5D MkII Goes Up Against "Proper" Video Cameras

Posted on December 13, 2008 | Leave a comment


Zacuto’s Great Camera Shootout ’08 from Steve Weiss, Zacuto USA on Vimeo.


Zacuto have brought together four film makers and asked them to choose between a range of cameras starting at the top end with film, the Red One, all the way to the Nikon D90. In the mix was also the Canon 5D MkII.
At the end out the “shoot out”, two of the four film makers picked the Canon 5D MkII as their camera of choice for documentary work.

You can watch a bigger version here. There is also a 720p HD version to download from the site. You need to first register for free and then download the M4V version which is to the right of the Vimeo page. 

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Posted in Camera Equipment, Video

WARNING – Dangerously Incompatible Cables

Posted on December 10, 2008 | Leave a comment

Ok, now that I have your attention, there’s an article on EDN that warns of using USB cables to attach your cameras to your computers. This kind of falls out of the pro market as most of us use card readers, so please make sure your friends and relatives know of this issue.

Although most cables that come with digital cameras look the same physically and have a USB plug on one end and a mini USB which plugs in to the camera, they are sometimes wired differently and can cause damage to the camera. Only use the cable that came with your camera.

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Posted in Camera Equipment

Canon 5D MkII By Night

Posted on December 9, 2008 | Leave a comment

I’ve had my hands on a 5D MkII for over a week now as I’m reviewing it for the BJP’s Christmas edition. Its going to be a sad day when I have to return the camera back to Canon.

The low light capabilities of this camera are absolutely astonishing. It almost makes you feel like you’re cheating as it opens up possibilities where normally you would either:
a) have to get a tripod
b) use flash and kill the mood
c) leave and go home
The shot of the London Eye (above) is a nice shot by night. Not a difficult or demanding shot. However, you have to realise that it was taken hand held at 4000ASA! The picture’s been taken using a Canon 45mm f2.8 TS-E (tilt and shift) which is quickly becoming a favourite lens for creative shooting.

The second picture of France’s President Sarkozy (above) visiting Downing Street was taken yesterday after 4pm – basically it was almost pitch black. As my colleagues were forced to get their flashguns out and swap lenses to a 70-200 and hope the high gloss black door of number 10 wouldn’t reflect too badly, I just stood there with a big smile, the 5D MkII and my 300mm f2.8L lens. I may have forgotten to mention that it was shot at 6400ASA! As I showed my colleagues the picture, an argument ensued – they were certain that I had used flash….until they realised there was no flash on the camera; oh what good fun!

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Posted in Camera Equipment

New Bags From Think Tank Photos

Posted on December 8, 2008 | Leave a comment

Think Tank Photo have launched several new bags. The Shape Shifter (above) is definitely of more interest to photojournalists. It has a genius way of swallowing up a whole professional level of camera gear and a laptop with accessories. What sets it apart from all other bags though is its ability to compress the camera section away, just leaving a 3″ deep laptop bag. This is great for travelling to assignment, taking out your gear and then turning the bag into a slim laptop carrie
r which is light and so slim that you won’t be bumping into people or objects. I have written a full review for the BJP which will be out very soon.

The other bag is part of a series called Street Walker (above). Its a very neat design which can carry a laptop and full pro level camera gear.

You can purchase these bags on-line from SnapperStuff.

I’m a big fan of the products from Think Tank Photo and every bag I use is made by the company. I have yet to find better designed or better made rollers, back packs, pouches or shoulder bags. One of the things that sets the company apart from others is that it listens to photographers and has a design board made up of photographers from around the world with different disciplines. If you haven’t yet seen the range, I definitely recommend you look through their web site and pop into your local shop to try them out; you won’t be disappointed.

Lastly, founder of Think Tank Photo, Doug Murdoch, has published a new free white paper called “Active Shooting vs. Transportation/Storage” which is available to download.

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Posted in Camera Equipment

Six Months in Afghanistan by John D McHugh

Posted on December 5, 2008 | Leave a comment

John D McHugh’s six months project is now complete and The Guardian have posted 19 images from his project. They give an interesting insight as well as cover the drama of a fire fight. Well worth a look.

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Posted in Photography

400Gb Blue Ray Disc

Posted on December 2, 2008 | Leave a comment

Pioneer has showcased its 16-layer 400Gb Optical Disc at the Taipei IT fair.

Its due for launch in 2008-2010 in a read only version, but there are plans for re-writeable discs in 2010-2012 and a 1Tb version is destined to follow in 2013.

Whilst optical discs like CDs and DVDs have proven not to be the best solution for archiving digital media, here’s a chance for Pioneer to concentrate on not only making these large discs (which are so much better than using hundreds of CDs or DVDs) but also put emphasis on trying to make them archival in nature. Lets keep our fingers crossed!

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Posted in Computers and Software