This journal documents my experiences with a Canon 50D, my first DSLR camera, purchased on Oct. 16, 2008. The camera was end-of-lined by Canon in July 2010 and the 60D was announced.

1DX and 5D3 AF Manual and How-to Articles

gear autofocus af

Thu 05 Apr 2012 07:41:28 AM EDT

Canon has posted a 48 page PDF and detailed how-to articles explaining the autofocus system on the 1DX and 5D3 (which have the same AF system).

One of the faculty has ordered a 5D3 and after speaking with him, I am leaning back towards Canon again. There was a D800 and 5D3 video shootout posted recently; the marketing assault is weaking my resolve to switch to Nikon.

Any AF system is better than what is on my 50D. I loathe the AF on my camera because of missed shots. If the new AF system gives fewer missed shots (and few fewer I mean close to none) for moving targets, and better acquisition in low-light, I might not go Nikon.

One of the usability features I liked of the D800 was that when a picture was taken, the review image could be set to zoom to the focus point and hold so the focus could be checked. I am told the 5D3 has this feature. On the 50D I have to press review and then magnify the image manually.

The Revolution Continues

Thu 05 Apr 2012 06:03:39 PM EDT

Isaacson also hinted that Apple will revolutionize the digital photography and television markets in the next two years.
TUAW

Given that the iPhone is rising in popularity as a camera, I wonder how far Apple will go. Mirrorless full-frame?

5D3 vs. D800 Noise Comparison

gear noise iso

Thu 05 Apr 2012 10:46:03 PM EDT

I am somewhat shocked at the results of the noise test; the D800 "failing" at ISO800 while the 5D3 managed to get to ISO1600+.

For me, that is another strike against the D800; the first strike being the huge filesizes.

Though I look forward to the results of the DX crop test. Do the massive number of pixels (which are great for resolving detail) hurt the camera's noise handling capabilities?

Canon 5D3 First Impressions

gear autofocus

Wed 11 Apr 2012 06:02:59 PM EDT

I got to play with the 5D3 for about 15 minutes today. The most impressive thing is the silent shutter. Just wow in terms of quietness.

The faculty member is still learning to use it so when I tried a test of shooting while tracking a subject walking towards me in low-light, using the center focus point, default settings, sensitivities and AI Focus, the results were similar to my camera— most of the photos were out-of-focus, except for the first.

It definitely requires one to delve into the manual.

I also liked the review-mode feature where the camera can be programmed to zoom-in to the focused-area to let the photographer check for focus. It saves about 2 seconds of manually zooming to the focus point.

Notable Links

technique photos

Fri 13 Apr 2012 01:11:54 PM EDT

Friday Foto: Pink Hibiscus

photo

Fri 13 Apr 2012 01:14:18 PM EDT

From Friday Foto

Mamta Singh Memorial

photo

Fri 13 Apr 2012 01:17:55 PM EDT

From 2012

Se7en Eyes

technique

Fri 13 Apr 2012 05:56:42 PM EDT

Fincher mentions something he learned while working at ILM, that a director should look at a scene with the left eye for composition, because it goes to your right brain. Focus or technical side of a shot should be looked at with the right eye or left brain, as it's more of a technical eye.

I'll have to try this sometime...

Note that if you haven't seen Se7en, the article has plot spoilers.

Friday Photo: Weeds by the roadside

Fri 20 Apr 2012 12:11:27 PM EDT

From Friday Foto

It's just a coincidence that today's (4/20) photo is about weeds.

Notable Links

technique photos

Fri 20 Apr 2012 06:24:54 PM EDT

Photoprice.ca "Silenced" by Canon

asshattery

Tue 24 Apr 2012 05:21:54 PM EDT

Photoprice.ca has removed U.S. price comparisons from their website because the U.S. companies have requested it. I find that hard to believe given the state of the U.S economy. It's probably due to pressure from Canon HQ via the camera stores in Canada.

What kind of asshattery is this?

I should note that I buy my camera equipment from Vistek, a Canadian store. My original 50D and 50mm lens purchase was at Henrys but I will never shop there again.

Oddly, canonpricewatch.com seems to have taken up the slack.

Friday Foto: Tall Oaks Park

photo

Fri 27 Apr 2012 01:33:41 PM EDT

This begins a series of nature photographs with man intruding.

From Friday Foto

In the distance is the SS Ridgeway, beached at the mouth of the Credit River to act as a breakwater for the marina. I composed this shot so the angle and shape of the log in the foreground would reflect that of the ship in the distance.

luis fernandes / elf@ee.ryerson.ca Apr 2012 Canon 50D Journal