Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

 

Canon Patent Application Shows Sensor-Based Image Stabilization

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Canon Sensor Stabilization

In addition to the dual image viewfinder system in the recently-published Canon patent applications, the Canon applications also reveal a mechanism for sensor-based image stabilization in a DSLR.  Again, the application numbers are 12/495,813 and 12/495,814, and were each filed on July 1, 2009 and published by the USPTO on January 7, 2010.

The relevant description in the patent notes the following:

“The camera performs an image capturing operation.  In this state, an image stabilization mechanism, which is connected to the stabilization control circuit, can shift and rotate the image sensor in a predetermined direction to cancel the blur of an image.  Thus, the image stabilization mechanism can prevent the image from shifting undesirably and lowering the resolution.” – USPTO App. No. 12/495,813 at ¶ [0049]

Again, these patent applications specifically deal with the functionality of a dual image viewfinder system.  This portion of the patent claims was mentioned almost in passing and does not appear to be a material part of these patent applications.

Given Canon’s past marketing claims concerning the superiority of lens-based stabilization systems, however, I found this mention in Canon’s patent worth noting separately.

As I have said before though, this does not necessarily mean that Canon is producing a camera with a sensor-based stabilization system.

For more reading on these patent applications, see the previous post: Canon DSLR Dual Image Viewfinder

Canon DSLR Dual Image Viewfinder

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Canon DSLR Dual Viewfinder

A pair of recently published Canon patents reveal a new viewfinder system for Canon DSLRs that will allow photographers to “chimp” their shots without ever taking their eye off the viewfinder.  The patent applications filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) under application numbers 12/495,813 and 12/495,814 were each filed on July 1, 2009 and published by the USPTO on January 7, 2010.

The essence of the technology claimed under the patents is an advanced viewfinder system that uses a small backlit LCD or OLED inside of the finder to project previously captured images onto a mirror in the pentaprism, which in turn, is reflected toward the eye of the photographer.  As a result, the photographer sees two images in the viewfinder – the live optical image and the previously-captured image from the LCD.

The purpose of this invention, as stated in the patent, is to help the photographer be more efficient by keeping his or her eye in the viewfinder and not having to pull away from the action in order to check exposure, white balance, focus and so on. [Read more…]

Canon 1D Mark IV Firmware Version 1.0.6 Coming Soon

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Canon 1D Mark IV

Canon Europe has announced a new firmware update that will be coming soon for the EOS 1D Mark IV.  The firmware version 1.0.6 will address the following issues:

AF performance has been enhanced for receding subjects and for subjects that are approaching at a low speed.

Stay tuned for more details on the availability of the firmware update.

[via Canon Europe]

Canon “Story Behind the Still” Contest

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Canon is holding a new contest for aspiring filmmakers that gives you a chance to win a Canon 7D, 5D Mark II or some Canon lenses.  Vincent Laforet has created a new short film, Cabbie (seen above), but you have to pick up with the subsequent chapters based on the still image provided by Laforet at the end of Cabbie.  Laforet and other all star film makers will pick the winning chapters after Cabbie for a total of seven chapters (six winners).

The deadline for chapter 2 is February 11.

You can get details in the press release below and over on the Vimeo group, Beyond the Still. [Read more…]

Canon 5D Mark II Battery Grips: BG-E6 vs. Third-Party Grips

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Canon 5D Mark II Battery Grip

The Canon BG-E6 battery grip serves a couple of different purposes for the 5D Mark II.  As the name implies, it holds batteries – either two LP-E6 lithium-ion batteries or 6 AA batteries in the included battery holder.  Likewise, the BG-E6 serves as a grip for handling the camera in portrait orientation, featuring controls for the shutter release, scroll wheel, and focus point adjustments, among others.

Canon 5D Mark II Battery Grips

The BG-E6 is a nice accessory to have; however, it runs $250.  For some, that’s a little steep for a battery grip.  Third party grips are much more affordable at less than $100, but are they worth the compromise? This question comes up on forums quite a bit and finds its way in my inbox now and then.

In this little exercise, we are going to take a look at the Canon BG-E6 grip and see how a couple of third party grips from Vivitar and Zeikos stack up against it.

[UPDATE:  I’ve supplemented this review with a review of the Vello BG-C2 and BG-C4 grips for the Canon 5D Mark II and 7D.]

[Read more…]

Pointless Example of Canon 1D Mark IV Shutter Speed at 10 fps

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This video of the Canon 1D Mark IV firing at 10 frames per second is mostly pointless; however, I still find myself watching it over and over thanks to the gadget nut in me.

Looks a little grainy, doesn’t it?  That’s because it was shot at ISO 25600 on a Nikon D3S.  A single overhead tungsten bulb supplied the light.

Stay tuned for more serious content on both of these new work horses.  In the mean time, watch the video again. ;-)

Deal Alert: Canon Rebel XS, 18-55mm Lens at 75-300mm Lens for $509

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B&H Photo currently has a deal on the Rebel XS and two Canon lenses that shows $669 on the product page; however, when you add it to the cart, it drops to $509.

I’m not sure how long it will last, but since the Canon DSLR and lens rebates expire later this week, I wouldn’t expect it to last past that.  If you’re interested, here’s the link.