Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

No Canon 40D This Spring!

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Have you been looking for the Canon 40D only to come across the real 40D at Amazon?
Every Canon fan and shopper is now well aware of the announcement of the Canon EOS 1D Mk III, which we all now want (affordability issues aside). However, in light of this announcement it also appears that we will be without a successor to the Canon 30D anytime soon (like the much rumored 40D). Mark Goldstein has posted his commentary on PhotographyBLOG.com noting that Canon has confirmed there are no further major release announcements for PMA.

He says:

Canon confirmed that these will be all the new products announced in the run-up to and during PMA, which starts on March 8th.

So all those rumours of the 40D and 1Ds Mark III cameras that you might have seen will continue to circulate for a while yet!

So, what happened with the infamous placeholder for the Canon 40D on the official Canon Hong Kong website? I think, perhaps, Canon has brought out one of the oldest tricks in the book for all of us bloggers and gear geeks. Canon pulled the old switcheroo on us. If that’s the case, it was a rather savvy move on Canon’s part by misdirecting our attention to something that really wasn’t going to happen and then surprising us with a remarkable new camera from a different line. Kudos to you Canon, you got us. Thanks for the great gear this year too!

 

Canon EOS-1D Mark III Announced

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Looks like there is a new Canon EOS-1D Mark III and Rob Galbraith is hosting the official Canon whitepaper. Additionally, there’s a new 16-35 f/2.8 L lens and a 580EX II flash. Initially, the most salivating features of the new camera seem to be 10.1MP DIGIC III at 10fps! Oh, and how about a 3″ LCD display with LIVE view?
The key features pointed out by DPReview.com:

  • 10.1 Megapixel APS-H CMOS sensor
  • 10 fps continuous shooting for up to 110 frames
  • Dual “DIGIC III” processors
  • New auto focus system with 19 cross type sensors
  • EOS Integrated Cleaning System
  • ISO 3200 (expandable to H:6400)
  • 3.0” LCD with Live View mode
  • Wider, brighter viewfinder
  • Picture Style1 [Read more…]

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM Lens Reviews

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The Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM is an ultra-wide-angle zoom that offers a broader view, fast aperture, and closer focusing down to 11 in. (.28m). The first EF wide-angle zoom to combine three Aspherical elements and Canon’s UD glass, the lens remains compact while providing superior image quality across its range. Constructed to pro standards, it’s also highly resistant to dust and moisture. (Canon)

Reviews

The Digital Picture

At 16mm, the 16-35 L is very sharp in the center even wide open (f/2.8) and improves little when stopped down. The 16mm full-frame corners are soft wide open (with a flat target – because of field curvature) and improve noticeably at f/5.6. At 16mm with a close subject distance, strong barrel distortion is noticeable even on a FOVCF body.

Photozone

All-in-all it is a very good lens but if you don’t need the f/2.8 setting and that extra mm at the wide end you may as well save quite some bucks by preferring the EF 17-40mm f/4 USM L which performs basically just as good.

Luminous Landscape

If you are in the market for a new wide-angle lens, I definitely recommend spending the extra $250 and getting the new 16-35L. In terms of sharpness, contrast, and extra features, you will get your monies worth.

Ken Rockwell

This is your lens if you need the absolute widest zoom available from a top-drawer manufacturer for a full-frame camera.

WL Castleman

The greater widefield capabilities of the EF 16-35 L (108° diagonal field of view compared to 74° diagonal field of view for the 17-40L) make the relatively minor differences in corner sharpness and chromatic aberration a small price to pay for those seek the widest possible ultrawide zoom performance.

Fred Miranda Forum User Reviews

Overall I would rate this lens 9 out of 10. I got it back in November 2006 and after a year I can say that 16-35L Mark I is an excellent wide angle lens. I shoot with FF bodies and I guess this is pretty much the reason why I went for it. 16mm is quite wide on my 5D and 1Ds.

Photography Review User Reviews

this lens is an excellent choice for your line-up of quality lenses. i am slowly converting to an all L-series line-up, all f/2.8 lenses. i cannot stress enough how amazingly beautiful this lens is, as well as all of the other L series.

PBase Sample Images

Where to Buy

First off, consider going to your local camera store (and I don’t necessarily mean Wolf Camera at the mall). By going to your local camera store, you’re supporting your community and you just might build a lasting relationship with people you can rely on when you need some help or answers. If you’re buying online, I recommend sticking with Amazon, B&H Photo or Adorama. These three vendors are reliable, trustworthy and generally have the best (legitimate) prices. Additionally, purchasing your gear through these links helps support this site.

[tags]Canon, EF, 16-35mm, f/2.8L, USM, lens, review[/tags]

Canon EF 28-90mm f/4-5.6 II USM

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The Canon EF 28-90mm f/4-5.6 II USM lens is one of the former kit lenses of the Rebel series film SLRs.  The image quality is generally not regarded as all that great.  Additionally, the zoom range is ill-suited for the newer 1.6x crop-sensor DSLRs.  As an update from the prior non-USM version, it is a lightweight lens (only 6.7 oz./190g) and also has a revised exterior appearance, highlighted by a rubber zoom ring.

Reviews

The Digital Picture

The Canon EF 28-90mm f/4-5.6 II USM Lens is sharper at the wide end rapidly progressing to soft at 90mm. Wide open sharpness is not bad at 28mm, but the corners are soft until the lens is stopped down to f/8. The 28-90 II is very soft wide open over most of the balance of the focal length range.

Fred Miranda Forum User Reviews

I got this lense as a gift with my Elan 7 – my first SLR in 20 years. I shot a couple of dozen rolls with this lense and loved many of the pictures I got with it. It was only after getting my 10D and reading up on lenses that I realized this was a very cheap entry level zoom. After comparing it to a 50mm 1.4 and a few other L lenses I realized that pictures could be much better than lense was capable of capturing.

Photography Review User Reviews

Nice lens despite of the very cheap look. Sharpness and distortion are ok for the price tag, after all it’s an under $100 3x zoom range lens. Focusing is not lightning fast but ok for amateur use.

PhotoSig User Reviews

As a general purpose lense it is fine. I am a travel photographer and tend to take this lense on the road because of its light weight, near silent and extremely fast auto focus system.

SLR Gear User Reviews

This lens usually comes as part of a kit (along with an entry level film SLR). It’s lightweight, which pretty much sums up the good stuff I can say about it. Oh, plus at least this version come with USM.

Where to Buy

First off, consider going to your local camera store. By going to your local camera store, you’re supporting your community and you just might build a lasting relationship with people you can rely on when you need some help or answers. If you’re buying online, I recommend sticking with Amazon, B&H Photo or Adorama. These three vendors are reliable, trustworthy and generally have the best (legitimate) prices.

[tags]Canon, EF, 28-90mm, f/4-5.6, II, USM, lens, review[/tags]

Canon 10D Reviews

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The Canon EOS 10D is a discontinued 6.3-megapixel semi-professional digital SLR camera, initially announced on February 27, 2003 at a price point of $1,999 without lens ($1,599 street price). As of early 2007, factory refurbished units are about $600. The 10D replaced the Canon EOS D60, which is also a 6.3-megapixel digital SLR camera. Additionally, the 10D does not accept EF-S lenses.

Reviews

Steve’s Digicams

The 10D’s images are excellent, the resolution is the same as the D60 but there’s less noise and artifacts visible. Even the higher ISO 400 and 800 shots are noticeably “cleaner” and I was surprised to see very useable ISO 1600 images.

DPReview.com

I have no concerns in stating that as things stand (at the time of writing this review) the EOS-10D is the absolute best in class, with the best image quality, lowest high sensitivity noise, superb build quality and excellent price (not to mention the huge choice of lenses).

Digital Camera Resource Page

The Canon EOS-10D is the best deal out there for a digital SLR camera.

Luminous Landscape

There are two new features found in the 10D that don’t even exist in the 1D and 1Ds. The first is an automatic orientation sensor that tells the camera if a shot has been taken vertically or horizontally and then tags the image so that it shows up with the correct orientation on screen. The second is a feature which I’ve been asking Canon for for a couple of years; a mode which automatically switches from single shot focus to focus tracking if the subject starts moving. Hooray!

Cnet

Though not without its quirks, the 10D is a great candidate for a first digital SLR.

Digital Outback Photo

Canon has now with the 10D (excellent price/feature/quality ratio), 1D (the action champion) and 1Ds (defining digital state of the art) a very strong offering of digital SLRs. We hope that this will keep Nikon and Fuji busy to follow up.

Imaging Resource

The EOS-10D will immediately dispel any longing for the D60 though, as it’s a genuinely more capable camera in almost every respect. While the image sensor still has the same ~6 megapixel resolution, the numerous upgrades in nearly all other aspects of the cameras operation (most notably in the AF performance) really makes the 10D a whole new camera.

Mac Dev Center

When Canon started shipping the EOS 10D in March 2003, digital photography took a turn for the better. From the first grip of the magnesium body, this SLR feels right at home. Better yet, it shoots like a real camera.

Where to Buy

First off, consider going to your local camera store (and I don’t necessarily mean Wolf Camera at the mall). By going to your local camera store, you’re supporting your community and you just might build a lasting relationship with people you can rely on when you need some help or answers. If you’re buying online, I recommend sticking with Amazon, B&H Photo or Adorama. These three vendors are reliable, trustworthy and generally have the best (legitimate) prices. Additionally, purchasing your camera through these links helps support this site. You can still find some used a refurbished 10D bodies popping up on these sites.
[tags]canon, eos, 10d, reviews, price, availability, order[/tags]

Canon 1Ds Mark II Reviews

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The Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II is a top model in the Canon EOS DSLR line, with a full-frame 16.7 MP CMOS sensor. A professional grade camera body, the EOS 1Ds Mark II is large, ruggedly built, and is dust/weather-resistant. The Mark II is the successor to the 11.4 MP Canon EOS 1Ds and has been replaced by the 21.1 MP Canon 1Ds Mark III.


Reviews

DPReview

Performance is another area which impresses, of course we all expect a professional digital SLR (especially one with this price tag) to operate quickly and be instantly responsive to our every request. But when you consider that this camera wasn’t designed for the fast-shooting sports market it’s equally amazing to use it and realize that in many ways it is just as capable at continuous shooting as it is at delivering superb resolution. Four sixteen megapixel frames per second for 41 frames without stopping is something mighty.

Luminous Landscape

In the end, the 1Ds Mark II stands alone, (for the moment at least), as the camera with the combination of highest image quality and fastest handling available. There are faster cameras and there are higher resolution digital solutions (various 22 Megapixel backs, and soon the Mamiya ZD 22 MP camera). But for the money, the size, the versatility, and the performance, the Canon 1Ds Mark II is currently king of the hill.

Digital Outback Photo

Very clean files up to ISO 400. Even ISO 800 looks excellent and ISO 1600 is very useable too. This seconds the findings we had with some real world nature shots in Sedona that behaved very well at ISO 400. This excellent ISO behavior is more important to us than even the extra resolution.

The Digital Picture

Is the Canon EOS 1D Mark II for professionals only? Definitely not. Having excellent quality in-focus images appeals to a large number of non-professional enthusiasts as well. Keep in mind – all of us are capable of taking bad pictures with the best camera available. The Canon EOS 1D Mark II has the ability take your photography to a very high quality level.

Steve’s Digicams

The Mark II is an excellent value for the pro who needs its increased resolution and improved performance, and to the extent that the Mark II enables them to earn more income, they will buy it. But to the rest of us mere mortals, justifying an $8000 camera plus the necessary upgrades in computer and memory resources is a big stretch, one not many enthusiasts and semi-pro’s will make.

Where to Buy

First off, consider going to your local camera store (and I don’t necessarily mean Wolf Camera at the mall). By going to your local camera store, you’re supporting your community and you just might build a lasting relationship with people you can rely on when you need some help or answers. If you’re buying online, I recommend sticking with Amazon, B&H Photo or Adorama. These three vendors are reliable, trustworthy and generally have the best (legitimate) prices. Additionally, purchasing your camera through these links helps support this site.

Canon 1D Mark II Reviews

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The Canon EOS 1D Mark II is an 8.2 megapixel pro-level DSLR. Introduced in early 2004, the Mark II is the successor to the Canon EOS 1D, which was Canon’s first pro DSLR introduced in 2001.

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The 1D Mark II uses a 1.3x crop-factor sensor and also includes the following features:

  • DIGIC II image processor
  • Canon EF lens mount (excludes EF-S)
  • 45-point TTL-AREA-SIR autofocus with a CMOS sensor
  • TTL full aperture metering with 21 zone SPC
  • 100–1600 ISO speed equivalent (ISO can be expanded to L: 50 or H: 3200 with custom function)
  • 30–1/8000 sec. shutter speed and bulb
  • Auto white balance
  • Eye-level pentaprism viewfinder with approx. 100% coverage
  • 230,000 pixel, 2.0″ color TFT liquid-crystal monitor with approx. 100% coverage (for JPEG images)
  • E-TTL II flash mode
  • 8.5 frames per second continuous shooting (JPEG: max. 40 frames, RAW: max. 20 frames)

Reviews

DPReview.com

The Mark II is a perfect example of evolution of technology (eight megapixel, CMOS, 40 frame buffer) and also correction of function and usage.

Luminous Landscape

Canon’s accomplishment in producing a camera that can shoot such large files at such fast speeds is nothing short of remarkable.

Steve’s Digicams

With its 8-megapixel imager, accurate autofocus system, precise metering system and robust performance the Canon EOS-1D Mark II is photographic tool that is unrivaled in the industry at the time of this test (May 2004).

The Digital Picture

Is the Canon EOS 1D Mark II for professionals only? Definitely not. Having excellent quality in-focus images appeals to a large number of non-professional enthusiasts as well. Keep in mind – all of us are capable of taking bad pictures with the best camera available. The Canon EOS 1D Mark II has the ability take your photography to a very high quality level.

Photography on the Net

I think it is no surprise to hear me say Mark II is absolutely the best camera I have used. It feels great, it is accurate, versatile, reliable and fast, images look great and print great. What more could you ask?

Imaging Resource

The new EOS-1D Mark II raises the bar while maintaining all that made the 1D such a successful and formidable SLR, offering the same great exposure control, but with a much higher resolution, 8.2-megapixel CMOS sensor.

ZDNet

In a league by itself, the Mark II offers professional photographers extensive customization, excellent photo quality, and market-leading speed.

Where to Buy

First off, consider going to your local camera store (and I don’t necessarily mean Wolf Camera at the mall). By going to your local camera store, you’re supporting your community and you just might build a lasting relationship with people you can rely on when you need some help or answers. If you’re buying online, I recommend sticking with Amazon, B&H Photo or Adorama. These three vendors are reliable, trustworthy and generally have the best (legitimate) prices. Additionally, purchasing your camera through these links helps support this site.

[tags]canon, eos, 1d, mark, ii, review[/tags]