Canon just announced the update of two of its camera lineups with the announcement of the 6D Mark II and Rebel SL2 bodies.

EOS 6D Mark II DSLR Camera ($1,999)

Pre-order: B&H Photo | Adorama

Designed with enthusiast photographers in mind, Canon’s popular and versatile EOS 6D DSLR camera historically served to bridge the gap between Canon’s higher-end APS-C DLSRs and Full-Frame DSLR cameras. The EOS 6D Mark II DSLR camera features several enhancements over its predecessor model, and its benefits include:

1. 26.2 Megapixel Full-frame CMOS Sensor
   
2. Optical Viewfinder with a 45-point All Cross-type AF System1
   
3. Dual Pixel CMOS AF with Phase-detection & Full HD 60p
   
4. DIGIC 7 Image Processor, ISO 100-40000
   
5. Vari-angle Touch Screen, 3.0-inch LCD
   
6. Built-in Wi-Fi®2, NFC3, Bluetooth®4 and GPS technology
   
7. High-speed Continuous Shooting at up to 6.5 fps
   
8. Dust- & Water-resistant

EOS Rebel SL2 DSLR Camera ($549.99)

Pre-order: B&H Photo | Adorama

The EOS Rebel SL2 DSLR camera features several other enhancements over its predecessor model, the EOS Rebel SL1, including:

1. 24.2 Megapixel CMOS (APS-C) Sensor
   
2. Dual Pixel CMOS AF
   
3. 3.0-inch Vari-Angle LCD Touch-Screen
   
4. Built-in Wi-Fi®2, NFC3 and Bluetooth®4 Technology
   
5. Full HD 60p & External Microphone Input
   
6. DIGIC 7 Image Processor, ISO 100-25600
   
7. Optical Viewfinder with a 9-point AF System
   
8. Feature Assistant
   
9. Small and Lightweight Body

Pricing and Availability

The EOS 6D Mark II DSLR camera is scheduled to be available in late July 2017 for an estimated retail price of $1,999.00 for body only, $3,099.00 with the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM II lens and $2,599.00 with the Canon EF 24-105mm f/3.5-5.6 STM lens**. In addition the EOS Rebel SL2 is scheduled to be available in late July 2017 for a retail price of $549.99 for body only and $699.99 with the Canon EF-S 18-55m f/4-5.6 IS STM lens.

Congratulations to Danpbphoto for winning WA 767, based on the theme: Triangles.

The top five photos displayed below, will also be showcased on our Winners Gallery.

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Weekly Assignment 769 just started with theme: "Fear & unease"
Deadline: July 5th noon - Participate!

Roger Cicala at LensRentals just posted MTF and Variance Testing for the new Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G.
Looking at the results, the new Sony ultra-wide seems to be flat field without much astigmatism while maintaining high resolution and contrast. It did very well against the much heavier competition.

Here is an except from Roger's summary:

"The MTF results tell you if the lens should be a sharp lens, and the results here indicate that it should. That makes it worth further investigation for those of you interested in this focal length. It’s one of the more impressive Sony offerings that have come out; reasonable price, excellent MTF, reasonable sample variation.

There is something that is more interesting to me in the bigger picture, though. Sony has made this lens smaller than the others in this range, which will be nice sitting on an FE camera. And they’ve done that without the customary ‘Sony surcharge’, which is nice on your wallet. At this point, I can’t help but be very impressed."

Read entire review.

_____________________

Pre-order: Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G

(Expected availability: Thu Jul 6)

B&H Photo | Adorama

Main features:

1. Four Aspherical Elements
   
2. One Super ED and Three ED Elements
   
3. Nano AR Coating
   
4. Direct Drive Super Sonic Wave Motor
   
5. Focus Hold Button, AF/MF Switch
   
6. Dust and Moisture-Resistant Construction
   
7. Seven-Bladed Rounded Diaphragm
   
8. Angle of View:122° - 84°
   
9. Minimum Focus Distance: 11.02" (28 cm)
   
10. Magnification: 0.14x
    
11. Elements/Groups: 17 / 13
    
12. Filter Thread: None
    
13. Dimensions (DxL): Approx. 3.5 x 4.6" (88.90 x 116.84 mm)
    
14. Weight: 1.24 lb (565 g)

Here are the Feature Thread Winners based on your votes:

• Landscape Photographer:
Apocalypse by Nubcake

• Nature & Wildlife:
It's been a while since I worked the neighborhood hawk by MedicineMan404

• People Photography:
Lily by Lisa_Holloway

You can now preorder the new Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art & Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art lenses today!

Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art: ($1,599)

Canon: B&H Photo | Adorama

Nikon: B&H Photo | Adorama


Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art: (1,299)

Canon: B&H Photo | Adorama

Nikon: B&H Photo | Adorama

The lenses should start shipping by Friday Jun 23rd.

Congratulations to mic37 for winning WA 766, based on the theme: Togetherness.

The top five photos displayed below, will also be showcased on our Winners Gallery.

Voting is now open for the WA 767 winners.
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Weekly Assignment 768 just started with theme: "Education"
Deadline: June 28th noon - Participate!

Here are the Feature Thread Winners based on your votes:

• Landscape Photographer:
Far up Right Fork is an oasis in Zion by gordon l

• Nature & Wildlife:
Todays Theme: Chew by USM IS

• People Photography:
Left Behind | Volume II by Lisa_Holloway

Congratulations to Danpbphoto for winning WA 765, based on the theme: Taboo.

The top five photos displayed below, will also be showcased on our Winners Gallery.

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Weekly Assignment 767 just started with theme: "Triangles"
Deadline: June 21st noon - Participate!

Here are the Feature Thread Winners based on your votes:

• Landscape Photographer:
5 Images From Joshua Tree NP by Adam_A

• Nature & Wildlife:
The colour is back! Costa Rica only by juankgigo

• People Photography:
Laura at the Valley of Fire by Adam_A

Sony released new firmware updates for many of their E-mount cameras. Some are long waited fixes like the option for wider apertures during focusing acquisition with certain lenses and hopefully the Star Eating issue has been resolved.

Download it below:

1. A9
   
2. A7rII
   
3. A7sII
   
4. A7II
   
5. A6500
   
6. A6300

Congratulations to kentwaller for winning WA 764, based on the theme: Energy.

The top five photos displayed below, will also be showcased on our Winners Gallery.

Voting is now open for the WA 765 winners.
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Weekly Assignment 766 just started with theme: "Togetherness"
Deadline: June 14th noon - Participate!

Samyang officially announced their new AF 35mm F2.8 FE lens.

You may pre-order it today for $399 at B&H Photo.

Key features:

1. E-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
   
2. Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/22
   
3. Two Aspherical Elements, One HR Element
   
4. Ultra Multi-Coating
   
5. Autofocus with Manual Focus Override
   
6. Seven-Blade Diaphragm
   
7. Filter Thread: Front: 49 mm
   
8. Dimensions (DxL): Approx. 2.43 x 1.30" (61.8 x 33 mm)
   
9. Weight: 85 grams

More info at Samyang's page.

Here are the Feature Thread Winners based on your votes:

• Landscape Photographer:
Burning Tree with Processing Notes by Matt Anderson

• Nature & Wildlife:
Peregrine Falcon Mid-Air Food Exchange (12) by Thao_Nguyen

• People Photography:
California, Texas, Spring, and Wildflowers, Oh My! by Lisa_Holloway

Congratulations to MikeMancil for winning MA 156, based on the theme: Charity.

The top five photos displayed below, will also be showcased on our Winners Gallery.

Voting is now open for the MA 157 winners.
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Monthly Assignment 158 just started with theme: "Death & rebirth"
Deadline: July 1st noon - Participate!

Congratulations to jonnyt5050 for winning WA 763, based on the theme: Solitude.

The top five photos displayed below, will also be showcased on our Winners Gallery.

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Weekly Assignment 765 just started with theme: "Taboo"
Deadline: June 7th noon - Participate!

David Braddon-Mitchell, aka @DavidBM, posted a review on the Batis 135mm f/2.8 APO at phillipreeve.net.

Here is an excerpt from his conclusion:

"At this stage I’m pretty convinced that the optical qualities are as Zeiss’ own MTF suggests; impeccable..."

"..I think it’s safe to say that it’s optically one of the finest lenses you can buy...But it is very expensive: so it will justify its price only if it’s not only optically outstanding but also offers ergonomic and handling advantages that make it preferable to larger, faster and cheaper lenses."

Read the full review here.

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Order the Batis 135mm f/2.8 APO:

B&H Photo | Adorama

Here are the Feature Thread Winners based on your votes:

• Landscape Photographer:
Few from Patagonia by Gregg B.

• Nature & Wildlife:
Training Day (12) by Thang

• People Photography:
Beautiful Family Session - Two Gorgeous Locations by Lisa_Holloway

Congratulations to keithandersonc for winning WA 762, based on the theme: Shiny.

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Weekly Assignment 764 just started with theme: "Energy"
Deadline: May 31st noon - Participate!