Canon have released a new firmware version, 1.05, for their 12.8 megapixel Canon EOS 5D digital SLR.This firmware update incorporates the following improvements:
- Fixes the phenomenon where the images are monochrome.
- Fixes the phenomenon where the shutter cannot be released when using the EOS 5D + EF85mm F1.2L + Speedlite580EX. (*)
*: For EOS 5D units that contain 1 in the fifth digit of the body number (e.g., XXXX1XXXXX), the correction will not be reflected even if the firmware is updated to Version 1.0.5. If you have an affected product that you would like to have fixed, please contact the nearest Canon Service Center.
This firmware update applies to cameras with firmware versions up to 1.0.4 installed. If your camera’s firmware is already version 1.0.5, it is not necessary to perform this update.
Website : Canon EOS 5D newly released v1.0.5 Firmware
A special camera masterclass — focusing on the brand new Canon EOS 30D — is being staged exclusively for Jessops’ customers. The event will offer just 60 owners of the new DSLR the opportunity to attend a day-long masterclass to learn more about the EOS 30D. The day is being staged at Canon’s United Kingdom headquarters in Reigate, Surrey, on June 3 and will feature three interactive workshops, hosted by Canon DSLR experts.
The 60 Jessops customers chosen to attend the masterclass will be decided by a free draw. To take part, customers must have purchased their Canon EOS 30D before May 10. Draw entry leaflets are available from any of the company’s network of over 280 stores across the United Kingdom, which must be completed and returned by May 15.
Jessops in Leicester, United Kingdom, is the biggest high street retailer of everything photographic, with over 280 stores nationwide. It sells a comprehensive range of cameras, camcorders, digital cameras and accessories, as well as providing quality developing and printing services.
Website : Jessops offers Canon EOS 30D masterclass
Canon is doing well last week with the newly announced Canon 30D. It quickly became the top selling DSLR camera in Japan, replacing Nikon D200 number one position in last month ranking.
2006/03/13 ～ 2006/03/19 Japan Most Popular Digital Camera Ranking
Digital SLR Camera
|
Ranking
|
Movement
|
Model
|
Japan Pricing
|
|
3
|
↑
|
Canon EOS 30D
|
139,999
|
|
6
|
→
|
Nikon D200
|
177,451
|
|
10
|
→
|
Canon EOS 5D
|
307,800
|
|
17
|
→
|
Canon EOS 350D
|
70,997
|
|
20
|
↓
|
Canon EOS 20D
|
128,980
|
Tripod is probably the second or third most important piece of equipment in your digital photography gears. Ian from Australia gives some good advice on choosing the right tripod, rather than recommend a single brand or model it’s recommended for you to go out and try a few tripods and settle with the one you prefer:
1) Stability (critical)
2) Anti-vibration qualities (critical)
3) Load carrying capacity (critical)
4) height range (lowest to highest)
5) Leg lock and operational issues
6) Construction quality / durability
7) Spare parts availablity
8) Weight
9) Cost
“Looking at the criteria, stability and anti-vibration qualities are of paramount importance. There’s no point in buying a tripod that is not stable when shooting under adverse conditions in the field. This means the tripod should possess not only good stability when shooting with the longest lens you own (or are going to use) but should also have good damping qualities, so that any wind or ground generated vibration isn’t passed on to the camera and that longer lenses won’t vibrate excessively. If you choose well you should be able to take images in all but the most horrific weather conditions with ease.
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Olympus released the E-330 with the world first real-time live-view feature on the LCD screen. Gary Wolstenholme from ePhotoZine takes a look at whether this is a truly valuable addition, or just a throw-away gimmick. Here’s his conclusoin:
“It isn’t simple trying to decide exactly how I feel about the Olympus E-330. It is a well built camera, capable of delivering very high quality images in good light. The live-view display is a useful addition but, with concentrating on this new technology it seems Olympus have neglected to update other features of the camera, like the autofocus system. It just seems archaic when compared to the multipoint AF arrays in cameras like the Canon EOS 350D and the Nikon D50.
Negative points aside, the quality of the images produced at the lower ISO settings is very good, contrasty and sharp right to the edges and this alone makes the Olympus E-330 worthy of consideration for photographers looking to buy a camera suitable for most general photography tasks.
In summary the positive points of the Olympus E-330 are:
- Excellent image quality at up to ISO400
- Innovative live-view screen
- Quality of the bundled kit lens
- Build quality and design
The negative points:
- Archaic three-point autofocus system. Having to open the menu each time you want to manually select a focus point is a real chore
- Images at ISO1600 are noisier than images from competing cameras
- Reflective screen cover can make it difficult to see in bright light”
Website : Olympus E-330 (Evolt) Review at ePhotoZine
