Canon launched yesterday the new 21 Megapixel, 5 frames per second EOS-1Ds Mark III. Here’s an inside look of the camera. Delivering 14-bit depth resolution from a newly developed 35mm full frame CMOS sensor, Canon’s new flagship digital SLR EOS-1Ds Mark III produces files that convert to over 100MB uncompressed 16-bit TIFF, setting a new benchmark in image resolution and sharpness for 35mm-format digital photography.

Able to recognize 16,384 colors per channel (four times the number of colors recognized by the EOS-1Ds Mark II Digital SLR camera’s 12-bit conversion capability), this line-leading model is able to produce images with finer and more accurate gradations of tones and colors. Canon has also provided compatibility with the new Ultra Direct Memory Access (UDMA) compact flash memory card specification, which enables ultra-high-speed data transfer to the card. Utilizing a UDMA compliant card doubles the data transfer speed compared to a conventional memory card.

The Dual DIGIC III processors drive 5 fps continuous shooting for up to 56 Large JPEGs (12 RAW) – unrivalled by any other camera at this resolution. This capacity to shoot such large images uninterrupted is regarded as a big driver in switching studio photographers to the EOS platform.

The new 21.1-megapixel, full-frame Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III DSLR camera’s compact, lighter-weight magnesium alloy body is rugged and versatile enough to take out of the studio and into the field. The camera’s fast, five-frame-per-second (fps) shooting rate for bursts of up to 56 Large/Fine (21-megapixel) JPEGS or 12 RAW images is unmatched in its class, making it the ideal instrument for capturing the fluid motion and free-flowing lines of location-based fashion photography as well as a wide range of other professional photographic applications.

The Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III professional digital single lens reflex camera is scheduled to begin shipping in November and will have an estimated selling price of $7,999 (the same price as its predecessor, the 16.7 megapixel EOS-1Ds Mark II).

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In conjunction with the new DSLRs EOS 40D, Canon has announced improved versions of two of its lenses, a low-cost digital-only wide zoom and a pricey full-frame wide-angle prime.

The new f/3.5-5.6, 18-55mm EF-S zoom improves upon Canon’s existing lens with the same specs by offering built-in image stabilization. Canon claims the IS provides up to four stops of additional shooting latitude. Like other EF-S lenses, this wide zoom is designed for use with cameras that employ APS-C-size sensors such as the EOS Digital Rebel XTi and just-announced Canon EOS 40D. The competitively priced lens will hit the market at $199.99 in October 2007.

Canon has improved the Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM prime in its premium L line. Designed primarily for discerning landscape and architectural photographers, the Canon EF14mm f/2.8L II USM lens is ideally suited to the EOS-1Ds Mark III’s full-frame capability. Measuring 3.7 inches in length and weighing in at under 23 ounces, this ultra-wide angle L-series prime lens is well corrected for rectilinear distortion, provides a 114-degree diagonal angle of view, and delivers high-speed autofocus with higher image quality overall including superior peripheral image quality, compared to its predecessor. The 14mm lens will be available in October 2007 for $2199.

Sony announced a 12.7-megapixel sensor Monday for SLR cameras, the IMX021 built with a CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) manufacturing process.

The company will sell the sensor to others as well as “promoting its use within Sony,” so don’t be surprised to see some 12.7-megapixel SLRs coming soon. Sony has promised an advanced amateur SLR this year and a professional model next year, and there are indications that Sony’s advanced amateur model will arrive soon.

The sensor can produce up to 10.4 frames per second, a high rate indeed, assuming that camera makers can produce shutters, image processors, memory bandwidth and other technology to keep up. Its design permits use of low-frequency processing electronics, which is handy, because high-frequency circuitry can increase image noise. It’s an APS-C-sized sensor, meaning that it’s about the same size as those used in most Nikon and Canon SLRs, and it employs 12-bit analog-to-digital conversion, providing 4,096 shades between dark and light.

A sample costs 40,000 yen, or about $350. Presumably buying them in production quantities will be lower. The sensor’s pixel size is 5.49 microns square, a notch smaller than, for example, 7.2 microns for the Canon 5D or 6.4 microns for the upcoming Canon 1Ds Mark III. Pixel size is a key factor in determining sensitivity, but others include light-gathering microlenses, the amount of space on the sensor that must be sacrificed for electronics, and image processing electronics. The sensor will be built at Sony Semiconductor Kyushu Corporation’s Kumamoto Technology Center, the company said.

Canon today introduces its latest digital SLR for advanced amateurs and semi-professionals: the EOS 40D. With a 10.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor, 6.5 frames per second burst performance, a newly developed AF system and 3.0” LCD with Live View mode, the EOS 40D makes significant advances in both performance and versatility.The camera benefits from the new EOS technology platform introduced earlier this year with the professional EOS‑1D Mark III. Canon’s DIGIC III processor delivers responsive operation, improved colour rendering and near-instant start-up time. The EOS Integrated Cleaning System combats sensor dust, while a strong magnesium alloy body with weather resistance ensures lasting durability.

“The EOS 40D represents an important step in the development of EOS for the advanced amateur market. It incorporates many of the technologies pioneered in our latest EOS-1 series cameras,” said Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging, Europe. “For digital photographers, the benefits of upgrading to the EOS 40D are real and significant. For analogue SLR users, there’s never been a more compelling reason to make the switch.”

Key features

• 10.1 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
• 6.5 fps continuous shooting, max. burst 75 JPEGs
• New AF system with 9 cross-type sensors
• DIGIC III processor
• 3.0” LCD with Live View mode
• EOS Integrated Cleaning System
• Clear and bright viewfinder
• Customisable Picture Style processing parameters

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Recently, DSLR cameras have become the most popular models for astronomical photography. Intended for serious amateur photographers and all types of shooting, DSLRs have several key features that make them particularly desirable for nighttime photography. First and most important, their large sensors offer much lower noise and cleaner images than do compact point-and-shoot digital cameras, especially at ISO 400 and higher. DSLRs feature interchangeable lenses— or direct attachment to a telescope’s focuser —making them by far the most versatile cameras for all forms of astrophotography, from panoramas with wide-angle lenses to deep-sky close-ups through a telescope. Alan Dyer from SkyNews compared the three commonly available DSLRs in the market today for astronomical photography - the Canon Digital Rebel XTi (400D), Nikon D80, and Pentax K10D. Here’s the conclusion:

“At the end of the testing, Canon emerged victorious. Its low noise and lack of other artifacts make it the most suitable for long exposures. Nevertheless, the Nikon and Pentax put up a good fight. Both produce fine results at ISO 400 and 800 settings if exposures are kept short. If you’re looking for a camera that’s compatible with existing hardware and planning to use it for only casual short-exposure astrophotography, the Pentax K10D and Nikon D80 will work very well.

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The SensorKleen Pro product allows the user to automatically erase the dust and debris in a set of DSLR camera images. These image defects are caused by artifacts on the camera sensor cover. SensorKleen Pro processes a folder or set of images, calculates the dust locations and corrects the entire set.

The SensorKleen SmartBrush product allows you to correct the dust and debris in individual images. It separates the image content from the shadow created by the dust or defect on the sensor and reveals the image content that is under the dust artifact.

The software also allows you, in one simple process, to correct a set of images from the same photo session. The images must be from the same camera and should consist of 20 or more images. Free trial of the SensorKleen Pro software is also available.

Website : SensorKleen Pro software to remove Sensor Dusts

The National Park Foundation and Ford Motor Company are sponsoring a photography contest that will award some extravagant prizes. The 2007 Federal Recreational Lands Share the Experience Photo Contest will give a Ford Escape Hybrid sports utility vehicle, a trip for four to any federal recreation land, a digital camera, and an all-in-one photo printer to the grand prize winner. Second, third, and fourth prizes will include cameras and travel awards, and ten honorable mention winners will receive smaller prizes. The grand-prize-winning photo will be displayed on the 2009 Federal Recreational Lands Pass.

The 2007 Share the Experience Photo Contest will be open for submissions through December 31, 2007. Legal U.S. residents at least 18 years of age can enter by submitting up to three photos taken in one of the Federal Recreation Agency Lands during 2007.

According to the Share the Experience rules, submitted photos will be judged on “creativity; photographic quality; visual appeal; appropriateness; ability to show diversity and the richness of the Federal Recreation Lands.” Winners will be announced in late May 2008.

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