One of my favorite subject to shoot are fireworks. Mostly because you don’t get many opportunities so the event is always exciting with spectacular displays. I was recently asked by Canon USA to explain how I accomplish pulling off such great firework photos. They have produced and excellent article on the subject just in time for the Fourth of July. So check out the article and get ready for your own fantastic shots this year.
Bruce Sharpe, CEO of Singular Software and creator of the PluralEyes video/audio synchronization application for Final Cut Pro users, has written a helpful tutorial describing how to configure Apple’s professional video editor, Final Cut, so that video recorded with the Canon EOS 5D Mark II and audio recorded separately will stay in sync over time. The solution, as it happens, is quite simple, and should eliminate the need to apply a 99.9% speed adjustment to audio clips. (read more)
Canon announced today the soon to be released firmware update for the 5D Mark II. By popular demand Canon will have a firmware update that will enable the camera to have full manual control over exposure in the Manual mode.
The EOS 5D Mark II firmware update will include the following manual controls when shooting video:
Full aperture selection
ISO speed: Auto, 100 – 6400 and H1 (but no H2)
Shutter speed: 1/30th – 1/4000th second
The actual firmware download is not yet available yet, but is to be released “early June”.
Rick Sammon has to be one of my favorite photography teachers. His easy going style is fun to experience and his ability to explain detailed and technical information in an understandable way makes him very effective. Author of 33 books (and counting) there are not many subjects he does not cover.
Below is one of his teaching video posted on YouTube. Have a taste of his style, check out his books, videos and other teachings at X-Train and at the Canon Digital Learning Center.
So I’ve had the T1i for a few weeks now and I’m pretty impressed. The ease of use makes it a delight. The 920,000 pixel screen is easy to see. In the photos below I have some butterflies taken at ISO 3200 and found the high ISO does an excellent job. Of course I shoot in RAW and use the Canon Digital Photo Professional for RAW conversion so I have complete control over the noise.
Live view and the movie mode are very simple to operate compared to the previous models. Being that I’m a still photographer I’m not yet adjusted to the video paradigm. Video people think very differently then still photographers so most of my movies still have that amateur look to them. However, the quality is still excellent. I’m still trying to get up to speed on the video software as well. It’s nice that Canon provided some video editing software with the software bundle.
The following pictures can also be found on my flickr page. Larger sizes area available there.
If you own a T1i, please feel free to leave your comments.
CANON U.S.A. LAUNCHES NEW EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM OFFERING WORKSHOPS AND CLASSES FOR CURRENT AND PROSPECTIVE EOS USERS
Canon Live Learning Inspires Attendees to Develop Their Personal Creative Vision
Lake Success, N.Y., May 12, 2009 – Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging, today announced the launch of Canon Live Learning, a new on-site education program targeted towards photographers who currently use or are interested in Canon’s popular line of EOS photographic products. Canon Live Learning (CLL) will offer high-quality classes and workshops conducted by a number of the industry’s leading professional photographers, Canon’s Explorers of Light. CLL attendees will learn how to get the most out of their gear while also having the opportunity to try out Canon’s latest line of EOS products.