Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips
Sigma has announced the 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM lens for Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax and Sigma mounts. The addition of optical stabilization and HSM focus motor will make the new 17-70mm an attractive carry-around lens for crop-sensor DSLRs.
No word on price or release date yet. Check availability on Amazon.com.
More details in the press release below. [Read more…]
DSLRs continue to evolve. And, this evolution will continue. There’s no stopping it.
A few years ago, purists scoffed at chimping on the preview screen to see how exposures looked. Then, a loud minority (of probably the same purists) cried afoul when Live View displays began showing up on just about every DSLR released. The latest purist revolt has come as a result of the inclusion of video capture as a “must-have” feature in almost every DSLR released.
Just hop on about any photo gear forum and you’ll find plenty of critical comments concerning the latest bells and whistles attached to DSLRs. Many proclaim that they will not buy a given camera because it has a specific feature – again, the latest villain is video.
If you think the above examples of departure from a pure SLR camera are annoying, you may very well consider the addition of a touchscreen on a DSLR to be heresy. Chris posed the question of whether photographers want a DSLR with a touchscreen (among other features) back in July. The handful of well-reasoned comments brought up issues regarding interaction with the camera and accessibility to its features. One commenter noted, “Just because it’s possible doesn’t make it desirable. I have one DSLR that only displays the settings on the LCD on the back of the camera; it is bulky and time consuming to take my eye away from the camera, select the setting and walk through a menu to set it.”
While the above image appears to have been produced by my 7-year-old, I can assure you that is not the case. The image actually appears in US Patent Application No. 12/422,695, which was originally filed by Canon on April 13, 2009 and published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office on October 22, 2009.
The patent clearly exposes Canon’s implementation of a touchscreen DSLR.
We already know that a 24p update for the 5D Mark II is coming next year. At least now we know that we can cross it off for early on in the year. See Matthew_BH’s comment on the bottom.
The image is from the Online Tradeshow hosted by PDN.
Canon’s DSLR rebates expired last week; however, they reinstated them for the rest of the holiday season and extended them through January 16, 2010, which is also when the Canon Lens Rebates expire.
The camera and lens combos are listed below, along with links to product pages for each package at B&H Photo and Adorama. Remember, this is an instant rebate, so there’s no UPC to clip and mail-in while you wait 6-8 weeks for a check to come back. Prices should be reflected in your checkout cart.
Canon 50D Kit w/ 28-135mm IS USM lens + EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lens = Save $200
Package links: B&H Photo / Adorama
Canon Rebel T1i Kit w/ 18-55mm IS lens + EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS lens = Save $200
Package links: B&H Photo / Adorama
Canon Rebel XSi Kit w/ 18-55mm IS lens + EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS lens = Save $200
Package links: B&H Photo / Adorama
Canon Rebel XS Kit w/ 18-55mm IS lens + EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III lens = Save $100
The guys over at 4/3 Rumors say that a reliable source has tipped them on the upcoming introduction of a Canon EVIL (electronic viewfinder interchangeable lens) camera, saying that it’s going to be announced soon. [Read more…]
If you were thinking about picking up a Canon DSLR package for someone for Christmas, Canon’s package rebates (up to $200) expire today (Saturday, Nov. 21).
Here’s the rundown on the deals:
Remember, this is an instant rebate, so there’s no UPC to clip and mail-in while you wait 6-8 weeks for a check to come back. Prices should be reflected in your checkout cart.
Canon 50D Kit w/ 28-135mm IS USM lens + EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lens = Save $200
Package links: B&H Photo / Adorama
Canon Rebel T1i Kit w/ 18-55mm IS lens + EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS lens = Save $200
Package links: B&H Photo / Adorama
Canon Rebel XSi Kit w/ 18-55mm IS lens + EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS lens = Save $200
Package links: B&H Photo / Adorama
Canon Rebel XS Kit w/ 18-55mm IS lens + EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III lens = Save $100
B&H asked me to pass along these deals on point and shoot cameras, all of which include free shipping in the US. Some of the deals are only good through Saturday, November 21. Hit up the links for more details:
PowerShot SD780 IS Digital Camera – $50 off @ $199.99
Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS Digital Camera – $20 off @ $179.99
Canon PowerShot A1100 IS Digital Camera – $20 off @ $129.99
Canon PowerShot SX120 IS Digital Camera – $50 off @ $199.99
Casio Exilim EX-FH20 Digital Camera – $50 off @ Price shows up when added to cart (It’s around $311)
Casio Exilim EX-S5 Digital Camera – $10 off @ Price shows up when added to cart (It’s around $105)
We’ve known for a while now that SNL used the Canon 7D and 5D Mark II to shoot its opening sequence; however, Canon just dropped some more details about SNL’s use of these cameras.
One of the big advantages for shooting the title sequence with the 5D Mark II and 7D was the ability to use ambient light due to the cameras’ incredible sensitivity, which also helped them to operate more covertly.
More in the full press release below. [Read more…]
The Canon PowerShot S90 is a 10-megapixel point and shoot camera, which follows the very popular Canon S80 after its four-year run in the product line.
Check out Photography Bay’s Canon S90 Review.