Here are the basics: 15.1MP, HD video capture (full 1080p HD video recording at 20fps), a DIGIC 4 Imaging Processor, 3.4 fps for up to 170 large/fine JPEG images or up to nine RAW images in a single burst, ISO speeds up to 3200 in whole stop increments (plus H1: 6400 and H2: 12800), a 3.0-inch Clear View LCD (920,000 dots/VGA). The camera comes with Canon’s Auto Lighting Optimizer, Creative Auto Mode and Live View.

The T1i is scheduled for delivery by early May and will be sold in a body-only configuration for $799.99 and in a kit version with Canon’s EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS zoom lens at an estimated retail price of $899.99.

Initial Reactions to Canon Digital Rebel T1i / 500D

Joe Decker, a Photocrati contributor, talks about implications of the 500D / Digital Rebel T1i the “narrowing” of the market for digital slr cameras, and how the increased power and resolution of “entry” level cameras may soon reduce the size of the market for flagship pro models.

Digital Photography Preview says “this is most of a 50D stuffed into the familiar 450D body.”

Camera Labs says: “if the Beta unit’s quality holds up, … the Canon Rebel T1i’s image quality is at least as good as the Canon 50D, delivering more detail than most of the 12-megapixel cameras on the market for less money.”

Both the DPreview and Camera Labs comments above are based on preliminary use of beta models, so it’s a bit early to tell what the verdict will be. But it’s clear this is intended to be Canon’s new flagship model at the lower end of the market, and that it will be popular camera.

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Not for long though people!

Tamron’s new ultra zoom lens will set the record straight.

Apparently the first lens of its kind, the AF18-270MM Di II VC covers the 35mm equivalent range of 28mm to 419mm, and does so with a little help from Tamron’s proprietary tri-axial Vibration Compensation (or VC) mechanism.

This VC gubbins promises to eliminate, or at least, substantially reduce the effects of camera shake.

There’s not even a hint regarding price or release date but we are assured that the lens will be available in both Canon and Nikon mounts whenever it makes it out.

Jay Via Fareastgizmos.com

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It doesn’t work that well if we’re honest does it?  Overlaps, slightly different focuses, etc.

Seitz Roundshot VR Drive Panoramic Set should put all of that out of your mind.

It’s a fully automatic panorama motor for your digital camera.

It’s as easy as attaching it to your digicam, setting up rotation speed and other settings and then just set it going.

No vibration, no dodgy shots, just a series of up to 72 shots for you to put tohether.

Ok so it costs £1200.00 + VAT but your landscapes will look fab!

Jay

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But it looks like they feel like reminding us of their pretty impressive name.

To this end they have stepped up with the 50 megapixel H3DII-50.

Using the knowledge gained from the H3II-39 the 50 features a 36 X 48mm Kodak sensor, that’s twice the size of other full-frame DSLR sensors, this generates 300MB files at 1FPS.

Pricing hasn’t been announced as yet but be prepared to be stung for around $37K (£20K) when it launches in October.

Apparently Hasselblad says anyone who buys a 39 now can trade up to the 50 later for the difference in price……..Hmmmm……..that’s quite tempting – if I had the cash in the first place!

If you’re fairly minted check out more about this beast here.

Jay

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Canon 1000D / XS is here, no rumors! Canon has announced their new entry-level budget DSLR and what a beast it is.

• 10mp
• Cleaning system
• 3fps
• 7 point AF
• 2.5″ LCD with Live View
• SD card slot

That’s a pretty good bundle for the entry model I am sure you will agree. No news on UK price but expect it to be less than the current 450D and competitive with the Nikon and Sony offerings.

Get more facts at the official site.

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There are also specs posted on DP Review forums for a second generation 5D with the following changes:

A gain to 15.3MP up from 12.8MP, a 2 stop hike in light sensitivity to 25600 ISO.

The new snapper will also supposedly shoot at 6fps instead of 3 and will have dual Digic III processors instead of a single Digic II cpu.

The AF system will use 29 points instead of 9 and it will share the same weather sealing as the topline 1Ds Mark III, as well as live view.

Lets see if this turns into a reality.

The present 5D retails at £1,860 – Canon 5D

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Most of the shooting options rely on the front and rear dials to control.  These control aperture and shutter speed – until you press a modifier button and then they control other shooting options.  These are pretty easy to get to grips with without doing the non-blokey thing of actually reading the instructions!

Olympus is continuing to show the worth of the ‘Live-View’ system for those photographers who may not have been convinced by the compact-like ability to compose images on an LCD screen.  But then, they would wouldn’t they as they were the pioneering force of this in the DSLR market………..

The E-3′s screen is the smallest manufacturers can get away nowadays at 2.5″ (64mm) but it can get all twisty-turny like that of a camcorder.

The LCD previews depth-of-field, exposure and image stabilisation settings so you know what you see is what you’re going to get.

You can get your sticky mits on the Olympus E-3 for under a grand right now (just the body).  Slap a 14-54mm lens on it and add another £500.

Olympus E-3 (uk) Site

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It is a Canon 1200mm, F5.6 USM lens. They’ve been around since 1993, but are made to order at the rate of about 2 a year – There is less than 20 out in the wild!

The world’s largest interchangeable SLR AF lens, in terms of both focal length and maximum aperture. Two large fluorite elements eliminate secondary spectrum, resulting in extremely sharp, high-quality images. With Extender EF 1.4x or 2x. a whopping focal length of 1700mm f/8 or 2400mm f/11 can be obtained respectively.

The price? Well run along and snap one up at $99,000 secondhand!

You got the cash (and the muscles) go here – B&H

Or buy new here – but have £70,000 ready but that does include vat.

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It was shown off at last year’s PMA and it’s here again.

It’s designed to attach to your camera’s flash hot shoe and record the GPS information as you shoot. It will then shove all that info onto your images’ EXIF metadata (or XML file in the case of RAW images) when you sync it up – pic tagged, job done.
After a year of touting this thing they say that it is going to find its way into stores by the middle of this year.

It’s likely to be going for around the $160 mark.

Check it out at Jobo’s site

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Well, that was my reaction.

Say “hello big boy” to Sigma’s new APO 200-500 f2.8 ultra telephoto zoom lens.

Weighing in at 16kg (35-pounds), it’s the world’s first to offer a F2.8 aperture at 500mm focal length.

Four SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements provide excellent correction for all types of aberrations and produce a high level of optical performance throughout the entire zoom range.

It has a dedicated F5.6 attachment that ensures autofocusing at 1000mm while an internal Li-ion battery powers the zooming and AF mechanics.

It will snap on to Sigma and Nikon mounts in June or lucky Canon’s get it in April for ¥2,500,000 or nearly $25,000.

Check out Sigma’s Site

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