.

I see two scenarios: One is that Canon does the disappointing stop-gap trick and simply catches up with the rest, 10.2 mpixel CMOS bayer sensor, and it will leave it at that. The other one is that Canon gets its act together and jumps ahead in terms of technology. This could be going to APS-H, with all the associated benefits and, admittedly, drawbacks, or it could be stepping away from a traditional Bayer sensor to a TrueColor/Foveon sensor. Either way, it would leave the current 10 Mpixel dSLR competition in the dust.

1Ds mkIII rumors

I've found this on the northlight site, especially interesting stuff regarding Canon 1Ds mkIII:

From Austria, 30D price cuts ... and 1Ds3 info from Germany at http://www.dslr-forum.de/showpost.php?p=1568883&postcount=14

A rough translation (thanks)
"The 22 MP [of the MkIII] include the pixels not used for the actual picture. The effective number of pixels of the 1Ds Mark III is 20,67MP. The 40d has an effective pixelcount of 10,32 MP, that means a little more than the 400D."

Is this the TrueColor, mentioned a while back (9th Jan)?

A comment on the FM rumour thread adds more to this - not your usual pixels...
"...the 1 series is switchable between 2/3 and 3/4 with supported lenses. (Will not shoot 3/4 with unrecognized lenses unless disabled in custom function). Both formats make a 20mp file. The sensor has 22mp. Some lenses work fine. Some with internal baffling don't work at 3/4. Some are borderline, but will not be recognized as 3/4 capable. Canon didn't tell the non-Canon test shooters that it has full color pixels."
and "They're special because each pixel is full color - even the 40D"

From Japan a Mk3 rumour: http://bbs.kakaku.com/bbs/00500210737/#5962591

According to a comment I received from Japan (thanks), the original post suggests:
"1Ds Mark II successor would be released as having the dust reduction, 22MP sensor, and, larger LCD. The price is around 900,000 yen that is almost the same price as the 1Ds Mark II from his friend that is a professional camera man. The release timing is May. "

Some more info from Australia (thanks) suggesting that Canon might be offloading stock? Ted's Camera stores are offering a A$750 rebate on the 1Dmk2n ending on the 28th of February. Good to see they've added the 1Ds mk2 to their line up... "New" ;-)

Superbowl came ... and went without any announcement, so it's all eyes on the run up to PMA which opens on Thursday 8th of March, although 'Press Day' is on the 7th. Current Press Releases are listed at the PMA 2007 site.

Keep an eye on all your favourite forums for threads based on the 'I saw someone in the press corps at Superbowl using a one series camera with a 3" lcd'...

As well as built in WiFi for the new camera, several people are asking about GPS? I actually used my old hand held GPS the other day taking some photos in various muddy fields for a civil engineering company for a new road scheme - one of the few times I've had a genuine use for it in three years of using my 1Ds. Not to say it wouldn't be of use to some, but I can think of far more advances I'd like to see in a new One series before built-in GPS :-)

Another long term wish list component that regularly surfaces is the use of a Pellicle mirror, such as was in the EOS-1N RS. Without the need for the mirror to flip up and down the camera is faster and quieter - not a feature I'd expect soon, although Olympus have had the 'liveview' system for the E-330 for a while.

Canon is going to be the biggest exhibitor at PMA

Unlike at last Photokina, where Kodak had the largest exhibition place, Canon will have (by far) the largest exhibition place at PMA.I know it's their 70th anniversary and 25th anniversary of EOS system, but if they didn't intend to show at least a couple of new cameras, I don't think they'd go that big (as they didn't at Photokina).

Here's the link to the general floorplan of 1st flor. As you can see it's at least twice as big as of the closest competitors.

30D and 1Ds mkII are overdue

If you visit the calumet.photo.co.uk site, you'll see that 30D and 1Ds mkII are both overdue from vendor. I've read that this is happening on lots of sites world wide (Jessops etc).


Here's the printscreen from the UK Calumet site.

40D just around the corner?

According to this let's go digital site it's is. They've prepared the site already and stand by to fill in the official specs. Was there a leak, or they just took a wild guess? Maybe they're just so hard working and do many things in front of schedule:).

1d mkIII and 1Ds mkIII predictions

I've found this one on FM. Lots of people think, that the actual cameras will have the following or at least very simillar specifications:

A new 1D series camera will be announced for PMA. It will have a size similar to the 1V, and will be 8.5 fps with a full frame 12.8MP sensor. ISO will now be 100-3200 (extendable to 50 and 6400). There will be a refinement of the 45 focus point system, with more cross sensors.

There will be multiple grips available for the camera, including a WiFi grip, and a basic grip that simply adds battery capacity.

There will be a customiseable button that can be set to MLU.

The camera will be very water-resistant and will have a shutter rated for 200,000 cycles.

Price will be approx US$4500, dropping to under $4,000 within 12 months.

Approximately 3 months later the new 1Ds will be announced. It will be effectively the same camera, but with a 22MP sensor, and a maximum frame rate of 5fps. Price will be $7500, dropping to $7,000 within 12 months

Neither camera will feature internal storage. Neither camera will feature a larger than 24mm x 36mm sensor. There will be no further 1.3x cameras.

1st post

From today on, I'll start posting PMA Canon rumours on this blog. I'll start with rumoured specs for each model, that is supposed to be announced on PMA and are floating around the web.

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Canon EOS 1D Mark III: 12Mp x1.2, DIGIC III, 8,5fps, until raw 25 every, dust removal, length grip crisis possibility (the grip den kit swelling up expression is like this), the SD+CF and the Wifi. (2007 January) - 3000Eur
The AF improve, anger quality of photometry improvement and the iso3200 the improvement and jpg anger quality improvement become accomplished plentifully,: The D it appears to be being an efficiency improvement which Jig 3 is common.

- Canon EOS 40D 10Mp, x1.6, DIGIC III, 5fps, dust removal, the ISO de 100 a 3200, AF side strong-point increases, or, improvement of AF efficiency Ye Sang Doem (PMA 20074 month) - 1200Eur

The price is a forecast price or a drawing up volition hope price one possibility.

Again once emphasizing... lwu me Is. lwu me Petty there is a right equator and it tries to raise from information dimension.


And it is not confirmed lwu me one compared to...

1ds mk2 succeeding model: It says that the some pro are doing test already. 22Mp The rumor will be above digic 3, 3 inch LCD and dust removal,3 degummed yarn... It remained and as the person who is a tester from the public piece being announced next year in April.
Origin it reinforces the square damp-proof portion which is November come into the market plan which will come and the bedspread which it says that ni information about the price of 1:1 reeds which will come out from the cone newly waits compared to comes out flowing.

And... One compared to... 1:1 reeds B causing to defecate with the supply elder brother, and the middle class elder brother coming out Rab ni all. As well next year April announcement

30d Currently 5d with it equips the almost similar evening sunlight in size and 5d as the reed which is cheap coming out does. With additional function square damp-proof (it probably is dust removal which probably is place square damp-proof which becomes anti dust... well it will not know.) The cross sensor comes to be many. D Jig 3

Currently 5d 16Mp the sensor it is sweet in size and 5 degummed yarn and square damp-proof (anti-dust) the cross sensor comes to be many, the reed which affixes D Jig 3 coming out Rab ni all.

When it becomes like this and 40d middle charge all FF sensor runs last and 400d only the succession khu remains with Rob sensor and as.

Different contents the broad way which is confirmed it will amend.

The source: SLR club SundayShooter writing
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This is taken from an interesting post on fredmiranda:
- The 1 series should be announced first for pride / reputation with the new features
- Even though the 1 series sells in very limited quantities, the professional camera division in Canon has a lot of clout - seen as creating a brand image leadership in the whole camera space.
- The 30D replacement is badly required as the 20D/30D’s combined market share has dropped radically over the last few months due to a combination of internal competition from the 400D and the market impact of the Nikon D80 and Sony A100 etc.
- The 30D series segment is seen as important to Canon because of lens on-sell. This market and upwards tends to buy extra lenses, including high value lenses (I interpret that to be “high profit”).
- The two 5D replacements make the most sense if sold together. Though they could announce the high end one first (as a 5D replacment) and then follow with the low end (entry level FF). The low end 5D repalcement is thought too similar to the 5D to be released while the 5D is in the market.
- The 5D has not sold as well as hoped in most markets except when rebates are offered. However Canon still sell lots more of them that the 1 series and they are nicely profitable. They also have excellent resell on high value lenses.
- The combination of Nikon's aggressive D40 / D80 / D200 range, with the Sony A100 is taking more DSLR market share than Canon predicted. The 400D is selling very well but Canon know they need to regain more of the midrange DLR market quickly to maintain the lens sales and ‘own’ the system for the advanced amateur and semi-pro etc.
- Sony is known to be working on CMOS sensors at 1.6 and FF for their DSLR range and are expected to continue to complete aggressively on features. (Interesting to see what this does for Nikon who currently buy their CCD sensor from Sony) (Also interesting to see no mention of Pentax, which seems stange..).
- Hence the big dilemma – 30D replacement and 1 series replacement now or 30D and one of the 5D replacements now and leave the other 5D and 1 series for later. Or do they upset their channels (never a good idea) and issue 3 cammeras to give the market at knockout puch. In terms of revenue and immediate market share protection delaying the 1 series further makes sense. But the new high end 5D replacement to very close to the 1 series performance (16mp etc), and in terms of prestige, the 1 series should be the best (Note, no mention of delaying the 30D replacement so I guess that is a given?)

The 5D replacements

- 5D would be split into FF two lines to create full frame demand
- Low end – similar to current 12 Mp sensor but with a more 30D like body (could be a 7D?) and DIGIC III. This low end and xxD series were meant to provide a more cost effective choice between 1.6 and FF for the advance amateur and allow a gradual migration to more full frame over time driven by the market.
- High end with more MP (16mp but not the 1D sensor), improved AF for the full frame, DIGIC III etc. (could be a 3D?)
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