› ›photoshop user› february 2016018
BY CHRIS MAINExp sed: Industry News
› ›The latest news about photography gear, software, and services
The Odin II Trigger
by Phottix is now available
According to Phottix, the new Odin II Transmitter will give photographers more control than
they’ve ever experienced before. With each of the five groups having its own access but-
ton, it’s easy to pick a light, make changes with the large control dial, lock in the settings,
and then shoot. A large, illuminated LCD panel shows all settings at a glance, and if you
switch off a group, it disappears from the screen for a streamlined viewing experience.
You can pick from 32 channels; the first four channels offer three groups and
are compatible with the original Odin receivers. Channels 5 through 32 use the
new functionality of the Odin II receiver, including user-set digital ID for secure
triggering. High Speed Sync with TTL flashes and OverDrive Sync with manual,
wire-connected, studio-type flashes, enable flash photography at up to 1/8000.
A built-in AF assist light helps with autofocus in low lighting. Other features include
TTL power control +/– 3EV; manual power control 1/1 to 1/128; second curtain sync
(Nikon, Sony only); flash zoom control; modeling light control with Indra500/360;
2.4 GHz, with a range of 332' (100m); and firmware upgradable.
The Odin II for Canon will be available in various countries throughout February and March. The Odin II for Nikon will be available a
few weeks later. The Odin for Sony will be introduced in late spring. For more information, visit http://www.phottix.com.Canon Announces
the EOS-1D X Mark II
On February 1, Canon revealed the Mark II version of its flagship EOS-1D X cam-
era. With a new 20.2 megapixel 35mm Full Frame Canon CMOS sensor and Dual
DIGIC 6+ Image Processors, this new camera will be in high demand by everyone
from sports photographers to wildlife shooters. The EOS-1D X Mark II has a long
list of new features, many of which are firsts for EOS cameras.
Continuous shooting speeds are now up to 14 frames per second (fps) with
Auto Exposure (AE) and predictive Autofocus (AF) for viewfinder shooting, and
up to 16 fps in Live View mode. With the Dual DIGIC 6+ Image Processors, you
can capture up to 170 consecutive RAW images at 14 fps.
The EOS-1D X Mark II can shoot 4K video at 60p and Full HD video at 120p with
Dual Pixel CMOS AF. At 120p, videographers can produce high-quality slow motion video,
and with 4K Frame Grab, photographers can create 8.8-megapixel still JPEGs from 4K video right in the camera.
The camera also has a new, built-in Digital Lens Optimizer to help correct aberrations (which is kind of like having the Lens
Corrections panel from Lightroom inside your camera). It also has an improved 61-point High-Density Reticular AF II system with
expanded coverage. All 61 points are selectable by the user, and each point supports AF at maximum apertures up to f/8, which
means precise focus even when using super-telephoto lenses with an extender—a huge benefit to wildlife photographers. It has
two card slots: one that supports CF memory cards up to UDMA 7, and another that supports CFast, which is especially useful
when recording 4K video.
A first for the Canon EOS-1D series, the Mark II also features a 360,000-pixel RGB+IR metering sensor with enhanced precision
and performance compared to its predecessor. It can also detect and compensate for flickering light sources such as sodium vapor
lamps that are often used in gymnasiums.
Other features include built-in GPS, an improved grip, and an enhanced AF sensitivity that works in much darker shooting condi-
tions. The Canon EOS-1D X Mark II is scheduled to ship in April for an MSRP of $5,999 for the body only. A Premium Kit will list for
$6,299 and will include a 64-GB CFast memory card and card reader. For more information, visit usa.canon.com/EOS1DXMarkII.