Canon

I found a very good and very detailed field test of the Canon EOS 7D. Since it is not often that you will find such an in-depth analysis by a pro-photographer (Nature Photographer Ole Jørgen Liodden from Norway) ready to disclose so much information, I wanted to share it with you.

• Weather sealing
• In the Cold of Winter
• Autofocus
• Image Quality

Long, but recommended reading for anybody willing to check the Canon EOS 7D.

Columbia is one of the greatest exporters of coffee. And an imaginative product has been created (probably with Canon authorization, since it has been seen given to the press in Vancouver) to bring Canon support to coffee (and Columbia). A giant coffee mug in the shape of EF 70-200mm f/4L USM lens.

From crunchgear and many others.

Today, Canon announced that they will add 24 and 25 fps HD Movie recording to the Canon EOS 5D Mark II photo camera with firmware v2.0.3. It will be available as a free download from the middle of March.

photo credit: Javier Paredes

You have to admit that you would like to know if the first Sony SLR camera supposed to be a pro photo camera, the Sony Alpha 900, is really up to the real-life constraints of a pro camera. Some people would really test it: Michael Reichmann from Luminous Landscape, simply took a Sony Alpha 900, a Sony 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G tele-zoom and 5 other lenses, for two weeks of photo travel in the Southernmost countries of this world. Result: A rather positive opinion, no real issue after submitting the photo camera to low temperatures and high humidity that were out of its normal operating range.

He also noted the incidents other cameras suffered around him (no less than 77 other photographers!). For example, the Canon EOS 5D MkII which did not survive in cold rain.

The Sony A900 test in Antartica.

The video has just been updated (it was removed by the user for some short time).

Canon just announced its new SLR EOS camera, the Canon EOS 550D (aka Canon T2i, in the US).

18MP with Full HD movies, this is the camera for most people.

Canon EOS 550D

Main features:

• 18 Mega-pixel APS-C CMOS sensor
• DIGIC 4 processor
• Sensitivity: ISO 100-6400 (Ext. to ISO 12800)
• Select maximum value for Auto ISO
• Continuous shooting at 3.7 fps
• iFCL metering System with 63-zone Dual-layer Metering Sensor
• Quick Control screen to change shooting settings
• Full HD movie recording with manual control and selectable frame rates
• Movie crop function
• Exposure compensation +/-5 IL
• LCD: 7.7 cm (3.0â€�) 3:2 ClearView (with 1,040k dots)
• External Microphone socket
• Eye-Fi connected functions compatibility

Canon EOS 550D

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The PMA in Las Vegas is now arriving fast. After a long time of little rumors, here comes the moment for big rumors, but not the actual revelations yet.

• Nikon has been telling the world that they intended to have a great year 2010. It seems that they will bring a new DSLR (it could be the Nikon D700x, Nikon D700s, or Nikon D800 according to the rumor mill). It would be confirmed according to the banner visible on LetsGoDigital. But this is apparently a fake built from press material from the older Nikon D3 (via NR).
• Yesterday’s press conference did not bring a single SLR though (Coolpix S8000, Coolpix S6000, Coolpix S4000, Coolpix S3000, Coolpix P100, Coolpix L110, Coolpix L22, Coolpix L21, nothing less!)
• Plenty of people expect to see the Canon EOS 60D arriving now, but it’s still uncertain. NL/DPR predicts a set of features: CMOS 18MPs, 6.3fps, HD 24 and 36fps, Digic IV.
• According to CR, Canon is preparing a new Rebel/EOS camera whose name should be Rebel T2i (the European name could be 550D or EOS 600D), with video, fixed LCD of improved resolution.
• At last, Canon would present the very pro Canon EOS 1Ds Mk IV
• Samsung should extend its new NX line, possibly with some lenses (waiting a little more for a new NX camera body).
• Olympus and Fuji should bring only P&S cameras.
• The Sony rumour line is totally silent, which could be indicator that either they are efficient at keeping a lid on the new Alpha 750 or there is nothing in preparation.

So, let’s wait a little more.

During years we have been worried because people seemed only interested in getting more Mega-Pixels (MP) out of the new photo cameras (or camera feature sheets). It has been repeated often enough that this single quantity is not a good measure of camera performance. It was, when cameras had so few pixels (less than 3-5 MP) that picture quality was linked first to number of pixels, then to other parameters.

Since 2009, we can consider that the race for more pixels is over. All camera manufacturers decided more or less to go easy on resolution: Over 12-15 MP, you can easily print an A4 or Letter-size print in top quality. Most photographers will never need more. So, why go over 20 MP?

Most manufacturers followed the lead of Olympus and Nikon trying to enlarge the pixels in order to ensure they collect more light and this leads to a higher level of sensitivity as measured by the ISO standard. This is good, because this means that our pictures are going to be better and better, not only uselessly finer and finer. Moreover, maximum ISO sensitivity becomes a relatively good proxy for image quality.

However, there is a slippery slope here. It has already been observed in some Point-and-Shoot compact photo cameras: A manufacturer may be tempted to push a maximum ISO level to ridiculously stratospheric altitudes. It’s not only because you P&S camera can do ISO 1600, that its pictures are still usable (noise cancellation algorithms may be so energetic that most of the details are blurred in the process).

Usually, in the D-SLR market we do not see this happening too often, but there is a risk. With Canon and Nikon leading the race with (pro) cameras over ISO 100,000, we already see figures that are amazingly high and images that are already quite bad (for a pro).

Don’t get me wrong! I’m quite happy to see that technology will soon be allowing us to shoot pictures in darkness without using a flash. But those two very serious camera manufacturers have obviously been racing to reach an ISO landmark. Some others, maybe less able, will reach it not only with barely usable photos, but with really unacceptable pictures. Then, it would become a fruitless race again, with figures creeping into the fact sheets and a real-life comparison will be ever more critical.

For me, the Canon EOS 1D Mk IV and Nikon D3s are useful because they produce absolutely great photos at ISO 32,800, not just because they can collect a barely informational document at ISO 102,400. Let’s be attentive with the present products from Canon and Nikon and the future cameras from all the photo camera manufacturers.

We should still be photographers and not just number-seeking blind consumers. I hope we are.

I just updated the tests/reviews in the database of the SLR photo cameras, mostly for the Pentax and Samsung cameras (and some Nikon, Sony, Canon, too).

AlphaMountWorld just produced a very interesting comparative review of three of the most attractive digital SLR photo cameras now on the market:

• Sony Alpha A500
• Nikon D5000
• Canon EOS 500D ou Rebel T1i

Of course, this test is listed in the list of comparisons/reviews attached to the feature page of each of these cameras (follow the links above).

Source: AlphaMountWorld.com Sony Alpha A500, Nikon D5000, and Canon EOS Rebel T1i- Compared

Canon has just presented its newest zoom lens. The 70-200mm range is quite important because at f/2.8 it is one of the most coveted high-quality lenses.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II USM

The new features:

• Faster AutoFocus algorithms
• Min focusing distance: 1.2m
• Wider focusing ring
• Weather-sealing
• Magnesium allow barrel for a better reliability at the small cost of only 1490g weight

This small marvel does not have a price yet, and will only be available in April 2010.

When you use an expensive SLR camera you are often tempted to purchase a specialty lens like a ultra-wide angle (fish eye) lens.

But, apart from the rare occasions when you really need it, it’s too expensive for you and me. Why not build it yourself? Instructables does the demonstration with a Nikon D90, but it could be done with any other camera.

How to make a fish eye lens for a Nikon D-90 Digital SLR for $16

In the “It had to happen” Department, here is a little bit on information: Canon has submitted a patent application for what looks like a touch screen Man-Machine Interface for a DSLR camera. Of course, this is not exactly new technology (it’s everywhere from point-and-shoot cameras to mobile phones) but a patent from Canon probably means that they are very serious about it in the near future.

Source: US Patent Application No. 12/422,695 via Photography Bay via Engadget.

Thanks to DigitalRev.com, here is a preview presentation of the very handsome (but very expensive) Canon EOS 1D Mark IV:

If you are looking for the best SLR camera that your money can buy, you have certainly seen the announcement of the latest pro cameras from Nikon and Canon as very interesting. Both the Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and the Nikon D3S pretend to be very fast cameras and to have actual record sensitivity (up to ISO 102400).

But, even if you are ready to switch from your current brand of photo camera, which one should you choose? There are a few comparisons that are starting to pop around the Internet and I want to list them to you:

• The Mansurovs: in Nikon D3s vs Canon EOS-1D Mark IV highlights the 9 key differences between them and says “this camera [the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV] beats the Nikon D3s in almost every feature category.”
• PhotographyReview.com says “the choice comes down to image quality vs. speed.”
• Digital Rev says “Canon EOS-1D Mark IV vs Nikon D3S – Rivalling in Speed and Sensitivity” but they simply compare feature lists and draw no conclusion.

So, which one is yours now?

All Digital SLR cameras look a like because it’s a tried design solution. But what about other forms and patterns? Erin Fong is trying to offer something completely different with this Nova camera concept.

Innovative, for sure.

From designer Erin Fong.

If you want to know everything about the technology included in the Canon 1D Mark IV, you can now download the White Paper published by Canon about this pro photo camera whose possibilities are clearly astonishing (as much as the price, by the way; But, who’s to prohibit dreaming a little?).

Canon White Paper for the EOS-1D Mark IV.

• US: $ 4,999, Europe: € 4,999, UK: £ 4,999
• Buy it from B&H (The Professional’s Source)
• Buy from Amazon.com
• Acheter sur Carrefour online