[Video] Video Modes Compared: T4i/650D vs 5D3 vs 1D-X

Gizmodo compared the video modes of three Canon DSRLs in a price range from $1000 – $7000. It’s [shoplink 5623]Rebel T4i/650D[/shoplink] vs [shoplink 2431]EOS 5D Mark III[/shoplink] vs [shoplink 4119]EOS-1D X[/shoplink]. From entry level to top end.

[…] all three cameras […] shot the same scene with the same lens ([shoplink 230]Canon 24-105 f/4[/shoplink]) and settings (f/9, 1/50, ISO 100). We use a picture style with sharpness at 0, contrast at 0, and saturation at -2. We adjusted the focal length on the crop-sensor t4i to match that of the other two cameras. Obviously this isn’t completely scientific, but we did our best.

The outcome may surprise you. While the EOS 1D-X is obviously the best performing gear here, and the 5D Mark III is second placed, the performance of the Rebel T4i/650D is by far not so much worse as the others cost more (we’re talking about video modes here). See for yourself, and do it by enlarging the video to full screen (otherwise moire artifacts are hard to spot).

EOS 1D-X price check: [shopcountry 4119] EOS 5D Mark III price check: [shopcountry 2431] Rebel T4i/EOS 650D price check: [shopcountry 5623] EF 24-105 f/4L price check: [shopcountry 230]

[via gizmodo]

[Hack] Transform Your Broken Battery Grip In A Computer, Plug It On Your Cam (Update)

Image credit: D. Hunt

Update: click here for a listing of cheap battery grips on eBay.

Ireland based photographer David Hunt had a cool idea: To modify an otherwise unusable battery grip and to fit a computer into it. He bought a Raspberry Pi computer (€35), modified the grip and managed to stuff the Raspberry Pi inside. A broken [shoplink 254]EOS 5D Mark II[/shoplink] battery grip was used. The little computer runs on Linux, has 2 USB ports, a network port, HDMI outoput, and some more amenities. Things you can possibly do with this computers include…:

  • Wireless tethered shooting – attach a Wifi dongle to the USB port, so I can transmit pictures to a PC or tablet PC as I’m shooting.
  • Attach a USB memory key or hard drive so I can back up the images on the camera.
  • Remote control the camera using a PC, tablet PC or smartphone (from anywhere in the world).
  • Intervalometer – take a picture every few seconds for those high-speed sunset sequences, including exposure adjustment as you go.
  • On-the-fly image conversion for faster previews on remote display device (iPad, etc).
  • Add a small LCD display to give status, allow user input via buttons, etc.
  • Trigger camera via shutter release port, also allows waking up of sleeping camera, which cant be done via USB.

Doesn’t that sound cool?? It’s a prototype, no question, and as Dave Hunt states “there’s plenty of work to be done on the software side“. But the prototype is working, and the potential is clearly visible. For the time being, Dave was able to activate tethering. Hope to hear more about this.

Image credit: D. Hunt
[David Hunt, via petapixel]

A Quick Yet Comprehensive Guide To Rokinon Lenses

Our friends over at The Phoblographer published something really useful: a survey covering all Rokinon lenses for DSLR cameras. Among lenses for other mount types, the following lenses with Canon mount are covered: 8mm Ultra Wide Angle f/3.5 Fisheye Lens, 8mm T/3.8 Fisheye Cine Lens, 14mm Ultra Wide-Angle f/2.8 IF ED UMC Lens, 24mm f/1.4 ED AS UMC Wide-Angle Lens, 35mm f/1.4 Wide-Angle US UMC Aspherical Lens, 85mm f/1.4 Aspherical Lens. Don’t miss the survey!

To see all Rokinon lenses for EF mount on B&H click here, to see all Rokinon lenses on Amazon click here.

Shot using the Rokinon 14mm Ultra Wide-Angle f/2.8 IF ED UMC Lens – Image Credit: Chris Gampat/The Phoblographer

[Review] Rebel T4i/650D (and EOS M) Hybrid AF System – A Video Review (and updated EOS M pre-order list)

DPreview wanted to have a closer look at Canon’s recently introduced Hybrid Auto-Focus system. This AF-system is featured on the [shoplink 5623]Rebel T4i/650D[/shoplink] and the EOS M. Does the AF-system improve AF in live view? How well is this technology suited for mirrorless cameras? The videos show how Hybrid AF works (video above), and compares this AF-system both to the conventional phase-detection AF and to the Panasonic DMC-G5 (video below). If you live in Europe you can pre-order the DMC-G5 at Jessops, or find it on [shoplink 6472 ebay]ebay[/shoplink]. If you live in the US you can pre-order pre-order at B&H and Adorama). Whereveer you are located, you may pre-order at DigitalRev. An [shoplink 6295]EF-S 18-135mm STM[/shoplink] was used for the test, this lens has been designed specifically for Canon’s hybrid AF-system.

 

EOS M pre-order links:

USA & world-wide:
EOS M page on Amazon (click here), Adorama (click here), B&H (click here)
EOS M Black at Amazon (click here), Amazon UK (click here), Adorama (click here) and BHphoto (click here).
EOS M White at BHphoto (click here).
EOS M 22mm pancake at Amazon (click here), Adorama (click here) and BHphoto (click here).
EOS M 18-55mm kit lens at Amazon (click here), Adorama (click here) and BHphoto (click here).
EOS M adapter at Amazon (click here) and BHphoto (click here).
EOS M Flash at Amazon (click here), Adorama (click here) and BHphoto (click here).

Germany (Amazon DE):
EOS M black with EF-M 18-55mm 1:3,5-5,6 IS STM lens and Speedlite 90EX for €849 (click here)
EOS M white with EF-M 18-55mm 1:3,5-5,6 IS STM lens and Speedlite 90EX for €849 (click here)
EOS M red with EF-M 18-55mm 1:3,5-5,6 IS STM lens and Speedlite 90EX for €849 (click here)
EF-M 22mm 1:2 STM Pancake lens for €249 (click here)
EF-EOS M Adapter for €129 (click here)
wexcameras.de (click here)

Italy: Amazon IT (click here)

UK: Amazon UK (click here)

More pre-order options here.

[via dpreview]

Canon DSLR Deals: EOS 5D3 Down To $3057, 5D3 w 24-105 $3903, 5D2 $1897, 7D $1241)

Good deals laying around on eBay. I list only reputable, top rated seller. However, when on eBay use your gut instinct.

eBay Seller Big Value Inc has the EOS 5D Mark III body down to [shoplink 6499 ebay]$3,057.54 (click here)[/shoplink]!!. The 5D3 with an EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM AF is sold for [shoplink 6500 ebay]$3,903.31 (click here)[/shoplink].
Moreover, the EOS 5D Mark II is down to [shoplink 6496 ebay]$1,896.71 (click here)[/shoplink]. The EOS 7D is yours for [shoplink 6498 ebay]$1,240.71 (click here)[/shoplink]. Shipping is free for the US.

[Deal] EOS 60D, T3i/600D And T3/1100D Camera Bundles Make You Save Up To $350

B&H has a cool camera bundles deal going on (until September 1st!). The involved cameras are the EOS 60D, the Rebel T3i/600D and the Rebel T3/1100D. You get an instant rebate on the camera (usually $100) and are eligible for more rebates if you bundle the camera with accessories. Look for the “Rebates Available” link under the price.