dSLR Dad

Adobe has upgraded Photoshop Lightroom to version 2.5. You can download the free updates for both Windows and Macintosh from Adobe. Support for the following cameras has been added from Lightroom 2.4 to 2.5:

• Nikon D300s
• Nikon D3000
• Olympus PEN E-P1
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

Further Windows and Macintosh software enhancements in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2.5 include:

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Adobe has upgraded Photoshop Lightroom to version 2.4. You can download the free updates for both Windows and Macintosh versions from Adobe. Support for the following cameras has been added from Lightroom 2.3 to 2.4:

• Canon EOS 500D/Rebel T1i
• Canon PowerShot SX1 IS
• Nikon D5000
• Olympus E-450
• Olympus E-620
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
• Pentax K-7
• Sigma DP2
• Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
• Sony Alpha DSLR-A330
• Sony Alpha DSLR-A380

Further Windows and Macintosh software enhancements in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2.4 include: (more…)

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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Imaging Resource has published their hands-on preview of a pre-production Canon EOS 500D / Rebel T1i:

So it’s pretty clear, if the Beta unit’s quality holds up, that the Canon Rebel T1i’s image quality is at least as good as the Canon 50D, delivering more detail than most of the 12-megapixel cameras on the market for less money. Noise suppression is a bigger factor, but you can also turn that noise reduction down or off completely, or shoot 14-bit RAW, something we’ll explore in greater depth when we get a shipping version of the Canon T1i.

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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…)

Canon USA has released the new EOS Rebel T1i Digital Camera for dSLR Dads.  The latest Rebel dSLR now wraps itself around a 15.1 megapixel CMOS sensor with the DIGIC 4 imaging processor that now records HD video. The Canon T1i capture’s 16:9 720p High Definition video at 30 frames-per-second.  The T1i will also record 1080p, but at 20 fps, you’ll never use video with such a slow framerate (unless you want to make your family motion sick). More importantly for dSLR Dads, the Canon T1i has also applied their latest sensor technology from the EOS 50D to improve the low-light sensitivity from ISO 100 up to ISO 3200.  There are also two high-speed settings of ISO 6400 and ISO 12800.  And with a new 3-inch LCD with 920,000-pixels, reviewing those images will be easier than ever.  Interestingly, despite the falling Yen, Canon USA has kept the MSRP of the new EOS Rebel T1i Digital Camera constant at $799 when it’s released in May.  The Canon EOS Rebel T1i kit version will use Canon’s EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS zoom lens.  You can place your order now for either Camera at both Amazon and B&H Photo.

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Photography Bay is reporting that Canon Europe is sending out a press invitation for an event to be held on March 26.  The scuttlebutt appears to be an expected introduction of the Canon 500D.  The Internets are all a twitter over a potential 15-Megapixel, HD-video recording, Rebel-series dSLR.

The timing of this announcement makes sense.  Canon normally ships their Spring cameras around April, so it’s perfect timing.  Also, thanks to Sony entering the dSLR market after purchasing Minolta, Canon has switched to a yearly model update cycle on the consumer side.  We now see the EOS 50D dSLR release in the fall and the XXXD/Rebel released in the Spring.  As far as potential specifications? Well, the 5D Mark II introduced the DIGIC 4 image processer combined with a CMOS sensor capable of HD video recording, expect that to carry over to all future models.

What I think will be most interesting is the actual price.  Currently trading around 98 Yen-to-the-dollar, and after briefly touching 87 not too long ago, the falling Yen has created extreme pricing pressure for all Japanese consumer electronics companies.  Both the 450D/XSi and 400D/XTi cameras had an MSRP of $799 ($899 with the zoom kit lens) when released.  If Canon is not able to keep their costs down with this new model, they may be forced to raise the price.  However, if they can keep the price consistent, they will put more financial pressure on Nikon, Pentax, and Sony.