CANON EOS 550D/T2i ANNOUNCED

18MP, 1080p HD Movies, ISO 6400: Canon redefines the boundaries of the consumer DSLR with the EOS 550D

United Kingdom / Republic of Ireland, 8th February 2010- Canon today revolutionizes the world of consumer photography with the launch of the new EOS 550D – a lightweight Digital SLR (DSLR) that enables users to broaden their photographic horizons in stills and Full HD video.

The latest addition to Canon’s globally-acclaimed EOS range, the EOS 550D is perfect for capturing memories in stunning detail and colour. Canon’s most advanced consumer DSLR to date the camera blends an extensive range of features with a compact, easy-to-use body – providing users with the perfect tool to explore and develop their creative vision.

See it all – shoot everything in detail- Large prints are provided by an 18 Megapixel resolution and a 9-point Auto Focus (AF) system, offering extraordinary detail in every shot. Powerful DIGIC 4 processing complements the optical excellence with both speed and intelligence, delivering vivid images with little noise, whether shooting stunning holiday landscapes or the sprint relay at sports day. A range of pre-set shooting modes also makes the EOS 550D extremely easy to operate, allowing users to focus solely on the subjects they want to capture.

Shoot in the dark- Shooting in low light is made easy thanks to the advanced ISO range of up to 6400. Summer parties, weddings and barbeques can be difficult to capture when light levels drop, but the EOS 550D makes it simple to capture excellent images in the dark without using the flash. ISO can even be extended to 12800 in the darkest conditions, allowing users to shoot evening events or dimly-lit scenes with ease.

Explore and experiment with EOS Movie- As well as being an excellent stills camera, the EOS 550D also shoots High Definition videos in full 1080p resolution. Full manual control allows users to creatively tune settings to suit the subject, providing the flexibility to capture all kinds of action, from family gatherings to fast-moving sports.

A sensor similar in size to those used in high end cinema cameras also enables users to utilise aperture to control how much of the image is in focus, providing the ability to create a wide range of impressive visual effects. Users can also get closer to the action with a new Movie Crop function, which magnifies focal length by seven times without the need to change the lens, making long-range video possible without having to move an inch.

Shoot and share- A new 7.7cm (3.0”) 3:2 Clear View high-resolution LCD screen provides a great facility to share pictures as they are taken. The 3:2 aspect ratio perfectly matches images captured by the camera, displaying shots without black borders, while wide viewing angles and an anti-reflective coating makes viewing images easy, even in bright sunlight. For those who want to share their images on the big screen, HDMI connectivity provides the facility to connect to compatible HD-ready TVs for instant playback of stills and video.

The compact and robust design makes it easy to shoot anywhere, and a user-friendly button layout makes the camera comfortable to both hold and use. Perfect for beginners and those with artistic aspirations, the EOS 550D allows photographers to take their creativity to the next level – regardless of experience – shooting exceptional quality video and stills side-by-side.

Features at a glance:

• 18 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
• DIGIC 4 processor with ISO 100-6400 (Expansion to 12800)
• Continuous shooting at 3.7fps
• Full HD movie recording with manual control and selectable frame rates
• 7.7cm (3.0”) 3:2 Clear View LCD with 1,040k dots
• iFCL metering System with 63-zone Dual-layer Metering Sensor
• Quick Control screen to change shooting settings
• Exposure compensation +/-5 stops.
• Select maximum value for Auto ISO
• External Microphone socket
• Movie crop function
• Eye-Fi connected functions compatibility

Availability- February 24, 2010

Price- EOS 550D w/ EF-S18-55 f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens kit @ USD899.00 (approx. PHP43,000.00) for pre-order from Amazon.com.

Canon EOS 550D / Rebel T2i hands-on video

WEEK-ENDER #26

MORNING MOON

It’s best to shoot a landscape at sunrise or sunset for the beautiful color gradients that emanate from the sky. That morning nothing was planned. It was just an occasional coffee breakfast out on the veranda

It was 6:30 am and the sky had a beautiful blue glow. The hazy car fumes from morning commute had not yet set in. Although it would be clearer hadn’t it be for the pollution from rush hour the day before.

While sipping coffee and enjoying the clear skies I thought it quite strange the moon was just hanging around. Obviously the moon needed some due attention with the DSLR and tripod.

According to the exif data, this morning moon was caught smiling at 7:29am (By the way, that is the near side of the moon. The far side would not have the upside down smile to it.) Coffee got cold while composition, focus and shoot took up a good 20 minutes. But nothing could be better than to start off another work week with the surprise of a moon smiling like that in the morning skies.

CANON 550D & 60D IMMINENT

UPDATE: FEBRUARY 5, 2010

Invite from Pocket Lint via Canon Rumors

There were speculations about an announcement date of February 4th on new Canon DSLRs. Since it’s already the 5th here in South East Asia without any word we will all just have to wait for the 9th as was originally posted on Northlight. Or the 8th with this new invite popping up over at Pocket Lint then Canon Rumors for the BAFTA Awards in London.

All this news on the 60D has gotten my hands all itchy for the official press release. It will be very interesting to see what Canon will put into their once flagship APS-C (1.6x) model.

RUMORS AROUND THE WEB

Canon will be making an official statement on February 9 about two new DSLR’s and a few point and shoots. It’s a little less than a week before the release and rumors are everywhere on the net.

The 550D/600D and, crossing those fingers, the 60D are on the table. Both are APS-C (1.6 crop) and will definitely be at the 15-18 megapixel range with video capabilities. It just hasn’t been confirmed whether video will be HD capable. Quite possibly the new in body Image Stabilizer will make it’s introduction in the 60D with an electronic leveler like the 7D.

Maybe a few new EF-S lenses to go along with the new bodies.

No leaked photos of the new cameras as of this posting but I will be doing a more extensive search later. Maybe the Chinese sites have something- like the leaked Jackie Chan image for the 7D ad in Hong Kong/China.

Canon 550D/600D (Rebel)

• Release date April 2010
• Upgraded 15.1 mega pixels
• New shape and build quality-similar build to 50D but much smaller
• New battery LP-E8
• New battery grip
• New LCD with higher resolution-maybe even OLED =)
• Probably no articulating LCD screen
• 720p video/selectable FPS
• $799.00 (approx. PHP38,000)

Canon 60D

• Release date May 2010
• CMOS 18 mega pixels (maybe DIGIC V)
• 6.3 fps
• Electronic Level like 7D
• Metal body like 50D
• New battery / battery grip
• In body Image Stabilizer?!?
• Master flash controller?!?
• Articulating screen (I doubt)
• HD video with 24 and 36 FPS
• $1,190.00 (approx. PHP56,000)

Strapping down for February 9… however, the above spec lists are really only the Canon rumor mill churning out excitement before the official press release.

WEEK-ENDER

MINI SUGARY DELIGHT

Do I like the deep fried dough, sugary glazed, vein clotting, killer snacks known as doughnuts? Hell, yeah. Especially with black as dirt coffee. And yes, without sugar. The thick gleaming glaze from the doughnut takes care of that. But recently, ingesting these snacks aren’t necessarily a healthy thing to do.

The other day, my wife and I were at the mall. Turned the corner to see an ad staring back at me for mini doughnuts. Might not be a good idea to eat more sugar coated goodness but what the heck, those are minis.

Bought a box of 20’s, brought it home, shot a bucket load of photographs and gave away two-thirds of the box. There are still four doughnuts left in the fridge. Want some sugary delight disguised as a doughnut?

“We opened our doors on July 13, 1937. Vernon Rudolph bought a secret yeast-raised doughnut recipe from a French chef from New Orleans, rented a building in what is no called historic Old Salem in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and began selling Krispy Kreme doughnuts on July 13, 1937 to local grocery stores. People soon began stopping by to ask if they could buy hot doughnuts, so he cut a hole in the wall and started selling Hot Original Glazed doughnuts directly to customers.” – Krispykreme.com

NEW CANON PATENTS

The circle shows where the chimping LCD is located

Images from Photography Bay.com

Canon has added 2 new patents for DSLR technology. Someone was persistent enough to have dug it up.

The first one is a dual image viewfinder. An LCD located near the viewfinder for easy chimping. (Chimps-photographers who check the LCD every time a shot is taken)

Once this is added onto the new bodies your eye no longer have to leave the viewfinder. But, not every Canon patent makes it to the final product. Much talk of this already around the web and instead of looking at the chimp LCD in a negative sense, in my opinion, this would make it good for photographers who want to review a crucial shot. Without leaving the viewfinder the photographer would then be able to continue shooting after a quick scan of the photo. Hopefully, without even taking the finger off the half pressed shutter.

There is a draw back, the bright LCD inside the viewfinder will screw up night vision during events. If only an on/off switch is hidden somewhere in the customizable menu, I am sold.

In camera sensor image stabilization, it's about time.

With higher mega pixels on new Canon’s, like the 50D and 7D, better quality lenses are needed to translate sensor technology into a tangible photograph. While many L quality and prime lenses do not have IS-image stabilizer technology, many shots are scrapped due to human error. Mostly, motion blur.

It is high time for Canon to add IS to the new bodies but again, not all patents make it unto new models. First, it will make the bodies much more expensive. Corporations do not give anything out for free. Would this feature negate the IS in lenses?

Sony is putting IS into their bodies so why shouldn’t Canon.

If you got more time on your hands than I do, US Patent no. 20100002109 and 20100003025 for your reading pleasure.

Stay tuned for more. On February 8 or 9 Canon will make an announcement so cross those fingers. The latter patent sparks my interest more.

FIERY ANNULAR ECLIPSE

JANUARY 15, 2009

The photographs were to be posted earlier this month but work load and time just did not permit. Finally here it is.

An eclipse during sunset is a rare event and would be a good viewing opportunity for the public, especially over Manila Bay, said Frederick Gabriana, a professor at the Rizal Technological University’s astronomy department, the only one in the country. According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the eclipse will start at 3:49 p.m. The peak of the eclipse will occur at 4:53 p.m. and end at 5:51 p.m.- newsinfo.inquirer.net

Well, if only the weather allowed for a clear view. But like many a situation, Mr. Murphy hung around and held the dreary dark cloud cover in place.

The 30 minutes was a waiting game-either the clouds would move out of the way with the winds or wait for the sun to set just perfectly showing itself in the little space provided that was not covered.

Finally the opportunity to shoot was there. The sun was right smack in the tiny little space in the cloudless sky.As the photo proves, it was, a really really partial eclipse. Looks like a cookie that my son took a bite out of. But the best thing to come out of this cloudy situation was the view right after the sunset.

WEEK-ENDER

BLAZING WEDNESDAY: JANUARY 13, 2010

Captured January 13, 2010 5:41:38pm

While out on a stroll yesterday (or rather 2 weeks ago), I spotted another smoke cloud billowing out of the city. Such a pity with 2010 just starting out.

From the distance photo was shot (look closely) there is fire barely licking at the smoke and that definitely signals a roaring blaze at ground zero. As the photo is proof, that plume of smoke is huge and that location is easily a 45 minute drive without traffic.

The fire, which lasted for about four hours, reportedly started at 5:45 p.m (according to my EXIF data the fire started around 5:30pm). at the house of Jenny Peralta located at the back of the Philippine Columbian Office at Canonigo Street corner Gomez Street, the boundary of Paco and Pandacan. The blaze quickly spread to neighboring houses that were mostly built from light materials. Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) officials in Manila have raised the fire into general alarm, indicating the need for back-up to control the fire. Several fire stations from nearby cities augmented in putting off the blaze.

Captured January 13, 2010 6:01:05pm

Affected residents, in a television interview Wednesday night, blamed firefighters for the incident. In response, the BFP admitted that there was a problem in coordination between volunteers and government forces. (A reality here in the Philippines, where volunteer firefighters most always arrive first to fight the blaze only to be ordered to stop when government firefighters are on scene. Why? Some say that GFF’s  will not put out a blaze without receiving payment of some kind. Then again who can blame the GFF’s as government salary is meager-some say starting pay is just a mere PHP9,000 approx. USD200-try living on this when utility and grocery prices are on a constant rise.)

Captured January 13, 2010 7:48:09pm

Deputy presidential spokesperson Charito Planas, in a telephone interview Wednesday, said the narrow alleys in the areas where the fire hit made it difficult for firefighters to put out the blaze right away. - Sunstar.com.ph

WEEK-ENDER

I’m Angus- A Medium Rare to Medium Experience

A few months ago, a few friends and I went to try out a steak house on a long overdue dinner date. Not just steak at any restaurant but a big chunk of meat that’s the crown jewel on the menu.

Simple interior with quality furnishing to set the mind and palette for the meal.

I had an event the next day so the camera, lens and stuff were packed for the shoot had to stay safely at home. Hoping that my friend brought along his Canon G10-good thing he did. Now, we can get down to documenting the vein clotting goodness in the form of a medium done-ness worth 400 grams of ‘Certified Angus Beef Prime Steaks’ rib eye. The quality of the meat is so good that Angus had the catch phrase trademarked.

Home made butter-as creamy as you can get and the crab cake appetizer.

Oh, it was an experience. Can’t say that for many restaurants that serve steaks -where medium means well done and well done means nuked to dine with a chainsaw.

One very important advice before you go, bring a credit card along that’s not maxed out. Now, please do enjoy the photos from the G10.

Finally, the Angus Prime Rib cooked to medium perfection.

Just checking if it was really medium. Can't have top quality steak any other way.

A small portion of dessert and a shot of grappa to help settle the meal.