Digital Photography

There are a lot of situations where I “need” RadioPoppers. It’s not for shooting people five feet away who are making me point my camera directly at the sun. You can do that without Poppers. What I do want them for is shooting around corners, where I might have a flash in the next room or in an alley that wouldn’t fire if I was just using the regular i-ttl capabilities of my gear.

Or I may be 50 yards away, trying to shoot a nice portrait at dusk under ambient conditions that change by the moment where I have to balance the flash differently as the twilight fades. Poppers let me do that Even more frequently, I might have strobes set up on stands to shoot a wedding party, and to loosen everyone up I will move in very close to shoot right in their faces (this always cracks up bridesmaids, for some reason) and once you get outside that 30-degree visibility window with normal i-ttl you’re not able to rely on the system to give you good exposures. For some of those situations I can use my Pocket Wizards, and believe me I still will rely very heavily on those in my pantheon of lighting tools.

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Canon EOS 50d digital slr camera specs :

Features

* 15.1 MP (APS-C) CMOS sensor
* 6.3 fps with up to 90 JPEG image burst
* DIGIC 4 processor
* ISO range up to 12800
* 3.0” VGA LCD with Live View
* High precision wide area AF
* Magnesium alloy body
* EOS Integrated Cleaning System
* EF/EF-S lens and EX Speedlite compatibility

15.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor
Canon’s APS-C sized CMOS sensor delivers ultra-detailed, low-noise images – ideal for large-scale reproduction and creative cropping. Redesigned pixels with gapless micro lenses extend light gathering capability for exceptional performance throughout the ISO range.

6.3 fps continuous shooting
Perfect for sports, wildlife and action sequences, the EOS 50D captures 6.3 frames per second for continuous bursts of up to 90 JPEGs with a UDMA card.

DIGIC 4
DIGIC 4 is the EOS 50D’s powerful processing engine, working with the CMOS sensor to deliver 14-bit image processing for smooth gradations and natural looking colours. Fast enough to power 6.3 fps continuous shooting, DIGIC 4 is also responsible for the EOS 50D’s near-instant startup time and quick image review following shooting.

ISO range
For fast shutter speed shooting in low light, the EOS 50D features base ISO speeds to 3200, expandable to an ultra-sensitive 12800.

Clear View LCD
The 3.0” 920,000 dot VGA LCD screen offers exceptional clarity, perfect for checking the focus and composition of your images. The large viewing angle coupled with Live View mode makes photography at awkward angles a breeze.

Live View mode
Live View mode allows users to accurately frame images when using the viewfinder is impractical. The dedicated Live View button displays real-time images on the LCD, offering three types of auto focus: Quick AF, Live AF, and new Face Detection Live AF, which focuses based on faces detected in the frame.

Wide-area AF with 9 cross type points
The high-precision AF system employs 9 cross type points for precise focusing on both horizontal and vertical planes. The central AF point offers sensitivity up to f/2.8. Points are spread out across the AF frame to better accommodate off-centre subjects.

Magnesium alloy body
Built for demanding daily use, the EOS 50D’s lightweight, durable magnesium alloy body incorporates environmental protection for performance you can rely on.

EOS Integrated Cleaning System
Canon’s EICS combines special component materials to reduce dust generation, a fluorine coating on the low-pass filter to repel dust, and a Self-Cleaning Sensor Unit to shake dust free at power up/power down.

Accessories
The EOS 50D is compatible with over 60 EF and EF-S lenses and all EX Series Speedlite flash units.

source : canon

sample images

Canon UK Press Release

Outstanding speed and resolution for the discerning photographer: The EOS 50D

United Kingdom / Republic of Ireland, 26 August 2008: Canon today strengthens its EOS range with the addition of a powerful new digital SLR: the EOS 50D. With a 15.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor, 6.3 frames per second shooting and Canon’s latest DIGIC 4 image processor, the EOS 50D delivers unparalleled speed and resolution at a price point that is unique in today’s market.

Outstanding, clean images
A newly designed 15.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor delivers ultra-detailed, low-noise images – ideal for large-scale reproduction or creative cropping. New manufacturing processes, plus redesigned photo diodes and microlenses, extend the light gathering capabilities of the sensor – allowing more pixels to be fitted on the CMOS sensor without compromising image quality. These changes ensure improved high ISO performance and low noise. High-speed, low light shooting is enabled by ISO levels of 3200, expandable to an ultra-sensitive 12800.

The EOS Integrated Cleaning System – including the improved Self Cleaning Sensor Unit with a new fluorine coating – increases protection of image quality by helping to reduce, repel and remove unwanted dust from the sensor. Stubborn particles can be removed automatically in post-production with Dust Delete Data and Canon’s included Digital Photo Professional software.

Rapid-fire performance
Canon’s new DIGIC 4 processor is fast enough to allow up to 6.3fps continuous shooting, in bursts of up to 90 JPEGs with a UDMA card. Used with Canon’s wide area AF system, which locks onto subjects with 9 individual cross type sensors, stunning action sequences can be captured – even in low-light conditions. This makes the EOS 50D particularly suited to sports and wildlife shooting.

DIGIC 4 works with the CMOS sensor to deliver 14-bit image processing, for smooth gradation and natural-looking colours – as well as ensuring ultra-fast startup times and near-instant image review after shooting.

See everything
A new 3.0” Clear View VGA LCD provides extra-large and wide angle-of-view image review, with plenty of clarity for accurate focus checks in playback. By switching to Live View mode – which displays a real-time image on the LCD – photographers can enjoy simplified shooting from awkward angles, or connect to a PC for remote shooting. Live Mode now offers three ways to auto focus: Quick AF, Live AF, and new Face Detection Live AF, which optimizes focus based on faces detected in the frame – for fast, spontaneous portraiture.

Control and ease
The famously intuitive EOS menu system includes a new Quick Control screen, for instant access to the most commonly-changed settings. A new Creative Auto mode offers automatic focus and exposure – while still allowing creative ‘tweaks’ to settings such as background sharpness.

“For advanced amateurs and semi-professionals – or professionals looking for a powerful backup model – the EOS 50D stands alone,” said Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging, Europe. “No other camera in this price bracket offers a comparable combination of speed and image quality.”

Features at a glance
15.1 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
6.3fps continuous shooting, max. burst 90 JPEGs with UDMA card
DIGIC 4 processor
ISO 100-3200, expandable to 12800
9-point wide area AF
3.0” Clear View VGA LCD with Live View mode & Face Detection Live AF
Magnesium alloy body, with environmental protection
EOS Integrated Cleaning System
HDMI connection for high quality viewing and playback on a High Definition TV
Full compatibility with Canon EF and EF-S lenses and EX-series Speedlites

For more information including full technical specifications, please visit http://www.canon.co.uk/press_centre

Pricing & Availability
The EOS 50D (body only) is available from end of September 2008 priced at £1199.99 / €1599.99 RRP inc. VAT.
The EOS 50D EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM kit is available from end of September 2008 priced at £1499.99 / €1949.99 RRP inc. VAT.

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The 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM is the first large-aperture 50mm prime lens to be manufactured by Sigma and the company has gone to considerable lengths to include the latest designs and technology. Unlike the 50mm f/1.4 primes from other manufacturers, which use designs that hark back to the 1970s, this lens is bang up-to-date, with a Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) ensuring silent, high-speed AF; a non-rotating front element and a moulded aspherical optical component

Significantly larger and heavier than the 50mm f/1.4 lenses offered by Canon, Nikon and Pentax, it is usable on cameras with both ‘full-frame 35mm’ and ‘APS-C-sized’ sensors, providing a focal length equivalent to approximately 80mm (in 35mm format) with the latter. The optical design consists of eight elements in six groups with one moulded glass aspherical element for correcting coma and producing superior image quality. Super multi-layer lens coating is included to reduce flare and ghosting.

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Nikon has introduced the new D90 digital SLR, which has been battling it out with the EOS-50D as the worst-kept secret of the month.
The D90 is the replacement to the venerable D80, and it offers many of the same features found on its big brother, the D300. And did I mention that it can record HD movies? Yes, this is the first digital SLR with a movie mode, which is probably a sign of things to come.

The Canon EOS 50D builds upon the success of the great 40D and takes it up a level with a 15.1 megapixel sensor, ISO range of 100-6400 (extendable up to a whopping 12800), 3.0 inch LCD (920,000 pixels) with Live View for framing images in the LCD, a shutter speed of 30-1/8000 second, Digic IV processor, integrated cleaning system and continuous shooting at 6.3 frames per second. The Canon 50D is already available for ordering at Amazon in three…

The Nikon D90 builds on the success of previous Nikon DSLRs and breaks a little ground of its own as the first DSLR to incorporate video. Using Auto Exposure and Auto Focus that is featured in Nikon’s pro model DSLRs the Nikon D90 has a 12.3 megapixel sensor, ISO range of between 100 to 6400, 3 inch LCD screen (920,000 pixels with 170 degree viewing), Live View mode (for framing shots with the LCD) and a lot of other…

Pre-Photokina: After a steady trickle of leaks and rumors Nikon has announced the successor to its popular D80 middleweight digital SLR in the shape of the D90. The D90 looks very similar, but underneath it’s a completely new camera that’s inherited advanced features from further up the line and user-friendly features from the D40/D60 range. Oh, and it’s the world’s first digital SLR with a movie mode. Oher features of note include a new 12.3 MP CMOS sensor, the D3/D300/D700’s fab high resolution 3.0-inch screen and continuous shooting at up to 4.5 frames per second. We’ve had a D90 for a few days now, just enough time to produce a detailed hands-on preview.

Pre-Photokina 2008: Nikon has today launched the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm F/3.5-5.6G ED VR zoom lens. This lens incorporates features such as Nikon’s Extra Low Dispersion (ED) glass, Silent Wave Motor technology (SWM) and Enhanced Vibration Reduction (VR II) and will be supplied as the kit lens with the Nikon D90.

Adobe has announced Version 7 of Adobe Photoshop Elements and Adobe Premiere Elements. Apart from a few new Quick Fix tools, Photoshop Elements 7 offers a new Scene Cleaner option that lets the user brush away unwanted objects from a scene and a Smart Brush which lets the user apply effects to a particular area of a photograph. Adobe Premiere Elements 7 now supports AVCHD format and features a Videomerge option that allows users to create a "green screen" effect and automatically place themselves within a scene.