[Hack] Magic Lantern 2.3 Now Available For Download

I wrote before about this cool firmware hack (and here too). Magic Lantern 2.3 now is here and can be downloaded (click here). Magic Lantern is a firmware replacement for Canon DSLRs, specifically for the EOS 5D Mark II (get it refurbished at the Canon Store for 1,759.20), EOS 60D, EOS 50D, Rebel T3i/600D, Rebel T2i and Rebel T1i. New and improved features: customizable menus, shortcuts, automatic HDR bracketing, timelapse, advanced fps and ISO control, contrast and adjustment in liveview, image analysis, fast playback.

How Many EF Lenses Are Out There? 80 Millions (and raising)

25 years after the launch of the EOS System, on August 3th, Canon has sold its 80-millionth EF Lens. It was 10 millions in 1995, 20 millions in 2001, 30 millions in 2006, 40 millions in 2008, 50 millions in 2009, followed by 60 millions in January 2011 and 70 millions in October of the same year. How long will it take to get to the 90 millions mark…?

Canon’s Press Release:

Canon Celebrates Production Of 80 Million EF Lenses

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., August 21, 2012 – Canon Inc. today announced the achievement of a new EF lens-manufacturing milestone with the production of the company’s 80-millionth EF lens on August 3, 2012. Production of EF lenses surpassed the 10-million mark in 1995, doubling to 20 million units in 2001. After reaching the 30 million unit milestone in 2006, Canon celebrated the production of its 40-millionth lens in 2008. Owing to the rapid spread of the EOS Digital series of SLR cameras, production for Canon’s EF lenses then gained momentum to reach the 50 million unit milestone in 2009, followed by the 60 million mark in January 2011 and the 70 million mark in October of the same year. Now, just over nine months later, the EF lens series has reached the 80 million mark on August 3, 2012, adding a distinguished achievement to the 25th anniversary of the launch of Canon’s EOS system.

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Canon Announces PowerShot SX500 IS And SX 160 IS Cameras

PowerShot SX 500 IS price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA PowerShot SX 160 IS price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Today Canon announced two new compact cameras with big zooms, the Powershot SX 500 IS ($329) and the Powershot SX 160 IS ($229).

Powershot SX 500 IS Specs:

  • 16MP CCD Sensor
  • DIGIC 4 Image Processor
  • 24mm Wide Angle Lens w/ 30x Optical Zoom
  • 3.0″ LCD Display with 461,000 Dots
  • 720p HD Video with Dedicated Button
  • Intelligent Optical Image Stabilization
  • HDMI Output for Immediate HDTV Screening
  • 32 Predefined Shooting Situations
  • Zoom Framing Assist for Better Telephoto
  • High Speed Autofocus

The PowerShot SX500 IS gives you all the power of super zoom in a camera that’s sized to go everywhere! The extremely powerful 30x Optical Zoom with 24mm Wide-Angle Lens (35mm equivalent: 24-720mm) gives you true shooting versatility, while the Optical Image Stabilizer ensures crisp, brilliant images at any zoom length. Image quality is spectacular thanks to the 16.0 Megapixel sensor and Canon DIGIC 4 Image Processor, and you can capture stunningly realistic 720p HD video in stereo sound with a simple press of the movie button. An enhanced Zoom Framing Assist button helps you track and capture subjects for sharp super telephoto photography, and new High Speed AF dramatically reduces lag time so you’ll never miss a shot. Just hold the PowerShot SX500 IS in your hand to experience what makes the new design so special. The camera’s slim, compact body is proportioned in perfect relation to the giant zoom, while rounded corners with angled grips are a natural fit for the palm of your hand. Zoom right onto the field to capture sports action, achieve those wide-angle travel shots, preserve memories of special events as beautiful HD video – it’s all possible with the PowerShot SX500 IS!

Powershot SX 160 IS Specs:

  • 16MP CCD Sensor
  • Canon DIGIC 4 Image Processor
  • 28mm Wide-angle Lens w/ 16x Optical Zoom
  • Large 3.0″ LCD Display
  • 720p HD Video with Dedicated Button
  • HDMI Output for HDTV Screening
  • Smart AUTO with 32 Predefined Situations
  • Optical Image Stabilization System
  • High Speed Autofocus
  • AA Battery Convenience

Powershot SX 160 IS. You’ll want to carry this compact, versatile camera everywhere, because it gives every shooting opportunity the potential to become a beautiful image. The spectacular 16x Optical Zoom with 28mm Wide-Angle Lens and Optical Image Stabilizer captures clear, vivid images whether your subject is up close or far away. And with the 16.0 Megapixel sensor and Canon DIGIC 4 Image Processor, every detail is precisely rendered for truly impressive image quality. The PowerShot SX160 IS captures breathtakingly realistic 720p HD video in stereo sound with the press of a button. You can zoom while shooting your videos and view them easily later on your HDTV through the HDMI connector. Smart AUTO makes shooting stills and video easy because the camera automatically selects the right settings for 32 predefined shooting situations. Shoot freely and naturally with new High Speed AF that dramatically increases focus speed so you’ll capture every shot you want. And because the PowerShot SX160 IS is powered by AA batteries, you’ll always be ready to shoot.

EOS 5D Mark II Cams Used To Shot 3D Feature Movie ParaNorman

Just to recall what a great cam the EOS 5D Mark II still is. The 5D2s (60 of them) were to shot 3D feature movie “ParaNorman”. Together with five camera teams and crews of animators and puppeteers they

have come together to help bring the new 3D feature film, “ParaNorman” to screens this Summer. The EOS 5D Mark II DSLR cameras captured frame-by-frame stop-motion animation of puppet “actors” in this new horror comedy about a small-town boy who speaks to ghosts and must battle an assortment of otherworldly creatures to save his town from doom.

The 5D Mark II is down to on eBay. EOS 5D Mark II world-wide price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA.

Canon's press release:

Canon EOS 5D Mark II DSLR Cameras Help Capture the Summer Animated Feature “ParaNorman” in 3D

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR Camera Proves Essential for Realistic Photography of Miniature Puppets and Sets, As Well As Sequential Image-Pairs Needed for 3D Animation

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[Hack] Modify An EF 50mm Lens For A Truly Unique Bokeh (works for other lenses too)

Image credit: RottieLover

This is an easy to do hack and it is brought to us by the cool guys over at DIY Photography. They show how to make a fake lens hood that you’ll mount on the lens for the shown effect. They used an EF 50mm f/1.8 lens (the Nifty Fifty) for the hack. The cited lens is well known for its great performance, and for the affordable price it has. Ok, it’s made out of plastic, but it has much more to offer than someone may think. I own this “cheap” lens and I have to say that I was always happy with the performance (and the weight, it is very light).

Cool DIY project, and easy to do. Try it out!

Image credit: DIY Photography

EF 50mm f/1.8 price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA [via DIY Photography]

[Review] EOS 5D Mark III And Photographing Interviews – Tips And Tricks, And A Toolkit

Photographer Alexandros Maragos shares his thoughts about gear, light, electronics and more things that may be useful if not needed if you are shooting an interview. He uses an EOS 5D Mark III and an EOS 7D as backup body. If you are into this kind of photographic assignments, then you should have an eye on this post. There are lot of valuable informations.

[via creativeplanetnetwork via