dSLR Dad

Photographer Ben Long has published his digital SLR review of the Canon EOS Rebel T1i / 500D:

If you’re looking for an SLR under $1,000 that takes great images and movies, then the Rebel T1i is an excellent choice.
PROS
Excellent image quality; very good design; full feature set; great high-ISO performance.
CONS
No external mic jack or manual exposure controls when shooting video.

You can read his entire review at Macworld Magazine. As always, dSLR Dads can find more information about the Canon EOS Rebel T1i 500D here.

Digital Photography Review has published their typically concise review of the 720p HD video recording Canon EOS 500D / Rebel T1i:

The EOS 500D is the latest incarnation of a highly successful line of cameras and although the ‘entry level’ market segment is these days much more crowded than it used to be, we would be very surprised if the new model would not sell like hotcakes.

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Camera Labs has published their review of the 720p HD video recording Canon EOS 500D / Rebel T1i:

The headline new feature of the EOS 500D / Rebel T1i that’s notably absent on the 50D is HD video recording – indeed it’s only the second Canon DSLR to offer the facility after the high-end the EOS 5D Mark II. Unlike any model in the existing Canon EOS or compact range, the EOS 500D / T1i also offers a choice of HD video recording quality from 1080p or 720p, the latter allowing longer recording times and lighter files for editing. This is a considerate and welcome feature, although frustratingly the 1080p mode only records at 20fps compared to 30fps for the 720p option.

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Digital Photography Review has published their preview of a pre-production Nikon D5000 dSLR Camera:

The recent boom in DSLR sales has seen all the major manufacturers adding bulked-up or stripped-down entry level models, repositioning their offerings to make sure that anyone willing to put up with the size and weight of a DSLR will look at one of their models. The whole thing has often left existing DSLR owners a little lost – ‘why isn’t there a direct replacement for my camera?’ – but has undoubtedly meant there are many more attractive, accessible cameras on the market just waiting to entice first-time DSLR owners.

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Does the Little Brother Have a Chance?

Rob Galbraith has had a chance to briefly compare the HD video feature of the new Canon EOS Rebel T1i / 500D versus the 5D Mark II dSLR Cameras.  He has found that:

• A shallow focus effect can definitely be achieved with the Rebel T1i.
• The Rebel T1i’s deep shadows may be less plugged than the 5D Mark II.
• For all but static scenes, the stutter of the 20fps 1080p mode in the Rebel T1i will be unwelcome.
• It’s possible to pull a usable still frame from Rebel T1i 720p video.
• While both camera models include a built-in mono mic, the sound quality from the 5D Mark II’s mic is richer and more live sounding.
• The 5D Mark II has an external stereo miniphone mic jack. The Rebel T1i doesn’t.
• The Rebel T1i has a video capture setting on its mode dial, and a record start/stop button separate from the Set button.
• The Rebel T1i has a 4GB clip length limit, the same as the 5D Mark II.

You can read the entire preview at Rob Galbraith DPI.  You can find more information about the Canon EOS Rebel T1i 500D here.

Digital Photography Review has published their preview of a pre-production Canon EOS 500D / Rebel T1i:

The 500D/T1i doesn’t quite have to be the everyman camera that its predecessors were. The introduction of the Rebel XS (1000D) in June 2008 means the T1i no longer has to appeal to everybody who doesn’t want to stretch to buying into the 50D class. As a result, the 450D was able to bulk up its feature set to include a selection of features that price-conscious shoppers don’t necessarily realize they want, such as a larger viewfinder and spot metering. The result was probably the most complete Rebel we’d seen. (more…)

Hi everyone. I just wanted to let that the Nikon D300 Review Page has been updated.  You can check it out here.

Also, with all of the new camera announcements that have come out this week, check back often to the dSLR Gear page to see what’s new for 2008.

Leaving everyone to wonder why it just wasn’t called the D40x Mark II

We are hitting the final stretch before PMA 20008. Today, Nikon USA issued their flood of Press Releases. The headliner for all of you dSLR Dads is the new D60. This is an update (although, a somewhat minor update) to the very popular Nikon D40X. Key features and “upgrades” include:

• Same 10.2 megapixel CCD sensor.
• Advanced 3-D Color Matrix Metering II with EXPEED image processor.
• New dual dust reduction countermeasures.
• Eye Sensor that turns the 2.5-inch (that’s right, still 2.5 inches) color LCD monitor on and off automatically. This is the same functionality as Canon Digital Rebel XSI and XTi.
• Stop-Motion Movie mode that enables users to create stop-animation movie clips from a series of as many as 100 consecutive JPEG picture files.
• Customizable LCD monitor user interface with in-camera editing tools.
• Supports Eye-Fi memory card functionality, enabling the convenient wireless transfer of images from the D60 to a computer, when using Eye-Fi Wireless SD Memory Cards.
• Kit will be packaged with the 3x zoom 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Nikkor Lens
• Available in February 2008.  Order now at B&H Photo. (more…)

Lawrence Ripsher has posted a review of the Canon EOS 1D Mark III (Amazon, B&H Photo) on his Photo Journal Blog.

I’ve been the owner of a 1D Mk3 since early December 2007 and this review comes about a month in after many thousands of actuations. For those of you who are not familiar with my background, I have shot Canon for some time now (having transitioned over from Nikon) and shoot a variety of subjects including sports, portraiture, street and what I call narrative photography. For examples of my work, you can click on the galleries to the left (or simply follow this review).

The Canon EOS 1D Mark III has had quite a ride. Released as part of Canon’s 20 year EOS anniversary strategy it was both highly anticipated and widely applauded when it was announced. From the outset it has arguably generated more noise (of the vocal kind) than any other camera in the market today, with the possibly exception of the Nikon D3. Leading the emotionally charged opinions on the camera have been photographers from all walks – some highly respected professionals, some skilled amateurs, some hopeful hobbyists and typically, an even greater number of users who have never touched this particular camera. The 1D has been heralded as everything – from the greatest sports and photojournalism camera in the world today, to a huge disappoint and failure. Even in the already emotional and divided world of camera equipment forums, the Canon 1D Mark III has shown an extreme example of split opinion. (more…)

Bjørn Rørslett,Professional Nature Photographer, PhD. Member of NN (Norwegian Nature Photographers) and BioFoto (Association of Nature Photographers in Norway) has just posted his review of the Nikon D3 (order one at Amazon and B&H Photo).

Every one waited for Nikon to move up to the next level of digital sensor size, the “full-sized” FX or 35mm-like solution. Years went by and seemingly nothing happened. We admired Nikon’s clever ergonomic solutions and at least some of us ogled the high-ISO performance of the competition with a little envy. Then, Nikon struck back with a camera advertised to “defy the limitations” no less.

The D3 is not only a 35mm-frame camera, it is so much more and with high-ISO performance unheard and undreamt of as well. With a blazing firing rate up to 9 fps(FX)/11 fps(DX), this is a sports and action shooter’s dream camera come true. But what can it achieve for other fields of photography? In this review, I shall try to elaborate these aspects of this new Nikon DSLR. Consider this more akind to a personal travelogue written as I made myself familar with the D3 rather than a compilation of features….. (more…)