Posted by Constantin Chirila on Jan 8, 2009 in
Camera Gear,
News 
A few days back I sadly talked about the failure of Canon with their new two cameras: 5D Mark II and 50D.
Well, today, with my smile on my face ( I’m a huge fan of the 5D Mark II), I can say that the “black dots” and “banding issues” on the 5D Mark II are fixed with the new firmware update ( at least that’s what Canon says).
The black dot problem is fixed due to this test made by Andrew Yip. For you 5D Mark II owners ( lucky bastards 
) out there here is the link to the official Firmware 1.0.7.
Tags: 5D Mark II, Camera Gear, Canon, DSLR, News, Photography, Release, Software, Technology
Posted by Constantin Chirila on Jan 6, 2009 in
News Today it’s been 50 years since Canon launched its first single lens reflex camera. In all this time canon produced 53 million units which begun with the first model, Canonflex, in May 1959 as stated by Canon. Here is the full press release:
2009: THE START OF A NEW ERA FOR CANON’S SINGLE-LENS REFLEX CAMERAS, COMMEMORATING 50 YEARS SINCE CANON LAUNCHED ITS FIRST IN 1959
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., January 6, 2009 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, is honoring 50 years of SLR camera sales, beginning with the sale of Canon’s first SLR camera in 1959. 2009 is a milestone year, commemorating the passing of 50 years since Canon sold its first single-lens reflex camera. Canon’s single-lens reflex cameras have evolved with the times, incorporating advanced and groundbreaking technology. Exceeding a cumulative total of 53 million units, they have garnered extensive support from photographers around the world. Looking to the future, Canon will continue its efforts to develop its single-lens reflex cameras and lead image culture for the next fifty years.
Canon’s history with 35mm single-lens reflex cameras began in May 1959, when Canon Inc. launched the Canonflex. Thereafter, the Company continued to introduce cameras that embodied solid technology and innovation, including the F-1, its first professional model (1971); the AE-1, the world’s first single-lens reflex camera with built-in CPU (1976); and the T90, a state-of-the-art T Series model (1986).
Additionally, in March 1987, Canon adopted the world’s first electronic mount and launched the EOS650, a new-generation AF single-lens reflex camera with electronic control that was originally between the lens and the body and then encompassed the entire system. The EOS Series, which has continued to the present day, has rapidly expanded users in both the professional segment, with the top-of-the-line EOS-1 (1989), and in the entry segment, with the EOS Rebel (1993), for which size and weight reductions were accomplished.
Since the year 2000, an era of full-fledged digitalization has been dawning, beginning with the EOS D30 (2000). With speed, ease and high image quality as its key concepts, the EOS Digital Series has constantly been a leader in the evolution of single-lens reflex cameras with Canon-developed CMOS sensors, the high-performance image processor DIGIC and an EF lens group that boasts outstanding optical performance and an abundant line-up.
Last year, in 2008, Canon released four models, including the EOS Rebel XSi, which has acquired the top market share in numerous countries around the world, and the EOS 5D Mark II, which is equipped with the first full high-definition movie recording functions for a single-lens reflex camera. With the introduction of these camera models, the Company has successfully created an even more powerful line-up.
As we review this half a century of history, Canon is truly grateful to all of its photographers for their support and seeks to continue the challenge of creating single-lens reflex cameras that provide the best image quality and reliability for the next generation.
About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc. delivers consumer, business-to-business, and industrial imaging solutions. Its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), a top patent holder of technology, ranked third overall in the U.S. in 2007†, with global revenues of $39.3 billion, is listed as one of Fortune’s Most Admired Companies in America and is on the 2008 BusinessWeek list of “Top 100 Brands.” To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company’s RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/pressroom.
Tags: Aniversary, Camera Gear, Canon, DSLR, Web
Posted by Constantin Chirila on Jan 6, 2009 in
Rumor There is a rumor around the net that Canon is going to release 2 new professional DSLR camera, Canon 1Ds Mark IV and Canon TSi/500D.
Here are the supposed specifications of the Canon 1Ds Mark IV camera. I found this rumor on “Photography Bay”.
- CMOS Image sensor with a size of 36×24mm
- 21 megapixels
- ISO 25-12800 expandable to ISO 10, 25600, 51200 (Awesome if it can be lowered to ISO 10, no ND filters anymore)
- 69-point AF EAC technology (do not know what this technology is) (TTL-AREA-SIR II AF)
- Flash Sync Mode: 1 / 4000 ESR (X high-speed flash sync?)
- USB2.0 and external HD transmission
- 4 to 3 and 16 to 9 ratios
- HDMI terminal. External monitor may display LV
- Continuous rate of 6.8 per second
- 2 DIGIC 4 processing chips
- 24fps and 30fps 2 kind of video mode
And about Canon TSi/500D there aren’t any specifications out there, although there is a bigger chance that this is true, than the 1Ds Mark IV.
Update: Thanks to Dave G. here are the rumored specs of the Canon TSi/500d:
- 15.1 Megapixels
- ISO: 100-3200
- Image procesor: DIGIC IV
- LCD: 3″ VGA LCD
- Crop: 1.6x
- FPS: 3 raw/3jpg
- AF: 9 Point AF
- AF: Face Detection
- LiveView
- Movie Mode (No AF)
Also this was wrote on Pixel multiverse.
We will see somewhere in February if it’s just a rumor.
Tags: Camera Gear, Canon, DSLR, Hardware, News, Release, Rumor, Web
Posted by Constantin Chirila on Jan 5, 2009 in
News 
A team of researchers from the University of Glasgow from Scotland, are currently developing small nano-structures that would be used on image sensors. The research is funded by half a million pounds from the Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council. This new sensor will enable cameras to capture sharper and more colorful images.
Professor David Cumming of Glasgow University who is leading the research team claims that “We’ll be using nanotechnology to manipulate particles, so as to take advantage of the properties of electrons to create a new optical effect.” He also added “Digital imaging has come a long way in recent years and this project aims to further improve the ability of digital devices to produce high-quality pictures”
The project is expected to last until the middle of 2012.
You can read more about this on BBC News.
Tags: Camera Gear, DSLR, News, Release, Rumor, Technology, Web
Posted by Constantin Chirila on Dec 29, 2008 in
Camera Gear Surfing through the net I came across some negative oppinions, and sadly, I have to agree, even if I am a Canon fan/owner.
For example the new Canon 5D Mark 2 has 2 major problems like Vertical Banding Noise and Black Dot. To this problems it’s added the promise that it will be launched by November and we almost get into yeah 2009 and still Canon hold back the 5D Mark II until it’s if fixed. Although sounds reassuring (they are working to make it better) a lot of people that have back-ordered the camera didn’t had the camera in their arms until the joyful Christmas. You can read more about this here: Canon EOS 5D Mark II: Barely worth it!.
But I have to say they did a lot of good things with the new 5D Mark II, and I still crave to buy it. The only problem is that they rushed to launch an still “beta” camera, without thoroughly testing it and fixing all the problems.
And about that 50D camera, well, it’s way overpriced and a lot of people still choose the 40D which is a bargain. You can read more here: Rebirth of the xxD?
Anyway, I wish Canon a bunch load of good luck, because they will need it, a lot of Canon users started to think that it would be a lot better with Nikon, including me. 
Tags: 50D, 5D Mark II, Camera Gear, Canon, DSLR
Posted by Constantin Chirila on Dec 16, 2008 in
Camera Gear,
Photography Due to fact that I love shooting landscapes, I am in love of the new Canon 5D Mark II. Talking a lot about it a friend asked me what’s that special with this camera compared to my Canon 40D. And it all came to one major difference: the 5D Mark II has a full frame sensor and the 40D has a crop sensor. So in this article I will try to explain the “Crop factor” notion, and the difference between them.
Full frame notion. A full frame sensor has an area of 36 x 24 mm and it’s close to the area of a 35mm film camera, back in the film days.
Crop factor. Well many of the digital cameras, from compact to DSLR cameras, have different image sensors with different dimensions. Most of the sensors have sizes equal or smaller than 36 x 24 mm. Because of the smaller sensor, the camera tends to capture less than an image giving the effect of cropping. There are a lot of crop factors starting from 1x (the Full Frame) and going all the way to 2x (Olympus), for DSLR’s and going even further than 6x for compact cameras. A 2x crop factor refers to a sensor size 2 times smaller than the full frame meaning a roughly 18 x 12 mm sensor size.
Now let’s see how this translates in the actual size of the image:
Read more…
Tags: Camera Gear, Canon, Comparation, DSLR, Nikon, Photography
Posted by Constantin Chirila on Dec 13, 2008 in
Photography,
Releases 
A couple of weeks ago ShutterVoice was announced in a beta testing state where only a few were chosen to test it. Now it’s finally out for you to buy with a price tag of 30$.
For those of you who aren’t aware of what this software can do here’s a quick summary. Shutter voice enables you to control you camera (that’s connected to your computer) by voice, through the Canon EOS Utility. It allows you to change a whole bunch of settings just by telling that to your camera. Unfortunately it can be used only by Canon owners. Here’s more information and don’t forget to watch the video demonstration. This software is excellent when you are testing different light setups and the only model available is you.
I would like to add that among those few people chosen to test ShutterVoice I was chosen as well. Played a couple o hours with the software and I have to say that I was pretty amazed of what it can do. But, you must have a very goo microphone and you must be able to speak clearly so that the computer understands what you want. You might want to know if I was that impressed that I would want to buy it, the answer is YES, but I won’t for know until I upgrade my Canon 40D to a camera that can automatically focus in live view mode. That is because my 40D can’t automatically focus so still i have to go back an forward to my camera to focus.
Tags: Camera Gear, DSLR, Photography, Release, Software
Posted by Constantin Chirila on Dec 12, 2008 in
Camera Gear,
Rumor It seams that Nikon are releasing a bunch of new cameras. After announcing by mistake the new Nikon D3X, it seams that now news are traveling about Nikon are developing the upgrade of D300 the Nikon D400. But, for now stays at “just a rumor” state.
Here are the supposed specifications:
- New 14.8 megapixel DX format CMOS sensor effective 14.3 megapixel
- Self-cleaning sensor unit (low-pass filter vibration)
- ISO 100 – 6400 (with boost up to ISO 25600 and down to ISO 50)
- 14-bit A/D conversion
- Movie capture at up to 1080p 24 fps with stereo sound
- Nikon EXPEED Plus image processor 30% faster than previous EXPEED image processor
- Super fast operation (power-up 13 ms, shutter lag 40 ms, black-out 90 ms)
- Kevlar / carbon fibre composite shutter with 200,000 exposure durability
- Multi-CAM3500DX Auto Focus sensor (51-point, 15 cross-type, more vertical coverage)
- Auto-focus tracking by color (using information from 1005-pixel AE sensor)
- Auto-focus calibration (fine-tuning) now available (fixed body or up to 20 separate lens settings)
- Vignetting control in-camera
- Automatic chromatic aberration correction
- Custom image parameters now support brightness as well as contrast
- Seven frames per second continuous shooting (nine frames per second with battery pack)
- 3.0″ 922,000 pixel LCD monitor
- Live View with either phase detect (mirror up/down) or contrast-detect AF, face detection
- ‘Active D-Lighting’ (adjusts metering as well as applying D-Lighting curve)
- Detailed ‘Control Panel’ type display on LCD monitor, changes color in darkness
- Buttons sealed against moisture
- Same ultra-fast startup and shutter lag as D700
- Scene Recognition System (uses AE sensor, AF sensor)
- Picture Control image parameter presets
- UDMA compatible single CF card slot
- Virtual horizon indicates if camera is level (like an aircraft cockpit display)
- Extensive in-camera retouching
- HDMI HD video output
- Magnesium alloy body with connections and buttons sealed against moisture
Beside the fact that it isn’t Full Frame, with a lot of specs aproaches to the soon to be released Canon 5D Mark II. It’s rumored that the Nikon D400 will have a price tag of $2000. It’s also said that this will be release in February 2009. Since this is a rumor don’t take all of this as granted. Stay tuned for more info.
Tags: Camera Gear, DSLR, Nikon, Release, Rumor
