Archive for the ‘2008 Photokina’ Category
Posted on September 5, 2008 - by Patrick
In the Flesh: Sony A900 Digital SLR
Some first glimpses of the Sony A900 out in the wild, with what looks to be a Zeiss 16-35mm lens with internal zoom.
No pop-up flash either…
So, I guess we can take this out of the rumor category now?
Posted on September 5, 2008 - by Patrick
Cat out of the Bag: Destined Evolution
{ Destined Evolution }
{ No mode dial, buttons, or flash shoe? }
Teasers for the presumed 5D replacement hitting all the Canon Sites.
One thing, though… I would find these teasers even more interesting if they weren’t silhouetted
Posted on September 4, 2008 - by Patrick
Confirmed: New Canon DSLR in September
Cnet’s tech blog, Crave, has been informed by Canon that:
it will replace a “long overdue model”…
Reading between the lines:
“Canon EOS 5D replacement for Photokina”
Posted on September 4, 2008 - by Patrick
Sony A900: About that Intelligent Preview…
If you were curious about that mention of “intelligent preview” in the specs of the A900, and found the distinction odd (why not the familiar term “live view”), then perhaps David Kilpatrick’s (Photoclubalpha.com) explanation will help shed some light for you.
I do not have all the details, but this is what Sony will offer in place of Live View - it is a sort of Polaroid pre-test on screen, with some more information or accuracy, compared to just shooting a pic and reviewing it on any DSLR. Also, I believe that it is viewed from the buffer and not stored on to the memory card. I have not seen any explanation on how or what this function does though, beyond knowing that it is intended to show accurate depth of field, check focus, and check exposure more accurately than reviewing a quick shot - and to do it fast without needing to take a saved test shot.
-David Kilpatrick (Photoclubalpha.com)
As you may or may not now, Sony has one of the best current implementations of live view on DSLRs right now, it’d be interesting if they’ve found a way to make even more useful.
Still love to get the pricing info…
Posted on September 4, 2008 - by Patrick
Sony A900 Has Arrived: Specifications and Image
{sony a900}
Just a few more days now, but Sony is already hitting the photo rags with the advertisements, this one from National Geographic.
The specifications as listed:
- 24.6 megapixel full frame Exmor CMOS sensor
- Dual BIONZ image processing engine
- Intelligent preview
- 100% viewfinder, 0.74x magnification
- 3.0″ 921k dot hybrid LCD
- 9 point center dual-cross AF (with F2.8 sensor and wide area 10 point assist)
- 5 FPS continuous shooting
- Steady Shot Inside
- No pop up flash
This answers the question of viewfinder coverage and FPS. 100% viewfinder coverage tops the 95% coverage in the D700, but the A900 lags in the FPS, 5 vs. 8, but that’s coming with a big resolution difference, and honestly if the price is right, folks will be very happy with 5 FPS (Hell, D300 shoots 6FPS).
So the biggest question remains? Price!
Posted on September 2, 2008 - by Patrick
Sony A900 Digital SLR Camera Coming Soon
There’s no question that the Sony A900 (it of 24 megapixel on a full frame sensor fame) is coming very soon, but exactly how soon is yet to be determined. As we’ve pointed out before the expected announcement date is September 10. But we might get a peek a bit earlier, at least if what I’ve read at Photography Bay is to be believed. They point to this post that states that some dealers will be stocking the Sony A900 starting September 3. And if you’re still not convinced that yes, the A900 is really coming soon, major Sony authorized dealer Elvia Pro announced:
On 12, 13 and 14 9. 9th in our Sony Center, 19 Charles Square, Prague 2, You will have a unique opportunity to try and osahat the first specimen brand new professional DSLR-A900. In the premiere gain valuable on-the-spot every DAR! Start date sales are approaching, watch this page.
It is already possible for the A900 to make a binding order in any Sony Center Elvia
-Google Translation
I’d expect quite a few leaks and drips and image photos in the very near future.
Posted on September 1, 2008 - by Patrick
Source: Canon EOS 5D Replacement (Mark II) to Boast 21 Megapixels
File under “I hope this true, but remain quite skeptical” Category
DSLR Magazine has an article up about Canon’s intentions with the 5D replacement (referred to here and there as the Mark II). It goes into quite a bit of detail as to what and why Canon is doing with the Mark II and where Canon might be headed. To paraphrase, because of the advancements made with the new DIGIC IV processing (now seen in the 50D and soon to appear in the G10) Canon feels confortable moving to a 21 megapixel sensor. And judging by this article, new sensor technology and DIGIC IV will be the key to improved image quality, noise management, tonal range, and dynamic range in the Canon EOS 5D Mark II and future cameras.
First the good stuff (google translation):
One reason for this delay was the presentation of the Nikon D3, with its very high performance at high ISO. The information services could learn from Canon, Nikon’s planned presentation of a model that would compete directly with the future replacement for the EOS 5D, D700, and what is worse: that would incorporate the same sensor and processor and the Nikon D3 that its benefits in terms of image quality at high ISO, and in general, it would be superb. Nor lacks a system of prevention against dust, Live-View, etc.. But the key concern was the sensor …And Canon had hoped to have ready its latest advances in CMOS sensors, some of whom tried-with total discretion in CMOS-APS-C size incorporated into the 50D.
But the version of CMOS 24 x 36 mm incorporated into the EOS 5D Mark II will not be like the 15-megapixel APS-C of the 50D nor of 12.3 megapixels such as the D3 and D700, but 21 megapixels as DSLR Magazine have confirmed to all sources of solvency.
Yes: 21-megapixels, and may think the same thing we are thinking of us … that is where the 1Ds Mark III and where it’s located its possible replacement.-DSLR Magazine
Some tough reading I know, but here’s the how…
To contribute to this reduction has worked at various levels within each pixel. As you know, one of the advantages of CMOS sensors is that part of the accused is already in each pixel, before emptying each load, and this game gives you a lot about what can be done in a CCD. To begin with, what they have done engineers Canon is decreasing the distance between the pixel and its controller, in addition to doing “rush” to a lower voltage. This will improve the efficiency electric heating decreases and therefore noise. For the 21-megapixel sensor for the 5D Mark II envisages a step further gain sensitivity rather than noise on the 50D.
In addition, there is a very complicated technology partnership p í Xela, something that previously was not possible until the availability of DIGIC processor IV. The operation is to associate in pairs or 2.4 to 8 pixels (for now), to examine their loads, exploring the noise of each and make an averaged low, all this, of course, before creating the JPEG or offer RAW, so this is a mechanism for reducing noise that would allow some very good levels of balance signal to noise ratio even with sensors 24 x 36 mm and more than 40 megap í Xel resolution.
While we resolution, perhaps here come two of the most spectacular advances of new technologies for Canon CMOS rather than the 50D but especially of the future “5D Mark II”: the new coverage of microlenses and new low pass filter or even …its eventual elimination.
-DSLR Magazine
Interesting, exciting, true?
Link to translated article here…
Posted on August 30, 2008 - by Patrick
Canon EOS 5D Replacement Will Be At Photokina
Looks like I won’t be eating any hats…
While rumors continue to attach alleged specifications for the future replacement for the EOS 5D, Canon assumes that the expected handover will take place-finally-in this next edition of Photokina. This has been explained to QUESABEDE.COM representatives of the division of the German company said in a brief encounter during the IFA, which these days is celebrated in Berlin.
There’s a sense of anxiety in the Canon forums I read, that while clearly exaggerated by the very nature of forums, seems to center around the notion that Canon has simply been resting on its laurels. I don’t think most folks would disagree that the D3/D300/D700 combo has caught Canon a little off guard. Nikon’s focus on high ISO performance with excellent noise management has drawn photographers away from the megapixels war to a new war on “highest usable ISO” which will soon reach the same levels of silliness that the megapixel war previously did.
While it’s not totally clear yet, it appears that Canon might be back on track. The 50D boasts DIGIC IV processing that promises excellent noise management, and early image samples are very promising. That same DIGIC IV processing will now be placed into a camera body that Canon has had 3 years to develop. The odds seem good to me that Canon will have a semi-pro camera that at the minimum competes with the D700, but even more likely exceeds it. We’ll see at Photokina…
more here..
Posted on August 29, 2008 - by Patrick
Rumor:Canon EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR Camera Specifications
What I keep reading:
- 21.1 MP 1.0x
- DIGIC IV
- ISO 100-6400 L:50 & H:12800
- 5 FPS
- 3.2″ High Resolution Screen (LCD)
- 19 point AF
- HDMI Out
- Liveview
- HD Movie Mode
- Viewfinder: 100% Coverage
- Full weather sealing
- EF Lenses only
So you’re saying the Canon is going to make the 5D replacement the super-duperest camera of them all and sell it for significantly less than 1D Mark III?
While I would love to be wrong… I think the previously rumored specs are going to be a lot closer, 16 megapixels, and no video recording, 3 inch high resolution LCD, etc…Canon needs a product to compete with the Nikon D700, not the Canon 1Ds Mark III.
Feedback?
Posted on August 28, 2008 - by Patrick
The Nikon D3z?
