Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Archives for October 2009

Lexar Professional 600x CF Cards

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Lexar Professional 600x CF Card

Following suit with SanDisk and PhotoFast, Lexar has introduced their Professional 600x CF card line.  They come in 8GB, 16GB and 32GB flavors.  The 8GB version and 16GB version should start shipping this week.  The 32GB version will ship in November.

It looks like they smoke too – just check out Rob Galbraith’s tests of the new cards.  They hit it where it matters most, in camera.

The Lexar cards are faster in the Canon 7D than the SanDisk Extreme Pro and just a smidgen faster than the PhotoFast 533x Plus.  The SanDisk Extreme Pro is a little faster than the new Lexar 600x in the Nikon D300s; however, the Lexar cards manage to get 8 more images out of a burst of RAW + JPEG files than the SandDisk Extreme Pro (58 images vs. 50 images), which makes the Lexar on par with PhotoFast 533x Plus cards for burst capacity.

More details about the new Lexar 600x CF card series in the press release below. [Read more…]

 

Nikon D800 Before Christmas?

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A tipster has sent in some info on the rumored Nikon D800 that he purports originates with a “very reliable source.”  According to the tipster, Nikon will not be revising the D700 for a “S” model, as was the case with the D300 and D3.

Instead, Nikon will release a completely new model to replace the D700 – the D800.

Rumored Nikon D800 features from the tipster include the following:

1) Video mode 1080p video recording (full HD)
2) High resolution 24.5 MP.
3) High frame rate: 7 fps without battery grip (similar to D300s)
4) 51-area Nikon Multi-CAM 3500FX (same technology as D3X)

He also tells me that the D800 will launch before Christmas.

I can’t confirm the veracity of this info or the reliability of the tipster yet.  I am reaching out to him for further details in hopes to substantiate these rumors. Keep in mind that these D700x/D800 rumors have been rattling around for over a year now.

Stay tuned for updates on the D800 or whatever else Nikon decides to throw at us.

How Much Does Your Gear Matter?

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How many of you out there can honestly say that your camera does more work than you do? With PhotoPlus Expo close approaching here in New York City and vendors prepping with meetings with all of us, it may be worthwhile to check out the education lectures and information sessions being offered. Of course, some cameras are more capable than others so there may very well be two sides of this fence that are well defended.

[Read more…]

Gitzo G-1560 Monotrek Monopod Review

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Gitzo G-1560 Monotrek Monopod

The Gitzo G-1560 Monotrek is a lightweight monopod and hiking stick combo.  It has a small built-in ball head with a plastic cover for the head when not in use.  I recently took it with me on a 9-mile hike along with the Think Tank Photo Rotation 360 backpack.

As a hiking stick, it works well.  I generally don’t hike with such a stick, but I could be persuaded to making it a more regular practice.  I found that I really used the Gitzo G-1560 on inclines, which turned out to be quite a bit with over 2900′ elevation gain on the trip.  The grip and wrist strap are comfortable and caused no problems for me over the course of my 9-miler.

At 1.0 lb, the Gitzo is a little heavier than some of the other top-rated walking sticks out there, which are commonly in the 10-11 oz. range.  I figure that most of the difference, however, is a result of the small, yet effective, ball head that comes with the G-1560. [Read more…]

Canon 5D Mark II to Get 24p/25p Video Capability

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Canon has announced that it is in the process of developing firmware for the 5D Mark II, which will offer 1080p recording at 24 and 25fps.  We won’t get full details on the process or other capabilities until 2010; however, the complaint department has probably been a little high since the release of the EOS 7D, so this news may help curb some of the derogatory remarks from 5D Mark II owners.

Canon’s official statement on the firmware development is below. [Read more…]

Vincent Laforet “Nocturne” Shot with Canon 1D Mark IV

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Vincent Laforet created a ton of buzz with his Reverie film shot with the Canon 5D Mark II and it looks like he’s onto something again – this time with the new Canon 1D Mark IV.  The entire 3 minute segment is shot at ISO 6400 on the new professional DSLR.

Watch it in HD here.

More on the camera on Photography Bay’s Canon 1D Mark IV Reviews and Resources.

Canon 1D Mark IV Announced

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Canon 1D Mark IV

Canon has just announced the EOS 1D Mark IV DSLR.  The new 1D Mark IV succeeds the 1D Mark III, which was plagued with autofocus flaws from day one.  The 1D Mark IV features a completely revised autofocus system with 45 AF points, 39 of which points are high-precision cross-type.  Other upgrades include a higher resolution, increased sensitivity, dual DIGIC IV processors, and full HD video.

[Read more…]

Canon Monopod 100 Review

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Canon Monopod 100

The Canon Monopod 100 is a basic 4-section monopod that comes with a ball head – all for about $33.  That’s not really a bad deal at all considering that it actually performs pretty well.

Keep in mind though that this is an entry-level product and isn’t designed for pro-level shooters who pack around 500mm f/4 lenses.  The Canon Monopod 100 just takes care of the basics. [Read more…]

Canon 1D Mark IV Coming Tuesday, Oct. 20….

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UPDATE 10/20/09:  The Canon 1D Mark IV has been announced.  Additional info on Photography Bay’s Canon 1D Mark IV Reviews and Resources.

Canon Invitation

After the recent announcement of the Nikon D3s, it appears that Canon may be ready to introduce a new flagship of its own.  Rumors are flying from a variety of sources that Canon will unveil the 1D Mark IV on October 20.

Specification rumors have centered mostly around an APS-H (1.3x crop) sensor in the 16-megapixel range and still image frame capture rates at 10-12fps.  Rumors have consistently suggested 1080p video capture with the same capture rates as the Canon 7D.

One poster on the Fred Miranda forums says that Canon Spain has unofficially informed pro shooters that the 1D Mark IV will be released on October 20.  Another forum member reports seeing the a retailer’s inventory system that shows the 1D Mark IV and 1Ds Mark IV priced at $4995 and $6995, respectively.  Consistent with this rumor, Canon Rumors has received a number of “tips” on the announcement, including a copy of the press invitation above regarding Canon’s celebration of 50 years of its SLRs.

Stay tuned.  This looks like it could be the real deal.