CANON PRESENTS RF 70-200MM F / 4L IS USM AND “NIFTY FIFTY” FOR RF-MOUNTWow! Canon has introduced another zoom lens for its still relatively new series of full-frame mirrorless cameras in the EOS-R series that is really out of the ordinary. After the RF 70-200mm f / 2.8L IS USM, which is already very compact for its class, the Japanese are now introducing a somewhat weaker lens variant with the same focal length range. The RF 70-200mm f / 4L IS USM also belongs to the high-quality L series and, like its big brother, comes with a white (less heat-sensitive) housing. The special thing is self-explanatory when you look at the pictures:
The RF 70-200mm f / 4L IS USM weighs 695 g and is closed (without lens hood and cover) 11.9 cm long.As far as I know, there has never been such a compact high-end class 70-200 with AF and IS for full format. In fact, the RF 70-200mm f / 4L IS USM is only marginally longer than the standard RF 24-105mm f / 4L IS USM, and Canon says it is “World’s shortest and lightest interchangeable lens with this focal length range and a constant light intensity of 1: 4”. As with the 2.8 variant – and in contrast to its earlier EF lenses of this focal length – Canon uses an extendable tube for zooming instead of an internal one. As a result, the lens does not have a constant length when in use, but is correspondingly shorter and easier to transport when retracted. Here are a few comparison pictures:
The new 70-200 f / 4 makes few compromises in terms of quality. The optical construction of 16 elements in eleven groups contains four UD lenses (Ultra-low Dispersion) against chromatic aberration and ASC (Air Sphere Coating) coatings against flare and ghosting are used. The aperture is composed of nine rounded blades and Canon promises the highest image sharpness with all focal lengths and subject distances up to the edges, even with an open aperture.
If you can do without a slightly higher light intensity (which should often be the case given today’s ISO capabilities of the cameras), you can save not only space and weight, but also a lot of money – it is around 1,000 euros cheaper compared to the 2.8. Certain losses in bokeh due to the smaller aperture can at least partially be compensated for by reducing the recording distance. The new 70-200mm F4 also has a slightly lower close-up limit than its 2.8 counterpart (0.6 instead of 0.7 m) and a slightly higher magnification factor (0.28x instead of 0.23x). The optical image stabilizer in the lens (IS) in connection with the EOS R / RP should offer about five f-stops for shake compensation and on the R5 / R6 in combination with their sensor stabilization up to 7.5 f-stops.
Something overshadowed by this novelty, but no less important, is the idea of the RF 50mm F1.8 STM. This is basically the legacy of the 50mm standard lens for Canon’s EF mount known as the “Nifty Fifty”. This is considered a particularly good and inexpensive variant for a 50mm lens that should not be missing in any photo bag. The new RF mount variant is based on a very similar optical structure that only seems to have been adapted for the special features of the mirrorless RF mount. In terms of price, too, it is roughly based on its EF predecessor.
Both lenses are expected to be available from December at an RRP of 225 euros ?? for the RF 50mm F1.8 STM and 1,755 euros ?? available for the RF 70-200mm F4L IS USM.
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LYNGDORF SPEAKER CS-1 FOR CABINET INSTALLATION
Great sound for music and TV sound is one thing. But not every family member likes boxes that are visible in the room. A good compromise for this misery now wants Lyngdorf with a newly developed compact speaker.
The Lyngdorf CS-1 is a full-range loudspeaker that was specially developed for discreet placement in lowboards, sideboards and TV furniture. For this reason, Lyngdorf also opted for a horizontal construction.
The bass reflex opening is on the front, the tweeter is angled and raised. This arrangement reduces edge reflections within the furniture. The 6.5-inch low-midrange driver is equipped with a particularly powerful magnet for powerful bass reproduction and with bass reflex support with a front port, the CS-1 reaches a lower limit frequency of 42 Hz, which means that in most cases no subwoofer support is necessary .
The CS-1 is designed to be placed in closets and consists of a solid MDF construction with a durable and easy-to-clean surface in matte black. The speakers are supplied with self-adhesive rubber pads to prevent scratches on the furniture surface and to minimize resonances between the furniture and the speakers. The CS-1 is supplied without a front grille in order to achieve the clearest sound reproduction, for example behind the fabric doors of TV and hi-fi furniture.
The Danish manufacturer, for example, offers suitable cabinets Clic.
The highlights:
- Subtle placement within furniture
- Low refraction
- Optimized radiation behavior when used in furniture
- Full-range loudspeaker (no subwoofer necessary)
- Version: matt black
- Available: late November / early December
The Lyngdorf CS-1 is expected to be available from December at a unit price of 535.16 euros (RRP).
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VIOLECTRIC DHA V380: HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER WITH DAC AND 32-BIT RESAMPLING
With the DHA V380, Violectric presents a slimmed-down version of its reference device DHA V590. Digital input signals are fed in via cinch, optical connection or USB, processed using 32-bit resampling and converted to analog using the AKM 4490 DAC. The DHA V380 supports PCM up to 384 kHz and DSD-over-PCM (DoP).
The analog and digital inputs can be selected using a toggle switch on the front. A high-quality Alps potentiometer regulates the volume for the connected headphones. Regardless of which headphones are to be connected to the DHA V380, the manufacturer promises with the integrated pre-gain circuit the level can be perfectly adapted to the respective impedance and sensitivity.
The Violectric DHA V380 is available exclusively through cma audio and is now available at an RRP of EUR 2,199.
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CANON PIXMA TS7450 / TS7451 MULTIFUNCTIONAL SYSTEMS
Canon has announced the launch of the PIXMA TS7450 and TS7451 models. The 3-in-1 DINA4 multifunctional systems are positioned in the middle segment for private use. They have two FINE print heads with ink, two paper feeders and an automatic document feeder (ADF) for 35 sheets.
The inexpensive multifunctional systems should offer a lot of innovative features, including voice control, paper width detection and an LED status line that shows the current printer status at a glance. Canon also promises “high quality PIXMA print quality for text and borderless photo printing up to A4”.
With the Connect button and QR code on the display, users can connect to a range of devices such as a smartphone or tablet. Cloud connections to third-party providers such as Google Drive, Dropbox or Google Classroom are also possible.
PIXMA TS7450 overview:
- Print, scan, copy + ADF
- Automatic document feeder for 35 sheets
- Chic and practical design in two colors
- Front paper cassette and rear paper feed for holding different types of paper at the same time
- Automatic two-sided printing saves paper
- Control panel with 3.7 cm OLED and LED status line
- Paper width detection
- Optional XL cartridges
- Convenient app control
- Extensive media / app support
- Support for Alexa, Google Assistant and Classroom
Canon PIXMA TS7450 (black) and Canon PIXMA TS7451 (white) are available from November at an RRP of 116 euros.
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QOBUZ: NEW FAMILY SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR HI-RES MUSIC STREAMING
The French music streaming provider Qobuz leads new Subscription options all accessible in high definition. Qobuz offers more than 60 million song titles, including the largest selection of Hi-Res audio files on the market and more than 500,000 editorial content and Information from the music world.
With new family subscriptions, Qobuz wants to enable users to share the music offering with other family members. With the new booking options, up to six members of the same family can use a joint subscription from € 29.16 per month.
The subscriptions at Qobuz are divided into the variants STUDIO PREMIER and STUDIO SUBLIME. All variants offer hi-res streaming and access to the entire catalog of offers. In addition to Studio Premier subscriptions, Sublime subscribers have the option of making significantly reduced download purchases. In the future, all subscriptions will be available either as a single subscription or as a family subscription.