EOS 5D Mark III, news and reviews round-up (vs D800, and free LR presets)

Credits: Mike Kobal

Ok, let us start with some [shoplink 2431]EOS 5D Mark III[/shoplink] vs Nikon D800 stuff. Photographer Mike Kobal got both cams in his hands and shares his impressions. Optical Viewfinder: slightly brighter on the 5D Mark III; mirror/shutter: a bit louder on the D800 (click here for audio file 5d3 vs d800 in continuous shooting mode, click here for silent mode); Auto-Focus: 5D3 little bit faster, nails AF almost immediately; sensor aspect ratio: D800 has crop modes and aspect ratio can be set, useful when you have to shot in aspect ratios different from 2:3. Mike’s conclusion: The D800 will appeal to the Studio/commercial photographer with the occasional photo-journalistic assignment, the 5D3 will appeal to the location oriented commercial photographer, the photo journalist and the wedding photographer. More after the jump.

 

Click here to open the rest of the article

DEAL: SanDisk 64GB SDXC Memory Card Ultra Class 10 UHS-I 50% off at B&H (exp. 29/4)

Cool memory card deal at B&H (click here): The SanDisk 64GB SDXC Memory Card Ultra Class 10 UHS-I memory card is sold at $48.95 instead of $97.50. Hurry up, it ends tomorrow!

Btw, B&H also has an underwater housing for the Canon Powershot G1 X that goes by $674.95 (click here):

For the latest [shoplink 1785 ebay]Powershot G1 X (click to check possible deals)[/shoplink] pics uploaded to Flickr click here.

Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM APO in stock and Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 DI VC USD ready for pre-order

Two new lenses for Canon DSLR’s. The Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM APO is in stock at B&H for $1,099 (click here). The 50-150mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM APO is a fast f/2.8 telephoto zoom lens with a 50-150mm focal length (75-225mm equivalent in 35mm format) designed for cameras with a Canon EF mount. This long autofocus telephoto gets you close to the action, and it has an optical image stabilization system that makes it possible to hand-hold the lens at up to four shutter speeds slower than usual, while maintaining sharp, shake-free images. The Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) gives you quiet, high-speed autofocus, and also allows full-time manual focus override. Core specs:

Click here to open the rest of the article

EOS 5D Mark III Firmware Hack: Magic Lantern is Coming

Magic Lantern running on a 5D Mark III

Canon released a firmware update for its [shoplink 2431]EOS 5D Mark III[/shoplink] and the file was analyzed by the hackers who brought us the Magic Lantern firmware hack for Canon cams. Looks like Magic Lantern can be ported to the EOS 5D Mark III. This is good news, since the hack brings a lot of improvements for video, IQ and usability. Would also be the first to work with the DIGIC 5 CPU. If you are into coding here is the link to the developer forum.

[via EOSHD]

Powershot G1 X DxO-Mark Scores and Lens Test

DxO Labs just published the measures for Canon’s [shoplink 1785]Powershot G1 X[/shoplink], and the little cam scores good, very good. DxO Labs’ interpretation of the scores:

  • You have a reflex-quality sensor in camera of the same volume as a G11.
  • You can use this camera even under relatively difficult conditions.
  • If you’re an amateur photographer, this camera can satisfy pretty much all of your needs (especially if you want to take great family photos, for example). If you’re a professional photographer, this can be a good backup camera.

Compared to other, similar cameras, the G1 X outperforms almost all of them (overall score is higher in any case) or has a score that can hold up with Canon entry level DSLR’s. Read more after the break.

Click here to open the rest of the article

Canon Patent for Improved Auto-Focusing Method

Canon secured a patent (EP20120151498) for an auto-focusing algorithm (and unit) to speed up auto-focusing operations of a digital DSLR while tracking moving objects (at least this is what I understood by reading the patent). Is this the next generation of Canon’s AF systems?

A focus control method is provided that performs focus control by sensing a plurality of images of an object while moving a position of a focusing lens and determining in-focus positions in auto focusing areas located at a plurality of positions. The focus control method calculates an in-focus position of the focusing lens based on the focusing lens position at the time of reading an image signal of each of the auto focusing areas and a degree of focused state of each of the auto focusing area that is based on the image signal of each of the auto focusing areas.

The patent aims at resolving issues caused by the rolling shutter method used to control an electronic shutter. This works as follows:

Click here to open the rest of the article