Sunday, February 28, 2010

Hoodman HoodLoupe 3.0 Review: Useful -- to a degree.


I bought the Hoodman H-LPP3 HoodLoupe 3.0 Professional 3-Inch Screen Loupe from Amazon a few weeks back and just wanted to share my opinion on it for all of you Canon 7D / T2i / 550D video lovers out there.

Why would you possibly need a viewer for your LCD?  Because when it's bright -- you can't see your LCD!  I gave it 3 out of 5 stars on Amazon for the following reasons...

GOOD:

  • Let's you view your focus on LiveView in the bright sun.
  • The lack of magnification doesn't burn your LCD if the sun accidentally gets in.


BAD:

  • There's no magnification so there's really no reason to charge $80 on this except to bump up the margins. The cost to manufacture this runs around $8-$10 (my estimate only). Yes, you will feel ripped off as you buy this. It's like forgetting your toothbrush, being charged $80 for it, but you have no choice as there are no other solutions that's cheaper (until recently, see updated comments below). And yes, no one is forcing you to buy it -- but now you know what kind of build quality this is.
  • The camera straps that runs $16-17 are useless rubber bands. Do not buy.
  • Aside from the useless rubber bands (which I gave a separate review for), there's no way to hold the hood up except maybe perhaps glue it or you can build a 'trap' using the tripod hole which I've seen some people do.


Update!

There's a new product out there called the LCDVF in the $150-$160 range.  It has a mounting plate PLUS the ability to magnify!  Let's see how this works out.  We are patiently waiting for its delivery -- as it is out of stock.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Creating your own camera slider


Friedhelm Fischer just created a very easy, DYI tutorial on how to make your own camera slider, similar to the glidetrack but definitely less expensive. The tutorial can be found on his web site. Definitely worth a look!

Apparently, most of the parts can be bought from: Igus.com

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Manila's Hidden Hero - A Don Sausa short film, shot with Canon 7D

Modern Manila has spectacular skyscrapers, modern super malls, yet its greatness doesn't come from these modern amenities, it's splendor comes from an older, often forgotten source. Manila's Hidden Hero highlights Intramuros, the city's oldest district, and the hero that sacrificed it all to bring Manila and the Philippines to democracy and independence.

Canon's EOS Rebel T2i (550D) just made Nikon ask, "Why do I even exist?"

The new Canon EOS Rebel T2i (550D) was just recently announced, with similar manual exposure controls like the 7D's -- shooting 1080p at 24fps, with low light handling.  Nikon, bested in prosumer, bested in consumer -- why do you even exist?






Specifications
Type
TypeDigital, single-lens reflex, AF/AE camera
Recording MediaSD memory card, SDHC memory card, SDXC Memory Card
Image Sensor Size22.3mm x 14.9mm (APS-C size)
Compatible LensesCanon EF lenses including EF-S lenses (35mm-equivalent focal length is approx. 1.6x the lens focal length) 
Lens MountCanon EF mount
Image Sensor
TypeHigh-sensitivity, high-resolution, large single-plate CMOS sensor
PixelsEffective pixels: Approx. 18.00 Megapixels
Aspect Ratio3:2 (Horizontal: Vertical)
Color Filter SystemRGB primary color filters
Low-pass FilterFixed position in front of the CMOS sensor
Dust Deletion feature(1) Self-Cleaning Sensor Unit
(2) Dust Delete Data appended to the captured image
(3) Manual cleaning of sensor 
Recording System
Recording FormatDesign rule for Camera File System 2.0 and Exif 2.21
Image TypeStill: JPEG, RAW (14-bit, Canon original), RAW+JPEG
Video: MOV (Image data: H.264, Audio: Linear PCM) 
File Size(1) Large/Fine: Approx. 6.4MB (5184 x 3456 pixels)
(2) Large/Normal: Approx. 3.2MB (5184 x 3456 pixels)
(3) Medium/Fine: Approx. 3.4MB (3456 x 2304 pixels)
(4) Medium/Normal: Approx. 1.7MB (3456 x 2304 pixels)
(5) Small/Fine: Approx. 2.2MB (2592 x 1728 pixels)
(6) Small/Normal: Approx. 1.1MB (2592 x 1728 pixels)
(7) RAW: Approx. 24.5MB (5184 x 3456 pixels)
Exact file sizes depend on the subject, ISO speed, Picture Style, etc. 
File NumberingContinuous numbering, auto reset, manual reset
Color SpacesRGB, Adobe RGB selectable
Picture StyleStandard, Portrait, Landscape, Neutral, Faithful, Monochrome, User Defined 1-3
Image Processing
TypeAuto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten Light, White Fluorescent Light, Flash, Custom
Color Temperature CompensationWhite balance correction: ±9 stops in full-stop increments
White balance bracketing: ±3 stops in full-stop increments
Blue/amber direction or magenta/green direction possible 
Color Temperature Information TransmissionProvided
Viewfinder
TypeEye-level SLR (with pentamirror)
CoverageVertical/Horizontal approx. 95%
MagnificationApprox. 0.87x (with 50mm lens at infinity, -1 m-1 (dpt))
EyepointApprox. 19mm (from eyepiece lens center)
Built-in Dioptric Adjustment-3.0 to +1.0m-1 (diopter)
Focusing ScreenFixed, Precision Matte
MirrorQuick-return half mirror (transmission: reflection ratio of 40:60, no mirror cut-off with EF600mm f/4L IS USM or shorter lenses)
Viewfinder InformationAF information
  • AF points and focus confirmation light


  • Exposure information
  • Shutter speed, aperture, ISO speed (always displayed), AE lock, exposure level, spot metering circle, exposure warning


  • Flash information
  • Flash ready, flash exposure compensation, high-speed sync, FE lock, red-eye reduction light


  • Image information
  • Highlight tone priority (D+), monochrome shooting, maximum burst (1-digit display), white balance correction, SD card information

  • Depth-of-Field PreviewEnabled with depth-of-field preview button
    Autofocus
    TypeTTL-CT-SIR AF-dedicated CMOS sensor 
    AF Points9 AF points (center AF point is cross-type) 
    Focusing ModesAuto, One-Shot AF, Predictive AI Servo AF, AI Focus AF, Manual Focusing (MF)
    AF Point SelectionAutomatic selection, manual selection
    Selected AF Point DisplaySuperimposed in viewfinder and indicated on LCD monitor
    AF-assist BeamIntermittent firing of built-in flash
    Effective range: Approx. 4.0m/13.1 ft. at center, approx. 3.5m/11.5 ft. at periphery. When EOS-dedicated Speedlite attached, the Speedlite's AF-assist beam is emitted instead. 
    Exposure Control
    Metering Modes63-zone TTL full-aperture metering
    • Evaluative metering (linkable to any AF point)
    • Partial metering (approx. 9% of viewfinder at center)
    • Spot metering (approx. 4% of viewfinder at center)
    • Center-weighted average metering
    Metering RangeEV 1-20 (at 73°F/23°C with EF 50mm f/1.4 USM lens, ISO 100)
    Exposure Control(1) Program AE (shiftable)
    (2) Shutter-priority AE
    (3) Aperture-priority AE
    (4) Depth-of-field AE (A-DEP, non-shiftable)
    (5) Full Auto (Program AE, non-shiftable)
    (6) Programmed Image Control modes (6 modes)
  • * Flash OFF, Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports, Night Portrait


  • (7) Manual exposure (including bulb)
    (8) E-TTL II autoflash program AE
  • * Evaluative metering, Averaged metering

  • ISO Speed (Recommended Exposure Index)ISO 100~6400 (in 1-stop increments), H: 12800
    Basic Zone modes: ISO 100~3200 set automatically 
    Exposure CompensationManual: ±5 stops in 1/3- or 1/2-stop increments (can be combined with AEB)
    AE Lock(1) Auto AE lock
  • * In the One-Shot AF mode with evaluative metering, AE lock takes effect when focus is achieved.


  • (2) Manual AE lock
  • * With AE lock button. (AE lock is updated each time you press the button.)


  • Enabled in all metering modes.
    Shutter
    TypeVertical-travel, mechanical, focal-plane shutter with all speeds electronically controlled
    Shutter Speeds1/4000 sec. to 1/60 sec., X-sync at 1/200 sec.
    1/4000 sec. to 30 sec., bulb (Total shutter speed range. Available range varies by shooting mode) 
    Shutter ReleaseSoft-touch electromagnetic release
    Self-timer10-sec. or 2-sec. delay or 10-sec. delay plus continuous shooting
    Remote ControlRemote Switch RS-60E3
    Remote Controller RC-1/RC-5/RC-6 
    Built-in Flash
    TypeRetractable, auto pop-up flash
    Flash MeteringE-TTL II autoflash
    Guide Number13/43 (ISO 100, in meters/feet)
    Recycling TimeApprox. 3 sec.
    Flash-ready IndicatorFlash-ready icon lights in viewfinder
    Flash CoverageUp to 17mm lens focal length (equivalent to 27mm in 135 format)
    FE LockProvided
    Flash Exposure Compensation±2 stops in 1/3- or 1/2-stop increments
    Flash exposure compensation for built-in flash and Speedlite can be set with the camera.
    Drive System
    Drive ModesSingle, continuous, self-timer (10 sec. or 2 sec. delay)/remote control
    Continuous Shooting SpeedMax. 3.7 shots/sec. (with One-Shot AF or AI Servo AF)
    Maximum BurstJPEG (Large/Fine): Approx. 34, RAW: Approx. 6
    Based on Canon's testing standards with a 2GB SD memory card, ISO 100 and Standard Picture Style
    Varies depending on the subject, SD memory card brand, image-recording quality, etc. 
    Live View Functions
    Shooting ModesStill photo shooting and video shooting
    FocusingAutofocus (One-Shot AF): Live mode, Face Detection Live mode, Quick mode; Manual focus (5x or 10x manually)
    Metering ModesReal-time evaluative metering with image sensor
    Metering RangeEV 0-20 (at 73°F/23°C with EF 50mm f/1.4 USM lens, ISO 100)
    Grid DisplayProvided (Two grid displays)
    Exposure SimulationProvided
    Silent ShootingNot provided
    Video Shooting
    File FormatMOV (image data: H.264; audio: Linear PCM (with internal mic: monaural, with external mic: stereo))
    File SizeRecording Size: 1920 x 1080 (Full HD): 30p (29.97) / 24p (23.976) / 25p, 1280 x 720: 60p (59.94) / 50p, 640 x 480 (SD): 60p (59.94) / 50p), Movie Crop recording in 640 x 480
    Continuous Shooting TimeApprox. 12 min. (1920 x 1080), 18 min. (1280 x 720), 24 min. (640 x 480)
    Based on Canon's testing standards using a 4GB card 
    FocusingAutofocus: Quick mode, Live mode, Face Detection Live mode; manual
    Exposure Control(1) Program AE for movie shooting
    * For shooting modes other than manual exposure.
    * Shutter speed (1/30 - 1/4000 sec., signal accumulation time), aperture, and ISO speed automatically set.
    (2) Manual exposure
    * For manual exposure.
    * Shutter speed (signal accumulation time), aperture, and ISO speed (auto/ manual) manually set. The shutter speed (signal accumulation time) is limited to 1/4000 sec. at the maximum and to 1/30 sec. at the minimum for 24/25/30 fps or 1/60 sec. or higher for 50/60 fps.
    Exposure CompensationUp to ±3 stops in 1/3- or 1/2-stop increments
    * Possible only with autoexposure. 
    Audio recording methodLinear PCM
    (1) Internal monaural microphone
    (2) External stereo microphone jack
  • * Recording level automatically adjusted.

  • * Sampling frequency: 48 KHz, Bits: 16 bit x 2 ch

  • * Compatible with a commercially-available external microphone with 3.5mm dia. stereo mini-jack.

  • Video PlaybackPlayback, slow motion (variable speed possible), jump to first frame, previous frame, next frame, jump to last frame, cut out first or last, frame, and audio volume (6 levels, including mute).
    * The audio level when the camera is connected to a TV set is adjusted with the TV set. 
    LCD Monitor
    TypeTFT color, liquid-crystal monitor
    Monitor Size3.0 in. 
    DotsApprox. 1,040,000 dots (VGA)
    CoverageApprox. 100%
    Viewing angle: 160° 
    Brightness Adjustment7 levels provided
    Interface LanguagesEnglish, German, French, Dutch, Danish, Portuguese, Finnish, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish, Greek, Russian, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Romanian, Ukraine, Turkish, Arabic, Thai, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean and Japanese 
    Image Playback
    Display Format(1) Single image display
    - Two types of single-image full display and two types of shooting information display.
    (2) Index display
    - 4-image index and 9-index image.
    (3) Jump display
    - 10/100 images, shooting date, movies, stills 
    Highlight WarningProvided (Overexposed highlights blink)
    Image Protection and Erase
    ProtectErase protect (or cancel) each image individually
    EraseSingle image, selected images or all images in the SD card can be erased (except protected images)
    Direct Printing
    Compatible PrintersPictBridge-compatible printers
    Printable ImagesJPEG images compliant to Design rule for Camera File System (DPOF printing possible) and RAW images captured with the EOS Rebel T2i
    Easy Print featureProvided
    DPOF: Digital Print Order Format
    DPOFVersion 1.1 compatible
    Direct Image Transfer
    Compatible ImagesJPEG and RAW images
    Only JPEG images can be transferred as wallpaper on the personal computer screen
    Customization
    Custom FunctionsTotal 12
    My Menu RegistrationUp to 6 menus, Custom functions and other top-tier options can be registered
    Interface
    USB TerminalFor personal computer communication and direct printing (USB 2.0 Hi-Speed)
    Video Out Terminal(1) Video OUT terminal: NTSC/PAL selectable
    (2) mini-HDMI OUT terminal 
    Power Source
    BatteryOne Battery Pack LP-E8
    AC power can be supplied via AC Adapter Kit ACK-E8
    With Battery Grip BG-E8, AA-size batteries can be used 
    Number of ShotsNumber of shots (approx.)
    TemperatureShooting Conditions
    AE 100%AE 50%, FA 50%
    At 73°F/23°C550470
    At 32°F/0°C440400
    Live View shooting at 73°F/23°C200170
    Live View shooting at 32°F/0°C180150
    Movie Shooting Time1 hr. 40 min.1 hr. 20 min.

    The above figures apply with a fully-charged Battery Pack LP-E8.
    The figures above are based on CIPA (Camera & Imaging Products Association) testing standards. 
    Battery CheckAuto
    Power SavingProvided. Power turns off after 30 sec., 1, 2, 4, 8, 15 min.
    Date/Time BatteryBuilt-in secondary battery
    Start-up TimeApprox. 0.1 sec.
    Dimensions and Weight
    Dimensions (WxHxD)Approx. 5.1 x 3.8 x 3.0 in./128.8 x 97.5 x 75.3mm
    WeightApprox. 18.7 oz./530g (CIPA standard, includes battery and memory card.)
    Operating Environment
    Working Temperature Range32-104°F/0-40°C
    Working Humidity Range85% or less