Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Canon 7D Service Notice Re: Residual Image in Picture

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Canon USA has issued a service notice regarding a phenomenon where traces of the immediately preceding frame may be visible in an image file from the Canon 7D.  This has apparently occurred in situations using continuous shooting mode.  According to Canon, the problem “is not noticeable in an image with optimal exposure.”

As the notice states, “Canon is currently investigating and analyzing the cause of this phenomenon, and we are planning to release a firmware update to address this issue.”

I have been unable to reproduce this effect in testing the 7D today; however, an unofficial discussion and sample images demonstrating the problem appear in DPR forums here.  According to one observer, optimal conditions for reproducing this error include the following:

1. Shoot with maximum continuous shooting rate.(8.05fps)
2. Shoot with fast shutter speed.(>1/500s ?)
3. Image’s back ground is flat and bright.(Blue sky,etc)
4. Target is a fast moving object.(Bird,Jet fighter,etc)
5. 2nd or later frame image has a ghost of previous frame image.

You can read the entire service notice on Canon’s website.

 

Nikon D300s Review

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Nikon D300s

The Nikon D300s is a 12.3-megapixel DSLR that can also capture video at 720p resolution and 24 frames per second.  The D300s is a follow up to the D300 and serves as more of a refreshed version of the D300 as opposed to a totally new product.  It has most of same components and features as the D300 with a few new bells and whistles thrown in for good measure.

Since the recent announcement of the D3s, Nikon appears content in offering video capture at 720p for this generation of cameras.  All of the Nikon DSLRs that offer video only allow a maximum resolution capture of 720p at 24 fps.  Canon has stepped out of the box from its initial video limitations in the 5D Mark II by offering serious firmware updates to it (and promising more to come) and additional video options to its other new DSLRs like the Canon 7D, which offers 1080p HD video capture at 30fps, 25fps, and 24fps, as well as 720p HD video at 60fps and 50fps.  While Nikon has received much criticism on the video limitations of its recent DSLRs, it has shown no signs of stepping up the game in this generation of cameras.

That said, the Nikon D300s (and every other DSLR for that matter) is first and foremost a still image capture device.  Sure, video is relevant nowadays; however, performance for still image capture and quality is still our golden measuring stick.  With this in mind, let’s take a brief look at the key features and jump into the rest of this review. [Read more…]

Nikon D800 Before Christmas?

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A tipster has sent in some info on the rumored Nikon D800 that he purports originates with a “very reliable source.”  According to the tipster, Nikon will not be revising the D700 for a “S” model, as was the case with the D300 and D3.

Instead, Nikon will release a completely new model to replace the D700 – the D800.

Rumored Nikon D800 features from the tipster include the following:

1) Video mode 1080p video recording (full HD)
2) High resolution 24.5 MP.
3) High frame rate: 7 fps without battery grip (similar to D300s)
4) 51-area Nikon Multi-CAM 3500FX (same technology as D3X)

He also tells me that the D800 will launch before Christmas.

I can’t confirm the veracity of this info or the reliability of the tipster yet.  I am reaching out to him for further details in hopes to substantiate these rumors. Keep in mind that these D700x/D800 rumors have been rattling around for over a year now.

Stay tuned for updates on the D800 or whatever else Nikon decides to throw at us.

Canon 5D Mark II to Get 24p/25p Video Capability

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Canon has announced that it is in the process of developing firmware for the 5D Mark II, which will offer 1080p recording at 24 and 25fps.  We won’t get full details on the process or other capabilities until 2010; however, the complaint department has probably been a little high since the release of the EOS 7D, so this news may help curb some of the derogatory remarks from 5D Mark II owners.

Canon’s official statement on the firmware development is below. [Read more…]

Vincent Laforet “Nocturne” Shot with Canon 1D Mark IV

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Vincent Laforet created a ton of buzz with his Reverie film shot with the Canon 5D Mark II and it looks like he’s onto something again – this time with the new Canon 1D Mark IV.  The entire 3 minute segment is shot at ISO 6400 on the new professional DSLR.

Watch it in HD here.

More on the camera on Photography Bay’s Canon 1D Mark IV Reviews and Resources.

Canon 1D Mark IV Announced

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Canon 1D Mark IV

Canon has just announced the EOS 1D Mark IV DSLR.  The new 1D Mark IV succeeds the 1D Mark III, which was plagued with autofocus flaws from day one.  The 1D Mark IV features a completely revised autofocus system with 45 AF points, 39 of which points are high-precision cross-type.  Other upgrades include a higher resolution, increased sensitivity, dual DIGIC IV processors, and full HD video.

[Read more…]

Canon 1D Mark IV Coming Tuesday, Oct. 20….

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UPDATE 10/20/09:  The Canon 1D Mark IV has been announced.  Additional info on Photography Bay’s Canon 1D Mark IV Reviews and Resources.

Canon Invitation

After the recent announcement of the Nikon D3s, it appears that Canon may be ready to introduce a new flagship of its own.  Rumors are flying from a variety of sources that Canon will unveil the 1D Mark IV on October 20.

Specification rumors have centered mostly around an APS-H (1.3x crop) sensor in the 16-megapixel range and still image frame capture rates at 10-12fps.  Rumors have consistently suggested 1080p video capture with the same capture rates as the Canon 7D.

One poster on the Fred Miranda forums says that Canon Spain has unofficially informed pro shooters that the 1D Mark IV will be released on October 20.  Another forum member reports seeing the a retailer’s inventory system that shows the 1D Mark IV and 1Ds Mark IV priced at $4995 and $6995, respectively.  Consistent with this rumor, Canon Rumors has received a number of “tips” on the announcement, including a copy of the press invitation above regarding Canon’s celebration of 50 years of its SLRs.

Stay tuned.  This looks like it could be the real deal.

Canon 7D Firmware Update Version 1.0.9

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Canon 7D

Canon has released a firmware update for the EOS 7D.  The new version 1.0.9 incorporates the following fixes:

1. Improves AF accuracy during Live View shooting.
2. Corrects a phenomenon where in rare instances, movie images shot by the camera may exhibit abnormal colors.
3. Corrects a phenomenon that at certain timings, the shutter cannot be released when the camera’s built-in flash or an external Speedlite is used for shooting.

To learn more about it or to download the update, see Canon’s website.