Leomilson | Photography: August 2009

Saturday, August 29, 2009

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Thursday, August 20, 2009

Canon EOS Rebel XS (a.k.a. 1000D)

With a 10.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor and technology inherited from Canon’s professional models, the EOS 1000D offers EOS imaging power in an affordable, easy-to-use package.

10.1 MP CMOS sensor
Up to 3fps
7-point wide-area AF
Self-Cleaning Image Sensor
2.5” LCD with Live View mode
DIGIC III processor
SD/SDHC card slot
Picture Styles processing
Compact and lightweight
Compatible with EF/EF-S lenses and EX Speedlites

The gateway to your creativity.

10.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor
A 10.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor captures enough detail to make A4-size prints, even when cropping your image. Canon’s CMOS sensor technology also ensures crisp, sharp images even in low-light conditions.

Up to 3 frames per second
For dramatic mid-action shots, the EOS 1000D allows continuous shooting of large JPEG images at speeds of up to 3 frames per second, until the memory card is full. With a 2GB card, this lets you shoot up to 514 images without a pause.

7-point wide-area AF
A wide-area Auto Focus system uses 7 separate focusing points to lock onto subjects fast. The central focus point enables focusing even under low-light or low-contrast conditions.

EOS Integrated Cleaning System
Canon’s built-in dust prevention system guards images against the effects of dust in three ways: reducing dust generated inside the camera, shaking dust from the sensor each time the camera is turned on or off, and mapping stubborn dust spots for removal with the provided Digital Photo Professional software.

2.5" LCD with Live View mode
In Live View mode, use the bright 2.5” LCD to frame and take shots from awkward angles. During playback, the LCD provides detailed review of shots, and features a wide viewing angle for easy sharing with friends.

Large viewfinder
A large, bright viewfinder allows framing of subjects even in the brightest conditions.

DIGIC III processing
Canon’s cutting-edge DIGIC III processor – as used in professional EOS models - delivers rapid operation, accurate colour reproduction, fast start-up times, and low power consumption.

SD/SDHC memory card compatible
Shooting to the popular SD/SDHC memory card formats, the EOS 1000D is ideal for those who already own SD-compatible devices.

Total image control
Take control over the look and feel of your images with easy to use Picture Style presets. Contrast, sharpness and saturation can be customized in-camera or with Canon’s comprehensive software suite, supplied with the EOS 1000D.

Compact, ultra-lightweight body
The smallest and lightest Digital EOS model yet, the EOS 1000D weighs just 450g - and is ergonomically designed for comfortable handling.

EF lenses and accessories
The EOS 1000D is compatible with the complete range of EF/EF-S lenses, Speedlite EX flash units and EOS system accessories.

Specification

Type
Type	Digital, single-lens reflex, AF/AE camera with built-in flash
Recording media	SD card, SDHC card
Image sensor size	Approx. 22.2 x 14.8 mm
Compatible lenses	Canon EF lenses (including EF-S lenses)
Lens focal length	Equivalent to 1.6x the normal lens focal length
Lens mount	Canon EF mount
Image Sensor
Type	High-sensitivity, high-resolution, single-plate CMOS sensor
Pixels	Effective pixels: Approx. 10.10 megapixels Total pixels: Approx. 10.50 megapixels
Image size	22.2 mm x 14.8 mm
Aspect ratio	2:3 (Vertical:Horizontal)
Colour filter system	RGB primary colour filters
Low-pass filter	Fixed position in front of the image sensor
Dust deletion feature	(1) Self Cleaning Sensor Unit (2) Dust Delete Data acquisition and appending (3) Manual cleaning
Recording System
Recording format	Design rule for Camera File System 2.0 & Exif 2.21
Image type	JPEG, RAW (12 bit, Canon original) RAW+JPEG
Simultaneous recording	RAW and JPEG (Large/Fine) images are recorded simultaneously
File size	(1) L (Large): Approx. 10.10 MB (3888 x 2592 pixels) (2) M (Medium): Approx. 5.30 MB (2816 x 1880 pixels) (3) S (Small): Approx. 2.50 MB (1936 x 1288 pixels) (4) RAW: Approx. 10.10 MB (3888 x 2592 pixels)
File numbering	Continuous numbering, auto reset, manual reset
Colour space	sRGB, Adobe RGB
Picture Style	Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Neutral, Faithful, Monochrome, User Def. 1 - 3
Automatic image brightness correction	Automatically set in the Basic Zone modes. In the Creative Zone modes, settable with C.Fn-5 (Auto Lighting Optimizer)
Noise reduction	(1) Long exposure noise reduction (C.Fn-3) (2) High ISO speed noise reduction (C.Fn-4) Original image verification data: Can be appended (C.Fn-12)
White Balance
Settings	Auto, daylight, shade, cloudy, tungsten light, white fluorescent light, flash, custom
Auto white balance	Auto white balance with the image sensor
White balance correction	(1) Blue/amber bias: ±9 levels (2) Magenta/green bias: ±9 levels
White balance bracketing	±3 levels in single-level increments
Viewfinder
Type	Eye-level SLR (with pentamirror)
Coverage	Approx. 95 percent vertically and horizontally
Magnification	Approx. 0.81x (-1 diopter with 50 mm lens at infinity)
Eyepoint	21 mm
Dioptric adjustment range	-3.0 - +1.0 diopter
Focusing Screen	Fixed
Mirror	Quick-return half mirror (transmittance:reflectance ratio of 40:60)
Viewfinder information	(1) AF information (AF points, focus confirmation light) (2) Exposure information (shutter speed, aperture, AE lock, ISO speed, exposure level, exposure warning) (3) Flash information (flash ready, flash exposure compensation high-speed sync, FE lock, red-eye reduction light) (4) Image information (Monochrome shooting, maximum burst, white balance correction, SD card information)
Depth-of-field Preview	Enabled with depth-of-field preview button
Live View Shooting
Type	Electronic viewfinder with image sensor
Coverage	Approx. 100% vertically and horizontally
Frame rate	30 fps (22fps in magnified mode)
Focusing	(1) Manual focus (2) Autofocus (Select from 2 AF modes: Quick mode and Live mode)
Metering	Real-time evaluative metering with the image sensor
Exposure confirmation	Real-time exposure simulation display
Depth-of-field preview	Possible with depth-of-field preview button
Magnified view	Magnify by 5x or 10x at the AF point position
Grid display	Two vertical and two horizontal lattice lines displayable
On-screen information display	Focus, exposure, flash, recorded image, drive mode, battery level
Possible shooting time	Approx. 1.5 continuous hours
Shutter-release time lag	(1) With SW-1 ON, time lag from SW-2 ON to the start of the exposure: 0.08 sec. (2) With SW-1 and SW-2 pressed simultaneously, time lag until the start of the exposure: 0.14 sec.
Remote Live View shooting	Enabled with EOS Utility
Autofocus
Type	TTL-CT-SIR AF-dedicated CMOS sensor
AF Points	7 AF points (Center AF point is cross-type sensitive to f/5.6 and larger apertures)
AF working range	EV 0.5 - 18 (at 23°C/73°F and ISO 100)
AF-assist beam	Intermittent firing of built-in flash
Focusing modes	(1) Autofocus (One-Shot AF, Predictive AI Servo AF, AI Focus AF) (2) Manual focus
AF Point Selection	(1) Manual selection (2) Automatic selection
Selected AF point display	Superimposed in viewfinder and indicated on the LCD monitor
AF-assist beam	Intermittent firing of built-in flash
Effective range	Approx. 4m/13.1ft. at center, approx. 3.5m/11.5ft. at periphery
Exposure Control
Metering system	TTL full-aperture metering with 35-zone SPC (1) Evaluative metering (linkable to all AF points) (2) Partial metering (approx. 10% of viewfinder at center) (3) Center-weighted average metering
Metering Range	EV 1 - 20 (at 23°C/73°F with EF50mm f/1.4 USM lens, ISO 100)
Exposure modes	Program AE (shiftable), Shutter-priority AE, Aperture-priority AE, Depth- of-field AE (A-DEP, non shiftable), Full Auto (Program AE, non shiftable), Programmed Image Control modes (6 modes), Manual exposure (including bulb), E-TTL II Autoflash Program AE
Exposure beyond range warning	Shutter speed or aperture reading blinks on the LCD monitor and in the viewfinder
ISO speed (Recommended Exposure Index)	Automatically set, 100 - 1600 (in 1-stop increments)
Exposure compensation	±3 stops in 1/3-stop or 1/2-stop increments
AE lock	(1) Auto AE lock (2) Manual AE lock (Enable in all metering modes)
Shutter
Type	Electronically-controlled, focal-plane shutter
Shutter Speeds	1/4000 to 30 sec. (1/3-stop increments), bulb, X-sync at 1/200 sec.
Shutter release	Soft-touch electromagnetic release
Shutter-release time lag	(1) During SW-1 ON, time lag between SW-2 ON and start of exposure: Approx. 0.09 sec. (2) Time lag between simultaneous SW-1/SW-2 ON and start of exposure: Approx. 0.15 sec.
Camera shake warning	Provided in Full Auto and Basic Zone modes
Built-in Flash
Type	Auto pop-up, retractable, built-in flash in the pentamirror
Guide No.	Guide No. 13/43 (at ISO 100 in meters / feet)
Recycle time	Approx. 3 sec.
Flash coverage	Up to 17 mm focal length
Flash sync speed	Max. X-sync speed 1/200 sec.
Autoflash system	E-TTL II autoflash (Evaluative, Average), FE lock
Flash exposure compensation	Up to ±2 stops in 1/3-stop or 1/2-stop increments
Flash-sync timing	1st-curtain and 2nd-curtain sync selectable
Colour temperature	Equivalent to daylight
Red-eye reduction	With red-eye reduction lamp
External Speedlite
Sync contacts	Accessory shoe: X-sync contact
Flash exposure compensation	±2 stops in 1/3-stop or 1/2-stop increments
External flash settings	Flash function settings and Flash C.Fn settings possible with Speedlite 580EX II via camera menu
Drive System
Drive modes	Single, Continuous, Self-timer (10 sec delay), Self-timer (2 sec delay), Self-timer 10 sec. delay+continuous shooting (2 to 10 shots)
Continuous shooting speed	JPEG: Max. approx. 3 shots/sec. RAW: Max. approx. 1.5 shots/sec. RAW + JPEG: Max. approx. 1.5 shots/sec.
LCD Monitor
Type	TFT colour liquid-crystal monitor
Screen size	2.5 in.
Pixels	Approx.230,000
Coverage	Approx. 100%
Brightness adjustment	7 levels provided
Viewing angle	Approx. 170° vertically and horizontally
Image Playback
Image display format	Single image, Index display and Jump display
Highlight alert	Provided (Overexposed highlights blink)
Rotated display	Manual and Auto rotate
Video output	Compatible with NTSC and PAL depending on the video OUT terminal
Image Protection and Erase
Protect	Erase protect (or cancel) each image individually
Erase	Erase single image, erase selected images, erase images in a card, or erase only unprotected images
Direct Printing
Compatible printers	PictBridge-compatible printers
Printable images	JPEG images compliant to Design rule for Camera File System
Digital Print Order Format
DPOF	Version 1.1 compatible
Direct Image Transfer
Compatible images	JPEG and RAW images * Only JPEG images can be transferred as wallpaper on the personal computer screen
Customization
Custom Functions	12 Custom Functions with 32 settings settable with the camera
My Menu registration	Up to six top-tier menu options and Custom Function settings can be registered
Customization
Digital terminal	Hi-speed USB, mini B port
Video OUT terminal	NTSC/PAL selectable
Remote control terminal	Compatible with Remote Switch RS-60E3
Power Source
Battery	Battery Pack LP-E5 x 1
Battery life	At 23°C / 73°F, normal shooting: Approx. 600 shots At 0°C / 32°F, normal shooting: Approx. 500 shots At 23°C / 73°F, Live View shooting: Approx. 200 shots At 0°C / 32°F, Live View shooting: Approx. 190 shots * The figures above are based on CIPA (Camera & Imaging Products Association) testing standards
Battery check	Automatic (Displayed in 4 levels)
Power saving	Select [Auto power off] after 30 sec., 1, 2, 4, 8 or 15 min., or off
Date/time battery	Built-in secondary battery
Startup time	Approx. 0.1 sec. Based on CIPA (Camera & Imaging Products Association) testing standards
Dimensions and Weight
Dimensions (W x H x D)	126.1 x 97.5 x 61.9 mm / 4.96 x 3.8 x 2.4 in.
Weight	450 g / 15.9 oz. (Body only)
Operation Environment
Operating temperature range	0 - 40° / 32 - 104°F
Operating humidity range	85% or less

Predictive AF	¹ with EF300mm f/2.8L IS USM at 50kph
Magnification	¹ with 50mm lens at infinity, -1 (1/m) dpt
Continuous Shooting	¹ Large/Fine(Quality 8) resolution ² Based on Canon's testing conditions, JPEG, ISO 100, Standard Picture Style. Varies depending on the subject, memory card brand and capacity, image recording quality, ISO speed, drive mode, Picture Style, Custom functions etc.
Battery Life	¹ Based on the CIPA Standard and using the batteries and memory card format supplied with the camera, except where indicated

*Recommended Exposure Index
All data is based on Canon standard testing methods except where indicated.

Source : www.canon.com

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Film vs Digital

While digital is widely used there is still a lot of debate in the photographic world as to which medium is "better." Personally I think each medium has its strong points and weaknesses. Take a look at our list of advantages and disadvantages for both mediums to see what I mean.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Film & Digital Cameras

There are advantages and disadvantages to both film and digital photography. Film and digital photography seem to be a love it or hate it proposition. Either you love digital and hate film, or you hate digital and love film. However, film and digital both have strong points that should be considered before ruling out either of them.

Film

Lower initial cost
Better at capturing detail in whites and blacks
More forgiving of minor focusing issues
More forgiving of exposure problems
Film is still higher resolution
Cameras are generally heavier
Film can take up a lot of space
Film is a continuing cost
Film must be developed before viewing
Unless you have a darkroom, you are dependent on the lab to edit your images

Digital

Higher initial cost
Can easily lose detail in whites and blacks
10 Megapixels is high enough resolution for very large prints
Cameras are generally lighter
Memory cards are small
One memory card can store more images than a dozen rolls of film
Images can be viewed immediately
You can edit your images
Only print the images you like
Many cameras have built-in filters

In the end, digital and film both take quality images. The real difference in them is what best fits your photographic style and budget.

Source : http://photography.about.com/

A Brief History Of Photography

Beginnings

Photography started with a camera and the basic idea has been around since about the 5th Century B.C. For centuries these were just ideas until an Iraqi scientist developed something called the camera obscura sometime in the 11th Century. Even then, the camera did not actually record images, they simply projected them onto another surface. The images were also upside down. The first camera obscuras used a pinhole in a tent to project an image from outside the tent into the darkened area. It took until the 17th Century for camera obscuras to be made small enough to be portable and basic lenses to be added.

Permanent Images

Photography as we know it today began in the late 1830s in France when Joseph Nicéphore Niépce used a portable camera obscura to expose a pewter plate coated with bitumen to light. This is the first recorded image that did not fade quickly.

Daguerreotype
This experiment led to collaboration between Niépce and Louis Daguerre that resulted in the creation of the Daguerreotype. Daguerreotypes were the forerunners to our modern film. A copper plate was coated with silver and exposed to iodine vapor before it was exposed to light. To create the image on the plate, the earlier Daguerreotypes had to be exposed to light for up to 15 minutes. The Daguerreotype was very popular until it was replaced in the late 1850s by emulsion plates.
Emulsion Plates
Emulsion plates, or wet plates, were less expensive than Daguerreotypes and took only two or three seconds of exposure time. This made them much more suited to portrait photography, which was the most common photography at the time. These wet plates used an emulsion process called the Collodion process, rather than a simple coating on the image plate. Two of these emulsion plates were ambrotype and tintype. Ambrotypes used a glass plate instead of the copper plate of the Daguerreotypes. Tintypes used a tin plate. While these plates were much more sensitive to light, they had to be developed quickly. It was during this time that bellows were added to cameras to help with focusing.
Dry Plates
In the 1870s, photography took another huge leap forward. Richard Maddox improved on a previous invention to make dry gelatine plates that were nearly equal with wet plates for speed and quality. These dry plates could be stored rather than made as needed. This allowed photographers much more freedom in taking photographs. Cameras were also able to be smaller so that they could be hand-held. As exposure times decreased, the first camera with a mechanical shutter was developed.

Cameras for Everyone

Photography was only for professionals or the very rich until George Eastman started a company called Kodak in the 1880s. Eastman created a flexible roll film that did not require the constant changing of solid plates. This allowed him to develop a self-contained box camera that held 100 exposures of film. This camera had a small single lens with no focusing adjustment. The consumer would take pictures and then send the camera back to the factory to for the film to be developed, much like our disposable cameras today. This was the first camera inexpensive enough for the average person to afford. The film was still large in comparison to today's 35mm film. It took until the late 1940s for 35mm film to become cheap enough for most people to afford.

The Horrors of War

Around 1930, Henri-Cartier Bresson and other photographers began to use small 35mm cameras to capture images of life as it occurred rather than staged portrait shots. When World War II started in 1939, many photojournalists adopted this style. The posed portraits of World War I soldiers gave way to graphic images of war and its aftermath. These images, such as Joel Rosenthal's photograph, Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima brought the reality of war across the ocean and helped galvanize the American people like never before. This style of capturing decisive moments shaped the face of photography forever.

Instant Images

At the same time 35mm cameras were becoming popular, Polaroid introduced the Model 95. Model 95 used a secret chemical process to develop film inside the camera in less than a minute. This new camera was fairly expensive but the novelty of instant images caught the public's attention. By the mid 1960s, Polaroid had many models on the market and the price had dropped so that even more people could afford it.

Image Control

While the French introduced the permanent image, the Japanese brought easy control of their images to the photographer. In the 1950s Asahi, which later became Pentax, introduced the Asahiflex and Nikon introduced its Nikon F camera. These were both SLR-type cameras and the Nikon F allowed for interchangeable lenses and other accessories. For the next 30 years SLR-type cameras remained the camera of choice and many improvements were introduced to both the cameras and the film itself.

Smart Cameras

In the late 1970s and early 1980s compact cameras that were capable of making image control decisions on their own were introduced. These "point and shoot" cameras calculated shutter speed, aperture, and focus; leaving photographers free to concentrate on composition. While these cameras became immensely popular with casual photographers, professionals and serious amateurs continued to prefer to make their own adjustments to image control.

The Digital Age

In the 1980s and 1990s, numerous manufacturers worked on cameras that stored images electronically. The first of these were point and shoot cameras that used digital media instead of film. By 1991, Kodak had produced the first digital camera advanced enough to be used successfully by professionals. Other manufacturers quickly followed and today Canon, Nikon, Pentax, and other manufacturers all offer advanced digital SLR cameras. Even the most basic point and shoot camera now takes higher quality images than Niépce’s pewter plate.

Source : http://photography.about.com/