• @Donnywholovedbowling
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    136 hours ago

    Probably because the software team is under a different cost center than the hardware/camera team, and they weren’t generating revenue. So the idiot assholes at the top of the SW side said “we can monetize our webcam software” and a bunch of people agreed so they could look relevant and keep their jobs. Capitalism!

    • @IMALlama
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      2 hours ago

      The blockade of third party glass is the only reason I didn’t give them a look when I was looking for a mirrorless camera. Granted, this was a few years ago and things have slightly improved since then. They still can’t touch e-mount glass availability though.

      • @KingRandomGuy
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        131 minutes ago

        Same thing here. I went with Sony because of how expansive the E-mount lineup was, including 3rd parties (even the lesser known ones like Samyang and Viltrox).

        At the time, Canon’s first party lineup was pretty lackluster if you weren’t looking for the L-series professional lenses. It’s gotten better since then, but in terms of value it’s very hard to compete with Sony since third parties are much cheaper, and used availability is much better due to the age of the system.

  • @atempuser23
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    208 hours ago

    If they want to do this kind of stuff they need to spin off a separate company that appears distinct.

    If you use the Canon name, people expect it to be part of a Canon camera. They are hurting the brand for such minimal benefit it’s crazy.

    • @[email protected]
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      55 hours ago

      At the top level, MBAs see brand reputation as value to be cashed in on, nothing more and nothing less

      • @pdxfed
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        25 hours ago

        Boeing? Decades of genius and engineering and a market monopoly? Let’s sell all that into the future by doing share buybacks and starving the rest of the company. Winning!

      • @atempuser23
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        17 minutes ago

        Canon is a Japanese company and they make different choices than American management does. There is a lot of engineering and manufacturing talent in Canon upper management, Sony as well.

  • FartsWithAnAccent
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    2510 hours ago

    I chose the wrong horse. Wtf Canon, I’ve given you fuckers tens of thousands of dollars over the years and you artificially restrict functionality to nickle and dime me?

    Guess I’ll sell my lenses and switch to Sony or Nikon then. Sucks to suck!

    • @Retrograde
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      22 hours ago

      For what it’s worth, my Sony connects as a webcam no problems at all

    • @IMALlama
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      22 hours ago

      The until-very-recently closed off RF mount was another indicator. Their first party glass is great, but it’s not cheap.

      • FartsWithAnAccent
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        12 hours ago

        Yeah, on my old Canon 7D and 1Dmk2, my favorite lens was actually a Tamron (pretty wide zoom, super sharp, and aperture got down to 2)

  • @[email protected]
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    2211 hours ago

    Damn, first time I read about that I understood it as 5$ for the app and done, nit 5$ A MONTH.

    • @[email protected]
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      10 hours ago

      Is there really a demand for webcams nowadays (especially in the pro market and their expensive cameras), or is it Canon trying to mimick phone subscriptions? I’m asking this because I’m not a photographer, but the webcam fad seems to have died decades ago and I’m confused by this.

      • @[email protected]
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        3 hours ago

        For those of us who are dedicated amateurs, work from home has added the need to attend meetings by video

        And if you’ve got a good camera, some studio lights, and a nice portrait lens, you can absolutely outclass all the other people using laptop or phone cameras

        So it really is critical to webcamify your digital SLR or mirrorless

      • @[email protected]
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        810 hours ago

        It came back during Covid, I have a box of webcams now.

        They’re much more targeting workers nowadays.

      • @atempuser23
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        13 minutes ago

        Many people are still need to Zoom or telecommute all of a sudden your hobby camera becomes a legitimate business expense or tax deduction.