Digital camera world recently asked Canon about the retro camera market, which has been very hot thanks to cameras like the Fujifilm X100 and they received an interesting response. Canon is aware of the popularity of retro cameras and might reintroduce a camera like the Canon AE-1 or Canonet QL17. If Canon decides to release a retro design I could see them releasing a film camera in addition to a retro-styled digital camera since both are very desirable at the moment.
Vintage-styled digital cameras got me back into photography in a big way over a decade ago with the Panasonic GF1, Leica M8/M9/M240, and Fujifilm X100. If Canon releases a Reto camera I hope that it has a rangefinder or is rangefinder-styled, because Leica’s rangefinders are obscenely overpriced, which would allow Canon to make a very respectable profit if they developed a new digital rangefinder camera.
Canon R5 Mark II orders have been showing up a bit early for some photographers who preordered from their local camera shops. The camera isn’t supposed to ship until August 20th, which most online retailers will follow.
Canon USA recently laid off between 100 and 150 employees at its Melville headquarters less than a year after getting a big tax break to keep staff employed. Now they may have to return the $7 million tax break. Here is the timeline of events:
December 14, 2023 – Canon could close Melville headquarters if more tax breaks aren’t approved, executive says:
“Canon U.S.A. Inc. may jettison its large headquarters building off the LIE in Melville and have its 1,100 employees work from home permanently if Suffolk County doesn’t grant additional tax breaks, a top executive said. The Japanese camera and photocopying giant is seeking more help because a 10-year incentive package initially approved in 2007 for $35 million is set to expire.” (source: Newsday)
December 17. 2023 – Canon USA gets another $7 million tax break after threatening to close shop in Melville, NY:
“Early last week, Canon U.S.A. Inc. claimed that it was going to jettison its large headquarters building off the LIE in Melville and have its 1,100 employees work from home permanently if Suffolk County NY doesn’t grant additional tax breaks, a top executive said. The Japanese camera and photocopying was seeking $7 million in tax breaks over 12 years from the Suffolk County Industrial Development. Last Thursday, Canon won a preliminary approval for an additional $7 million for more tax breaks from Suffolk County. (source: Tonernews)
July 23, 2024 – Canon USA cuts jobs in Melville less than one year after winning more IDA tax breaks:
“Canon U.S.A. Inc., one of Long Island’s largest employers, recently laid off between 100 and 150 employees at its Melville headquarters, according to people familiar with the company. The job cuts represent between 9% and 14% of the Japanese company’s local workforce, which totaled 1,081 employees in December, based on Suffolk County documents.” (source: Newsday)
July 26, 2024 – Canon USA. could have to repay tax breaks because of job cuts at its Melville headquarters, letter says:
“Canon U.S.A. Inc. could lose some of the tax breaks it receives from Suffolk County because of recent jobs cuts at its Melville headquarters, according to a letter obtained by Newsday. The county’s Industrial Development Agency, in a Wednesday letter to a Canon executive, said the company agreed on Feb. 1 to create and maintain at all times at the facility: 1,081 full-time equivalent employees. If a smaller number of people are employed that “will be considered a recapture event,” where the IDA could claw back some of the tax savings received this year by Canon, states the letter from agency attorney William D. Wexler to company executive Amy E. Newman.” (source: Newsday)
July 29, 2024 – Suffolk IDA should claw back Canon’s tax breaks:
“For more than a decade, Canon U.S.A., Inc. was touted as an economic engine that would make the most of the millions of dollars it received from Suffolk County’s Industrial Development Agency. But in recent years, Canon’s business hasn’t kept up with a changing world that isn’t seeking many copiers or point-and-shoot cameras. Despite that, the Suffolk IDA has continued to prop up the company, granting Canon $7 million in additional tax breaks earlier this year. At the time, Canon pledged to retain its employees and improve its facilities. That didn’t last long. Just months later, Newsday has reported that the company headquartered on a prominent corner of the Long Island Expressway service road has laid off between 100 and 150 employees, as much as 14% of its local workforce.” (source: Newsday)
Canon even laid off Rudy Winston, known from the “Canon Tech Tips with Rudy Winston”YouTube videos:
Superior Experience & Reliable Performance
The time has come for Godox to improve one of its most popular flashes by introducing the AD600Pro II All-in-One Outdoor Flash. Designed to enhance your workflow, the long-awaited successor to the AD600Pro provides one-tap sync functionality with the brand’s separately available X3 trigger. This means that synchronization between the devices is quickly achieved without complications. The AD600Pro II is a versatile tool compatible with several TTL systems including Canon, Nikon, Sony, FUJIFILM, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax, and Leica. Keeping some characteristics of its previous version, such as 600Ws and 0.01-0.9 sec recycling time, the AD600Pro II offers flash durations from 1/220 to 1/11,760 sec, a wider output range from 1/1 to 1/512, and a clear, optimized TFT color screen for intuitive onboard control. One of the upgrades of this second version is the addition of a bi-color LED modeling light that can be used to help aid composition or as an alternative light source.
One-Tap Sync Capability
Godox has thought about every aspect to simplify the use of the AD600Pro II when combined with the separately available X3 trigger. Made for instant synchronization with the X3, the AD600Pro II lets you focus on your visual creation. This wireless sync function will optimize your photo workflow, cutting down the time you normally spend managing complicated channels and ID settings. Simply press the wireless sync option on both your X3 and the AD600Pro II to achieve quick synchronization.
16 Groups with Color Identification The AD600Pro II is part of Godox’s 2.4 GHz wireless X system with a range of 328′, featuring 16 groups and 32 channels that facilitate the use of multiple lights. Use the optional X3 trigger or the XPro II and X2 triggers to wirelessly control the flash head. The brand presents what they call “RGB Color Identification”, meaning that each of the 16 groups will display a different color locally on the flash head for easy group identification even from a distance.
Intuitive & Precise Onboard Control
Settings are accessed via side buttons and displayed on the easy-to-read, upgraded TFT (thin-film-transistor) color screen. Faster and more convenient than its previous version, the AD600Pro II now features an on/off button on its screen as well as a modeling light button that takes only one click to turn on or off. The AD600Pro II was designed based on user feedback from its previous version, making it the ideal lighting tool for most shooting situations. At 5800K (+/-200K), the AD600Pro II works great for both studio and location photography and is well-suited for portraits, products, weddings, and other types of shots.
360 Full-Power Flashes
The AD600Pro II offers up to 600Ws with 10 steps of extended output power, ranging from 1/1 to 1/512 in 0.1 increments, and it comes with a powerful 28.8V/2600mAh lithium battery pack that provides up to 360 full-power flashes in outdoor situations and location shooting. Alternatively, you can run the AD600Pro II on AC power with an optional adapter. Godox conveniently includes the battery and charger in the box.
Fast Recycling & Flash Duration
The flash keeps recycling times low at 0.01-0.9 sec for fast and reliable use. The AD600Pro II also features a high-speed sync mode, enabling shutter speeds up to 1/8000 sec and offering flash durations from 1/220 to 1/11,760 sec. Additionally, a freeze mode is available from 1/2570 to 1/20,400 sec when using the M and multi-modes. Together, these features allow you to capture fast-moving action, which includes rapid sports and dance movements to various nature scenes and water splashes.
Adjustable Bi-Color LED Modeling Light
40W LED modeling lamp
Bi-color CCT adjustable from 2800 to 6000K
Previsualize the lighting or have it as an alternative fill light for video recording.
Universal Bowens Mount Thanks to its Bowens-type front accessory mount, the flash gives you wide choice of optional accessories, including barndoors, a snoot, a flash projection attachment, a beauty dish with honeycomb grid, and softboxes in different shapes.
Additional Details
Guide number of 285′ / 87m at ISO 100
S1 and S2 modes
First curtain and second curtain sync modes
Stroboscopic flash up to 100 times
Flash exposure compensation
Fan cooled
3.5mm sync cord port for direct connection
Replaceable flash tube
Works with optional UC46 USB charger and H600P extension head
Portability
The AD600Pro II weighs 7.7 lb, making it easy to carry around.
Model
AD600ProII
Wireless Receiver Unit Mode
Wireless Mode
(compatible with Canon E-TTL II, Nikon i-TTL, Sony, Olympus, Panasonic, Fujifilm)
Flash Mode
Wireless off: M/Multi
Wireless receiver mode:TTL/M/Multi
Guide No. (1/1 step)
87(ISO 100,in meters,with efficient reflector)
Flash Duration（t0.1）
Standard:1/220s～1/11760s
Color:1/220s～1/7400s
Freeze:1/2570s～1/20400s
Power (1/1 step)
600Ws
Power Output
10 steps:1/512～1/1(with 0.1 increment each step)
Stroboscopic Flash
Provided (up to 100 times, 100Hz)
FEC
Manual, FEB
Sync Mode
High-speed sync (up to 1/8000 seconds),
first-curtain sync, and second-curtain sync
Delay Flash
0.01～30s
Mask
√
Fan
√
Beep
√
Flash Duration Indication
√
Modeling Lamp (LED)
√
Photocell
S1/S2/OFF
Display
Color screen
Wireless Flash (2.4G transmission)
Wireless Function
Receiver, Off
Controllable Receiver Groups
16: 0-9, A-F
Transmission Range
Approx. 100m
Channels
32:1-32
ID
01-99/OFF
Power Supply
Power Supply
Lithium battery(28.8V/2600mAh)
Full Power Flashes
360
Recycle Time
Approx. 0.01s～0.9s
Battery Level Indicator
√
Power Saving
Auto off function is available in menu settings (30min to 120min of idle use)
Sync Triggering Mode
3.5mm sync cord
Flash Tube Color Temperature
5800±200K
Dimensions
Dimension (with battery,
flash tube and reflector)
≈12.99″*7.87″*4.92″
Net Weight (with battery,flash tube and reflector)
