Photo Geek

Retaining all of the traditional characteristics that have made the EOS Rebel series beloved by entry-level photographers and an industry best-seller, the new Rebel T2i succeeds in bridging the gap between an entry-level camera and a true pro-sumer camera. 

The Rebel T2i Digital SLR camera includes a variety of new features for photographic assignments as varied as grabbing that action shot from the sidelines or creating memorable family portraits, including: 3.7 fps shooting, an ISO range of 100-6400 (expandable to 12,800), a 63-zone Dual Layer Metering System, and Canon’s DIGIC 4 Imaging Processor. There are some moments in our lives where video helps capture the moment better than a still image, and the Rebel T2i offers the best of both worlds with Full HD 1080p video as well as 18-megapixel still images. The Rebel T2i DSLR continues Canon’s industry-leading trend in Full HD DSLR video capture with manual exposure control, selectable frame rates and a new external microphone input. There is also a new feature for standard definition recording, Movie Crop, which provides an approximate 7x additional zoom with no loss of image quality when shooting SD quality video. Read more »

Canon PowerShot SX210 IS Digital Camera:

The Canon PowerShot SX210 IS is designed for the photographer seeking HD video and brilliant image quality in a stylish, compact camera. Featuring a 28mm wide-angle lens with 14x Optical Zoom and Optical Image Stabilization, the PowerShot SX210 IS allows users to capture dramatic close-ups or broad landscapes with ease, while the 14.1-Megapixel resolution ensures stunning image quality. Available in three bold color variations, black, purple and gold, additional features include a 3.0-inch wide LCD screen for improved visibility and glare reduction with enhanced Control Dial with Hints and Tips. For shooting video, the PowerShot SX210 IS has the ability to zoom optically, shoot in stereo sound and has Dynamic Mode Image Stabilization for improved image clarity. Users embracing the freedom of wireless data transfer can connect directly to PCs through Eye-Fi memory cards1. The PowerShot SX210 IS is scheduled to be available in late March for an estimated retail price of $349.99.

Canon PowerShot SD3500 IS Digital Camera:

The Canon PowerShot SD3500 IS represents a significant milestone in the evolution of the ELPH series through the combination of superior image capture functionality and Canon’s touch screen technology. The camera’s large 3.5-inch wide LCD touch screen enables intuitive operation as users can customize their photo settings by simply dragging icons to their preferred on-screen location, then utilizing “tap” operations to switch between images during playback. A 24mm ultra-wide angle lens with 5x Optical Zoom gets more in your shot, like that family vacation at the Grand Canyon or the Empire State Building while Optical Image Stabilization ensure blur free images at full telephoto. The 14.1-Megapixel resolution delivers stunning images and the HD quality video further adds to the overall allure of this new PowerShot Digital camera. Available in three elegant color variations, black, silver and pink, the PowerShot SD3500 IS is also compatible with Eye-Fi memory cards for wireless transfer of video and photo files to PCs1. The PowerShot SD3500 IS is scheduled to be available in late February for an estimated retail price of $329.99.

Canon PowerShot SD1400 IS Digital Camera:

The Canon PowerShot SD1400 IS is the ideal choice for the on-the-go, spontaneous photographer seeking outstanding performance in a super-slim camera. Measuring less than one inch in thickness, the sleek PowerShot SD1400 IS features a 28mm wide-angle lens with 4x Optical Zoom lens and Optical Image Stabilization and 14.1-Megapixel resolution for outstanding photo and HD video quality. Available in four vibrant color variations, pink, orange, silver and black, the PowerShot SD1400 IS is scheduled to be available in late February for an estimated retail price of $249.99.

Canon PowerShot SD1300 IS Digital Camera:

The Canon PowerShot SD1300 IS delivers outstanding value for the consumer seeking a stylish, highly functional digital camera. The PowerShot SD1300 IS features a 28mm wide angle lens with 4x Optical Zoom lens and Optical Image Stabilization, 12.1-Megapixel resolution, and enlarged 2.7 -inch PureColor System LCD screen offering superior visibility. Available in five color variations, silver, pink, green, blue and brown, the PowerShot SD1300 IS is scheduled to be available in late February for an estimated retail price of $199.99.

• Since Movie mode does not use the shutter, is a virtual shutter a possibility for a future camera?
• Has the new screen/finder system in the EOS 7D improved the compensation issue when using stopped-down metering below f/5.6 with manual diaphragm lenses?
• Auto-focus settings on far objects at 24mm (EF 24mm-105mm L IS)
• Zooming to 105mm without re-focusing, the image in the viewfinder and the picture taken turn out clearly unsharp.
  • Reverse of the above
• Does the AF algorithm take the hyperfocal distance into account and does it set the focusing ring to the hyperfocal distance in order to achieve maximum DOF?
  • Is this common with all Canon lenses?
• Is it better to get a 70-200 lens with or without IS?
• MODE two IS for shooting birds
• AI Focus AF
• Kelvin settings for the EX550 & EX580
• Sensor cleaning on the 5D Mark II

We will make another announcement on our Web site once this firmware update is ready for download.

Enhancement

Firmware Version 1.0.6 enhances the AF tracking performance1 of the EOS-1D Mark IV.

Lake Success, N.Y., January 15, 2010 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, today announced the commencement of “The Story Beyond The Still Contest,” allowing photographers and videographers to showcase their creativity in a new style of filmmaking that blends still and video images into a continuous cinematic piece begun by Canon Explorer of Light Vincent Laforet. The contest, sponsored by Canon and hosted by Vimeo, the online video sharing site hosting one of the largest collections of HD content on the Web, invites participants to use the HD video capability of their camera to create short, two to four minute videos that tell a story based on the final still frame from Laforet’s piece, and then from each successive winning “chapter.” Videos can be submitted to and viewed on a dedicated site within the Vimeo online community before they are judged. Read more »

January 2010 brings a lot of consumer events.  The following is a list of where I will be and what is covered.

• Saturday, January 2nd – Basic EOS Discovery Day for Kenmore Camera.
  • Location: Lynnwood Convention Center
  • Time: 12-3pm
  • Cost: $49 or free with a purchase of a camera from Kenmore Camera.

   

• Wednesday, January 13th – Basic EOS Discovery Day for Talls Camera.

• Saturday, January 16th – Basic EOS Discovery Day for Glazers
  • Location: Holiday Inn Conference room – 211 Dexter Ave North, Seattle
  • Time: 1pm to 4pm
  • $49.95 or free with purchase of a DSLR from Glazers Camera

   

• Saturday, January 23rd – Intermediate EOS Discovery Day for Talls Camera.

• Shutterbug 90 minute basic DSLR Classes:
   
  • Tuesday, January 26th – Eugene
    • Location: Eugene – 207 Coburg Road
    • Time: 7:00 – 8:30

     

  • Wednesday, January 27th – Salem
    • Location: Salem – Comfort Inn
    • Time: 7:00 – 8:30

     

  • Thursday, January 28th – Beaverton
    • Location: Embasy Suites
    • Time: 7:00 – 8:30

• Tips for shooting in the extreme cold
• Eye Controlled focus
• DOF preview in live view
• is there technical reason for darker LCD images in low light?
• ISO limitation when using highlight tone priority
• Squeaking noise of the sensor cleaning system
• Setting the sequence number to zero on previously used cards.
• Spot metering on the 7D
• ISO noise reduction data
• Can you output your images from a camera to a digital frame

http://www.usa.canon.com/dlc/controller?act=GetArticleAct&articleID=1787

• 7D flash recycling when using external flashes.
• AF assist beam coverage for the new 7D 19 point AF system.
• Camera’s fastest sync speed vs High speed sync
• The practical consequences be of lower sync speeds
• Disadvantage to leaving the flash in High-Speed sync mode
• 1D had 1/500 standard sync
• Manual mode on a flash works differently on cameras produced before 2007
• Does a sensor deteriorate over time?

The Next Chapter of EOS.

Offering a comprehensive combination of speed, accuracy and image quality, the EOS-1D Mark IV is the perfect choice for professional photographers and subjects on the move. With a completely redesigned 45-point AF system including 39 cross-type points, a new AI Servo II AF focus tracking system with improved algorithm combined with 10 fps continuous shooting, the EOS-1D Mark IV can handle even high-speed situations with ease. An APS-H sized 16.1 Megapixel CMOS Sensor, Dual DIGIC 4 Image Processors, a spectacular ISO range of 100 – 12800 (up to 102400 in H3 mode) with an advanced noise reduction system helps ensure sharp, low-noise images even in low-light situations. Add advanced Live View shooting, Full HD movie recording with selectable frame rates and manual exposure control plus a host of new features that enhance every facet of the shooting process. The EOS-1D Mark IV is the choice of professionals looking for the ultimate in SLR performance.