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 M Kit with EF-M 18-55mm IS STM Back In Stock at Amazon, Price Still a Steal ($349)

The Canon EOS M kit with the EF-M 18-55mm IS STM lens is in stock at Amazon for ridiculous $349 (click here). The other seller that has both kits still on sale is B&H. Unfortunately the kit with the EF-M 22mm is no longer on sale for $299.

Adorama, on the other hand, lists the EOS M as discontinued, B&H lists the white EOS M kit with EF-M 22mm as discontinued. It appears that US based shops are emptying stocks.

Super Hot Deal: Canon EOS 6D Body Only – $1500

EOS 6d

Top deal by eBay seller bigvalueinc: The Canon EOS 6D for just [shoplink 14510 ebay]$1499.99 (click here)[/shoplink]. Free shipping, limited supply at this price. Canon EOS 6D specs:

  • 20.2MP Full-Frame CMOS Sensor
  • 3.0″ Clear View High Resolution LCD
  • DIGIC 5+ Image Processor
  • Built-In Wi-Fi and GPS Connectivity
  • Full HD 1080p with Manual Controls
  • 11-Point AF with Center Cross-Type Point
  • 63-Zone Dual Layer Metering Sensor
  • Extended ISO Range of 50-102400
  • Up to 4.5 Full Resolution FPS
  • Built-In HDR and Multiple Exposure Modes

Canon EOS 70D Interview With Canon South Africa

Roger Machin from Canon South Africa talks about the new [shoplink 14246]Canon EOS 70D[/shoplink] 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: [shopcountry 14246]

EOS 70D

[via photocomment]

Canon Patent: More Pancake By Canon (45mm, 40mm, 35mm, 28mm, all f/2.8)

Canon Patent
45mm f/2.8
Canon Patent
35mm f/2.8
Canon Patent
40mm f/2.8
Canon Patent
28mm f/2.8

Japanese site Egami (translated) spotted new patents filed by Canon. All are for f/2.8 pancake lenses: 45mm, 40mm, 35mm, 28mm. Canon has two pancake lenses in their line-up: the [shoplink 5686]EF 40mm f/2.8 STM[/shoplink] and the [shoplink 6093]EF-M 22mm f/2 STM[/shoplink]

  • Patent Publication No. 2013-137411
    • Publication date 2013.7.11
    • Filing date 2011.12.28
  • Example
    embodiment
    Focal length Fno. Half angle Configuration length Total length BF
    One 45.00 2.80 25.68 20.00 57.99 37.99
    Two 39.00 2.80 29.02 23.50 62.50 39.00
    Three 35.00 2.80 31.72 25.00 63.01 38.01
    Four 28.00 2.80 37.69 27.00 65.00 38.00

    Image height = 21.64mm

  • Canon patent
    • The longer the focus back a Gaussian type, field curvature occurs
    • 2-group configuration positive positive, Gauss type

Perfomance:

Canon Patent
45mm
Canon Patent
35mm
40mm
28mm

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

[shoplink 1627]EF-S 55-250mm[/shoplink]

Canon EF-S 55-250mm 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II
[shopcountry 1627]

ephotozine reviewed the Canon [shoplink 1627]EF-S 55-250mm 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II[/shoplink], 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