OK, it’s all over the web.  The Canon Thermos, in the shape of a EF 70-200 lens is quite the rage.  All those Canon photo geeks are going to want one and now I’m getting requests from my dealers.  So in order to answer some of the question you my have I’ll take the time to tell you what I know so far.

For my accounts I visit on a regular visit:

Q: Have you seen the Canon thermos?
A: Only in pictures. 

Q: Can you get one for us?
A: Nope.  (at least not at this point, so don’t ask)

Q: Where did people get these?
A: Allegedly  the Olympics, back alley deals, muggings [no pun intended] and I speculate you will find them soon on eBay.

Q: Is it weather sealed?
A: Well, I hope so.  If not, they would not be a very effective thermos.

Q: Are they image stabilized?
A: Not if you insist on filling and them with coffee and then draining them dry.  (Not sure if you drink decaf)

Q: Are the fast focusing?
A: No.  It usually takes about two or three cups of coffee before I find I really get a clear focus.

Q: What type of elements does this lens have
A: That varies.  But you can have elements such as coffee, tea, hot cocoa, water, soup, etc. making this one of the most versatile lenses I’ve read about.

Please post any other question you may have. 

Disclaimer: Answers may or may not be accurate, should never be considered official or serious.  I will reserve the right to answer all questions as creatively as the mood strikes me.

Canon has posted updaters for Digital Photo Professional, and other software updates for Mac and Windows. Changes include support for the EOS Rebel T2i/550D, the much requested horizon correction feature to the Trimming Tool in DPP, support for Mac OS X 10.6 in EOS Utility.

The full list of updaters released today is as follows:

Digital Photo Professional 3.8.1 for Mac / Digital Photo Professional 3.8.0 for Windows

1. Supports Mac OS X 10.6
2. Supports additional model
   • The EOS Kiss X4 / EOS REBEL T2i / EOS 550D is now supported.
3. Adds a lens that supports the aberration correction function.
   • EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM is newly supported.
4. Adds a function for adjusting the angle of an image to the Trimming tool.

EOS Utility 2.8.1 for Mac and Windows

1. Added supported models Supports EOS REBEL T2i / EOS 550D.
2. Stopped providing support for old models.
   • Although it is possible to use EU 2.8 with EOS 30D or later models, we have stopped providing support for previous models.: EOS D30, EOS D60, EOS 10D, EOS 20D, EOS 20Da, EOS 5D, EOS Kiss DIGITAL / EOS DIGITAL REBEL / EOS 300D DIGITAL, EOS Kiss DIGITAL N / EOS DIGITAL REBEL XT / EOS 350D DIGITAL, EOS-1D, EOS-1D Mark II, EOS-1D Mark II N, EOS-1Ds, EOS-1Ds Mark II
3. Added supported Oses
   • Supports Mac OS 10.6
4. Overlay display function
   • It is possible to overlay an image (stored on a computer) on a shot image displayed on the Remote Live View screen. (An image loaded from a computer is not captured, but only appears on the screen.)
5. Improved specifications
   • The file numbers of images captured by remote shooting are not reset. Accordingly, the file numbers are in a sequenc
   • To improve operability, the Movie recording standby button on the Remote Live View screen has been eliminated.

Picture Style Editor 1.7.0 for Mac and Windows

1. Supported OSes
   • Mac OS X 10.4 to 10.6
   • Discs formatted in UFS (UNIX File System) format are not supported.
2. Supported PCs
   • * Macintosh with one of the above OSes pre-installed
   • * CPU;- PowerPC G4, G5 and Intel Processor
   • * RAM;- 1 GB or greater
3. Display
   • Screen resolution; 1024×768 or greater
   • Color Quality; Approx. 32,000 colors or more
4. Supported Models
   • EOS Kiss X4/EOS REBEL T2i/EOS 550D, EOS-1D Mark IV, EOS 7D, EOS Kiss X3 / EOS REBEL T1i / EOS 500D, EOS 5D Mark II, EOS 50D, EOS Kiss F / EOS REBEL XS / EOS 1000D, EOS Kiss X2 / EOS REBEL XSi / EOS 450D, EOS-1D Mark III, EOS-1Ds, EOS-1Ds Mark II, EOS-1D, EOS-1D Mark II, EOS-1D Mark II N, EOS 5D, EOS 10D, EOS 20D, EOS 20Da, EOS 30D, EOS Kiss Digital / EOS Digital REBEL / EOS Digital 300D, EOS Kiss Digital N / EOS Digital REBEL XT / EOS Digital 350D, EOS KISS DIGITAL X / EOS DIGITAL REBEL XTi / EOS DIGITAL 400D, EOS D2000 *, EOS D6000 *, EOS D60, EOS D30
   • Can handle CR2 files only when the files are converted with the CR2 Converter.

WFT Utility 3.5.1 for Mac and Windows

1. Supports Mac OS 10.6.
2. Now the application is linked to EOS Utility 2.8 when starting up.

Original Data Security Tools 1.8.0 for Windows

1. Newly supports the EOS REBEL T2i / EOS 550D
2. Supported OS added
3. Supports Windows 7 (32-bit)

NEW STUDIO SOLUTION SOFTWARE FROM CANON U.S.A.

PROVIDES AUTOMATED WORKFLOW FOR PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIOS

FROM CAPTURE TO REVENUE

New Canon Software Automates Photography Processes from Administrative Filing to Image Processing In One Simple Solution

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., February 17, 2009 – Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging technology, today announced a new and exciting software product, Studio Solution software for professional photographic studio owners. Utilizing Canon’s core imaging and printing technologies, new Studio Solution software, features a fully automatic workflow to simplify studio operations while maintaining the highest degree of image quality. Through electronic input and filing, Studio Solution software will help consolidate scheduling, contracting, invoicing, image capture, ordering, minor retouching and printing into a single program.

As a complete workflow automation system, Canon’s Studio Solution software allows for greater staffing efficiencies with improved turnaround time, for increased profitability. Designed to integrate with Canon EOS cameras, imagePROGRAF and PIXMA Pro printers, Canon’s Studio Solution software ensures studio owners and operators are maximizing their time and equipment.

“Studio Solution software provides the link between our highly successful camera and printer products. This software will improve studio productivity and profitability,. It offers full studio operation in a single application,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A. “If our cameras and printers are the bricks by which photographers build their businesses, then Canon’s Studio Solution would be the mortar holding it all together.”

This new, simple-to-learn software solution – made possible by combining Express Digital’s technology and workflow along with Canon’s proven image processing expertise – provides full studio automation from scheduling and billing to image capture, retouching and printing. Beginning with administrative scheduling, customer information is entered into the Canon software and will follow customer jobs through ordering and invoicing. A file is created for each customer with complete order details. Images are then attached to each customer job order for optimal filing efficiency. The Studio Solution software then transitions to a studio sales tool by providing on-screen image previews on various Canon media to give the customer an accurate rendering of how their final print will look on various substrates.

The most integral software feature is Canon’s core image processing, providing automatic color management, image resizing and minor image re-touching for stunning prints with minimal labor. These automatic processes help reduce the need for timely and expensive image editing, allowing for greater margins and uptime in any Canon-equipped photo studio. Once the final job is printed through the software, an invoice is automatically generated, complete with order details and customer information, without additional manual input.

Canon U.S.A. is offering a flexible support and training program along with Studio Solution software with classroom-type training as well as on-site and online training programs. Canon will be announcing a program which will enhance the marketability of studios that use Canon EOS digital cameras, Pixma Pro and iPF printers, Studio Solution software and genuine ink and media.

View eight tutorial videos at the Canon Digital Learning Center.

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., February 19, 2010 – The excitement of Super Bowl XLIV was viewed by millions, making it the most watched program in American television historyi. Several professional photographers captured every moment of the action using Canon’s latest professional digital SLR camera, the EOS-1D Mark IV. With initial camera shipments beginning less than 6 weeks before the game, Super Bowl XLIV was the first major sports event where professional photographers had an opportunity to see for themselves how the EOS-1D Mark IV camera would perform. After the game, Canon U.S.A. chose to interview four of these professional photographers regarding their use of the EOS-1D Mark IV camera and from their comments, it is clear that for these photographers, the EOS-1D Mark IV camera aced its first big test.

“Shooting at Super Bowl XLIV with the EOS-1D Mark IV was a night-and-day improvement compared to previous EOS models. It blew them all away. The 1D Mark IV exceeded my expectations quite a bit,” said Daniel Powers, staff photographer, Gannett Co., Inc.

The EOS-1D Mark IV is designed to be the multimedia camera of choice for professionals across all photographic disciplines, with a new 45-point autofocus system, a 16-megapixel Canon CMOS sensor, Dual DIGIC 4 Imaging Processors, and 14-bit A/D data conversion, all at up to 10 frames-per-second (fps), with the widest ISO range Canon has produced to date. “Overall, in my opinion, the EOS-1D Mark IV is the best camera Canon has put out so far. I would have no hesitation recommending it,” said Scott Audette, a contract photographer who covered Super Bowl XLIV for Reuters. Read more »

EOS-1D Mark IV Firmware Update Version 1.0.6

This firmware update (Version 1.0.6) incorporates the following enhancement.

• Firmware Version 1.0.6 enhances the AF tracking performance.*

*AF performance has been enhances for receding subjects and for subjects that are approaching at a low speed. 

Download here

 Press Release

Lake Success, N.Y., January 15, 2010 – The Canon Group, including Canon Inc., Canon U.S.A., Inc and Canon Latin America, Inc., today announced that they have pledged approximately $220,000 (20 million yen) to the Haiti relief and recovery efforts, following the devastating earthquake that struck the region, causing extensive destruction and loss of life.

The Canon Group is contributing to the relief efforts for victims of the earthquake through donations to Red Cross Organizations which will help to provide the people of Haiti with necessary supplies and services including food, water, temporary shelter, medical services and emotional support.

“The Canon Group would like to express its condolences to the people of Haiti and our thoughts go out to all of the people that have been affected by this inconceivable natural disaster,” said Joe Adachi, president and chief executive officer, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “A tragedy of this magnitude requires support from the global community and it is our hope that our contribution, along with all of the aid coming in from around the world, will help the people of Haiti begin the rebuilding and healing process.”

CANON MAKES THE BEST EVEN BETTER, WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF THE SECOND GENERATION
EF 70-200MM f/2.8L IS II USM LENS 

Canon’s New EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Incorporates

• Advanced Lens Elements 
• Enhanced Durability for High-Speed Autofocus 
• High-Performance Optical Image Stabilization Read more »