dSLR Dad

Kamera&Bild, one our Scandinavian brethren, has a video interview with Chuck Westfall of Canon from PMA 2008 (in English). In it he discusses the new Canon Rebel XSi (available at Amazon and B & H Photo), the lack of a Canon EOS 5D update, his thoughts on the new Nikon D3, and if Canon’s APS-H sized sensor in the EOS 1D Mark III is properly positioned in the marketplace.

Some notes, for you dSLR Dads on Canon product cycles. They have now stretched things out to where the Pro level cameras have moved to a 3 year product cycle. Consumer grade cameras are shifting to roughly a 2-year span between releases. The Canon EOS 1D Mark III (Amazon, B & H Photo) was announced last year before PMA on February 21, 2007. While the Pro Sports Photographer market has finally seen some worthy competition with Nikon’s introduction of the D3 (Amazon, B & H Photo), the 1D Mark III is still early in it’s life cycle. True, it has had a disastrous release so far, but it still remains in the drivers seat. Unfortunately, the impact of a somewhat-unreliable, professional camera in it’s first year of production will not truly be understood until we see the launch of the next 1D and D3.

Will all future Canon 1-Series be full frame? I think the Pro market is clearly showing that is becoming the standard. The only real question is will the 1D Mark III replacement ship in 2009 or 2010? My guess is it depends on how much black Nikon glass you see at the Olympics this summer.

You can watch the entire video interview here.

via Slash Gear.

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This is the kind of ‘review’ I love to bring to you dSLR Dads. Michael Reichmann has posted his detailed insight into the Nikon D3 and Nikon D300 over at the Luminous Landscape. What makes this article completely different and refreshing from all of the others is the focus on how these cameras compare from the Canon perspective. He also makes it perfectly clear that this is not a typical test report with an abundance of side-by-side comparisons at ISO 3200 with 100% crops. That really doesn’t matter. What does matter is how does a photographer use these new tools for photography.

In this essay I look at the new Nikon D3 and D300 though the eyes (mine) of someone who has been shooting with Canon cameras for the past 8 years. Prior to 1999 I used Nikons, shoot film, and used them to make a living in photography for some 30 years. I also used (and still do) Hasselblads and Leicas, and as a magazine reviewer have probably tested and shot with almost every major camera system available since the mid-1960’s. But for several decades prior to the advent of digital, Nikons were my 35mm tool of choice….. (more…)

Popularity: 23% [?]

Tags: camera features, canon, Canon 1D, Canon 1Ds, Canon EOS 5D, Canon vs Nkon, comparison, Luminous Landscape, Michael Reichmann, nikon, Nikon D3, Nikon D300, review, SLR

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…)

Popularity: 14% [?]

Tags: 1D Mark III, AF Servo, auto focus, camera body, camera review, Canon 1D, canon camera, Canon dSLR, canon review, comparison, EOS, L lens, review, SLR