Here you will find Practical Camera Reviews with relevant to the point information to photographers, Gear test in real world, Photography tips and Techniques. And sharing my travel images.
Canon has issued a new Firmware v2.0.3(updated with v2.0.4 on 19th March) for its popular EOS Canon 5D mark II camera which adds more video options to make it at par with Canon EOS 7D in Movie options.
Now 24fps frame rate at HD movie recording will be available just like 7D, or Nikon's all new Movie SLRs.
This is a special feature which creates smooth flow of frames and gives a Cinematic feeling just like Hollywood movies.
This 24 fps feature is available in many high end Video cameras but when this 24 fps combines with an DSLR, it becomes a super combination. Because DSLRs can create amazing effects like great "Depth of Field" "Change in Focus" etc. So it is a welcome feature for 5D II users.
Download it from Canon link below.
Firmware changes
Adds or changes the following movie frame rates.
NTSC:
1920×1080 : 30 fps (changed - actual 29.97 fps)
1920×1080 : 24 fps (added - actual 23.976 fps)
640×480 : 30 fps (changed - actual 29.97 fps)
PAL:
1920×1080 : 25 fps (added - actual 25.0 fps)
1920×1080 : 24 fps (added - actual 23.976 fps)
640×480 : 25 fps (added - actual 25.0 fps)
Other updations
Adds a function for manually adjusting the sound recording level (64 levels).
Adds a histogram display (brightness or RGB) for shooting movies in manual exposure.
Adds shutter-priority AE mode (Tv) and aperture-priority AE (Av) mode to the exposure modes for shooting movies.
Changes the audio sampling frequency from 44.1 KHz to 48 KHz.
Fixes a phenomenon where communication between the camera and the attached lens is sometimes interrupted after manual sensor cleaning. (This phenomenon only affects units with Firmware Version 1.2.4.)
Update on 19th March:
Canon has released firmware v2.0.4 for its 5D Mark II DSLR that corrects the bug found in the previous version. With v2.0.3, sound recording would not work if a manual record volume was used in the C1/C2/C3 custom settings modes. The revised firmware update addresses the issue and is now available for download from Canon's website
Panasonic has introduced two models to take up where the G1 left off - the simplified G10 and the upgraded G2. Both are having a new simplified 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 kit lens with image stabilization, equipped with 720p HD video
The G2 is the high-end model, and it has some special features
AVCHD-Lite video recording (1080p)
Flip-out 3-inch touch-screen
LCD display with 460,000 pixels
The touch and flip functions
Higher Resolution Viewfinder
Touchscreen features include
o customizable on-screen menus, o touch focus o shutter release o iPhone-style image playback
Electronic viewfinder has 1.44 million pixels and magnification of 1.4X (same as on the original G1)
Eye sensor detects when EVF is in use
Records movies at 1280 x 720 (files play at 60 fps, sensor outputs 30 fps) using AVCHD Lite codec
Unlimited recording time when using AVCHD Lite, except in Europe
Dedicated movie recording button
Records monaural sound, though an optional stereo mic is available
Dust Reduction System
360 shots per charge
* Available in black, blue, and red * Ship date, price To be announced
The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (Hindi: जलियांवालाबाग़हत्याकांड جلیانوالہ باغ Jallianwala Bāġa Hatyākāṇḍ), alternatively known as the Amritsar Massacre, was named after the Jallianwala Bagh (Garden) in the northern Indian city of Amritsar where, on April 13, 1919, 90 British Indian Army soldiers under the command of Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer opened fire on an unarmed gathering of men, women and children. The firing lasted for 10 to 15 minutes, until the soldiers ran out of ammunition
Just wanted to inform my friends here that I just visitedAmritsar-ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ in this February. Amritsar is 32 kilometres east of Lahore, Pakistan and therefore, very close to India's western border with Pakistan
You all must be knowing that Golden Temple: ਹਰਿਮੰਦਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ or Harmandir Sahib is located there and its culturally the most significant place of worship of the Sikhs and one of the oldest Sikh gurdwaras. This temple was established by Guru Ram Das Ji, the fourth guru of the Sikhs, and is, also due to the shrine, known as Guru Di Nagri meaning city of the Guru. Harmandir Sahib was built with four doors to show that every religion or faith is allowed to go in to meditate or just listen to the prayers for peace. It was originally built during AD 1574, the site of the temple was surrounded by a small lake. and due to this lake the city name is called Amritsar meaning "pool of the Nectar of Immortality".
This important Sikh shrine attracts more visitors than the Taj Mahal in Agra and is the number one destination for non-resident-Indians (NRI) in the whole of India.
This New camera is 18 mega pixels; equivalent to EOS 7D, which is good. LCD screen is now more wider 3:2 aspect ratio at 3" with improved resolution.
EOS 550D gets a full HD movie mode
1920 x 1080 at up to 30 fps, 720P at 60/50 fps,
You also get full creative control (over apertures and shutter speeds, just like EOS 7D)
External mic socket
63-point iFCL metering
With this camera range we get metering boost with a new 63-zone dual layer iFCL metering sensor (first seen on the EOS 7D). The iFCL system uses focus, color and luminance information to determine consistently exposed shots. All focus points provide distance information to the metering system to determine proximity to the subject and allow the algorithm to weight the exposure accordingly.
Custom Auto ISO
You can now select the maximum setting for Auto ISO (from 400 to 6400). Canon is obviously confident its new sensor and noise reduction have improved; ISO 6400 is no longer an 'expanded' setting (which is now reserved for ISO 12,800 only).
Remote
Alongside the EOS 550D Canon launched a new slimline remote control, the RC-6, which can fire the shutter from up to five meters away (and allows you to choose immediate release or a 2 second delay, unlike the RC-5). The RC-6 is also compatible with the EOS 450D, 500D, 7D and 5D Mark II.
As per my understanding there are lot of improvements, but according to Pros usability these are very less usable. But its welcome move to everybody.
