Category: Technology

Canon 5D Mark II Real life Experience Review

Wow, the Canon 5D Mark II (kit with Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM) is an unbelievable camera and I strongly encourage everyone to take a look at this camera. According to dxomark, http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/eng/DxOMark-Sensor the 5D2 is rank 4th among some very expensive cameras. Based on it score, I believe the 5D2 is a much better deal.

Now to be honest with you all, I don’t consider myself a professional photographer, but rather it just a hobby of mine. I have read many of the reviews and many of the comparisons between other cameras and I have to say my 3 weeks of experience with this camera certainly lines well with the reviews. I have no real way to compare the 5D2 with any of the more interesting camera such as the Canon 50D, 1D3, or the Nikon D3. There are plenty of other reviews available that covers this angle of the 5D2 story. I have not seen much real life reviews of the camera, so I figure I take this opportunity to write a review based on real life conditions. To put things in the proper context, I am upgrading from the Canon EOS Rebel XT. I had considered upgrading to the 40D, but I felt that it was not enough bang for me to upgrade. The Canon 5D Mark II offered the bang I was looking to achieve and I truly believe it was worth every penny. Continue reading Canon 5D Mark II Real life Experience Review

Shoot In Darkness: The Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

This lens is wickedly cool. I’ve never been much of a prime lens kind of person until I had the opportunity to use this lens for awhile and realized the magic behind primes and the Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM. This is one of Canon’s most highly regarded lenses and rightly so. Read my thoughts and opinions after the jump. Continue reading Shoot In Darkness: The Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

Nikon D3x On The Verge Of Release?

I happen to see this post on Engadget about Nikon outing itself with the new D3x. There’s nothing too shocking from the specs, 24.5 megapixel CMOS sensor in the same body. Sounds like the newly released Sony sensor that they are using in their Sony Alpha A900 will also be in the D3x. Here are some quick specs:

  • 24.5 megapixel in a 35.9 x 24 mm CMOS sensor
  • 16-bit EXPEED system
  • 5.0 frames-per-second in it’s full size mode, and 7 frames-per-second in a cropped 10 megapixel mode (I guess they want to encourage people who need the extra 2 frames-per-second to purchase the D3)
  • ISO 50-6400, which I’m guessing means that, like the Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III (highest ISO is 3200), this dSLR is not intended for low light situations as with the D3 is. There doesn’t seem to be any mention of any higher ISO range such as 12,800 or 25,600.
  • Same 3 inch 922,000 LCD
  • Live View
  • 12ms startup time with a 41ms shutter lag
  • Dual Compact Flash slots capable of 35MB/second write times

For pictures of the Nikon Pro magazine and how the D3x stacks up against the Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III, click in to read more. Continue reading Nikon D3x On The Verge Of Release?

COBA Meeting: Political Photography, Canon EOS 5D Mark II and Photokina Wrapup

The latest Camera Owners of the Bay Area (COBA) took place Wednesday, October 8 at the usual place in Stanford University at Condura Hall 100. The topic of discussion were Photokina Wrap Up, Political Photography with guest speaker Mona T. Brooks, and the Canon EOS 5D Mark II. Jim Rose (Canon Senior Professional Market Specialist for Field Market Support) was slated to appear with a pre-production copy of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II, but turns out that there are very, very few pre-productions available and Jim wasn’t one of the lucky ones to have one. Continue reading COBA Meeting: Political Photography, Canon EOS 5D Mark II and Photokina Wrapup