Nov, Dec 2005: Canon EOS News and What's New at The-Digital-Picture.com

Tuesday, December 27, 2005

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Sorry I'm late with my wishes, but I added two more girls to my family - of the equine variety this time. My wife and I surprised our three young girls with their ultimate dream Christmas present (my wife's too) this year - 2 beautiful Quarter Horses. The kids were a bit too surprised - I was expecting sheer exuberation and screaming, but they were dumbfounded and in a healthy state of disbelief. In fact, my oldest (9.5 years old) spent the next four hours asking repeatedly "Are they really ours?" and "They are not taking them home?" Preparations for the surprise have been keeping me busy, including the construction of a Little House On The Prairie-like "shed" (or so the kids were lead to believe) and an 80' (diameter) round pen brought home and constructed in the dark the night before the surprise. I suppose constructing a stable at Christmas time is appropriate. The "shed" has quickly become a horse shelter and supply shed. I'm not a horse lover, but my girls certainly are. I guess I get 2 new photo subjects out of the deal (and lots of new bills) - expect the new girls to show up on the site sooner or later.

Prices on the Canon EOS 5D and Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens have fallen. You might want to revisit this camera and lens.

Tuesday, December 20, 2005

Canon has posted new firmware for the Canon EOS 5D (v1.0.3). This update "Fixes the phenomenon of large image files (1.7GB) being created", "Improves the brightness of the LCD monitor", "Fixes an operational abnormality in the AEB (Auto Exposure Bracketing) shooting" and "Fixes the mistakes in the Swedish-language MENU displays."

Canon has posted new firmware for the Canon EOS 1D Mark II N (v1.0.2). This update "Fixes a file-numbering error that occurred during Bulb shooting", "Improves the brightness of the LCD monitor", and "Fixes mistakes in the Russian-language MENU displays."

Wednesday, December 14, 2005

Many new sample photos are now online in the following galleries ...

Canon EOS 5D Digital SLR Sample Pictures
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens Sample Pictures
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens Sample Pictures
Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM Lens Sample Pictures
Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens Sample Pictures
Canon EF 600mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens Sample Pictures

Of note: None of the 24-105mm sample pictures with shutter speeds below 1 second utilized a tripod. And, no tripod was used in any of the 70-300 IS sample pictures. I love Image Stabilization! Enjoy.

Tuesday, December 13, 2005

New Amazon.com coupon code CUSTAPPRSAVE is good for 5% off electronics including cameras and lenses (max discount is $100). Use the review links to select your item, add it to your cart and enter the coupon code during checkout.

Thursday, December 8, 2005

If you have not visited Adorama's refurbished Canon cameras, lenses and accessories recently, you might want to take another look. They are currently showing the Canon Speedlite 580ex for $300 and the Canon Speedlite 420ex for $155 as well as a lot of other good items.

Friday, December 2, 2005

Now online ...
Canon Speedlite 430ex Flash Review

Friday, December 2, 2005

B&H is showing the Canon 24-105mm IS L lens in stock at this moment. Adorama is also showing this lens in stock.

While Amazon is not showing this lens in stock, I know that they are shipping some of these. And they are having a sale - only $1,187.45 shipped!

Act fast if you want one!

Wednesday, November 23, 2005

I am receiving a lot of email asking what I plan to review next - or if I plan to review a specific lens. And I'm sure many more people wonder but do not ask. In response, I am adding a bunch of new lenses and other gear to the site today as placeholders for future reviews I have planned. I have most of these items in use, on the shelf or on their way. It will take me lots of time to get to them all, but at least you know what I'm up to ...

Sigma 15-30mm F/3.5-4.5 EX DG Lens Review
Sigma 17-35mm F/2.8-4 EX DG HSM Lens Review
Sigma 24-70mm F/2.8 EX DG Lens Review
Sigma 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 EX DG OS Lens Review
Sigma 50-500mm F/4-6.3 EX DG HSM Lens Review
Sigma 20mm F/1.8 EX DG Lens Review
Sigma 70-200mm F/2.8 EX DG HSM Lens Review
Sigma 105mm F/2.8 EX DG Macro Lens Review
Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX DG HSM Macro Lens Review
Sigma 180mm F/3.5 EX DG HSM Macro Lens Review
Sigma 120-300mm F/2.8 EX HSM Lens Review
Sigma 1.4x EX DG Tele Converter Review
Sigma 2x EX DG Tele Converter Review
Tamron 17-35mm f/2.8-4 Di Lens Review
Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro Lens Review
Tamron 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro Lens Review
Smith-Victor ST24 Shooting Table Review
Bogen / Manfrotto Background Support System Review
Canon Timer Remote Controller TC-80N3 Review
Pelican 1600 Hard Case Review
Cloud Dome Infinity Board Review
SanDisk Ultra II 8GB CompactFlash Card Review

Friday, November 18, 2005

J&R Music World (a very reliable retailer) has the excellent new and hard to get Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens in stock at this moment (verified by a phone call). Act fast if you want one!

Thursday, November 17, 2005

Now online ...
Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 XR Di Lens Review

Monday, November 14, 2005

Adobe Camera Raw 3.3 Beta update is now available and includes support for the Canon EOS 5D and Canon EOS 1D Mark II N.

Wednesday, November 2, 2005

Now online ...
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens Review

Tuesday, November 1, 2005

If you have not investigated the current Canon USA rebates, be sure to do so - some really great deals are possible.

For example, the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT / 350D body can be purchased for only $577.20 at B&H Photo Video after tripled rebate. Or, the Canon EOS 20D body can be purchased for only $1,015.20 at B&H Photo Video after tripled rebate. Those are hard-to-resist prices for anyone wanting a new DSLR, an upgrade, a backup or additional body, a nice Christmas present ...

Of course, you need to purchase three different items on Canon's rebate list. Fortunately, some of Canon's best lenses are included - such as the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L USM Lens ($514.95 ATR at B&H) or the Canon EF 17-40mm f/4 L USM Lens ($624.95 ATR at B&H). Or up to $150 off other great lenses. Follow the rebate instructions carefully and keep copies of everything.