dSLR Dad

Canon has released a firmware update for the Canon EOS 50D dSLR Camera. According to Canon, this firmware update, Version 1.0.7, incorporates the following fixes:

1. Corrects a phenomenon where captured images may tend to appear somewhat magenta depending on the shooting scene.
2. Fixes incorrect indications on the Arabic, Romanian, Spanish, and Ukrainian menu screens.

You can download firmware version 1.0.7 from Canon Global.

Photography Blog has a digital SLR review of the Canon EOS 50D camera:

Released just one year after the 40D, the new EOS 50D DSLR is Canon’s answer to its main rival, the Nikon D300. The EOS 50D is both a worthy upgrade for current 40D owners and a real challenger to the D300, mainly thanks to the larger 15 megapixel sensor, new Digic 4 processor and expanded ISO range, which thankfully haven’t compromised image quality in any way. Despite the 50% increase in resolution, the EOS 50D offers the best image quality of any Canon APS-C DSLR camera to date, with very similar performance to the 40D at comparative ISO speeds, and the added bonus of ISO 6400 and 12800 modes. Admittedly the fastest setting is only really usable as a last resort and doesn’t quite match up to the low-light performance of the Nikon D3 and D700, but they are much more expensive cameras than the 50D. We’d happily use this camera on a daily basis up to ISO 3200 with 6400 as a back-up. All other image quality aspects are up to Canon’s usual high standards, although we’d swap the 18-55mm kit lens for the more expensive 17-85mm optic in order to get the most out of the 15 megapixel sensor. If you’re looking for the highest resolution for your money, the Canon EOS certainly doesn’t disappoint.

You can read the entire review at Photography Blog.

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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Neutral Day has published an in-depth review of the full-frame Canon EOS 5D Mark II dSLR camera:

The 5D Mark II, naturally offers much more than this, but these are what grabbed my attention, in part because of what the competition was offering. Nikon had been producing its well received D700 for a short time with a 12 megapixel sensor, better AF system, and no HD video, while Sony had only just announced its own full frame offering, the Sony A900, with a whopping 24 megapixels, but no live view, no video, and a less sophisticated AF than the D700. (more…)

Canon is really excited about this.  The latest firmware for the Canon EOS 5D Mark II, version 1.1.0, will now let dSLR Dads manually control the exposure while shooting 1080p HD video:

This new firmware will accommodate a great number of user requests for manual exposure control in the EOS 5D Mark II video mode. Manual exposure control while shooting video on the EOS 5D Mark II is expected to make a big impact with cinematographers and videographers using the 5D Mark II for high-end HD video production.

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Phil Holland has published his detailed review of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II Full-Frame dSLR:

Much like many of you I’ve been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Canon 5D Mark II. Many things intrigued me and excited me about the camera, but the points that stood out to me personally were: Higher quality/range ISO, increase of resolution, full 1080p video support.

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Canon has released a firmware update for the Canon EOS Rebel XS/1000D dSLR Camera. According to Canon, this firmware update, Version 1.0.5, incorporates the following fixes:

• Supports the AF assist beam feature of the new flash, Speedlite 270 EX, which is scheduled to be released in April 2009.

You can download firmware version 1.0.5 from Canon Global.

Canon has released a firmware update for the Canon EOS Rebel XSi/450D dSLR Camera. According to Canon, this firmware update, Version 1.1.0, incorporates the following fix:

• Supports the AF assist beam feature of the new flash, Speedlite 270 EX, which is scheduled to be released in April 2009.

You can download firmware version 1.1.0 from Canon Global.