Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Canon 5D Mark II Rumors Heating Up Again

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5D mark II rumours

Originally uploaded by danidantje


If you’ve been looking for the latest info on the Canon 5D Mark II, chances are you’ve see (or will see) this photo. Sorry, but it’s a fake. The rumors have been stirring over the past couple of weeks, but there’s nothing really floating around (except for this post, which is from a new poster that has no history of reliability).

If the 5D appears anytime soon, we won’t know anything until Canon’s 2008 PMA press conference. I expect that Canon will introduce either the Canon 450D (Rebel XTi successor) or the Canon 5D Mark II (or even both of them). Both the Rebel XTi and 5D are due for replacement.

If you’re looking to make a purchase, perhaps you should consider the crazy prices that you can get the Canon 5D at now. Once the 5D Mark II comes out, I expect the 5D will be discontinued and it may be tough to find new.

[tags]canon, 5d, mark ii, successor, replacement, 6d, rebel xti, 450d[/tags]

 

Eye-Fi SD Card Reviews

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The Eye-Fi SD Card is a wireless memory card. It automatically uploads pictures from your digital camera to your PC or Mac and to your favorite photo sharing, printing, blogging or social networking site.

How It Works

Basically, you plug the Eye-Fi card into a special reader, set it up on your computer and sharing websites and then start shooting. If you’re in range of your wireless network, the Eye-Fi card automatically uploads the images to your computer and photo sharing websites. It’s got 2GB of storage, so if you’re not in range, it can hold on to plenty of photos until you get back within range of your network.

Who It’s For

For some, this card could come in quite handy. I see a lot of potential in this technology for studio shooters. It’s not quite there yet, as you’ll see from reading some of the reviews below. However, some users will benefit from this technology right away. Think about the photographers that you see at theme parks or special events. If they’re in range of the network (install a few access points if needed), images can go straight to the computer or, say, Smugmug and they’re selling photos faster and more efficiently. No more running cards back and forth.

I think the people that will appreciate this device are the MySpace and Facebook users that like to share photos with their friends. It takes a lot out of their work flow, which they don’t want to have a work flow anyway. It’ll get their party pictures on Photobucket or flickr with less effort than the traditional method. As such, expect to see the Eye-Fi card more in high school and college students’ point & shoot cameras than in serious photographers’ DSLRs.

Gotcha

For now, Eye-Fi only works with JPEG images. That’s enough to keep me from getting one, as I only shoot in RAW. The minimal convenience that I could gain from this card is nowhere near enough reason to shoot JPEG over RAW. Additionally, I wouldn’t use it for the sharing feature anyway, as I always tweak photos before sending them anywhere.

Reviews

DP Review

Once configured and in a ‘home’ environment it is arguably easier getting images from your camera back to your computer, but you really wouldn’t want to use it as a mass transfer alternative to a card reader.

Gizmodo

Sure, the Eye-Fi is basically a cradle replacement. But snapping photos and automatically uploading them in real time to share is truly fantastic, especially when the images can be better than one’s camera phone. And the entire product experience is built with simplicity. If you can get over the price and are sick of cords, we strongly recommend the purchase.

Paul Stamatiou

For $99 I would definitely recommend the Eye-Fi. At that price you get 2GB and wireless functionality – that’s a steal. I’m going to set this up on my mom’s camera so she can put family pictures on her neglected Flickr account. The Eye-Fi receives 9 out of 10 Stammys.

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]eye-fi, sd, card, wireless[/tags]

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM Reviews

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The Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM lens is an ultra wide-angle lens compatible with Canon APS-sized sensor DSLRs, like the Rebel XTi and 40D. The lens is equivalent to a 16-35mm zoom on a 35mm format camera. The consensus among reviewers is that it offers excellent performance and optics. Three aspherical lens elements, plus a Super-UD element, assure image quality. It also has a ring-type USM, which means fast and silent AF along with full-time manual focus. [Read more…]

Lowepro Fastpack Camera Bag

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For those of you in need of a new gear bag (*raising my hand*), Lowepro has released a sweet new camera bag. The Fastpack line is a new series of backpacks specially designed for today’s on-the-go technology enthusiast. Whether the task is photographing family travels, or taking a day trip around town, or capturing that special event, the Fastpack backpacks’ triple compartment design provide a durable, lightweight and comfortable carrying solution that holds a digital SLR camera, extra lenses or flash units, a notebook computer, and contains generous storage for accessories and personal gear.

Outfitted for work, travel or play, the 180-degree access panel in the Fastpack makes loading and retrieving camera equipment quick and easy, while adjustable dividers enable its compartment to be fully customized to fit different combinations of gear. Fastpack 350 StuffedWith its security flap snapped closed over the camera compartment, Fastpack offers an additional layer of security for valuable photography equipment while maintaining fast access through the side entry compartment – even while the pack is being worn. The top compartment provides ample capacity and puts personal accessories at the photographer’s fingertips. Two of the Fastpack series’ four models, Fastpack 250 and 350, provide an additional compartment with side access to a notebook computer.

All models in the Fastpack line of backpacks feature outer accessory pockets which provide quick access to larger items, and a harness pocket perfect for an MP3 player or mobile phone. With the compatible pouches, Sliplock accessory loops add even more external storage capacity and the mesh side pocket holds a water bottle, car keys or other essentials. Each model is available in red, blue or black.

The compact Fastpack 100 (8.7 x 7.3 x 16.1″) lets you carry a DSLR with a zoom lens mounted, as well as an additional body or lens and a flash unit. Also, there’s room for an MP3 player and a few other miscellaneous items. This is the minimalist’s bag that will come in handy on those hikes and other outings where you’re not going just to shoot but still want to have your camera with you. Here’s the links to trusted retailers for the Fastpack 100 (in the $55-60 range): Amazon, B&H Photo & Adorama.

The Lowepro Fastpack 200 (12.4 x 8.1 x 18.1″), allows you to carry a DSLR with a zoom lens attached, in addition to a couple of extra lenses (or another body) and a flash. You also get more gadget space for an MP3 player, phone, keys, memory cards and more. Here’s the links to trusted retailers for the Fastpack 200 (in the $75 range): Amazon, B&H Photo & Adorama.

The Lowepro Fastpack 250 (12.4 x 8.1 x 18.1″) steps it up a notch and allows you to carry all the gear the 200 holds with some extra wiggle room. The big bonus for stepping up to the Fastpack 250 is the ability to carry up to a 15.4″ laptop (MacBook anyone?) with the same side loading access you get for your camera gear. Here’s the links to trusted retailers for the Fastpack 250 (in the $90 range): Amazon, B&H Photo & Adorama.

The Lowepro Fastpack 350 is made to carry a digital SLR camera, lenses, flash, accessories and a laptop computer with a screen up to 17″. With a side entry camera compartment, you get easy access to your camera, laptop and accessories. Here’s the links to trusted retailers for the Fastpack 350 (in the $115 range): Amazon, B&H Photo & Adorama.

[tags]lowepro, fastpack, camera bag, laptop, 100, 200, 250, 350, review, photos, availability, price[/tags]

Canon USA shipping EOS-1Ds Mark III to retailers this week

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Per Rob Galbraith:

Canon USA is shipping the EOS-1Ds Mark III in the U.S. starting this week. The first units of the 21.03 million image pixel digital SLR are expected to land on dealer loading docks in the next few days, says Chuck Westfall, Director of Media and Customer Relationship at Canon USA.

Watch Amazon’s listing for the availability. I’ll keep you posted.

[tags]canon, 1ds mark iii, availability, shipping[/tags]

Canon EOS-1D Mark III Firmware Update Version 1.1.3

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Canon has released a firmware update for the Canon EOS-1D Mark III. This firmware update (Version 1.1.3) incorporates the following improvements and fixes.

  1. Increases transmission speed when using high-speed SD cards.
  2. Fixes a phenomenon involving not being able to release the shutter.
  3. Improves AF tracking in specific conditions.
  4. Corrects errors in the Spanish and Korean menu screens.

The Version 1.1.3 firmware being released this time is for cameras with firmware up to Version 1.1.1. If the camera’s firmware is already Version 1.1.3, it is not necessary to update the firmware.

Version 1.1.3 is available for download now via the Canon Japan website.

[tags]canon, 1d, mark iii, firmware, update, af tracking, speed, sd, card, shutter release[/tags]

Prize Winning AP Photographer Jailed in Iraq

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“We believe Bilal’s crime was taking photographs the U.S. government did not want its citizens to see. That he was part of a team of AP photographers who had just won a Pulitzer Prize for work in Iraq may have made Bilal even more of a marked man.”

Bilal has been imprisoned by the U.S. military in Iraq since he was picked up April 12, 2006, in Ramadi, a violent town in a turbulent province where few Western journalists dared go. The military claimed then that he had suspicious links to insurgents. This week, Editor & Publisher magazine reported the military has amended that to say he is, in fact, a “terrorist” who had “infiltrated the AP.”

read more | digg story

Canon EF 28-90mm f/4-5.6 III

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Canon has released a new iteration of the same old EF 28-90mm lens that’s been around forever. The Canon EF 28-90 f/4-5.6 III combines the same optical and electronics technology as the EF 28-90mm f/4-5.6 USM but is equipped with distance metering information. This feature provides compatibility with the E-TTL II flash system which takes the lens distance information into account during autoflash.  (*yawn*)  More info on Canon USA’s product page.

[tags]canon, 28-90mm, lens, eos[/tags]