Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips
Over the years, photographers find what works for them and build a camera bag full of essential accessories for the way they work and shoot. There are many different items that can find there way into photographers’ bags but some are more essential and universal than others.
Discovering these essential items early on can save new photographers some frustration along the way. So here are 10 essential accessories that will make your life easier. [Read more…]
I was shooting some video using the Atomos Ninja Star yesterday, which uses CFast cards. When it came time to download my footage, I had 27GB of footage. It took 2 minutes to transfer to my Mac Pro using a USB 3.0 card reader.
I hate plugging in a CF or SD card to a card reader and look at 10+ minutes of transfer time remaining. CFast cards are still pretty pricey but there’s just not much demand because the more popular cameras don’t support them yet. Right now, they seem to be mostly limited to pro video cameras.
The pins on devices that use CF cards are the worst design possible and expensive to repair when bent ($275 in a Canon 7D if you’re wondering). CF cards are reaching their limits in terms of transfer speeds. SD cards are even passing them up with the new UHS-II bus and we’re seeing more and more cameras add UHS-II compatibility. I’d like to see CFast cards implemented in cameras that are on the level of the Canon 5D series and higher.
CF cards have served their purpose well but it’s time to move on.
Canon has been pretty consistent with its line of cameras that include the most recent Canon EOS 70D. These cameras are a popular step up from the entry-level Rebel line. And now that the Rebel line has gotten more serious with the Rebel T6s, I would expect to see some more advanced features on the Canon EOS 80D, which is expected to arrive in 2016. [Read more…]
In this tutorial video, photographer Ian Norman shows how he processes astrophotography images in Adobe Lightroom. It’s a pretty straightforward process, but he does a great job of explaining how why he is making each adjustment.
New rumors suggest that Canon will announce the very highly-anticipated 5D Mark IV in the first quarter of 2016. [Read more…]
One of the major criticisms of DSLRs, and specifically Canon DSLRs, is the use of a rolling shutter that produces motion artifacts. This rolling shutter effect is very prevalent in video with Canon DSLRs thanks to the readout method of the CMOS image sensors.
It has certainly improved with recent models (the 5D Mark II was a mess and the 5D Mark III is much better) but Canon is continuing to refine the process and reveals some of the methods it is seeking to use in a pair of recent patent applications. [Read more…]
Canon Rumors reports of a tip that Canon is working on a new EF 70-200mm L lens. It would most likely be the aging EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM model that would get the Mark II update.
No word on when the lens would be coming but sooner rather than later is likely. Canon has a habit of introducing professional lenses in the November-ish time frame, so that wouldn’t be a total shocker to see such a lens then.
Stay tuned.
Nikon Rumors has posted a new list of updated specs for the highly-anticipated D5. Nothing groundbreaking with leaks or features that haven’t been kicked around before but we are expecting something official in early 2016.
Check out the collected list below. [Read more…]
As part of an ongoing look at basic camera settings and features, we now take a look at Manual mode on your camera. It most commonly is available on cameras that have a mode dial and is represented by the ‘M’ on that dial – and it is a powerful camera mode that every photographer should understand. [Read more…]
This article on Giving Your Video That Cinematic Look – Why Understanding ISO Is Just as Important as Having the Right Gear is from guest author Corey Benoit.
Like many, my projects require both still and motion images and are often lacking essential light to simplify the production. Switching between the two, I have found that understanding ISO is equally as important as selecting the right gear for your shoot. This article takes a look at ISO and gear for creating cinematic video in low light situations.
Many photographers and videographers think that ISO only affects the overall exposure of the image or the light being received by the sensor, and this is a myth. ISO doesn’t just affect the exposure or the lightness/brightness of an image. It basically destroys the color integrity and accuracy. Your greens will take on a lighter shade and will most likely have noise. Reds turn into more of an orangey kind of red, and blues will typically take on a cyan color. Color pollution is a problem with higher ISO. The color matrix will be polluted the more you push the ISO. Not to mention the damage that is done to the black/gray shades. They are polluted very badly with higher ISO. [Read more…]