Dogs are a best friend to us human beings, a loyal companion, giving us undivided love and attention and providing us with comfort, support and therapy when we are down. We are missing the love and companionship of my doggies, maybe we would adopt another dog again (hopefully) soon.

Let me share some cute and adorable doggie photos as we celebrate International Dog Day 2021!

Our beloved family doggie Ah Fat/Ah Girl that went to doggie heaven in February 2019

Coby and Choya (Follow them on Instagram)

Choya

Coby

Junior (Follow them on Instagram)

Kibo

Unleash The Love: Drink Beer and Help Dogs!

Drink beer and help dogs, unleash the love! A charity fundraising campaign to help dogs in Singapore! More information can be found here in my article post! Do share this movement with your fellow beer kakis and doggie lovers!

Wishing all doggie owners and lovers a Happy International Dog Day 2021!

The post International Dog Day appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Having seen, touched, tested and reviewed the predecessor EOS M50 to the new EOS M50 Mark II, this new mirrorless EOS M50 Mark II is built on a strong foundation. The EOS M50 and EOS M6 are two mirrorless cameras from the EOS M family that I like, compact, easy to use, versatile and good cameras, that led to their next generation in EOS M6 Mark II and EOS M50 Mark II that we are seeing in the market today.

“The EOS M50 Mark II’s compact size belies its superior image capture and video recording capabilities. Its ease of use makes it a great choice for users who relish a simple shooting experience but expects great results,” said Edwin Teoh, Head of Marketing, Singapore Operations, Canon Singapore. 

What are the features on this new Canon EOS M50 Mark II mirrorless camera?

Capture Beautiful Portraits and Vivid Action Shots 

Always had trouble capturing sharp images of your active toddler who is constantly on the move or find it hard to zoom in on your child’s face as he runs across the pitch during soccer practice? The EOS M50 Mark II features an enhanced Eye Detection AF, which is able to detect and focus on a subject’s eye even when the person is far away. This will ensure the eye will always stay in focus, making it possible to use Eye Detection AF for full body shots in addition to the common upper body portrait shot. Users can capture subjects quickly and accurately when they are approaching from a distance, making it great for candid shots as well. 

Eye detection AF is also available with Servo AF when shooting still images and Movie Servo AF when shooting video, so you will always be able to capture your subject’s natural expressions even when they are in motion. 

The EOS M50 Mark II has a continuous shooting speed of up to 7.4fps with servo AF so users can capture multiple shots of moving subjects such as children or pets. Its built-in high-resolution electronic viewfinder (EVF) makes for easy viewing even when shooting in the bright outdoors. 

The AF frame display in EVF or LCD screen of the EOS M50 Mark II, which shows which part of the picture the camera is focusing on, has also been improved. It is now faster and tracks the subject more smoothly, so users will always know which part of the picture will be in focus without experiencing any on-screen lag. Display speed on the AF frame display in the viewfinder or LCD screen has also been improved on the EOS M50 Mark II, allowing for a better visualisation of the tracking. 

An EOS first, the EOS M50 Mark II makes full use of its touch-sensitive display with the new Tap AF feature where users can instantly switch focus from one person to another by just tapping on the screen, which is especially useful in group shots. This is in addition to the Touch & Drag AF, where users can move the AF frame by dragging their finger on the screen while shooting through the EVF. 

Enhanced Movie Shooting Experience 

Fast and stable AF is essential when it comes to shooting videos of moving subjects. On the EOS M50 Mark II, Eye Detection AF works with Movie Servo AF shooting. By simply keeping the subject within the frame while shooting, it will track the subject smoothly. Users can thus focus on the composition of the video while leaving the tracking of the subject to the camera.

With an improved contrast AF algorithm, users can also expect enhanced AF stability during 4K movies shooting with EF-M lenses. This will enable smooth movie recording, with reduced wobbling. EOS M50 Mark II supports movie digital zoom (approx. 3-10x) at the central part of the screen during shooting, which can be combined with optical zoom on a zoom lens to achieve magnified shooting with up-close shots.

With existing cameras, movies shot vertically are displayed smaller in a horizontal position when users play back the movie on a smart device. On the EOS M50 Mark II, an “add rotate info” option enables automatic vertical playback on smart devices, PCs and compatible social media, which enables a better viewing experience. Vloggers are now able to live-stream directly to YouTube (1) from EOS M50 Mark II by connecting to Wi-Fi without using a streaming unit. The EOS M50 Mark II also supports the Canon’s new image.canon cloud platform and registered users of the platform can upload, store, download and transfer images smoothly between various devices. 

Equipped with a Vari-angle LCD monitor and features such as touch screen recording, movie self-timer and an external microphone jack, the EOS M50 Mark II make it intuitive and easy for vloggers to record videos and do live streaming. 

Exceptional Lighting Control with Speedlite EL-1 

Canon photographers alert! There is a new professional speedlite, it’s Canon new flagship speedlite EL-1, it’s their first flash model to bear the iconic red line that we know and associate with from our Canon’s L series lenses collection. This is a symbol of high quality, performance and durability. This new speedlite features a new xenon tube that provides highly stable arc discharge and ensures durability.

This new flagship Speedlite EL-1 is going to be on professional photographers radar, a new and powerful flash, portable and ease of use.

The Speedlite EL-1 offers great flexibility in terms of firing control, with 14-stops of manual power selection to as low as 1/8192 flash output. When combined with high ISO settings on the camera, photographers can achieve images that retain the natural colours and exposure of the environment while providing subtle lighting on the human subject. Users can control up to 15 units of Speedlites wirelessly using radio transmission, which provides greater creative control to their lighting requirements. 

Powered by a new lithium-ion battery with a new charging circuit design, the Speedlite EL-1 achieves high-speed charging performance that keeps firing in scenes with movement. In addition, the charging speed does not change even when the battery level is low. The flash can continuously fire for 160 times or more2, thanks to its active cooling system and a durable xenon tube. With the new battery LP-EL, battery life has been enhanced to allow Speedlite EL-1 to fire up to 335 times at 1/1 power. This is approximately 3.4x more than the Speedlite 600EX II-RT.

The Speedlite EL-1 is also equipped with two colour LED modelling lamps, which is very useful for photographers to envision the colour and direction of light prior to shooting. Being Canon’s new flagship flash, the Speedlite EL-1 can handle the elements with its weather sealing design, with dust and water resistance similar to the EOS-1DX Mark III camera. The Speedlite EL-1 also sports an improved UI and a new joystick, which makes accessing the menus and changing of settings a breeze. 

Pricing and Availability 

Both the EOS M50 Mark II and Speedlite EL-1 will be available in late November from Canon authorized dealers and pricing will be advised at a later date. 

Notes:

(1) The live streaming service of this product supports scheduled live streaming on YouTube only. To use the live streaming service, registration on image.canon is needed in advance together with the latest firmware. In accordance with YouTube’s “Restrictions on live streaming”, users must have a minimum of 1,000 channel subscribers in order to live stream from a mobile device.  

(2) The number of continuous flashes until the temperature warning level 1 (the interval at which firing is possible is forced to eight seconds) at 1/1 power (manual firing)  

* Information and pictures courtesy of Canon Singapore and GLOO PR *

The post Canon announced EOS M50 Mark II appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

My knowledge and understanding of the Canon EOS M series cameras went back to their first Canon EOS M mirrorless camera in year 2012 that my parents owned and used until the Canon EOS RP entered into the frame, replacing it in 2019. Along with camera reviews completed for some of the Canon EOS M series cameras such as the EOS M50, EOS M6, EOS M5, EOS M10 and EOS M3. Over my years of owning and using Canon EOS DSLR series cameras and most recently adding the Canon EOS RP into my lineup, my ongoing coverage of Canon cameras and lenses, with various camera reviews completed allowed me to publish an article on the Canon mirrorless journey from EOS M to EOS R.

The Canon EOS M200 would be a fun and easy to use camera for users who might be looking to learn more about photography and seeking an upgrade from just using smartphone yet they do not wish to go into the higher end camera models at this point in time. If you are looking into starting off with a fun and easy to use compact mirrorless camera, do check out the Canon EOS M200.

Let me share with you more information and details on the Canon EOS M200 below:

Canon announced the latest addition to the EOS mirrorless interchangeable lens camera line-up: the EOS M200. A compact and intuitive camera, the EOS M200 is perfect for those looking to up their social media game from smartphone photography, to deliver higher quality images and videos to their followers. The camera is also ideal for users who desire higher quality selfie stills and videos or enthusiasts who wish to embark on their photography journey.

“As the latest addition to the EOS mirrorless interchangeable lens camera line-up, the EOS M200 impresses with quality and style, allowing users to shoot with ease for both stills and videos,” said Edwin Teoh, Head of Marketing, Singapore Operations, Canon Singapore. “This highly portable, lightweight camera is equipped with a Silent Shooting mode for users to photograph a wider variety of scenarios. Together with the Creative Assist function, it allows photography amateurs to operate the camera smoothly and seamlessly.”

Stills and videos that stand out

At the heart of the EOS M200 is a 24.1 megapixel APS-C size CMOS sensor. The Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology, which is proprietary to Canon, has been improved and the number of AF zones available for automatic selection has expanded to a maximum of 143 points, ensuring that users can achieve high-speed AF with fast live view shooting effortlessly for sharp high-quality images.

Being an interchangeable lens camera, users have the flexibility of selecting different EF-M lenses for various purposes, be it for macro, portrait, wide angle or telephoto shots, allowing more creative expression for various content. The camera can also be adapted to use Canon’s existing line-up of EF/EF-S lenses, which further expands the freedom of imagination for users to deliver unique content.

What is a portrait or selfie if the eyes are not in focus? As eyes are the windows to the soul, the Eye Detection AF ensures that the subject’s eyes are always in focus even if the subject is constantly moving – allowing the user to focus more on nailing that perfect shot with more natural expression.

With the new DIGIC 8 image processor, ISO capabilities have been enhanced on the EOS M200 and a maximum ISO speed of ISO 25600 (expandable to ISO 51200) is achievable for still images. This makes capturing clear images in dark locations possible. The EOS M200 is also capable of shooting 4K videos at a smooth 24p and 25p, with high image clarity and blurred background expression.

Stylish design and useful features

Designed to be slim and lightweight, the EOS M200 body weighs approximately 299g and can easily fit into bags. With two colours to choose from, the black EOS M200 comes in a premium matte finish whereas the white EOS M200 is designed with a textured grip and a sleek silver accent on the top body—that perfect style companion. Crafted not only for ergonomic comfort, it is designed with intuitive three mode dial on the top ensuring quick access so the user would not miss that perfect moment that they want to share with their followers.

The camera also comes with the Creative Assist function, where users can easily adjust the desired look of photos directly in-camera with intuitive words such as “brightness” and “background blur” without having prior knowledge of shutter speed, aperture or white balance. Additionally, a variety of in-camera creative filters allow users to add effects to their photos – such as grainy film, HDR oil painting, watercolour and fish-eye effects.

Equipped with a Silent Shooting mode, users of the EOS M200 can shoot still images in scenarios such as presentations, music recitals and art museums without worrying about the shutter sound. The LCD screen of the camera tilts 180 degrees with a dedicated self-portrait mode. With most social content being consumed on mobile, content with vertical orientation is key. The EOS M200 fulfils that criteria with the ability to record movies that would automatically playback in vertical position on mobile devices. Movies can also be easily recorded with the record button displayed on the LCD.

What’s more, the visual guide, which is particularly useful for those who are new to photography, is built into the EOS M200’s user interface. This includes a shooting mode guide, a menu display with item descriptions, along with hints and tips to understand technical terms. There is also the optionalTripod Grip accessory HG100-TBR that can also double up as a table tripod and for steadier handheld recording, which will come in handy for content creators who take selfie shots or videos.

Smartphone connectivity

In addition to Wi-Fi, the EOS M200 supports Bluetooth connection as a way to connect to smart devices such as smartphones and tablets. Once the initial pairing setting is complete, the EOS M200 and the corresponding smart device will automatically connect via Bluetooth. After pairing and selecting a function within the app, the camera will automatically be connected with the appropriate connection method.

Users can transfer images via Wi-Fi connection from the EOS M200 to a smart device in two ways: the conventional method of transferring only selected images or send images to the smart device simultaneously while shooting. The latter will be especially useful for those who want to manage captured images quickly so they could upload to social media.

Pricing and Availability

The EOS M200 will be available from October 2019 at Canon authorised dealers at the following retail recommended prices:

1. EOS M200 (with EF-M15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM & EFM22mm f/2 STM) Black & White – $1,009

2. EOS M200 (with EF-M15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM) Black & White – $809

Product Specifications

* Information and pictures courtesy of Canon Singapore and Ogilvy *

The post Canon announced new EOS M200 appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Take a look at the Canon @ IT Show 2019 brochures and their attractive promotions!

DSLR and Mirrorless DILC cameras

Compact digital cameras

Printers

If you are thinking of which camera to get, let me share with you my personal experiences with the reviews that I did for some of the Canon camera models and printers!

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV – http://blog.photojournalist-tgh.tv/photojournalism/canon-eos-5d-mark-iv-review 

Canon EOS M50 – http://blog.photojournalist-tgh.tv/photojournalism/canon-eos-m50-review

Canon EOS M5 – http://blog.photojournalist-tgh.tv/photojournalism/canon-eos-m5-review

Canon EOS M6 – http://blog.photojournalist-tgh.tv/photography/canon-eos-m6-review

Canon PIXMA Pro 10 – http://blog.photojournalist-tgh.tv/photography/canon-pixma-pro-10-review

Canon Mini Photo Printer – http://blog.photojournalist-tgh.tv/photography/canon-pixma-pro-10-review

Canon full-frame mirrorless camera

Canon EOS R – http://blog.photojournalist-tgh.tv/photography/canon-launched-canon-eos-rp

Canon EOS RP – http://blog.photojournalist-tgh.tv/photography/canon-launched-canon-eos-rp

My family recently decide to purchase the Canon EOS RP, it’s a joint decision and this full-frame mirrorless camera would be shared between my parents and myself.  If you are looking for a full-frame mirrorless camera from Canon, check out the Canon EOS  R and Canon EOS RP. At this point in time when this article is published, I am still in the midst of conducting my reviews on them.

Are you a Joseph Schooling fan? Don’t miss this wonderful event!

Canon Ambassador Joseph Schooling Meet & Greet

Date & Time: Saturday, 9 March 2019, 3 – 5pm

Venue: Canon Booth @ IT Show 2019, Suntec Singapore – Level 4, Hall 406 (Booth 8201 & 8203)

If you are looking/planning to upgrade your camera setup, or start your photography adventures, Canon @ IT Show 2019 is the place for you to visit and check out their deals and promotions!

For more information, check out the links below

Canon Singapore FB Page – https://www.facebook.com/CanonSGOfficial/

Canon Singapore @ IT Show 2019 – https://sg.canon/en/consumer/web/itshow2019

Happy shopping with Canon @ IT Show 2019!

* Information and pictures courtesy of Canon Singapore and Ogilvy Public Relations *

The post Canon @ IT Show 2019 appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Let me share with you Canon Valentine’s Day Gift Guide 2019! Check out the Canon’s Valentine’s Day Gift Guide 2019 below!

For the wanderlust couple jetting off to the exotic unknown

Canon EOS R Kit – S$4,898

For the lady, getting the Canon EOS R for your boyfriend or husband (I reckon they will love the new and latest Canon full frame mirrorless camera toy) and get him to do all the photography for you (anyway, the guy now has no excuse not to do it for you since they got this wonderful Valentine’s Day Gift from you!), they would be the perfect Insta-BF/Husband for your #couplegoals, OOTD, parties, events and travel holidays.

* Free mount adapter EF-EOS R with purchase, valid till 28 Feb 2019

* Customers must register product warranty online to receive mount adapter

Valentine’s Day Promotion – Couple Goals! For the couple that can’t resist a good deal

Both of you buy a Canon mirrorless camera for each other as part of your couple goals, go out and enjoy couple time taking photographs together! If you would like to know more about the Canon EOS M6, check out my review article here!

For Her : Canon EOS M100 Kit (EF-M15-45 IS STM) – PINK, S$699

For Him : Canon EOS M6 Kit (EF-M15-45 IS STM) – SILVER, S$899

*Free Canon SelphyCP 1300 Printer (Pink) worth $199 with purchase, valid till 1 – 10 Feb 2019 for eShop and till 14 Feb 2019 for authorized dealers

For lovers who Loves to Print On-The-Go

Canon Mini Photo Printer – S$189

The Canon Mini Photo Printer is highly recommended for couples, print on the go while having a date, attending events or when you are both traveling overseas for holiday. Printing photographs can be really fun and I hope my photography article can inspire you further to print and share the love of printing!

*FreeTokidokigifts worth $98 (Pouch, lanyard, charm, body sticker, tote bag) with purchase, valid till 24 Feb 2019

For the selfie-loving couple ready to up their game

PowerShot SX740 HS – S$529 

Moments don’t last forever, which is why you need a handy camera for both photo and video-taking to ensure that every important memory is captured. The PowerShotSX740 HS allows you to capture those cherished, once-in-a-lifetime experiences quickly and easily.

You can also flip the camera screen to take cute selfies together!

* Free 16GB SD with purchase, valid till 28 Feb 2019

For the DIY artists or couples who embark on a business together

Scrapbooking + Nail Sticker Printing : PIXMA TS8270 – S$299

* Free Klean Kanteen insulated bottle and 2 packs of nail stickers worth $86 with purchase, valid till 24 Feb 2019

Home Businesses + Nail Sticker Printing : PIXMA TS707 – $179

* Free pack of nail sticker, 3.5” PP-201 paper and 5” PP-201 paper worth $32.90, valid till 24 Feb 2019

For the Homebodies that Love to Netflix & Chill (literally)

Canon RAYO S1 Mini Projector – S$559

Netflix and chill in higher resolution and on a bigger screen with the Canon RAYO S1 Mini Projector,the perfect device to bring on dates anytime, anywhere.

* Free Targus Bag worth $119 with purchase, valid till 24 Feb 2019

Happy Valentine’s Day Shopping 2019 with Canon!

* Information and pictures courtesy of Canon Singapore and Ogilvy Public Relations *

The post Canon Valentine’s Day Gift Guide 2019 appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Although most people were nit-picking on the good and bad points of the Canon EOS R, there weren’t many articles covering on the history and development from the Canon EOS M series and Canon EOS DSLR series that led to the eventual development of the Canon EOS R, the first full-frame mirrorless camea launched by Canon.

Photo Source: Canon Singapore

In this personal article of mine, covering on my photography topics, interests, developments and reviews over the years. I would like to share my personal views, information and timeline on the Canon mirrorless journey from their maiden Canon EOS M mirrorless camera (in June 2012) to the first full-frame mirrorless camera Canon EOS R in September 2018.

Year 2012 At the very beginning of a new milestone 

At the very beginning, there was the first Canon mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, the Canon EOS M in July 2012.

I can still vividly remember my funny moments when I try to take the photos with the Canon EOS M at the media launch event, bringing it close to my eye, just like using the optical viewfinder on a DSLR camera, except that there wasn’t an electronic view finder on the Canon EOS M.

That marked the start of Canon’s entry into the mirrorless DILC market

The history and development of the Canon EOS M family of mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras

Year 2012

Canon EOS M (July 2012)

Year 2013

Canon EOS M2 (December 2013)

Year 2015

Canon EOS M3 (February 2015)

Canon EOS M10  (October 2015)

Year 2016

Canon EOS M5 (September 2016)

Year 2017

Canon EOS M6 (February 2017)

Canon EOS M100 (August 2017)

Year 2018

Canon EOS M50 (March 2018)

Followed by the Canon EOS R (September 2018)

Over the years since I first saw and touched the Canon EOS M, I had various opportunities to review a number of the Canon EOS M series of mirrorless digital interchangeable lens cameras, as well as other Canon EOS DSLR cameras that were crucial in setting the foundations and base line for the EOS family series of cameras.

Therefore, I had first hand experiences on the history, changes, development and improvements on the Canon EOS M camera series as well as other Canon EOS DSLR cameras through my camera reviews.

Canon EOS M mirrorless cameras reviews completed

• Canon EOS M (Not an official review, it belongs to my parents camera, they are still using it and I have friends who are still using the Canon EOS M till date when this article is published)
• Canon EOS M3
• Canon EOS M10
• Canon EOS M5
• Canon EOS M6
• Canon EOS M50

Canon EOS DSLR and EOS M technology set the foundations for EOS R

• Dual pixel CMOS AF that started from the Canon EOS 70D
• Eye AF from Canon EOS M50
• Sensor from Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
• Camera body features from Canon EOS 6D Mark II

Year 2016 Canon EXPO 2016 Shanghai (May 2016)

During May 2016, I was very honoured to be invited to Canon EXPO 2016 Shanghai conference. This was a huge eye opener for me, from Canon’s history, diversity of products and services beyond just photography and imaging and the most intriguing to me were the trends and future of Canon’s technology and development.

There were also media sessions that I attended, listening to the key Canon Inc executives answering questions from the regional media outlets. During the media interaction sessions,  I tried my best to write down as many quotes and views from the questions posed by the other media outlets and the replies by the Canon Inc executives.

“We are not complacent”

“We may look conservative but we know the trends”

I wrote down these two quotes inside my favourite Canon Moleskine book (with a Canon EOS 1DX picture embossed on the cover). The regional media outlets were keen to know more about the mirrorless camera situation and development versus other camera manufacturers at that point in time in May 2016.

Although they didn’t go into any specifics and details, the two quotes were sufficient for me to analyse that Canon was serious and committed in the mirrorless camera market. I reckon there were a number of skeptics around the world that might had grown impatient during that time.

There were four more Canon EOS M models that were launched after May 2016 before Canon officially announced to the world in September 2018 that they have released the Canon EOS R, their first full-frame mirrorless DILC camera.

Year 2018 The arrival of the first Canon full-frame mirrorless camera, the start of another milestone – Canon EOS R

Now in the year 2018, Canon announced their first full-frame Canon mirrorless camera, the Canon EOS R. This camera was probably long overdue for some of Canon’s supporters out there.

Upon reading the Canon EOS R press releases, from various photography website and portals, articles from selected photographers who were given the opportunity to test and share their works with the pre-production Canon EOS R and from Canon Singapore press release, I consolidated my thoughts and views after reading them and having a short hands on during a media event in Singapore.

Quotes:

“There has never been a time in history in which visual expression has been so prolific. Imaging, both still and video, are the communication mediums of today’s society. Much in the same way we learned to type in the past, today’s youth are skilled in shooting, editing, and visual storytelling in ways that only the masters of each craft were decades ago,” said Kazuto Ogawa, president and chief operating officer, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “Knowing this, we needed to step back and design a system that delivers all the creative expression and functionality today’s youth crave, now and in the years to come.”

“The EOS R system is not just a new camera or a new lens mount, it is a new design that will allow us to produce visual tools that were previously impossible, and allow our customers to tell their stories with greater depth, richness of color, and creative flexibility, in optically stunning ways.” states Kazuto Ogawa

Source: Canon USA Press Release

“Canon is dedicated to raising the bar in imaging technology, and we’ve redefined photography limits with the new Canon EOS R,” said Edwin Teoh, Head of Marketing, Singapore Operations, Canon Singapore. “Equipped with a DIGIC 8 image processor, focus speed of 0.05 seconds and 5,655 focusing positions, the new 30.3MP full-frame camera amalgamates the perfect balance of optical excellence and creative freedom.”

Source: Canon Singapore Press Release

Short summary from my limited time first hands experience

• Firm and solid feel with good grip
• Design is similar to the EOS 30V film camera
• Excellent native RF lenses for the the new Canon EOS R
• The Canon EOS R with sensor from Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and features from EOS 6D Mark II.

Questions in my mind and the Answers

• Q1: Single card slot, is it enough for today’s market?

A1:

(a) Having a single card slot, allows the Canon EOS R to be priced in a reasonable price range. In the scenario of the camera having a dual card slot, the price and camera body size would have to be increased.

(b) It’s not a must to have dual card slots, how often do photographers use both cards? It’s good to have, is it a must have?

(c) How many times have your memory card failed you during your photography?

As a current Canon EOS 1DX user, I usually use 1 card slot, sometimes, I use both card slots when the photography assignment requires e.g. JPEG – card 1 , RAW – card 2. In my years of photography, I haven’t had a card failure while shooting.

Although I speak from my personal experiences, I can understand if photographers encountered card failures while on the shoot and some might have a preference/assurance that they have 2 card slots, especially for those professional photographers.

• Q2: Lens Image Stabilisation versus 5-axis In-Built Image Stablisation? Does the customers and photographers know about them and the differences?

A2:

A brief history into image stablisation. Canon introduced image stabilisation (IS) in 1995 and Nikon introuced vibration reduction (VR) in 2000. In-Built Image Stablisation (IBIS) was introduced by Olympus (Sony has a stake in Olympus).

“1 suspension might not fit for all”  a.k.a 1 size does not fit all, the IBIS requirement is different for each len and IBIS is only good for short lens such as 50mm or a 24-70mm focal length range. Different lensses has different IS needs.

For Canon, they have the Dual Sensing IS (camera body) and lens body image stablisation IS (lens).  The lens body IS do the work first while the digic processor inside the camera body supports and rectify low frequency shake that the lens IS cannot detect.

On a personal basis, this topic on image stablisation and in-built image stablisation is not straight forward, it can be very technical that not everybody would be able to learn and absorb the technicality and engineering topics built inside the camera system.

If the IBIS is that 100% perfect, all future lenses won’t need IS but we still see lenses manufactured with IS.

I personally encourage photographers to learn more about them, understand the technology, engineering and technical aspects behind them, why it is being designed and how it works out during various scenarios of your respective photography assignment.

Best scenario – lens IS + camera body IBIS

• Q3: Cropped 4K video capability, what’s the rationale?

A3:

In the context of the Canon EOS R, having a cropped 4K video capability, gives it a competitive price point. If this new model has 4K FF video, the price would be higher, battery life lower and risk of sensor overheat. With the Canon Log feature, you can have 12 stops of dynamic range (at ISO 400 and above).

Tip: When you want to shoot 4K video on the Canon EOS R

If you use EF lenses – > 1.7x crop

If you use EF-S lenses -> no crop = Full Frame

Personally, everybody likes and wants to have 4K video, are your laptops, desktops and televisions 4K ready and enabled? We can’t have everything in 1 camera body.

I would like to sincerely thank Canon Singapore Marketing for giving me the insights and explainations on the Canon EOS R along with the questions that I posed to them during the media event. The answers above were a mix of their replies to my questions and I further added my own thoughts and views inside.

With the information provided, all these gave me the idea and inspiration to publish my own photography article on the Canon mirrorless journey from Canon EOS M to EOS R.

The Canon EOS R White Paper  – Have you read it?

Canon USA has a Canon EOS R white paper available for download. Have you download, read, understand and analyse the design and engineering behind the Canon EOS R?

Do you know about the differences between the EOS R and EOS M mount? Why does the EOS R mount uses the same dimensions as the Canon EF mount? How does the RF lenses set the standards for future Canon lenses design? This Canon EOS R White Paper can provide the answers and insights.

Personal Thoughts and views

• I predicted a full frame mirrorless camera in the EOS M, I was totally wrong, it was a new mount, the EOS R.
• This article is not meant to be a camera / technical review.
• The Canon EOS R announcement may not come across to the photography world as revolutionary because the mirrorless camera technology has not produced something technological advanced and mind blowing that can give this industry an exponential spike and attention
• With its documented technical limitations worldwide by various first hand reviewers, the Canon EOS R full-frame mirrorless camera, their very first, is still able to showcase the amount of planning, design and production, that arise to this maiden model, the foundation that photographers requires – trustworthy, stable and available lenses database.
• Similar to the Canon EOS 6D Mark II, this is probably where the Canon EOS R is also being positioned at.
• Position of the Canon EOS R ~ Canon EOS 6D <- -> Canon EOS R <- -> Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
• They might be slower than their competitor yet they have acknowledged and produced a full-frame mirrorless camera that gives exisitng Canon photographers trust and reliability
• The RF lenses are going to be a new legacy of excellent quality lenses by Canon.
• This is the first Canon full-frame mirrorless DILC, the expectations are set for future EOS R camera models.
• 2 distinct mirrorless cameras series in the Canon mirrorless DILC line-up, the EOS M and EOS R, with its own distinct markets and lenses.

My future Canon EOS R full-frame mirrorless cameras and RF lenses wish list

• Since there is RF 28-70mm f/2, is it possible (From an engineering, manfuacturing and costing perspective) to have RF 70-200mm f/2 ?
• I wish for a RF 85mm L lens, f/1.4 or f/1.2 is fine!
• Next EOS R models to have dual card slot and 4K video full-frame (no crop)
• IBIS in the next EOS R camera, combined with Canon’s lens IS, I reckon it’s going to be a great combination for most types of photography shoot (if not all).

In Summary

The full-frame mirrorless camera battle is going to open up even further and wider, with Nikon’s Z6 and Z7 along with Panasonic partnerning with Leica, coming into the full-frame mirrorless camera market soon. Sony is definitely feeling the heat and competition coming from rival companies in the imaging industry.

As I mentioned earlier that this is not a technical review, this is a sharing on my thoughts and views from their first Canon mirrorless camera in the EOS M that was announced in 2012 to the EOS R that was announced in 2018.

The Canon EOS R is not an advanced EOS M, that is my personal humble opinion,  based on the differences between the technical specifications and physical size of the two mirrorless camera series. My personal view is that the two mirrorless camera series by Canon, the EOS R and EOS M, would operate and expand in their own space and target market, along with its own photography niche, style and usage.

Building up a family and range of different lenses for photographers are very crucial and important for photographers. Even if a company can design and manufacture camera bodies, without the various range of lenses to “arm” the photographer for their professional work or leisure fun, the growth would be subdued.

When I saw Canon’s new range of RF lenses that I reckon would be as legendary as the EF L lenses, probably setting a new standard and benchmark for Canon’s range of lenses for the future. Using available adaptors, the range and variety of Canon’s lenses from the EF, EF-S and EF-M lenses can be used on the Canon EOS R, seamless and applicable.

Once you have a stable and wide range of reliable and legendary lenses database, the flexibility and usablity would give the photographers the trust, confidence and happiness, they can go out to the field and deliver their works on both professional and leisure basis.

Coming from a photographer perspective, building up lenses is more important and crucial than upgrading to the next camera body available. With the extended family of Canon’s lenses from EF, EF-S, EF-M to RF, photographers can confidently build their setup  with the Canon EOS R full-frame mirrorless camera.

Customers today in this modern digital world with fast moving and changing technologies, are the ones that are more fickle, spoilt, demanding, getting more lazy yet expecting perfect photographs from perfect equipment. All these would happen in an utopia world.

There are customers out there who want the small and light weight camera bodies such as the mirrorless cameras with sharp and fast lenses that somehow challenged the engineers and designers to design the customers “ideally perfect” mirrorless camera without knowledge and understanding of engineering and manfacturing constraints and limitations.

I would write and share my Canon EOS R review photographs and article when the review opportunity arrives.

On a very personal note, the Canon EOS R is very enticing and attractive (even without doing a review yet) for my commercial aspect of my photography while I would prefer the EOS M series (e.g. EOS M50) for my  leisure, social media networking, vlogging and daily usage camera when I am not doing commercial photography work.

What is my final photography setup to complement my Canon EOS 1DX remains to be seen, you just have to stay tuned to my website and social media networks for updates!

At this point in time when this article of mine is published, there have been a lot more discussions, thoughts, views, reviews and rumours of the future Canon EOS R full-frame mirrorless cameras. I reckon there would be new and exciting times ahead for the Canon EOS R, let’s wait and see!

The above article and contents are mainly my personal works, research, analysis, thoughts, views and experiences with Canon EOS cameras and lenses over the years (since 2004 when I started off with the Canon EOS 300D).

The post The Canon Mirrorless Journey from Canon EOS M to EOS R appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

On a personal basis, I really like the aesthestics, buttons layout design and feel of the EOS M6, the dials and surface feeling, giving a retro feel of the film camera, this vintage style design of the Canon EOS M6 packed with Canon’s modern camera and photography technology.

When the Canon EOS M6 was available for a loan review in December 2017, I took up the opportunity to loan and review the Canon EOS M6. This lightweight and easy to use Canon EOS M6 accompanied me for various photography adventures, attending events, taking photos of dogs and cats, product shoot, food photography, street photography and priceless memories from my gatherings with friends and family.

Let me first give you, my readers, a recap on the key technical specifications of the Canon EOS M6

Canon EOS M6 Product specifications

Image sensor: 24.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor

Imaging processor: DIGIC 7

Focal plane AF: Dual Pixel CMOS AF

Max frame rate: 9.0 fps (AF fixed), 7.0 fps (AF tracking)

Max standard ISO speed: ISO 25,600

Monitor: 3.0-inch LCD, approx. 1.04 million dots touch panel tilts up to approx. 180, and down approx. 45 degrees (selfie mode)

Movie: Full HD 60 fps

Connectivity: Wi-Fi / NFC / Bluetooth Low Energy technology

EVF: External

Dimensions: Approx. 112.0 x 68.0 x 44.5mm

Weight: Approx. 390g

The Canon EOS M6 is available in 2 kit options, EF-M18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS kit and EF-M15-45mm F3.5-6.3 IS kit. For this review, I had the EF-M 18-150mm f/3.5 – 6.3 IS lens.

Now let me share my thoughts and views of the Canon EOS M6 through the paragraphs below:

Aesthestics / Body

• Solid and rugged feel on the camera body
• Knobs on the tops of the camera body for adjusting shutter and aperture are solid, easy to use
• On / Off switch is a lever, improved from the small button of the earlier EOS M models
• Exposure compensation dial on the top
• Dial mode on the top, easy to access and use
• Touch screen, easy to use, can drag and choose AF point
• Tilt screen can go 180 degrees, ideal for selfies/wefies and countdown timer individual/group shots
• Tilt screen can turn to 90 degrees, horizontal level, making it easy for low level or tilt/looking up photography
• Level and Histogram can be switched on during shooting that allows the photographer to have more information
• Lightweight
• Camera handgrip is well built and solid
• Wi-Fi button on the right side of the camera, easy to press, connect and use.

Canon EF-M 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM Review

• A good focal length range, wide to mid-telephoto zoom
• Decent bokeh
• Versatile
• AF not fast when tracking fast moving subjects
• Lightweight, easy to carry around
• Quite solid build and feel
• In-built Image Stabliser (IS)

Photographs Quality

• Sharp and accurate details of subject
• Colours – vibrant and accurate
• ISO 25,600 is the maximum, noise level is quite high, not recommended unless necessary

Notes:

• No in-built EVF, optional accessory
• No 4K video

I have to confess that the vintage style design of the Canon EOS M6 won me over along with its lightweight, easy to use, excellent buttons/dials layout design and strong capabilities.

The Canon EOS M6 is ideal and well suited for travel, family, daily usage camera that allows you to carry a lightweight and portable mirrorless camera out for leisure and work purposes.

While there is no 4K video capability and no in-built EVF (optional accessory EVF-DC2 is available), the two capabilities that I would love to have inside the Canon EOS M6. With regards to the EVF, I am from the “old school” of photography, thus I always prefer to take photographs through the viewfinder.

I let my photographs do the talking as much as I can write here, do visit my Flickr photograph album showcasing my photographs shot during my Canon EOS M6 review.

The Canon EOS M6 camera is an easy to use, lightweight and portable, packed with pretty good technical capabilities. It’s suitable for first time photographers, as well as for seasoned photographers too. Is this the Canon mirrorless camera that should be in my everyday bag?

For those who prefer a Canon mirrorless camera with built-in EVF, I suggest you you take a look at the Canon EOS M5. Both are very similar cameras in terms of their technical specifications and capabilities. Canon EOS M6 verus Canon EOS M5, which mirrorless camera model wins my heart?

* I would like to thank Canon Singapore for the opporunity to review the Canon EOS M6 *

The post Canon EOS M6 Review appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

The key differences between the EOS M5 and M6 are

(1)  the built-in view finder on the EOS M5 while the EOS M6 does not have it and they do have the optional EVF DC-2 that can be purchased separately and attached to the hot-shoe.

(2) Rear LCD screen – EOS M5 rear LCD screen tilts downwards at an angle of 85 degrees up and while the EOS M6 rear LCD screen tilts 180 degrees upwards and 45 degrees downwards.

In my personal humble opinion, the Canon EOS M6 is the next mirrorless camera model after the EOS M10 yet it sits below the EOS M5. The EOS M6 is catered for a different group of customers, probably more of those who prefer the fun and ease of handling without the demands/needs of the built-in viewfinder. A purist photographer would probably choose the EOS M5 because they have the built-in viewfinder that they can use when they are shooting. Personally, I prefer to have a built-in viewfinder for my choice of mirrorless camera.

I am currently testing and reviewing the Canon EOS M5 and I would share my review article at a later time (and update here accordingly when it is ready). If the opportunity arises, I would test and review the Canon EOS M6 too.

Let me share with you more information and details of the Canon EOS M6 from the press release information below –

Canon announced the launch of the EOS M6, the latest addition to its mirrorless range of cameras designed as a modern all-rounder reflecting the best balance of convenient portability and easy functionality. Equipped with advanced technologies which are adopted from the professional EOS range cameras, the compact-size EOS M6 weighs approximately 390 grams (including the body, battery and card) and achieves high speed and a sharply precise AF that is capable of capturing fast moving subjects in still or videos. Available in sophisticated black graphite and vintage silver and black combination, the EOS M6 packs a punch with the new APS-C sensor and DIGIC 7 image processor to deliver high image clarity with low noise levels.

“The compact-sized EOS M6 excels in having a good balance of imaging power and convenience, making it a desirable camera of choice for users who relish the versatility of mirrorless photography. With Canon’s dual pixel CMOS AF technology, significant enhancements in AF speed and precision tracking enables users to capture superb quality pictures and videos without the associated bulk.” said Edwin Teoh, Head of Marketing, Singapore Operations, Canon Singapore. “Coupled with a comprehensive line-up of interchangeable lenses, users will now have more avenues to flex their creative muscles and develop their artistic flair.” 

Rapid and precise AF performance with Dual Pixel CMOS AF

Equipped with 24.2-Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor and DIGIC 7 image processor, the EOS M6 delivers crisp image quality with low noise. Powered by Dual Pixel CMOS AF with approximately 24.2 million phase-difference sensors, AF is possible on approximately an 80% x 80% area of the focal plane’s entire surface. This enables fast and accurate tracking when shooting stills and videos, even when the subject is positioned at the edges of the frame. The touch AF further facilitates efficiency when conducting focus adjustments especially during macro and portrait shoots. Additionally, minute adjustments of the AF frame can also be done effortlessly through the controller wheel in the magnified view for accurate and precise focus.

The improved noise reduction performance as enabled by the DIGIC 7 image processor expands the normal ISO speed range from 100 to 25600. This notable improvement ensures sharp and crisp image quality even when shooting in low-light conditions.

Movie shooting

Full HD at 60p is supported, allowing the EOS M6 to capture smooth and beautiful footage. With the combination of Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology and STM lens, the EOS M6 allow users to achieve fast and accurate tracking during video shooting to achieve cinematographic effects without introducing mechanical noises generated by the lens motor during auto-focusing.

The EOS M6 also features Combination IS with in-camera 5-axis image stabilization through a compatible lens. Combination IS leverages optical IS and in-camera digital IS to help create seamless videos. Additionally, the DIGIC 7 image processor makes the 5-axis image stabilization possible even with lenses that do not contain IS due to the independent in-camera image stabilization that reduces camera shake during video shoots.

Intuitive user experience with improved ergonomics

With a 3.0” touch panel LCD screen that tilts 180 degrees upwards and 45 degrees downwards, users have the flexibility of taking photos from different angles with ease. The quick dial controls also simplify adjustments even while on foot as settings can be switched around quickly without needing to toggle back to the menu screen. This provides a significant improvement to the levels of comfort and freedom for users, especially when shooting in manual mode.

With a screen size of 0.39” and approximately 2.36 million dots OLED panel, the optional electronic viewfinder (EVF-DC2) is comparably smaller and lighter than the conventional EVFs. For the user, the EVF reflects a highly accurate image representation of what is seen by the camera sensor without interference from glare. The EVF-DC2 is compatible with selected Canon camera models such as PowerShot G1 X Mark II, PowerShot G3 X and EOS M3.

Seamless with Bluetooth Low Energy technology

With Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity, users can transfer images and videos from the camera to the smart devices and upload them onto the Canon Image Gateway, social media platforms and cloud storage. And by using the Canon Camera Connect app, users have real-time control of camera settings such as shutter speed, focus selection and self-timer and more.

In addition, EOS M6 features Bluetooth low energy technology which maintains constant connection to a compatible smart device at a low power consumption. With this constant connection, users can view images, start remote capture from the camera, even when the camera is in Auto Power Off mode. Smart devices with Bluetooth can wake the camera up, and switch to wi-fi for browsing and viewing images or perform remote capture (with Live View). Users can also use Bluetooth to perform basic remote capture (no Live View), control image playback and slide show when the camera is connected to a TV or projector via smart devices.

Easy switch of lenses for changing your perspectives

The EOS M6 is available in 2 kit options: EF-M18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM kit and EF-M15-45mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM kit.

For existing EOS DSLR users, the Mount Adapter EF-EOS M (sold separately) allows full compatibility with over 70 EF/EF-S lenses. This offers users a wider range of creative options and shooting perspectives all without compromising on image quality and capabilities.

Pricing and Availability

Pricing and availability of the EOS M6 and EVF-DC2 will be advised at a later date.

Product specifications

EOS M6

Image sensor:                         24.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor

Imaging processor:                 DIGIC 7

Focal plane AF:                       Dual Pixel CMOS AF

Max frame rate:                       9.0 fps (AF fixed), 7.0 fps (AF tracking)

Max standard ISO speed:       ISO 25,600

Monitor:                                   3.0-inch touch panel (tilt upwards approx.180° and                                              downwards approx. 45°), approx. 1.04 million dots

Movie:                                     Full HD 60 fps

Connectivity:                           Wi-Fi / NFC / Bluetooth Low Energy technology

EVF:                                        External (Optional)

Dimensions:                             Approx. 112.0 x 68.0 x 44.5mm

Weight:                                    Approx. 390g

EVF-DC2

Effective dots:                         Approx. 2,360,000 dots

Format:                                   Organic EL

Screen size:                           0.39-type

Aspect ratio:                          4:3

Coverage:                              Approx. 100%

Brightness adjustment:          Yes

Eyepoint:                                Approx. 22mm

Dioptric adjustment range:     Approx. -3 to +1 m-1 (dpt)

Size:                                      31.4 x 36.2 x 45.7mm

Weight:                                   Approx. 29g

Supported models:                  EOS M6/EOS M3/PowerShot G1 X Mark II/PowerShot G3 X

* Information and pictures courtesy of Canon Singapore and Ogilvy Public Relations *

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