Photography by Bas Bettenhaussen

During some free time from work David (photographer) and Florent (video editor forNihonCar.com and ManualGear.com), put together a STUNNING Canon 5D Mark II video demo. We noticed it was made without technical support, only two little hands to carry the camera, and a MacBook Pro for video editing.

One word, congrats!!!!!!

Our setting were pretty simple, we used a Canon 5D Mark II, with the following Canon lenses:

14mm f2.8L II
17-40mm f4L
50mm f1.4
90mm TS-E f2.8
135mm f2.0L

…along with your average MacBookPro 15″ (old gen). No color FX on the video.

Click to see the original video website 

Just Posted! Canon EOS 50D in-depth review. Canon’s EOS 50D is essentially a 40D body with a newly-developed 15 megapixel sensor, a 3.0 inch VGA screen and Canon’s updated imaging processor, the DIGIC 4. Canon claims the new sensor’s design (new manufacturing processes, redesigned photo diodes and micro lenses) means that despite the higher resolution image noise has improved. As you might imagine, we’ve had a closer look at this. Find out more after the link. Review now updated using the final version of Adobe Camera Raw 4.6.

Click here to read the full review 

Source: dpreview.com

Wow, great specs from a kick-butt camera!! I Allready love this Cam!!

Back in August 2005 Canon ‘defined a new DSLR category’ (their words) with the EOS 5D. Unlike any previous ‘full frame’ sensor camera, the 5D was the first with a compact body (i.e. not having an integral vertical grip) and has since then proved to be very popular, perhaps because if you wanted a full frame DSLR to use with your Canon lenses and you didn’t want the chunky EOS-1D style body then the EOS 5D has been your only choice. Three years on and two competitors have turned up in the shape of the Nikon D700 and Sony DSLR-A900, and Canon clearly believes it’s time for a refresh.

So here is the 5D Mark II, which punches high in terms of both resolution and features, headlining: 21 megapixels, 1080p video, 3.0″ VGA LCD, Live view, higher capacity battery. In other words, a camera that aims to leapfrog both its direct rivals, either in terms of resolution (in the case of the D700) or features (in the case of the DSLR-A900). Full detail below.

 

Key features / improvements

• 21 megapixel CMOS sensor (very similar to the sensor in the EOS-1Ds Mark III)
• Sensor dust reduction by vibration of filter
• ISO 100 - 6400 calibrated range, ISO 50 - 25600 expansion (1Ds Mark III & 5D max ISO 3200)
• Auto ISO (100 - 3200) in all modes except manual
• 3.9 frames per second continuous shooting
• DIGIC 4 processor, new menus / interface as per the EOS 50D
• Image processing features:
  • Highlight tone priority
  • Auto lighting optimizer (4 levels)
  • High ISO noise reduction (4 levels)
  • Lens peripheral illumination correction (vignetting correction)
• RAW and SRAW1 (10 MP) / SRAW2 (5 MP)
• RAW / JPEG selection made separately
• Permanent display of ISO on both top plate and viewfinder displays
• AF microadjustment (up to 20 lenses individually)
• Three custom modes on command dial, Creative Auto mode
• Image copyright metadata support
• 98% coverage viewfinder (0.71x magnification)
• 3.0″ 920,000 dot LCD monitor with ‘Clear View’ cover / coatings, 170° viewing angle
• Automatic LCD brightness adjustment (ambient light sensor)
• Live view with three mode auto-focus (including face detection)
• No mirror-flip for exposures in Live View if contrast detect AF selected
• Movie recording in live view (1080p H.264 up to 12 minutes, VGA H.264 up to 24 mins per clip)
• Two mode silent shooting (in live view)
• New jump options in play mode
• HDMI and standard composite (AV) video out
• Full audio support: built-in mic and speaker, mic-in socket, audio-out over AV (although not HDMI)
• IrPort (supports IR remote shutter release using optional RC1 / RC5 controllers)
• UDMA CompactFlash support
• New 1800 mAh battery with improved battery information / logging
• New optional WFT-E4 WiFi / LAN / USB vertical grip
• Water resistance: 10 mm rain in 3 minutes

“……………………………The 24MP sensor in the “5D Mark II” is going to enable extremely low light photography. Combined with our fast lenses, the possibilities are mindblowing. Prepare to take pictures in your living room during the day at 1/4000s, f2.8, ISO 100. We’re so confident about the low light capabilities, we haven’t even included a built in flash on this camera. In fact, the use of flash is going to be only for creative purposes from now on…………………………” 

More on this page of “Chuck Westfall”

Keep your eyes open for tuesday the 16th of September! 

Canon has just added a mysterious teaser to its US website. The page shows a silhouette of a camera with the words ‘Destined Evolution.’ Maybe it will be updated to include more detail in the future, we don’t know. It’s almost as if the company is building up to the launch of a camera to replace one of its older models. We have no specific information but it doesn’t require any profound market insight to predict an EOS 5D replacement is coming.

Click here to see the US teaser

Meanwhile, Canon’s European sites have started to feature banners suggesting that “the EOS story continues,” and showing glimpses of a camera with a large prism bulge. Click here to see it.

(Source: dpreview.com) 

Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 26 August 2008: Canon today strengthens its EOS range with the addition of a powerful new digital SLR: the EOS 50D. With a 15.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor, 6.3 frames per second shooting and Canon’s latest DIGIC 4 image processor, the EOS 50D delivers unparalleled speed and resolution at a price point that is unique in today’s market.

Outstanding, clean images

A newly designed 15.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor delivers ultra-detailed, low-noise images – ideal for large-scale reproduction or creative cropping. New manufacturing processes, plus redesigned photo diodes and microlenses, extend the light gathering capabilities of the sensor – allowing more pixels to be fitted on the CMOS sensor without compromising image quality. These changes ensure improved high ISO performance and low noise. High-speed, low light shooting is enabled by ISO levels of 3200, expandable to an ultra-sensitive 12800.

The EOS Integrated Cleaning System – including the improved Self Cleaning Sensor Unit with a new fluorine coating – increases protection of image quality by helping to reduce, repel and remove unwanted dust from the sensor. Stubborn particles can be removed automatically in post-production with Dust Delete Data and Canon’s included Digital Photo Professional software.

Rapid-fire performance
Canon’s new DIGIC 4 processor is fast enough to allow up to 6.3fps continuous shooting, in bursts of up to 90 JPEGs with a UDMA card. Used with Canon’s wide area AF system, which locks onto subjects with 9 individual cross type sensors, stunning action sequences can be captured – even in low-light conditions. This makes the EOS 50D particularly suited to sports and wildlife shooting.

DIGIC 4 works with the CMOS sensor to deliver 14-bit image processing, for smooth gradation and natural-looking colours – as well as ensuring ultra-fast startup times and near-instant image review after shooting.

See everything
A new 3.0” Clear View VGA LCD provides extra-large and wide angle-of-view image review, with plenty of clarity for accurate focus checks in playback. By switching to Live View mode – which displays a real-time image on the LCD – photographers can enjoy simplified shooting from awkward angles, or connect to a PC for remote shooting. Live Mode now offers three ways to auto focus: Quick AF, Live AF, and new Face Detection Live AF, which optimizes focus based on faces detected in the frame – for fast, spontaneous portraiture.

Control and ease
The famously intuitive EOS menu system includes a new Quick Control screen, for instant access to the most commonly-changed settings. A new Creative Auto mode offers automatic focus and exposure – while still allowing creative ‘tweaks’ to settings such as background sharpness.
“For advanced amateurs and semi-professionals – or professionals looking for a powerful backup model – the EOS 50D stands alone,” said Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging, Europe. “No other camera in this price bracket offers a comparable combination of speed and image quality.”

Some Specs

• 22.3 x 14.9 mm CMOS sensor
• DIGIC 4
• 14 bit 
• 4752 x 3168 Image Size
• RAW (.CR2; 14-bit) 
• sRAW1 (7.1 MP)
• sRAW2 (3.8 MP)
• 1.6x field of view crop
• H1 (6400) and H2 (12800) expansion ISO
• 3.0 ” TFT LCD
• Live TTL display of scene from CMOS image sensor
• Burst Buffer: RAW: 16 frames
• HDMI connector
• Compact Flash Type I or II (inc. FAT32) - Supports UDMA cards
• Weight: With battery: 822 g (1.8 lb)

“This is more of a non-news item, but the rumored date of April 22nd for a release of info on an EOS 5D MkII has come and gone. I’m not ignoring 5D MkII rumors (see entry below for [03/14/08]), but I don’t report stuff I think is wrong or isn’t backed up by some credible source.” read more
quote from Bob Atkins 

I for one think it is a pity the Mark II hasn’t arrived yet. So we probably have to wait until Photokina 2008.

Hotnews!!!

Rumour has it, that 5D mkII will be announced tomorrow. Here are the rumoured specs:
- 15.3 MP full frame CMOS sensor (vastly improved light-gathering capacity per pixel: improved micro lenses; miniaturized micro circuitry; enhanced signal/noise ratio)
- Weather sealing same as 1Ds Mark III
- Dual Digic III with all-new “CXR” NR system reported to best 3rd party NR software. Available as a C.F with 4 levels of customizable parameters.
- 14 bit A/D conversion
- ISO 12800 (C.F. up to 25600)
- Reported 1 2/3 stop sensitivity improvement
- All-new 29-point TTL CMOS sensor
with 12 cross-type for F/2.8 or faster lens
(35% faster than 40D)
- Micro lens fine adjustment for up to 14 lenses
- 300,000 exposure shutter durability
- 6.0 / 3.0 fps
- 3.0″ LCD  922,000 pixels
- EOS Integrated Cleaning System
- Live View (improved from 450D; latest generation)
- 6/3 fps continuous shooting for up to 68 frames
- MSRP $3499, available June 2

Link