Sigma has been on a roll producing high-quality lenses in a variety of mounts including Canon, Nikon, Sony and the new L-Mount alliance with Panasonic and Leica. They have changed the perception of third party lenses from purely being a value brand to a premium alternative by creating glass that is precise, sharp, well-built and backed by a 7-year Canadian warranty. On the other hand, they are sometimes criticized for being larger and bulkier than native mirrorless lenses. For example, Sony is also creating incredible glass that is not only praised for sharpness, durability, and compactness but also autofocus performance. A critical factor for Sony in particular since they have developed a high-tech Real-Time Tracking Autofocus system that requires lenses that can keep up.
Early last year, I had the opportunity to get to know one of our online customers from Vancouver, River King. We talked about his range of landscape photography that he humbly captures with Sony mirrorless camera equipment. The Sony A7R Mark III is ideal for his style of travel photography since it is lightweight, reliable and paired with excellent optics. This summer he reached out to me to share some of his new work capturing the beauty of Iceland, which is high on my own bucket list.
Sigma Unveils Sigma fp Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera. With dimensions of 112.6×69.9×45.3mm and body weight of 370g, the all-new Sigma fp is the world’s smallest and lightest full-frame mirrorless digital camera. It is equipped with a 35mm Bayer full-frame sensor with 24.6 megapixels in a compact body. Suitable for everyday use by photographers of all skill levels, from novices to the most discerning professionals, the Sigma fp produces images that are of the highest quality, capable of supporting both serious still and cine shooting.
The Sigma fp is purpose-built with durability in mind. Its dust and splash-proof body make it ideal for long hours in various shooting environments. The absence of a mechanical shutter removes the potential for noise and shutter shock while increasing reliability. The Sigma fp uses the L-mount, characterized by a short flange focal length, large diameter, and superior durability. In addition to the wide-ranging choices of Sigma lenses, other manufacturers’ lenses can be used through the L-Mount Alliance with Leica Camera AG and Panasonic Corporation. With the Sigma Mount Converter MC-21, Sigma SA mount and Sigma Canon EF mount lenses can also be used.
By supporting 12-bit CinemaDNG external recording for RAW video data and 4K UHD/24fps recording, the Sigma fp is capable of full-fledged video production. Alternating between still and cine shooting modes is possible with a simple flip of a switch. Each model comes with a specially designed operating system and displays, making it possible to concentrate on shooting in each mode, stress-free.
Pricing and availability for the Sigma fp full-frame mirrorless digital camera will be announced fall 2019.
For full product details and technical specifications as well as press imagery, please refer to the official press release here.
The annual Canadian Camera Conference is in Calgary July 16-18, 2019. You do not want to miss this special event that is held every year in cities across Canada.
There will be 14 talented and engaging presentations on portraiture, landscape and wildlife photography, astrophotography and much more.
We are particularly excited about this all-Canadian based lineup of speakers, many of who are local photography heroes from Calgary.
The conference is being held on the beautiful SAIT campus, with accommodations, presentations, and banquet all in one place.
Nikon Canada is excited to announce the release of Version 2.0 for the Nikon Z 6 and Z 7 cameras.
The firmware update includes the following main features:
1) Eye detection AF for still image shooting in AF-S or AF-C. When multiple eyes are detected the user can switch eye the camera can focus, even with multiple human users in the shot. Eye detection AF is added by activating via function A4 once the firmware update is completed.
2) Extension of the low-light AF detection range. The Z 7 will extend the AF detection range from -1 EV down to – 2 EV; the Z6 will go from -2 EV to -3.5EV. In addition, the Z 6 can employee the low-light AF detection range will be extended from -4EV to -6EV.
This one hurts. A few of our staff were attacked when they tried to recover a camera as it dashed out the door in the hands of a thief.
On Thursday, May 16th, 2019 at approximately 5PM, a Sony A7R III and Sony 16-35mm F2.8 G Master lens was stolen from The Camera Store in Calgary, Alberta. A middle-aged man in a grey jacket, dark pants, light runners, and sunglasses perched on his head. We knew there was something “off” about him since the moment he walked in, and our team was on high-alert.
Would you like 2 free tickets to Images from the Edge: an evening with adventure photographer Paul Zizka that is coming up on May 24th?
What if we also included a copy of his book Summits & Starlight – The Canadian Rockies for a prize package valued at $130?
2. Follow @thecamerastore & @paulzizkaphoto on Instagram.
Deadline: Midnight (MST) May 20th, 2019
About the event:
Join us for a night of storytelling, photo tips and photography with Paul Zizka. Take a journey to remote landscapes from the 7 continents, from the icebergs of Antartica to the crystal waters of Polynesia, the dunes of Mongolia to our own mountain national parks. This is sure to be a fantastic and entertaining evening, so don’t miss out!
When:
Friday, May 24th, 2019
6:30PM-9:30PM
Location: Unit 210, 3060 9th Street SE Calgary, AB
About the photographer:
From the peaks of the Canadian Rockies to iceberg-laden seas off the coast of Greenland, Paul’s journey to capture the “under-documented” is a testament to his passion for exploration, his creative vision and fierce sense of determination. These qualities, combined with his keen eye for unique compositions, have resulted in an exhaustive portfolio of cutting-edge images.
Whether it’s wading waist-deep into a glacier-fed lake or chasing auroras from dusk til dawn, Paul is known for an adventurous spirit that draws him to the extraordinary. Highlighting his collection are his signature self-portraits, a wide range of mountain adventure images and compelling landscapes from around the globe.
A camera is a tool, according to Steve Speer, a process-driven professional photographer, and a self-proclaimed “non-gearhead”. He captures commercial quality images that have been printed across entire buildings as well as tiny fine-art framed prints enhanced with precious metals.
Speer finds the process of photography to be one of perpetual gratification. Creating a tangible print is just as important to him as the experience of capturing the image. With that being said, what does a fine art photographer with a commercial pedigree capture his images with?
New Firmware Update for Sony a7 III and Sony a7R III Boosts Eye AF Capabilities and Adds Interval Shooting for Time Lapse
Sony’s acclaimed a7 III and a7R III mirrorless cameras have received an exciting firmware update—Software Version 3.0— that enhances Real-time Eye AF performance and adds Real-time Animal Eye AF and interval shooting for time lapse.
Real-time Eye AF
Software Version 3.0 brings Real-time Eye-AF to the a7R III and a7 III, an AI-driven, enhanced eye detection system that’s based on the results of machine learning. Through machine learning, Sony has created a system that can detect—and focus on—the human eye even if the subject is looking down, partially blocked in the frame, turning or backlit. This feature is available in AF-C mode with a simple half-press of the shutter button.
Real-time Animal Eye AF
As with human eye recognition, Software Version 3.0 brings AI-driven animal eye detection to Sony cameras for the first time. Advanced subject recognition allows the a7 III and a7R III to detect and track animal eyes, and is the first step in a robust animal-tracking AF system.
The development of Animal Eye AF performance will continue, increasing the range of animals recognized by the system as well the system’s ability to track their movement.
Interval Shooting
This new software adds a built-in interval timer that can be set for anywhere between 1 and 60 seconds, with a total number of shots from 1 to 9999. AE tracking sensitivity is available to be adjusted to “High”, “Mid” or “Low” in order to reduce changes in exposure.
