Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Think Tank Photo Multimedia Wired-Up Collection

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Think Tank Photo has been making great bags for photographers and getting rave review for a while now.  Think Tank Photo just stepped up to the video field as well with a huge new product, the Multimedia Wired-Up Collection, which is a modular system designed with video (and audio) in mind.  If you’ve been messing with cords and cables while trying to get some great video and audio material, you might want to take a closer look at the Multimedia Wired-Up Collection over on Think Tank Photo’s website.

For those of you sticking around, there’s more details below. [Read more…]

 

Miniature City Video with a Canon 5D Mark II

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This is an impressive little video shot with a Canon 5D Mark II and a couple of tilt & shift lenses – the PC-E Micro-Nikkor 85mm F2.8D & MC ARAX 2.8/35mm.

The miniature city effect is produced by the tilt & shift lenses and unique depth of field.  The effect is particularly pronounced when shooting from high above your subject at a steep angle, which produces the illusion of looking down on a miniaturized model or toy.

Canon Rebel T1i vs. Nikon D5000 Review – ISO Comparison Part II

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The Canon Rebel T1i and Nikon D5000 are the two new consumer-level DSLRs from the leading brands in the business right now.  Over the past month or so, I’ve shot extensively, almost exclusively, with these new DSLRs.  While there are a number of features that make these cameras stand out, the one that I keep coming back to is their ability to manage noise, even at higher ISOs.

Both cameras do something new in the entry-level category by turning up the sensitivity. The Canon Rebel T1i tops out at ISO 12800, while the Nikon D5000 pushes its sensitivity one-stop lower to ISO 6400.  In my day-to-day shooting, I would have no problem shooting with either camera at ISO 3200 for snapshots that will make my wife or mom happy to have in the family photo album.  Truth be told, they probably wouldn’t notice the difference between ISO 3200 and ISO 6400 in either camera.  The Rebel T1i’s spec of ISO 12800 may be a bit much for most applications; however, in a bind, you can likely get some decent black and whites at that level.

To see how the Canon Rebel T1i and Nikon D5000 stack up against each other, as well as the Canon 5D Mark II and Nikon D700, read on. [Read more…]

Canon 5D Mark II Firmware Update Ver. 1.1.0 Now Available

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Firmware version 1.1.0 for the Canon 5D Mark II is now available.  This firmware update adds the much-sought-after manual exposure control to the video mode, which expands the creative appeal of this camera even further.  I’ve been tinkering with the updated firmware settings for the past little while and think it’s some pretty powerful stuff. [Read more…]

Canon 5D Mark II Review at DC Resource

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DC Resource has posted a review of the Canon 5D Mark II.

All things considered, the Canon EOS-5D Mark II is a very impressive digital SLR. For the Canon enthusiast who wants to step up to a full-frame body, it’s an excellent choice.

For the latest news and reviews on the 5D Mark II, be sure to stay tuned to Photography Bay’s Canon 5D Mark II Reviews and Resources.

Canon 5D Mark II – Manual Exposure Control in Video Mode

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Canon has apparently been reading the numerous forum posts where 5D Mark II users have requested – nay, demanded – manual exposure control for their videos.  Well an email from Canon USA has confirmed that it’s coming . . . in June to be exact.

Canon will issue a firmware update to enable full manual exposure controls while shooting video, including ISO, aperture and shutter speed.  Although, I’m not sure what they mean by shutter speed. Isn’t the shutter always open in video mode?

Canon 5D Mark II, Nikon D700 & Sony A900 Comparison at Photocrati

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Photocrati has published a comparison of the three mid-range, full frame DSLRs – the Canon 5D Mark II, the Sony A900 and the Nikon D700.

In conventional operation, the D700 was lightning fast in all aspects. Automatic Chromatic Aberration Correction optimized the performance of any lens for class-leading quality. While resolution is “only” 12.1 MP, the D700 images are very clean so they can be resed up significantly in Photoshop or other software for making oversized prints.

For more news and reviews, you can also check out the Sony A900 Reviews and Resources, Canon 5D Mark II Reviews and Resources and Nikon D700 Reviews and Resources.

Canon 5D Mark II Review

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The Canon 5D Mark II was one of the most anticipated cameras ever launched. After a three year wait since the release of the original Canon 5D, the 5D Mark II was announced on September 17, 2008. The 5D Mark II brought with it a number of upgraded specifications, including a 21.1 megapixel CMOS sensor and the ability to capture 1080p HD video.

Irrespective of the fact that the camera does not carry a 1-series badge, the 5D Mark II is in many ways Canon’s new flagship camera.  The 5D II’s price, while not necessarily cheap, is still within the reach of many amateur photographers.  In fact, at $2,699 retail, the new camera weighs in $600 less than the original 5D’s introductory price tag of $3,299.  What you get for $2699, however, is quite the bargain.  While the 5D Mark II is not without its flaws, no other camera can touch its combination of resolution, sensitivity, noise performance and price. [Read more…]

Canon 5D Mark II Review at Neutral Day

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Neutral Day has posted a review of the Canon 5D Mark II.

It’s 21.1 megapixel sensor is capable of taking breathtaking imagery, it’s AF system is very fast and entirely competent (if a bit dated), and it’s ISO performance opens up possibilities likely not seen by most photographers, especially those moving up from prosumer level cameras.

For the latest news and reviews on the 5D Mark II, be sure to stay tuned to Photography Bay’s Canon 5D Mark II Reviews and Resources.

Zacuto Gunstock Mount for DSLR Video

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Introducing the DSLR Gunstock Shooters from Steve Weiss, Zacuto USA on Vimeo.

Shortly after the Canon 5D Mark II and Nikon D90 cameras were announced last Summer, Zacuto brought us some really cool video accessories to turn these hybrid-DSLRs into pro-capable video cameras.

Well, Zacuto just made things a lot better with their new gunstock rigs for DSLRs.

The key here is not to encage with metal, keeping it light at 6.5 lbs. including camera & follow focus make it the only true portable capable of shallow DOF.

Steve Weiss, product designer, Zacuto USA

They also became much more reasonable in price, going from the $5k range down to the $2k range.

More details on Zacuto’s site.