Canon today announced the EOS R5 and the EOS R6, two full-frame mirrorless cameras with RF Mount. The Canon EOS R5 delivers 45-megapixel stills and is the first full-frame mirrorless ever to internally record 8K RAW video up to 29.97fps and 4K at up to 120fps in 10-bit. Canon EOS R6 offers 20.1-megapixel stills, 4K video up to 60p 10-bit, or Full HD at up to 120fps. Canon EOS R5 and EOS R6 Cameras. Image credit: cinema5D When we look at Canon’s camera lineup from recent years, it is no doubt that the company introduced some exciting and innovative EOS cinema cameras (like the C500 Mark II or C300 Mark III) and DSLRs (like the 1D X Mark III), but in the mirrorless cameras segment, Canon has been slightly falling behind its competition. Although the EOS R found its way into numerous filmmakers’ kits, many were not satisfied with some of its fallbacks – like the heavily cropped 4K mode and the lack of 10-bit 4:2:2 or higher internal recording mode. With today’s announcement, it seems that Canon has finally made it and offers us, filmmakers, a very interesting mirrorless camera to work with. Let’s take a look at both new models, Canon EOS R5 and EOS R6, starting by what both bodies have in common. New Generation EOS R Cameras Both cameras feature full-frame CMOS sensors (although with different resolutions – more on this later) and Canon RF Mount. There is a DIGIC X processor at the core of EOS R5 and EOS R6 – the same processor used in the EOS-1D X Mark III. Although we will focus on video capabilities, let’s get some photography features out of the way first. Canon EOS R5 Camera Set with RF Lenses. Image credit: Canon Both EOS R5 and EOS R6 can shoot photos at up to 20fps with the electronic shutter with full auto exposure (AE) and autofocus (AF) tracking or up to 12fps with the mechanical and electronic first curtain shutter. Stabilization Both cameras feature new 5-axis In-Body Image Stabilisation (IBIS) which comes in very handy for handheld shooting and low shutter speeds. Canon claims their IBIS is the world’s best image stabilization among all interchangeable-lens digital cameras. From their testing, it can compensate up to 8.0 stops. The IBIS has been designed to work collaboratively with the IS system of RF and EF lenses to further enhance the stabilization, but it will, of course, stabilize non-stabilized lenses and vintage lenses as well. Autofocus We all know Canon’s great Dual Pixel autofocus system. Both new cameras support the next generation Dual Pixel CMOS AF II which, according to Canon, further improves the focus speed and reliability. The autofocus should also work better in low light – the EOS R5 can focus in light levels as low as -6EV and EOS R6 even as low as -6.5EV (both tested for still photo shooting). Canon EOS R5 Camera with Lens. Image credit: Canon The autofocus can also track objects. The iTR AF X AF system ensures subjects are kept sharp even when moving unpredictably with a shallow depth of field. Even if a person turns away for a moment, their head continues to be tracked. It recognizes faces and eyes of humans, and now includes cats, dogs, and birds in both still and movie modes. Connectivity The cameras offer built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Both EOS R5 (5Ghz Wi-Fi) and EOS R6 (2.4Ghz Wi-Fi) can be connected to a smartphone and networks allowing high-speed file sharing and FTP/FTPS transfer. They can also be remotely controlled using the Camera Connect and EOS Utility apps, tethered to a PC or Mac via Wi-Fi or high-speed USB 3.1 Gen 2. Canon EOS R5 – Internal 8K RAW Video The EOS R5 incorporates a 45-megapixel sensor with 100% AF coverage with 5,940 selectable AF points and an ISO range of 100 – 51,200. The camera has two card slots – one CFexpress and one SD UHS-II slot – housed in a weather-resistant magnesium body. The EOS R5 body only weighs 650g (738g with battery/ memory card). Canon EOS R5 Camera. Image credit: cinema5D Now it gets interesting – internal recording modes (with full AF performance including continuous eye and face AF tracking): 8K (8192 x 4320) video recording up to 29.97fps (non-cropped) in 12-bit RAW, or in 4:2:2 10-bit Canon Log (H.265), or 4:2:2 10-bit HDR PQ (H.265) 4K (DCI or UHD) video recording up to 119.88fps (non-cropped) in 4:2:2 10-bit Canon Log (H.265) or 4:2:2 10-bit HDR PQ (H.265) There is also a so-called 4K HQ mode available up to 30p. It internally oversamples 8K footage to 4K resolution to offer better detail than ordinary 4K mode. The EOS R5 can also output 4:2:2 10-bit in Canon Log or 4:2:2 10-bit HDR PQ video signal via HDMI at 4K 59.94fps. Canon EOS R5 Camera – 8K recording modes. Image credit: cinema5D There is currently no info on whether the 4K recording mode will also be available in RAW. We also don’t know available framerates for FHD as well as bitrates for each recording mode. We will of course update the article as the info gets available. Canon EOS R6 – Larger Pixels The second announced body, EOS R6 features 20.1-megapixel full-frame sensor with up to 6,072 selectable AF points. Because the sensor has much larger pixels, it offers ISO between 100 – 102,400. I expect better low light performance than the EOS R5, but it will, of course, need to be tested. The EOS R6 can film in 4K UHD resolution internally at up to 59.94fps in either 8-bit H.264 or 10-bit YCbCr 4:2:2 H.265 with Canon Log. This is achieved through oversampling from 5.1K (uncropped). Canon EOS R6 Camera – recording modes. Image credit: cinema5D In Full HD, the camera can record slow-motion footage at up to 119.88fps with AF. The 0.5” EVF has a slightly lower resolution than the one in R5 – 3.69 million dot EVF working up to 120fps maximum refresh rate. The flip-out screen is slightly smaller with 3” and offers 1.62 million dot resolution. Canon EOS R6 Camera. Image credit: cinema5D There are two card slots as well, but they are both SD UHS-II slots. They support simultaneous recording, with the ability to record in different formats for safety, security, and speed. The EOS R6 body only weighs 598g (690g with battery/ memory card) and is therefore slightly lighter than the EOS R5. New Battery Pack and Battery Grip Canon also announced a new type of battery pack – LP-E6NH. It offers the same form factor as the LP-E6 or LP-E6N, but there is a 14% more capacity with 2130mAh. The new BG-R10 battery grip is available for both EOS R5 and R6. It can hold two batteries (LP-E6/N/NH) and also offers duplicate controls for easier vertical shooting. Last but not least, the WFT-R10 is a battery grip style Wi-Fi transmitter with 2×2 MIMO antennas for faster and longer-range transmission – compatible with EOS R5. WFT-R10 also features enhanced network processing enabling SFTP via Wi-Fi and includes a gigabyte speed via the ethernet port. Price and Availability Both new cameras are available for pre-order. Price has been set to $3,899 (around €3,900 in Europe) for the Canon EOS R5 and to $2,499 (around €2,330 in Europe) for the more affordable EOS R6. Shipping should start soon. What do you think about Canon’s new cameras? Do you think you will utilize 8K RAW video? Which body looks more appealing to you? Is there something you miss in these cameras? Let us know in the comments underneath the article.

Canon launched its EOS Webcam Utility Beta for macOS as well. Users need a supported Canon camera with the right USB cable. The free app works on Apple computers with macOS 10.15 (Catalina), 10.14 (Mojave), or 10.13 (High Sierra). EOS Webcam Utility for macOS. Source: Canon After many countries worldwide applied strict social distancing policies in reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of videoconference calls went through the roof. While most people take built-in desktops or laptops webcams as sufficient, some want to have a better image and sound quality. For those who have a Canon camera, there is an app that turns it into a web camera. When Canon launched its EOS Webcam Utility application for Windows at the beginning of May, it caught the interest of many people. The free app transforms any supported Canon camera into a webcam using only a USB cable. One thing Canon’s customers were asking for the most, was to bring the app to macOS so that Apple users can also take advantage of it. The macOS version is finally here. Canon made a useful Youtube video with instructions on how to use the app on macOS. The Canon EOS Webcam Utility Beta app for Mac works only on Apple computers with macOS 10.15 (Catalina), 10.14 (Mojave), or 10.13 (High Sierra). Interestingly, Canon says that this software is for use in the U.S. and will not be supported outside that area. While I know of many people who use the app outside of the U.S., there might be some compatibility issues with cameras made for different markets. Download Instructions Go to the Canon EOS Webcam Utility Website. Select your camera model from the list. Select the “Drivers & Downloads” tab. Select the “Software” tab. For Windows users: Select Windows 10 (x64), if not already detected, from the Operating System list. For Mac users: Select 10.15 (Catalina), 10.14 (Mojave), or 10.13 (High Sierra)., if not already detected, from the Operating System list. Find “EOS Webcam Utility Beta” and click the “SELECT” button. Click the download button to start downloading. Canon EOS Webcam Utility – Troubleshooting After immense feedback and many questions from Canon’s customers, the company published a list of notes and tips for the use of their EOS Webcam Utility. EOS Webcam Utility Beta. Source: Canon When using the EOS Webcam Utility Beta software with macOS 10.14 (Mojave) and 10.15 (Catalina), the following applications will not list or permit EOS Webcam Utility Beta software to function on the device: Safari (Use Google Chrome), FaceTime, Skype, Zoom, WebEx (Use Web-based Skype, Zoom and WebEx in Google Chrome instead of a native application). When using EOS Webcam Utility Beta software with your camera, the video source image will not be visible if the EOS Utility application is running on your computer.  For EOS Webcam Utility Beta software to perform correctly, you need to “Quit” the EOS Utility. When using EOS Webcam Utility Beta software with your camera set to Still Photo Shooting mode, a black border may appear around the video source image or the video source image may be cropped. Canon suggests EOS Webcam Utility Beta software to be used with your camera set to Movie Shooting mode, if available. When using EOS Webcam Utility Beta software, switching modes on your camera between Still Photo Shooting mode and Movie Shooting mode, or turning your camera to on from the off position during video conferencing, it may take several seconds to recover your video feed. When using EOS Webcam Utility Beta software, only one video conferencing application will receive video feed at any given time. Other applications running simultaneously, where EOS Webcam Utility Beta has been selected as the video source, will display a default title screen. Canon recommends that you “Quit” any other video conferencing application not in use. When using EOS Webcam Utility Beta software, if the USB connection is unplugged during video conferencing, the video conferencing application may not display correctly. If this occurs and you cannot recover video feed after you reconnect the USB connection, you may have to restart your video conferencing application or restart your computer. When using EOS Webcam Utility Beta software with the EOS M50 camera, Canon suggests that the LCD screen be open and faced towards the user to achieve optimal performance. Example of supported cameras. Source: Canon Supported Canon EOS DSLR cameras EOS-1D X Mark II EOS-1D X Mark III EOS 5D Mark IV EOS 5DS EOS 5DS R EOS 6D Mark II EOS 7D Mark II EOS 77D EOS 80D EOS 90D EOS Rebel SL2 EOS Rebel SL3 EOS Rebel T6 EOS Rebel T6i EOS Rebel T7 EOS Rebel T7i EOS Rebel T100 Supported Canon EOS Mirrorless Cameras EOS M6 Mark II EOS M50 EOS M200 EOS R EOS RP Supported Canon PowerShot Cameras PowerShot G5X Mark II PowerShot G7X Mark III PowerShot SX70 HS Canon is collecting feedback from the EOS Webcam Utility users, so if you have some issues or you simply want to say thank you, you can do so on Canon Community Forum (Windows version, macOS version). Did you try the EOS utility already? How do you like it? Let us know in the comment section underneath the article.

Canon EOS Webcam Utility Beta is a free app that allows connecting a select Canon camera to the computer and using it as a webcam. It only requires a compatible USB cable, but currently runs on Windows 10 machines only. Canon EOS Webcam Utility Beta. Source: Canon Since the COVID-19 came and changed the world as we know it, more and more people started working remotely and streaming their videos online. Using a laptop’s built-in webcam, of course, has its limitations – especially when it comes to picture and sound quality. Using a DSLR or mirrorless camera as a webcam can significantly improve the resulting quality. While this workflow certainly isn’t new, it usually requires an extra piece of hardware to convert the camera’s clean HDMI output to the USB-compatible webcam device. There are numerous devices from reputable companies like AJA, Blackmagic Design, Epiphan, Teradek, and others, to do just that. Canon, however, has recently launched the EOS Webcam Utility software to connect the camera directly to the PC. What are its features? EOS Webcam Utility Beta Software Canon claims their new EOS Webcam Utility is an easy-to-use, plug-and-play solution to connect a Canon camera to the computer and use it as a webcam. However, this currently has two limitations – it only works on Windows PC and only for select Canon cameras. The list of supported cameras currently include: EOS-1D X Mark III (includes USB interface cable) EOS-1D X Mark II (includes USB interface cable) EOS 5DS R (includes USB interface cable) EOS 5DS (includes USB interface cable) EOS 5D Mark IV (includes USB interface cable) EOS R (includes USB interface cable) EOS 6D Mark II EOS RP EOS 7D Mark II (includes USB interface cable) EOS 90D EOS 80D EOS 77D EOS Rebel T7i EOS Rebel T6i (includes USB interface cable) EOS Rebel T7 EOS Rebel T6 (includes USB interface cable) EOS Rebel SL3 EOS Rebel SL2 EOS Rebel T100 EOS M6 Mark II EOS M50 EOS M200 PowerShot G5X Mark II PowerShot G7X Mark III PowerShot SX70 HS As you can see, for many camera models, the USB cable needs to be purchased separately. As for the computer system requirements, Canon writes the following: Windows 10 64-bit, Intel Pentium 1.6GHz or faster processor, with 2 GB or greater of RAM, a display screen resolution of 1,024×768 pixels or more and screen colors medium (16-bit). For Apple users, the EOS Webcam Utility does not work at the moment. Canon says on their website that “Mac compatibility currently pending.” That could mean they are working on a version for Mac, but I don’t know for sure. In the end, the current version is Beta only, so I hope we might see an update in this regard. Canon EOS Webcam Utility Beta. Source: Canon Those of you, who have a compatible camera, cable, and computer system, can head over to Canon Website and download the free EOS Webcam Utility Beta. Canon has also put together a PDF file with instructions if you struggle with getting it up and running. Did you try the EOS Webcam Utility already? How did it work for you? Do you prefer a different solution for connecting your camera as a webcam? Let us know in the comments underneath the article.

In their Virtual Press Conference today, hosted simultaneously with our Virtual Trade Show, Canon pulled back the curtain a little bit more on the upcoming EOS R5, and what they revealed is nothing but incredible.  Despite the Coronavirus running rampant, Canon still promises to deliver this exciting camera to the world on schedule, expected by the end of this year, possibly as early as summer. So let’s keep you drooling and look at what was announced. Image Credit: Canon EOS R5 Specs, As Previously Announced With today’s announcement, Canon has pulled back a little bit more of the curtain on the R5. This is the list of features that we knew a month ago:  A new CMOS sensor.  It can shoot 8K video, and it can down-sample 8K videos to 4K for improved image quality. Dual-card slot. It is the first-ever Canon camera to feature in-body image stabilization (IBIS). The possibility to shoot stills at up to 20 frames per second using an electronic shutter. Using the mechanical shutter, you can go at up to 12 FPS. Support automatic transfer of image files from the R5 to the image.canon cloud platform. Image credit: Canon EOS R5 Specs, Updated We can add a few things to this list, primarily on the video side of things. And they are very, very exciting updates. 8K/30p RAW video recording internally 8K/30p recording in 4:2:2 10-bit C-Log and HDR PQ internally 4K/120p recording in 4:2:2 10-bit C-Log and HDR PQ internally 4K/60p video recording over HDMI No-crop 8K and 4K video recording Dual Pixel CMOS AF in all recording modes (8K included) C-Log available in all internal recording modes Dual-card slots: 1 CFexpress and 1 SD UHS-II Image credit: Canon Takeaways Their R-mount lens lineup has been rock-solid up to now, but it has lacked a true top-tier flagship camera to anchor the lineup. It certainly appears Canon has found that in their EOS R5. We keep waiting for the other shoe to drop, for Canon to reveal the flaw, the catch, the Achille’s heel of this camera, and so far they keep failing to do so. The 8K video could easily have been limited to 8-bit 4:2:0 at a pitiful bitrate, but that seems not to be the case here. Dual Pixel CMOS AF could have been restricted to 1080p, or lower frame rates. There could have been a massive crop in 8K mode. But every time they pull the curtain back a little further, the picture only gets better. After many years of falling behind Sony, Fujifilm, and Panasonic, Canon has leapt ahead of he competition. Now all they have to do is stick the landing. What price range would the R5 have to be for you to invest? Will this make Canon the new king of the hill, or do they still have more ground to make up? Let us know in the comments!

The newly announced Canon 24-105mm F/4-7.1 IS STM is available for pre-order, sporting an RF mount for compatibility with the Canon EOS R mirrorless line. The Canon 24-105mm F/4-7.1 IS STM is a budget friendly zoom lens for RF-mount mirrorless cameras. As the name suggests, it has a variable aperture; f/4 being it’s widest. Image Stabilization (IS) is present, as well as Canons more video-friendly STM focus system. Stepper Motor Technology is quieter than the older USM system, a little slower but most importantly for video a little less jittery, making it smoother when racking focus. All current Canon RF mount mirrorless cameras are full frame, so naturally the Canon24-105mm F/4-7.1 IS STM covers this sensor size. It’s one of only a handful of budget friendly RF mount lenses. Canon has seemed to focus on initially rolling out varieties of professional L series lenses for the mirrorless format; the price point of the new 24-105mm F/4-7.1 IS STM makes it a strong contender for the go-to budget video kit lens. Full specification of the Canon 24-105mm F/4-7.1 IS STM below Focal Length: 24-105mm Maximum Aperture: f/4 to 7.1 Minimum Aperture: f/40 Lens Mount: Canon RF Format: Full-Frame Angle of View: 84° to 23° 20′ Minimum Focus Distance: 5.16″ / 13.1 cm Maximum Magnification: 0.5x Optical Design: 13 Elements in 11 Groups Diaphragm Blades: 7, Rounded Focus Type: Autofocus, STM Image Stabilization: Yes Filter Size: 67 mm (Front) Dimensions: (ø x L) 3.02 x 3.5″ / 76.6 x 88.8 mm Weight: 13.93 oz / 395 g Comparing it to this to the nearest RF zoom lens (non L series). The Canon RF 24-240mm F/4-6.3 IS USM is a little faster, over twice as long, but twice the price. You are also shaving almost half the weight (13.93 lbs./395g v 1.65 lbs./751.26g), and have the aforementioned STM focusing advantage for video. Pre-order links below. Are you invested into Canon’s RF system yet? What do you think about the new lens? Let me know in the comments below!

Zacuto ACT Recoil is a new line of rigs for DSLR and DSLM (mirrorless) cameras. They consist of an Arca-Swiss compatible camera baseplate, Tactical Handle, Right Trigger Grip with flip-up quick-adjust joint, Axis Micro EVF mount, and ACT EVF Pro with a flip-up loupe. The rigs come either with a camera-specific cage, universal cage or without a cage. ACT Recoil rigs for DSLR and DSLM. Source: Zacuto The US-based camera accessories manufacturer Zacuto has been offering their Recoil Rigs for cinema cameras (like the FS7, EVA1, C200, and similar) for a while now. With the launch of the new ACT Recoil, Zacuto is aiming mostly at filmmakers working with DSLR and DSLM (mirrorless) cameras. Let’s take a short look at the features and specs of the Zacuto ACT Recoil rigs. Zacuto ACT Recoil Rigs The new ACT Recoil is not only one new rig. It is a new rigging system, that comes in ten different sets. The rigs are primarily designed for DSLR and DSLM cameras. ACT Recoil Rigs position the camera directly over the shoulder with the ability to slide it forward or back to find the best balance point. The handgrip and EVF are moved further forward for comfortable work. ACT Recoil Rigs are mostly comprised of six main components: ACT Baseplate with built-in shoulder pad – includes Arca-Swiss quick release plate camera cage – camera-specific or universal Tactical Handle – can be used as a top or side grip Right Trigger Grip – comes with a Zacuto flip-up quick-adjust joint Axis Micro EVF mount ACT EVF Pro with a flip-up loupe – 3.5″ LCD electronic viewfinder ACT Recoil rigs for DSLR and DSLM. Source: Zacuto Zacuto offers ready-to-shoot options with camera-specific cages (Sony a7R IV, Panasonic S1H, Z CAM E2 Series, Blackmagic Pocket 4k/6k, FUJIFILM X-T3, Nikon Z6/Z7) or with a universal camera cage. There is an option for all camera sizes – from tiny cameras like the SIGMA fp up to large DSLRs like the Canon 1DX series. There is also a cageless option of the ACT Recoil Rig. Instead of a camera cage, it offers the Axis Curve – a rod-mounting EVF Mount that attaches directly to the ACT Baseplate. ACT Recoil rigs for DSLR and DSLM. Source: Zacuto Extra accessories like a second grip, quick-release plates, and the run’n’gun Marauder Mini are available to round out the rigs. Price and Availability In total, there are ten different Zacuto ACT Recoil Rigs. They are all available for pre-order now, shipping is planned to start at the end of March. Price is from $850 for the basic rig without camera cage till $1,450 for the ACT Recoil Rig with camera cage. Do you rig your DSLR or DSLM camera for video work? What do you think about the Zacuto ACT Recoil Rigs? Let us know in the comments underneath the article.

SmallRig has announced their FUJIFILM X-T4 cage. It is a one-piece construction made of aluminum alloy, and features cold shoe, 1/4″-20, and 3/8″-16 accessory threads with ARRI locating pins, anti-twist pin, NATO rail, a built-in Arca Swiss quick-release plate, and an integrated flat head screwdriver. SmallRig has also introduced a version of this cage for the camera with the battery grip attached. The cages are compatible with a wide variety of SmallRig accessories. FUJIFILM X-T4 Cage introduced. Source: SmallRig FUJIFILM has announced their new flagship mirrorless APS-C camera with in-body image stabilization and if you missed it, make sure to take a look at Johnnie’s FUJIFILM X-T4 hands-on review and mini documentary shot with that camera. Because the dimensions of the new X-T4 are a bit different than the X-T3, the current cages won’t fit the new camera. The Chinese camera accessories manufacturer SmallRig reacted very quickly – and have already introduced their cage for the X-T4. Let’s take a short look at it. SmallRig FUJIFILM X-T4 Cage This full cage is machined from a single piece of aluminum alloy, and with 202g it is quite lightweight. For those familiar with SmallRig’s four-digit product numbers, it is CCF2808 for this cage. The cage has been designed to fit quite tightly around the FUJIFILM X-T4, but according to SmallRig, all the vital dials, buttons, and compartments should be well accessible. FUJIFILM X-T4 Cage introduced. Source: SmallRig The cage offers multiple 1/4″-20, and four 3/8″-16 accessory threads. Three of the 3/8″-16 threads even feature ARRI locating pins. There is an integrated cold shoe on top and a NATO rail on the left side of the cage. On the bottom inside the cage – in addition to the 1/4″-20 screw – there is a small retractable anti-twist pin, which locks the camera in place and prevents it from twisting. FUJIFILM X-T4 Cage introduced. Source: SmallRig The lower part of the cage features a built-in Arca Swiss quick-release plate. There is also a flat-head screwdriver integrated on the bottom within the cage, which is held with magnets. Additionally, the cage provides a strap slot on each side. Even though FUJIFILM has redesigned the grip of the X-T4 to be slightly larger and more ergonomic than the X-T3’s, SmallRig decided to further enlarge the right-hand grip with an aluminum extension on the cage itself. FUJIFILM X-T4 Cage introduced. Source: SmallRig The cage is compatible with the dedicated HDMI & USB cable clamp (BSC2809), top handle (2165), side handle (2093), monitor mount (BSE2348), and NATO handle (2187). The dimensions of the cage are 150.3 x 59 x 106mm. Smallrig FUJIFILM X-T4 Cage – with Battery Grip FUJIFILM X-T4 Cage introduced. Source: SmallRig SmallRig has also designed a version of the cage for the camera, with the VG-XT4 battery grip attached. It does not have the anti-twist pin on the inside, but I suppose it is secured against twisting by the tight fit around the area of the battery grip. The cage features two threads in the front for attaching SmallRig’s 15mm Rod Clamp (1943). FUJIFILM X-T4 Cage introduced. Source: SmallRig This version of the cage also does not have the built-in Arca Swiss quick-release plate on the bottom. SmallRig’s serial number for the cage is CCF2810. Price and Availability Both versions of the new SmallRig FUJIFILM X-T4 cage are now available for pre-order. According to SmallRig, the shipping should start after March 28th 2020. The full price of the simple cage is supposed to be US$79, yet during pre-order, it is available for US$54.90. For the larger cage (camera with battery grip), the price has been set to be US$99, while the pre-order price is US$69.90. Are you planning to get the new FUJIFILM X-T4? What do you think about these SmallRig cages? Do you have any experience with SmallRig cages in general? Let us know in the comments underneath the article.

Venus Optics released new Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2X Macro APO lens with 2:1 magnification. This fully manual lens is designed for cameras with APS-C sensors and it comes in three different versions – for Sony E, FUJIFILM X, and Canon EF-M lens mount. The lens is available now for around $399/€400. Laowa 65mm 2X Macro lens. Image credit: Jonas Rask The chinese lens manufacturer Venus Optics is known mostly for unique fully manual prime lenses. One of their most unique lenses is the 24mm f/14 Macro Probe Lens (you can take a look at our review here). Venus Optics recently released another new lens with macro feature – Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2X Macro APO. What are its features and specs? Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2X Macro APO Lens Laowa 65mm 2X Macro lenses mounted on cameras. Source: Laowa This lens is the first macro lens that Venus Optics designed specifically for mirrorless cameras with APS-C sensors and they say it is the only APS-C mirrorless lens in the market that is capable of achieving a 2:1 magnification. Its 9-bladed aperture can be manually set between f/2.8 and f/22. The lens comes with FUJIFILM X, Sony E & Canon EOS-M lens mounts. Laowa 65mm 2X Macro lens. Source: Laowa The full-frame equivalent focal length of this lens is approximately 100mm, which generally seems like a good choice for macro lens as many other manufacturers produce macro lenses with this focal length. The Laowa 65mm 2X Macro lens can focus from 2:1 all the way to infinity so it can also be used for standard shooting, like for instance portraits. The 2:1 maximum magnification ratio along with a minimum focusing distance of 6.7” (17cm) makes it a really capable macro lens. Laowa 65mm 2X Macro lens sample image. Credit: Christopher Frost The lens incorporates a 14 elements in 10 groups design with 3 extra-low dispersion glasses to minimize chromatic aberrations across the frame. It has inherited the APO design from Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2X Macro lens. As Venus Optics state, the new Laowa 65mm 2X Macro lens is designed to remove both LaCA (lateral chromatic aberration) and LoCA (longitudinal chromatic aberration – bokeh fringing) to an invisible level. Laowa 65mm 2X Macro lens sample image. Credit: Micael Widell   The Laowa 65mm 2X Macro lens features an internal focus design so that the overall lens length is maintained during focusing. Its body features metal construction, but Venus Optics maintained lightweight and compact design. The lens weighs 11.8oz (335g) and it is 100mm long with a diameter of 57mm. Laowa 65mm 2X Macro lens sample image. Credit: Christopher Frost Lens Technical Specifications Focal Length: 65mm Aperture: f/2.8 – f22 Angle of view: 24.4° Lens Structure: 14 elements in 10 groups (3 extra-low dispersion glass) Aperture Blades: 9 Min. Focusing Distance: 17cm Max. Magnification: 2x Focus mode: Manual Focus Dimensions: φ57mm*100mm Filter Thread: φ52mm Weight: 335g Format Compatibility: APS-C Mounts: Sony E / Fuji-X / Canon-M Laowa 65mm 2X Macro lens construction. Source: Laowa Laowa 65mm 2X Macro lens MTF charts. Source: Laowa Price and Availability Laowa 65mm 2X Macro lenses mounted on cameras. Source: Laowa The Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2X Macro APO lens is available now. The pricing has been set to around $399 in the US and around €400 in Europe. Purchase links are included below our article. What do you think of the new Laowa 65mm 2X Macro lens? Do you use macro lenses for your video work? Let us know in the comments below the article.