It’s here, Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM officially announced

[entoman]

If they do that, they should add that functionality to the focus bracketing feature as well!

Yes, in theory it should be possible not only to manually define nearest and furthest points, but also for "AI" to determine how many steps are needed for whatever aperture you (or the camera) deems best for the stack.

I'm sure that such abilities will find their way into cameras, given time, although I can't help but feel that if we rely on AI and automation too much, it would take away much of the satisfaction and sense of achievement that comes from trial and error and mastering techniques.

I can understand that a lot of people want automation to do everything for them, but if one loses that sense of achievement, what is the point of it all? Ah, you might reply "it leaves me to concentrate on composition"...

But what comes next? Automated composition, whereby the camera gives the scene in your viewfinder points, depending on how closely your composition adheres to a preprogrammed set of "rules" ? Maybe it already happens with hi-end smartphones...

 

[AlanF]

I can understand that a lot of people want automation to do everything for them, but if one loses that sense of achievement, what is the point of it all?

The point of it all is to capture the image.

 

[entoman]

The point of it all is to capture the image.

For a professional yes, because they have to come up with the goods, but for a hobbyist the point is not only to get a good end result, but to get enjoyment while doing so.

Up to a point, automation is extremely useful, but if it reached the point where it led to a loss of personal satisfaction, I'd give up photography altogether (and I suspect you'd do the same - imagine if your BIF and DIF became so easy that it became boring).

 

[neuroanatomist]

For a professional yes, because they have to come up with the goods, but for a hobbyist the point is not only to get a good end result, but to get enjoyment while doing so.

Up to a point, automation is extremely useful, but if it reached the point where it led to a loss of personal satisfaction, I'd give up photography altogether (and I suspect you'd do the same - imagine if your BIF and DIF became so easy that it became boring).

Shooting architecture is not ‘challenging’ in the same way that birds and bugs are…buildings don’t move. But there is composition, lighting, and many other aspects to creating a compelling image.

 

[AlanF]

For a professional yes, because they have to come up with the goods, but for a hobbyist the point is not only to get a good end result, but to get enjoyment while doing so.

Up to a point, automation is extremely useful, but if it reached the point where it led to a loss of personal satisfaction, I'd give up photography altogether (and I suspect you'd do the same - imagine if your BIF and DIF became so easy that it became boring).

I am not limited by my gear or by technology - I was some years back - but by the difficulty of catching my subjects and the composition of the images. What gives me no satisfaction is taking photos in a zoo or aviary or captive birds flying. It's the thrill of the chase or the search for better images that keeps me going.

 

[entoman]

Shooting architecture is not ‘challenging’ in the same way that birds and bugs are…buildings don’t move. But there is composition, lighting, and many other aspects to creating a compelling image.

Composition, lighting etc are important aspects of almost all genres of photography. But do we really want cameras that "teach" us by awarding points to each image based on a preconceived and preprogrammed set of "rules" about composition and lighting? Phones can already be set so they only take photos when someone is smiling, or can process an image to put a smile where none existed. This sort of tech (and more) will find its way into "real" cameras before long. This isn't sci-fi any longer.

"Hey, ChatGPT, go write me an essay, so I don't have to think".

"Hey, OpenAI, go produce a portrait of my wife, in the style of Rembrandt"

"Hey, PhotoDroneAI, get up there and take a landscape in the style of Constable"

How far do *you* want automation to go. How far would it have to go before you felt no challenge, no sense of achievement?

 

[entoman]

I am not limited by my gear or by technology - I was some years back - but by the difficulty of catching my subjects and the composition of the images. What gives me no satisfaction is taking photos in a zoo or aviary or captive birds flying. It's the thrill of the chase or the search for better images that keeps me going.

Oh I understand that, I'm in exactly the same position myself.

This is off topic, but I'm just trying to stimulate a brief discussion on a subject that I feel is highly relevant to all of us i.e. how far do we want "AI" to take control of various aspects of our photography?

 

[neuroanatomist]

I could go on and on.

Please don’t. This isn’t complicated. Sales force junkets to a tropical destination are irrelevant here.

Unit profit (unit margin, unit contribution margin, pick your terminology) is the cost to produce (distribute, market, etc.) an item subtracted from the selling price of that item. Reducing the cost to produce an item while keeping the selling price the same increases unit profit. From a corporate perspective, that’s a good thing.

Examples include using a 2-position switch instead of a 3-position switch, omitting the switch entirely, not including a lens hood and pouch. I could go on and on.

 

[neuroanatomist]

Please don’t. Quoting basic accounting doesn’t change the fact that corporates make decisions where costs are disassociated from profit.

Of course they do. But I trust you're not suggesting that all corporate decisions are disassociated from profit. In particular, decisions about product design are typically influenced, and in many cases strongly influenced, by the cost of production. We're not talking about HR decisions, M&A decisions, etc. Well, it seems you are but that's going off on quite the tangent.

Are you suggesting that decisions such as using less complicated parts in lens designs or not including accessories with certain lenses are decisions where costs are disassociated from profit? If so, I will repeat...

 

[entoman]

Examples include using a 2-position switch instead of a 3-position switch, omitting the switch entirely, not including a lens hood and pouch. I could go on and on.

*Adding* features that didn't previously exist (e.g. SA control and 1.4x repro with the RF100mm macro) costs a manufacturer money, so it fully justifies higher prices to those who need or want those features.

Likewise, *omitting* features, such as those you note, enable manufacturing costs to be reduced, and this generally makes products cheaper for the consumer.

Manufacturers have to assess how useful, or rather, how *desirable* particular features are, when designing gear and looking at potential pricing.

As individuals, we'll always be able to criticise products that omit features that we want (e.g. user-defined distance limiters), or include features that are superfluous to our purposes (e.g. SA control), but most of the time, Canon gets it right.

 

[Fischer]

Here in NZ it's $19,300 +gst (USD$10,640) which is about $1,140 USD more than USA price but then we get a full 5 year warranty here vs limited 1 year warranty in USA
If I fly to Sydney I can buy one duty free and still get the local NZ warranty.

Going down under soon - but I'd rather take the savings than the warranty myself. EU buyers also get 2 years instead of one. YMMV.

 

[usern4cr]

If they do that, they should add that functionality to the focus bracketing feature as well!

It's soooo nice to see others comment on simple, obvious & accurate ways that one(Canon) could let you control depth of AF focus. Similar effort can control depth of field and focus position (such as the user setting the near & far point for sharpness and letting the camera determine the best spot inbetween and (optionally) aperture to take the photo at. There are so many things, including focus bracketing, that could be done perfectly if users like us had a chance to specify how to do them in a feedback section that was read and commented on by those at Canon that can implement them when possible.

 

[neuroanatomist]

There are so many things, including focus bracketing, that could be done perfectly if users like us had a chance to specify how to do them in a feedback section that was read and commented on by those at Canon that can implement them when possible.

 

[entoman]

It's soooo nice to see others comment on simple, obvious & accurate ways that one(Canon) could let you control depth of AF focus. Similar effort can control depth of field and focus position (such as the user setting the near & far point for sharpness and letting the camera determine the best spot inbetween and (optionally) aperture to take the photo at. There are so many things, including focus bracketing, that could be done perfectly if users like us had a chance to specify how to do them in a feedback section that was read and commented on by those at Canon that can implement them when possible.

Canon receives plenty of feedback from professionals specialising in events, weddings, products, wildlife, sports, landscapes, astro and reportage. They also get plenty of feedback from reviewers (generalists who are unaware of the more niche needs/wants), and the reviewers themselves get plenty of feedback from internet forums. The information is there, and Canon undoubtedly studies it and takes it all into consideration.

Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a do-everything camera that will satisfy every user, but the cameras produced by all the major manufacturers today are extraordinarily well specified, and every new feature from our wish-lists that they add, complicates and lengthens the development process, and ultimately increases the price.

It's fun compiling wish-lists, but ultimately we have to settle for cameras that are designed for the "average" buyer, which in turn means that we have to be innovative ourselves in finding workarounds to any situation. It's really all part of the challenge that makes photography such a rewarding pastime.

 

[neuroanatomist]

Canon receives plenty of feedback from professionals specialising in events, weddings, products, wildlife, sports, landscapes, astro and reportage. They also get plenty of feedback from reviewers (generalists who are unaware of the more niche needs/wants), and the reviewers themselves get plenty of feedback from internet forums.

FWIW, I’m not a professional photographer, just a guy who’s bought a lot of Canon products. Canon has asked me for feedback on multiple occasions via surveys, some of which have asked about desired areas of improvement for cameras, sensors and lenses, and some have included open text fields to indicate features I’d like to see in future cameras.

One of those was even incorporated, the interval timer. You’re welcome.

 

[entoman]

FWIW, I’m not a professional photographer, just a guy who’s bought a lot of Canon products. Canon has asked me for feedback on multiple occasions via surveys, some of which have asked about desired areas of improvement for cameras, sensors and lenses, and some have included open text fields to indicate features I’d like to see in future cameras.

One of those was even incorporated, the interval timer. You’re welcome.

I buy far less gear than you (typically a body every 2-3 years and a mid-range lens every 12-18 months) but Canon often sends me surveys too. The questions are mostly quite general ones e.g. "what is more important to me - increased resolution or better high ISO performance"; but there have been more specialist questions, and opportunities to make additional comments. Several of my suggestions have been implemented. Not as a direct result of my feedback of course, just an indication that a significant number of those surveyed have made similar suggestions.

 

[entoman]

One of those was even incorporated, the interval timer. You’re welcome.

"I don't need an interval timer!"
"Remove it, and make the camera cheaper!"

 

[Del Paso]

Going down under soon - but I'd rather take the savings than the warranty myself. EU buyers also get 2 years instead of one. YMMV.

At a very high price...

 

[JTM-77]

Haha yeah right who is going to fork over $9500 bucks for this! they are taking the ****

 

[Del Paso]

Haha yeah right who is going to fork over $9500 bucks for this! they are taking the ****

Certainly not you...