September 1, 2009 by David.

Today Canon announced the 7D, replacement for the 50D. Looks DANG GOOD! Some thought it would come with a full frame sensor, but it has a .63x sensor (slightly larger than the .59x 50D and virtually the same as the Nikon D300). I’m a bit relieved as this means I can update and still keep using my existing lenses. Although when I go to a full-frame it is most likely going to be a Nikon D700 (or whatever follows), the 7D sets a new standard for DSLRs that aren’t full frame. I’m beyond impressed. This is substantially more than I expected to see replacing the 50D. Cannon is going to keep me in the fold a while longer.

Key features

• 18MP APS-C CMOS sensor
• 8 frames per second continuous shooting
• 1080p HD video recording with manual controls
• 3.0 inch Clear View II LCD screen with 920,000 dots
• 19-point AF system (all cross-type)
• 1.0x magnification and 100% coverage viewfinder
• Wireless flash control
• Environmental sealing

Take a look at what my favorite camera review site has to say:

Press Release coverage
Hands-on Preview

For the last couple years I’ve bought nearly all my still and video gear from Adorama.com, but recently I’ve been ordering mostly from Amazon (although places like Adorama and B&H have a much wider and deeper selection). They’ve added a section dedicated to cameras (amazon.com/camera) and their prices are very aggressive. They are also taking pre-orders of the Canon EOS 7D but haven’t announced pricing as of the date of this writing.

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August 22, 2009 by David.

Good green or blue chroma keying isn’t easily done if you want really clean edges, retain all the strands of a person’s hair, and things like that. I just ran into PhotoKey on TubeTape.net, thanks to a YouTube video by IceflowStudio. Although I haven’t used it personally yet, it looks very promising (read: better than what is in Adobe’s products).

Check it out if you are in the market for chroma products.

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July 22, 2009 by David.

Last year I finally had to get the sensor on my digital SLR camera cleaned. At the time I thought it could only be done by a professional. I don’t change lenses in an environment that isn’t clean very often, but again recently spots started showing up on my pictures - and I’ve learned through research that they show up more “fully stopped down” when you have the lens with as small of an aperture as you can.

Well, this time I decided to do some Internet research and found a fabulous site CleaningDigitalCameras.com. This site had just the information I had been searching for. The progressive steps are visual examination, blowing it clean, dry cleaning, and wet cleaning. The last step is the most likely to damage your sensor if you don’t do it right, but usually you don’t have to go that far down the chain to get the results you need. Curt Fargo explains different products to use and why you might choose one product over another.

This site is sponsored by Curt Fargo of Micro-Tools.com which, naturally, sells sensor cleaning supplies. He is a very nice guy - I talked to him on the phone - and if you’d like he will show you in person how to clean your camera’s sensor if you are near enough to his shop to come by (Vacaville, CA - actually 25 miles for me but I’d read thoroughly enough that I went ahead without tutoring). If you choose your products right, you can clean your sensor for pennies in supplies instead of 75 bucks or more. In fact, I bought one of his “kits” (the one with Pec-Pads) for less than the price of my last sensor cleaning and it will last for many, many more cleanings. There are places trying to hawk sensor cleaning supplies so expensive that it costs as much as having it professionally cleaned.

I am glad to report that, while my sensor was quited dirty and took extra time and effort to clean, it is now clean as a whistle and I’m a happy camper and my Canon 20D is back in business. However, I think I’m going to order the magnifying glass with internal lights and a cutout to reach in and clean with the magnifier in place. It would definitely make the job easier.

Now, all that said, you’ve got to consider yourself pretty handy to take this on as the consequences are expensive if you damage the sensor or the sensor cover. But if you have a steady hand and are used to being a careful do-it-yourselfer, you will save a lot of money and not have to give your camera laid up for weeks to get it cleaned.

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June 25, 2009 by David.

The last two weeks I’ve been house sitting (read: pet sitting) at a Lake Tahoe cabin. Knowing I would have to drive at least ten miles just to get internet access, I ordered a bunch of books from Amazon to read while here plus brought along my studio lights and table top unit to do some still life photography. Tomorrow I head home. It’s been  a wonderful two weeks. I hiked some trails and took tons of pictures, experimented with table top photography, and read three photography books cover to cover. Lots of fun, say I.

I posted the list of photography books I’ve found excellent on my reading list page.

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