Archive for the 'Hardware'

2010 September 28 2010

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The new Canon EOS 60D

Filed under Cameras , News

A few weeks ago, just in time for Photokina 2010 in Cologne, presented his new Canon SLR camera for serious photographers, the EOS 60D before. But what does the new camera?

The Canon EOS 60D replaces the predecessor EOS 50D from. In the two years of development between the two models, on closer inspection only has done very little. Of course, the successor to the EOS 50D find a video recording function and increases the resolution from 15.1 to 18 megapixels moderate. Canon EOS 60D mit dreh- und schwenkbaren TFT Monitor That, in my view, but only real novelty is the display of the camera dar. Canon EOS 60D donated the first rotatable and foldable LCD monitor, the entire EOS family. The frame of the LCD had the soft buttons on the left side, what a changed operating concept has the consequence.

There also was a small change in the battery. The new model now comes the LP-E6 (lithium ion) is used. This is equipped with a processor, which makes this battery noticeably more expensive than the well-known BP-51x. Moreover, the EOS 60D now stores the images are no longer (compatible SDHC and SDXC) to Compact Flash, but on SD Card.

Otherwise worked with many proven components. The processor of the 50D was taken as the AF system unchanged. The new camera is in continuous operation by the greater amount of data has become a bit slower. It creates an image now around less in the second.

All differences (and the most important similarities) between the two sisters I have made a small table together:

Comparison Table

Canon EOS 50D Canon EOS 60D
Launch September 2008 October 2010
Resolution 15.1 megapixels 18 megapixels
Photosensitivity ISO 100-1600 (automatic)
ISO 100-3200 (manual)
ISO 100-3200 (automatic)
ISO 100-12800 (manual)
Exposure + / - 2 EV in 1 / 3 + / - 5 in steps of 1 / 3
Exposure 35 measuring fields 63 measuring fields
Autofocus 9-point AV 9-point AV
Continuous function 6.3 frames / second 5.3 frames / second
Video recording No H.264 /
max 1799 seconds per movie at 1920 x 1080 pixels (29.97 fps) / 1280 x 720 pixels (59.94 fps) / 640 x 480 pixels (59.94 frames per second)
Connections AC adapter, HDMI AC adapter, HDMI, audio input and output
Battery Type BP-511/BP-512/BP-514 LP-E6
LCD Monitor 3 "TFT-LCD monitor with 920,000 pixels 3 "TFT-LCD Monitor with 1.04 million Bildpunkten/dreh- and swivel



Whether this small facelift justifies the current price difference of about 350 €, everyone must answer for themselves.

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2010 July 11 2010

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Lightroom 3: Profiles for Tamron Lens and Canon

Filed under lenses , software

) eine Funktion zur Korrektur optischer Fehler von Objektiven eingebaut. Adobe has built into its third version of the tool photographers in Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop CS5 (Camera RAW) is a function for correcting optical aberrations of lenses. Unfortunately, the selection of supported lenses is limited.

As mentioned in my presentation by Adobe Lightroom 3 above, this "one-click correction" is not only simple but also achieves very good results. Unfortunately, there are a few of my beloved lenses not in the list of supported lenses. Especially for my very frequently used Tamron zoom lens profile is not included. For this reason I have my work done with the help of Adobe Lens Profile Creator to create the necessary self-correction profiles. Nearly 400 different settings were necessary to produce the raw material for the three lens profiles. Above all, creating a useful profile for a super zoom lens requires some patience.

Result

Adobe Lensprofile Tamron AF 28-300mm
LD bei 28 mm. The example shows a 100% cut of the right lower corner of a shot with the Canon EOS 50D and the Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD at 28 mm.

The results speak for themselves. Clearly visible are the distortion and chromatic aberration (color fringing) in the original. After application of the lens profile, these errors are almost completely compensated.

Unfortunately, the portal is planned from Adobe for the exchange of privately created adjustment profiles (yet) and also the function for online submission of finished profiles to Adobe is not currently functional. und Adobe Photoshop auch der Allgemeinheit zugänglich zu machen, habe ich hier das Paket zum Download eingestellt. In order to still the profiles I created for Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Camera Raw and Adobe Photoshop to make even the general public, I have set the package to download. The profiles include the following objectives:

Download the correction profiles

Instructions

After downloading the package with the lens profiles , extract its content to the appropriate destination directory for your operating system:

  • Windows XP
    • C: \ Documents and Settings \ (username) \ Application Data \ Adobe \ CameraRaw \ lens profiles \ 1.0
    • C: \ Documents and Settings \ All Users \ Application Data \ Adobe \ CameraRaw \ lens profiles \ 1.0
  • Windows Vista or Windows 7
    • C: \ Users \ (username) \ AppData \ Roaming \ Adobe \ CameraRaw \ lens profiles \ 1.0
    • C: \ Program Files \ Adobe \ CameraRaw \ lens profiles \ 1.0
  • Mac
    • / Users / (username) / Library / Application Support/Adobe/CameraRaw/LensProfiles/1.0
    • / Library / Application Support/Adobe/CameraRaw/LensProfiles/1.0

Reference
Replace "(user name)" with your user name. When Windows XP is "C: \ Documents and Settings" translated into the operating system language. At a German Windows directory is named according to the "C: \ Documents and Settings".

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2010 Mar 20 2010

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Software recall at Canon

Filed under Cameras

The a few days ago, Canon released firmware version 2.0.3 includes the Canon EOS 5D Mark II, serious errors and was therefore pulled back from Canon.

The version mentioned was from the beginning under an unlucky star. For months, the publication was delayed despite repeated announcements over again. The firmware should make the video more interesting function and offer the following new features:

  • Frame rates of 24, 25 and 30 frames / second
  • Aperture and time automatic video exposure
  • Live histogram in manually exposed video
  • Microphone input level adjustable in 64 steps
  • Audio sampling frequency of 48 kHz (previously 44.1)

Users who have already installed the version 2.0.3, should urgently an update on the day provided, corrected Version 2.0.4 of the firmware are considering. Alternatively, the problem should be avoided when the audio is an option in any case at the "Auto" setting left. Otherwise, the camera could suddenly put into sleep mode, or allow for the turning over no more recordings.

The corrected version 2.0.4 for the Canon EOS 5D Mark II at the following link can be obtained directly from the manufacturer. It also provides the above, new features of 2.0.3.

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2010 February 22 2010

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Sigma 10-20mm F3, 5 EX DC HSM in the test

Filed under My equipment , lenses

Whether it comes to photography from space, vast landscapes and large buildings will always need to return the largest possible angle of photographers to capture your subject. Then come to use the ultra wide angle lens class. One of them, the Sigma 10-20mm F3, 5 EX DC HSM I was able to undergo a thorough testing.

The smaller to reach the image sensor of the camera, the harder it will be a large angle, or a small focal length (Verlängerungs-/Crop-Faktor). There are currently reaching for cameras with EF / EF-S mount lenses have a lot of not very small picture below 20 mm equivalent focal length and a camera with an APS-C sensor. The choice was between the following lenses:

  • Canon EF-S 10-22mm 3.5-4.5 USM
  • Tokina 12-24mm / 4 Pro DX II
  • Tamron 10-24mm F / 3.5 to 4.5 SP Di II LD Aspherical IF
  • Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM
  • Sigma 10-20mm 3.5 EX DC HSM

The Canon EF-S 10-22mm is as good if not outstanding lens. It is the most expensive of these, and like most of the Canon EF-S lenses of very "lightweight construction". The Tamron is interesting due to the large zoom range, but is often criticized for its strong focus on the waste boundary. The Tokina is considered "quasi-reference" among the ultra-wide angle lenses. Unfortunately, it starts with a focal length of 12mm (~ 19mm on an APS-C camera), so it's not for me come into question.

That to me on the Canon EOS 50D tested Sigma 10-20/3, 5 is the successor of the famous Sigma 10-20/4-5, 6 and differs from its predecessor mainly due to the better and constant light intensity over the entire zoom range . It is about 520g with 50g heavier than its predecessor, a little longer and consists of 13 elements in 10 groups. The optical system is calculated on the small image circle, so usable without restrictions only to APS-C cameras.

The lens makes a very quality impression. Both the focus and the zoom ring can be operated comfortably. The ultrasonic autofocus drive (HSM) is accurate, fast and very quiet. It allows a permanent manual intervention in the focus. Comes complete with a flower-shaped lens hood and a very well-padded lens case. Both are part of the competition is not necessarily the norm.

Already the first test of focus and sharpness of the lens leaves you wanting more. The resolution and sharpness in the center is excellent even at full aperture. She is typical wide-angle to edge up, but even at the extreme edge is still very neat. Also keeps the distortion is very limited and is for the usual range (not just when you shoot brick walls ;-) ) Properly. In strong contrast to the 10mm position covered at 100% views at the outer edge small to medium chromatic aberrations (CA) on. . But these are within acceptable limits and are smaller than my Canon EF-S 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 IS . Vignetting is barely discernible in practice.

Since the weekend the weather presented by the technically more pleasant side, a practice test urged in nature to just be. Even here has convinced me of the lens. The extremely large angle of about 100 ° and the good resistance to lens flares under backlight makes it perfect for this purpose.

Sample images:




Conclusion:

The Sigma 10-20mm F3, 5 EX DC HSM is a lens with good optical valent to a Canon APS-C camera properties. Makes the good price / performance ratio makes it real for me on a recommendation.

Addendum:

And one last comment. Wide angle lenses are happy with polarizing filters to remove, used for landscape photography by interfering with veil and catch the sky clear, beautiful contrasts. The Sigma 10-20mm F3, 5 EX DC HSM is a relatively large 82mm filter thread owns. Since a Circular Polarizer (CPL), as he needed for digital cameras AF is very fast really expensive. After some searching I found a good, multi-coated polarizer for very little money, even for the "opportunity offender" is affordable: Circular Polarizer 82mm Quenox

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2010 February 08 2010

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Three at a time - announced Canon EOS 550D, PowerShot SX210 IS and IXUS 210 at.

Filed under Cameras , News

The announcement of three new cameras today fluttered into the house. Canon expands its digital SLR therefore 210th series with the EOS 550D, the compact class, the PowerShot SX210 IS and the ultra-compact models to the IXUS

Canon EOS 550D

Sensor. The Canon EOS 550D comes with the proven DIGIC 4 processor and a 18 megapixel APS-C sensor. Compared to its predecessor which is a propagation of nearly 3 megapixels. Also increases, the maximum sensitivity of ISO 3200 to ISO 6400. The speed was achieved despite the large amount of data increases slightly from 3.4 frames / second to 3.7 frames / second.

Canon has left next to the processor but the autofocus system. Here is also found in the 550D a 9-point AF system with center cross-type sensor. The case of the EOS 550D is from March 2010 at a price of 729 € (RRP) are commercially available.

Details

  • CMOS-Sensor 18 MP APS-C CMOS sensor
  • DIGIC 4
  • ISO 100-6400, expandable to H: 12.800
  • Continuous shooting at up to 3.7 frames / sec
  • Recording of Full HD movies
  • 7.7 cm (3.0 inches) Clear View LCD monitor with 3:2 aspect ratio and 1.04 million pixels
  • iFCL measuring system
  • Quick Control screen
  • Connection for external microphone
  • Movie Crop function for VGA movies with 7x telephoto effect

Canon PowerShot SX210 IS

. The PowerShot SX210 IS SX200 IS follows. It offers a resolution of 14.1 mega pixels 14X optical zoom lens with optical image stabilizer. Completely new is the self timer with face detection: It responds to a smile or wink. The PowerShot SX210 IS is available in black, purple and gold will be available at a price of 349 € (RRP) from mid-March 2010.

Details

  • 14X optical zoom, 28 mm wide-angle lens
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • Optical Image Stabilizer
  • 7.6 cm (3.0 inch) PureColor LCD II G
  • HDMI HD movies
  • Smart Auto, Face Detection
  • Smart Flash Exposure, i-Contrast
  • DIGIC 4 and Servo AF / AE
  • Manual control
  • Creative shooting Smart Shutter

Canon IXUS 210

The Ixus icon accretes. The new Ixus 210, which replaces the Ixus 200 IS boasts, in stylish black, gold, silver or pink and white. It is equipped with a full touch screen display for easy menu navigation and a 24mm wide-angle lens. The image sensor has a resolution of 14.1 megapixels. The Ixus 210 is from mid-February 2010 at a price of 339 € (RRP) will be available.

Details

  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 24-mm wide-angle lens, 5x optical zoom. Optical Image Stabilizer
  • 8.8 cm (3.5 inch) PureColor II widescreen touchscreen
  • Optimized touchscreen
  • Smart Auto, Face Detection information and tips
  • HDMI HD movies
  • Smart Shutter
  • Smart Flash Exposure, i-Contrast
  • DIGIC 4 and Servo AF / AE
  • Creative shooting

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