Photography is a fascinating hobby, for many reasons. Often extremely "rewarding", sometimes frustrating. Hope I can share some interesting subjects.
Thanks for reading.
By the way, I am originally from Berlin, Germany, but moved to Sydney, Australia in 2003.
Canon started shipping the 5D MkII. However, Nikon has something new as well.
On Dec 1st 2008 Nikon announced its new top-of-the-range D-SLR, the D3X.
Nikon FX-format CMOS sensor: 24.5 megapixels, 35.9 x 24.0
Wide sensitivity range. The D3X offers ISO 100 to ISO 1600. The sensitivity range can be increased by two stops (up to ISO 6400 equivalent) and decreased by one stop (down to ISO 50 equivalent
New EXPEED-based image processing
Continuous shooting speed of approx. 5 frames per second in FX format (36 x 24) and 7 frames per second in DX format (24 x 16)
AF system employing high-density 51-point AF
Superior durability: Magnesium alloy is used for the exterior cover, chassis and mirror box to ensure light weight and rugged reliability
High-resolution 3-inch LCD monitor with approx. 920k-dots (VGA),
I have to admit, I can't wait to get my hands on the new Canon EOS 5D MkII digital SLR camera. Here is a link for everybody else who is interested in "the details." The user manual for the new camera is available online.
The much hyped and anticipated Canon 5D MkII is not available for sale yet. But the first test shots and videos are out. These are from pro photographers selected by Canon to test the new camera.
Below are the links of the two most interesting ones:
The wedding photographers at Bebb Studios had a 5D MkII and have posted a quite detailed “experience report” on their blog: http://www.bebbblog.com/about.php
However, the “test”, which currently creates the largest waves on the net is from New York based pro photographer Vincent Laforet. He has 2 videos on his blog:
A video shot with a pre-production Canon EOS 5D MarkII. The files to create the video have not of been manipulated. The result is simply very very impressive.
Leica has today announced a new autofocus DSLR system (Leica S-System), which is configured around a 30x45mm sensor (i.e. 56% larger than 35mm full-frame) with 37.5 Megapixel.
This one was an interesting find. Check if out if you want to know how the shutter in a DSLR camera works:
An interesting animation showing the Nikon D3's shutter release, step by step. Wait until the complete loading of the pictures. Then slowly move your mouse over the picture (left / right) to go backwards / foreward . Watch the comments at the top and the time indicator at the bottom!
After a week of teaser ads Canon has finally unveiled the successor to the EOS 5D: Canon EOS 5 Mark II
New 21.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor with improved EOS Integrated Cleaning System (E.I.C.S.)
Movie Recording
- Available optionally during Live view mode - 1920 x 1080 (16:9) up to 12 mins (Quicktime 1080p H.264; 38.6 Mbits/sec) - 640 x 480 (4:3) up to 24 mins (Quicktime 480p H.264; 17.3 Mbits/sec) - Max file size 4 GB - Quicktime MOV format (H.264 video, PCM sound) - 30 fps
3.9 frames per second continuous shooting
High performance DIGIC 4 providing superb image quality
Maximum 310 large JPEG images in a single burst with a UDMA card
The below is based on my first year Tafe, Sydney where we had to hand in B&W prints produced on our own equipment. Hope this will spare you some of the horrors and wasted time I enjoyed ;-) Have Fun! Thorsten
Printing black & white images on a colour inkjet printer is not straightforward. Normally the colour ink cartridges create an ugly colour cast. Below are a few tips on digital B&W printing. Of cause all of that is without any guarantee and at your own risk! The below worked for me.
1) Buy a printer. You need one for BW printing only. Cheap Epson will do it (about 100AU$). If you do not have a scanner yet, consider buying an all-in-one. I am using an Epson CX7300 (120A$ online).
Most cheap Epson printers have the “pizza-wheel issue”. Check this: http://www.inkjetart.com/pizza_wheel.html Its hardly visible, but was annoying me a lot. However, I am not sure if other brands have similar issues?!
Read the online instructions first. Some models (for older printers) require a chip re-setter. The new models re-set themselves, works ok for my CX7300 printer.
3) Buy special B&W ink from the US here: http://www.inksupply.com (http://www.inksupply.com/utez.cfm)I recommend the 4oz refill ink for US$66 (EZPKN4-4-SET, neutral tone for glossy paper). Shipping time is about 2 weeks to Australia.
When filling the ink cartridges: Make sure to have paper/ tissues around. Wear old clothes. Protect your carpet. You will get dirty!
If you what to optimise/ experiment with your prints, I recommend to also order an additional bottle of warm ink. Preferable for the yellow position (item EZWRM-4-Y). You can mix the tones (warm/ neutral) between the cyan, magenta, yellow positions. But you do need the PHOTO BLACK for glossy paper!
4) Buy quality paper. Paper makes a big difference how your print will look like and how much you need to adjust your print setting!!!I use PermaJet Glossy. The surface coating is much more white than the Epson paper. But that paper is only available at Photo Riesel in Kent St @CBD, Sydney close to QVB. Currently it’s 20% off (02/2008). You will need about 50 sheets to get you through year one.
Once you decided on a paper type, stick with it!!! If you change, you will need to re-adjust your print settings/ adjustments in Photoshop.
You will have to modify you print / profile settings in Photoshop. It is a bit “try and error”.Re-size the test image to a smaller size for printing to get multiple prints on the same sheet. Otherwise you waste too much paper.
At the end of this post are the Photoshop CS2 settings that work for my printer/ink/paper combination. The settings alone deliver a pretty good result. I am also adding a small curve adjustment to make the dark tones darker. If you don’t like the result, just modify the curve adjustment.
6) An other issue you might encounter is the “pizza wheel effect”. If you look very very closely at your print you might notice (a) very fine white dotted horizontal line(s). Its barely visible, normally only in dark areas of the print. This is a typical Epson printer issue. Read all about it here: http://www.inkjetart.com/pizza_wheel.html http://hybridphoto.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-27.html
You can try to avoid it by de-activating “High Speed” and selecting “Photo RPM” in the Epson printer driver settings (Advanced tab). However, one 10x8 print will take about 20min then!
My PS CS2 settings for BW prints
Printer Driver Settings (high speed on/off made no difference in print quality for me)
Curve adjustment (pulled the curve down a bit on the lower-left side)
