Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Canon 7D Service Notice Re: Residual Image in Picture

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Canon USA has issued a service notice regarding a phenomenon where traces of the immediately preceding frame may be visible in an image file from the Canon 7D.  This has apparently occurred in situations using continuous shooting mode.  According to Canon, the problem “is not noticeable in an image with optimal exposure.”

As the notice states, “Canon is currently investigating and analyzing the cause of this phenomenon, and we are planning to release a firmware update to address this issue.”

I have been unable to reproduce this effect in testing the 7D today; however, an unofficial discussion and sample images demonstrating the problem appear in DPR forums here.  According to one observer, optimal conditions for reproducing this error include the following:

1. Shoot with maximum continuous shooting rate.(8.05fps)
2. Shoot with fast shutter speed.(>1/500s ?)
3. Image’s back ground is flat and bright.(Blue sky,etc)
4. Target is a fast moving object.(Bird,Jet fighter,etc)
5. 2nd or later frame image has a ghost of previous frame image.

You can read the entire service notice on Canon’s website.

 

Canon 7D vs Nikon D300s ISO Test

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A couple of years ago, after Canon announced the 40D, Nikon dropped a bomb with the D300 and D3 combo.  I remember the cover of Popular Photography read in bold print “Nikon Strikes Back.”  That was a very fitting description in the face of what many thought was a rather mild upgrade to the Canon 30D, which was in turn a mild upgrade to the 20D.   A year later, Canon failed to really “wow” us with the 50D; however, I found the 50D to be an excellent performer.

Fast forward to Summer 2009 and the stage is set for both Nikon and Canon to take another turn at “wowing” us.  The D300s is mostly a rehash of the D300, along with video capture.  Canon, however, stepped out with the feature-packed 7D, which also featured video, but added a spec-list that made it look like a 5D Mark II Jr.

Since the introduction of the D300 was Nikon’s turn to “Strike Back,” will the Canon 7D, in response to the D300s, be “Return of the Jedi Canon”?  Keep on reading this first round of comparisons, which takes a side-by-side look at the ISO performance of these two prosumer cameras. [Read more…]

Canon 2009-2010 Fall and Winter Rebates

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Canon Rebates

Canon has announced its lineup of lenses and flashes eligible for instant rebate savings for fall / winter 2009.

This is an instant rebate program too – no mailing receipts and UPC codes an then waiting 6-8 weeks.   The rebate applies for purchases on qualifying Canon gear between October 22, 2009 and January 16, 2010.

The specific items are listed below, along with links to product pages for each lens or flash at Amazon, Adorama and B&H Photo.  Additionally, Amazon has set up a dedicated page for this rebate program.

Canon Lens Rebates

EF 200mm f/2L IS USM – Save $500 – Amazon / Adorama / B&H Photo

EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM – Save $150 – Amazon / Adorama / B&H Photo

EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM – Save $130 – Amazon / Adorama / B&H Photo

EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM – Save $100 – Amazon / Adorama / B&H Photo

EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM – Save $80 – Amazon / Adorama / B&H Photo

EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM – Save $80 – Amazon / Adorama / B&H Photo

EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM – Save $75 – Amazon / Adorama / B&H Photo

EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM – Save $70 – Amazon / Adorama / B&H Photo

EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM – Save $50 – Amazon / Adorama / B&H Photo

EF 17-40mm f/4L USM – Save $50 – Amazon / Adorama / B&H Photo

EF 70-200mm f/4L USM – Save $40 – Amazon / Adorama / B&H Photo

EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM – Save $30 – Amazon / Adorama / B&H Photo

Canon Flash Rebates

Speedlite 580EX II – Save $50 – Amazon / Adorama / B&H Photo

Speedlite 430EX II – Save $30 – Amazon / Adorama / B&H Photo

Speedlite 270EX – Save $20 – Amazon / Adorama / B&H Photo

Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX – Save $70 – Amazon / Adorama / B&H Photo

Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX – Save $50 – Amazon / Adorama / B&H Photo

Canon 1D Mark IV Hands-On Review

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After getting some hands on time with the 7D before, my impressions going into Photo Plus with the 1D Mark IV were that it was basically a “grown up” version of that camera. In some ways I’m wrong, and in some ways I’m right. The 1D Mark IV is a camera that Canon users of all types and backgrounds will drool over. From the amazing high ISO photos to the lovely HD video modes, there is lots to love in this camera.

[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.

Canon 7D Firmware Update Version 1.0.9

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Canon 7D

Canon has released a firmware update for the EOS 7D.  The new version 1.0.9 incorporates the following fixes:

1. Improves AF accuracy during Live View shooting.
2. Corrects a phenomenon where in rare instances, movie images shot by the camera may exhibit abnormal colors.
3. Corrects a phenomenon that at certain timings, the shutter cannot be released when the camera’s built-in flash or an external Speedlite is used for shooting.

To learn more about it or to download the update, see Canon’s website.