A couple of weeks ago I reviewed the Canon EOS 450D, the latest in a successful line of consumer digital SLR cameras, and discovered that although it is a good camera it is too expensive to be considered an entry-level model. As I remarked in that review, Canon has been losing ground in the DSLR market recently, mostly to Nikon and Sony, thanks mainly to some very strong and well-priced entry-level models. Pentax and Olympus also have some excellent low-cost DSLR models, leaving Canon looking a bit exposed at that end of the market.

To answer this challenge, in June Canon announced the EOS 1000D, a new entry-level model designed to lure buyers into the EOS camera system. Since the new model has to fit into the EOS range below the 12.2-megapixel 450D it will come as little surprise that the 1000D is a 10.1-megapixel model, also featuring the latest DSLR must-have feature, live monitor view.

Of course Canon already has a 10.1-megapixel DSLR in its line-up, the EOS 400D, which is still available for around £340 body-only. So is the new camera just a 400D with live view bolted on? Not quite; in fact it would be more accurate to describe the 1000D as a cut-down 450D than an upgraded 400D, although it shares some features with both models. The body size and shape is a much closer match, and the control layout is also almost identical to the 450D, although the 1000D has the...

Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce that firmware Ver.1.08 for the SD14 is now available for download.

SIGMA SD14 firmware [Ver.1.08]

Benefits of the firmware update

* Corrects the occasional phenomenon of an image recorded in RAW format appearing to have an unnaturally large file size.
* Corrects the rarely occurring error of camera freeze and image recording failure when shooting continuously or if the shutter button is pressed when the CF Card Busy Light is blinking.
* When Bulb Mode is used Sigma Photo Pro now displays the actual shutter speed used in the exposure rather than just showing the word "Bulb".

SD14 firmware Ver.1.08 is available for download at the following site.
http://www.sigma-sd14.com/software/firmware/

The Nikon D700 employs the much touted Multi-CAM3500FX system, which boasts 51 autofocus points in all. That may almost sound on the side of excessive, but the intelligent 3D tracking system can utilise these AF points to lock on and track a subject through the frame, ensuring sharp autofocus. Targeting single focus points or using batches of 9 or 21 means there's a multitude of uses, and you'll never miss the shot.

The camera body itself is near identical to little brother Nikon D300, plumping for an 'environmentally sealed' (that's splash and dust proof to you and me) magnesium alloy body. Rear controls allow for easy navigation, and the superb 3” 920,000 dot LCD screen also doubles up as a detailed display and control settings interface. For quick use the trio of buttons atop the camera mean it's a breeze to jump between ISO, white balance and picture quality. If quality's your bag then there's nothing quite like having the option of shooting jpeg, NEF raw (or jpeg & raw simultaneously), or even TIFF straight to your compact flash card. Unlike the D3, the D700 opts for just a single CF card slot.

Opting for a bunch of saleable features, the D700 also dabbles in the world of anti dust - employing a fairly standard sensor-shake system. Interestingly this means sacrificing 100% viewfinder coverage, due to the presence of the dust system around the edge of the sensor. Instead, the D700 provides 95% viewfinder coverage.

A...

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One of the sites that has made it's way onto my Bloglines list is The Big Picture from Boston.com (The Boston Globe). The Big Picture summarizes recent events in images -- and not just little web-sized images, large, nearly 1000 pixel wide, images.

I've always thought that high-res images are a completely different world from low-res images because there's some things you can do with the added detail that you just can't do with smaller images.

Anyway, an image by Joel Sagat in July 28th's post about the 2008 Tour de France caught my eye. It is reproduced at the start of this post, and I highly recommend clicking to see the full version in all its hi-res glory. Side note: I'm not sure about the legality of including these images on my blog -- I think it is ok, because I'm discussing the artistic merit and technicals of the images, not simply using them, but if I'm wrong, please let me know.

Anyway, if you haven't noticed yet, the image is remarkable for its tiny depth of field which lends a 'model train seen from above' look to it.


Oddly enough, I couldn't track down much on Joel Saget outside of Tour de France photos. I would have thought someone...

As an active mountain biker, hiker and photographer I have always been on the lookout for a photo backpack that carries well and allows for quick camera access to help capture fleeting photographic moments. The Primus AW immediately caught my eye with its unique side-access pouch. A U-shaped side zipper gives fast access to a complete SLR without removing the pack or even one shoulder strap.

The primary feature in this pack is its lower storage area that has both side and a lumbar access. By unzipping a U-shaped zipper on the right side of the pack via the extra-long zipper tab I can access a compartment big enough to fit my Canon EOS 5D with a 70-200 f/2.8 L lens without removing the pack (It’s not big enough for my 1D body however). I can also use the U-shaped lumbar zipper, but I have to remove the pack to do so. This option gives additional access to my camera and lens, a few small accessory pouches for batteries or filters plus I can reach another padded pocket just big enough for my 24-70 f/2.8 L (an optional divider is provided for use with a combination of smaller lenses or flash).

kafin8ed

more : photographyreview

The EOS 1000D is a solid addition to Canon's extensive range of DSLR cameras, filling the gap at the sub-£500 / $700, entry-level price-point. Canon have cleverly ensured that it's different enough to the more expensive 450D to tempt you to upgrade, yet still producing a very capable camera that suits its beginner target audience. Whilst 2 megapixels, 2 AF-points, 0.5 inch of LCD real-estate, lack of Highlight Tone Priority and no infra-red remote control are fairly significant differences, I really missed the Spot metering mode, larger viewfinder and faster RAW continuous shooting that the EOS 450D offers when compared to the 1000D.

Live View has made it onto the 1000D and is a great addition on paper, but don't expect a point-and-shoot experience as the contrast AF mode is infuriatingly slow, and the Quick AF mode is of most interest to macro and studio photographers. I much preferred the quicker, more seamless Live View mode of the Sony A350. The new EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS kit lens is actually more beneficial than Live View, providing much needed image stabilisation, although obviously Canon's system is still lens-dependent and therefore more restrictive than that of Sony, Pentax or Olympus (which instantly work with any lens).

Image quality is on a par with the EOS 450D, with noise-free images up to ISO 800 and a very usable fastest speed of 1600, so usable that I don't understand why the EOS 1000D doesn't also offer ISO 3200. Chromatic aberrations are...

TransLink Capital and LMS Capital to Bring Strong International Connections, Support Worldwide Growth of Eye-Fi Products and Services

Mountain View, Calif., August 6, 2008 — Eye-Fi, Inc.(www.eye.fi), makers of the world’s first wireless memory card for digital cameras, today announced it has secured $11 million in Series B funding. The round was led by TransLink Capital, with new funding from LMS Capital and participation from existing investors Opus Capital and Shasta Ventures. TransLink Capital’s co-founder and managing director, Toshi Otani, will join the Eye-Fi board.

Eye-Fi will use the investment to fund further development of its portfolio, expand distribution into new markets, and scale its organization and market development activities to support its fast-growing business.

“This investment gives Eye-Fi the long-term resources to establish this new category of products and services that help consumers manage and share their digital memories,” said Jef Holove, CEO of Eye-Fi. “The combination of our current and new investors gives the company far-reaching capabilities to extend our efforts in the United States and abroad, establishing new industry partnerships and accelerating our market development activities.”

Eye-Fi was founded in the summer of 2005 and launched its first product, the Eye-Fi Card, in October 2007. Since launch, the company has expanded its product portfolio and introduced new services; formed partnerships with Nikon, Lexar and more than 20 online photo destinations; and expanded its online and brick-and-mortar retail distribution to include national channels, such as Circuit City.

“Eye-Fi is changing the game...