Sony Middle East and Africa announces the FE 85mm F1.4 GM II (SEL85F14GM2) a premium lens offering a supreme blend of high resolution and stunning bokeh with fast autofocus (AF) in a compact body. This is a second-generation lens that inherits the optical design that achieved a high-level fusion of bokeh and resolution that was highly praised in the first-generation model and generously incorporates the latest technology. When paired with the latest Sony Alpha series cameras, it is an ideal option for a wide variety of creative uses in both photography and videography, including portraiture, wedding, travel, and cinematic video.

The advanced and refined optical design and elements of the FE 85mm F1.4 GM II bring together appealing bokeh and enhanced high resolution, making it ideal for portrait photography. Packed with two XA (extreme aspherical) and two ED (extra-low dispersion) lenses, the state-of-the-art optical design effectively suppresses aberrations. This combination offers corner-to-corner resolution and rendering, resulting in outstanding image quality. Moreover, Sony’s original Nano AR Coating II technology effectively subdues flare and ghosting for clear, crisp images. The 11-blade circular aperture and optimisation of spherical aberration during the design and manufacturing process provide the beautiful, soft bokeh that is the hallmark of the G Master series.

The FE 85mm F1.4 GM II’s AF is agile, maximising the speed advantage of advanced camera bodies. For stills, it is up to 3 times faster compared to the previous model, tracking moving subjects with high precision. It keeps up flawlessly with the Alpha 9 III’s 120fps continuous shooting, and subject tracking performance is improved by as much as 7 times. Compared to the current 85mm F1.4 GM1, the weight of the FE 85mm F1.4 GM II (642 grams) is approximately 20% lighter and 13% smaller in volume, which is achieved through the latest mechanical technology and optical design. The FE 85mm F1.4 GM II has a filter diameter of φ77 mm, a diameter of 84.7 mm and a length of 107.3 mm.

For smooth movie creation at F1.4, the FE 85mm F1.4 GM II has an XD linear motor. Focus breathing is minimal, and in-body focus breathing compensation is supported. It has two customisable focus hold buttons and an AF/MF switch offers flexible operability, while an independent aperture ring and Linear Response MF focus control provide the kind of intuitive control that creative shooting demands. The front lens element features a fluorine coating, which makes it easy to remove fingerprints, dust, oil, and other contaminants from the lens surface. The dust and moisture-resistant design provides extra reliability for outdoor use in challenging conditions.

The FE 85mm F1.4 GM II will be available in the Middle East from September 2024.

Canon Europe raises the bar for professional photography and videography with the launch of the highly anticipated EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II mirrorless cameras. These flagships for the EOS R System boast unparalleled performance, streamlined workflows, and intuitive user experiences.

EOS R1: Built for Uncompromising Speed and Accuracy
The EOS R1 inherits the legacy of the EOS-1 series, renowned for its reliability and high performance. It’s a dream camera for news and sports photographers, capturing the decisive moment every time.

• Groundbreaking Autofocus: Introducing a revolutionary new Cross-Type AF system, the EOS R1 excels in challenging situations, tracking subjects through nets, picking out smaller details, and focusing on vertical details in low-horizontal-detail scenarios.
• Unmatched Speed: Capture fast-paced action with a silent electronic shutter offering a staggering 40fps with AF tracking and 20 frames of pre-continuous shooting.
• Exceptional Image Quality: Despite its high speed, the 24.2MP sensor delivers exceptional detail. Deep Learning image upscaling and noise reduction provide in-camera options for 96MP images.
• Hybrid Multimedia Powerhouse: Shoot 6K resolution at 60fps, 4K at 120fps, or Full HD at a remarkable 240fps for smooth slow-motion capture.
• Built to Endure: The weather-resistant body with a renewed texture and integrated vertical grip ensures durability in harsh environments.

EOS R5 Mark II: Unmatched Versatility for Hybrid Creators
The EOS R5 Mark II builds upon the legacy of the EOS R5, pushing the boundaries for hybrid photography and videography.

• Exceptional Resolution and Speed: The new back-illuminated, stacked sensor boasts a stunning 45MP resolution. Capture fast-moving subjects with the 30fps electronic shutter and low rolling shutter distortion. Pre-continuous shooting captures 15 frames before the shutter press, ensuring you never miss the moment.
• Unleash Your Creativity: Advanced image upscaling allows for in-camera creation of stunning 180MP images with exceptional noise reduction.
• Seamless Hybrid Functionality: Enjoy enhanced synergy with the Canon Cinema EOS line, with shared features and formats. Record stunning 8K 60p from the full sensor width with 12-bit internal RAW recording, or create captivating 4K videos at up to 120p with sound.
• Enhanced Workflow: Streamline your post-production with video proxies, industry-standard file naming, and structured folders.
• Compact and Durable: The lightweight magnesium alloy body features a fog-resistant, brighter viewfinder for exceptional usability, even in challenging conditions.

A New Era for EOS R
The EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II represent a complete professional package, offering the ultimate in speed, reliability, versatility, and practicality. Together with Canon’s expanding EOS R System cameras and RF lenses, these powerhouses solidify Canon’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology for all genres of photography and videography.

Canon Europe has announced the release of a new free-of-charge firmware update for the EOS C500 Mark II, further enhancing the camera’s professional functionality. The firmware update adds 12-bit Cinema RAW Light formats: LT (Light), ST (Standard) and HQ (High Quality), improving workflow flexibility and providing more options post-production. Previously made available for the EOS R5 C and EOS C70, this highly requested feature allows users to select a scalable range of internal RAW recording data rates that either further enhance the fidelity of the sensor output or reduce file sizes – all while maintaining the high-quality 12-bit colour information.

The EOS C500 Mark II features a 5.9K full-frame sensor, internal RAW recording, interchangeable lens mount and highly configurable modular design. The camera is a popular choice for television and cinematic productions due to its impressive image quality, extensive connectivity, and compact body. 

Aron Randhawa, Senior Product Specialist at Canon Europe, said, “Cinema RAW Light is continually evolving and has a clear advantage over heavily compressed formats, especially for colour grading and VFX pipelines. All three scalable new formats are 12-bit, even at higher frame rates, with no chroma subsampling, enabling cinematographers to unleash the full capability of their production camera.”