dSLR Dad

Well, I guess you could say better late than never.  Canon has finally filled one of the largest holes in their consumer lens lineup.  The Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 Image Stabilized (IS) Zoom Lens offers dSLR Dads an option for an everyday, ‘walk-around’ vacation lens.  What is somewhat perplexing, is that this is built upon Canon’s entry-level EF-S lens platform.  This means that Canon will be speaking highly of ‘value’ when it describing the features of this lens.  Value, in this case, both for the consumer and Canon’s business case.  The highlights of this lens include: (more…)

Now in 1080p High Definition

It has been quite an interesting three years since Canon first released the original EOS 5D. At the time, it was the first full-frame, compact digital SLR that sold at a somewhat affordable price of $3,299 at launch.  It proved popular with dSLR Dads who required really big pixels for their landscape and portrait work.  Remarkably enough, it is only recently that Canon has faced competition in the space it created with the introduction of Nikon’s D700 and Sony’s Alpha A900.  And while those are some mighty fine cameras, Canon has once again decided to set itself apart from the crowd.  With the introduction of the 21.1 Megapixel full-frame EOS 5D Mark II, Canon is also the first to introduce 1080p high-definition video recording in a digital SLR Camera.

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The World’s First Digital SLR that Shoots High Definition Video

Yes you read that correctly.  The new Nikon D90 digital SLR Camera is the world’s first dSLR to also shoot video.  With the ability to record up to 5 minutes of High Definition 720p, 24 frames-per-second, mono-sound video, the Nikon D90 is definitely a game changer.

True, the 12.3-megapixel CMOS sensor, expanded ISO range, and Live View shooting is nice, but it’s the HD video that really makes a dSLR Dad eager to use this camera.  The Nikon D90 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera will be available in two versions this September.

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The Canon EOS 50D digital SLR Camera is the latest in the XXD series. Introduced just one year after the 40D, the new EOS 50D is a minor-model change with some major improvements to what was already a great camera. While it uses the same weather-resistant, magnesium housing of the 40D (which will still remain in Canon’s Lineup), the EOS 50D adds many new notable features:

• 15.1 Megapixel, 22.3mm x 14.9mm, APS-C sized CMOS sensor. Each pixel is just 4.7µm wide, but incorporates a larger microlens and increased light-sensing area to improve overall efficiency and help reduce noise by 1 to 1.5 stops from the 40D. Photo resolution will be 4752 x 3168 pixels.
• DIGIC 4 image processor with UDMA Compact Flash memory card support. Which is required to achieve the fast 6.3 frame-per-second continuous shooting capacity. The 16 RAW image burst is less than the Canon EOS 40D.
• Expanded ISO range from 100 to 3200, along with two high-speed settings of ISO 6400 and ISO 12800.
• 3-inch LCD with 920,000 pixels (4x the resolution of the EOS 40D). It also incorporates a three layer coating which should help reduce glare, reflections, and the ever present dSLR Dad face smudge. (more…)

Adobe has released Photoshop Lightroom version 2.  This latest iteration packs numerous feature and usability improvements to help any dSLR Dad quickly import, manage, process, and display your work.

Top new features

• Local adjustment brush — What Photoshop Guru Scott Kelby calls “painting with light”.  One of the most powerful new features I have used.
• Graduated Filter — Allows you to recreate the effect of a graduated neutral density filter.
• Enhanced organizational tools
• Volume management – Freely manage and organize your images across multiple drives, and continue to work with the high-resolution previews — even when your originals are offline.
• Extensible architecture — Allows you to take advantage of the wide range of plug-ins to help you quickly and easily transfer images to your favorite sharing sites and photo labs.
• Multiple monitor support
• Flexible print package functionality — You can now print multiple sizes on one or many pages.  Exporting your print as a JPEG to toss to an outside print service is also an option.
• Streamlined Photoshop CS3 integration — Enjoy tight integration with Adobe Photoshop software for streamlined use of Smart Objects, panorama stitching, high dynamic range (HDR) functionality, multiple layer workflow, and more.
• Enhanced output sharpening (meaning that it’s more than the on/off switch of Version 1)
• 64-bit support for Windows® and Mac OS — This is a great trend, allowing you to take advantage of more system memory (>3 GB) when working with larger files.  Photoshop CS4 will follow the same path (for Windows users at least).
• Adobe Camera RAW 4.5 is built in

You can buy new copies for $299 or upgrade for just$99 from Adobe.  You can also purchase the Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 at Amazon.com, sometimes at a discount.

For those of you dSLR Dads who never used Lightroom before, you can still download a free 30-day trial and try it out.  I highly recommend this route, just be sure to give yourself a project to complete from import to print/post.  Read on to find out more information.

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Nikon has announced a new flagship in their Creative Lighting System (CLS), the Speedlight SB-900 Flash.  The SB-900 is a new external i-TTL flash with a guide number of 157.5 feet (48 meters).  The SB-900 also features a rather expansive zoom range of 17-200 mm (FX format).  The flash will automatically detect the presence of FX or DX lens and make the appropriate adjustments.  To further control light output, Nikon has also added three user-selectable distribution patterns: standard, center-weighted, and even.  Nikon has also enlarged the LCD panel and altered the switch layout to improve usability, including a proper command dial.  To help reception of incoming trigger signals when used off camera, the SB-900 head can now rotate 180 degrees in either direction.  And of course, Nikon has also improved the recycle time from the SB-800.  But then again, when was the last time a manufacturer introduced a slower anything as the new model?  Continue reading to see more photos, details and reviews of Nikon’s SB-900 Speedlight.

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Sony has unveil two new mid-range Alpha-series dSLRs. The Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 features a 10.2-megapixel APS-C CCD image sensor. The Sony Alpha DSLR-A350 upgrades to a 14.2-megapixel sensor. A side effect of the A350’s bigger sensor is a slightly slower frame rate of 2.5 frames-per-second (fps) compared with the 3pfs of the A300. Both Alpha models share the following features:

• • “Quick AF Live View” technology
  • Fold-Out, Variable Angle 2.7 inch LCD
  • BIONZ image processor
  • Super SteadyShot image stabilization enables shutter speed benefit of 2.5 to 3.5 steps
  • Compact Flash card slot
  • DSLR-A300 with DT 18-70mm f3.5-5.6 standard zoom lens will ship in April for about $800
  • DSLR-A350 camera body = $800
  • DSLR-A350 with DT 18-70mm f3.5-5.6 3.9x zoom lens for about $900

Sony will offer the following kit options (available to order now at Amazon):

• Sony Alpha A300K with DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 ED Zoom Lens
  
• Sony Alpha A300X with DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 and DT 55-200mm f/4-5.6 Zoom Lenses
• Sony Alpha A350 (body only)
• Sony Alpha A350K with Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 ED Zoom Lens
• Sony Alpha A350X with DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 and DT 55-200mm f/4-5.6 Zoom Lenses (more…)

Well, the PMA2008 products are finally starting to roll out. Today, Canon U.S.A., Inc. has announced the brand new Canon EOS Rebel XSi (450D). The Rebel XSi replaces the very popular Canon Digital Rebel XTi (400D). New and upgraded features include:

• New 12.2 megapixel APS-C size Canon CMOS sensor
• Enhanced 14-bit A/D conversion
• DIGIC III image processor
• 3-inch, 230,000 pixel LCD monitor with a broadened color gamut.
• Larger Viewfinder, should be similar to 30D (long overdue for the Rebel series)
• Improved autofocus sensor. The center f/2.8 AF sensor is now cross-type.
• 3.5 frames per second frame rate. With bursts of up to 45 images in large/fine JPEG mode and 6 frames in RAW mode (the buffer size is a little disappointing).
• Advanced Live View function. The EOS Rebel XSi adds a new “Live Mode” contrast-detection AF function that allows the camera to focus automatically during Live View without lowering the reflex mirror (sounds similar to Nikon’s).
• SD / SDHC Card slot (XTi had Compact flash)
• 4% spot metering now available.
• The Kit now includes the new Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Zoom Lens.

The Canon Digital Rebel XSI Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens is now available for pre-order at Amazon. (more…)