Canon has two big announcements this week. The first is an update on the release date of the much anticipated EOS-1DX professional level DSLR and the 24-70mm F2.8L professional series lens. Many have been scratching their heads wondering when this these were going to be available because when Canon has announced a new products like these in the past they hit shelves a few weeks later. Apparently they had mass production delays but do not expand. The EOS-1DX is expected to be available in mid-June this year and the 24-70mm F2.8L will follow shortly after in early-July. The other big announcement from Canon is a new professional level DSLR, the EOS-1DC. It looks just like the 1DX but is built for video (or Cinema). The main features include: 4k movies, 1080p at 50/60fps, Uncompressed HDMI output, 18 MP Full Frame CMOS, Up to 12fps stills, 61 point AF system, ISO range 100-25600, Dual DIGIC 5+ processors, Clear View II 8.1cm (3.2") LCD, and (of course) EF lens compatible. [Canon says EOS-1D X will arrive in June, with 24-70mm F2.8L II USM in July] [Canon announces EOS-1D C 4K DSLR with 8-bit 4:2:2 1080p HDMI output]

Are you familiar with Instagram? The free social sharing photo app apparently is worth $1 Billion dollars (and yes that’s in U.S. dollars). Facebook recently acquired the company and paid the hefty sum for it. Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of Facebook, had this to say about the acquisition: “…we're committed to building and growing Instagram independently. Millions of people around the world love the Instagram app and the brand associated with it, and our goal is to help spread this app and brand to even more people.” It should be interesting how, if at all, Instagram changes and/or progresses under the new management. [Facebook.com Press Release: Facebook to Acquire Instagram]

Since the invention of photography photographers have had the concern of their images being reproduced or used without permission and/or payment. In the digital age we live in today that concern has been magnified and become common occurrence. Earlier this week a French photographers organization called Union des Photographes Professionnels (UPP) began a vocal advertising campaign against the use of photographs without permission and/or payment. What has gained it so much media coverage is the controversial imagery and message sent with that imagery used in the ads. This is what one spokesperson had to say: “With this image, we want to show the violent and disrespectful economic reality that photographers have to deal with.” [Controversial French Ad Campaign for Photographers’ Rights]