Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Nikon D3s vs. Canon 1D Mark IV ISO Comparison – Part II

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Canon 1D Mark IV vs. Nikon D3s

In the first comparison of the Canon 1D Mark IV and Nikon D3s, we looked at JPEG image samples that came straight from each of these cameras; however, I promised to deliver images processed from the RAW files of each camera as well.

As we are well aware by now, the Canon 1D Mark IV and Nikon D3s deliver impressive results at what were previously ridiculous sensitivity settings.  To see the results of the various RAW conversion methods on images produced by these class-leading cameras, keep reading.

[Read more…]

 

Canon Rebel T2i Reviews and Resources

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Canon Rebel T2i

The Canon Rebel T2i (the Canon EOS 550D in markets outside the US) is an 18MP DSLR that serves as a replacement to the popular Rebel T1i.  The Rebel T2i offers a number of advancements, including an improved metering system and a number of HD video recording options.  The Rebel T2i should be available in March 2010 at an initial retail price of $899 packaged with the EF-S 18-55mm IS lens or $799 for the body only. [Read more…]

Canon 1D Mark IV vs. Nikon D3s ISO Comparison

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Canon 1D Mark IV vs. Nikon D3s

The Canon 1D Mark IV and Nikon D3s are the two latest powerhouse DSLRs from the respective manufacturers.  As a quick rundown on the spec sheet, the Nikon D3s offers a 12.1-megapixel FX format sensor, while the Canon 1D Mark IV features a 16.1-megapixel APS-H (1.3x crop) sensor.  Both cameras offer extreme high ISO settings, up to the equivalent of ISO 102,400.

Which one offers the best noise control at these crazy-high ISO settings?  Read on to find out. [Read more…]

50 Million Canon Lenses

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Less than 2 years ago, Canon hit the 40 million mark for EF lenses manufactured.  Already, Canon is celebrating the 50 million mark, which occurred during the production of the EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens.

Canon has announced it is celebrating a new milestone in the history of SLR photography, as production of the company’s EF lenses – which began in 1987 with the birth of Canon’s EOS SLR system – has now reached 50 million units.

This lens landmark was achieved during the manufacture of the EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens and means that Canon has produced over 10 million EF lenses in less than two years since the 40 million EF lens production landmark was reached.

Canon’s EF lens range dates back to 1987 when the first EF lenses rewrote the SLR rulebook with their large-diameter, fully electronic lens mount, and the incorporation of a drive motor within the lens. The 1987 EF lens range coincided with the arrival of the first camera in the EOS system, the EOS 650, and has seen many groundbreaking advances since. – Canon Europe [link]

Canon 1D Mark IV Firmware Update Version 1.0.6

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Canon 1D Mark IV

Canon has released a firmware update for the EOS 1D Mark IV.  The firmware upgrade includes the following:

  1. Firmware Version 1.0.6 enhances the AF tracking performance.*

    2. *AF performance has been enhances for receding subjects and for subjects that are approaching at a low speed.

The firmware can be downloaded from Canon’s website.

Canon Patent Application Shows Sensor-Based Image Stabilization

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Canon Sensor Stabilization

In addition to the dual image viewfinder system in the recently-published Canon patent applications, the Canon applications also reveal a mechanism for sensor-based image stabilization in a DSLR.  Again, the application numbers are 12/495,813 and 12/495,814, and were each filed on July 1, 2009 and published by the USPTO on January 7, 2010.

The relevant description in the patent notes the following:

“The camera performs an image capturing operation.  In this state, an image stabilization mechanism, which is connected to the stabilization control circuit, can shift and rotate the image sensor in a predetermined direction to cancel the blur of an image.  Thus, the image stabilization mechanism can prevent the image from shifting undesirably and lowering the resolution.” – USPTO App. No. 12/495,813 at ¶ [0049]

Again, these patent applications specifically deal with the functionality of a dual image viewfinder system.  This portion of the patent claims was mentioned almost in passing and does not appear to be a material part of these patent applications.

Given Canon’s past marketing claims concerning the superiority of lens-based stabilization systems, however, I found this mention in Canon’s patent worth noting separately.

As I have said before though, this does not necessarily mean that Canon is producing a camera with a sensor-based stabilization system.

For more reading on these patent applications, see the previous post: Canon DSLR Dual Image Viewfinder

Canon DSLR Dual Image Viewfinder

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Canon DSLR Dual Viewfinder

A pair of recently published Canon patents reveal a new viewfinder system for Canon DSLRs that will allow photographers to “chimp” their shots without ever taking their eye off the viewfinder.  The patent applications filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) under application numbers 12/495,813 and 12/495,814 were each filed on July 1, 2009 and published by the USPTO on January 7, 2010.

The essence of the technology claimed under the patents is an advanced viewfinder system that uses a small backlit LCD or OLED inside of the finder to project previously captured images onto a mirror in the pentaprism, which in turn, is reflected toward the eye of the photographer.  As a result, the photographer sees two images in the viewfinder – the live optical image and the previously-captured image from the LCD.

The purpose of this invention, as stated in the patent, is to help the photographer be more efficient by keeping his or her eye in the viewfinder and not having to pull away from the action in order to check exposure, white balance, focus and so on. [Read more…]