The Pano Awards’ Curator, David Evans, explained, “The excitement truly starts when we announce the call for entries to win a US$40,000 prize pool that includes $14,000 in cash and an array of prizes including an Epson SureColor P7000 printer, an Epson SureColor P5000 printer and an Epson EB-1795F ultra-slim projector. People start talking and you can feel the buzz go through the industry. So, it gives me great pleasure to officially announce that professional and amateur photographers around the world are now invited to enter the 14th Epson International Pano Awards. Applications are due Monday 17 July 2023.” 

For the Epson International Pano Awards 2022 competition, it surpassed expectations despite facing many post-Covid challenges. Year 2022 competition saw 4,129 entries images submitted from 1,197 photographers in 98 countries. Current estimates hat these numbers will be exceeded again this year.

Epson Australia marketing manager, Priscilla Dickason, said, “The Pano Awards have grown to be iconic in terms of their reach, following and support within the industry. Epson has been proud to support these incredible awards and the truly and uniquely talented photographers who embrace them for 14 years. It’s one of the key ways Epson continues our ongoing commitment to the photographic industry with photographers of all levels. Imaging and colour are at Epson’s core and we are very much looking forward to seeing this year’s entries and how amazing they look when printed out on Epson’s dedicated photo printers.” 

Epson SureColor P7000 and Epson SureColor P5000

The Epson SureColor-P7000 is a 24″ (610mm) large format printer and the SureColor P5000 is a 17″ (432mm) large format printer both of which are designed for premium photo, fine art, proofing and packaging design. They support a wide range of standard and specialist media in roll and sheet formats and feature a PrecisionCore Thin Film (TFP) head with Variable Sized Droplet Technology that enables the output of images in high resolution with superior fidelity and tonal gradation. 

Both printers use Epson’s latest UltraChrome HDX all-pigment aqueous ink for accurate colour with an enhanced gamut, Dmax and image durability. The printers also use a 10 colour ink configuration with two levels of black, a choice of a third black or alternative Violet ink for outstanding colour and black and white prints with up to 99% Pantone coverage. 

Epson EB-1795F 

Its ultra-slim design, radiant widescreen performance and easy wireless connectivity make the Epson EB-1795F the ultimate choice in portable projectors. It delivers value, convenience and performance and easily delivers brilliant content from any widescreen notebook with native 1080p (1920 x 1080) resolution. Couple that with 3200 lumens colour and white light output and the results are truly amazing. 

David Evans concluded, “The Pano Awards and those who support them and participate in them are a family and we embrace incredibly talented photographers within a real community in order to make the awards such a success. We simply couldn’t have achieved our success without Epson, their continued support and their amazing photo and fine art printers which set the standard for image reproduction. We wholeheartedly thank Epson for being such an amazing sponsor year after year.” 

Judging panel for The 2023 Pano Awards

The judging panel for The 2023 Pano Awards includes some of the world’s top photographers and industry professionals including Janie Fitzgerald, Jinyi He, Candace Dyar, Felix Inden, Laura Oppelt, Jarrod Castaing, Tim Shields, Craig Bill, Isabella Tabacchi, Juan Pablo de Miguel, Erin Babnik, Aaron Spence and Bill Bailey. 

Hear from previous Pano Awards winners!

If you are hearing about Epson International Pano Awards for the first time, or you would like to know more about what is it like entering this contest, check out the YouTube videos below and hear from previous Pano Awards winners!

1. Compilation: https://youtu.be/vJ0AkDxLUuY 
2. David Evans: https://youtu.be/EjL4DoQIHwY 
3. Paul Hoelen: https://youtu.be/ZruUuixGId4 
4. Mieke Boynton: https://youtu.be/ygYmOTASl9Q 
5. Tom Putt: https://youtu.be/MTt81uA 

• Facebook: @PanoAwards
• Twitter: @EpsonPanoAwards
• Instagram: @PanoAwards

* Information and pictures courtesy of Epson Singapore and Hill+Knowlton Strategies *

The post Call for Entries for Epson International Pano Awards 2023 appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

First Full Hands On Experience with Canon EOS R7 

While my first hands on experience with the Canon EOS R7 was at the Canon Singapore media launch event, the period was too short a session for a full hands on experience with the Canon EOS R7. Nevertheless, my initial impressions at that time were good, I had a good vibe on the EOS R7, the potential and capabilities of Canon EOS R mount APS-C mirrorless cameras. 

My first full hands on experience with the Canon EOS R7 was a bird photography outing at Jurong Bird Park whereby we had the opportunity to put the Canon EOS R7 to the test on bird/wildlife photography. You can read more about my bird photography experiences with the Canon EOS R7 at Jurong Bird Park here.

In a quick summary, wildlife (and sports) photographers would be enticed and interested in this new Canon EOS R7 camera.

TGH Photography x Canon EOS R7 Explorer Series Production

Over the years reviewing Canon DSLR cameras (APS-C and full-frame), Canon mirrorless (full-frame, APS-C EOS M series) and now EOS R APS-C mirrorless cameras, I had been producing  different visual stories as I brought out the Canon cameras that I was reviewing. Through the years and accumulation of my review stories, I created my very own TGH Photography x Canon (camera brand model that I am reviewing) explorer series production, exploring and testing out the Canon cameras that I am reviewing, leading up to the Canon camera review article.

Likewise for this Canon EOS R7 camera, I had a very interesting and diversified visual story telling experience in both technology, leisure, lifestyle and of course, my various photography genres, in my TGH Photography x Canon EOS R7 Explorer Series Production.

TGH Technology and Business

I brought the Canon EOS R7 out at technology media events, the Nothing (1) Phone launch and the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked August 2022 media event. In my personal Happy 57th Birthday Singapore! article, I curated the photos shot with Canon EOS R7 for this special article.

TGH Photography and Travel

Visual story telling has been my choice of photography and story telling that I developed over the years, through my own unique ways of story telling style with my photos. From heritage, cultural and arts events, Wan Qing Mid-Autumn Festival 2022 and Singapore Night Festival 2022, to wishing a Happy SG57 Birthday to Singapore! 

The more photography focused articles were my Happy World Photography Day 2022 and exploration of Old Jurong Line Nature Trail with Canon EOS R7.

Thoughts and Views on Canon EOS R7

Having shot approximately 3.1k of photos with the Canon EOS R7 review unit, as well as a number of video footages for my short explorer cinematic film. My overall experience with the Canon EOS R7 was really good, that motivated me to shoot that many photos during the short review period. Here are my thoughts and views on the Canon EOS R7

Pros

• It has a fast, accurate and intelligent AF tracking and recognition, inherited from Canon EOS R3 (I also reviewed the EOS R3 earlier this year), with People Priority, Animal Priority, Vehicle Priority capabilities that would help the photographer greatly when applied correctly.
• You can shoot up to 30 fps high-speed continuous shooting with the silent electronic shutter or 15 fps with the mechanical shutter. Depending on your photography requirements, needs and situations, the Canon EOS R7 can take on most photography genres. With a 30 fps burst speed, wildlife and sports photographers would want this in their line-up.
• This is an APS-C camera, it’s not full-frame, therefore there is a 1.6x Crop factor, that would also mean an extended focal length, very beneficial for wildlife and sports photography.
• Equipped with a new approximately 32.5 megapixel CMOS sensor, combined with DIGIC X image processor, it’s not just high resolution, the output is is of high quality too. The ISO range is from 100 to 32,000 (that can be expandable to 51,200). On high ISO levels, I personally find it useable up to 25,600 (personal tolerance/preference).
• Panorama in SCN Mode: In my humble personal opinion, this is one of EOS R7 best features, probably very underrated. This is very handy and useful, you can shoot a panorama, just like using your smartphone to shoot a panorama. You can shoot from Left to Right, Right to Left, Down to Up or Up to Down. I shot a number of photos in Panorama in SCN Mode and I really like this function.
• 5-axis in-body image stabiliser (IS) a.k.a IBIS: You want it, now Canon gives it to you, inside the Canon EOS R7. This allows you to achieve up to 8 stops of image stabilisation via its coordinate control IS when paired with a compatible lens. With this IBIS capability, whether you are shooting stills photography or videos, it’s helping you to get your shots without the fanfare and recognition that it deserves. 

Aesthetics 

• If you are an existing Canon camera user, the design and layout of the Canon EOS R7 would be give you a sense of familiarity. 
• This camera has an all-new Quick Control Dial, a hybrid of key Canon camera controls, the Multi-Controller with its multi-directional joystick and tactile dial. Even for regular Canon users, this all-new Quick Control Dial might take a while for you to get used to it.
• You would also notice that the EOS R7 has a bigger electronic view finder (EVF), it’s a new EVF with an OVF simulation view assist to recreate a view that is comparable to the optical viewfinder, that some photographers might prefer the OVF over the EVF.
• Dual Card Slot is great and most welcomed by photographers, the versatility to record stills and movies in different cards, as well as having a backup card slot.
• The EOS R7 is a solid built, reliable and lightweight camera body, made of durable magnesium alloy body, dust and drip resistant.  
• There is also a shutter curtain to protect the sensor when the camera is switched off, preventing dust from entering the camera body and sensor.

Cons

• The APS-C 1.6x Crop Factor is both a pro and con, it would not be that wide as compared to a full-frame sensor. For the landscape photographers and those that need to shoot full wide on a full-frame, the EOS R7 APS-C sensor is going to be a bit of a headache for you when composing and framing. However, all you need is time to get used to both APS-C and full-frame cameras, thus allowing you to switch easily when you need to.  
• During the course of my review, I observed that in between pressing the shutter button, releasing and pressing it again, the EOS R7 lost the AF tracking and there is a lag to get the AF refocus accurately again. 

RF-S18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM Review

The RF-S18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM, is one of the first two RF-S lenses launched by Canon together with the EOS R7 and EOS R10, the other lens is RF-S18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM lens.

Having used the first EF-S lens with the EOS 300D, testing and reviewing other Canon kit lenses over the years, and owning Canon professional series L lenses, I don’t have too high expectations for Canon kit lenses (probably my bar/standard for lenses is a lot higher). 

However, I have to highlight that the RF-S18-150mm is a very decent entry level kit lens. I have seen the improvements from the EF-M lenses that I previously reviewed, and I can see the quality and standards being passed on to the RF-S series.

The RF-S18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM lens is an all rounder (wide to mid-telephoto zoom), good starter lens for photographers starting out. The output quality is pretty good, however it’s not the sharpest lens (decently sharp), it’s not a fast lens and it can be a bit soft at f/6.3.

After reading about the Canon EOS R7, the photos quality output, and you are keen to get the Canon EOS R7, you would need to wait a bit of time for Canon to announce and launch more new RF-S lenses to their line-up, if you are planning to build up your setup with RF-S lenses. 

However, you have many more lens choices to choose from, you have the RF mount, as well as EF and EF-S mount (you would need an adaptor) for you to choose from. Not having many RF-S lenses at this juncture should not be of too much of a worry to you, if you are planning to get the Canon EOS R7.  

Videography

Shooting videos with the Canon EOS R7 is easy, just by flipping the button switch (located together with the on/off button) on the top panel. Just take note that with the APS-C sensor, you would get a 1.6x crop factor, your scenes would not be that wide that you would like, you also get a telephoto effect too. With the In-Body Image Stabilisation (IS), this plays an important function for you when shooting videos.

Although I didn’t spend as much time on videography as I am mainly a stills photographer, I have been shooting videos too, adding on to my portfolio of content creation work on both personal and professional basis. The 4K UHD Fine quality video of the Canon EOS R7 comes from its 7K RGB data, that can been seen in the output produced by the video. 

I am still finding my way, style, workflow and direction on how to write up on my camera videography review experiences better. What I have been doing is converting some of my explorer series production stories and photos workflow into videos, with storyboarding and planning. 

I am very thankful and grateful that had the support of filmmaking friends who were able to assist me in shoots as director of photography and editing the video clips into a short cinematic film, thus allowing me to work on my stories, script, locations and creative planning. 

For the Canon EOS R7 video review, I collaborated with HongPeng, founder of Hpility SG and Easy Travel Recipes, also a fellow blogger, content creator, filmmaker friend that I knew for some time.

GH: Thank you HongPeng for helping me with the filming and editing with my TGH Photography Explorer short film shot with the Canon EOS R7. How was your experience like handling and using the Canon EOS R7 for filmmaking/videography?

HP: Personally, I like the lightweight and size of the Canon EOS R7. It is a handy full-frame mirrorless camera which came with a built-in 32.5MP APS-C CMOS sensor and it allows me to shoot up to 60p. The camera image stabilisation was amazing for videographers to shoot in any ambient conditions. 

You can view the YouTube video here (link would be updated when the video is edited and uploaded to my YouTube channel)

Final Thoughts and Conclusion

Finally, my final thoughts and views on the Canon EOS R7, is this the Canon mirrorless camera for you? 

Before the Canon EOS R7 was officially announced and launched worldwide, and the opportunities to review the EOS R7. I had read about rumours from other photography websites on the impending Canon APS-C mirrorless cameras announcement. I was curious, excited and also thoughtful on how they would turn out and fit in into the EOS R family.

From my experiences owning/using (APS-C (300D, 30D & 70D) to APS-H (1D Mk III) to full-frame (1D X Mark I, 1D X Mark II and RP) and testing/reviewing Canon EOS DSLR cameras, I have seen and experienced how EF and EF-S mount lenses co-existed and expanded together over the years. This also dawned upon me that Canon has the experiences over the years to produce the RF and RF-S lenses for the EOS R mirrorless camera bodies, and making it even better.

After giving the Canon EOS R7 a good test and workout during the review period, my findings and thoughts are as follows:

• This is an excellent backup camera for professional photographers (if they don’t need a full-frame as a backup camera)
• A mid-tiered camera that can cater to entry level, serious enthusiasts and professional photographers
• An ideal camera for advanced photography enthusiasts moving up the cameras ladder 
• A great camera for sports and wildlife photographers (whether as a main camera or as a backup camera)
• Although it’s not a full-frame camera, you just have to adapt and adjust to the APS-C 1.6x crop factor, and it can be done after shooting with it on a regular basis
• Although there are not many RF-S lenses available yet, there are many other lenses options available from the RF, EF and EF-S lenses
• The cost of the EOS R7 might seem pricy, now that you know the features and capabilities, it’s quite a value for money camera

If you don’t need a full-frame camera, the Canon EOS R7 APS-C camera might be a good fit for you to enjoy on a personal basis or even professional basis.

Would the new EOS R camera bodies of EOS R3 (that I reviewed earlier this year) and this EOS R7 pave the way for me to upgrade and replace my current setup of EOS 1D X Mark II and EOS RP?

To view more photographs shot with the Canon EOS R7, please visit this Flickr album – Canon EOS R7 Review. 

* I would like to thank Canon Singapore for the opportunity to review the Canon EOS R7. *

The post Canon EOS R7 Review appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.