In my previous post (here) I mentioned that I hadn’t found any information on whether the 5D Mark 2 would have an AF-On button on it’s new designed battery grip. My concern was that even though the grip isn’t compatible with the old 5D, Canon would inexplicably leave the control off like they did on the 40D’s new grip (of course the excuse for that on the BG-E2N was that it had to remain compatible with the 30D and older bodies).

Well it seems, though I haven’t seen any official imagery yet, that the BG-E6 for the 5D Mk.2 will have an AF-On button. It was mentioned in this youtube video (fast forward to about 8 minutes for when he mentions it). Though if you’re quick you can also see 3 holes in the rear of the grip where the shooting controls should be when he shows off the body at the beginning.

So for the moment things are looking good, with respect to the BG-E6 not being crippled like the BG-E2N was.

You snooze you lose, or you get there late.

DP Review has finely posted their sample gallery for the 5D Mark 2.

People fearing for image quality due to the increased resolution and smaller photo-sites, fear no more. Quickly looking though the last 5 frames, a still life scene shot at ISOs all the way up to ISO 25,600, look excellent. Well there’s definitely noise at 25,600 but at web resolutions or as a small print (say 5×7 or even maybe 8×10, it looks like it would hold up quite well.

But don’t take my word, see for your self.

Exclusive Canon EOS 5D Mark II Samples Gallery: Digital Photography Review.

One thing I don’t frequently follow is the point and shoot market, but it’s hard to not to ignore it sometimes. Canon’s PowerShot G7 and G9 have found homes in many professional photographers bags. The Sigma DP1 hoped to redefine the high end point and shoot market, by bringing dSLR sized sensors to P&Ss. And Canon’s PowerShot S line (like the S5 IS) has continued to push the bounds for super zoom P&Ss.

So it was hard to miss when Canon announced successors just recently for both their PowerShot G9 and PowerShot S5 IS in time for Photokina. The PowerShot G10 looks like it should be a solid high end point and shoot, with a solid zoom lens in the most commonly used zoom ranges. The SX1 and SX10 look to raise the bar for super zoom point and shoots, bringing the long zoom range of any Canon point and shoot to date. And the SX110 IS rounds out the line with an affordable camera with a good range.

Canon PowerShot G10

PowerShot G10

The PowerShot G10 continues Canon’s high end point and shoot line, improving upon it’s predecessor with another 2.6 million pixels, resulting in a 14.7 megapixel sensor. The new Digic IV processor brings a few nice new features to the table some targeted more towards the advanced user some more towards the novice.

The advanced user will find the addition of a servo auto focus mode that tracks moving subjects, like flying birds, racing cars and running children. While everyone may find some use for the new face detection self timer, a mode that allows the photographer to join the scene with out rushing to beat the self timer, by detecting when a new face appears in view. In addition, the Digic IV supports a more efficient movie storage format that allows for longer recordings on the same size card.

The G10 also maintains the same 3″ wide viewing angle 230,000 pixel LCD and real optical viewfinder that the G9 had. But gains and loses some against the G9 when it comes to the lens. The G10 sports a new 28 to 140mm equivalent f/2.8-4.5 lens. This lens is wider than the 35-210mm equivalent lens that’s on the G9 but doesn’t have the same reach on the telephoto end. Overall though, the G10 looks like it should be a solid high end point and shoot.

Canon USA’s PowerShot G10 Page

PowerShot SX1 IS and PowerShot SX10 IS

Canon PowerShot SX10 IS

The apparent successors to the S5 IS, the SX1 and SX10 share a similar platform but have slightly different feature sets that clearly set them apart.

Both cameras improove over the S5 in almost all areas; they are both built around the new Digic IV processor, and thus have most of the features discussed above with the G10. They both feature 10 megapixel sensors, up from the 8 megapixel sensor in the S5. They also both feature a new 5-100mm f/2.8-5.7 (28-560mm equivalent) optically stabilized zoom lens, and support an external Canon EX Speedlite flash in addition to their built-in flash.

The similarities end though, when one looks at the guts. The SX1 IS uses a new CMOS sensor, a first in Canon point and shoot cameras. The new sensor allows for a higher frame rate, 4 frames per second rather than 1.4. But the biggest difference is the SX1′s ability to capture 1080p Hi-Def video. The SX1 also has a slightly larger rear LCD at 2.8″ instead of 2.5.

If the SX1′s image quality is decent, especially when shooting at ISO 400 and lower, this may well be the point and shoot to have if you’re an amateur bird watcher. The zoom range is unbeatable, with the addition of a tracking auto focus mode, and the higher frame rate the camera is finely entering the range where it may be able to capture birds in flight. If all else fails, the HD video ability provides a way to capture behavior and flight not just still images. For the more price sensitive, the SX10 should provide all the same benefits with a slightly lower price tag.

Update: I based the SX1 IS information on the announcement made at DP Review, but apparently Canon has elected to screw those of us who live in North America, and not release the camera here, or not release it hear yet, which is why I couldn’t find a product page for it. So until something changes, I’ve linked up Canon Europe’s product page.

Canon USA’s PowerShot SX10 IS Page

Canon Europe’s PowerShot SX1 IS Page

Others

Canon also announced the PowerShot SX110 IS, which is in many ways like a baby brother to the SX10 IS. It has the same resolution, but uses the older Digic III processor, so lacks many of the new features, as well as having a shorter zoom lens (6-60mm f/2.8-4.3 equivalent to 36-360mm) and lacks a viewfinder so all composition must be done on the 3″ wide viewing angle articulated LCD.

Canon USA’s PowerShow SX110 IS Page

If you came here looking for Florida Photo Safaris, or photo-safaris.cult-of-tech.net we’ve moved. We have a home of our own now, and with it a new name. What was once Florida Photo Safaris, is now Points in Focus, and can be found at our very own new location, www.pointsinfocus.com though photo-safaris.cult-of-tech.net will continue to redirect to here for the near future.

More from DPReview on the Canon 5D Mark 2, they’ve posted their hands on preview.

One thing that looks improved is Auto ISO. According to DPReview, the new AutoISO attempts to maintain a shutter speed of at least 1/focal length. While this seems a little better than the auto ISO in canon’s previous designs, it still isn’t as configurable as Nikon’s auto ISO which I think is vastly more useful.

One improvement looks real handy is the new rear LCD, not just the resolution increase but the inclusion of several anti-reflective coatings, which should make reviewing images and using live view even easier in bright glary environments.

Another nice item is the inclusion of an IR receiver port, allowing the use of the RC-1 and RC-5 wireless remotes. Which should be familiar to people who have a Canon Rebel series body. This is a nice move as the LC-5 wireless controller that plugged into the remote terminal is an astronomical $430 (USD), where the RC-5 is only $23.

One thing that’s still unanswered, at least as far as I can find, is whether the new BG-E6 battery grip has an AF-On button to match the one on the back of camera body. The AF-On button was omitted on the BG-E2N that was released with the EOS 40D, possibly as a move to maintain compatibility with the EOS 30D and earlier. But this is a new grip designed around a new battery for a new camera. I would expect it to be there, but I won’t say for sure untill I can find an acutal image of the rear of the battery grip.

Read the full DPReview article by following the link below.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Hands-on Preview: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review.

Following hot on the tail of Canon’s new EOS 5D Mark 2 is the announcement of a new pro grade wide angle lens, the EF 24mm f/1.4L II.

Most interesting in this lens, is the inclusion of a new coating system to improve optical performance. Unlike traditional anti-glare/anti-reflective coatings, this new lens debuts a new technique that varies the density of the coating so as to produce almost no reflected light what so ever (traditional coatings work by having the reflected light from the air-coating interface and the coating-glass interface destructively interfere thus canceling them out). It will be interesting to see how well this works for controlling flare.

Canon 24mm f/1.4 L II USM lens: Digital Photography Review.

Canon USA’s EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM Lens Page

It’s official, Canon has announced the EOS-5D Mark 2. Featuring an unbelievable 21MP sensor that has an ISO range from 50 to 25,600, the same as the Nikon D3 and D700, as well as a full HD 1080p30 (1080p @ 30 frames per second) movie mode. Other key features include a new AF system with 9 selectable sensors and 6 assist points, though there’s no mention of whether they are cross type or not.

In addition there’s a new battery sporting 1800mAh, necessitating a new vertical release that’s not compatible with the old 5D’s grip or batteries. Also in the fold is a new wireless shooting grip supporting access to GPS capabilities, as well as the ability to upload images to an FTP server and control the camera remotely.

More information can be found at DPreview by following the link below.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II: 21MP and HD movies: Digital Photography Review.

Some commentary…

I think this looks like an awesome upgrade ot the 5D, and a damn good competitor to the Sony Alpha a900. In the range in question the 3-4 MP difference isn’t that much of a big deal, and the wider ISO range is a massive boost. So long as Canon has this priced accordingly I think they have a nice mid range full frame body going now.

The biggest down side that I see, right off the bat is the lack of f/5.6 cross sensitive sensors on all the selectable AF points, seems like the 40D, now 50D still have an edge in the AF department. And from a UI perspective, I’m not sure moving the LCD backlight button to the far right side of the controls from the far left was the best decision, I can see it getting pushed instead of the ISO/FEC button accidentally.

The 5D line does get the Camera User Settings (C1-C3) introduced on the 40D though, and that will be a nice upgrade, as well as what appears a dedicated release mode for bulb exposures. Here’s to hoping that the new grip doesn’t lack the AF-ON control that’s so conspicuously absent on the revised BG-E2N grip introduced with the 40D.

More to come as more details are released.

Canon USA’s 5D Mark 2 page

If you’ve been online and around for the past few days you’ve probably already seen the announcement for the Sony Alpha a900. Their brand new 24 megapixel full frame digital SLR body. The real shocker if anything is the price tag, at $3000 a price equal to that of the Nikon D700 and less than half of that of Canon’s EOS-1Ds.

Could this, and the expected announcement of Nikon’s D3 iteration using the same sensor finly put enough pressure on Canon to lower the prices of their EOS-1 series cameras, and in turn the prices of their semi-pro and consumer models into the range of easy reach?

DPReview.com has an overview of the a900 as well as sample images available in their Sony DSLR-A900, Preview and Gallery.

Unfortunately even at the price, I don’t think the a900 is all that attractive when compared to the alternatives especially the yet unannounced Nikon sibling. The a900 still lacks a pro grade AF system, only 9 selectable AF points and only one of those is cross type, further the gird is quite small barely filling the APS frame let alone the 135 format frame. Also, while Sony lenses are designed by Carl Zeiss and of excelent quality optically, their lineup lacks the length and breadth that Canon’s and Nikon’s lines support.

That said, I don’t think the a900 is attractive to own, but it will hopefully bring Canon’s and Nikon’s prices down to be competitive. Here’s to hoping that the Canon EOS 50D gets a nice price drop right out of the gates, let alone the yet unannounced 5D successor.

As a follow up to my previous post about the announcement of the Canon 50D, DPreview.com has a sample gallery with images from a pre-production camera available at the location linked below.

Canon EOS 50D Preview Samples Gallery: Digital Photography Review.

To my eye, ISO 800 looks at least as clean as ISO 400 on my 40D, and ISO6400 looks cleaner by a wide margin than ISO3200 on my 40D. I can definitely see making good quality 8x10s (or maybe even 11x14s with some noise reduction) from a shot taken at ISO6400, and ISO 1600 looks good enough to go all the way up to 12×18 or bigger.

One thing I forgot to mention previously was the announcement of a stabilized Canon EF-S 18-200 f/3.5-5.6 lens. Not necessarily interesting to pro photographers, but if the IQ is respectable it would make an acceptable walk around lens for those that aren’t looking to make absolutely tack sharp prints. Here’s to hoping it’s at least as good as Nikon’s.

Competition heats up in the ultra-wide angle zoom market with the announcement of Tamron’s new 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 bringing a competitor into the field from every one of the major manufacturers (Canon, Nikon, Tokina, Sigma and now Tamron). If CA is well controlled and the lens is sharp enough, this could give Canon’s EF-S 10-22 f/3.5-4.5 a run for it’s money, and with 2 more millimeters on the long end would fit well with their L series mid range zooms (either the 24-70 f/2.8L USM or the 24-105 f/4L IS USM). For Nikonians it gives you 2 millimeters more wide angle coverage than the DX Nikkor 12-24mm f/4, with only a third stop penalty in speed at the long end.

Tamron ultra-wide released for Canon and Nikon: Digital Photography Review.