Posted by Kevin Huffman
Tech
Saturday, March 27th, 2010
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Reader Nate writes, So here’s my problem. The kit lens for my Nikon D40 is busted –something’s rattling around inside — and I don’t know what to do. My options are either buy a new lens for about $200 or spend $600 on either a Nikon D5000 or the Olympus E-PL1. On one hand, I would like to save some cake and $200 isn’t that bad for a camera that I don’t mind. I already have a 50mm f1.8 Nikon lens and Nikon SB-600 Speedlight anyway. But a new camera would be nice so I was thinking another entry level Nikon because it will work with my gear anyway. Then there’s the Olympus E-PL1 that’s calling my name. It’s a lot more portable (read: wife-friendly) and Biggs says in his review that the picture quality is fine. It’s not like I even consider myself an armature photographer. I’m more like a weekend shutterbug so the I don’t need all the fancy manual controls found on DSLRs that I honestly don’t know how to use anyway. So what do I do, CrunchGear? Have a question you want to submit to the masses? Send it in to us at Tips@CrunchGear.com.
Posted by Kevin Huffman
Tech
Thursday, March 25th, 2010
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This is the year of Micro Four Thirds. While Nikon and Canon still haven’t dipped their toes in this pool, I think it’s time for the average camera user to look at these things seriously and the power and elegance captured in the E-PL1 – and the affordability captured in its $599 price tag. Features: 12-megapixel LiveMOS sensor TruePic 5 image processor 14-42mm lens included Flash Live Guide Pros: Live Guide makes good photos easier Great size and weight Good video recording Cons: No optical viewfinder No stereo audio recording Lighter body materials Panasonic and Olympus have been riding the M4/3 train for quite a while now and each new device they’ve released has been met with resounding claxons of joy and then disappointment as photobloggers find and focus on the limitations of the format. I’m pleased to report, then, that the E-PL1, is one of the first M4/3 cameras that I could see using as a secondary shooter instead of – or as a back-up to – a DSLR. First, what is M4/3? It is, in short, a lens format based on the four thirds system that does not, in most cases, use the same mirror or prism set-up found in most DSLRs. Think of it as a more powerful point and shoot, like the Canon G11, but with changeable lenses. I shot with the E-PL1 for a few weeks and I found it to be a great portable camera. The kit lens is great for general shooting and the 17mm is a great for portraits and wider angle shots, depending on how you frame the scene. The real value, however, comes in the Live Guide. The Live Guide is a quick help system that changes your image on the fly by modifying aperture and focus. Using it, you can: Change Color Saturation Change Color Image Change Brightness Blur Background Express Motion Each of these features acts in real time. Blur Background, for example, gives you a nice bokeh effect in headshots while Express Motion adds motion trails to swiftly moving objects. All of these features change on the screen as you modify them. The sliders allow you to set multiple features and an onscreen guide explains how each function works. Why is this important? Because as point-and-shoot photographers begin to explore new tools, they want to recreate the photos they see in magazines and are frustrated when they shoot with standard cameras (take a look at this Answers thread. Depth of field? Aperture? What is this demonry!) A small, cheap M4/3 can do many of these tricks and using art and scene modes you can add even more to your shots. The E-PL1 falls somewhere between a Canon EOS Rebel and a G11 or, on the Nikon side, the something like the D5000 and the Coolpix P6000. It is decidedly an odd duck. Interchangeable lenses may put off some purchasers who are unsure if they want to maintain a relationship with Olympus on the long term, but presumably you can swap out lenses as more powerful M4/3 cameras come out. Obviously this lock-in is what Olympus wants but, in a way, I could see this as a second system to use alongside a more formal DSLR set-up. How is shooting with the E-PL1? First, this camera is small and light enough to carry in a bag or purse, which makes it a great solution. The 17mm lens is flat as a pancake and the majority of scenes you’ll encounter on your way can be captured by it or the kit lens with aplomb. Take this shot, for example, taken in full sunlight against a colorful background. There is a bit of a blow-out on the face but it’s a nice enough shot. In direct sunlight you get some nice effects although there is some noise in slightly less well-lit shots, as we see below (taken with the 17mm). Finally, there are wide angle shots taken with the kit lens. Click on the small image to see an example showcasing the haze of New York. I really enjoyed shooting with this camera, even without an optical viewfinder. You can purchase a viewfinder and stereo microphone for the E-PL1 but working directly on the screen was not the exercise in frustration I thought it would be. Folks used to the optical viewfinder will definitely be put off by the E-PL1 at first, but I got over it. I did, however, consistently bring the camera to my face when first started using it. In short, this camera is perfect for those who don’t want to lug around a heavier DSLR but still want to get some great shots. I worry a bit about durability, especially given the lighter composite materials used for the body, but that’s nothing a good, small camera bag can’t fix. While it won’t replace the shutter bug’s favorite piece of big glass, the E-PL1 is definitely worth some consideration.
Posted by Kevin Huffman
Tech
Friday, March 19th, 2010
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The 5D mk II 2.0.3 firmware was supposed to be the end-all solution for the Canon super camera. But it wasn’t. It caused more issues not worth the enhanced movie mode it added. Canon of course of pulled the firmware from its site cause many 5D mk II owners to cry a little. Because, as everyone knows, Canon owners are notoriously emotional unlike the cool and collected Nikon crowd. But chin up 5D mk II owners, the proper firmware is now available. Canon In the Version 2.0.4 firmware, the following phenomena that occurred with the Version 2.0.3 firmware (which was to enhance the movie functions) have been corrected. There was a phenomenon in which the manual recording settings made in C1/C2/C3 were changed and sound could not be recorded if manual sound recording was used in the C1/C2/C3 settings and the camera was subsequently turned off (or if Auto Power Off was activated). This does not occur in modes other than C1/C2/C3. The Version 2.0.4 firmware includes the movie function enhancements listed in items 1 through 5 below, and also incorporates the correction listed in item 6. 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) 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.) Caution: Firmware Version 2.0.4 is for cameras with firmware up to version 2.0.3. If the camera’s firmware is already version 2.0.4, it is not necessary to update the firmware. Movies captured using EOS 5D Mark II cameras with Firmware Version 1.1.0 to 1.2.4 can be played back on cameras updated with Firmware Version 2.0.4. However, if you try to play back movies captured with a camera with the new firmare on a camera with a previous firmare version, a message, Cannot play back image, appears on the camera’s LCD monitor. It is recommended that you use the latest Canon applications*1 to edit movies captured with EOS 5D Mark II cameras that have the latest firmare because some previous versions do not support movie-editing functions and the frame rates that are added or changed by the latest firmware. You can download the latest Canon applications from our Web site. *1 ZoomBrowser EX Version 6.5.0 or later (compatible operating systems : Windows XP/Vista/7) ImageBrowser Version 6.5.0 or later (compatible operating systems : Mac OS X v10.4/10.5/10.6) In addition to the enhancements to the movie function, the accompanying instruction manual has also been revised. Users are asked to download both the latest firmware and the latest instruction manual. You can proceed to download the instruction manual by clicking the [I Agree] button from the bottom of this page.
Posted by Kevin Huffman
Tech
Friday, March 5th, 2010
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If you’re thinking of putting down some bread for a new Canon lens, be sure to avail yourself of the various rebates in effect. Not that you’ll save more than $50 on a purchase of like a grand, but hey, that’s a couple filters or a lens bag right there. That 85mm 1.2L II is calling out my name — too bad I’m shaking change out of my old pants for ramen money right now. I guess it’ll have to wait until my ship comes in, or until I can flip these 20 MacBooks I… bought at a discount over in Jersey. Yes. Here are the full ads: These go into effect on Sunday. If you’re a Nikon guy, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered too. [via Canon Rumors ]
Posted by Kevin Huffman
Tech
Friday, March 5th, 2010
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If you’re thinking of putting down some bread for a new Canon lens, be sure to avail yourself of the various rebates in effect. Not that you’ll save more than $50 on a purchase of like a grand, but hey, that’s a couple filters or a lens bag right there. That 85mm 1.2L II is calling out my name — too bad I’m shaking change out of my old pants for ramen money right now. I guess it’ll have to wait until my ship comes in, or until I can flip these 20 MacBooks I… bought at a discount over in Jersey. Yes. Here are the full ads: These go into effect on Sunday. If you’re a Nikon guy, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered too. [via Canon Rumors ]
Posted by Kevin Huffman
Tech
Friday, March 5th, 2010
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If you’re thinking of putting down some bread for a new Canon lens, be sure to avail yourself of the various rebates in effect. Not that you’ll save more than $50 on a purchase of like a grand, but hey, that’s a couple filters or a lens bag right there. That 85mm 1.2L II is calling out my name — too bad I’m shaking change out of my old pants for ramen money right now. I guess it’ll have to wait until my ship comes in, or until I can flip these 20 MacBooks I… bought at a discount over in Jersey. Yes. Here are the full ads: These go into effect on Sunday. If you’re a Nikon guy, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered too. [via Canon Rumors ]
Posted by Kevin Huffman
Tech
Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010
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The Canon PowerShot G series have always been one of the best compact shooters available. See that pic above? I shot that back in 2003 with a G3. Beautiful, isn’t? That’s Camp Tapico in Northern Michigan, where I spent every summer of my teenage life. Anyway, word on the street is that Nikon wants some of the action that the G series has enjoyed all by itself for so long. Better late then never, Nikon . Actually it’s probably a great time for Nikon to out a G rival. The Micro Four Third format isn’t taking off and Sony is developing a rival, which will help no one. Plus a good amount of amateur photographers were born over the last few years as DSLRs dropped in price. Those same folks are probably satisfied with their new cams, but long for something a bit smaller that offers a lot of the same quality and features. That’s where the G series has always thrived and Nikon could stop its loyal customers from defecting to the Canon camp with a cam of their own. Nikon’s UK senior product manager Kevin Egan recently raved about the G11 in Amateur Photographer, calling it a benchmark for high-end prosumer compacts and that Nikon has something similar in the works. This compact will borrow technology from Nikon’s DSLR line, but be built like a high-end Coolpix camera. Combine a high ISO sensor with good low-light capabilities with a fast lens and Nikon will have a winner on its hands. That’s all we need. It doesn’t have to have an HD video mode, face detection, or any of that consumer nonsense. Nikon-loyal prosumers just want a smaller camera to tout around town when it’s inconvenient to bring the DSLR.
Posted by Kevin Huffman
Tech
Thursday, February 25th, 2010
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Get that wallet ready, Nikon’s annual instant rebate program is starting on the 28th. Pretty much always a good deal, Nikon loves to tempt the weak with their instant rebate offers on lenses and gear that they roll out on a yearly basis. Case in point – I bought my D300 back in 2008 (with the oh so popular 18-200 VR) and justified it to my wife as a “really great deal” because of the rebate. Luckily she’s a patient woman, and we’re still married. So what’s coming on the 28th? Well if the rumor is correct, the rebates will be on some of the most popular “walking around” lenses. All of the rebates are for (almost) any SLR with a particular lens, and the amount varies based on which lens you choose. If you buy the 70-200, the rebate is $400, the 24-70 is $300, the 18-200 VRII (my favorite) is $250, and the amount on the 24-120 is $200. All of these are instant rebates if you buy from an authorized Nikon dealer, which you should anyway for warranty purposes. We don’t have the official list of compatible SLRs yet of course, so it would be best to wait until the 28th before you get too excited about picking up that new D3s. By the way, there’s also word that Nikon may be offering instant rebates on some of their more popular P&S cameras as well, but only time will tell on that one.