Magic Lantern Raw on the Canon EOS 50D Review (EOSHD)

Andrew Reid from EOSHD posted a comprehensive review with lots of tech talk and details about how the Magic Lantern RAW hack performs on the since long discontinued Canon EOS 50D (here on eBay). The EOS 50D was never thought to shot video, although someone discovered it has a microphone socket.

If you are into this things, if you want to recycle your old 50D and start shot some video, then this review is for you. The hack is still under development, but it already works fine. Quoting EOSHD:

Pros

  • Best of the APS-C Canons for raw video
  • 14bit uncompressed raw video at up to 30fps
  • Good flexibility in terms of resolutions and aspect ratios
  • Useful crop mode with extremely high image quality
  • Good dynamic range and low light performance
  • Superb build quality and extensive manual control
  • Extremely cheap on the used market and relatively common
  • Well suited to anamorphic lenses
  • Bonus H.264 1920x1080p recording mode

Cons

  • 5D Mark III is superior
  • Full sensor mode resolution limited to 1584 x 1058
  • Requires anamorphic lens to get the best of the full sensor mode
  • Moire and aliasing unless using 1:1 crop mode
  • Although a cheap camera body, requires expensive CF cards
  • Poor LCD visibility in strong sunlight
  • No articulated screen as found on newer Canon DSLRs
  • Glitchy exposure in crop mode, currently
  • Currently some disturbing bugs such as incorrect black levels and magenta tints

Magic Lantern RAW Hack

Canon EOS 70D Interview With Canon South Africa

Roger Machin from Canon South Africa talks about the new Canon EOS 70D and what exactly Dual Pixel CMOS Autofocus means.

EOS 70D specs:

  • 20.2MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
  • DIGIC 5+ Image Processor
  • Dual Pixel CMOS AF with Live View
  • 3.0″ 1,040k-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen
  • Full HD 1080p Video with Move Servo AF
  • Built-In Wireless Connectivity
  • 19-Point All Cross-Type AF System
  • Continuous Shooting Rate Up to 7 fps
  • ISO 100-12800 (Expandable to ISO 25600)
  • Scene Intelligent Auto Mode

The following shops accept pre-orders for the Canon EOS 70D:

Or check if the EOS 70D is available in your country: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

EOS 70D

[via photocomment]

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II Lens Review (ephotozine)

EF-S 55-250mm

Canon EF-S 55-250mm 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II
B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

ephotozine reviewed the Canon EF-S 55-250mm 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II, an inexpensive (it’s usually less than $300), lightweight and popular zoom lens with a 4 stop image stabiliser. In the conclusion they write:

For a budget lens, this optic performs pretty well, striking a good balance between build, image quality and price. The light weight of the lens makes this lens no hassle to keep stowed in a camera bag for when it’s needed and the four stop image stabiliser will help users to make the most of the telephoto reach on offer. Although this is a basic lens, it will still win over many fans due to its ability to deliver sharp images.

The review comes with test charts and sample pictures.

EF-S 55-250mm

Samyang 16mm f/2 ED AS UMC CS Lens Review (ephotozine)

Samyang 16mm f/2.0 ED AS UMC CS
Canon EF-S and M mount: [shopcountry 14432]

  • For DSLRs with APS-C Sized Image Format
  • Aperture Range: f/2.0-22
  • 25.6mm Equivalency in 35mm Format
  • Two Aspherical Lens Elements
  • One Extra-low Dispersion Element
  • UMC Lens Coating
  • Manual Focus

ephotozine published the first review of the Samyang 16mm f/2.0 ED AS UMC CS lens. This lens may also be branded Rokinon, Bower, Walimex, and a with few more names. The Samyang 16mm is an all manual lens (no electronic coupling with camera) that has an interesting price tag of $479, and is available for both Canon EF-S and M mounts. Build quality and optical performance usually is very good on this lenses. In the conclusion they write:

Those looking for wide aperture lenses for the APS-C or smaller format camera need not continue looking at full frame lenses, that generally cost and weigh more now this lens is available. Although some photographers may find manual focusing off putting, spending a little time practising and getting used to how the lens behaves will pay dividends in the long run. This is especially true when considering how little this lens costs for what you get.

They liked the sharpness and build quality of the lens. The review comes with test charts and sample pics.

How Small Is The Canon Rebel SL1 (EOS 100D)? Follow The Matrioshka Approach To Learn (Video)

Cute little video by Canon Korea on YouTube that shows how small the Canon Rebel SL1 (EOS 100D) is, particularly when compared to other Canon DSLRs. Canon touts the Rebel SL1 as the world’s smallest DSLR.

Rebel Sl1 specs:

  • 18.0MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
  • DIGIC 5 Image Processor
  • 3.0″ Clear View II Touchscreen LCD
  • ISO 100-12800, Expandable to 25600
  • Full HD 1080 Video with Continuous AF
  • 4.0 fps Continuous Shooting
  • 9-Point AF System
  • Scene Intelligent Auto Mode
  • Compact and Lightweight; Weighs 0.8 lb
  • Compatible with Canon EF and EF-S Lenses
Canon Rebel SL1 (EOS 100D) price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Don’t Harm Your Gear: A Torture Test On The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8

How fragile is a Canon glass? That’s the question photographer Richard Choi tried to answer. He took a Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens, one of Canon’s most inexpensive lenses, all made of plastic, with a price tag around $100, never the less a lens with great optical performance (and good value for the money). He used a lens that was no longer working. At the end he used a hammer. You will be surprised to see that the damage is less than you may expect. Just a few scratches.

The “nifty fifty” lens is a no brainer for every Canon shooter. All plastic, that’s true, not an “L” lens, that’s also true, but still a lightweighted lens with an excellent performance for the price tag. And you have f/1.8. All for around $95 here on Amazon.

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